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CHAPTER 35
“Did you really think you would sneak out?”
“I was hoping.”
“Mr. Richardson when have I ever made it that easy on you?”
“I don’t know Ms Buchanan.”
Kevin made good on his promise to touch every inch of her body the previous evening. They fought sleep all night. Finally dozing as the sky started to lighten. Kevin woke just before 9:00. After showering and packing up, he watched Jordan sleep for several minutes before forcing himself to leave. He thought it would be easier for both of them if she woke to find him gone. Unfortunately, as he opened the door her voice stopped him. She was coming down the steps, wrapped in a sheet. Opening the sheet, she wrapped herself around him. He leaned down and inhaled her scent. Resting her forehead against his chest, she took his hand and began to play with the wedding band. He’s heart skipped a beat when he realized only the thin band kept them separated. Well that and the choices he made before she walked into his life.
“You take care of everyone.”
“I will.”
“If any of them want to know why I left have them call me.”
“I can handle it.”
“No Kevin,” she started, looking up at him. “I can handle it. Just give them my number. I already got the two hardest ones out of the way.”
“Yeah Skip and Nick were rough ones,” he attempted humor.
“Funny.”
“I try.”
“I know you do,” she answered and they both knew they were talking about so much more. “Will you be ok driving?”
“Yeah.”
“Do me a favor.”
“What,” he asked in a hopeful tone.
“Call Delaney and let her know you got there.”
“I will.”
“Well…”
“Well…I better head out. Bye Jordan.”
“Bye Kevin.”
Kevin gently kissed her one last time. At the car, he stopped for a moment and looked back. What he saw was a vision he would carry with him for a lifetime. Light was illuminating Jordan as she stood on the porch. Her hair was falling loose around her shoulders. Her body draped in the sheet. He ached to know he would come back to this beautiful, strong-willed, compassionate woman. Knowing he wouldn’t was almost unbearable. The knowledge that it was his own doing made the pain cut deeper.
They watched each other until Kevin drove around a corner. Neither heard the other’s whispered declaration of love. The words drifted off across the lake…Hollow Lake.
Kevin called Delaney just as Jordan asked. She was surprised to hear from him, but quickly understood why he called her instead of Jordan. It was Jordan’s way of making sure all ties were severed. She knew her best friend was hurting.
It had been hours since Kevin left. Persistent knocking forced Jordan to move from her spot on the couch. She opened the door to find Delaney.
“Kevin made it to Nashville fine.”
“OK,” answered Jordan in a quivering voice.
Delaney handed Jordan an ice chest. “Take this to the kitchen. I’ve got more supplies in the car.”
“OK.”
Delaney walked out to the car shaking her head. She had never seen Jordan like this. Sure the girl had the 'I just lost my man' look to her that most get when a relationship ended. Delaney had just never seen it on her friend. Jordan had come to the door with her hair half up in a scrunchie. She was wearing an oversized sweatshirt and pants. It would be fine except it was still July and Jordan was hot natured. Her whole face was red and puffy from crying. Damn Kevin Richardson! Walking into the house carrying several plastic shopping bags and her duffel thrown over her shoulder, Delaney found her friend staring out the kitchen window.
“You could have open it.”
“Oh…sorry. What’s in it?”
“Breakup supplies.”
“Kevin and I didn’t breakup. We were never together.”
“Fine then its men suck supplies.”
“Huh?”
“Just open it up!”
“Alright.” Jordan slid back the top. “Blizzards?”
“Four large M&M Blizzards. I stopped at Dairy Queen on my way up the hill. I couldn’t exactly bring ice cream from Nashville!”
“I take it you brought those bags from Nashville.”
“Yep.”
“More men suck supplies?”
“Yep. All the comfort food you could every want. I’ve got chips, dip, pretzels, candy, frozen pizzas and other things. And if that doesn’t work I’ve brought the secret weapon.”
“Which is?”
Delaney unzipped her duffel and pulled out a bottle, displaying it. “Vodka!”
“Now that sounds pretty good about now.”
A knock on the back door caught their attention. Delaney saw who was there and quickly hid the liquor.
“Hi mom,” greeted Jordan as she opened the door.
“Jordan are you alright,” asked her mother as she felt her daughter’s forehead.
“I’m fine.”
“You don’t look fine.”
“I’m fine,” reiterated Jordan.
“Delaney how long you been here?”
“Just walked in the door.”
“Jordan where’s your other guest?”
“He’s gone mama.”
Janis study her daughter for a moment before responding, “I see.”
“I’m sure you do,” retorted Jordan.
“How long are you staying Delaney?”
“I’ve got the next two days off.”
“Then I will expect you two over for dinner tomorrow night.”
“Mother.”
“Jordan you will bring Delaney over tomorrow night or I will send your father over after you.”
“Fine! I’m going to the bathroom. If you’re not here when I get back I’ll see you tomorrow night.”
Delaney waited until Jordan was out of ear shot before speaking. “I’m sorry Janis.”
“It’s alright Delaney. We both know my little girl's hurtin'. I’m a safe place for the hurt to come.”
“I guess you’re right.”
“I will see you tomorrow night. If you need anything call. OK sweetie?”
“I will. Bye.”
“Bye.” She called out, “Bye Jordan!”
“So how pissed is she,” asked Jordan, coming back into the room.
“She’s not, because she knows you’re upset. So what first salt, chocolate, or just sweets?”
“Salt.”
“Good. Catch.”
Jordan caught the bag of chips thrown at her head. They moved up to her room and turned on the TV. They found an old movie and cried their way through it. After the movie, Jordan went down and retrieved two of the Blizzards from the freezer. Later in the evening, when one of Backstreet’s videos came on they opened the vodka. Between the junk food and the liquor, both girls got very drunk and Delaney got very sick.
At noon, Jordan crept into Delaney's room with some Alka Seltzer she had found in her grandmother’s medicine cabinet. She tipped toed over to the bed where Delaney was still out. Gently shaking her friend, she tried to wake her up.
“Del.”
“Go away.”
“Del drink this.”
“I’m dying.”
“Delaney get up,” she said sternly.
“Why aren't you in this bad a shape?”
“Remember I don’t get hangovers or sick.”
“At this moment I hate you.”
“I know. Try this.”
“What is it?”
“Damn it, just take it!”
Delaney downed the liquid then gagged. “Gawd that’s awful. What time is it?”
“Noon. I thought you needed to get up and move around some before we go to the parents.”
“OH God! I’ll have to eat food,” wailed Delaney.
“Or risk insulting my mother and explaining to Buck why you can’t eat.”
“Can’t I die without bodily harm?”
“You don’t have to die if you just get up and start drinking water. It will help flush your system out.”
“Bring on the liquids,” commanded Delaney then winced when her head throbbed more.
After downing a glass of water, Delaney looked at Jordan. She looked very different this morning. She had showered and dressed in jeans and a tank top. Her hair was pulled back neatly into a ponytail. Her eyes were still blood shot but she looked better.
“Feeling better this morning?”
“Yes. Del thanks for coming yesterday. I really needed you.”
“Do you think I would miss a chance to have the hangover from hell? Never…ow don’t make me laugh.”
“You made you laugh.”
“Ow…I know. I gotta stop it! So you still hurting?”
“Yeah, but I’ll get through it. Like Kevin Richardson says, it’s time.”
Chapter 36
Fall came to Hollow Lake, by way of the changing colors of the leaves, rain, and cooler temperatures. It was referred to as the first "normal" fall they'd had in years.
In the months since Kevin left Jordan had stayed busy. She worked with Delaney on a business plan for the Bed & Breakfast. The County Zoning Board approved the zoning change. While they weren't quite ready to hire employees, they were getting inquiries from local people. The plan was to have the place ready for business on Valentine's Day. One of the Nashville TV Stations agreed to come out at the first of the year and do a story on the place along with surrounding points of interest. They were also working with the Adult Contemporary Radio station in Nashville on a couple's getaway contest for the opening. The contest was also scheduled to begin in January.
The other thing she worked on was a place of her own. An Uncle worked for a log home manufacturer and helped design her dream home. It would not be small with its over 4,000 square feet of living space. Her father thought it was a waste of money for just one person to live there. She didn't care, because it was all hers.
She planned on moving in before the B&B opened. With the outer shell of the house up, she was on schedule. She might not have the entire place finished before she moved in, but she would have the master bedroom suite and kitchen done. The rest would be finished by May at the latest.
In the three months since moving home, she kept up with the Boys from a distance. She watched the reports of the extension on the tour delay to allow AJ more time. She joined the Online Fan Club to see the updates. She cried when she saw the first update. The realization she was no longer part of the group really hit home. She had received calls from Brian, Howie, and AJ when they found out she wasn't going back out with them. Brian and Howie thanked her for her work and said they would miss her. AJ asked if Kevin was the cause. Jordan explained it as best she could. AJ accepted her decision, but hated to see her go. He also warned her he might just show up on her doorstep one day. She told him to come anytime; she'd have a bed for him.
She also watched everything unfold on September 11th. She called Nick to see how they were doing. Nick was withdrawn. She knew he was upset, but he wasn't ready to let his guard down. She remembered Daniel and was heartbroken for his family. She sent flowers to the funeral and an anonymous donation to the fund set up in his memory.
She also saw the fan club clips of Kevin and Kristin. Even as it turned her stomach, she hoped Kevin was trying to make his marriage work. She still wanted only for him to be happy.
She was at her house in early November, when she got an unexpected call.
"Hello."
"Shaq come to Hawaii."
"Sure thing Shorty. I'll be on the next flight," she said with a laugh.
"No wait until I get there."
"And when will that be?"
"The 26th."
"Of this month?"
"Yes! This month."
"OK I give. What are you talking about?"
She could picture him rolling his eyes as he explained, "We're going to Japan in a couple of days. I’m going to Hawaii when we're done."
"By yourself?
"No. Tony and Mike'll be there."
"And you want me there?"
"Yes! Come on Jordan. I miss you. I'll pay for everything. Just say you'll come. You know you need a vacation. It's Hawaii," he tempted. "Hello? You still there?"
"Yeah I'm here. Just thinking."
"Please, please, please, please."
"I've always wanted to see Hawaii."
"Yes! Woohoo! I'll make all the arrangements."
"No, I'll make my own arrangements and I'll pay my own way."
"I can do it Jordan."
"So can I Nick. So give me all the information."
Nick gave her everything. They talked for a few more minutes, playing catch up on each other's lives. He said he was being 21 and enjoying himself. She told him about the new house. They stayed away from topics like Kevin.
Delaney arrived shortly after Nick's call. She was still working at the arena, but would be leaving at the first of the year. For the time being, she came up on weekends to help get the house ready for business.
"So did you ask him about Howie doing the nasty with the new online fan club person?"
"No."
"I wonder what happened to the no fucking the help rule?"
"I guess it's a non-issue. Don't forget there is a big difference. Howie's not married."
"Details. It's still not right."
"Yeah well that's not keeping it from happening."
"I'm jealous you're going to Hawaii."
"Want to tag along? I can get you a ticket."
"Naw. I have to stay here and work."
"Make a deal with you. Next vacation, we'll go to Hawaii."
"Deal! You look worried. What did he say about Kevin?"
"We didn't talk about Kevin."
"Then why are you frowning?"
"I'm worried about Nick."
"You mean our little party boy?"
"It scares me."
"Like he said, he's 21."
"Yes, but…"
Delaney interrupted, "Well maybe you two can talk in Hawaii."
"I hope so."
"Anyone else coming along?"
"Just his two friends Mike and Tony. Mike's going with him to Japan. Tony's flying from Florida to meet them on the Island."
"I take it Nick's picking up the tab for both of them."
"We didn't talk about it."
"But you know he is."
Shaking her head, Jordan agreed, "Yeah."
"Do you think he'll tell anyone you going to meet him there?"
"You mean do I think he'll tell Kevin? No. He's still pissed at Kevin, because I'm not on tour with them. Besides even if he did, I'm sure Kevin would just file it away. It's not like he'd show up."
"I suppose you're right."
In Florida, on the phone, Kevin pleaded, "Its Thanksgiving Kristin."
"I know what holiday it is."
"But you've never been to Japan."
"And I'm not going now. I'm going to stay in LA."
"Fine you stay in LA."
"I am. I'll meet you in Seattle like we discussed," stated Kristin.
"Happy fucking Thanksgiving!"
"Have a safe trip."
They hung up without another word. Kevin paced through his house. He had gone to Florida after the show in DC. He wanted to hide and get his head on straight. When he called Kristin, he really thought he only needed to work out the travel arrangements for them. He never thought she would tell him no. He had decided after leaving Jordan's that he would try to get things back on track with Kristin. She had come out for few dates at the end of the tour. He thought they could work on their relationship while in Japan. She had blown that idea out the water.
Looking around his bedroom he decided to do laundry. When he'd first gotten there he had just sorted his laundry straight from his bags in to the washer, that had been over a week ago. Today he pulled his clothes out of the hamper. As he pulled the last of his clothes out something caught his eye. Pulling out the white material, he recognized the outfit as the one he had bought for Jordan. She had worn it her first night in the house. He sat down on the floor by the hamper and held the material against he nose. Inhaling deeply, he breathed her in. He wanted to call her. Hell he wanted her there. If things were different and she was in his life, she would be there. She would go with him to Japan. There would have been no question, no hesitation. Unfortunately, things weren't different. So there he sat on the floor with tears in his eyes as he clutched the material of something that had once covered her body. He was miserable.
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