Page 33 of Jordan’s Breakthrough (Unexpected Love #3)

MILES

I ’ve just taken the first bite of my pho when my phone buzzes on the cafeteria table with a text from Pete. I grin as I swipe to unlock the screen. We’ve only spoken a few times since I saw him in San Diego.

Pete: So… I may have accidentally told your mom about Jordan (sorry).

She asked how we saw each other, and I let it slip that you were in town to see your boyfriend.

Oops. Cut me some slack? I was nervous to talk to her after all these years.

Anyway, we both know she won’t let that go so expect a call soon. Sorry if she gives you grief. Call me!

I groan around the chopsticks. “Dammit, Pete.”

Boyfriend? Did he really have to use that word? He couldn’t have said it was someone I’ve been seeing? Or a new guy? He just went full-on boyfriend?

But I can’t even pretend to be mad. Pete calling my mom is huge. They haven’t spoken in literally nine years. Maybe longer.

Me: You are so going to owe me for that one, Uncle Pete. BIG TIME.

Pete: I know. I’m sorry! Good luck! (ducks and runs)

I laugh.

The truth is, I’ve wanted to tell my parents about Jordan. I just haven’t found the right time. The last few times we’ve spoken have been brief exchanges about their house remodel or my siblings, not me. I think it’s just hard for them to relate to me now, since they rarely leave Michigan.

I glance at the clock. I have seven minutes left on break. Eight if I skip the drink refill I was planning on. That’s enough time to deliver life-altering news, right? That’s how she’s going to see it, anyway.

Might as well get this over with.

Mom answers on the first ring. “How funny,” she drawls without even a hello. “I was just thinking of you.” Her tone is flat, like she knows exactly why I’m calling. She probably expected Pete to warn me.

“Hi, Mom.”

“You’ll never believe who just called me.”

“The Publisher’s Clearing House?” I gasp. “Did you and Dad finally win? Oh, thank God. I can quit my job!”

“How’d you know?” she says in mock surprise. “Did James tell you? That rascal. I told him to keep it quiet!”

We both chuckle. It’s an ongoing joke in our family that one of us will end up winning the grand prize, even though none of us participate.

“No, your uncle Pete called, and he said some things. About you.”

“Really? Nine years and he wanted to talk about me? That’s strange.”

Mom hums, like she knows that I know exactly where this is going.

I sigh and lean back on the bench. “Okay! Fine! Yes, I’m seeing someone. His name is Jordan.”

I can practically hear her smile. “And?”

I glance at the clock. One minute already gone.

“I only have a few minutes,” I warn. “My lunch break is almost over, and I’ve got post-op meds and—”

“Then give me the trailer version,” she says. “Save the feature film for later.”

Of course she’s not going to let me out of this.

I grin anyway. Any chance to talk about Jordan is a good thing.

“Okay. Um… Things you need to know about my boyfriend,” I murmur.

“Jordan’s sweet. Like, really sweet. But he doesn’t let everyone see it, you know?

He plays it off like he doesn’t care what people think about him, but he really does care.

Deeply. And he cares about others a lot more than he tries to show too, but especially those he is close to.

He’s funny and kind. He listens in a way that makes me feel like I’m the only one in the room.

Oh! And he writes. Dad will like that. Jordan writes sci-fi novels and poetry.

I haven’t read his novels yet, but his poetry…

” I make a swooning sound. “It’s beautiful, Mom. Like, cry my eyes out beautiful.”

“Artsy and romantic,” Mom teases. “Forget Publisher’s Clearing House. You already won the lottery.”

My smile widens. “I know. He’s just… He’s one of the good ones,” I say, a little dreamily. Gabby Barrett’s song suddenly plays in my head, making me sway in my seat.

Ice clinks in the background, and I imagine Mom sitting in her favorite corner seat at the whitewashed table, drinking her favorite iced tea out of her favorite glass.

She could drink that stuff no matter what time of day or season.

The picture is so vivid I can almost smell the flowers she’d have on the table.

Some things never change.

“You really like him,” Mom says softly.

My heart skips a beat. It’s way more than like. “I do.”

“And what about him? Does he feel the same?”

“He does. It’s serious between us. He’s in San Diego, though, so we’re trying to figure that out. But we’ll get it. It’ll just take time.”

She hums again, almost dreamily. Like she couldn’t be happier for me. “All those years of dreaming for a guy who was willing to do long distance, and you finally found one. Oh, honey. My heart could burst. How’d you meet?”

“Online, actually. But that’s a story for another day. Actually, can I ask you something really quick? And then I have to go.”

“Of course.”

I’m not sure where this question is coming from, but now I have a burning desire to know. “Did you and Dad… Have you guys ever resented me for taking my job? For leaving Michigan, I mean.”

Mom’s gasp gives her away. “Miles, why would you ever think that?”

I run a finger along a groove in the table. “I’ve been thinking about Pete, you know. All those things you said about him after he left. And it just—”

“Sweetie, no. What happened with Pete was different. He was running from his guilt and shame. You know that.”

“But you still resented him for leaving.”

“I was angry with him for leaving, and for hurting my best friend,” she retorts.

“When he divorced Carla, it made me choose sides, and of course I chose my brother. But then he up and moved away, so I ended up losing both of them. It hurt, and it—well, yes. I suppose it did make me resent him a little, but he could have called me. We would have worked it out.”

“You could have called him too.”

She sighs. “I know. Believe me, I’d do anything to have those years back now. Talking to him today… Anyway, I’m just glad we have another chance. Do you think you’ll move there to be closer to him and Jordan?”

The change in topics is so abrupt it makes my head spin. “Sorry, what?”

“San Diego. If you and Jordan are serious, will you give up your traveling career and move there? Or will he go on the road with you? You can’t really be long distance forever, can you?”

“It’s... um... Well, like I said, we’re figuring it out.”

“I see. You haven’t had that conversation yet.”

No. We haven’t. Not really. “We’re figuring it out,” I say again.

“Well, I can’t wait to meet him.”

I grimace when I imagine Jordan meeting my parents and five siblings for the first time. I might need to wrap him in bubble wrap just to protect him from the onslaught of questions.

I love them. I do. But sometimes, I really don’t miss them.

Glancing at the clock again, I curse. Shit. I really need to go.

Dropping the bowl in the trash on the way by, I rush toward the elevators. “I’m glad Pete called you. He looks good, by the way. Healthy and everything. And he’s happy.”

Mom’s voice drops. “Yeah, he sounded happy.”

“I met his boyfriend. Did he tell you?”

“No, he didn’t. Is he nice?”

“They’re perfect together. In every way.

He’s happier than I’ve ever seen him.” I probably shouldn’t have said that, since it’ll make her think of Carla again, but it’s the truth, and Mom deserves to know that Pete hadn’t made a rash decision for nothing.

He followed his heart when it was the right thing for him.

Which makes me think of Jordan. I haven’t even considered giving up the traveling nurse position until Mom mentioned it. Should I? I’ve already applied for the temporary one, but should I just skip that and move there?

No. Not yet. We’re still too new. I need to give it time to see how this plays out long term. Besides, what if Jordan wants to travel again after he tries another medication? He might want this life, and he already has a motorhome. We could travel together.

It’s almost a dream come true.

But his family…

Can he really leave Declan and Piper?

“Can I call you later if I promise to text you a picture of Jordan and I?”

“You better send one!”

I laugh. “I’ll send it now. Love you, Mom.”

“Love you too.”

My steps are light as I get on the elevator. Maybe Pete spilling the beans about my relationship wasn’t such a bad thing. It ripped the bandage off and helped me dive right into what was important. Usually, I have to tiptoe around things before getting to the point.

After sending Mom my favorite picture of Jordan and I, I shoot a quick message to Jordan.

Me: Be warned. The Parents have been informed of you. Expect Facebook friend requests within the hour. (I wish I was kidding. My sisters probably will too. Groan. I’m so sorry… lol)

Talking to my parents always leaves me with mixed feelings, like I’m happy and sad at the same time.

We’re not great at keeping in touch, and sometimes months go by without a word.

There were even a few years I skipped going home for Christmas because I was too drained, and my family would’ve been too much.

I love them, but it’s not the comfort of what a family should be.

Jordan’s family, on the other hand? Spending time with them was refreshing. It’s a different kind of family, yes, but it felt like a family nonetheless.

Which brings me back to our future. I don’t know if Jordan will want to leave them, and even if he did, I don’t know if I’d want him to.

His dad’s cold love hurt Jordan in a deep way, along with losing both of his siblings.

Jordan needs Declan, Piper, and Seth just as much as I need my family. He shouldn’t walk away from them.

But maybe that’s the key difference. My family never left me, even when I traveled. They’re still my family. They’re still there, it’s just different. Declan and Piper would still be there for Jordan, if he chose to travel… wouldn’t they?