Their Heart Search: Bethany & Jordan's Story (Search Series) (5 page)

Jordan

She returned after only an hour and he was thankful to see a beaming smile on her face. “Everything go alright with Tai?” he asked. She just nodded as she walked further into the apartment. 

“She’s really great. How did you ever let her get away?” Bethany asked and Jordan felt himself wince as he thought about the reason he left Tai. 

“She just wasn’t the one,” he stated once his mind cleared enough to allow a non-emotional response.

“Right, sorry, you’ve said that before. There’s a story though,” she replied. 

“Isn’t there always a story?” He winked at her and she laughed. Good he had successfully deflected the conversation, but he was sure it was one they would be having very soon. 

“So, a car and a job,” she stated. He nodded in response.

“Come on, Superman, I’m taking you to meet my mom.” She grabbed his hand and pulled him to the door Jordan gulped. Her excitement about taking him to meet her mom was almost too much for him to handle. 

Bethany

He was really quiet on the way to her mom’s clinic. It bothered her a little and she suddenly was racking her brain had she said something wrong before thy left? Was he turned off by her excitement? 

“Jordan…?” she called and he looked towards her. She swallowed before continuing. “Did I do something wrong?” she finally asked.

“No, beautiful, I didn’t mean to make you think that. I was just thinking about things,” he answered sadly.

“What kind of things?” she pressed on. She didn’t want to push him. After all, he wasn’t pushing her.

“The past, the present, and the future,” he answered simply. She nodded, it wasn’t much but she understood. He had told her he had made mistakes in the past and he had vowed to never repeat them. His words made perfect sense, even though they didn’t.

Jordan

He was nervous when she mentioned meeting her mother. The last mother he met was, well…don’t go there Jordan, he scolded himself. “What’s your mom’s name?” he asked, trying to return the conversation to something casual.

“Grace. Doctor Grace Donald,” she replied pulling the car to a stop outside a house not much smaller than Raiden’s.

“A doctor?” he said amused.

“Yes, don’t get any ideas,” she fired back playfully, but it caused Jordan to wince. He realized in her reply the mistake he had made in his tone.
‘Shit Jordan what the hell was that?’
Meredith had fucked with him in more ways than one. Jordan would not be that guy.

“Never, beautiful, there is only one Donald woman I want.” He winked and leaned over placing a kiss on her cheek. When he pulled away, he caught her blushing.

“Come on, let’s get you a car,” she said, snapping back to the composed Bethany he had come know.

He still wasn’t sure what her plan was, but at this point he would follow her to the end of the world. He made a mental note to thank Tai the next time they talked for coming here of all places. A smile came across his face. “What?” she asked.

He shook his head, “Nothing, just making a mental note to thank Tai.”

“For what, exactly?” she questioned, clearly amused with him at the moment.

“Out of all the places she could’ve gone to get away, she came here,” he said, grabbing her hand. “I’m really glad she came here.”

“Come on, Superman,” she laughed. Jordan could tell she liked him, so he’d give her the time she needed, but every chance he got he was going to make sure she knew she was special.

They entered the house, “Mom!” she hollered. Jordan stood just in the entry and waited.

“Hey, if isn’t my favorite daughter,” a woman said coming around the corner into the entry way of the house.

“Your only daughter and only child, for that matter,” Bethany replied as the two women hugged. Jordan sighed knowing Tai would probably never have this again with Meredith. Damn it, why the hell couldn’t he ignore his cock?

“And who is this young man?” Doctor Donald asked winking at him. Okay, so clearly she didn’t need an introduction which means Bethany had probably talked to her mom already about him.

“Mom, this is Jordan. Jordan, this is my mom, Grace Donald,” Bethany introduced.

“Pleased to meet you, Doctor Donald,” Jordan said, out stretching his hand.

“Nope, none of that Doctor Donald crap. Grace, my name is Grace,” she said, firmly pulling him into a hug instead of taking his hand. Jordan hesitantly returned the embrace.

“Mom, Jordan needs a car while he’s here.” Grace pulled away and nodded.

“I’ll get your father’s keys.” As things sunk in Jordan stopped the two women.

“No, I don’t want to take your father’s car,” he stated.

“It’s okay, Jordan. He can’t drive where he’s at.” A sadness passed between the two women and Jordan quickly understood where Bethany was coming from.

“Oh, I’m sorry, beautiful.” She gave him a small smile and Grace disappeared into the house.

Bethany

She felt bad. She probably should have explained prior to arriving at the house that her father was deceased. “Jordan, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you,” she whispered, moving closer to him. He swooped her up in a hug.

“I wish you had, but I understand, beautiful,” he breathed into her ear.

“I’m going to ask you again. Are you real?” she said as she pulled back to look into his eyes. They were blue, but not just blue, green like the sea. It was the first time she really noticed them, and they took her breath away.

“Very real, beautiful,” he replied with a smile before stepping from the embrace completely. His facial expression changed and he nodded past her shoulder. She glanced that way to see her mom had returned.

“So how long have you been spying?” she asked tucking a stray hair behind her ear completely turning to face her mother completely.

“Long enough to know I like him,” she replied with a smile. She tossed Bethany the keys and left again.

“Come on let’s get out of here. You still want a job?” Jordan just nodded. She grabbed his hand and they left her childhood home. a place of many memories for her. Including that night. The night with Kai Lukas that wrecked her world.

Jordan

He was following her in a mint condition Mercedes. He felt bad she had lost her dad, and was hoping he could find a way to show her that later. “Not even one day, Jordan Chase and you’re sunk,” he muttered to himself as he realized they had pulled into the diner. “Great, she wants you to work with her,” he sighed. That might not be the best idea. He was likely to get fired for staring at her all day. His thoughts were interrupted when a knock came to the car window. He rolled it down and smiled as she leaned in.

“Coming in, Superman?” she laughed.

“Well at the moment, I seem to be trapped in the car, beautiful.” he returned with a chuckle.

“Oh yea, sorry.” she said backing up so he could open the door. She flushed and he shook his head.

You need to lighten up a little, beautiful,” he said gently scooping her hand in his to kiss it.

“I’m working on it. There’s a lot I have had to deal with. I know it’s made me too serious at times.” He nodded. He understood.

“I’m really sorry about your dad, Bethany.” She nodded.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

“While working next to you might get me fired, let’s get me a job,” he answered changing the subject. She at laughed at his statement and for now the serious was behind them.

“Yeah, I didn’t think about that.” She winked dragging him inside.

He had gotten the job. Presenting Jordan Chase bus boy and food runner, at your service. He laughed about it the entire way back to the apartment. Bethany was an assistant manager so the boss man didn’t say no. They didn’t really talk when they got back to her place. She went to her room and left him alone. When dinner time rolled around and she hadn’t appeared he went to the kitchen and started looking around for something he could prepare.

“No.” He heard from behind, he turned around to find her staring at him with arms crossed. Oh shit! What had he done?

“No what, beautiful?” he asked.

“You are not cooking again,” she said moving towards him.

“Until I can pay half of the bills for this place, I will be cooking and cleaning,” Jordan stated.

“Now I know you aren’t real, but seriously, no. I didn’t ask you to stay to take care of me. I’m fine, I’ve been fine. I will continue to be fine. Boyfriends do this and I can point out that we aren’t dating.” He sighed.

Moving towards her he gathered his thoughts. He wanted to scream at her, but he knew he couldn’t. “No, beautiful, I’m not your boyfriend. I would like to be, but I’m in no rush. Last time I checked though, we were friends and friends take care of each other, so please let me take care of you. Let me help you, not because you need me to, but because I want to.” He could see the tears form in her eyes. “Why are you crying?” he asked calmly wiping a tear from her eye.

“I don’t deserve this. I don’t deserve you being nice. It won’t end well. It’s just going to end in heartbreak for us both,” she sobbed.

“I’ll take my chances, beautiful. I’m already sunk, so you’re stuck with me till I’m forced away and even then I can’t promise I’ll leave.” She threw herself in his arms and he caught her wrapping her tightly in his arms. “Shhh...It’s okay, beautiful,” he whispered, kissing the top of her head. He felt her nod against his chest.

“You really are Superman.” He kissed the top of her head again.

“Not really, beautiful, but I’ll be whatever you want.” he whispered before releasing her and returning to dinner preparations. He was sinking fast and he couldn’t have her that close anymore. He would do something he’d regret later. Something she wasn’t ready for. Something she may never be ready for. Raiden had Tai, but Bethany still felt bound by her duty.

Bethany

After dinner she once again excused herself to her room. They had been way too close a few times today and her heart was falling fast for the sweet Jordan Chase. She still wondered what had broken him and Tai up, but she also didn’t care if it meant he was in her life. Sleep came quick, but so did the nightmare.