Chapter 28
She sat there anxiously, she couldn't remember ever being so nervous. What if he told her what had happened was a mistake? What if...She didn't want to think anymore about what it was, she'd find out soon enough. She stood, pacing nervously. She had to stop being so nervous.
Jordan rubbed at her temples; she was getting a headache. She started into the kitchen to take something for it, when there was a knock at her door. She stilled, he was there. Taking a deep breath she walked over and flung the door open.
"Hi Jordan." Howie smiled.
She took a breath, smiling at him. "Hi, come on in." She stepped aside so he could get by. Jordan inhaled his scent and had to resist the urge to fan herself. Slowly she closed the door, hesitating a moment before turning to find Howie staring at her intently. "I-" She paused, watching him. "What?"
"Nothing, just trying to remember your face."
Jordan blinked. "What?"
Howie held out his hand to her. "C'mere," he whispered.
She hesitated again before starting towards him, slipping her hand in his. She followed as he led her to the couch and sat down with her.
"First off, let me just say that it's been a pleasure getting to know you. I know things were kinda rocky at first and I take full responsibility for that. But things got better and we...well we became friends?" He looked over at her, wanting her to verify. When she nodded he went on. "So we became friends and maybe...maybe a little more. Then we shared something special, something I'll never forget."
Oh god, he was gonna tell her that he thought it was wrong. That it was a mistake. Her heart was hammering in her chest; she tried to focus on what he was saying.
Howie stopped for a moment, holding back the words he wanted to say, it'd be better if he just said what he came for and get it over with.
"Jordan, I'm leaving tomorrow, back home to Orlando."
She stilled, leaving? He couldn't leave; it hadn't been a week yet!
"The week is over and I gotta get back home and take care of some things."
She hadn't been prepared for this at all. The time she'd spent with him had flown by and she'd totally forgotten that he was only staying for a week, she'd gotten used to him being there.
"I want you to come with me." He said suddenly. He hadn't intended to say it like that, for it to sound so permanent, but it just happened. He watched her cautiously.
Jordan turned her head, looking at him. He wasn't serious, he couldn't be. "What?"
"Come with me, to Orlando. You can meet the rest of the guys; I can show you around, meet my family. I've told my mom and dad all about you and they'd love to meet you..."
"I can't believe this..." She cut him off, her body filling with anger.
Howie stopped, watching her. "Jordan?"
"How...how could you?! I knew it, I knew better than to...you think you can suddenly control my life?"
"No! Not at all, I'm just saying that you should go out and enjoy life, take a trip, travel. We had a lot of fun this week and..."
"And then what? What?! Swoop me up, make me pack up my life and just leave like that?!" She snapped her fingers for emphasis.
"Jordan, Jordan wait, I'm not asking you to..."
"Oh but aren't you? You want me to just drop my job to go prancing around Orlando with you." She stood; she could barely suppress the anger, the rage that shook her body. "How dare you!" She yelled. She knew she was being overemotional, and irrational, but she couldn't help it, she couldn't stop it. It was that anger, misplaced, misplaced and hiding the fear she really felt.
Howie just sat there, looking at her sadly. "Jordan, please...just let me explain. I just thought that since..."
"Since what? Since two nights ago you had free reign over my life? That you could just jump right in and make changes? No, no way. I knew better than this, I knew it. God, how could I have been so stupid."
Howie stood slowly, it was worse than a nightmare. "Please Jordan...don't do this...we could've..."
"Could've what Howie? Gone on and had a life together? Is that what you were thinking?"
He said nothing, just stared at her.
"Oh I see, I get it. Here you come, showing me how sorry my life is compared to yours and how you could change all that, MAKE me want better right? Well I'm sorry, but it won't work on me Howie, I won't."
"Jordan..."
"Out."
"Jordan...wait..."
"Out! Get out! I want nothing more to do with you."
He felt as if she'd slapped him, he took a step back, looking around before turning starting towards the door.
"My flight leaves at four tomorrow. You can contact me at the hotel till then if you need me." He paused, watching her for some sort of reaction, he got none. Sighing heavily he opened the door, turning his head to look back at her. "Goodbye Jordan, I love you."
And with that, he left.
