“You know what.” I dip my head.
“Just for a little while,” he says gently. “Until we find our footing.”
I hate it but he’s right.
“I work tomorrow night anyway,” I admit. “If I have more notice, sometimes I can work something out with my boss, but it’s probably better not to do it too often.”
“How about you come over to the house after work?” he suggests. “Just for an hour or two. The game will be over by ten unless we run into overtime. Assuming we don’t, I should be home by 11:30 at the latest. If there’s anyone I’d like you to meet, it’s Chloe. And she and Jude won’t say anything.”
“I’m done by ten, but I can always stick around at work, start making next week’s schedule. I have to do it this week anyway. There’s always something for me to do once there are no customers in the store.”
“Perfect. So, I’ll text you the address when I’m leaving.”
“Okay.”
Intellectually, I know we need to go slow.
Emotionally, it’s frustrating.
He takes my hand again and we make our way through the restaurant and back to the valet. He takes the ticket from me, gets both tickets validated, and then tips the guy who brings up my Toyota.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” Jordan whispers, pressing his lips to mine before I slide into the driver’s seat.
“See you then.” I wave before putting the car in gear and pulling out into traffic.
I’d almost forgotten what it felt like to be with him.
Safe. Secure. A little spoiled.
It’s not about the money, though that part is nice too, but more about how attentive he is. He’s not like other guys I’ve dated, who wouldn’t have given a second thought to tipping the valet for me. He understands without me having to explain that fancy dinner and tips for a valet aren’t in my budget. I never have to ask or tell him what I need in that regard.
Obviously, I can afford a few bucks for a valet, but that’s not the point.
It’s about his thoughtfulness. The way he always prioritizes me and my needs. The way I never have to worry about anything when we’re together.
That’s why I fell in love with him. Even as a naïve seventeen-year-old, I knew there was something special about Jordan. He wasn’t pawing me, immediately trying to get in my pants. He was generous with time and money, both of which are important.
When push came to shove, we both let each other down, but somehow, we’re getting another chance. I don’t know what that means or where it’s going to go but it feels too good to ignore.
And I don’t want to.
Chapter 11
Jordan
I lie in bed staring at the ceiling for a long time when I get home.
My stomach feels weird, and my chest is a little tight.
Getting involved with Victoria again is a huge risk. My body is already on high alert, preparing for fight or flight. There’s no doubt this is a perilous move, one that could sink me, but I’m not the same scared, inexperienced kid I was four years ago. I’m on solid ground with the team and Coach Petrov. I have good, reliable friends who’ll have my back no matter what happens.
And Victoria’s different too.
She has her own life, a job, school, and appears to be much more independent than before. She still lives at home, which is where the problem comes in, but she’s finishing college and trying to get her life on track. I don’t fault her for that. In a way, I wish I’d had the opportunity to go to college. My life might’ve been completely different if I had.
But I didn’t, so now I’m forging ahead.
With Victoria.
