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CHAPTER 45
“You sure you know what your doing?”
“Will you hush!”
“I’m just sayin’.”
“You’re saying the same thing Kevin did when he watched me do this.”
“I am?”
“Yes and trust me I can do this…watch.”
Jordan sliced through the cake with the thread and moved to the next layer. After slicing it, she gave Nick a triumphant smile.
“OK. OK. You can do it.”
“Oh ye of little faith,” scolded Jordan. “The real question is are you finished?”
“As a matter of fact I am,” replied Nick with a grin.
“Well let’s see this masterpiece.”
Linking arms, they walked to the master bedroom. Nick had banned Jordan from her bedroom for the last three days. She asked him to paint a mural above the doors leading to the back deck. Nick covered her eyes as he guided her into the room.
He whispered, “tada!”
Jordan opened her eyes and gasped, stepping forward for a closer look. The mural started at the ceiling with water cascading over the dam into the lake. The lake ended at the top of the sliding glass doors, which overlooked Hollow Lake. Nick surrounded the lake with the woods blending them out until they completely faded into the wood of the walls. An eagle flew through the center of the mural while another one sat on a low limb of a tree painted just above the door. Nick had written at the bottom “Jordan’s Haven at Eagle's Rest” and signed it.
Jordan was so caught up in studying the details she forgot Nick was still there. Not only was he there, but he was getting worried, because she stayed so quiet.
“Jordan,” he said, quietly.
“Yeah?”
“What do you think?” He was surprised when she turned with tears beginning to tumble over her lashes.
“Whatever you don’t like I’ll fix. If you want to take it all down, I’ll do it.”
“No! It’s beautiful. Thank you so much for doing it.”
“You really like it,” asked Nick, his head down and his eyes looking at her through his bangs.
“I love it!”
She pulled him into a hug as his blush deepened. He felt a rush of pride.
“Nick tell me what you think about the apartment over the garage.”
“It’s cool.”
“Would you like to help me decorate it?”
“Sure.”
“Good. I’m thinking Nashville this afternoon.”
“Alright. Let me jump in the shower quick.”
“Deal.”
They spent the afternoon visiting different furnishing stores in Nashville. Jordan let Nick take the lead in choosing things. They headed back to Hollow Lake when purchases and deliveries times were complete.
Over the next few days they divided their time between being at the house for deliveries and Eagles’ Rest helping Delaney. Jordan would sneak off from time to time. Nick didn’t really question her about it.
Late one afternoon, Nick and Jordan were enjoying mugs of hot chocolate while looking out across the lake from the back deck.
Jordan asked, "you ready to have a serious talk?"
"About?"
"You."
"What about me?"
"Are you ready to start doing things that make you happy?"
"Who says I'm not happy?"
"Nick."
"Jordan don't start jumpin' my shit. I'm fine I'm being a guy."
"Yes you are."
"So what's the problem?"
"The problem is I don't think you're happy."
"How would you know?"
"Then tell me Nick are ya happy?"
Nick paused, "What's that got to do with anything?"
"It's got everything to do everything," exclaimed Jordan.
"I told AJ you didn't want me here," he muttered.
"Yes I do! I'm worried about you. You are one of the most important people in my life."
"I am?"
"Yes," exclaimed Jordan. "Why else would make a place for you in my home?"
"Oh," he said. "Thanks for letting me stay."
"Nick I told you this is your home."
"I know and I like my room."
"Room?"
"Yeah?"
"Nickolas Gene Carter come with me."
"What'd I do?"
"Come with me," she ordered.
She pulled him through the kitchen and small sitting room up the stairs to the apartment. The last pieces of furniture had been delivered earlier in the day.
"This is your place."
"It is?"
Jordan put hands on her hips and glared at him.
"Alright! Alright! I believe you…but why?"
"You need a place to come and you need your own space. Love ya babe, but I don't wanna hear you getting' your grove on."
"Jordan," scolded Nick.
"OK smarty then I don't want you to hear me."
"Don't go there."
"Fine," she giggled.
"Thanks Jordan. You keep rescuing me."
"You do the same."
After exchanging a hug, they moved Nick's stuff up to his new apartment, then really talked. He was sure Jordan was going to unload on him about being a big disappointment. She hadn't. She was honest about where she thought his life was headed. She nailed him about doing things that made him unhappy. She cared about him and that came through everything. He wasn't sure where he was headed, but he knew he had Jordan on his side. That made him happy.
They snuggled up in his new bed and continued to talk.
"Jordan can I ask you something?"
"Go for it."
"What about Kevin?"
"What about him?"
"You love him."
"And?"
"Is he out of your life for good?"
"Probably."
"If he showed up here tomorrow, would you let him back in?"
She thought for a moment. "No."
"Why?"
"Because he's still married."
"Oh."
"Nick, Kevin knows what it takes. I told him."
"So if he shows up that means he's taken care of his shit?"
"Pretty much."
They were silent for a few minutes.
Jordan asked, "if he was back in my life, how would you feel?"
"If you're happy and he treats you right then I'm fine."
"Are you two back on track?"
"Pretty much."
"So no fighting?"
"Not about that."
"Good," said Jordan around a yawn.
Nick yawned too and listened to her breathing change as she fell asleep. His mind wandered back to right after Hawaii. He met up with Kevin to present at the American Music Awards. Kevin had come to check on him when he settled in at the hotel. Nick surprised Kevin with a punch to the stomach that dropped the older man to his knees.
"What the fuck was that for," groaned Kevin as he struggled to breathe.
"Jordan," replied Nick looking down at him.
"What did she tell you?"
"Don't worry Kevin she didn't rat you out."
"I wasn't worried," stated Kevin, pulling himself to an upright position.
"Kevin I saw."
"Saw what?"
"The blood."
"I didn't mean for it to happen."
"Well whatever the fuck it was did happen."
"I know," answered Kevin softly. "How is she?"
"Better."
"Why did you call me that night?"
"I hadn't seen either of you and I didn't get an answer when I knocked on her door."
"Why," asked Kevin becoming alarmed.
"She was sleeping the other room."
"So she's ok?"
"For the most part, but Kev you can't keep doing this to her."
"I know."
"Do you?"
"Yeah I do. We talked. Until I can come to her free and clear, I'm staying away."
"Sounds good to me. Guess we need to go meet Krystal for lunch."
"Yeah," agreed Kevin, Nick helped him up. "One last thing."
"What?"
"I deserved that punch, but you ever do it again and I will drop your ass."
"Don't fuck with Jordan again and I won't have to."
"Fair enough."
Nick chuckled quietly at the memory of dropping Kevin. Kevin was right, he did deserve it. Nick also knew Kevin was trying to get his shit together. He just didn’t know when Kevin would get it all together. Jordan snuggled closer and Nick yawned again, before drifting off to sleep.
Chapter 46
Silence greeted Kevin when he entered the house. He felt his blood pressure rising. He was enjoying his down time in Florida. Kristin had all but summoned him to LA. Now he was here and she apparently wasn’t. Stubbing his toe on a box in the doorway to the livingroom, he cursed.
“Kristin,” he called out, not expecting a reply.
“Bedroom.”
He entered to see her packing, which puzzled and infuriated him even more. Dropping his bag, he folded his arms across his chest.
“Going some place?”
“No.”
“Why the packing? Wait…those are mine.”
“You are correct. I wanted this done before you got here.”
“Took an earlier flight.”
“No problem. We can finish this after we talk.”
Crap! There was that phrase again. Why did all women have to talk, Kevin wondered. Rolling his eyes, he followed Kristin into the dinning room.
“Kevin I think it’s time we’re honest with each other.”
“Meaning?”
“Meaning, we don’t really have a marriage. Never really did." She could see she had stunned him. “It’s not that I don’t care about you, I do. I think you care about me too, but we really aren’t in love with each other. I hoped it would happen when we married. This never turned out the way either of us wanted.”
Kristen stopped speaking. She began picking at the flap on a large envelope in front of her.
“Kristen what do you have there?”
Taking a deep breath, she pushed it across the table to him. “The end of our marriage if you agree.”
The line of Kevin’s jaw tightened. He slowly pulled the stack of papers from the envelope. Scanning the summary attached, Kevin pulled his cell out and search for a number. Selecting and dialing the number he looked at Kristin.
“See if you can get your attorney here,” he requested and watched her disappear into the livingroom to use the phone.
Before sunset, they had worked everything out. Really, it was more a matter of Kevin agreeing to the terms Kristin’s attorney laid out. Kevin made reservations at the Chateau Marmont and left with the attorneys.
Two days later, Kevin met Brian for lunch. Brian was in town on BriLeigh business. He and Leighanne were still dividing their time between LA and Atlanta. Leighanne was currently in Atlanta waiting on a new niece or nephew to be born.
The two men chitchatted until their meals were ordered and drinks brought to the table.
Brian asked, "what brings you to LA?"
"Kristen asked for a divorce."
"What," sputtered Brian, choking on his water.
"A divorce."
"What are you going to do?"
"I signed the papers."
"I'm stunned. Did you have any clue?"
"No. Yes…Probably."
"Is there another guy?"
"She says no. I believer her. She's right. We never were right together."
"You don't seem to upset. Is she?"
"No. It's sad, but only because we realize we wasted time."
The conversation stopped when the waiter returned with their food. They ate in silence for a few moments. Both lost in their own thoughts.
"How much she ask for?"
"The prenup amount."
"Damn! All ten million?"
"Well she gets the house here and seven million in cash."
"Shit Kevin!"
"Brian it's fair. She put up with my shit for years."
"You put up with her's too."
"I know, but this way it happens quietly."
They finished their meal and Brian drove Kevin back to the hotel. He insisted Kevin stay with him. After getting Kevin settled in a guestroom, Brian poured them each a drink.
Handing Kevin a glass, he asked, "Have you talked to Jordan lately?"
"No," replied Kevin. "Why would I?"
"I just thought you might, with getting divorced and all."
"Damn Brian it's only been two days!"
Brian paused to study the liquid in glass before continuing. "Nick's there right now."
"So," answered Kevin in a defensive tone.
"Nothing. Just talked to him yesterday."
"How is he?"
"He sounds really good. It's the first time in a long time where I'm not worried after talking to him."
"Good. Maybe he's getting his shit together. Wonder what made him visit."
"AJ."
"Huh?"
"AJ took Alex up there for a visit last month. He convinced Nick to stop running and go home."
"Home," asked Kevin.
"Yeah. It seems Jordan has built a house and she included an apartment for him."
"Humph," grunted Kevin.
"They've always been close. Kevin you know that."
"I didn't say anything! Guess that means her B&B is doing ok."
"It's actually doing very well."
"I'm happy for her."
"So when you going to see her."
"I can't"
"Why not?"
Kevin got very quiet. "I promised."
"Yeah I know about that promise."
"How?"
"Kevin there's a lot I know."
"Like what?"
"Like I know you hurt her in Hawaii." Brian held up a hand to silence Kevin. "Nick was drunk one night last tour and upset about not having a home. He told me about you showing up in Hollow Lake then again in Hawaii. He also said he knocked the shit out of you for hurting Jordan in Hawaii."
"Oh great the little shit put my business out everywhere!"
"Kevin grow up! He told me, because he needed to unload and I for once was there. The other day he told me what Jordan said about you getting back into her life."
"So?"
"You are being such a pain in the ass! In a very short amount of time you will be a free man. You've also been talking to someone about your other issues. Kevin you've changed. I think you can commit to Jordan."
"Its not like she still wants me. She and Nick are probably together now."
"Don't make me have to come over there and kick your ass."
"What'd I say?"
"Jordan and Nick are not and never will be lovers. They are family. Nick needs someone in his life like Jordan. She waited until he was ready to come home and welcomed him when he did. She waiting for you too."
"How do you know?"
"I know because she loves you."
"Maybe."
"There is no maybe about it. She loved you enough to send you home and step out of your life when you needed her to. No other woman has loved you enough to walk away from you. And you love her just as much."
"Oh yeah?"
"Yes! You loved her enough to let her go, when all you wanted to do was hang onto her for dear life!"
They sat for a few moments.
"Brian do you think she would take me back?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Kevin she didn't just build a house, she built a home…a home which includes a studio."
"What?"
"AJ and Nick say it's state of the art. She's even got a friend lined up as the engineer. AJ said he knew the second she told him about the studio that she was building it for you."
"I don't know."
"Oh for heaven's sakes," exclaimed Brian.
"Where you going?"
"To call AJ," replied Brian, disappearing down the hall.
Forty minutes later, AJ arrived.
"Hey man," greeted AJ, hugging Kevin. "So the bitch got ya for the house and seven million."
Kevin chuckled, "Good to see you man."
"Take a look at this, while Brian makes me some coffee."
Brian had popped in the video AJ had brought then lead the way to the kitchen. Kevin watched AJ and Alex playing in the backyard of the B&B. He soon heard a familiar giggle. Alex ran toward the person with the camera. AJ took the camera and turned it on Alex and Jordan. Jordan had picked the little boy and they were zooming the camera. Soon Alex squished Jordan's face between his hands and was giving her very sloppy sugar.
Brian and AJ slipped back into the room just as AJ was giving a tour of Jordan's new house. Kevin was amazed. It was bigger than he expected, but she still made it feel warm and inviting. He wondered how she could afford such a place.
As if reading his mind, AJ said, "big ass house, ain't it."
"Yeah."
"It's cool," stated Brian. "I like the way she's decorated."
"How could she afford something like that?"
"I'll show you," said AJ, forwarding the tape.
AJ could be heard on the tape saying, "see all this? Well all this is Jordan's. That's right folks Jordan is what ya call independently wealthy."
"I didn't know," whispered Kevin.
"None of us did. Her grandmother died and left her all the land and money."
Brian watched his cousin for a moment. "Now don't get pissed because she didn't tell you. You didn't need to know."
"Fine."
They watched some more. Kevin noted how her hair caught the light. The curves of her body hadn't changed. Her eyes still twinkled, which made him sad. As horrible as it might sound if said out-loud, a part of him wished she didn't look so happy.
After the video ended, AJ asked, "so when you going?"
"Going," asked Kevin.
"He's being stubborn," answered Brian.
"I am not."
"Yes you are. You love her and she loves you."
"You don't know she does," argued Kevin.
"Did you tell him about the studio?"
"I sure did."
AJ swung his head around to look at Kevin. "Will you stop being a jackass and just go?"
"I don't know."
"Do you love her," asked Brian.
"Yes."
"Then I'm telling you the same thing I told Nick. Get your ass on a plane and get to Hollow Lake," ordered AJ.
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