Beauty Queen (34 page)

Bean wasnt listening; he rambled toward the closet, just barely missing the door, and lifted his huge head and snout to have a good sniff of a shirt.

That was when Rebecca saw it Bean was sniffing a purple shirt. A purple T-shirt, in the middle of the yellow and khaki dress clothes, completely out of color scheme and character.

Oh, Bean, thank you! she cried, landing on her knees and scratching Bean behind the ears. She beamed up at that purple shirtthere it was, her first real step toward imperfection. A baby step, okay, but a step all the same.

And as she hugged Bean, the phone began to ring again.

It was a couple of days before Matt could admit to himself that what he had done at the Four Seasons was remarkably callous and reprehensible hed been quite a dick to the one person he would never want to treat reprehensibly. Rebecca wasnt empty; she was full of vibrant life. But hed been very determined and very angry, and really, at the time, his cutting remark had not seemed that cutting ...

And now she wouldnt even talk to him. He had tried three times to get her on the phone, and three times, she had hung up. On the fourth and fifth attempts, the answering machine had picked up. Which left him with the image of Rebeccas face when he called her empty. And oh, lest he forget, her sobbing You made me believe had haunted his sleep for three nights now, and okay, his days, too, because he had believed, too. Now that belief felt dashed to pieces.

It made his little triumph with HGG look asinine by comparison. But at least he had pulled that off HGG was now leaning toward an endorsement for Tom.

Which pretty much left Matt standing smack dab in the

middle of the huge hole Rebecca had created when she quit the campaign.

He once thought hed be happy if she was gone from the campaign, but he wasnt even remotely happy. He was pretty miserable, actually. All this time, he had thought Tom was treating him like a second-class citizen when he was the Anointed One, and had even allowed him to be bumped off his anointed pedestal by a former beauty queen. But it was jealousy and arrogance that got him here. Maybe Rebecca was right he had mowed everyone over as if he was somehow entitled to do so. Pat had great ideas about education, which he could not recite today if his life depended on it. Angie had done a great job with the phone bank, in spite of his early misgivings about her. Had he even once commended her? Hell, no. Even Gilbert had written a couple of excellent speeches, yet Matt continued to think of Gilbert as a kid who needed his guidance.

And in the process of reviewing his more outstanding character flaws, hed have to admit that he never really gave Rebecca any credit. She had worked hard, extremely hard, pulling off an improbable bingo fund-raiser, always thinking outside the box. But hed lashed out at her for being the kind of woman Tom wanted to hang with instead of him, and now, thanks to his supersized ego (which he had not heretofore known was that big), he was standing in the hole, missing her.

God yes, he missed her. Missed her smile, her carefully hand-addressed envelopes and childrens drawings. Missed hearing the latest diet or recipe tip for the e-newsletter and her motivational office decorations. He had always thought she was gorgeous on the outside, but hed just begun to glimpse how beautiful she was on the inside before hed gone and blown it.

And Matt missed Grayson. That kid slayed him. He missed green slime candy and Hot Wheels and Sponge-Bob SquarePants.

With Rebecca and Grayson gone, the whole campaign felt empty, and Matt cursed himself for having such a fat mouth. This was a mess he had no clue how to climb out

of before, on those rare occasions hed gotten himself into trouble with a woman, hed never really cared enough to get himself out. He damn sure had never said such hateful things to a woman before, even the one or two who probably deserved it. The whole deal was pretty remarkable for a former all-star ladies man, and left him feeling very uncomfortable and uncertain, like he really didnt know what he was doing anymore. About anything.

Matt sort of muddled through the days after that bad scene with Rebecca, feeling very weird. Almost like he was hurt or something. He skipped Sunday dinner with the folks, not feeling up to their usual cheerful interest in his life.

It wasnt until the following Friday that he actually got Rebecca on the phone. He had, in a moment of desperation, tried one last time, and much to his great surprise, she picked up. Ah .. . Rebecca? Rebecca, how are you? he quickly asked when she answered.

His question was met with cold silence.

Listen, I really need to talk to you about the other night

Matt? she quietly interrupted, her voice sounding hollow and far away.

Yes?

Please dont call me again, she said politely, and the phone went dead.

That was when Matt decided to make the drive out to see his folks, because he needed something solidly familiar.

He met his sister, Bella, on the drive, holding her baby girl. Wheres Bill? he asked, reaching for the baby.

Golf, where else? Bella said. Cameron, will you let your Uncle Mattie hold you? she cooed, handing her over to Matt, who smiled as he gazed down at the chubby cheeks of the nine-month-old.

The baby smiled, too. Look at her smile, Bella said. She really likes you, Matt. Doesnt that make you want one of these for your very own?

Yes. Oh, yes. Maybe someday, he said noncommit-tally, and together with his sister, still holding his niece, walked inside.

Sherri Parrish, Matts mom, was watching her two oldest children on the drive and saw the wistful look on Matts face as he looked down at his niece, which she thought was a little odd. Of all her children. Matt was the least interested in marriage and children. Kept complaining that he hadnt found The One.

She met her kids at the door. Oh my, what a beautiful picture that would make! she cried.

Listen, kiddo, Ill be straight, Matt said to Cameron. Your grandma fell off her rocker a long time ago. You want to say hi to your silly grandma? he asked, and handed the baby to Sherri, who playfully pinched Matts cheek before hugging the baby tightly to her. When Bella had first mentioned she was pregnant, Sherri had been very alarmedshe was too young to be a grandmother! But then Cameron had come into the world, and she had done a complete about face. Now she wanted all her children to provide her with precious babies, and lots of them. She peeked up at her handsome son, the brightest lawyer in all of Austin, hell, maybe even the state, and saw that strangely wistful look again as he gazed down at Cameron that made her heart flinch a little.

I was going to call you and tell you to invite your friend, she blurted (and honestly, she never really knew where these little verbal strikes came from).

Matt looked startled; his gray eyes widened slightly as he dragged his gaze from Cameron to her. Who, Debbie? Im not seeing her anymore.

No, not her, Sherri said. The pretty one from the paper.

Ooh, she was pretty, Bella chimed in.

Was it her imagination, or did the blood just drain from her sons face? I ah, I dont know what you mean. Shes just a campaign worker, he said, and immediately looked away. Wheres the judge?

Whats her name? Sherri asked.

Mom, Im not seeing her! he protested as he walked over to the kitchen bar and looked at some mail.

I didnt say you were. I just asked her name, thats all.

He moaned. Rebecca.

Pretty name, Bella said absently. If I hadnt picked Cameron, I would have picked Rebecca. Ive always liked that name.

Okay, wheres Dad? Matt demanded.

In the study, Sherri said, and chuckled as Matt beat a quick retreat in that direction.

With a look of confusion, Bella watched her brother stride toward the study, then looked curiously at Sherri. What was that all about?

Sherri flashed a fat smile before smothering her granddaughter with kisses. Dont look now, she said, pausing to laugh at the baby, but I think your brother might have finally stumbled on The One, she said conspiratorially to Bella.

Bella gasped, looked at the door to the study. No shit! she quietly exclaimed.

Matt emerged from the weekly dinner relatively unscathed, and went through his Monday in a fog, which hed really done every day since the blowup with Rebecca. He stood in front of a judge, arguing the merits against a summary judgment while his mind was full of thoughts of her. On Tuesday, he had lunch with Ben and two prospective new (paying) clients and wondered if Grayson was having any trouble with his arch nemesis, Taylor. And on Wednesday, while he reviewed the staff billings, he wondered where Rebecca was, if she was smiling at someone, those damn blue eyes sparkling like they had sparkled at him.

At the end of that tedious day, he drove over to the campaign offices and was met at the door by Gilbert, who looked frantic. Gilbert, a former slacker, was never frantic, even when he needed to be. He was holding a little notebook, his pen pressed against it. This is totally wacked, dude! Do you have, like, a diet tip or something?

A what?

The newsletter, man! Were getting two hundred, three hundred hits a day, and a bunch of people are e-mailing, asking what happened to the lifestyle section. I need a diet tip!

Okay ... how about, push away from the table? Matt offered.

Gilbert groaned beseechingly. These ladies dont want to hear that! Pat! he cried, as Pat came in behind them. Pat, youve got a diet tip, right?

Do I look like I have a diet tip? Pat snapped. Anyway, thats your problem, not mine. My problem is this stupid luncheon.

What luncheon? Matt asked.

Good ol Pat sneered at him. Well, Matt, an important luncheon. Rebecca was in the middle of setting it up with the Dallas Womens League, and I cant find any of her files or notes!

Why dont you just cancel it? Matt suggested, and both Pat and Gilbert looked at him like hed lost his mind.

Cancel the Dallas Womens League luncheon? Pat repeated, as if she perhaps hadnt heard him correctly. Are you insane? You think Hispanics are the only vote we need to worry about? You think the womens vote isnt just as big? You think women voters like getting stood up by anyone, much less a candidate? What the hell is the matter with you, anyway?

Ah

Matt!

The sharp edge in Toms voice startled Matt; he leaned backward, looked down the hallway to where Tom was standing with his hands on his hips. Hey, Tom. Whats up?

If you will join me in my office, Ill tell you exactly whats up! Tom spat, and instantly pivoted, disappearing into the office.

Matt looked at Pat and Gilbert. They returned his look with twin glares. Whats his problem? he asked.

Pat sighed with great exasperation. What do you think, Einstein? The same problem we all have!

Matt made a mental note to avoid Pat until she located her hormones. Stuffing his hands into his pockets, he strolled back to Toms office. As he entered, Tom rolled in his chair, lifted his leg to kick the door shut, and rolled back. Youve really fucked this up, you know it? he asked, his voice cold as ice as he glared at Matt over tented fingers.

Excuse me?

You couldnt keep your hands off her ass until after November, could you? You just had to go and run her off!

Okay, the picture was getting a little clearer. Shut up, Tom. Whats the problem, anyway?

You want to know the problem? Ill tell you the problem. Since she quit, the whole goddamn campaign is going in the toilet!

Oh, God Tom, Matt said, straining for patience, youve got three people completely committed to you. Are you going to try and tell me that we cant do what needs to be done along with the public relations firm and the party folks 7 You think Rebecca was your key to the election?

Tom laughed derisively and shook his head. You think campaign contributions just fall from the fucking sky. Matt? Im not talking about the goddamn campaign; I am talking about the bunker buster fund-raiser we were planning! Do you have even the slightest idea how much I stand to lose? How much in dollars? he shouted, slapping the top of the desk. Hell, her father alone could have brought in fifty grand! She was lining up every major player in this state, and you had to go and ruin all that with your dick!

Hey! Matt exclaimed hotly, pointing at Tom. Dont you dare say that about Rebecca! There was nothing like that going on between us!

Yeah, sure, whatever. But let me make it clear to you Rebecca is worth bucks to me. Big bucks. And now people are calling here, wanting to talk to Rebecca, and shes not here. Know what else? She wont take the calls at her house! I am about to lose the biggest infusion of cash this campaign has seen yet, and if you think for one minute that we dont need that infusion of cash, think

again! Were going negative, and that, my friend, requires some serious scratch!

Youre not serious, Matt said angrily. Why? Why cant you let your record speak for itself? Why do you need to drag Harbaugh through the mud? Youve got enough of a track record and youve been touting that damn superhighway as the answer to everyones prayers!

Get real, Parrish! Do you think anyone gives a shit about my track record? The only thing they care about is who Ive fucked, which is why I kept my hands off Rebecca!

The thought of Toms hands anywhere on Rebecca made him sick with revulsion, and Matt felt one step away from putting a fist down Toms throat.

Now look, I need this gala deal! I need Rebecca! Once its over, you can have her, but right now, I need her and her dad!

Marts revulsion was growing. Shes not a thing, Tom.

Until November third, youre all things to me, he retorted, sweeping his arm in the general direction of the offices. And before you get on your soapbox, just remember youre gonna be thinking the same damn thing when you run for DA. Think you can do it better? Well try doing it without money! And if you think anyone in the party is going to give you one red cent, then you better think of a way to fix this crap! So are you going to fix it?