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JORDAN

T he saying when life gives you lemons, make lemonade always seemed a little off to me.

I once saw a sign that said when life gives you lemons, get some tequila and make it a party!

I liked that version and made it my own.

When life gives you lemons, throw them back, order a double, and toast to the chaos.

It was easier to give less fucks and go with the flow when people let you down all the time.

I wasn’t all mopey or sad about it. Sure, my mom preferred traveling for the holidays instead of visiting me, her only child.

She’d send me a gift card for a hundred bucks, and I’d use it on booze and scratch cards as my own personal middle finger.

It was why I loved my girl Logan’s family so much.

They took me in and parented me like I needed.

Which was why I had to pick and choose when I accepted their invites because I would be devastated if her family realized how annoying I was. “It’s your family celebration. I’m not crashing that, Log.”

“Why are you being so weird? You’re a part of the family, my wonderful, slightly idiotic best friend.

” Logan sat on my bed, legs crossed, hair in buns, as she glared at me.

We were in my room at our house, music blaring, counting down the days until Christmas.

My best friend’s attempt at a mean look was cute though.

She had zero mean bones in her body, and while she tried to be tough, she was a teddy bear.

“Your dad’s parents are coming into town.

That hasn’t happened in years. You all deserve to be together for that weekend.

” I painted my toenails black, a routine I started in high school and never veered away from.

I liked how they looked against my olive skin.

I could thank my father for his Greek coloring.

At least he gave me something besides abandonment issues.

“Plus, I might head up to the Great Lakes tournament to watch Preston play.”

Logan frowned. “How will you get there?”

“He’s letting me drive up.”

“Danithan. I hate that you feel like you can’t come to our house to celebrate. Are you upset about something?”

“No,” I said way too fast at her, accidentally smudging my big toe. I removed the excess with a paper towel and continued. “I love your family, and we’ll head over for Sunday dinner per usual. It’s the Christmas Hart gathering that I will not be attending.”

“Can I change your mind?”

“Nope.” I popped the p and winked at her. “You can support my goal of finding an athlete who holds my attention though.”

She snorted and went back to creating a playlist or documenting something on a spreadsheet.

My girl was a nerd through and through, and I loved her for it.

It was weird how I had every reason to be jealous of Logan, yet I felt nothing but pure joy and love for her.

Her parents were the epitome of warm, supportive teammates.

Her sister was the cutest. Quentin was perfect for her, and she’d never been happier.

That girl deserved the world, and I’d continue to make sure she got it. Her family loved me and would do anything for me, but I just refused to abuse the love. “Antonio was a bit of a bust, not gonna lie.”

“You and your dating adventures.” Logan smirked. “I’m sure Preston is enjoying this, by the way.”

“Psh, he doesn’t care.” I bit my tongue.

That was a bit of lie. Preston didn’t love my goal of trying to date athletes.

He knew almost everyone at Central State and could find reasons why they all sucked.

Didn’t he understand that I wasn’t looking for love?

I didn’t believe in it. I’d been working on a massive project for my class, and it took a lot of my time.

In between that stress, I wanted a fun hookup.

“It’s been interesting, that I’ll admit. ”

“How hard can it be? Just casually fake date your housemate, start a little friends-with-bennies situation, then fall in love.”

I stuck my tongue out at her. “First off, I love your confidence shining right now. You got a little swagger to you. Here for that. But secondly, you know that shit would only happen to you.”

“Yeah, you’d be more likely to fall in love with a bank robber.”

“Or a skydiver.” I wiggled my brows. “That would be fun. Do you think people bang on the way down?”

“No. Logistically that would be a nightmare.” Logan frowned at her computer. “I’m googling this.”

She gasped at her laptop, and I snorted, just as Quentin leaned against the doorway. “Nice forearms, hotshot.”

He blushed before addressing me. “Jordan the Menace.”

“Thank you, that’s kind of you.” I blew him a kiss as he smiled at Logan. They were the couple that made you believe love was worth it. Their faces changed, and their eyes legit morphed into cartoon hearts. If I didn’t love Logan more than anyone else in my life, I’d hate her for how happy she was.

“Y’all need me to leave the room before you bang?”

“Jesus, Jordan.” Quentin coughed into his fist. “I mean, yeah, see yourself out. ”

“Behave.” Logan laughed as she scooted over and patted the bed for Quentin to join her. “Help me convince her to come to our family celebration and not go to the Great Lakes tournament by herself.”

“If we start doing the two on one, then we’ll attack your breakfast-making skills, Log. The French toast was bad yesterday.” I pointed the bottle of nail polish at her, ensuring it was closed tight. We put a deposit down on the house, and I didn’t want to be the reason we didn’t get it back.

“Whoa, hey now. You ate every bite.”

“Because I’m frugal!”

“I have an idea,” Quentin interrupted us. “What if Jordan went to the celebration with you in the morning, and you drove up together and stayed the weekend? You said you wanted to go but couldn’t borrow your parents’ car that long.”

“Mm, not hating this idea.” I tried to hide my reaction, but I loved this. I wouldn’t be a burden on their family and Logan, and we would have so much fun together.

It was strange to be selfish, just a little bit.

We used to do everything her and I, but now that Quentin was there, who I loved for her, it wasn’t us girls.

I’d never voice it because we legit lived together, ate every meal together, and hung out still all the time.

It’d make me sound wild, but I loved being around Logan.

She was one of those people who brought out the best version of you. She recharged me by being herself.

Yet I couldn’t share how much I wanted her to say yes to this. It’d give my cards away, and I learned early on, you kept your cards close to your chest. Never showed your hand. Even with the person I trusted most in the world, I had to protect myself.

“Hm.” Logan pursed her lips as she switched the song from Dua Lipa to Sabrina Carpenter. “Let me ask my parents. I’m sure they’ll say yes, but I’d hate to disappoint them.”

“You won’t disappoint them, but let me know. I know I’d love seeing you in the stands.” He kissed the top of her head and sighed. “I’m heading to the rink for the rest of the night. See you later?”

“Of course.”

“Bye, sexy!” I shouted, earning a chuckle from him. I met Logan’s amused face. “Hey, I’d love if we could go up to the tournament together. It’d be fun to bond.”

“Are we not bonding now?”

“I want to bond harder. Bond me right now, Logan.”

She burst out laughing like I wanted her to, and my heart felt happy.

Logan knew my family issues and weird quirks and never made me feel bad about myself.

I was an attention whore (because I got none at home) and assumed everyone would leave me (due to my globe-trotting mother who never wanted to be a mom).

I knew my issues. It was why I’d wanted to be an event planner, since it was absolute chaos with a timeline.

I knew start to finish without exceptions.

I liked knowing an event could be anywhere in the world, yet I’d always come back here to Central State.

The campus and Logan’s parent’s house were more home to me than my own childhood one, and sure, there were some weird issues about being a nomad in my personality as well.

But one thing was for sure—my best friend had inspired me to hook up with someone I normally wouldn’t.

Hence my experience with athletes. Until New Year’s, I could try to find the spark that I’d been missing with all the nice guys I’d dated.

They wouldn’t match my freak or wanted vanilla sex or would never be up for dares.

I was wild—mostly safe—but a little wild, and I wanted to be wild before the huge fundraiser on New Year’s that I was planning.

I’d spent hours planning and prepping, and it was so much serious work that I needed to balance it with fun.

There was also this slightly added pressure to kick ass at it because my damn professor and my mom were friends. Maybe not friends, because my mom didn’t have a heart, but they spoke and liked talking shit about me.

Don’t mess this fundraiser up, Jordan Vanderfleet. Your future depends on it. Your professor will let me know if you can’t cut it.

No hi, how are you, honey texts. I got shit like that.

“Do you want to hang out later?” Logan asked, bringing me to the present. “We could rearrange your closet again.”

I winced because I hated being the one to turn her down. “I wish. Actually, maybe I should cancel my date. Organizing clothes with you would be more fun.”

The funny thing was, I meant that. I loved organizing because it made me feel like I had some control in my chaotic life. “Let me text him.”

“What? No! You’re trying to find someone! You can’t back out.” Her eyes bugged out. “Come on, let’s pick your outfit. We can hang out while you get ready.”

I didn’t correct her about finding someone.

I wanted a passionate distraction not love, but now wasn’t the time to correct her.

It wasn’t hard to style myself when I owned all dark clothing.

Black boots, short black shirt, and a black long-sleeved shirt that was tight and showed off my ample chest. (Hey, thanks for the tits, Mom!) I pinned my hair back on the sides and applied a deep bloodred lipstick. “I look like a creature of the night.”

“You look beautiful.” Logan smiled at me in the mirror. “Where are you meeting this guy?”

We left the bathroom and headed downstairs, where I grabbed my purse and debated wearing a jacket. It was cold, but a jacket would ruin the look. “We agreed to meet at Little Jimmy’s.”

“What? Why are you going there?” Preston exited the kitchen, gray sweatpants hanging low on his hips, and he was wearing a long sleeve Henley. My best guy friend filled the shirt out quite nicely. He was hot, and I took my time checking him out before answering with attitude.

“For my date, dude.” I hid my annoyance at his annoyance. We’d been friends for years, but he kept butting his head into my plans and providing commentary that wasn’t necessary. “Tim wants to meet there.”

“Tim who?” Preston’s jaw clenched as he scanned my outfit. “Tim Deiders?”

I nodded. “Yup, he’s on the baseball team. Super ripped. A little swagger where its hot and not in your face.”

“Little Jimmy’s is not a great spot. There are always fights, and bad shit goes down. Our coach told us to never go there.”

“I can handle a little adventure, Preston.” I winked at him before turning to Logan. “You have my location on. I’ll text you when I arrive.”

“How are you getting there?”

“Rideshare or the free bus.” My mom hadn’t sent me money in a while, and it was what I referred to as her guilt bills. I used to let it sit in an account and rot, but then Logan and I said fuck it. I only used it for fun things, like this.

“No. I’ll drive you. You’re not getting in a car with a stranger to head to that place.

” Preston ran his hands over his thighs, drying them off as he slid on his house slippers.

It was funny how living with someone showed you different parts of them.

Preston was obsessed with his house slippers. “Get a coat.”

“Ask nicely.”

“Jesus, are you extra sassy today?” He shook his head as he grabbed his keys from the hook, the keychain I bought him last year still there. That pleased me. I loved giving small gifts to my friends. It brought me so much joy, even if it was a silly Buckee’s keychain I found on a road trip.

“Maybe I’m just horny , hence the dating. You understand.”

Preston cleared his throat as he opened the front door and motioned for me to walk. I waited for his reply, his snarky or witty response, and we’d banter back and forth.

“No snarky comeback, Charming?” I winked at him as he opened the passenger door for me. His gaze moved to my legs for a beat, then he shook his head. It wasn’t often I made him speechless. “This is a new one for me. Want to mark it down in my calendar.”

He shut my door then walked to his side, hopping in and staring at me with a smirk. I knew that smirk. “Jordan,” he said, his voice lower than normal. “There are other ways to take care of that than going on a date at a shitty location.”

“You offering to help me out?” I teased, my stomach doing a little swoop. We always flirted and teased each other. It was as natural as breathing. “Or do you mean my vibrator?”

His only reaction was a sharp inhale. He started the truck, reversed down the driveway, then barked out a laugh. “You are such a pain in the ass, you know that?”

I grinned, the brief tension in the truck obliterated with his chuckle. “Yup, but you love me anyway.”

“Yeah, that I do.”