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CHAPTER 29

While they were lying on top of the houseboat watching the night sky, Nick's mother called. She was inviting him out on the road to see the family. She also mentioned how nice it would be for him to perform with Aaron. He said he’d let her know in the morning.

He and Jordan talked. He missed his brother and sisters. He knew to see them, he had to play by Jane's rules. Meaning he would have to get up on stage and perform. Jane was no fool when it came to business. She knew having Nick on stage would up Aaron's attendance, which meant more money. As much as Nick didn’t want to perform, wanting to see his family was a stronger need.

The first rays of the sun woke Nick. He turned to see Jordan still sleeping. He smiled as he watched her peaceful face. Looking out across the lake he watched the sun rise higher over the hill. He heard Jordan stirring behind him, but continued to watch the sky. Closing his eyes he inhaled deeply. He could get use to this place.

"What's with the grin?"

"Happy."

"Good. Anything in particular bringing this on?"

"I've got a home."

"You sure do."

"One problem."

"Already?"

"I'm hungry."

"That is a problem. Time to head back to the house. No food on this thing."

They stored the pillows and blankets below, then headed for the car. They enjoyed the early morning ride back to the old house. Nick called his Mom, even though he knew he would wake her up. She was grumpy at first, but her disposition improved when she found out Nick would catch up with them the next day.

There was a car parked in front of the house when they got home. Kevin came around the side of the porch, causing Jordan and Nick to exchange looks. Getting out, Nick walked around to join Jordan on her side of the car.

"You've got a great view of the lake back there."

"I know."

"Hey Nick."

"Kevin."

Jordan looked back and forth between the two men. She didn't miss Nick stepping slightly in front of her as Kevin came to stand at the top of the steps. She could read Kevin's body language and he was ready to rip Nick's head off.

Wrapping her arms around Nick, she said, "We were just getting ready to eat. Join us?" "Thanks."

Nick allowed her to move him into the house. Kevin followed. Jordan put them to work in the kitchen. Soon they sat down to a pancake breakfast. The good thing about fixing breakfast was no chitchat. Once they sat down the tension came back full force.

"When did you get here Nick?"

"Night before last."

"How long are you staying?"

"Don't worry Kevin. I'll be gone tomorrow."

"Nick lose the attitude!”

“Fuck you Kevin!”

“Nice Nick.”

“Will you both stop it,” exclaimed Jordan. “Kevin why are you here?”

Kevin’s mouth dropped open and Nick smirked.

“Waiting,” prompted Jordan.

“I wanted to see you,” he mumbled.

“Did you call?”

“No. Nick say one word and I’m coming across the table.”

“What,” asked Nick, trying to look innocent.

“Why does he get to come here and I don’t,” asked Kevin.

“Because I invited him.”

“Oh.”

“How did you find me?”

“I had a meeting in Nashville.”

“Convenient,” commented Jordan.

“I talked to Delaney and she said you were up here.”

“Did she give you directions and everything?”

“Yes. Well to your parents’ house.”

“Please tell me you didn’t go there.”

“Now where else would I go? I thought you were there. Anyway, your mother is nice.”

“Did you meet Dad too?”

“No.”

“Well thank God for small wonders!”

“I’m sorry if I screwed things up. I just wanted to see you alone before the tour starts back up and we're back in the circus.”

Kevin watched the look exchanged between Nick and Jordan. With an almost imperceptible shake of her head, Jordan silenced Nick.

“Well you’re here now.”

“Gosh you sound so happy to see me.”

“Get this straight Kevin I don’t like people popping up unannounced in my life.”

“Jordan damn it I said I was sorry. I can’t believe you’re makin’ us have this conversation in front of Nick.”

“Hey!”

“Kevin I didn’t make you do anything. You continued to talk in front of him. Besides he knows what happened between us.”

Kevin said between clenched teeth, “fine. Am I staying or am I leaving?”

“Up to you.”

“I’m staying.”

“Figures,” stated Nick.

“Ding. Ding. Round one over. Everyone to a neutral corner. Let’s enjoy today. Nick leaves tomorrow and I want him to have fun. So what shall we do today,” she asked, directing the question to Nick.

“Can we take the houseboat out?”

“Sure. Kevin bring your bags in. I’ll show you the room you’re staying in.”

“I can find it.”

“You can?”

“I’ll just look for your things.”

“OK. Then you back up to the doors just before it on either side of the hall. You can stay in the one on the left. Nick’s got the one on the right.”

Kevin could hear Nick laughing as he stomped out of the house. She was one very stubborn woman. And who did she think she was? Not letting him in her room. Hell even she said Nick knew what they did. They weren’t trying to hide it from him.

Inside Jordan whispered, “Nick not a word about any of my plans. I’ll tell Kevin when you’re gone.” “You sure you’ll be OK? Kevin has a temper.”

“I’ll be fine.”

“Alrighty then.”

The phone ringing interrupted them. Jordan found it was her mother calling. She wanted to know if Kevin had gotten there and what their plans were for the day. She insisted Jordan come by and get some food for them to take on the boat. Jordan knew there was no getting out of talking to her mother.

After making sure Nick remembered the way to the docks, he and Kevin went on over to the houseboat. She would meet up with them after her talk.

Her mother waited on the front porch swing with Buddy at her feet and Gigi in her lap. Both dogs ran to meet the car when Jordan turned in. Jordan took her time getting to the porch. Her mother didn’t speak until Jordan was seated beside her and the dogs settled down.

“Nick is leaving tomorrow?”

“Yes. His mother wants him to meet them on the road.”

“It'll be good for him to be around family.”

“Yeah. Too bad Jane is mainly interested in him performing with Aaron.”

“Why?”

“More tickets sold with Nick there.”

“Shame on her. That boy is so sweet. He deserves better.”

“Yes he does.”

“You driving him to Nashville?”

“Yeah. We’re going up early enough to get some lunch before his flight.”

“How long is Kevin staying?”

“Not sure.”

“He’s why you left the tour,” she stated.

“Mom,” chided Jordan.

“Nice wedding band he has on. I take it he’s still married.”

“Yes he is.”

“You going to have his baby?”

“NO! Mother! I thought we covered this yesterday.”

Janis turned to look in her daughter’s eyes. Trying to determine if she was telling the truth. What she saw told her it was the truth.

“You love him.”

“No.”

“It wasn’t a question. You love him. I think it was a good idea for you to quit your job.”

“What’s that? You think I made the right decision?”

“Don’t be smart! Too bad he loves you too.”

“No he doesn’t.”

“I looked in his eyes. He loves you.”

“Doesn’t matter.”

“No it doesn’t. Best you send him back to his wife and move on with your life,” stated Janis, looking back across the yard

“I’m tryin’ mama," replied Jordan.

“I know you are baby. Come on let's get some food packed up for you.”

“Thanks mama.”

“You know how I cook. Its nothing.”

“I know. I’m not talking about just the food.”

“It’s what mamas do.”

Chapter 30

The three had managed to enjoy the day on the boat and a quiet evening at the house. Now Kevin and Nick were drinking coffee on the back porch while Jordan took a shower. They were enjoying the early morning.

“So you packed and ready to load up?”

“Yeah.”

“Good. I bet you’re happy to see the family again.”

“I really am. I just wish…”

“Wish what Nick?”

“I wish I didn’t have to perform.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Mom is making me perform.”

“You should just tell her no.”

“It’s not that easy Kev.”

“It is if you grow a backbone.”

“Screw you Kevin. If I tell her no then I don’t get see anyone. I will get up there and sing a fucking song or two so I can see Aaron and my sisters.”

“Woah Nick! I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to get you upset. I was wrong.”

“Yeah well. So how long are you staying.”

“As long as I can.”

“Why are you doing this Kevin?”

“Don’t you worry about it Nick. Jordan and I know what we’re doing.”

“Yeah right. You’re not even in the same bedroom Kevin.”

“That will change tonight. I mean I love ya and all, but I want some time with Jordan. It’s why I drove down here.”

“So then what?”

“Then nothing. We go back on tour.”

“And you and Jordan?”

“We continue.”

“You’re sure about that?”

“Hell yes.”

Nick went in to get more coffee. Jordan came into the kitchen with her hair still wet from her shower. Nick poured a cup for her and fixed it the way she liked it.

“Thanks. So you ready to go after that cup?”

“I suppose.”

“Suppose?”

“I’m gonna to miss you.”

“I’m gonna to miss you too.”

“Well I won’t miss you,” joked Kevin.

“Kevin!”

“Hey he knows I’m teasing; besides I'll see him in a few weeks. We both will.”

“Shaq are the keys by the door?”

“Yeah.”

“I’ll get my stuff and put it in the car,” said Nick, as he left the room.

“OK. I’ll be there in a minute,” called Jordan, then turning to Kevin. “Smooth move asshole.”

“What? He knows I’m kidding. Besides I want some quality time with you,” he said and leaned in for a kiss.

Jordan stepped back and said, “wanting and getting are two different things Mr. Richardson. You hanging here while I take him to the airport?”

“I could go…”

“Nope. I’m taking him. You stay here or you could go back to KY.”

“Here.”

“Jordan you ready?”

“Yes Nick.”

“Bye Nick. See in a few.”

“Sure. Later Kevin.”

Nick followed Jordan out to the car. As Jordan began to pull out, Nick stopped her. He forgot his cell phone. Running back in the house, he found Kevin cleaning the kitchen.

“Forget something buddy?”

“Yeah my phone,” he replied.

Grabbing it from the counter, he said, “Later Kevin.”

“Now hurry up Nick. I want Jordan back here ASAP.”

Nick walked out of the room, but stop to look back in.

“Hey Kevin.”

“Hey Nick.”

“Jordan’s not coming back out with us and it’s your fault. See you in few.”

The last word was said as Nick made a hasty exit. The car had already pulled out by the time Kevin reached the front door.

On the way to the airport, Jordan took Nick to one of her favorite restaurants right off Music Row. She knew Nick would like how guests were encouraged to draw on the paper table clothes. As they sat at a table in a back corner, she watched him sketch the view from her bluff.

“It’s good to see my pet again.”

Jordan felt her body go numb when she heard the voice. Nick looked up from his drawing to see a man taking a seat at their table. The man had a dark complexion and piercing black eyes. His straight black hair and matching goatee were neatly trimmed. His suit was expensive.

“My pet are you not going to introduce us?”

“There is no need.”

Nick’s eyes darted back and forth between them. He noted how Jordan’s eyes never left the other man. He also noticed how she matched the man’s tone and speech pattern. He cleared his throat and started to speak while extending his hand.

“I’m Nick C…”

“Nick is all he needs to know.”

Nick’s hand dropped to the table and he looked away, confused and hurt.

“Ah my pet has taken a pet.”

“He is my friend.”

“Now do not be embarrassed my pet. It’s obvious he is new to the game, but you already have firm control of him. Tell me Nick did she allow you to pick the safe word?”

“Safe word,” asked Nick, puzzled.

“Ormond” said Jordan through clenched teeth.

“Oh pet tell me you did not allow him a safe word. It makes things so much more delightful as you remember.”

As he said this, his lips curled into a smile capable of chilling a person in the dessert to the bone. He ran a well-manicured nail down Jordan’s arm, pressing just enough to leave a mark. Nick watched this and started getting mad.

“What are you doing?”

“My pet this one is as willful as you were, but I do believe I taught you well enough to break him.”

“Hey asshole I’m talking to you not her,” spit out Nick as he started to stand.

“Nick sit.”

“Jordan,” he exclaimed in frustration.

“Nick sit now.” Her voice was a growl and he listened. After he took his seat, she whispered against his ear. “Thank you. Nick I need you to trust me. Shh. What I’m about to do you’re not going to understand and I will explain later. For me to handle him I need to you sit here and be quite. Please don’t react no matter what. Can you do that for me?”

Pulling back she looked at him. He searched her eyes and nodded. She smiled and stroked his check. The man was watching with an amused look on his face. Nick sat back and watched a change come over Jordan’s face. The only way he would ever be able to explain it to someone was to say it was like an eclipse. A darkness came over her face that made him shiver.

Jordan lowered her head as she turned to face Ormond and the man began to chuckle, because he saw this as her submission to him. He allowed her to lay her hand on top of his. He noted, while the nails were not polished the blood red color he always demanded she wear, they were the right length and the manicure was perfect.

“My pet,” he practically purred. The smile left his face the second she lifted her head.

“I am not your pet Ormond. Remember you are no longer allowed to have pets.”

“Now Jordan you know you will always be my pet.”

“I see I have to remind you of the agreement we have. I am not your pet. You are not to get this close to me. I will make a call so you will not be in trouble this time.” As she continued, Nick noticed Ormond pale slightly. “Obviously you have forgotten who I know and what they can make happen. You also forgot that you are watched.”

“I have not forgotten. Besides bitch I can go after others like your pet,” snarled Ormond as he looked at Nick.

“Tsk tsk Ormond. Do not look at him. Look at me. Very good. You will not touch anyone around me. You know the instant you do anything foolish like take another pet or hurt anyone you are going home.”

“You could not be so cruel,” he argued as a thin layer of sweat covered his upper lip.

“I can’t? But my pet…you trained, how could I be anything less,” she asked with a smile. “Now are we clear?”

“Jordan.”

“Are we clear?”

“Yes.”

“Good. You may leave now. Do take a napkin Ormond. You are bleeding.”

No one had taken notice of the battle going on at the table in the corner. Except for Nick’s outburst, the voices at the table had never raised above normal conversation level. Picking up a napkin, Ormond left the restaurant without another word.

Nick sat stunned as he watched Jordan excuse herself to wash the blood from the nails of the hand she had rested on Ormond’s hand. Watching as her nails cut deeper into the man’s hand as they talked had disturbed Nick. However, what was more unnerving was the man took it without flinching. Nick watched Jordan enter the bathroom with the darkness still clouding her features. He was surprised to see the shadows gone when she returned.

“Jordan are you going to explain?”

“Nick he is an ex who had trouble letting go.”

“There is more to it.”

“Yes, but you don’t need to know about it.”

“You said you would explain.”

Sighing, Jordan asked, “what do you want to know?”

“Is this the guy Andy told me about?”

“You and Andy really covered a lot of ground. What did he tell you?”

“He said you didn’t come home for along time and when you did you went to straight to your grandmother’s house. He said there was a change in you, but you never talked about it.” “All of that's true. What else do you need to know?”

“Where is Ormond’s home?”

“The Middle East.”

“What’s a safe word?”

“Do you know anything about Dominant/Submissive relationships?”

“Do you mean S&M?”

“That is part of it,” replied Jordan. “Well in these relationships or when role playing, the couple usually has a safe word that lets the dominant partner know to back off.”

“Stop doesn’t work?”

“No. Stop doesn’t work. It can be any word other than the normal stop, don’t, etc. Like…vanilla.”

“Did you like doing it?”

Again Jordan sighed, “in the beginning it was exciting. You know being tied with scarves and being spanked lightly.”

“But it didn’t stop there?”

“No. Nick it’s over and done with. Can you handle knowing this about me?”

Nick thought for a moment before speaking. “Yeah, but if I have more questions later I can ask?”

“Yes but our safe word will be vanilla. If it gets to be more than either one of us can handle then we can say Vanilla and the discussion stops. OK?”

“OK.”

“Now I need to get you to the airport. You've got people to see and places to go.”

At the airport, Jordan waited with Nick in the VIP lounge. They didn’t say much. Just waited for his boarding call. Jordan was feeling guilty about not being there for him when the tour started again. Nick was feeling guilty about telling Kevin.

“Nick promise me you will call if you need anything.”

“I will.”

“Good, because I hate to desert you like this.”

“You’re not. Like you said you’re giving me a place to go.”

“Anytime,” she said as her voice quivered.

Nick tipped her chin up to see her crying.

“Aww Shaq don’t cry. I’m OK with this.”

“I’m still going to miss you. You’re one of my best buds.”

Now why did she have to say that? He was having a hard enough time without her saying that!

“Jordan I have to tell you something,” started Nick in a whisper.

“I’m listening.”

“You know I’m stupid.”

“No you’re not!”

“Well I do stupid things sometimes.”

“We all do.”

“God please don’t be mad at me. Kevin was being a jerk and he made me mad so I said it.”

“Said what Nick?”

“I told him you’re not coming back on tour with us and it’s all his fault.”

Nick closed his eyes and waited for her let loose. There was silence. Still he waited with his eyes squeezed tight. Finally, he opened one eye. She had her head in her hands.

“Please don’t hate me Jordan. Please!”

Looking up, she said, “I don’t hate you Nicky. I’m not happy you told him, but it saves me from having to do it.”

“I guess. Wait I’m confused.”

“Me too. I think I’m relieved I don’t have to break the initial news to him. So thanks Nick.”

“You’re welcome,” Nick said, still bewildered.

“At least it explains why you ran out of the house like you did.”

“Yeah. I didn’t want him to stop us.”

“Good plan.”

The boarding call interrupted them.

“You going to be OK,” asked Nick.

“Yeah. You?”

“Yeah. I miss you.”

“Me too. Call me when you get there.”

“Alright. Love ya Shaq.”

“Love ya Shorty.”

They hugged a last time before he boarded. Jordan waited for the plan to taxi out to the runway. Walking through the airport, Jordan dialed Delaney’s number and got her voicemail. Time to put the fear of Jordan into Delaney.

“So you had to tell Kevin where I was. You just couldn't refrain from sharing. Only problem I wasn’t there. I’ve already moved into Grandmother's. Oh but he did get to meet Mom. Thank your lucky stars Dad wasn’t there! By the way I have just put Nick on the plane to join up with his family on the road. Kevin’s back at the house. Unbeknownst to me, Nicky enlightened Kevin on the fact that I quit. So I’m going back to face the wrath of Richardson. Don’t call me, because God knows what you’ll interrupt. I’ll call you by tomorrow night. And how has your week been?”