“Understandable but if the fact that we’re friends with both of you is behind your decision…”
“That’s not it at all. I know you’re not going to take sides. Hell, Will, there’s nothing to take sides over.”
“Then why are you tossing us?”
“You remember the big meeting Brett and I talked about? Well,” Jordan said, explaining their plans.
“You guys are full of surprises. That’s one hell of an idea.” Will paused. “What about Kiley?”
“What about Kiley?”
“I thought you loved her.”
“I do. I’m always going to. But she made it very clear that it’s one-sided.”
“She’s lying,” Will declared. “Or she’s in some sort of weird denial. Dee’s trying to figure out what’s going on with her but whatever it is, that girl definitely loves you.”
“She doesn’t want to though. She wants me to leave her alone. She told me there’s no place for me in her life.”
“She doesn’t mean it.”
“Will, I know you’re trying to help but please don’t. Kiley made her decision and, as hard as it is for me, I have to respect it. I can’t cling to false hope or it’ll end up hurting even more than it already does.”
“It’s not false hope, Jordan.”
As they sat there, Will worked to keep Jordan talking. The poor guy was suffering but it was obvious he needed to get it out. Eventually, even though Jordan kept changing the subject, Will heard the shocking details of what had transpired with Kiley.
When the door swung open and Brett stormed in, Will was even more stunned.
“Why didn’t you warn me about this when I saw you earlier?” Brett was waving a letter that Will guessed matched his. “Imagine my face when I get back from lunch and my boss corners me, demanding to know why my best friend is no longer his financial wizard. Hi, Will. Sorry if I’m interrupting something.”
“I’m actually here for the same reason, Brett. Jordan told me your plans. Congratulations.”
“Thanks.” Brett took a calming breath. “Jordan, I thought you were going to wait a while before you started this. And do it gradually so you could notify most people in person.”
“I changed my mind.” Jordan shrugged. “There’s really no reason to wait. I decided to just get it over with.”
“No wonder Dwight looks stressed. Have you spoken to anyone today other than Will?”
“Nope. I’m working on something else.”
“Something else?” Will asked. “There’s more?”
“Not really, just some personal investing. Dwight is holding up fairly well but I’m afraid Monday is going to be worse.”
Brett and Will exchanged a worried look. Jordan kept steering the conversation away from whatever he was doing. Eventually, Will felt it was time for him to go so Brett could ask more in-depth questions.
“Thanks for telling me of your plans, Jordan,” Will said lamely. “Think about what I said, okay?”
“I will even though it won’t do any good.” Jordan stopped him at the door. “Have you seen her, Will?”
“Not yet but she’ll be there when I get home. Why don’t you come with me?”
“Can’t,” Jordan refused. “I need a favor though, if you don’t mind?” Will nodded. “Could you hold off telling Dee the reason for this?”
“Because you don’t want Kiley to know?” It was Jordan’s turn to nod. “Of course, if that’s what you want. I’m not sure I understand but fine. You two can come by and tell Dee all about it yourselves sometime.”
* * * * *
Kiley was leaning against the counter, chatting while Dee cooked, when Will got home. Wordlessly, he crossed the kitchen and pulled her into a hug. The gesture triggered the sobs that Kiley had been struggling to hold in all day. Dee met Will’s gaze over Kiley’s head and nodded, knowing that this release was exactly what their friend needed.
After Kiley cried herself out and returned from washing her face, Will asked her to sit with him.
“Thanks, Will.” Kiley tried to smile. “I guess I needed that more than I thought.”
“Glad to help. Now I want to talk.” Will held her gaze as he handed Dee Jordan’s letter. “What the hell are you thinking?”
“Will,” Dee gasped.
“I heard what you said and frankly, it’s the most asinine load of bullshit! I’m surprised Jordan didn’t laugh in your face.”
“He told you?” Kiley was mortified.
“Yeah, every ridiculous word. You sure must have put on quite a show. I don’t know how you did it but Jordan actually believes that you don’t love him.”
“Oh, God,” Kiley groaned.
“Will, that’s enough,” Dee tried again.
“No, it’s not, Dee. Somebody needs to talk some sense into her. Look, Kiley, I don’t know what’s behind this but I suggest you work out whatever stupidity is playing tricks in your mind and get over it. Go see Jordan and tell him honestly how you feel because you and I both know that you love him. And that you belong together. What I don’t get is why you decided to deny it now.”
“Will, I…” Kiley was at a loss for words.
“I’m not done.” Will silenced her. “You know I’m only saying this because I care,” he paused. “It’s time for you to put aside the embarrassment you must be feeling after your foolish detour into la la land. Jordan loves you, even though you gave it your best shot to destroy that. He wants you in his life just like he did before you lost your mind. We all know he’ll forgive you and forget all this nonsense if you ask him to. If you don’t do something about it, you’ll be making the biggest mistake of your life. But do it soon, Kiley. The longer you wait, the worse it’ll be for you. Another thing, and I’m not really sure why I think this, but I have the feeling that you don’t have unlimited time to fix it. Oh, I don’t mean Jordan’s going to stop loving you. It’s just that I doubt he’ll be around indefinitely and I’d hate for you to wait too long realize how wrong you are.”
“Did he tell you what he’s going to do?” Dee asked.
“If you’re referring to that big meeting, yes and before you ask, I’m not saying a word. If either of you wants to know about it, you can go ask him. It’s not my place to tell you. But no, that’s not what I meant. Oh sure, their meeting will change a lot of things. In fact, I’m astounded at what Jordan and Brett are capable of. Actually, I’d give just about anything to be part of it. But it’s more than that. Brett showed up while I was there. It appears that all Jordan’s clients received one of those letters.” Dee passed it to Kiley. “He’s working on something that Brett doesn’t know about and Brett was clearly concerned. By concerned, I mean more than just worried that his friend’s heart was just broken. He’s not being included. I got the impression that Jordan is distancing himself from everyone and everything, including Brett who, in my opinion is so far beyond worried that he’s downright scared.
“Kiley, I’m only going to say this once unless you bring it up so you don’t have to be afraid to come back here. You know I’m your friend but I’m Jordan’s too. I hate what you’re doing, the way you’re hurting him. But I can see that you’re hurting yourself as much, if not more. I can’t figure out why but I’m begging you, for both your sakes, put an end to it. Listen to your heart not the lies in your head. Go talk to him. Listen to him. You know he’s a good man. Stop being a damn fool and do whatever it takes to get him back. Admit that you need him. Go and get things back on track before you manage to ruin both your lives.”
Will stood. “That’s it. No more lectures from me. I’ll leave you girls to talk now. Dee, yell when dinner’s ready and let me know if I’m joining you or eating in front of the computer.” He kissed his wife. “Kiley, don’t blow it, okay? He’ll make you happy if you let him, I know it.”
“Kiley, what did you say to Jordan?” Dee asked once they were alone. “Will doesn’t usually get that vocal about anything unless he’s extremely upset.”
“Nothing, really. I’d rather not talk about it.”
“But if you don’t talk about it, how are we going to figure out how best to fix it?”
“There’s nothing to fix.” Kiley jumped up. “Um, I’m not really all that hungry so I’m just going to head home. Thanks anyway.”
“Kiley, wait!” Dee tried to stop her. “Please stay. I promise that we’ll talk about whatever you want.”
“I’m sorry, Dee. I can’t.” She practically ran from the house with Dee watching helplessly.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
“What’s up with you these days, McKade?” the officer at the desk asked when Shane checked in at the end of his shift.
“Same old, same old. Why?” Shane responded.
“First, the mysterious suit comes after your brother and that other guy. Then the same buddy who came looking for him calls for you. Now the camera babe shows up, wanting to wait for you no matter how long it takes.”
“Camera babe?” Shane stalled even though he already knew who she was.
“Yeah, you know, the one who did that gang shit.”
“Where is she?” He looked around and spotted Alyssa on a bench in the corner. He stalked around the counter without waiting for a response. “Campini, if you’re here to gloat, you can skip it.”
“Hang on, McKade. I come in peace.” Alyssa jumped to her feet and held up her hands as she faced him. “Is there some place more private we can talk?”
“I’m done for the day. Let’s go.” Shane headed for the door, not checking to see if she followed.
“Slow down. Please?” Alyssa was running to keep up with him.
“What do you want?” He spun and glared at her.
“I need your help,” she said quietly.
“You what?” He was stunned.
“I said I need your help. With Kiley.”
“Right,” he sneered. “I guess throwing everything he thought he’d found with her back in his face isn’t enough for her even though it broke him. What more does she want? Wait. I know. You’re here to talk me into holding him down for her while she grinds her heel into what little is left of him. You know, squash him like a bug. Well, you and that little miss innocent cousin of yours,” he snorted, “can just forget it!”
Shane was past the point of listening so nothing Alyssa tried to say got through to him. He completely ignored her attempts to interrupt as he ranted on and on. Finally, since he was towering over her, she balled up her hand and punched him as hard as she could to stop his tirade.
For several long seconds, Shane stood there, staring and clutching his stomach. “You hit me! I don’t believe you just fucking hit me!”
“Shut the fuck up and listen or I’ll do it again,” Alyssa snarled, fist clenched, poised to follow through on her threat. “She’s completely wrecked too. I’m here because I need your help getting through to her so she starts thinking straight again.”
Scowling, Shane studied her before nodding. “How?”
“Do you know what happened with Winslow and that other guy?”
“Yes. I was there for most of it.”
“Somehow, Kiley got this weird idea stuck in her head that your brother was just acting like a nice guy and really isn’t one. I’ve tried everything I can think of to get her to call him and ask what went on but she won’t do it. It’s like she’s decided to throw away what they could have and I don’t get it.”
“Why are you so sure that telling Kiley about it will make a difference?”
“Because if she listens, I mean really listens, she’ll know that everything Jordan did, he did out of love to protect her. I can see that no problem but for some reason, she can’t.”
“She wouldn’t listen to him. What makes you think she’ll listen to me?”
“I don’t expect you to give her a choice. I think your brother probably didn’t insist on her hearing him out because he knew his pushing to explain would upset her worse than she already was.”
“And you don’t think I will?”
“Sure you will but you’ll be upsetting her for her own good. She’ll be so shocked that you showed up in the first place that you can get her listening before she realizes what’s going on and can shut you out.”
“But you haven’t asked me what happened.”
“I’m not the one who needs to know.”
“You’re not curious?”
“Of course I am but I’m guessing that everything went the way Jordan wanted it to or he’d still be doing something.”
“How do you know he’s not?”
“I spoke with Dee yesterday who told me everything was settled. And she said your brother is getting rid of clients and working on something private that Will knows about but won’t tell her. She also told me Kiley acts like a robot on autopilot at work. Is your brother sleeping? My cousin isn’t. It’s time to do something before they both make themselves sick.”
“Don’t take this the wrong way but are you sure Kiley should be with him? It’s not that I doubt her really but Jordan is so destroyed already. I won’t do anything to hurt him more.”
“That’s why you need to see Kiley. If she still insists on ignoring the life she should have then he doesn’t ever need to know.” Alyssa looked lost. “McKade, I don’t know what’s gotten into her. A week ago, I would have bet everything that they’d be inseparable forever. If you can’t get through to her, I’m going to have to face the fact that my sweet cousin has lost her mind completely and gone totally insane. There’s simply no other explanation for why she deliberately trashed the relationship they were building.”