Blocked (41 page)

Mateo shrugged. “I like Dane. He’s cool.”

I’d never loved my brother more. “Thank you, Matty.” I turned to my parents. “Dad, Mom, this isn’t about Dane’s family, or his politics. It’s about
him
. I’m not changing who I am, but I care about Dane. He’s a good person…I hope you’ll come to see that.”

“No.” My father’s jaw flexed. “I won’t. You don’t know these people like I do, Lucy. They’re
not
good people. They lie, they cheat.”

“Don’t you know that’s exactly what Dane thought of you, at first? But then he got to know me, and…”

Whoops
. Dad snorted fire again—clearly that hadn’t been the best argument for winning him over. “I
won’t
have my only daughter mixed up with that family.”

“Governor?” His manager approached.

“One second!” Dad bellowed, then gave me the death stare. “Whatever you’ve started with Dane Monroe, you’ll end it. Tonight,
mija
. We’ll move you to another place. It’s over.”

No
. My breath came in spasms, close to hyperventilation. Tears cascaded down my cheeks as agents herded my family toward the door.

“Governor,” the manager said, “when she brings up global warming as scientific certainty—”

“No!” The word flew out of my mouth, and my father spun around. I swiped my cheeks. “I
won’t
leave Dane. You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

My mother gasped. “Lucia.”

Dad’s face colored to the shade of a hot red pepper. “You most certainly
will
—”

“Governor, I’m sorry, we must go.” The manager hustled him out the door to the waiting area behind the stage as the agents lined us up.

My mother’s hands shook as she pulled a cigarette out of her purse and attempted to light it.

Alejandro swooped in to yank it from her lips. “No time for that,
Mamá
.”

She frowned.

Tia
Mari rubbed her back. “
Está bien
, Sylvia. It will be okay.” She glanced at me, then back at my mother. “Have you
seen
that boy? Who wouldn’t fall for him?” She winked at me. “Well done, Lucy. I think he’s a hunk.”

I somehow managed to smile at her through my tears. As we proceeded toward the auditorium, Frank sidled next to me and offered me some tissues.

“You know, Frank…” I yanked the tissues from his grasp. “I already have a father.”

“I’m sorry, but—”

“Stay away from me.” I dabbed beneath my eyes and marched away.

As we emerged from behind the stage and filed into the packed auditorium, the spectators clapped and hollered. Why did they celebrate my family’s arrival? We hadn’t done anything worth applauding. In fact, the bombshell Frank dropped on my father minutes before he took the stage would likely destroy his performance in this key debate.

On the other side of the auditorium, I noticed Dane and his family heading toward their seats, also in the front row. His sister walked in front of him and his father behind him, along with some agents and people I didn’t know, and he looked as gloomy as I felt. He carried his body with a sense of tension I hadn’t seen since Beergate.
Look at me
, I willed.
I need to see you
. Finally he lifted his head and glanced my way. When his dour expression brightened, the pressure in my chest evaporated. His smile was that dazzling. I noticed how his crisp black suit accentuated his height and the broadness of his shoulders. Unfortunately, once we sat, I couldn’t see him without leaning forward in an obvious move.

My black clutch vibrated, and it took me a second to realize it was my phone. I never carried a purse—way too girly, but my heart soared once I read Dane’s text:

You look stunning tonight.

He was obviously too far away to see my blotchy face. Alejandro whispered to our mother on my left, but Mateo grinned at me from the right. “Sexting?” He smirked.

I elbowed him, then furtively typed:

Gracias. U look guapo, like always. U ok?

As I waited for his response, cheers erupted and the candidates took the stage. I’d never realized Senator Monroe’s beauty until I saw her in person. Of course, I should’ve known she had to be gorgeous to produce a son like Dane. Her lithe frame moved elegantly, and her eyes held a spark of intelligence and sass. Her dark purple business jacket and skirt must have cost a fortune, and I loved the floral scarf tied at her neck. My phone buzzed again.

My dad’s a prick.

My lips parted. Dane had never discussed his father before. And though my father had his moments, I would never say something like that about him. I knew his freak-out about Dane was just because he loved me.

I looked up at my father as he stood behind the podium. His hard stare pulsed hostility across the stage, and I realized he likely aimed his fury at Dane. I gulped. Dane had a right to know what had happened.

Speaking of dads, mine knows.

The return text came seconds later:

Fuck ME.

Despite my prior meltdown over the situation, I stifled a giggle. His potty mouth was something to behold. Yet another thing my dad wouldn’t like.

My dad looked straight at me as the moderator began to speak, and it seemed like he was barely holding it together. I mouthed, “
Te amo
.” His glare seemed to soften.

“Welcome to Florida State University, site of the last presidential debate. I’m Molly Martins, your moderator this evening.” From her perch at a desk downstage, she paused as applause echoed through the auditorium. “We will start with an opening statement from each candidate, three minutes each. First, Governor Adolfo Ramirez.”

My eyebrows arched. Perhaps letting Dad go first meant the moderator’s liberal bias wouldn’t show tonight. Or perhaps she could see how rattled he looked and wanted to pounce on that.

“Thank you, Ms. Martins. Good evening, Senator Monroe.” He nodded at Dane’s mother, then gripped the podium. “My father grew up in Mexico, and though he had a loving family, he wanted a better life: Economic opportunity. Safety. Autonomy. Freedom. Where could he find these treasures? What country did he pine for? America, of course…the beacon of light to so many around the world. When he was nineteen, my father legally emigrated to Texas, where he met my mother.”

He smiled as he walked to the side of the stage, appearing relaxed and animated like his typical self.

I exhaled.

“The America my sister and I grew up in was a strong one. Education: top-notch. Innovation: fostered. Entrepreneurship: celebrated. Freedom: cherished.

“The America my three children grow up in…” He looked straight at me as he moved to the center of the stage. “Sadly, it has weakened under eight years of liberal leadership. Our government fosters dependency, paying citizens more to stay at home than to work. For those who are able, work is
crucial
for well-being, yet we deny them that key sense of self-worth. Excessive regulations have produced a stranglehold on innovation and freedom. And our economy? Well, our economy
sucks
.”

What sounded like surprised laughter bubbled up from the audience.

“My administration will restore strength to our great country. We will surge forward with vibrant success, leveraging the untapped talents of our diverse population. We will achieve excellence once again!”

Did he honestly just pump his fist? The crowd erupted into thunderous applause, and I looked over my shoulder with awe at the clapping spectators behind me. A few shouts of “Rez for Pres!” rang out. Maybe he did have a chance to win. Clearly jazzed, Alejandro tapped my thigh with his fist.

“Thank you!” the moderator shouted, barely heard over the volume of cheers. “His time is up,” she repeated, until finally the crowd quieted. My phone buzzed in my hand.

Not bad. He’s dead wrong, but at least he’s passionate.

Jerk
. I typed back immediately:

Should’ve seen his passion when he found out about us.

“Senator Monroe, your three minutes begin now.”

“Thank you, Molly.” Dane’s mother smiled warmly. “I started my career as a psychologist, where I first learned about the resilience and strength of Americans. For the past eleven years, it’s been an honor serving in the US Senate, representing the good people of our country. Most recently, I’ve cherished the opportunity to learn even more about Americans on the campaign trail—to listen to their hopes and dreams. People like José Almada, a migrant farm worker in California who battled for over ten years to gain citizenship.”

Alejandro leaned in and whispered, “Taking it right to us on immigration.”

“People like Alice Briggs and Jeanie Young, who now have the right to express their love via legal marriage.”

A few cheers erupted, and I thought of Allison and China.

“People like Bill Compton, whose medical bills would have bankrupted his family before Democrats insisted on affordable health care.” She placed her hand over her heart. “These are my people. I will fight for their dreams. I care about each and every American, and I will fight for
all
of us, not just wealthy business owners. I will fight for equality!”

The applause seemed even louder this time. I typed another quick text:

Game on.

Chapter 24

“I D
ISAGREE
W
ITH
T
HE
G
OVERNOR
that our military is the first line of attack.” From behind the podium, my mother scanned the audience. Both candidates had responded to a question about education, and it now was her turn to discuss national security. “Diplomacy and negotiation are fine arts that have been lost by war-hungry Republicans. We need to bring back the ability to
listen
to our neighbors, instead of foisting our agenda upon them.”

My smile broadened as the applause rained down.

Dad leaned across Jessica and nudged me. “She sure schooled
him
on foreign policy.”

Like you care
. I wished he’d stop talking to me. His arm draped across Jessica’s shoulders made me want to barf.

“Listening
is
important,” Governor Ramirez said when it was his turn for rebuttal. “For years we’ve listened to terrorists call us infidels. We’ve listened to their deep desire to destroy us. But listening is a two-way street. The only way our
enemies
listen is through force, through strength. Senator Monroe, the past regime has been all talk, no action, and it sounds like you want more of the same. Terrorists ignore us when we speak loudly but carry a small stick. A
tiny
stick.”

When he held up his index fingers an inch apart, I almost laughed along with others in the audience. Who knew Adolf could pull off sexual innuendo on national TV? Standing at the end of the row, Brad gave me a thumbs-up. But I scowled back at him, refusing to succumb to Adolf’s charm. He would likely have none of that charm for me.

“Next,” the moderator said, “we turn to the pressing problem of climate change. How will you keep America safe from the threats of global warming? Senator Monroe, you’re up first.”

“Thanks, Molly.” Mom aimed a smile over my shoulder. “And thanks to Dr. James Thompson for his seminal work alerting us all about the dangers we face…” She extended her arm to gesture to the same spot behind me, and I craned my neck to find him sitting a few rows back.

Yes, thank you, Dr. Thompson, for the house that brought Lucia and me together
. It hit me with a thud that Adolf probably wouldn’t let Luz live with me ever again. I swiveled back around to find the governor staring at me with angry eyes.
Yikes
. I wondered if Mom’s mention of Dr. Thompson had sparked thoughts of our living arrangement for him too.