Chapter 7 #3
Jordan went to her sister and hugged her tightly. “I’m fine, and it looks like I’ll be causing you headaches for some time to come after all.”
“Thank goodness for that.” Nikki clung to her. “Still love you bestest.”
“No, you don’t, but that’s okay.”
“Yes, I really do, J. I love Riley so much, but there’ll never be another Jordan, another peanut butter to my jelly.”
“I thought I was the jelly,” Jordan joked, relieved when Nikki laughed. She hated seeing her indomitable sister brought low by Jordan’s overly dramatic life.
“You can be the jelly if you want to be. Whatever you want.”
“I need to take full advantage of you while you’re still thankful I didn't die.”
“Too soon, bitch.”
Jordan laughed and hugged Nikki for another full minute. “It’s not going to happen again. I promise.”
“I should hope this particular scenario will never happen again.”
“None of it is going to happen again. I’m done with disasters that bring you running from whatever you were doing to deal with me. Those days are over.”
“Okay, so I hear what you’re saying, but just for the record, the last two disasters weren’t your fault.”
“I’ll accept that the fire wasn’t, but me being in that hotel room with him?
One thousand percent my fault.” She placed a finger over Nikki’s lips to stop her from objecting.
“I should’ve listened to you. The video should’ve been the end of it.
I’ll always regret that I let you go so I could have him.
That shouldn’t have happened. He wasn’t worth that level of sacrifice, not the last couple of years, anyway. ”
“You didn’t sacrifice anything where I’m concerned.
I’m still right here with you where I’ve always been and where I’ll always be.
Nothing can ever change that. And by leaving you, I found Riley, so it worked out the way it was meant to.
I’m just sorry you’ve been so hurt by someone you loved. That’s what never should’ve happened.”
“Very true, and I’m done with him and the madness that came with him.”
“What about the show?”
“Gigi is trying to get me out of the contract.”
“Is she still repping him?” Nikki asked.
“For now. I told her not to dump him on my account, although she wanted to. From what she’s heard from his camp, he’s taking rehab seriously and is determined to repair his reputation and his career.”
“As long as he stays the hell away from you, he can do whatever he wants.”
“Agreed.”
“So, you’re done with him and the show. What’s next for you?”
“I have no idea. There’s like this gigantic question mark hanging over any thoughts of the future.”
“You don’t need to decide anything right now. If there’s one benefit to becoming a huge star, you’ve got plenty of money in the bank. Take the summer to rest, relax and think about what you want to do.”
“I guess that’s what I’ll have to do, since I have nothing else to do.”
Nikki put her hands on Jordan’s shoulders and looked her in the eyes. “You’ve worked your ass off, made a lot of money, had a lot of heartache. You deserve a break. You’ve earned it. Settle in for the summer and just relax. The answers will come to you when you’re open to them.”
Jordan smiled at her sister. “When did you get so wise?”
“Around the time I chucked my life with you to come home to Gansett for a vacation and found my purpose—and my love.”
“You really love running the Wayfarer, don’t you?”
“I do. It’s a huge challenge—not unlike running your career was—and it’s something new every day. Plus, I get to be with Riley and support his family’s business. I couldn’t ask for anything more.”
“I’m so glad it all worked out so well for you.”
“It will for you, too. I know it.”
“You’d really tell me if you and Riley wanted the house to yourselves?”
“No, I’d never tell you that, because this is your home as much as it is mine, and we both want you here. I talked to Gran this morning, and she’s planning to come for a visit after the benefit she’s throwing for a local children’s organization next week. She wants to see us both and meet Riley.”
“I can’t wait to see her. It’s been too long.”
“She asked why you let the security go. I told her you didn’t feel you needed them here.”
“No one even knows I’m here.”
“For now they don’t. All it will take is one tourist spotting you out and about for that to change. I’m not comfortable with you not having security as long as his fans are still blaming you for his problems.”
“Hopefully, he’ll be out of rehab soon and can address the rumors.
Davy agreed to stay on as his manager until he’s out of rehab and is aware of what’s going on.
He’s promised to deal with it as soon as he can talk to him.
In the meantime, I refuse to live my life surrounded by security. It’s no way to live. Especially here.”
She could tell that Nikki wanted to object but chose to let it go. Jordan had no doubt the subject would come up again, especially when their grandmother arrived. “When’s dinner? I’m starving.”
“It’ll be ready soon. Brownies are in the oven for dessert.”
“Yum.” Jordan hugged Nikki. “Thanks for spending your day off tending to me and cooking when you were supposed to be on a getaway with Riley.”
“Riley and I have the rest of our lives together. We’re right where we wanted to be today.”
“Whatever I did to deserve you, I’m glad I did it.”
Nikki laughed. “What you did was share a womb with me.”
Jordan released her and made a disgusted face. “Ew. Don’t say it like that.”
“Well, how should I say it?”
“You could say I was born with you and stuck with you for life?”
Nikki gave her a gentle push toward the door. “I wouldn’t have it any way other than being stuck with you, and you know it.”