Shadow of Doubt

by Melissa Gaye Perez

  They headed toward the trailer. “He's your best friend Jordan. Don't start trouble. Please, just let it go.”

  “I didn't start it. Besides...it's not the first time he's pulled a stunt like this with me. I'm sick to death of it. Some friend huh? Always trying to take your best friends woman and have her for himself. I don't see that being much of a friend.”

  Dolly could see the rage as his emerald eyes seemed to deepen in color with his fury. She didn't bother asking about the other times before, only wanting to change the subject. They entered the trailer and Dolly playfully undressed her smelly partner and shoved him into the shower.

  The next morning Dolly pulled on the jump suit Jordan had bought for her and tried to zip it as fast as she could, but the cast on her arm was still a nuisance.

  “I'll get that for ya darling,” Martin appeared and offered. Before she could protest he had already grabbed the zipper and whisked it up.

  Dolly froze at Jordan's slashing glare. “I've had about all of you I can stand,” he declared as he came around to her side of the car and held Martin's stare firmly.

  “I was just trying to be helpful,” he tried to explain as he grew obviously nervous. “She's got a broken arm. It's the least I can do isn't it?”

  “No. She doesn't need your kind of help. The lady wants absolutely nothing to do with you. She's mine and you better remember that.” Jordan took her waist and lifted her through the window of the car himself.

  Dolly got the feeling there was a story behind this disagreement that went a lot farther back then her but hadn't yet figured it out. She kept silent liking the way Jordan had publicly declared her as his lady. She smiled triumphantly as he again squealed away with her and rounded the track nearing 150 miles per hour.

  As they rounded again another car suddenly entered the track and shot in front of them. Jordan didn't see him coming until it was too late. He slammed on the brakes and was able to steer clear of the car but swerved out of control and spun into the concrete wall, the front corner barely catching it. Dolly screamed in horror as the car jolted her around and they went spinning across to the other side of track and landed upside down on the inside of the oval.

  “You okay?” Jordan yelled out immediately, worried only about Dolly.

  Hanging upside down still buckled in their seats, Dolly burst into laughter upon realizing they were both unharmed. “I'm fine. I don't see how, but I'm fine.” People ran from everywhere to see if they were injured or not.

  “Come on, I gotta get you outta here,” Jordan declared. He carefully unbuckled his own seat belt and holding on to the steering wheel with one hand lowered his body down.

  Forgetting she was upside down, Dolly still laughing unbuckled her seat belt causing her to fall to the bottom of the car feeling Jordan's hands grabbing at her and softening the impact of the fall. She sat up laughing even more uncontrollably now as a hysterical Jordan slowly made his way to her and began to carefully pull her from the overturned vehicle through the driver side window.

  “You stupid...” he began but couldn't finish his statement due to his own laughter as they now sat on the ground just outside the overturned car.

  “Just imagine it,” she began. “I survived two wrecks in the last two weeks and nearly kill myself getting out of the damn seat belt!”

  Jordan leaned his head on her shoulder unable to speak, tears streaming his face, his body jerked with laughter. They both were only able to see amusement of the situation knowing they were unharmed.

  “Quit laughing at me,” she warned as she took off her helmet and stood up, now looking down at him. “C'mon dude, let’s do that shit again! Only this time...I'm driving!”

  Jordan looked back at her still laughing along with everyone else now. He never dreamed in a million years he'd actually be laughing about wrecking his precious car. His prize possession.

  Dolly grinned at her handsome companion. “Well, I couldn't possibly do any worse than you just did,” she prodded.

  Martin joined them. “I don't think its hurt too bad. Just needs a little body work,” he informed Jordan who finally grabbed hold of Dolly and pulled himself to his feet. Even the sight of Martin didn't bother him now.

  “I'm not worried about it,” he replied as he took Dolly's hand and walked away. He glanced back over his shoulder to look once more at the car, then back to Dolly. “We're damn lucky, ya know that?”

  “Yes I do,” she replied as she tip toed to kiss him. “And I enjoyed every bounce of it.”

  “You're a dangerous woman. I'm gonna have to keep a closer eye on you.”

  They quickly packed up again the next morning cutting their trip short after all. Jordan wanted to get back home so he could begin the repairs on his car. It was only damaged cosmetically but that car was Jordan's pride and joy and he kept it in top notch condition and not only that, it was what paid the bills.

  “Why are you smiling like that?” Jordan then asked as they drove toward home, still chuckling and reminiscing about their crazy crash.

  “I just like this life,” she answered truthfully. “I bet you've enjoyed yourself all these years. Now I can see why you are so addicted to it.”

  Jordan grabbed a bottle of water from the cooler. “It's been pretty good to me.”

  “Have you ever taken anyone else beside your mom for a ride in that car before?” she asked as she curiously gazed upon him.

  “You mean any other women friends?” he asked already knowing the answer. Dolly smiled enviously.

  “Just one.”

  “Who?” she then asked jealously.

  Jordan chuckled at her now. “It was a very long time ago. I was actually engaged to marry her.”

  Dolly couldn't believe what he had just admitted to her. “Jordan Scott? Engaged to be married?” she wondered.

  “What happened to her?” she finally got the nerve to ask.

  Jordan glanced over as if thinking about whether or not he should tell her. “Martin. That's what. Only he didn't lie about it that time. He was screwing her behind my back.”

  Now she knew the whole story. Martin had deceived him once before. “Then why are you still friends with him?”

  “We weren't for a long time, but I figured she was more at fault then he was. She was engaged to me. Martin just took advantage of her. He saw right through her and knew she was easy. I should actually be grateful it ended when it did.”

  “Did you beat her up?” she teased.

  “No! But I damn sure wanted too,” he admitted through his sexy grin not at all serious about his reply. “I'm beginning to worry about you,” he laughed.

  “Why's that?”

  “You're beginning to act like an evil little thing.”

  “Hey, you never autographed my arm,” she then playfully cut in, shoving her cast his direction.

  “I gave you my autograph three nights in a row,” he teased back as he reached down and took hold of her leg with his warm hand.

  “Oh yeah...how about making it four?”

  Jordan shook his head with laughter and playfully slapped her leg. “What'd I ever do without you?”

  They arrived home late and raced each other up the stairs and straight to Jordan's master bedroom.

  The next afternoon they picked up Martin and headed for the track. He had called earlier that morning that his car wouldn't start and needed a ride. Jordan wasn't too thrilled about it but agreed to give him a lift nevertheless.

  Jordan then remembered he needed plumbing fixtures to complete the bathroom in Dolly's bedroom. She had been using his the whole time they had been together now and even though he intended to keep her in his bedroom from now on, he figured he may as well tend to it while he had the time off so he headed into town first.

  Jordan seemed unusually uncomfortable as they drove. Finally he looked over at Martin. “Hey dude, about the other day...”

  “No problem Jordan,” he cut in. “I understand okay? Trust me, it will never happen again. I know better
this time.” He looked at Dolly then turned his head in mere shame.

  Jordan leered. Martin stuttered. “Its just that...well she's...well look at her Jordan,” he finally blurted as he motioned to Dolly.

  Dolly and Jordan both smiled amusingly. She was a little reddened by his remark but was too relieved by Jordan's grin to be embarrassed.

  “Skip it okay,” Jordan answered. “I guess you're only human too.”

  Dolly was overwhelmed by the understanding and patience this man possessed. How any woman could've jilted him before was beyond her. She smiled enviously again feeling she was the luckiest woman alive.

  Dolly decided to change the subject for them. “Can we eat lunch while we're in town?”

  Jordan looked at her with his lazy grin. “How the hell do you stay so skinny, huh? All you think about is food.” He nearly scolded through his smile.

  “That's cause you never have any food in the house,” she replied. “I have hell dragging you to the grocery store.”

  Jordan stopped at a local restaurant to feed his lady. He was rather hungry himself. Martin and Jordan finally acted as old buddies again through lunch and Dolly was pleased to see them getting along so well.

  Everything seemed perfect. They were all friends and enjoying being together. And her relationship with Jordan was even more fantastic than she had ever imagined possible.

  Their table sat just next to a huge window exposing the view of the sidewalk out front. They could hear sudden noises as if a group of people were forming.

  Outside the restaurant they looked only to see a crowd of young girls gathering and excitedly gabbing. Dolly watched the all too familiar scene unfold outside the window as the crowd grew larger and the noise became louder.

  “What’s going on out there?” she asked and turned to look at Martin, then too Jordan.

  “I don't know,” Jordan mumbled out wondering the same thing as he watched the commotion build.

  “Oh I bet I know,” Martin suddenly remembered. “I heard on the radio this morning that some country music star is in to town. He's supposed to be staying at the hotel just across the street from here.”

  “Which one?” Jordan asked.

  “Guy Radlee. He's not doing a concert or anything though. They just figured he's vacationing or something. He never really told anybody why he was in town, just showed up this morning.”

  “That's the one that sings that song you like so much,” Jordan then proclaimed to Dolly as they finished up their meal.

  “Really? Maybe he'll sing it for me,” she teased as they rose to leave.

  “If you could fight your way through all those crazy women,” he laughed back as he opened the door of the restaurant and began gently pushing their way through the screaming mob.

  Jordan took steady hold of Dolly's left hand and held it firmly pulling her behind him as they tried desperately to make their way to his pick-up parked at the curve.

  Then the crowd screeched and screamed louder and started to become more unruly as a big black limousine pulled up and stopped just short of them.

  Dolly wasn't enthused about seeing some country singing sensation, yet the screaming was getting to her. Just like in her dream. There was something all too familiar about the sounds. She wasn't too sure now if this was really happening or if she were back at Jordan's house asleep, dreaming this all too familiar dream. Besides she had the best man alive at her side and had no desire to look back. She continued to follow Jordan uninterested in seeing this famous country star that was surely about to emerge before these crazed fans.

  As they finally cleared the crowd they heard a loud male voice yelling from behind them but ignored it and walked on. Then it sounded even louder and nearer to them now. Even Jordan had to turn and look this time.

  “Barb! Wait a minute!”

  Jordan, Martin and Dolly turned around and stood still and stared as this near six foot blonde haired, blue eyed stranger approached them smiling as if he knew them. Dolly scanned his well tanned face and arms and felt her body began to grow numb at his sight. Then the dream began to flash in her head again and the man on the stage singing was no longer a blur. She could see him plain as day, but it wasn't the dream...it was real...he was standing right in front of her smiling as if he had known her forever.

  Jordan felt her trembling through his hand and her palm grew sweaty. He looked from him to her. She was motionless as she stared steadily into this strange man's face.

  “Barb? Are you okay?” Guy Radlee then asked as he stood only inches from her now. His security guards circled all around them now trying to hold back the crowd of crazed fans.

  “Dolly? Do you know this man?” Jordan asked with fear.

  Dolly's frightened eyes scanned nervously from Jordan back to this man.

  “Barb? It's me Barb. What's wrong with you?”

  Suddenly Dolly dropped Jordan's hand and threw her arms around this man's neck. “Oh Guy. I'm so happy to see you again!” she blurted out as Jordan watched on, clearly unamused.

  Chapter 9

  Guy Radlee pulled Dolly back just enough to look at her smiling face and stared at her. “Where have you been? I was getting worried about you.”

  Jordan could tell they knew each other. Very well. His jealousy made him step forward, wrap his arm around her waist from behind and pull her back against his own body as if to reclaim what's his.

  “How do you know this man?” he asked with near anger in his voice.

  Then the mob of girls tried desperately again to swarm them from behind. Security was clearly having a rough time containing them now and things were seemingly about to get out of control.

  Dolly seemed a bit weak. It had all hit her so suddenly and she wasn't too sure she liked what she was remembering. She kept glancing from Jordan to Guy as the fans squealed and grabbed at them. She was nearly gasping for air.

  “C'mon, let's go up to my suite,” Guy then demanded, taking Dolly's arm as his bodyguards ushered them through the crowd, across the street and finally inside the hotel. They made their way across the massive foyer filled with glittering chandeliers hanging from above, to the elevators on the back wall. They went up to the tenth floor and walked quickly to his suite finally escaping the ruckus of Guy's fans screaming just outside.

  “You okay babe?” Jordan asked with concern as he rubbed her back with his hand for comfort and glanced to Guy.

  Jordan didn't like any of this at all. He knew if she remembered this man, she must've remembered everything, he was certain of it. He was too rich...too famous...too good looking. He wanted to double his fist and smash it into his confident looking smile. Jordan suddenly felt himself feeling rivaled.

  Dolly seemed a little unsteady as they entered the luxury suite and looked again from Jordan to Guy, not to sure where to start.

  “Guy, this is Jordan Scott. He's been taking care of me,” she finally introduced.

  “Taking care of her,” Jordan thought angrily. “Why doesn’t she tell him the truth? Why doesn't she tell him we are in love with each other? Is she suddenly ashamed of me now?” He looked around the room feeling out of place in these fancy surroundings he now found himself unwillingly in.

  “Why haven't you been here or answering your phone?” Guy then asked her. “I've been frantically calling your hotel room and cell phone for two weeks and there's been absolutely no answer.”

  He had totally ignored her introduction to Jordan as he went on. Martin and he stood listening as the two of them talked on, trying to figure out the story here.

  Dolly explained her amnesia. Jordan listened earnestly as she now went on explaining, but to Guy, not him. He too wanted to know how this all came about.

  “I rented a small sail boat but when I was out on the water my sail had broken and I drifted helplessly out there for hours. Then came nightfall and the horrible thunderstorm flipped me over. I was so scared. Lightening was striking all around me, the wind was blowing hard and it was raining something terrible.
I held on to the bottom of the boat as long as I could but the rain caused my hands to slip off and that's just about the last thing I remember about it. That must be how I came to be washed up on Jordan's beach, not knowing who I was.”

  “Amnesia?” Guy asked with doubt. His unpractical little smile was about to anger her.

  “Yes Guy...amnesia. I'm not making all this up. It happened! Until I saw you this afternoon I haven't been able to remember anything.”

  Jordan now realized that she had indeed remembered everything. But who was this man and why was she so intent on explaining everything to him? Why was he so important to her? Why wasn't she telling all of this to him instead?

  Guy chuckled at her thinking it all funny. Jordan grew angry. “It's not a damn bit funny. She nearly died out there,” he raged feeling the need to win her over again. “And it's really a wonder that she didn't.”

  “Hey, it's cool fella,” Guy replied smiling, acting as if he couldn't care less about he and Dolly staying together for the last few weeks. “I'm just glad she's okay now. Now I can take her home, where she belongs.”

  “Look Guy,” Dolly started, but Guy held up his hands cutting her off short again.

  “No way! You're constantly disappearing for weeks at a time and I'm tired of it. I know you need the time off, but like the man just said. You nearly got yourself killed out there.” He tried to sound as if he really cared but somehow Jordan doubted that. If he cared so much why wasn't he concerned about the cast on her arm? Why hasn't he even asked her what happened to it?

  “Time off? Home? Barb?” Jordan's mind was boggled with confusion. Finally he exploded. “Would someone please tell me what the hell is going on here?”

  “I'm sorry Jordan,” Dolly started as she walked back over and stood directly in front of him. “I'll try and explain, okay?” She stepped closer to him and tenderly took him in her arms, hugging his waist gently.

  “Start with this dude will ya?” he stated as he roughly pointed to Guy.