Falling to Pieces by Denise Grover Swank Read Free Book Online Page A

your humble roots.”
    She sat up straighter. “I believe your mother called it ‘poor white trash.’”
    I flinched. Had mom insulted her before dinner when I was with Hilary or after when Dad dragged me from the dining room? Did it matter?
    “Why are you doing this?”
    I stared into her face. I should just let her go, but selfish bastard that I was, I couldn’t do it.
    “Where’s my Joe?” Tears filled her voice. “Because he would never talk about using me for votes.”
    I closed my eyes and shook my head. “That all came out wrong. I’m doing this all wrong.”
    “Joe McAllister couldn’t give two figs about a political office. Joe McAllister wanted to be with me and barbeque and take picnics and walk Muffy.”
    Desperation billowed in my chest as I looked out the window. Not only would she not agree to this, she was going to hate me. I told myself that was for the best but the thought of her hating me sent a jolt of pain through my chest.
    “Your mother called me a pretty diversion from all the bad things that had happened to you this year.” She paused. “Is that true? Is that what I am to you?”
    “God, no.” My eyes burned. “How can you ask that?” I squeezed her hand in my despair. “Do you even know how much I love you?”
    “You know, you were right.” She sat back in her chair. “You’re very obviously two different men. Joe McAllister—my Joe—and Joe Simmons—the man you’ve fought so hard not to be. You’re turning back into him.”
    Her words stung, and I couldn’t hide my bitterness. “You’re the one who told me there was only one me.”
    She took a deep breath. “So you plan on using the story of our entrepreneurial spirit in the campaign?”
    “If you agree.”
    “What else do you want me to do?”
    Was she really open to this? “You’ll need to distance yourself from characters like Bruce Wayne and David for a while.”
    “And what about Neely Kate?”
    I snuck a glance at her. She sounded surprising emotionless at the suggestion. “I’m not sure yet.”
    “So I need to cut the few friends I have out of my life. Mason too?”
    I couldn’t answer her. I was asking her to give up everything. For me . I sure as hell didn’t deserve it, and she didn’t deserve the misery it would put her through.
    “I guess I can work at the nursery since it will help your campaign.”
    Was she really considering it? “For a while anyway, until we get married. We can’t live in Henryetta since it’s not in the same jurisdiction.” I squeezed her hand so hard I had to have cut off her circulation. “I guess we’ll live in El Dorado when we’re not in Little Rock.”
    “Okay.”
    I stared at her in disbelief. She was going to do it. While part of me was ecstatic, the rest of me was horrified. “Okay?” I dropped her hand and stood in front of the sink, grabbing hold of the counter. “Are you even listening to what I’m asking you to do?” I spun around to face her. “Are you seriously considering doing it?”
    Her mouth gaped open in confusion.
    “I’m sitting here listening to the words coming out of my mouth and even I can’t believe I’m asking this of you.” I shook my head in self-disgust. “I can’t believe I tried to make this work. I was so stupid. But I couldn’t face losing you.”
    She stood in front of me, fear widening her eyes. “Don’t do this, Joe. I know you. You don’t want to do this.”
    “I’m not strong enough to fight them, Rose.” I shook my head, trying to hold back my tears. I needed to get myself together and end this. My parents were too powerful and I couldn’t risk hurting Rose any more than I already had. “You’re the strong one. Not me.”
    “What are you talking about?” She grasped my hands, her nails digging into my skin. “That’s not true, Joe. I’ve spent four months with you. I know you.”
    “No. You knew the me I so desperately wanted to be. A man free to live his life without family obligations. Free