(Ridge)
I left Mira in our section. Walked to the bar.
Needed a drink. Needed to clear my head.
The main room was quiet. Most of the brothers were with their families. Making sure everyone was okay after what happened to Beth.
I poured myself a whiskey. Drank it. Poured another.
"Mind if I join you?"
Dad.
I looked at him. "Yeah. Sure."
He sat down next to me. Poured himself a drink.
We sat in silence for a while. Just drinking.
Then Dad said, "You're carrying a lot right now."
"I'm fine."
"No. You're not. And that's okay."
I looked at him. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means being president is hard. Especially during times like this. And you don't have to pretend it isn't."
"I'm not pretending anything. I'm handling it."
"I know you are. But that doesn't mean it's eas
