“Sorry,” he muttered. “I just don’t know what to do.” He shrugged. “I don’t feel like she’s going to want to hear anything else I have to say. I really feel like I burned all my bridges today. I think she might hate me.”
Ben nodded. “Maybe.”
“Fat lot of support you are,” he muttered.
“You prefer the truth or a lie?”
There had been way too many lies floating around recently. “The truth.”
“Then maybe it’d be wise if you put some space between you. You need to give this situation to God. You don’t need to be the Holy Spirit’s little helper, trying to help EJ see the error of her ways.”
“Ouch.” Is that what he had done? He hoped not. But maybe he had.Sorry, God.
“And sometimes people need to hit rock bottom before they can finally realise that’s not where they want to be.” Ben ghosted a smile. “Ask me how I know.”
Ben’s dad was a recovering alcoholic, so Jordan understood what he meant.
“And maybe you need to think about whether you’re really trusting God or depending more on your own efforts. You can’t say you trust in God if you’re constantly interfering.”
“I’m not interfering.”
Ben raised an eyebrow.
Okay, maybe he had interfered a little bit. He sighed. “I’m not doing too good, am I?”
“From what I’ve heard today? No.”
Great.
“Look, are you going home tonight? If so, take this time to switch off your phone and have a solid prayer about it all. And talk with her family. From all you’ve told me, it’s not just you who’s been affected, but they’ve been concerned too. They have a right to know if she’s getting into trouble. And maybe some of them will step up. But remember, others can try and help as much as they like, but until someone recognises for themselves what’s really going on, it doesn’t matter what gets said to them until they’re personally willing to change.”
Jordan heaved out a breath that felt like it had been stored in his toes. “I’ll do that.”
“You’ll talk with them or have a solid pray?”
“Both.”
Because clearly what he tried to do hadn’t worked. It was time toreallytrust God and ask Him to have His way. And leave the outcome in God’s hands.
“EJ, did you want me to come inside?” Eric studied her, one hand on the leather steering wheel.
“Thanks, but I’m okay.” And after the hurly-burly emotions from today, all she wanted to do was to hop into her pj’s and go to sleep. Alone.
“Are you sure?” Eric leaned closer, slid a chunk of hair behind her ear. “I’d be really happy to make sure you’re okay.”
She forced a smile. “I’m fine. But thank you. And thank you for today. I felt very spoilt.”
“You deserve spoiling.” He leaned closer, his breath fanning her face. Good thing the police hadn’t breathalysed him, as he might not have passed, judging from the wine she could smell.
He leaned closer still; then before she knew what was happening, his mouth was grazing her skin, his lips were on hers—he was kissing her! She closed her eyes and tried to follow his cues, but it felt so abrupt, so unexpected, and she didn’t really like it, especially as his hand was inching up—
“Oh!” She pulled away, pushed his hand away. How dare he? “Um, I need to go. I’m sorry. It’s been a big day, and I’ve got a headache, and—”
“Kissing was just a bit much?”
“No!” Her cheeks heated. Why did his words always seem to hold mockery? “It was fine. It was good,” she quickly amended when she saw the look on his face. Oh, why was she saying this? She didn’t want to be kissed. She hadn’t felt respected, and that slurping action and wandering hand certainly hadn’t felt polite.
“Um, but I really should go. Thanks for a great day.”
