Chapter 27 The （not so） Happy Holidays #5
The girl, who Jordan assumed was Jasmin, seemed to want to avoid this confrontation and was walking back to her car as fast as her short legs could carry her.
They couldn’t hear any of the conversation from inside, but whatever Kevin said made her stop in the middle of the street and turn to face him.
“She’s dressed like an eskimo,” Jordan commented.
“I don’t think she’s from around here,” Max said without looking at her. “She has a weird accent. Maybe she’s not used to the weather.” They fell silent, watching what looked like a heated argument. Max let out a small groan. “Oh, God. Kevin’s gonna say something awful.”
“What are you two doing?” Her mother’s voice startled Jordan, making her feel like they’d been caught doing something wrong. “Are you two spying on your brother? Get away from that window!”
Jordan glanced back to look at her. “Momma, when I was making out with Billy Mason in the backyard and Kevin and Perry were spying on me from the tree-house, you didn’t say anything.”
“That’s because you shouldn’t have been making out with Billy Mason in the backyard. Now leave your brother alone.”
Jordan rolled her eyes. So Max and Danny could share a room, yet she still got reprimanded for making out with a boy. These double standards were a really annoying. Mom picked up the dirty dessert dishes and left the room again.
“Can she make it any more obvious that he’s her favorite?” Jordan asked irritably.
Max didn’t bother answering her question. His eyes were still focused on the drama outside. “Oh, Jo-jo, this is bad.”
“Give him some credit, Max. If he didn’t want to talk to her, he would have stayed inside.”
“Twenty bucks. He’s gonna say something awful. She’s gonna jump in her car and drive off.”
Jordan could see that Kevin was angry. His hands were clasped behind his head, a sure sign he was about to snap. But the reason why she decided to take the bet was because Jasmin reached up and touched his face and Kevin let her do it. He was feeling a lot more than just anger. “Deal,” she said.
Despite her initial sentiments, Max’s prediction still came true. Jasmin hopped into her car and drove off.
“Pay up, Jo-jo.”
Jordan groaned, left the room and came back with his money.
“Easiest twenty bucks I’ve ever made,” Max said with a smug smile.
“I hate you, Augustus.”
“You love me, Alberta.”
In most families, siblings taunted each other with names like dickhead or dipshit. In her family, their middle names served the same purpose. Actually, it was more offensive.
His playful smile disappeared and she knew the questions she’d been trying to avoid were coming. “So are you going to tell me what happened with Tyler?”
She thought long and hard before she answered. “I fell too hard, too fast and he was always a few steps behind. A relationship can’t work like that.”
“Maybe you just need to give him some time to catch up. And let’s hope in your case, it doesn’t take seven years.”
She managed to smile despite her sadness. “He won’t catch up. His heart was never fully in it.”
Although she saw a hint of anger flash in his eyes, he said nothing further and pulled her into his arms. She sighed and enjoyed the comfort provided by her brother. It was the quality she loved most about him. He always knew when words were not enough and a simple hug would do.
“Oh, my God, Jo-jo,” he said against her hair. “I can actually feel it happening. My dick is falling off as we speak.”
She laughed and pulled away, but he still kept one arm around her shoulder.
“I need to rectify this. I can’t deal with an emotional Jordan. It’s so unnatural.” He forced her down into a choke hold and rubbed his fists hard against her head.
“Max!”
“Ah, this feels so much better.” Not even the jabs to his ribs made him loosen his hold. “Now let’s go watch Wreck-it Ralph with the girls.” He kept her in a headlock and dragged her out of the dining room.
* * * * *
Jordan brushed her teeth the next morning, pulled on her robe, and walked to the kitchen.
There were many reasons why she was tired, but she hadn’t been able to fall asleep last night.
They were going skating at the lake today.
It was tradition. She made herself a cup of coffee, because energy was required for the day ahead.
She took her coffee back to the living room and saw Danny, looking equally exhausted.
She knew why. Danny and Max had had a very busy night last night and listening to the headboard knocking against the wall was one of the reasons why Jordan hadn’t been able to sleep.
Incessant calls from Tyler were another.
“Good morning, Jordan,” she sang happily.
“Morning,” Jordan responded. She tried to match Danny’s cheer, but fell a little short.
Danny was glowing, had the most satisfied smile on her face. Max came in a few minutes later.
“Coffee, Honeybun?” he asked, handing her a steaming mug.
“Thank you, Sugarpie.”
He leaned down to kiss her and Jordan had to suppress a gag.
They were fucking sickening and even though it sounded like they used the pet names as a joke, it still made her cringe.
As Danny’s left hand wrapped around the cup, something shiny caught Jordan’s attention and she immediately sat forward.
“Wait! What the fuck is that?”
Danny and Max both laughed.
“Is that…is that an engagement ring? That’s a fucking engagement ring!”
“We’re engaged!” Max announced with a broad smile.
Jordan got up and threw herself onto his back, winding her legs and arms tightly around him.
“Congratulations!” Her lips went crazy, plastering kisses all over his cheeks.
“Mom! Mom! Get in here!” She got off him and attacked Danny with the same excited hugs and kisses.
“Oh, you beautiful girl. You make me so happy. Now tell me how you did it?”
She laughed. “Did what?”
“How did you propose?”
“I proposed,” Max said.
“Oh.” She was saved from further embarrassment when her mother came rushing into the room.
“Jordan Alberta, what is all the fuss about?”
“Max and Danny got engaged.”
Her mother couldn’t even respond and tears of joy came rolling down her cheeks. Max gave her a quick hug, but she sobbed even harder. “I’ve been waiting for this for so long,” she spluttered. “I’m so happy…and so proud of you, Danny. It takes courage for a woman to pop the big question.”
“I proposed, Mom.” Max corrected firmly.
“Oh.” Her mother was equally surprised by this revelation.
“What’s all the commotion?” Kevin asked from the entrance of the living room and Jordan noted that he was wearing the same clothes as the day before.
“Where are you coming from at this hour?” she asked.
He shrugged with indifference. “I went out last night.”
Jordan rolled her eyes. She’d always had a curfew, but Kevin could come waltzing in at eight o’ clock in the morning without even one nasty look from their mother. Double standards!
“Max and Danny got engaged,” her mother told him, still blubbering with joy.
“Congratulations!” Kevin gave them both a hug. “So Danny finally got down on one knee.”
“I proposed!” Max shouted. “Why does everyone keep saying that?”
Kevin was the one who decided to give it to him straight. “Max, you are so slow when it comes to women. You’ve been in love with Danny since day one and it took you seven years to make a move. Actually, I don’t even think you made the first move. I can bet Danny kissed you first.”
Danny’s giggle was clear confirmation of that statement and Max turned to face her with a smile.
“You’re not helping.” He groaned. “If I’m getting this much flak from you guys, I can only imagine what Shane’s going to say when he finds out.
” He turned back to Kevin. “Speaking of which. Are you coming skating with us today, Kev?”
Perry had always been part of the tradition and Jordan was pretty sure he was going to opt out.
“Nah, I’m gonna stay at home with mom.”
As the day went on, Jordan felt like she should have opted out as well.
Quality time with her family was great, but being surrounded by three couples who were all very much in love was difficult to watch.
Dom and Tracey teaching Makayla how to skate.
Shane and Debbie holding hands as they crossed over the frozen lake.
Max and Danny looking at each other with that sickening adoration.
Seeing all that reminded her of what she’d lost, what she’d never really had.
She missed Tyler. She missed his random, unexpected jokes.
She missed him calling her Roman every time she cursed.
She missed being wrapped up in his strong arms. She missed everything about him.
She felt selfish, because instead of relishing in all the happiness around her, she was wallowing in depression.
She spent two more days in Montana before she decided it would be better if she was alone. She didn’t want to be the dark cloud raining on the happy days of her family, so she packed her bags and flew back home.