A chill swept through her body. The guy gave her the creeps. She couldn’t understand why Jordan would be his best friend; they acted nothing alike.
Finally, it was her family doing the well-wishing. Gram was in front along with her mother, followed by her Uncle Adam, Aunt Georgia and her three cousins Kelly, Wilma and Ashley. They hugged and kissed Jaynee and went on to embrace Jordan, thanking him for bringing them here.
Jaynee looked up at Jordan at their comment. “You brought them?”
“Well, I didn’t bring them, an airplane did.” Jordan smiled, but it was a weak smile as if he thought she’d get upset, even though she’d promised she wouldn’t.
“You flew them here?”
Gram nudged Jaynee’s arm conspiratorially. “And put us up in a fancy hotel…with free breakfast and complimentary bottles of—”
Jaynee was aghast. “Gram, those aren’t—” Jordan squeezed her hand slightly, shaking his head. “You did all of this, Jordan?”
Jordan’s face fell; he knew how much she loathed him spending money on her.
Jaynee shook her head but squeezed his arm at the same time. “I’m just having a difficult time getting accustomed to this, Jordan, but thank you.”
“Surprise,” he whispered.
The line eventually ended, and Jaynee, hard-pressed to remember everyone’s name, just smiled at the people around her.
The DJ cut into the soft background music, announcing the new couple as his fingers roamed his CDs.
Jaynee recognized the classic he chose immediately—a song she’d heard her mother perform. She couldn’t remember the artist but remembered the lyrics to Can I Have This Dance.
She felt tears form again as Jordan took her hand. “Can I have this dance, Mrs. Monroe?”
He led her to the dance floor and then moved her around in a small circle. They danced alone for a minute then others joined them. Her aunt and uncle twirled around elegantly. She’d always coveted a relationship like theirs. They had been married almost forty years and looked as in love as Jaynee could imagine anyone could.
Jordan swept a lock of hair off her face. “What are you thinking about?” His words were a mere whisper.
“Us,” she stated simply.
“What about us in particular?”
“I was watching my aunt and uncle. I hope we are dancing like them when we’re sixty-something.”
“We will, Jaynee. Forever, remember, I’m gonna love you forever.”
She sighed and laid her head on his chest.
“Did anyone tell you how gorgeous you look tonight?” he asked after a few seconds.
“No.”
“How is that possible? You are unmistakably the most beautiful woman in the room.”
“I think you’re biased, Jordan.”
He squeezed her tighter. “Possibly, but I still have superior taste. And you, my love, are stunning. I didn’t think it was feasible, but I love you even more and desire you more than I did our first wedding night. I’m glad we did this; it feels right.”
“Thank you, Jordan. You look rather dashing in your tuxedo too.” She slid her hand under his lapel as she spoke. “I’m happy you did this. You couldn’t have given me a better gift. I only wish I could offer something in return.”
Jordan dipped his head to her ear. “I’m sure you can dream up something. The problem with you looking so appealing is now I can’t wait to get you home.”
Jaynee felt a shiver travel down her spine as he said the words and kissed her below her ear. With Jordan, it seemed her exposed neck was the most erogenous part of her body. He made her blood race every time his warm breath caressed her neck and shoulders. She forgot about the surrounding assembly and wondered if she could feign a headache and leave her own wedding reception.
The song ended and another started. Her Uncle Adam approached, requesting a dance with the blushing bride. Jordan obliged and handed her off to her uncle. From her uncle, she danced with several other waiting arms, including Bobby and then John.
About a minute into the song, Jordan thankfully interrupted their dance. She didn’t know why, but John made her feel uncomfortable. “Hey, man, you mind returning my wife?”
“What? You want to monopolize the loveliest woman in the room?” John called over his shoulder, twirling Jaynee away from Jordan. “We just started dancing.”
Jordan didn’t move from the floor. Instead, he positioned himself with his arms crossed over his chest, a stern look on his face. “Actually, I do,” he retorted, but his smile was light and John twirled her back toward Jordan.
She wasn’t good at confrontation, and she certainly didn’t want to cause strife between Jordan and John. They probably always acted like that. Jordan wouldn’t be jealous of his best friend; he wasn’t insanely jealous like her ex. She chastised herself for even thinking of the two in one sentence. They were like day and night, good and evil.
Jordan smiled as he folded her into his arms. “Thought I was going to have to fight off the wolves; I warned you that you were stunning.”
Jaynee tried to make her words light but could only manage a wistful half-smile. “Are you jealous, Jordan?”
“Of John…always…he’s somewhat of a ladies’ man. Always gets the girl, always the most popular.”
“Not this girl.” She scowled. “He’s your best man though…why would you be jealous?”
“I’m not really jealous. I just couldn’t stand seeing you in the arms of another man…even my best friend, well, okay especially John,” he clarified, laughing. “We may be best friends, but truth told, he’s a player. He’d step over my dead body if he thought he had a chance at you.”
Jaynee cringed. “Jordan, that’s a terrible thing to say!”
He shrugged. “I know, but it’s true. He’s my friend, but I know how some men are. Shh, let’s just dance. I’m not planning on letting you go again anyway. You’re mine; I don’t intend on sharing.” His eyes narrowed, and he growled in a protective but playful way.
“I think I need a respite after this dance anyway.” She sighed and lowered her head to his chest, allowing him to move her around the floor. She wasn’t going to have to fabricate a headache if she didn’t get something to drink soon. She was exhausted from all the dancing and had yet to eat or drink anything.
All the standard traditions carried them through the evening. They cut the wedding cake and took turns shoving too-large bites into each other’s mouth. Jordan removed her garter again—not as seductive as the first time—and launched it directly at John. Hoping, she guessed, to marry him off quickly. Jaynee sent her bouquet up in the air aimed at Lorraine per Jordan’s request. Lorraine caught it with a flourish.
As promised, Jordan didn’t release her the entire evening. They took time to converse with all the guests, drifting from table to table.
After a while, they sat down with a table of his cop buddies who were discussing work, stories of the road no doubt. The conversation flowed comfortably, normal anecdotes of how some guy overreacted at getting a ticket, how some women tried to get out of them. Jordan seemed to turn on edge at the beginning of another story. Jaynee could see he wasn’t trying to be rude but noticed him try to make their escape.
Jordan placed his hand on John’s shoulder, interrupting his story. “Hey, we gotta keep moving, guys.”
“You’re the champion of this one, man, hang on for a second.” John continued with his story. “And then I come around the corner, and there’s Jordan, taking on this behemoth of a man, who was obviously possessed or on something. He must have been 6’8” and three hundred fifty some pounds and get this…butt naked.” John held is hands up in front of him to emphasize something. “Jordan was fighting him alone, but it ended up taking six officers to arrest him.”
Jaynee’s eyes widened in horror. Fear rushed through her body. She never imagined…she didn’t think about Jordan actually being a police officer. She knew he was; she just figured he wrote speeding tickets though.
“What happened?”
“Nothing happened…same thing that always happens happened. I get the bad guys, put them away and within days they’re set free again to terrorize the city. I don’t see that kind of action anymore; that was on nightshift, mornings are boring.”
“But, why was he naked?”
“God only knows,” he grumbled, his face a mixture of pain and frustration.
“Jordan, have you ever been shot at?” Jaynee asked suddenly, finally realizing how dangerous his job was.
He sighed, looking deep into her eyes as he sat her in a nearby chair. “I’m a cop, Jaynee. I work in Charlie-Two, the second worst district in Charlotte.” A contemplative look washed over his face as he continued, “Yes, it’s dangerous. But I’m a good cop; I don’t make mistakes. And as I said, I’m on morning shift now. It isn’t as dangerous.”
She didn’t miss the fact he didn’t answer her question.
Jaynee’s eyes watered as she felt panic bubble up inside her. She knew something awful would happen. Something terrible always happened. She wasn’t allowed happiness. Jordan was wonderful, so she would lose him.
“Please don’t cry, Jaynee.” He wiped her cheeks. “Idiots!” he seethed. “This is why cops don’t associate with civilians. They don’t know how to interact with normal people.”
Jaynee flinched at his words, unfamiliar with him raising his voice. The last time was outside her work after the men had attacked her.
He rubbed her arms to soothe her. “I’m sorry, but honestly, love, I am careful,” his voice had returned to its normal level.
“Jordan, things don’t pan out for me like normal people. I’ve had a succession of misfortune since I was born. And now, I’m wondering if this is some cruel joke the universe is playing on me…letting me fall madly in love so I can be left heartbroken.”
“Jaynee, as flattering as that is, that is the silliest thing I’ve ever heard.” He covered his mouth to keep a laugh from escaping. “The universe is not out to get you.”
“Feels that way,” she mumbled.
“I know, darling. I’m sorry. But trust me; nothing is going to happen under my watch. Besides, I’ll be able to quit eventually. The business is doing superb, and I have a reason to be home now.”
She gazed up at him. “Promise?”
“I promise to be extra vigilant, and I swear I will not allow anyone to hurt you ever again. Let’s go get some fresh air outside; maybe we can find a place to hide.”
He stood up, offering her his hand. She took it but then leaned into his side, allowing him to wrap his arm around her waist and lead her through the back doors to the lake below.
63
Carmen DeSousa
Chapter Twenty-Two
(December 2009)
Today was the day Jordan had been waiting for.
Doctor McMullen told Jordan that Jaynee’s swelling was staying at the levels they wanted, and they were going to slowly bring her out of the drug-induced coma they had kept her in since her arrival on Saturday morning. The doctor said he was feeling positive about the fact the swelling had stayed down, but based on the exit point, he was concerned about her personality. Jaynee could wakeup and not have any emotions, he explained to Jordan.
Jordan knew how impossible that was. Jaynee was the most expressive person he knew. She cried when she saw things happy or tragic. She loved deeply, heart and soul, giving all of herself. She hated injustice with a passion and expressed her opinion, no matter what people thought of her, in any situation. To imagine Jaynee without a personality was absurd, but Jordan took heed of the warning and knew he just needed to pray.
He was certain something had happened to Jaynee. He knew she couldn’t have fallen out of love with him; nothing could thwart a love like theirs. If he had not been so foolish Friday night and gone drinking, he would have figured it out. He had been so lonely, night after night coming home and her not wanting him. The day of the incident, he was angry after their brief discussion the night before and a situation earlier in the day. And like any brainless friend, John forced him to go out and get drunk with him and Ronny.
John and Ronny insisted Jaynee was seeing someone else and that Jordan should confront her. Once the idea planted itself, Jordan knocked back one too many drinks and was ready to fight the world.
Lorraine had known he was upset earlier and had called him to see if he was okay. He told her he wasn’t, and she had come and picked him up, promising to have his truck retrieved the following day.
When he crawled into Lorraine’s car, too drunk to even buckle up, she reached over him and clicked the seatbelt into place. Though he was drunk, he remembered their conversation.
“Why are you so good to me, Lorraine?” he asked, slurring his words.
“Because I love you, Jordan,” she answered automatically.
Jordan knew it was the truth. She had always taken care of him, just like his sisters. She had always told him the truth about every woman he had ever dated. She had always been there for him, taking care of the business. He sank back in the seat as she drove, hoping to clear the buzz from his head. The car felt as if it were spinning. It was a thirty-minute drive back to his house, hopefully long enough he could sober up before confronting Jaynee. He decided he would demand answers tonight. No more of this walking-on-eggshells crud he’d been dealing with for the last two months.
When they pulled onto the long gravel road leading to his driveway, Lorraine stopped at the bottom of the hill. Though still drunk, he knew he wasn’t in his driveway. His head lolled over, attempting to bring her face into focus. Then he saw something in her eyes as she leaned toward him, her face only inches from his. It could happen so easy. The anger in him transformed, as another emotion took its place. But it wasn’t for Lorraine, even drunk he knew this.
He opened his mouth to speak, and she tried to stop him, but he pulled back, feeling very alert. “I love her, Lorraine. I love Jaynee. I always have, and I always will.” He dropped his eyes from her poignant gaze. “I’m sorry. We shouldn’t be here. Please, just take me home.”
Jordan saw her jerk upright, embarrassed. But she put the car back in drive and started up the road. She pulled up close to the house and let him out.
If he had only talked to Jaynee, maybe this wouldn’t have happened. He shouldn’t have gone in as he did. He should have stuck to his original plan. Instead, he had gone out drinking and then came home furious.
***
Lorraine sat outside the hospital. Pat had called earlier, informing her they were going to bring Jaynee out of the drug-induced coma today.
What would Jaynee remember of Friday night? What would she tell Jordan? Lorraine knew she should have told Jordan she was there the night Jaynee was shot, but she wasn’t sure how. What would he think? Would he believe she was involved with his wife’s shooting? She needed to do something quick.
***
Brian was in the main waiting area of the ER when he overheard the news.
Caycee’s mother-in-law had ventured down to make phone calls to other family members who weren’t here he suspected. He was demented with worry. He had overheard discussions she might have brain damage. Would she be the same woman? What would Caycee remember of their conversation? Had she spoken to her husband about his visit?
***
The words on the page blurred.
Unable to concentrate, he slammed the folder closed. Pat had called everyone, requesting they pray for Jaynee. Evidently, they had some concern of whether she would awake normal. He needed to go there. His insides burned at the thought. Jordan remained with her around the clock; he never left her side. It wouldn’t be possible to get into her room unnoticed. He could go there while Jordan was there; he’d appreciate him showing up. But that wouldn’t accomplish anything. He needed
to see her alone.
***
Jordan held Jaynee’s hand tightly as though he could protect her just by holding her.
He watched with anticipation as her eyes fluttered under her lids. “Jaynee, love, I’m here.” He felt tears well up in his eyes again. “Please, Jaynee, come back to me. I love you so much.” He couldn’t stop the trail of salty tears streaming down his face. He didn’t want her to see him like this if she did wakeup, but he couldn’t impede them. And he had always thought he was tough. He was, in all areas but one—Jaynee. He couldn’t lose her; she had to be okay. He honestly didn’t know how he could go on living without her. His chest felt as if a black hole had formed that if something were to happen to Jaynee he would implode and cease to exist.
Jaynee could hear Jordan whispering in her ear, the way he always did to wake her in the morning. He hated when she overslept; he was so accustomed to getting up hours before her. It must be Sunday, the only day they had the morning together.
She tried to open her eyes, but they felt glued shut. Even if she could open them, she didn’t know if she wanted to. She had a pounding headache. She needed to sleep a little longer. She tried to roll over, but she couldn’t feel her body; it felt as if it were detached.
Then she remembered she wanted to tell Jordan something. He had sidetracked her when he came home. He was upset and she understood. She attempted to form the words. She knew it was important she explain everything. She concentrated on the words, trying to arrange them in her head. She felt as if she could, but then she was out of strength. She didn’t know if she got anything out before she fell back into her dark abyss.
Jordan felt Jaynee’s hand twitch in his then heard her muted whisper. The only word that escaped her mouth was ‘baby’.
“I’m here, Jaynee.” His voice cracked at the overwhelming joy of hearing her voice. He rang for the nurse who came within seconds. “Jaynee spoke; she squeezed my hand. Get the doctor,” he demanded. The nurse ran out of the room.
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