First Love (16 page)

“I definitely consider you a friend,” Jordan finally said.

“Why?”

They walked several more yards. “My brother, Jack, said part of the initial attraction to his fiancé was that she didn’t know who he was. I realized you, Mark, and your brother are the only people I got to know as Jordan Thompson, not as the president’s daughter.” She reached for Drew’s arm and hooked her hand threw it.

Drew wasn’t sure where this was going. She needed to focus, but that old stomach fluttering was starting.

“My brother and I grew up in my father’s political shadow. Friendships have been with sons and daughters of his political allies. If Brandan’s father wasn’t a family friend, I wouldn’t even have him around.” She paused before offering the next very personal comment. “One of my sorority sisters was dating him and she told me he thought I was a…slug. A stupid, fat slug. There were other things he said, but I’m embarrassed to say them.” She turned to walk back to the camp.

Drew caught her and turned her around. “Jordan, don’t listen to ass—idiots like him. You’re smart, funny, and very attractive. If someone doesn’t recognize that, that person isn’t worthy enough to even talk to you. He’s an asshole. Sorry about the swearing. Especially to say that to one of your sorority sisters.”

Jordan nodded. “She told me he said that and then said he was going to marry me anyway. She broke up with him.”

“Then he is a real shit.” She stopped and faced Jordan. “You’re an incredible woman, Jordan, and you’re too good for that asshole. I admire your courage and determination. Most of all, I see your friendship as a special gift I treasure.”

Drew wiped away a tear rolling down Jordan’s cheek. The tenderness was more than Jordan could handle. She leaned into Drew, struggling for control. “It’s so hard when you’re never sure why people like you, or even if they really do. And it is so hard to trust.” Jordan looked up, her eyes liquid with feeling. “I trust you completely.”

Drew took a deep breath and slowly let it out as she absorbed the intensity of Jordan’s gaze. “It’s okay.” Drew spoke softly and slowly. She wanted Jordan to hear and feel the truth of her words. “I’m your friend. I care about who you are as a person. The person I know is strong, kind, and amazing.” Drew brushed the tears from Jordan’s cheeks, put her arms around her, and held her. “It’s okay.”

More soothing words came, hopefully, salving the pain. She continued to reassure Jordan while she stroked her long, silky hair. When Jordan’s breathing was once again even, they turned and walked quietly back to camp. Drew was aware that she had let down another barrier, and now she didn’t know what she was going to do if Jordan didn’t want more than friendship.

*

Drew lit the camp stove and they started mass producing breakfast, feeding the eight agents, Mark, and themselves. A competition surfaced. Drew cutting and chopping omelet ingredients and Jordan cooking and serving. “Come on, Thompson, these folks are going to starve if you can’t keep up.” Drew emptied more mushrooms into a mixing bowl.

“My cooking is worth the wait. You probably can’t cook anything that isn’t heated in a microwave and tastes like paste.”

“Oooh, girlfriend,” Mark added between mouthfuls, “she has a sharp tongue as well as a sharp mind. Maybe she should be a surgeon.”

Drew threw a mushroom at him, well aware how much he hated touching them before they were cooked. “Don’t encourage her. She may operate on you.” She made some snipping motions with her hand so that only Mark could see and he was sure of what type of surgery she had in mind.

“I can see the headlines. Jordan Thompson arrested in wilderness illegally performing surgery.” Mark smiled at his pronouncement.

Jordan made a face and tried to ignore the humor.

“How about this?” Drew said. “The religious right will proclaim you a saint. President’s daughter castrates a homo. Claims he said, ‘Well, cut it out.’ So she did. Video at eleven.”

“No one would ever do that anyway.” Jordan stopped and stared at Drew and Mark staring at each other. “No! I don’t believe it.”

Drew was quick to change the subject. Jordan’s life had been sheltered from too many things.

The remainder of Sunday was spent exploring, hiking, and talking. Jordan was enjoying the time away from her other life. She particularly enjoyed hugging Drew, touching her, walking arm in arm.

She was often quiet when Mark and Drew picked at each other. She didn’t know how to respond when their teasing became sexual in tone. She listened and watched, wondering how much was teasing and how much was truth. None of what she knew about either of them meshed with the comments they made about each other. There were so many things she wanted to learn about them.

*

After the weekend camping, Jordan was often in Mark and Drew’s company. She was thoroughly enjoying the time with them. It also made it so much easier to avoid Brandan Carter. The result, however, was he kept calling. She even found she was staying away from her own house because he would show up. Even that didn’t seem to work. Brandan found her studying in the undergrad library.

“You don’t return my calls and you continue to make excuses for not attending parties I’ve accepted for both of us. Imagine how I feel when I have to make excuses for you.”

Jordan was furious. He had walked up to her in stacks and started yelling at her. “Brandan, since you make the plans before checking with me, it’s your problem.” Jordan was surprised how easily she was standing up to him. “I’m sorry. I’ve been busy with school.”

Brandan put his arms around her and pulled her close. “I’m sure you are. We can choose a couple of things to go to. How about if we just go to the dinner for Representative Miller next Friday?”

Jordan pushed him away. “Fine,” she said, hoping that would end any more obligations for a while. “I can meet you—”

“How about if I come pick you up at seven?”

Jordan was tired of the haggling. She couldn’t stand to have him touch her. “No. My security won’t allow it. Besides, I need to be back by ten, and now I need to study. I’ll see you then.” She left the library wondering how Brandan had found her since he usually studied in the law library. If he studied. She was glad that he only had a couple of weeks left until he graduated.

*

“Miss Thompson, please tell your father hello.” The host and his wife escorted Jordan and Brandan to the door as they prepared to leave the dinner on Friday night. “And I can’t remember having a more delightful, or successful, evening. Let your father know how much we appreciate his support during his last visit.”

“Good night, sir. I will. Good night, Mrs. Miller.” She shook hands and headed out the door.

Brandan, holding the door, offered his farewells. “Thank you, sir, for inviting us. We hope to see you again.” Hearing the “we” incensed Jordan as she hurried to the car, causing the Secret Service agents to alter their step. She was already in the secure vehicle before Brandan finished his good-byes.

Once in the back seat, he reached for Jordan’s hand, but she pulled away. “I’m quite capable of speaking for myself, Brandan. Please don’t do that again.”

“What’s the matter with you? We’ve been dating for three years, and lately you’ve been distant, different. It’s probably hanging around that queer and his redneck dyke girlfriend. What the hell do you see in them?”

Jordan fumed but spoke in a soft, controlled voice. “They are my friends. That redneck graduated magna cum laude, scored in the top ten percent on the MCAT. She also is responsible for my doing well in engineering. Mark Garcia is a second generation American who has supported his family through high school. They’re both dedicated to being caring physicians. Do not ever, and I mean ever, speak that way about them again.”

“Jeez, Jordan, I’ve never heard you ever talk to me that way. Hanging around those two is changing you.” He paused before offering the final cut. “Just think what your parents would say about you hanging around with queers. It’s got to stop.”

“What my parents think, or don’t, and what I do and who my friends are is none of your business.” When the car stopped, she grabbed her purse and slid toward the door. “Now that we’re at my house, I’ll excuse myself. Good night.” She exited the car and quickly went into her house. Without an invitation, Brandan could not follow her. Jordan had no doubt that Brandan was furious. She didn’t care. She didn’t stop to watch him climb into his car and speed away from her house.

*

The following Friday, Jordan sat in Drew’s apartment watching television. While trying to feign interest in the movie, Jordan found herself sneaking glances at Drew and trying to make sense of the myriad of emotions she engendered. Just hearing Drew’s voice caused her to smile. Other than her immediate family, Jordan couldn’t remember anyone she wanted to touch or hug as much. Or that she cared as much about. Lately, Jordan was often frustrated by her own conflicting feelings. She was constantly examining Drew’s behavior or choice of words, looking for any hint or cue that Drew was experiencing the same difficulty. Tonight, her emotions were roiling.

“What kinds of things did you do when you were at University of Wyoming? I mean, were you in a sorority or did you play sports?”
Okay, that’s a great conversation starter.

“Sorority!” Drew laughed. “Me?”

Jordan’s face showed the angst she was feeling.

“I’m sorry. It’s just that I wasn’t sorority material. I really couldn’t afford it, and I was on the rodeo team. Any weekend that I could I was busy helping my family run the ranch.”

“I guess the ranch requires a lot of work. Never mind. That’s a stupid thing to say. I’m sure it’s a lot of work.”

“It’s not stupid. Most people don’t know how much work it takes all year-round. Same with farming.”

“Do your parents have a lot of help?”

“No. There are some part-timers who help us certain times of the year. The rest of the time, it’s almost all family. We have a few people that work all year. My folks are particularly hard hit this year because Greg and I both are not there to help.”

Jordan listened, enthralled as Drew talked about life on the ranch. It gave her a chance to look at and listen to Drew without guilt. Finally, at ten o’clock, she stood, stretched, and said, “I guess I should go. You have to be at the hospital early, and I need to be up early, too.”

*

Drew glanced at Jordan, hoping she wouldn’t be caught. Jordan’s high, taut breasts strained against her polo shirt. Her off-white shorts only accented tanned, beautiful legs. No matter how many times it happened, she was still surprised every time she looked at Jordan and became aroused.
Damn,
why can’t you be more resistible?
She struggled for something to say that wouldn’t reveal how much she wanted to pull Jordan into a tight embrace and kiss her until Jordan was too weak to stand. “Thank you for bringing dinner over. I was getting tired of peanut butter sandwiches.”
Great, Hamilton. Surely, you could be more sincere.

Jordan smiled and stepped closer. “Thank you for another wonderful evening.” She put her arms around Drew’s neck. “You smell good.”

In spite of herself, Drew slipped her arms around Jordan. Jordan felt too good to not do it.

“I’ll be happy to cook for you any time.” She leaned her head on Drew’s shoulder. “Any time.”

Warm breath and whispered words against Drew’s neck sent an electric surge to her center. She felt wetness seeping between her legs.
Damn, she’s so sexy.
Drew’s arms slid tighter around Jordan’s back, and she luxuriated in the softness of Jordan’s body so tight against her. With Jordan’s head resting on her shoulder, Drew’s feelings about her were definitely sexual. Caution reared its head and Drew pulled away.

*

Jordan’s early appointment was with a counselor. Her feelings for and about Drew were so confusing she finally decided she needed someone to talk to. She used the excuse of stress to begin her therapy sessions with Dr. Karla Reynolds.

Jordan’s strong family beliefs and upbringing were at war with the emotions boiling up every time she was around Drew. These feelings had been growing for a long time, unnamed, amorphous, and hidden. They were now screaming to be recognized. She was beginning to acknowledge what she had suspected for some time.

“What is it about her parents that worries you?” Dr. Reynolds asked.

“Drew is very close to her family. If her parents didn’t like me, then it would be difficult for us to ever be more than friends.”

“More than friends?” Dr. Reynolds asked, one eyebrow lifting.

“I don’t know what I want. I bet I’m the only twenty-year-old virgin on this campus. Last night, when we said good night, I hugged her. And I wanted more.” She answered the unspoken question. “I don’t know what that means, and I don’t know if she feels the same way. I think she does. But as I hugged her, I wanted to kiss her so bad it hurt. And I don’t know what to do about it.”

Dr. Reynolds smiled. “Maybe you need to talk to her first. She may be as unsure as you. After all, you’re the president’s daughter. And I assume she thinks you’re only interested in men.” She paused. “Are you sure, Jordan? This is a big step for any person, coming out. Even more so for you, a member of the First Family. Have you thought about talking with your parents or the possible consequences, both to you and your family?”

“I’ve thought of nothing else. I would hope that I could keep everything quiet for a while. I don’t know how Drew is with this, though.” Jordan knew she had to do something soon. The indecision was immobilizing and keeping her from moving forward in any area of her life.

“Talk to her, Jordan. The sooner the better.”

July

By the third week in July, Drew was physically and emotionally exhausted. Long days at the hospital, irregular work and sleep patterns, and intensive schedules had taken their toll. The hours with Jordan were the only times she could relax. Sometimes they would rent videos or watch movies on TV. On rarer days, they explored areas of Florida within easy driving distance, always accompanied by Secret Service agents.