"That's fine, but I have a speech to give."
I click the phone off and open the door. Graham and I exchange a look, one I can't explain, but one that I know like the back of my hand. Looking at him and seeing it, feeling it, let's me know that even if my father hates me over this, even if Nolan blasts me all over the place, my decision today was worth it. For the first time in a long time, I can be proud of what I’m doing, who I am, what I’m working for—and it has nothing to do with politics or careers or family vendettas.
"You have about ten minutes," Graham says, stepping inside. "They're making sure the microphones and shit work. Do you need anything?"
I shake my head, pulling my phone out of my pocket. "Let's turn this fucking thing off. Fuck it." I glance down and see Monroe's number flashing on the screen. "It's Monroe. Do I take it?"
Graham leans against the wall. "Hey, you're playing hardball today. Let's go big or go home."
I click the button and raise my brows at Graham. "What's going on, Monroe?"
"What the fuck do you think you're doing, Landry?"
"Oh, I don't know, taking my campaign back, maybe. That's what it feels like anyway."
"I got a call last night that you are losing your shit. That I should be worried about endorsing you.”
I laugh, for the first time completely uncaring of what he thinks of me. “Maybe you should be. I am kind of reassessing my choices today."
"You know you won't win this election if I recant my support. I have enough time to change my mind on you publicly and I will. Don’t test me.”
"Tell you what, Monroe," I say, noticing a woman waving at us on the other side of the door. Graham slips out to deal with her. "Tune in to the news in a few minutes and you'll find out exactly what I've decided. Then you can feel free to blackmail me, torch me all you want in the press."
“It's time,” Graham mouths through the glass.
"Talk to ya later." I click the phone completely off and open the door. "It's show time."
Barrett
The room is much fuller than I expected. Chairs take up most of the center of the room, each one with a journalist awaiting my arrival. Camera crews line the floor in front of the makeshift podium, as well as the walls lining the sides and the back of the room. Lights are lit for better recording, and that, coupled with all the bodies crammed into such a small space, makes the air heated, the energy in the room boiling.
Graham goes ahead of me and announces that I'll be on in a few moments. I'm standing in a hallway to the side. The crowd buzz quiets as Graham finishes his remarks and exits the stage. Before I know it, he's in front of me.
"Last chance," he says.
"I got this." I start towards the room, but twist back around. "Hey, Graham?"
"Yeah?"
"Thank you."
"For what?"
I shrug. "For being there for me. This world I live in can feel pretty fucking lonely sometimes."
"You got this," he promises. "Go out there and set the bastards straight."
Popping open the door, I laugh. I'm strangely not nervous. My hands are completely calm as I glance down at the paper with my notes. I take the steps to the podium, feeling the anticipation in the air. I give myself a second to reassess my decision. Do I want to do this?
I know the ramifications might be ugly. A part of me even believes this will tank my career. If that happens, I have no plan B. I don't know what I'll do afterwards. And I find it very fucking strange that none of that changes my mind.
I stand behind the podium and adjust the microphone. Gazing across the crowd, there are a ton of familiar faces. Journalists I've been interviewed by over and over again. Reporters that have written pieces good and bad, some that have offered services that extend beyond the professional level. A couple of people I've fucked. Memories from my time as Mayor flash before my eyes, and I smile, knowing I've done the best job I could. Even if this is the end of my career, the stopping point of my political adventure, I'm fine with that.
Opening my mouth to speak, I notice the back door opening. My father and Lincoln walk in and lean against the back wall. I study my father’s face, waiting for some indication as to what he's thinking, but it's blank. Our gazes break and I clear my throat, pasting on the mask for the cameras.
"Thank you all for coming on such short notice." I look up and smile, giving them a photo op. The cameras flash, taking advantage of me posed behind the podium. I look back down at my notes, take a deep breath, and go for it.
"It's been my honor to work for the people of Savannah. I'm humbled at the trust placed in me to make decisions on behalf of the people of this city. It's been a challenging, fulfilling, successful journey. Together, we have made our city one of the best cities in the country, and I'm proud to have had a hand in that.
“As you well know, there’s an election today.”