Chapter 29
Shelley
After my brother’s little interruption, Jordan and I finish our shower. I didn’t manage to come this time, but it doesn’t matter. The way Jordan worships my body without expecting anything from it gives me a new appreciation for what it means to truly be in the moment with him.
When we’re dry and dressed again, we head down the hall to my place, since my brother doesn’t have a key to my door and Jake will be coming back to the guys’ apartment soon.
This way we can guarantee there will be no more surprise interruptions.
I send Mikey a quick proof of life text to get him off my back before I snuggle into bed with his best friend, both of us stripping down to our bare skin again because, whether or not we fool around anymore tonight, I still crave the feeling of Jordan’s skin against mine.
“I had a lot of fun with you tonight,” he says.
“Mmm,” I mumble as he nestles his face into my hair.
“You seem tired.”
“I am.” I yawn. “I think you wore me out. I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. Go to sleep. I’ll be right here.”
It’s easy to drift off with Jordan’s fingers trailing barely-there strokes down my arm as he whispers gentle affirmations in my ear.
I don’t know what time it is when a loud, steady beep startles me out of my reverie and the sense of calm relaxation is replaced with panic.
The smoke alarm. I guess I spoke too soon about surprise interruptions.
Jordan tosses me his t-shirt from the floor, and he pulls on a pair of sweatpants before we hurry toward the front door, both of us barefoot.
As soon as my door is open, the beeping intensifies.
The hallway smells terrible, but people aren’t rushing, and I don’t see any smoke.
It seems likely to be a false alarm. Getting swept along with the crowd, we join our neighbors as we all file out of the building and into the parking lot.
I spot Jake and Alice, who seem to be back to trying to avoid each other.
His head is down, and her arms are crossed as she faces away from him.
Hopefully, they won’t notice me and I can avoid having to answer for my current state of undress.
But Jordan doesn’t understand the assignment, and he calls out and waves to them.
He takes my wrist and tugs me in their direction while I try to use my other hand to pull the t-shirt down far enough to cover all my assets.
As soon as we’re standing together, it’s clear Jake and Alice are too engaged in an argument of their own to notice what I’m wearing.
“How hard is it to follow the directions? They are printed right on the bag!” Alice moves her hands to her hips while she turns and glares up at her boyfriend. They’re official now.
“I thought it would be faster.” Jake shrugs.
“Wait. What happened?” Jordan asks.
Alice explodes as she throws her hands up. “This guy set the microwave timer for nine minutes instead of the typical two it takes to make popcorn.”
“It was an accident. The nine was right next to the popcorn button,” Jake tries to defend himself, but it falls flat because fifty people are standing on asphalt in our pajamas because of him.
“I guess I need to go take care of this,” he mutters before moving to the front of the crowd and announcing, “Sorry, folks. This was all me. I apologize for the inconvenience, but I promise there’s no fire.
The only casualties tonight are a few charred popcorn kernels and my bruised ego. ”
An older tenant from downstairs grumbles about how he’s going to miss the end of his true crime show.
A few ladies chime in, less than thrilled to be standing in the chilly night air.
As much as I like Jake, I’m kind of on the neighbors’ side with this one.
I’m two inches of fabric away from mooning the entire apartment complex. At least it’s dark.
Alice unzips the bright floral hoodie she’s wearing, takes it off, and proceeds to tie it around my waist. “Take this, you beautiful goddess. While I process my jealousy over the fact that your legs are twice as long as mine, we can at least give you a little more privacy.” As she knots the sleeves around me, she nods, satisfied with her handiwork.
“You’re a lifesaver.” I smile down at her. I love a girls’ girl.
Alice pulls me away from the crowd to whisper conspiratorially. “Sleeping in Jordan’s shirts now, huh? Careful. That’s exactly how it started with me and Mr. Popcorn Scorcher over there.” She hooks a thumb in Jake’s direction. Alice and I really do have a lot in common.
It’s pointless trying to hide what’s happening. Her boyfriend lives in the same apartment as the guy I’m seeing. They’re bound to see and hear things. Plus, I’m standing in front of her half-naked. Besides, I’m dying to talk about it with someone.
“Actually, speaking of scorching, things got pretty hot with Jordan earlier,” I admit.
“OH MY GOD! I KNEW IT!” When a dozen heads turn our way, she lowers her voice to a whisper. “Details. Now. Out with them.”
“I don’t know what to say. It just sort of happened.” I shrug.
Alice beams. “Of course it did. Look at the two of you. You’re both irresistible. It was bound to happen eventually. Frankly, I’m shocked it took this long.”
“I can’t deny Jordan is a fine specimen of a man. But it’s more than that. He makes me feel…grounded?”
“Aw. I love this for you.” She swoons.
I look over to where Jordan’s standing on the curb, patiently nodding along as he listens to dozens of baseball questions and some unnecessary advice about the upcoming games from the older tenants who, as irritated as they are with our current situation, seem happy to have his undivided attention.
I give him a small wave, and when he smiles at me, my nerves settle.
He’s keeping everyone calm, just by being here.
Being around him soothes something inside me, and I’m feeling fully myself for the first time in a long while.
When I’m with Jordan, I’m not trying to look and sound smart, the way I act in school.
I don’t feel like I need to be on my best behavior, like I do at home.
I’m not tip-toeing around his feelings and being careful with my words so I don’t set him off, the way I have in the past around my brother.
For the most part, with Jordan I can just be me and know he can handle whatever that means.
He’s going to be traveling for a stretch of away games next week, and I feel like I already miss him.
It’s scary how attached I’ve already become.
I know I shouldn’t. I’ll be leaving North Bay soon.
“Does Mike know about you two?” Alice asks.
“No,” I respond too quickly. “Please don’t say anything to Danielle either.” I beg her with my eyes.
“I won’t,” she promises. “I get it. I really, really do. But can I give you some advice?” When I nod, she continues, “I’ve learned from experience that loving someone out loud feels so much better than trying to hide it. Even if your family doesn’t agree with your choice, owning it is freeing.”
“I don’t know if I’m ready to chance it,” I admit. “I know Jordan. He won’t want to be the reason I fall out with my family. If Mike gets upset, Jordan will back away. And if that happens, I’ll never be able to forgive my brother. Besides, I won’t be in town long. I’m going back to D.C. soon.”
She places a comforting hand on my arm. “It’s a tough spot to be in.” That’s an understatement. “But he looks at you the same way you look at him. And if it comes down to any kind of a choice, I’d be willing to bet money that man will choose you.”
I wish I were confident enough to agree with her. Unfortunately, I’m not.
It takes another twenty minutes until the fire department is finally able to sweep the building and give the all-clear.
When the incessant beeping of the alarm finally stops, everyone breaks out in applause.
Except Jake, whose hands are in the pockets of his jeans as he looks at the trees, still avoiding eye contact with Alice, who is glaring daggers at him.
At least most of the neighbors are too preoccupied with Jake’s blunder to care about my bare lower half.
Once we’re allowed back into the building, I untie the sweatshirt and hand it back.
Jake and Alice disappear into the guys’ apartment holding hands, so I guess he’s officially forgiven.
I walk behind Jordan back into my place.
Closing the door, I lean my head against it and let out a long sigh.
Just when I think this night can’t get any more dramatic, my phone buzzes with another text from my brother.
Mikey: Where were you earlier?
Me: Around. Everything’s fine. You worry too much.