Split Decisions: A Southern Romantic-Suspense Novel - Charlotte - Book Two

by Carmen DeSousa

  She paid special attention to the entrances and exits, though, so if she were still here tomorrow, she would know how to navigate the Expedition without drivers honking at her for going the wrong direction.

  Jordan expertly weaved through the car line mapped out by orange cones that rambled from the road to the school, circling a myriad of parked cars and students. The students who crossed in front of the moving cars were all older high school students who evidently knew the drivers would watch out for them, as they refused to look before darting in front of the parents’ cars. New York drivers would run over these kids if they stepped out in front of their moving car.

  Jeremy, Caycee assumed, evidenced by the Cookie Monster backpack he wasn’t embarrassed to wear and the spiked hair held together by gel, was the first to spot their vehicle. When they were bathed and ready for bed, though, Jaynee had said she had to look closer to tell them apart.

  Jaynee had admitted that she’d even had trouble when they were toddlers. But Jeremy, being the wild one, had been running around the house when he was three and had run smack into a doorjamb, leaving a visible scar right through his right eyebrow. He waved a hand at his brother, but then rushed over to the crossing guard, impatient, it seemed, to get to the Expedition. At least the crossing guard watched the younger kids, she thought.

  “Mom!” Jeremy squealed.

  Caycee smiled widely, genuinely. It felt good that someone had actually missed and loved her. Though, he hadn’t really missed her; he’d missed his mother. She also took note of the scar—piece of cake. Unlike anyone trying to tell her and Jaynee apart. How cool would it have been if they were identical twins split apart at birth? But Caycee knew it wasn’t possible. Her memories of Jordan were too strong.

  The same happy squeals emanated from Jacob next, then Justin. Johanna, however, was smooth as silk, but Caycee could tell she’d missed her mom as well.

  Jordan reminded her to order pizza as they started to pull out of the parking lot. This time she didn’t have to ask. Jaynee had three restaurants listed under Pizza in her phone, just as Caycee did. She simply spouted off the three names and listened to the chants of accord and discord among the family. For some reason, Jordan let Justin choose. Maybe because he’d been the least vociferous.

  Once home, they all loaded up their paper plates with pizza, selected seats on the sectional around the coffee table, and watched a couple sitcoms on the DVR.

  Around seven, the kids tromped upstairs to do their homework. As soon as the political analyst said his farewell for the evening, Jordan jumped up, picking up the few plates remaining on the table. The kids had carried theirs to the kitchen without having to be told.

  After stuffing the half-full pizza box into the bottom of the fridge, Jordan said, “Let’s go kiss the kids good-night and go to bed. You must be exhausted.”

  Not sure how to respond, she simply nodded. It was entirely too early for her to sleep, but evidently everyone in this family went to bed early. Jordan had already taken her suitcase up earlier when she was pulling down the plates for pizza and preparing drinks for the kids. She’d yet to see their bedroom—Jaynee’s bedroom.

  Taking her hand, he led her upstairs. Her heart thrummed out a ridiculous rhythm in response to just his hand curled around hers. Mentally, she was exhausted, but physically, she couldn’t imagine how she would sleep—and next to Jordan no less.

  Also, she needed to speak with Jaynee. She wanted to stay here for the five days, but that was the problem. She wanted to remain forever, and every day, the idea would only become more compelling.

  Without a doubt, she was still in love with Jordan, which made it impossible for her to continue with this charade. She kept her phone in her pocket, so that when they went upstairs, she could hopefully find some time to text Jaynee.

  Jordan led her down the hall, first to the youngest set of twins’ rooms, which were at the farthest end of the hallway. Originally, the rooms had been a great room that had served as an office and workout room, but Jordan had converted it into two rooms separated by a game room when they’d been blessed with their second set of twins.

  She couldn’t help but smile at the mock tone Jaynee had used when she’d said blessed. Jaynee loved her children, but she wouldn’t have chosen two sets of twins if given the choice, she’d admitted. Caring for them as babies had been a handful, even as a stay-at-home mom. Especially since she’d also chosen to work out of the house with her writing career. There was never an escape, she’d admitted.

  Jeremy squeezed her tightly when she leaned down to kiss him good-night. “I missed you, Mom. No one cooks like you. Dad always makes Kraft Macaroni and Cheese and Spam when you’re gone. I hate Spam.”

  She couldn’t help but laugh. “So, what would you like for dinner tomorrow, Jeremy?”

  His eyes brightened. “I want Mexican food please! But I know Dad doesn’t like it, does he?”

  She glanced over at Jordan. He shrugged. “By all means, whatever Jeremy wants, whatever will make him happy, works for me.” But Jordan crinkled his nose at Jeremy. “And I do like southwestern food; that’s what your mother makes. I just don’t like it every night like you kids do. I swear you would all move to Arizona if I allowed it. ”

  “Enchiladas then, Mom, I’d like enchiladas with your special chicken rice.”

  “Okay, sweetie, enchiladas, it is.” She grinned and started to get up.

  “Mom,” Jeremy whimpered, his little brow furrowing like his father’s did when he was confused. “I haven’t said my prayers yet.”

  “Oh, sorry, I forgot.” She sat back down on the edge of the bed. Jordan sat in Jeremy’s gaming chair, leaning back as far as it would go without tipping over backward. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see his gaze. He was watching her every blunder, it seemed. She closed her eyes as Jeremy said his prayers. He thanked God for her safe return, for every one of their relatives, whom he named individually. Then he went on to thank God for Brownie and kitty and even his hamster, Toby. Caycee peeked up to see Jordan rolling his eyes while clearly trying not to laugh at his son. Finally, the prayer ended. She couldn’t imagine he went through this every night and hoped each child didn’t draw out their prayers as he had.

  As it turned out, Jacob was faster with his prayers, almost too fast according to Jordan’s glower. Jacob also didn’t make any food requests. He just kissed and hugged both of them, then rolled over to go to sleep.

  Justin was even faster than Jacob had been, but she noticed he’d given her a longer hug. No doubt, he was the quiet child out of the four, but she could sense his love for his mother. She assumed it was abnormal for a twelve-year-old boy to show much affection.

  Johanna asked when she could start her classes, and Jordan glared at her, “If you keep asking, young lady, you might not ever start. I told you when your mother is ready, she’ll take care of everything, but please, let her get settled.”

  Caycee smiled and winked at her, letting her know she’d handle it. Oh, how she wished she could be part of their lives, even if it could only be as their aunt. Johanna kissed her good-night and whispered in her ear, “Thanks, Mom. I love you.”

  Tears formed in her eyes, but she quickly blinked them away. She could get through this, and then maybe Jaynee could figure out a way for her to materialize in their life, but then Jordan would be suspicious. They would have to wait until he forgot about her strange behavior today.

  Jordan smiled as he led her back toward their room. “You’d think that I starved and beat them when you’re gone.”

  “Give it a week and you’ll be the favorite parent again.” Jaynee had told her how normally they would giggle and play with Jordan. And she was their chauffeur, chef, and nurse. She knew they loved her; they were just children, and kids had a strange way of expressing their feelings. But Jaynee’s children had been nothing but loving this evening; it must have been because their mother had been gone and they had to eat boxed and canned food.

  She hoped Jay
nee hadn’t changed her enchilada recipe too much over the years. Then she realized she wouldn’t be here tomorrow night. She would be back in New York, dining out or ordering takeout. Jaynee would be making the enchiladas, listening to the prayers, driving Johanna to tryouts, and worst of all…she’d be the one Jordan loved.

  Caycee followed Jordan into their master suite. Though tastefully decorated, it was different from the rest of the house, which held no specific pattern or era she could detect. Their house was an eclectic blend of modern comforts, with antiques mixed in casually that worked with their everyday lives. The color scheme was elegant dark tans with white trim, no unusual or trendy colors anywhere. The walls, lightly decorated with sconces, classic artwork, and a perfect blend of family portraits throughout the house lent elegance.

  The bedroom, however, had a theme. It was like being in the islands. The bed, a king-sized four-poster bed stained dark wood, was enormous. An ensemble of crisp white down comforter, pillow shams, and matching bed skirt adorned the bed. But the most surprising thing, Jordan had not left the bed unmade.

  The walls, painted a light creamy color with the same glossy white trim again felt homey. On the walls were collections of tropical artwork consisting of a different type of palm tree in each photograph swaying in the breezes off island waters. A sitting area with two wingback chairs lent comfort and style to the room.

  Jordan disappeared around the corner into what must be their master bath. She decided to give him a few minutes by searching through what must certainly be her dresser. A picture of her and Gram, taken when she was nineteen, sat on top of the dresser. It was one of her favorite pictures; she couldn’t believe she hadn’t thought about it all these years.

  She riffled through several drawers until she found the one she was looking for. She’d always slept in a large t-shirt; she couldn’t imagine Jaynee had changed. She finally located the drawer, overflowing with sleep shirts, but also sexy lingerie. She chose the largest shirt she could find; it probably had belonged to Jordan at one time. Tattered and soft from years of washings, it was perfect.

  She tossed the shirt over her shoulder, then peered around the corner. Jordan was still dressed and brushing his teeth. He made the strangest sound, and then it sounded as if he actually gagged himself on his toothbrush. She couldn’t help but laugh.

  He shook his head while bending over to spit out the toothpaste, which bubbled up at the sides and dripped out of his mouth like a rabid dog. “You said you wouldn’t laugh at the way I brush my teeth.” He wasn’t upset; she could see his lips turning up slightly at the sides.

  “I couldn’t help myself. You look like a wild dog.”

  “You promised,” he said, narrowing his eyes.

  “Okay, I’ll try to resist laughing when you’re gagging yourself on your toothbrush.” She disappeared into the water closet to change clothes and sent Jaynee a quick text.

  She typed tomorrow and clicked send. It was enough. Jaynee would know and would respond simply with a text 1. They’d agreed that if things got too complicated, they would simply text the date of return and the other would acknowledge with their 1, which meant yes or all’s well. They hadn’t really planned a ‘holy crud get me outta here’ message, assuming that if that happened, they’d just call.

  She deleted her sent message, waiting a few seconds for her reply. Nothing. She changed her clothes, then walked out of the bathroom with her clothes wrapped around her phone. After brushing her teeth, she chanced a quick glance around the wall at Jordan. He sat propped up against the headboard, reading a book.

  He peered up when he saw her. “You almost done in there?”

  “Mm-hm…be right out.” She checked her phone one more time. Maybe Jaynee was already sleeping. She’d have to call her in the morning, after she helped with breakfast and lunches and drove the kids to school, of course. She flipped off the light and walked back into the bedroom.

  “I love it when you wear that shirt.” A wide grin lifted his cheeks, transporting her back to the night they’d met. The night she’d turned him down and he sat across the bar, smiling at her until she’d gone over and talked to him. Tonight he wore that same confident smile, the one that said he got what he wanted.

  She gulped. Was he joking? She looked down, then resisted a sigh. She’d chosen the shirt he’d given her that first night in his hotel. No wonder it was so worn… It was old. She’d gone for the least attractive piece of clothing in the drawer, and instead she’d picked his favorite. Leave it to Jordan to like an old tattered shirt over Victoria’s Secret lingerie. She hoped it wasn’t a sign.

  She crawled up on the bed, which was high off the ground. She’d probably forget and stumble to the floor in the middle of the night.

  Jordan tossed the book he’d been reading aside and switched off the light. The room was pitch-black, except for the glow of light emanating from the nightlight in the bathroom. She could never quite accomplish this in her apartment. The outside city lights always seeped through the tiniest cracks around the curtains.

  “You left the door open,” Jordan drawled in his sexiest voice.

  She remembered that sexy drawl of his too, remembered how he’d whispered he’d loved her in his hotel room, how he’d practically begged her to reciprocate, which she’d done, but then he’d scared her by proposing. She would have been able to walk away from a relationship, but she’d promised not to ever abandon her marriage, no matter what.

  He ran his fingers down her arm. “So, how’re you feeling?”

  “Mm, okay, I guess, why—” She stopped speaking, gulping again, only this time her mouth felt desiccated. The door. The door was their signal, the light. Other than that, the room was utterly dark, and Jaynee liked to sleep in a pitch-black room.

  He moved his hand around to her back, trailing his fingers the length of her spine, stopping just above her waist. “I was just wondering.” He brushed his lips against hers, making her heart flutter and her stomach flip at the warmth of his kiss. Though he’d kissed her several times today, it was different in bed, lying next to him, her body scantily dressed, and she was certain he wore nothing.

  He wrapped his hand around her waist and gathered her body against his. She’d been correct.

  “Jordan,” she attempted, her voice strained. The last thing she wanted to do was tell him no. Her entire being longed for him, craved him, her blood pumped fiercely with anticipation, knowing what would come next. “Jordan, we can’t.”

  “Why?” he asked between kisses, his lips and voice persuasive.

  “Because,” she hesitated, not wanting to lie and relishing in the heat of his breath, “I told you…”

  He pulled back, and she instantly felt the loss of his intimacy. Her eyes had adjusted, and she could make out his silhouette and the disappointment in his eyes as he frowned at her.

  “Jaynee…” His tone had a frustrated edge, as though he were holding back some piece of information.

  “What?” she asked, confused by why he was asking again. Jaynee had assured her that she’d been clear…that Jordan understood that sex wouldn’t be possible, the reason they’d decided on five days.

  He shook his head. “Nothing,” he finally mumbled, pulling further away.

  She should have let the conversation end right there; she should have just rolled over, but she couldn’t. “What is it, Jordan? What did I say?”

  He exhaled deeply through his nose. “You lied,” he said in a low whisper.

  She was aghast. She hadn’t lied about anything. The words sounded so foreign coming out of his lips. “What did I lie about?”

  “I just don’t understand why you would lie to me. If you don’t want me, say so, but you don’t have to lie to me.”

  “Jordan…I…”

  “Just because I’m not a detective anymore doesn’t mean I don’t still possess the ability to know when I’m being lied to. We’ve been married eighteen years…don’t you think I know your patterns by now. I know when it’s your
time; I know what you go through. Ever since you’ve stopped taking birth control, you have horrible periods. You constantly disappear. Why would you think you could tell me it was your time of the month and think I wouldn’t know?” He shook his head and got out of bed.

  “Wait, don’t leave,” she blurted out without thinking, again, knowing she should have just let him go. “You’re right, Jordan. It’s because I’m sick.” She could see the skepticism in his features even in the dark. She continued quickly, “It’s just been dreadful PMS. I’m having a lot of pain and not sure why.” She questioned her explanation. If she weren’t careful, Jordan would have her in the ER.

  He sat on the edge of the bed. “You never get PMS,” he offered, obviously concerned with her health. “Are you sure that’s what it is?”

  “I sure hope so.” She needed to change the subject so he wouldn’t rush her to the hospital. And attempt some peacemaking so as not to hurt Jaynee’s marriage. “Jordan, how can you think I don’t want you? Look at you. You’re as handsome as ever. You have an incredible body.”

  Proving her point, he crawled back into bed, pressing his body up against her. “Then let me make you feel good.” Burying his head into her neck, he started kissing her under her chin, up along the line of her jaw, ending at her ear. “Don’t make me beg. You’ve never made me ask you before.”

  Her willpower was pathetic. She wanted him. Her blood rushed through her body, causing parts of her to throb in anticipation. He caressed her face with his finger, then lifted her head toward him. Pressing his mouth against her lips again, his tongue moved expertly with hers as his other hand moved over her hip, drawing her body closer.

  She retracted from his kiss. “Oh, God, Jordan, don’t do this to me, please. I can’t. I swear to you, I can’t. Not tonight, maybe tomorrow.”

  Per her request, he removed his hand from her hip, but she could tell he was disappointed.