Page 29

Chapter 28

DANI

Jordy was already off to work; he always went earlier than I did. He enjoyed watching the film and processing the day before so he could set up his new focuses for the week. In the warmth of his bed, I leaned over to smell his pillow but immediately stopped myself—why was I being such a freaking weirdo?

I was apparently obsessed with this man, and it had taken this long for me to realize it.

My phone beeped and I snagged it from the bedside table. Low Battery.

I reached over to grab Jordy’s charger and groaned in frustration because he had taken it with him. I opened the drawer on his side of the bed, searching.

Nothing.

I leaned back over to my side to check the nightstand and paused. “What the fuck?” I grabbed the glossy paper out of the drawer and started to flip through them. Rage began to build within me. I was pissed off— no…more than pissed. I was livid. My heart hammered in my chest.

I stuffed the pictures in my purse and dressed quickly, tears stinging my eyes. Jordy had some explaining to do. It didn’t take me long at all to get to the practice facility.

I slammed my car door shut. Tee had just parked not far from me, his eyes eyebrows sky high.

“Well, hey girl!” he greeted.

“Not in the mood to talk right now.”

“Oh, shit. What is it with you?”

I ignored him, yanking the front door open where I marched straight to the screen room. I could see him sitting there through the windows, and thankfully he was alone. He perked up when he saw me, but his face quickly morphed into fear as I slammed the door behind me and reached into my purse.

“What’s wrong—”

I slammed the pictures against his chest. “What the fuck are these and why do you still have them?”

He sat the pictures down, not sparing a glance at them. “I can explain.”

“I sure as hell hope you can.”

His shoulder slumped, and his hand combed through his hair. “This was a drunken night, and we thought it would be fun to take pictures of our time together.”

“Jordy! These are pictures of you fucking Elena! Printed out! In your bedroom!”

“I realize how bad this looks—”

“Bad! Just Bad? This is horrific, Jordy. The fact that you took the pictures isn’t my problem, but you kept them. I've been having sex with you for months now, and those have been in the drawer the entire time? Have you—”

He stepped towards me but I held up my hand to keep him back. “No. You’re not coming near me. I need to know—have you looked at them since we’ve been together?”

“No, Dani. God, no. I forgot about them, that’s why they’re still there. If I had remembered, I would have gotten rid of them.”

The flames were burning so hot within me I thought I’d melt. I was so angry and upset, but what he said made sense. But despite that, I’d been in relationships before where men could say pretty things and get their way, and I needed to stand firm against him right now. I couldn’t just let this go.

“I don’t know if that’s the truth or not, but either way, I need some space right now.” I stepped back, trying to distance us.

“Space? What the hell are you talking about? I don’t want space from you.”

I turned to leave, in desperate need for some air, but Jordy grabbed my hand, spinning me around to face him. “Dani, I just told you I loved you last night and now you want to run away?”

“I’m not running away. I’m protecting myself, Jordy. There’s a difference.” My palms squared on his chest as I shoved him back.

He scoffed. “This is bullshit and you know it.”

Storming past me, he turned the doorknob, flinging the door open with a bang against the wall. I watched as he walked down the hallway. I'd never seen him like this before.

Maybe I had made a mistake saying what I said, but I just needed to know if he was telling the truth. I couldn’t let my guard down, but what if I had just messed this whole thing up? What if—

Tears started to prickle my eyes, and my hand pressed to my chest. The ache was swelling hard and fast and I let out a sob. What had I done?

“It’s going to be okay, Dani. Just let it out, my girl. Let it out.” Tee’s voice reached my ear while his arms wrapped around me for support.

“I messed it up.”

He rubbed my back, a comforting touch. “No, you didn’t, Dani. You’re upset, and he needs to understand that even with all his boyish charm, handsomeness, and big dick, being transparent with you is necessary. I don’t know what he did, but I am sure that he didn’t mean to hurt you. That man loves you. He’s always loved you.”

I twisted to sob into Tee’s chest, knowing damn well he was right. I saw Tee glance down at the table and he gasped. “Oh shit. I’m gonna fuck him up.”

“This was before we were together, but I found them today in one of his drawers. He said he honestly forgot he had them.” I grabbed Tee’s arm to stop him.

Tee’s face was blank and his eyes squinted. “Why don’t we…dispose of these? Shredder?” he asked.

I nodded. “Shredder sounds good.”

The entire practice that day was difficult to deal with. Jordy wouldn’t even look my way, and maybe we really needed a reset.

The Queens Group Chat

Dani: Could we have a wine night tonight?

Becca: Thank God. I need a break from Shy. He’s always trying to hump me.

Lenna: Yes! My house? Asher can go stay with my mom.

Dani: Perfect. See y’all then.

***

“I’m sorry, my brother did what?” Lenna asked again, pouring her third glass of wine while I was still sipping my first. I explained it in the least graphic detail that I could with Becca and Lenna’s brows raised, and Lenna’s face morphing into disgust. “I’ll murder him for you.”

I laughed. “No, that’s not necessary. I think I may have overreacted.”

“To be honest. I don’t think you overreacted. That was an honest and pure reaction that I know I would have had, too. But I do think you made some assumptions about the situation in your mind. It’s your defense mechanism.” Becca leaned back on the couch, rather matter-of-fact.

“Damn,” Lenna said. “Are you a therapist or something?”

Becca shrugged. “Eh. Something like that I guess.”

Lenna sat her glass down and leaned forward, joining in our little circle. “I have the perfect idea for you and Jordy to get back on the right track.”

“And what idea is that?” I raised my brows, incredulous

She smirked, glancing at Becca before returning her gaze to mine. “This weekend is an away game that happens to be in Florida. The hotel we’re staying at has a really nice infinity pool on the roof…I think you could seduce him.” She sipped her wine and made a face. “Gross, I just realized I’m giving you advice on how to have sex with my brother and I didn’t grasp how weird that is.”

“I also second this, the seduction plan and the weirdness of you being involved in their sex life,” Becca added, gesturing to Lenna.

Lenna chugged the rest of her wine and stood. “More wine anyone?” Not waiting for us to answer, she walked to the kitchen.

“I do think it’s a good idea but maybe focus more on having a conversation with him rather than jumping his bones…if all goes well, then maybe you could.”

I smiled. “I’ll do that.”

We clinked our glasses against each other when Lenna returned. “Ah! You bitches are toasting without me. That’s so rude.”

We all giggled and somewhere deep inside I knew I’d be okay. Me and Jordy would be fine.