Amanda shot Brad a concerned look but he shrugged. She took that to mean he’d expected the other man’s presence. Mitchell was always around, even in the Ritter’s personal get-togethers, silent but there, another reason Amanda found him creepy.
“Bradley, Amanda! So good to see you both.” Stephan held Amanda’s hands and kissed her cheek. “You look pale. Are you feeling okay?” he asked her.
She nodded. “I came down with something, but it’s gone now.” She managed a smile.
“Well, good. Bradley, take care of your girl.” He patted his son on the back. “I’m sorry your mother couldn’t be here too, but she’s still in New York meeting with the strategists we hired.”
“It’s okay. I’ll talk to her when she gets back. Umm … Dad, can we talk alone?” He inclined his head toward Mitchell, who held up the wall behind the senator’s desk.
“Come on, Brad. I’ve known you since you were this big.” Mitchell gestured to a much lower height.
Stephan glanced at Brad, who shook his head.
“Mitchell, please excuse us. Let me talk to my son and Amanda.”
“But—”
The senator straightened himself to his full height. “Go, Mitchell. I’m sure you have plenty to do.” He shot the other man an insistent look, forcing Mitchell to stride out, grumbling his displeasure.
He left the room but didn’t close the door completely. Amanda couldn’t find a way to tell Brad, so she let it go.
“Let’s sit.” Stephan gestured toward the couch and chairs in the corner of the office, obviously placed there for more intimate conversations.
They all settled in.
“So what’s bothering you?” Stephan asked, leaning forward in his seat.
Brad reached for Amanda’s hand and held on tight. “Dad, I know you think Amanda and I are going to be getting engaged. I know you love her and so do I. But the thing is…”
He squeezed her hand harder. A quick glance told her he’d broken into a sweat. As difficult as he’d thought this would be, it was clearly that much worse.
She squeezed back, conveying her support.
“The thing is,” he began again, “I’m gay.”
“I know.”
Amanda blinked, startled. He knew?
Brad coughed hard. “What? For how long? And why didn’t you say anything?”
“Bradley—”
But Brad wasn’t finished and he went on. “Why did you not only let us perpetrate this … this charade, but push even harder by practically announcing our engagement on TV?” he asked, his voice rising along with his obvious frustration.
Stephan touched Brad’s back. “Son, if you weren’t ready to come out, it definitely wasn’t my place to do it for you.”
Brad turned a healthy shade of red.
“And let’s face it,” the senator continued, “your relationship benefited both my career and place within the party.”
Amanda listened in disbelief, remaining silent, as this wasn’t her family or problem.
> “But your career and the party is the only reason I didn’t come out before now.” Brad rose to his feet and began pacing the floor in front of the senator’s big wooden desk. “I didn’t want to destroy something you worked your whole life for, so I remained silent. Meanwhile, this lie has been eating me alive for years. It’s put a wedge between me and the man I love, and it’s cost Amanda as well.”
Senator Ritter stood and Amanda did the same. “Bradley, do not put your choices on me. I never once asked you to lie or pretend to be something you’re not in order to benefit my career. You did that yourself. Admittedly, I let you, but don’t mistake your choices as anyone’s but your own.”
Brad’s shoulders slumped in silent acknowledgment of his father’s words.