Chapter 14 – Jordie #2
“There are three of them, and I think they’re pretty simple as far as contracts go. They’re for some local businesses.”
“Okay, hold on a second.” I hear him talking and assume he’s speaking on the office intercom. “Charlotte, when can we squeeze Jordie in this week?” His assistant’s reply is tinny, and I can’t hear what she says. Then Phoenix replies, “Crap, I forgot about that. Okay, I’ll figure it out.”
As soon as he gets back on the line, I say, “It’s no big deal if you don’t have time. I know you’re really busy, and I don’t want to—.”
“Jordie,” Phoenix says, his voice a low command that has my mouth clamping shut.
“It’s not a big deal. Just email them to me, and I’ll look over everything.
I’ve got a ton of meetings with our European marketing team every day this week, so just drop by my house on Friday at seven, and we can go over your contracts in person. I’ll have them done by then.”
“I… okay,” I acquiesce because I really need help sorting through the legal mumbo jumbo. “I’ll be there.”
“Good. I’ll text you my address. I was calling today to tell you about a new opportunity you might be interested in. We can talk about it on Friday night.”
“That sounds good. And thank you so much, Phoenix.”
“You’re welcome, Jordie. See you Friday.”
As soon as we hang up, he sends me his address, and I program it into my maps app before setting an alarm for Friday afternoon so I don’t forget.
Later that evening, I shower and dress in a cropped white tank top and tight black shorts.
Grabbing the bottle of Red Haze perfume Phoenix gifted me, I spritz some on my neck and wrists.
It really does smell sexy. I close my eyes when I remember the little noise Phoenix made when he was smelling my neck.
It was almost carnal. And the feel of his nose brushing up and down the side of my neck had me under some kind of spell.
I wonder what it would have felt like if he’d—
No. Nope. Not going there.
I place the bottle back on my dresser with more force than necessary before heading to the kitchen. My new apartment is very nice though definitely not extravagant. I have my own income now, but I’m doing my best to be frugal and not spend money like a drunken rock star.
After taking the Mexican casserole out of the oven, I cover it with foil and set two place settings on the small table in my dining area.
Miles will be here in just a few minutes.
My boyfriend lives in Dallas, but he’s flying directly into Houston from the camp he’s been attending so we can spend some time together.
I dart into the bathroom to check myself in the mirror. My hair is half up, half down, the blonde strands waving down my back. I’d taken a little bit more time with my appearance tonight since Miles is coming over, and I even put on a light dusting of blush and some soft, rosy lipstick.
The doorbell rings, and I practically sprint to the front door before pausing to take a deep breath. I want everything to be perfect tonight.
As soon as I open the door, Miles powers into my foyer and drops his bag on the floor before scooping me up into his arms. I wrap my legs around his waist, and a happy laugh climbs up my throat and escapes my mouth.
“I guess you missed me,” I say a second before his lips take mine in a possessive kiss.
When he finally pulls back, his mouth bears the evidence of our passion, and I swipe the remnants of my pink lipstick from his lips.
“Damn sure did, babe.” He turns us and pushes my back against the door, grinding his erection between my legs. “I think I sprained my hand from all the jerking off I did while I thought about you in my hotel room every night.”
“A quarterback with a lame hand—that doesn’t seem like a good idea,” I tease, dragging my fingers through his sandy-blonde hair.
Miles grins. “I used my left hand.”
“Smart man.” I lean forward and press my lips against his. “I got an IUD.”
I feel his smile stretch wider against my mouth. “Hell yes. You mean I finally get to be inside your beautiful body?”
Miles begins walking toward my bedroom with me still wrapped around him, and I love that he seems as eager to have sex as I am.
“Yes, but we need to use condoms for about a week. I bought some today.”
He sets me on the bed and strips off his shirt. Miles has a gorgeous body, tall with lots of lean muscle. “You didn’t have condoms already?” he asks, pushing me back on the bed before kneeling and peppering my bare stomach with kisses.
“No, I-I’ve never had a use for them before.”
Miles pauses his affections and looks up at me with concerned green eyes. “You don’t usually use condoms?”
“No, I mean… I’ve never had sex before.”
His mouth gapes open, and the concern in his gaze morphs into alarm. “You’re a virgin?” When I nod, he stands and jams his fingers into his hair. I’m a little surprised at his response. I didn’t think it was that big a deal. “Jordie, honey, you’re twenty-three. How are you still a virgin?”
I gnaw my bottom lip, feeling more vulnerable than I have in a long while.
“I’ve always been more focused on sports than dating.
In high school, I played on the boys’ team, and I saw them all as brothers and not, you know, romantically.
” With a shrug, I add, “And in college I never found anyone I had much chemistry with like I do with you.”
Miles sits beside me and puts an arm around my shoulders, pulling me close so I can rest my head on his shoulder. The mood in the room seems to have shifted after my announcement, and I’m not sure how to feel about it.
With his nose buried in the top of my hair, he says, “First of all, I’m so happy you feel close enough to want me to be your first.”
“I feel a but coming,” I say, earning me a chuckle from him. But it quickly fades into something more bitter as a resigned sigh leaves his lips.
“I’ve been traded, Jordie.”
I look up at him in surprise to find his face set in a grim expression. “To where?”
“Chicago.” His arm tightens around me. “I’m not happy about this, and I wanted to talk with you about it tonight.”
“So what does that mean for us?” I ask, my stomach sinking like a stone in a still pond.
“That’s what I wanted to discuss. Do you want to be in a long-distance relationship with me?
” His eyes search my face. “I’ve checked our schedules, and they don’t exactly mesh up.
I’ll be in Houston once this coming season, but you have an out-of-town game that weekend.
And the Dragons will be in Chicago in October, so that will be the only time we get to see each other the entire season unless one of us flies to see the other during a bye week. ”
I nod in understanding. “That’s not much. Practice all week and games every weekend. If you were still going to be in Fort Worth, we could at least have quick overnight trips.”
“I know,” he says, sounding as miserable as I feel. Miles lifts my chin and kisses me softly on the mouth. “I’ll do whatever you want, and if you decide you want to do the long-distance thing, I promise I’ll be faithful to you.”
My throat clogs. “That doesn’t seem fair to you.”
“Or to you,” he adds, scooting up the bed and pulling me along with him until we’re stretched out on our sides, facing each other. We stare at each other, mutual resignation shining in our eyes because we both know our brief relationship is on its last leg. “You know I’m crazy about you, right?”
“I’m crazy about you too,” I tell him. We’ve only been together a short while, so we’re definitely not to the love stage yet, but there’s a lot of affection between us. We have so much in common, and we both understand each other’s crazy schedules.
“And I’m very attracted to you. I think that much is obvious.” He takes my hand and places it over his cock, which is still hard as stone.
“Another but coming?” I ask wryly.
“I could make a butt coming joke here, but I’m way too mature.
” His cheeky levity lightens the sadness in my chest a bit.
Miles rests his palm on the side of my face, his thumb stroking across my lips.
“I want to make love to you more than anything, Jordie, but I’m not sure I can take your virginity and just fucking leave next week. That would be a total dick move.”
“I could make a dick move joke here,” I say, giving his erection a squeeze, and he laughs softly as it throbs in my hand.
“Please don’t take this as some kind of rejection, sweetheart.
You are gorgeous, and you have the hottest little body I’ve ever seen.
I’d love nothing more than to pull you under me and sink into you.
” I watch as his Adam’s apple bobs with his hard swallow.
“But then when I leave, I’ll feel like the biggest shithead in the world.
Your first time should be with someone you actually see a future with. ”
I want to tell him it’s okay, that losing my virginity isn’t that big a deal to me and we should just do it.
After all, I have a pretty impressive vibrator collection, so I’m not a total novice.
I just haven’t had an actual man inside me.
But I’m not going to beg for sex. That would be pathetic.
Plus, I can understand why it might be uncomfortable for Miles, and I’d never want him to feel bad.
He really does have a good heart beneath all that delicious muscle.
“You’re a good guy, Miles Soren,” I tell him, giving him a kiss on his chin.
His mouth pulls up on one side. “Tell that to my dick. He hates me right now.”
“So how’s this going to work?” I ask Miles as we eat the casserole I’d prepared earlier. “Clean break so we never talk to each other again?”
He looks horrified, his fork poised just in front of his lips.
“Hell no. We can still be friends, right?” At my smiling nod, he sets down his fork and continues.
“I still plan to keep up with your career and cheer you on from wherever I am. And we can text and stuff. If you need anything at all, I’m just a phone call away. ”
The ache in my heart eases a bit at this news. While we might not be pursuing a romantic relationship, I dread losing the easy friendship I have with Miles.
“I’ll be cheering for you too,” I tell him.
He picks up his utensil and resumes eating. “The press is going to have questions when they learn I’ve been traded since they’ve taken such an interest in our relationship.”
“They’re vultures,” I proclaim, disgust wrapped around each word.
I don’t get on social media much, but friends have sent me screenshots of pictures the paparazzi have taken on the few times Miles and I have been spotted out to dinner together.
“I have no idea why they’re so interested in what we do off the field. ”
“Because we’re so cute,” Miles says with a wink. “Should we make a statement or something?”
I aim a glare his way. “No, I refuse to give a statement to the press about our personal life. It's none of their damn business.”
He nods good-naturedly. “Whatever you want. They’ll figure it out in time when they no longer see us together.”
When we’re done eating, Miles helps me clean up the kitchen before leaning casually against the counter. “Would it be okay if I stay the night with you?” Drying off my hands, I cut my eyes at him, and he adds, “No funny business. I’d just like to stay.”
My teeth sink into my bottom lip, and I nod. “I’d like that.”
Early the next morning, I walk Miles to the door. He’d slept in my bed, though we hadn’t done much more than make out and cuddle.
Our goodbye kiss is lingering and sweet, probably the last we’d ever share. While I can’t say I’m heartbroken about our breakup since we weren’t in love, I am sad about it and feel a bit bruised on the inside.
As I get ready for morning practice, my mood darkens. First my mother announces she’s moving away, then Carly, and now Miles. And I can’t do a thing about any of it.
Unless…
Hastily dressing, I reach for my phone and dial. Her voice is groggy when she answers. “Jordie, what’s wrong?”
I let out a gust of air and speak. “Mom, I can help you with your rent if… if you’ll stay.”