Page 1 of Jordan’s Breakthrough (Unexpected Love #3)

JORDAN

T he smell of hot grease and seasoned beef makes my mouth water as I step onto the back patio at Declan’s house. Birds chirp in a nearby tree and a hummingbird flutters near the newly installed feeder. Their sounds are a shallow echo in the recess of my mind. A song slightly out of tune.

Seth flips hamburgers on the barbecue as he listens to his partner, Declan, talk about an upcoming movie they want to see. They’ve both changed from their grungy yard clothes into clean shorts and shirts. Declan is wearing the navy Gooseberries tank I bought him last year at the county fair.

He dips his head back in a laugh. “Don’t say that shit.”

Seth throws a hand up. “What? You know it’s true. They’re going to fuck the movie up. They always do. Books are better.”

Declan rolls his eyes. “When’s the last time you even read a book?”

Seth gasps. “Take that back.”

Declan grins.

“Take it back, Dec. Audiobooks are reading!”

Declan turns to me. “What do you think, Jord? Do audiobooks count as reading?”

Their easy smiles should be a welcome sight after a long couple of days. Instead, it chips away at the hole in my heart.

“I’m with Seth,” I say flatly. “Audiobooks count as reading.”

He gasps. “Traitor.”

“You’re still absorbing the story the way the author intended. It’s reading.”

“It’s listening ,” Declan argues.

“It’s a story .”

“Yeah, that you’re listening to.”

His grin rattles something inside of me, tightening a knot in my chest. It’s been six months since Declan and Seth started dating, and there are still times when their joy triggers an ache I cannot quench.

I’m happy for Dec, I truly am. But his happiness shines a spotlight on a part of my life that I’m starting to despise, a vivid reminder of how hollow I’ve become.

Or rather, how hollow I‘ve always been.

I hold two beers out to them, forcing a smile and nodding my head at the barbecue. “That smells amazing.”

Seth beams. “Thanks. Hope you’re hungry. I’m grilling way more than we need.”

Doesn’t he always? “Well, I’m looking forward to it.”

“Hey, it’s the least we could do after all your help,” Declan says, tipping his bottle toward me.

I shrug.

He turns toward Piper, who is relaxing on their brand-new patio swing, feet crossed at the ankles. “You too, Piper. Thank you for helping this weekend. Seriously, guys. We couldn’t have done this without you.”

Piper waves a hand like it’s no big deal. “Oh, I always knew you’d get me back for painting my house. But just so you know, that debt is paid now. In full!”

Declan laughs. “Fair enough.”

Walking over to Piper, I hand her a canned margarita.

Declan keeps a few of them around just for her.

She smiles before cracking it open, though it doesn’t reach her eyes.

Clearly, she is just as exhausted as I am, shoulders slumped and face red from the heat.

She’s tied her platinum blonde hair into a ponytail, with a few strands falling loose on the side.

The purple hues at the tips match her tank top perfectly, along with the jewels in her oversized white sunglasses.

Piper has always had a sense of fashion.

I pull out a chair at the patio table and sink into it, relief washing over me. This weekend has been grueling.

“Hey, Dec? Next time you get the crazy idea to redo your whole yard in a single weekend, just know that I’ll happily pitch in some money to hire someone to do it instead.”

He laughs.

“I’m serious. I’m too old for this shit.”

“Fair enough.”

“If you can even call thirty-two old,” Seth mutters. “Wait until you reach forty-four. Trust me.” He rubs his shoulders.

“All the more reason you should’ve hired help,” I say. “Or at least installed a swimming pool. That would’ve felt amazing right now.”

“Actually, we’re getting a hot tub in a few weeks,” Seth explains.

“No shit?”

They both nod.

“Well, you should’ve done that first . Might’ve saved me a bill at the chiropractor.”

He considers it, still rubbing his tender shoulder. “Yeah, I see your point.”

I look around, still in awe of what we have accomplished in just four days.

What once was a ten-by-twenty-foot slab of concrete is now a finished outdoor retreat with a faux wood awning, drop-down shades, and a ceiling fan overhead.

Two large planters frame the edge, where a stone path leads to the newly installed fire pit.

Above us, a long mister hose runs the length of the space, keeping everything cool.

It turned out better than I could have imagined. Their own piece of heaven, right in the backyard.

The closest I’ll get to this is the community fire pit in my trailer park. Yee-fucking-haw.

Twisting the bottle between my fingers, I take a swig, wishing I had some way to cling to the good feelings.

This weekend hasn’t just been hard work, we’ve had fun too.

Cracking jokes and lifting each other up in only the way best friends can.

I’ve laughed more than I have in months.

But that joy is already fading, getting swallowed up by the darkness in my chest.

Closing my eyes, I rub at my sternum, willing the demon to go away.

I shouldn’t feel this rotten inside—this empty .

Especially here, with these people. They’re my people.

My family. Yet, my heart still weeps. A bottomless well that never gets full.

Declan’s re-discovered happiness has been a constant reminder of how utterly empty I am.

Seth points the long metal tongs at Declan. “Speaking of the hot tub, we still need to clear the rock bed on the side of the house.”

Declan groans, looking in that general direction. “We can get it tomorrow.”

“It’s not that much. Let’s just suck it up and do it tonight.”

“What’s on the side?” Piper asks.

“Oh, it’s nothing big. There are a couple more plants that we need to remove, and we bought a few bags of rocks to fill in the area. Shouldn’t take long.” Declan turns to me. “Actually, you might like those ones, Jord.”

I furrow my brows. “What are they?”

“Hell if I know.” He holds his hands out to form an eight-inch circle. “They’re about that big, with small white flowers. A bird must’ve dropped the seeds in our yard because it’s nothing I’ve had before.” He shrugs. “Anyway, you’re welcome to check them out. Might be great in a pot.”

Do I even have room? I’ve already adopted five other plants and have no clue where I’m going to put those, let alone one more.

I take another drink before getting up, curiosity getting the better of me.

“I didn’t mean now .”

“Seth’s right. Better do it now while I still have the energy. Like I said, man. I’m too old for this. I’m going to be laid up in bed for the next week thanks to you.” And because of my depression. But I can’t blame Declan for that.

“Want help?” Piper asks.

“Nah, I’ll get it.”

On my way by, Declan mutters a soft, “Thank you.”

I snag a shovel from the cluster of tools propped against the house and follow a stone path to the corner directly behind Seth and Declan’s bedroom. It’s closed off from the rest of the yard, making it a perfect spot for a hot tub.

The plants Seth was talking about are not hard to find. Two short bunches of greenery in the middle of a white rock bed. Three bags of rocks have been neatly stacked beside them.

I crouch to get a better look, ignoring my protesting knees.

They have thin oval-shaped leaves and are covered in little white flowers.

The delicate petals are long and narrow, like a star, and silky against my fingers.

They’re beautiful, whatever they are. Too pretty to resist. I definitely want them.

After brushing away some of the rock around the roots, I dig up the flowers, then carry the bundles to the garage to fill a plastic pot with potting soil for easy transport.

I can already hear my community manager groaning about the new additions, especially with five more in the trunk of my car.

It’s a good thing he likes me or my plant addiction might get me in trouble.

When I return to the side of the house to spread the rocks, Declan is there, ripping open a bag. He’s quiet for a moment as I rip open another.

“You okay?”

I avoid his eyes. “Yep. Just tired.”

It’s a lie. We both know it. But Declan doesn’t push it.

When we’re finished, Declan carries the bags to the trash while I go inside to wash my hands.

I look out the window as the warm water rushes over my fingers.

I have to admit, the yard looks infinitely better.

Declan hadn’t kept up with it after his former partner, Graham, died.

He even hired someone to mow the grass every summer, since he didn’t have the energy.

But now that Seth is giving Declan’s life meaning again, Declan is motivated to follow through with some of the projects.

It’s just a shame Graham never got to see the yard like this. He would have loved it.

Piper joins me in the small kitchen, rinsing the empty margarita can before tossing it in the recycling bin.

“Guess that means you are adopting the flowers?” she teases.

I crack a smile and shrug. “Why not? They’re healthy and pretty.”

“But do you even have room?”

Nope. “I’ll find somewhere for them.”

Probably by a neighbor’s front door, but hey.

I’ve earned a reputation as “the plant guy” in our neighborhood, giving out plenty of free plants just for the hell of it.

My neighbors have always appreciated it, and it’s brightened up our park too, adding pops of color against the white gravel lots.

It’s a nicer trailer park, meant for permanent residents, but it’s still a trailer park.

Some of these plants will need major TLC before I can give them away, though. Declan neglected them too long.

Piper chuckles. “I don’t know how you do it, Jord. I can’t keep anything alive.”

“Time and patience,” I say with a wink.

“I even killed that cactus you gave me. Do you remember that?”