Chapter 8
Jordan
Jordan was still at his desk after a long and busy day at the clinic, diligently finishing up paperwork. The overhead fluorescent lights cast a stark white glow over the room, making him more aware of the late hour. After a final click of his pen, he capped it and set it neatly in its holder. He glanced around the office, ensuring that everything was in order. His computer screen displayed the day's appointments, now all attended to. He stood up from his desk. He stretched his arms overhead and felt the tension in his shoulders release.
The clinic was gradually winding down, and it was time to head home. He'd given his all to his furry patients, and it was time to recharge for another day of caring for them. He grabbed his overstuffed black backpack and slung it over one shoulder. Then he locked his office door and turned off the lights.
As he exited the clinic, the soothing sounds of nature greeted him. The tranquil atmosphere of Brookings offered a sense of peace that always eased his mind. There was a coastal breeze and an incredible sunset with orange, red, and purple hues tonight.
Jordan reflected on the day's events as he walked to his car. Shadow's surgery had gone well. The prospect of the German Shepherd's recovery filled him with optimism. He appreciated the support of his dedicated team, and Alex. Wow, Alex.
He was lost in a daydream when he suddenly jumped, startled by Alex leaning on the hood of his truck in the parking lot.
"Alex," Jordan greeted him. "I didn't expect to see you here. Is everything okay?" His heart raced a little, wondering why Alex had stayed behind.
Alex smiled warmly, pushing himself off the truck and faced Jordan so he could see his lips. "Hey, Jordan," he replied. "You left your car at my place this morning, so I thought you might need a ride back to get it. I didn't want you to have to deal with the hassle of getting a ride back to my house."
Alex's thoughtfulness took Jordan by surprise. Jordan laughed. “That's kind of you. In all honesty, I was walking to my car. I forgot I left it at your house.”
Alex shrugged as if it were no big deal. "It's the least I can do after all the help you've given me today."
Jordan smiled at Alex's gesture. "Thank you," he said. "I appreciate it."
Alex waved off the thanks. "No problem at all. I figured you had work to finish, so I didn't want to disturb you by coming in. I didn't mind waiting."
As Alex headed toward him, Jordan felt a spark between them. It was a simple act of kindness, but it spoke volumes about the person Alex was. Alex reached over and grabbed the backpack off Jordan’s shoulder. He hoisted it over his own like it weighed nothing. The gesture took Jordan aback. He turned around and started walking toward the truck. Then he opened the passenger side door for Jordan. Alex then opened the back door and put the backpack in the back seat. After closing the door, he walked around to the driver’s side.
It surprised Jordan that the truck’s cab had such a warm smell of citrus and cedar. He couldn’t decipher if it was Alex’s truck or the man himself.
Alex started the engine as Jordan got in the passenger side. The truck's engine rumbling to life echoed through his racing heart. He settled into the seat, a whirlwind of emotions swirling within him.
Alex's return exhilarated him. It was bewildering. A thread of nervousness weaved through his thoughts. His undeniable attraction to Alex stirred him. It left him slightly off balance as he buckled his seatbelt and turned to face the front.
Alex turned to look at Jordan. "So, how was the rest of your day, Jordan?" he asked, making sure to face Jordan as he spoke.
Jordan needed to be steadier and more focused. He found himself reaching into the back seat to retrieve his hearing aids from his backpack. He decided it would be easier for both of them if he could hear Alex's words more clearly. He fitted them into his ears and adjusted the volume before turning to face Alex, their eyes meeting.
“My afternoon has been uneventful, thank you. Our admin cleared some of my appointments this afternoon so that I could get caught up. I’m putting the ‘wonder bugs’ in so you don’t have to face me. I don’t like to read the lips of people driving—I have an aversion to slamming into walls or old people,” he said dryly, then smiled. "What about you? How's your afternoon been?"
Alex's face lit up after discussing his best hour-long nap in months. He told Jordan about Aunt Lynn’s kindness—how she went shopping, made him dinner, and arranged for someone to repair the window. His enthusiasm was palpable.
“Linda is so sweet. If it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t be in Brookings. She was a relentless headhunter and I told her I couldn’t take the position several times. Lucky for me, she was relentless. No one can tell her no. She hired many of the staff at the clinic from around the country, and the law firm paid for everyone's relocation fees.” Jordan laughed.
“I told her today that I felt bad that I have been so wrapped up in myself since I got out, that I had no idea of what she has been up to.” Alex stared into the distance.
As they drove, the sun set in the distance. It cast a warm, gentle glow across the landscape. The world outside seemed to fade away. They shared stories of Linda's kindness. The whole time, Jordan couldn’t help staring at Alex. He hoped he wouldn’t linger too long and get caught. When they arrived at Alex's house, both were smiling.
As Alex parked the truck in the driveway next to Jordan’s silver Jeep Cherokee, Jordan turned to him. “Thanks again for the ride, Alex.” He paused. “You made my evening a lot better.”
Alex grinned. “Anytime. It was my pleasure. Are you hungry? She stocked my fridge.”
“Rebecca brought me food a couple of hours ago because she saw me working late, so I’ve eaten already. But thanks for the invite. Raincheck?” Jordan asked as he yawned.
“Yes, of course. You look tired. Be careful driving home, and I’ll see you in the morning. What area of town do you live in? ”
“My house is on the clinic property. The clinic has twenty acres of land, and when Linda designed everything, she put a house back there for me,” Jordan explained. “It’s part of my compensation package to live there. My drive to work is only about six minutes. I usually run by the beach every morning before work, so I still end up with a commute. Although, it is Brookings, so the traffic isn’t bad at all.”
Jordan continued, “Do you run? I do about three miles on the beach and trails near Secret Beach every morning before work. You can join me tomorrow if you’d like.”
Alex laughed. “Running… um, sure I run. I don’t do it often because I tend to set my shorts on fire from the friction of my thighs rubbing together. As long as it’s not fire season, I’m down.”
Jordan busted out laughing. “I will roll you down the hill if you combust. Make sure you wear those cute little Army running shorts you had on this morning…” Jordan gasped. “Shit, sorry, that was… shit. Sorry, I didn’t mean to say that.”
“You think my shorts were cute?” Alex baited him, chuckling. Jordan turned a dark shade of red and looked at the truck's floor. He was mortified. He’d never been so forward with someone he just met before.
“Sorry, I apologize if I made you feel uncomfortable,” Jordan said, a little defeated.
Alex shifted in his seat, looking directly at him. He reached over, grabbed Jordan’s chin, and pulled his face in his direction so he could read his lips and hear him. “You didn’t make me uncomfortable. I work very hard on my fitness. I only eat the best nutritious foods. Rarely do I eat anything unhealthy. Yet, all day today, I have been craving cookies.” He tugged on Jordan’s Cookie Monster scrub shirt.
Jordan's heart skipped a few beats. He blinked in surprise, momentarily taken aback. A rush of emotions swirled within Jordan. Happiness bubbled up, mingling with gratitude and disbelief. He had spent so long feeling insecure about his hearing loss and the challenges it brought to his life. Hearing Alex express attraction for him felt like a dream.
A small, almost shy smile tugged at the corners of Jordan's lips as he turned his gaze toward Alex. "You... you mean that?" he asked, uncertain .
Alex nodded. "Jordan," he replied. "I admire you and genuinely enjoyed spending time with you today when no blood was on the floor. You're incredible, have the cutest chin dimple, and are hot."
Jordan's smile widened, and a warm flush crept across his cheeks. The knot of self-doubt that gripped his heart for so long loosened.
"Thank you, Alex," Jordan whispered. “That means a lot to me. I almost stuck myself with the morphine needle this morning because of you and those damn shorts. To be fully transparent.” The two men shared a moment of vulnerability and laughed hard.
Jordan and Alex exited the truck, standing by their parked vehicles. The gentle whispers of the ocean in the distance filled the air. The admission of their mutual attraction had created an unspoken understanding between them.
Jordan bid Alex goodnight with a soft smile, his heart dancing with a newfound sense of hope. He turned toward his Jeep, his keys in hand, ready to head home.
But before he could get inside the car, he felt a light touch on his arm. Alex reached out and pointed to Jordan’s phone in his hand. "Mind if I put my number on your phone? I thought you should have it so we can meet at the beach tomorrow morning," Alex said.
Jordan handed over his phone, and Alex quickly added his contact information.
"There you go," Alex said, handing the phone back. "Text me tomorrow and tell me when and where to meet you."
Jordan nodded. "I will."
Alex walked to his truck. He opened the back door and retrieved Jordan's backpack. Then, he carried it to the Jeep and placed it in the vehicle’s back seat.
"Thank you, I forgot about that,” Jordan said.
Alex shrugged. “Shoot me a text once you're home, so I know you made it okay.”
Jordan laughed. “Linda is definitely your relative!”
Alex shrugged. “If she had her way, I would have had to call her every night from Afghanistan.” They both shared a genuine laugh.
Alex and Jordan had set their plans for the morning. They bid each other goodnight once more. As Jordan drove home, he couldn't shake the warmth and anticipation that had settled in his chest. The prospect of seeing Alex again at the beach brought a sense of excitement he hadn't felt in a long time. His insecurities and dark whispers came to mind as he got closer to home. The further away from Alex, the more his self-loathing consumed him.
Jordan made it home safely and sat in his driveway. Scrolling through the phone, he couldn’t find “Alex” listed among his contacts. It momentarily saddened him that Alex had not saved his contact on the phone. As he scrolled further, he laughed.
As he typed out a text to Alex, he chuckled.
Jordan: Really? 'Muscle Crush' as your contact name? First, I have seen bigger muscles on a bulldog named Penelope. Second, ‘crush’ is presumptuous, if not accurate! I’m home safe and changing your name to Alex on my phone.
He then edited his contact name to read “Alex” and added the beaming face with smiling eyes emoji next to his name.
His phone chirped as he walked to his cabin, stopping on his front porch. He opened the text.
Alex: Oh, it’s on, Dr. Snarkypants. No one disses da muscles! I'm happy to hear about the accuracy, though. Good night, and thank you for everything that you did today.
Jordan blushed.
He put a heart emoji on Alex’s reply as he entered and closed the door.
Then he spent the rest of the evening second-guessing himself for adding the heart emoji.