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CHAPTER 41
Just as Jordan requested, Nick didn't check on her. However, it had been over 48 hours, and she still hadn't surfaced. He tried calling, but no answer. At sunset, he ignored the "Do Not Disturb" sign and knocked on her door. He tried her cell and got voicemail. He finally broke down and called Kevin's cell. Kevin answered to say he was in Seattle. Nick hung up without another word. Worried he started pounding on her door again. Still nothing. He sent Mike down to the front desk for a key to her room.
Opening the door, he made Mike and Tony stay outside. Alone, he surveyed the room. The bed was still disheveled. The bathroom light was on, but it too was empty. He turned on a light by the bed. He frowned at the blood on the sheets.
"Nick?"
He turned to see her coming from an adjoining room. "Jordan are you ok?"
"Yeah," she replied, wiping sleep from her eyes. "Sorry I didn't come over sooner. I was sleeping."
"I got kinda worried when you didn't answer the phone. Why did you get an adjoining room?"
"For Kevin," she answered.
"He's gone."
"Yeah. He left last night. So you guys going out tonight?"
"Hadn't thought about it. Probably."
"Well have fun," she said.
He watched her move slowly across the room. "What are you going to do?"
She made it to her suitcase. "Take a long bath and rest some more."
Nick caught sight of bruises on her upper thigh as she bent over to retrieve a sock from the floor.
Swallowing hard, he asked, "Jordan what did Kevin do to you?"
"Nothing."
Before she could react, Nick closed the distance between them and pulled up the hem of the oversized T-shirt. He examined the bruises and recognized them as a hand print. He pulled her around to see the other side and found a matching bruise. He also saw her grimace when he turned her quickly.
"Jordan I saw the blood on the bed. What did Kevin do to you?"
"Nick chill. It's fine."
"Bullshit! Did he…did he…rape you?" He couldn't believe he was asking the question.
Jordan studied Nick's face for a moment before replying. She owed him the truth.
"Nick can we talk about this later? Go have fun tonight."
"Jordan you're not answering and that scares the shit of me."
"No he didn't rape me," answered Jordan.
He could see she was telling the truth, but he also knew there was more to it. He abruptly opened the door. Jordan watched Tony and Mike walk in.
"What's going on?"
"You're coming over to our room," Nick explained.
"Why?"
"Cause I've got a great big old Jacuzzi tub."
"I can collect my own things," she snapped, when Tony started picking her stuff up off the floor.
"Nick she's movin' awful slow," whispered Mike after she disappeared into the bathroom.
"I know. Look guys I'm staying in tonight."
"Come on man. She's fine," argued Tony.
Only a look from Nick was required to shut the boy up.
"We can all stay in tonight," offered Mike.
"Don't stay in on my account," interrupted Jordan, carrying her toiletries to the suitcase.
"We're not. I'm tired," replied Mike.
"I believe that one," joked Jordan.
"Hey I'm tired too," added Tony, looking to Nick for approval.
“Are we having a slumber party,” asked Jordan.
“Never had one of those,” stated Mike with a smile.
“Oh Lord,” groaned Jordan.
“Suck it up,” teased Nick.
Once she settled into the suite, Mike and Tony went out in search of food for the slumber party. Jordan slipped on clothes and went down to take care of her bill. She was only staying two more nights. For that matter, they were all leaving at the same time. Tony was going back to Florida. Nick and Mike were heading to Vale to meet up with the Carter Clan before Christmas.
She took full advantage of Nick’s tub. Afterwards, she joined the guys for a late dinner out in the main room of the suite. Soon after Mike and Tony headed for their room. So much for a slumber party thought Jordan. She would share beds with Nick for the next two nights.
Snuggled up in bed, Jordan finally answered Nick’s questions. She went into just enough detail about everything with Kevin to make it clear Kevin didn’t rape her. She also told him about Ormond.
Nick had a hard time resolving the differences between the Jordan he knew and the Jordan she had been. He never thought of Jordan as unsure. Now he realized what a struggle it was for her to let her guard down. Although he never wanted her to go through trauma, it still made him feel special just knowing she let her guard down with him.
They also had a long talk about how Nick could not get pissy, as Jordan called it, when he was back around Kevin. What went on with Jordan and Kevin had nothing to do with Nick. He hated when she made him promise things. This time was no different.
Things heated up slightly when Jordan brought up her concern about his partying. He said he was just being 21. Jordan was fine with being 21, but he also needed to be safe. Safe meant not getting messed up every night. It meant not getting into trouble or getting hurt because he’s messed up. It also meant not getting someone else hurt. Nick said he didn’t need a mother and Jordan backed off. They left it with him promising to be careful and her telling him he had a home whenever he needed it.
The next day, they all got up early and headed for the beach. They took a helicopter ride around the island in the afternoon. Finally, they actually had a slumber party. They were all together out in the main room watching movies and talking. Eventually they feel asleep.
Their final day was spent packing up and taking one last walk down the beach. They had a late lunch together then headed for the airport. Tony’s flight was first. Jordan’s left next, Nick and Mike would leave just moments later. Tony left with a ‘see ya later’. Jordan’s departure was harder. Tony knew he would see Nick in Tampa right after Christmas. Jordan and Nick hadn’t talked about when they would see each other again.
“Well that’s my flight,” stated Jordan, when the broading call came.
“Yeah,” agreed Nick, quietly.
“It was finally nice to meet the Shaq I’d been hearin’ about,” said Mike.
Giving him a hug, Jordan replied, “It was nice meeting you too. You take of Shorty over here.”
“I’ll do my best.”
Mike moved away from Nick and Jordan so they could say goodbye. Nick was still sitting.
Looking down at Nick, Jordan mussed his hair.
“Shorty do I get a hug?”
Without a word, Nick pulled her into a hug. His cheek rested against her stomach. Jordan bit her lip as tears filled her eyes. Slowing running her fingers through his hair, she listened to the attendant call for the next rows to board the plane.
“What’s going on here,” asked Jordan, tapping lightly on Nick’s head.
“I don’t know when I’ll see you again.”
“Ahh. You come see me anytime you want.”
“Yeah but you can't come see me.”
“Not if you with everyone. Kevin and I need to keep some distance between us.”
“But what if I really need you,” he asked, looking up at her.
“If you really need me, I’m there. No questions asked.”
With his chin resting against her stomach, he asked, “even if Kevin’s around?”
“Even if Kevin’s around.”
The call for final boarding was made.
“I gotta go.”
“I know.”
Standing he lifted Jordan off the ground into a tight bear hug. Sitting her down, she kissed his cheek.
“Love ya Shorty.”
“Love ya Shaq.”
She waved to Mike, before picking up her carryon. She pressed her hand to her heart then to Nick’s. He did the same. He and Mike watched her leave the private area and moved to her gate. Soon they heard the boarding call for their flight.
Chapter 42
Upon returning to Hollow Lake, Jordan threw herself into working on the B&B during the day and her house at night. She worked with Delaney on promotional materials. They also began taking applications for staff. Jordan never mentioned Kevin turning up in Hawaii. Mentioning would lead to explaining, which would lead to her dealing with it. If she had her way, she would never deal with it.
Beside she had never told Delaney about Ormond. There were only four people connected to Jordan who knew about Ormond and she intended to keep it that way.
Christmas week, Jordan finished the master bedroom suite and kitchen in her new home. Her Christmas present to herself was moving in on December 23rd. She would finish the rest of the house as time allowed. Mostly decorating was left to do.
Christmas Eve was spent with Jordan's parents. They had dinner and exchanged gifts. They attend the midnight services at the Buchanan's church.
Jordan returned home to find a message from Nick waiting for her. She checked her watch, with the time difference it wasn't too late to call.
"Yeah."
"You said call."
"Merry Christmas Shaq!"
"Merry Christmas Shorty! You havin' a good time?"
"Define good," replied Nick.
"Bad?"
"Nah. Just the usual shit."
"Nick don't swear," Jane said in the background.
"Hang on a second."
"Sure."
Nick grabbed his jacket, before heading for the back porch of the chalet his family had rented.
"OK. I'm back."
"Where are you?"
"I'm out back of the cabin looking up the stars. What about you?"
"Hang on." She walked out onto the wrap around deck at the back of the house. "Now. I’m looking out at the lake."
"Is it cold there?"
"Not bad."
"Cool. So how are things comin' on the business?"
"Movin' along. We start interviewing staff next week."
"So how are you and Delaney getting along as roommates."
"We were fine until yesterday."
"What happened yesterday," asked Nick.
"I moved out."
"What," exclaimed Nick.
Laughing, Jordan said, "I moved into my house yesterday."
"So you got the bedroom and kitchen done?"
"Yep."
"Anything else."
"Nope."
"You happy?"
"About the house, yes."
"About everything else?"
"Gettin there. What about you?"
"You know how my family is."
"Yeah. Get any good presents?"
"Don't. know. We always open on Christmas morning."
"I see."
"Nick, Mom sent me to get you."
"I'll be there in a minute."
"Ok."
"Which sister?"
"Angel. Well I…"
"Gotta go."
"Yeah. You know what's cool about talking to you?"
"What Nick?"
"You don't ask about Backstreet. You let me tell if I want to, but otherwise we have normal conversations. That's what's cool about ya."
"Thanks. Love ya. Merry Christmas Nick."
"Love ya too. Merry Christmas Jordan."
Hanging up, Jordan looked up at the sky. The night was clear. She watched the stars and moon reflect in the ripples on the Lake, until she was shivering. Walking back into her bedroom, she undressed and slipped under the covers, soon drifting off to sleep.
Jordan spent Christmas day quietly in her new home. Waking early, she set about putting her kitchen in order. She spent the afternoon looking through decorating magazines, getting ideas for the rest of the house. She had dinner with her parents; then it was back to the house for more decorating plans.
"Hello," greeted Jordan when she answered the phone on the 26th.
"What's your plan for the day?"
"Hey Del. You back?"
"Yes. Answer the question."
"I don't know. Work?"
"Truthfully no."
Laughing, Jordan asked, "tell me what you want to do."
"Shopping!"
"Then why did you leave Nashville?"
"I thought we would go to Gatlinburg."
"That could be fun."
"Hit the shops there then the outlet malls in Pigeon Forge."
"Sounds like a plan. Who's driving?"
"Be there in 10."
"I'll be ready."
Gatlinburg Tennessee is located about two hours east of Hollow Lake. The girls made good time and got there at Noon. They grabbed some lunch and began to shop. They made their way through all the little shops on the main drag of town.
Afterwards, they drove back down the mountain to Pigeon Forge. Home of Dollywood and several outlet malls. Not to mention a few show theaters like straight out of Branson, MO.
They spent the rest of the afternoon hitting all the malls. They headed for home as the sun disappeared from the sky. They were heading home tired, but not empty handed.
Jordan led the way back into her place, dropping her purchases just inside the door to the kitchen.
"Del you have good ideas."
"Dan this I know."
"You want some hot chocolate?"
"Sounds good. I'll be back in a second."
"OK."
Jordan busied herself with making the hot chocolate. Delaney came back into the house after only a minute. Jordan turned to see her holding a box.
"Whatcha got there?"
"Steve dropped it off."
"How is our cute UPS driver these days?"
"Married."
"Still? Well dang," groused Jordan. "So I take it that's for me?"
"Yes it is."
"Why didn't you give it to me this morning?"
"Because I wanted us to have a good day."
"Delaney…"
Delaney interrupted, "it's from Kevin."
"Oh."
"Yeah oh."
"No biggie. Give it here."
Delaney sat the box on the counter. Jordan pulled out a paring knife and sliced through the tape. She noticed the label showed it had been shipped from Kentucky on the 22nd. She could recognize Kevin's handwriting on the label. Peaking inside she let out yelp.
"What," exclaimed Delaney. Jordan started laughing, so Delaney tried again. "Jordan what's in there?"
"This," replied Jordan, pulling out a dark hairy thing, causing Del to jump.
"What is it?"
"Kevin's ponytail. See the rubber band?"
"What the hell?"
"Guess he cut his hair."
"No shit! Anything else in there?"
Jordan looked inside again and this time gasped.
"Oh Lord! My heart can't take this," declared Delaney.
The tea kettle's high pitched whistle made them both jump. Delaney quickly removed the kettle and returned to Jordan's side. Her friend was holding a long narrow jewelry box, which she slowly opened.
"What is it," asked a puzzled Delaney.
"A pencil."
"A gold pencil?"
Jordan could only nod as she took it out of the box. She turned it over to find an inscription, which read: Darkness drawn to Light. Light will shine bright. K for J. Delaney watched Jordan use the pencil to put her hair up. It was then Del understood. She watched her friend as she reached inside to retrieve a letter. Delaney sent Jordan to her room to read it. She said she would bring the hot chocolate when she finished making it.
Sitting in the middle of her bed, Jordan used her nail to break the seal of the letter. Pulling out the paper, she again was looking at Kevin's handwriting. It made her smile as she began to read.
Jordan, I hope you had a good Christmas. Don't worry. I'm not going to show up on your doorstep. I won't ambush you again. You were right when you said we pushed each other too far. I'm sorry I hurt you in Hawaii. I never wanted to hurt you…in anyway. You were also right about me not having my demons under control. I'm thinking about talking to someone…maybe. Anyway, when I got my hair cut the other day they handed the ponytail to me. I knew I had to send it to you. You always liked pulling on it. Now you can tug all you want, because it's not attached to my head anymore. Don't be mad about the other gift. It was being made when I came there to see you. I was going to give it to you while we were in Japan, but then you didn't go. I want you to have it. I will always cherish my memories of you. First was the first time I saw you. You looked so sexy in your black business suit wiggling that cute ass of yours to the music. Second, the way you always looked as your hair fell down around your shoulders when you pulled the pencil out. Third is how you looked that morning in Boston, when we made love. Fourth was how you let me in when I was there with you at Hollow Lake. I can't dance with you anymore. I can't make love to you and no matter how much I want to, I can't be with you anymore. I'm sorry for everything and nothing, if that makes sense. I would never give up having the chance to love you. Even though it is killing me now. I'm sorry for any pain I've cause you and that is the only thing I would change. Baby, I do love you. Know that you got inside like no one else ever has. I hope you have a great New Year and a happy life. Kevin
|
“Jordan, can I come in?”
“Sure.”
Delaney used her toe to push open the bedroom door. Jordan was sitting in the middle of her bed. She grabbed a tissue from the nightstand to dry her eyes and blow her nose. Delaney wasn’t sure what her demeanor meant.
“Here ya go,” she said, handing Jordan a mug.
“Thanks.”
Jordan scooted over and Delaney climbed onto the bed. They sat drinking the cocoa in silence. Finally, Delaney had to ask.
“You ok?”
“I suppose.”
“What did the letter say?”
“Goodbye.”
“I’m sorry Jordan.”
“Me too.”
“Do you regret it?”
“When it comes right down to it…No.”
“Good.”
“Good?”
“Yeah. Despite all the crap, I think you two are better for knowing each other.”
“Funny, but you're probably right.”
“You miss him?”
“Of course.”
"Will it be awkward when you visit Nick?"
"I won't be visiting Nick. Not for awhile."
"How does Nick feel about this?"
"Probably not happy."
"Why probably?"
"Nick's been withdrawing from me and I think everyone."
"Not good."
"No, but he's trying to be a normal guy."
"But he will never be a normal guy."
"You know that and I know that…I think even Nick knows it on some levels. He's not ready to give up trying."
"Poor kid."
"Yeah. Breaks my heart, but he knows if he needs me, Kevin or not, I'm there. Also he knows he can always come here."
"Good. So what now?"
"I do what Mama told me to do."
"Which is?"
"I get on living my life without them."
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