Finding Jordie: Things aren't always what they seem. (The Love Lies Bleeding Series Book 1)

by Harley, HJ

  “Hello?” I gritted through my teeth.

  Silence.

  “I don’t know what it is you want from me, but I’m not going to let you bully me over the phone. In fact, I need to thank you if you had anything to do with my apartment being trashed. Gave me a reason to redecorate,” I said smugly.

  “Jorrrrdaaannnnn,” the voice said and laughed almost demonically. “I know you’re scared, as you should be. No amount of security can keep me away from you.” He was the one who was angry that time. “You are mine. Do you fucking understand, you deceitful piece of trash?”

  I don’t know what came over me at that moment but I just let it all out. “You want me? Come fucking get me, you low-life piece of shit. Be a man, show your face. Don’t hide behind telephone calls and dog cum, you vile excuse for a human being.” My voice cracked and my hands trembled. It was a heady mixture of fear and adrenaline.

  He hung up.

  “That’s what I thought, fucker. Try and scare me. Not going to happen. I’m far too happy to let this cocksucker ruin my happy days.” I ranted out loud to myself.

  I heard a knock at the door.

  “Who is it?”

  “It’s Charles, Jordie. Is everything all right? I heard you yelling.”

  “Yes, it’s fine.” I opened the door to let him in. “I just got another phone call.” I blurted out angrily without thinking.

  Charles took out his phone and began to dial.

  “Who are you calling?”

  “Who else would I be calling? Frank.”

  “No, please don’t. The poor guy just began to relax. Let this one slide. It’s just a phone call.”

  “What did they say?”

  “Same ol’, same ol’. I’m coming for you, blah, blah, blah, really, it’s no big deal.” I was sure to show no signs of being shaken, but inside my guts were twisted. That voice was so menacing.

  Charles made no attempt to put his phone away. He held it, still ready to make the call to Frank.

  “Please, if I get another one then you can report to him, but things have been so great lately. Please?” I begged him.

  “I heard the news this morning. Congrats on the engagement.”

  “Thank you.” I smiled.

  One glance down at my ring and all the bad stuff drifted away.

  Wait, how did he hear this morning?

  I guessed Nathan told Frank. Besides, after tomorrow it wouldn’t matter. Todd would break the story and everyone would know.

  Just as planned, the next morning Todd’s exclusive made headlines and all hell broke loose again. Paps were out front taking pictures and shouting at us. At least they were polite enough to make a path for me so I could walk Emma to the car for school.

  After she was gone I gave Rachel a call. She had fifty questions pertaining to the wheres, whats, whens, whos, and hows of the wedding.

  “We just got engaged the other night, Rachel, chill.” I laughed.

  “Um, excuse me. In my mind it’s been over a week now, and the Plaza is booked up for two years, so you need...”

  “Slow your role, Jennifer Lopez as the Wedding Planner. The Plaza? Are you out of your damn mind? I certainly cannot afford that, and I wouldn’t want a wedding of that magnitude anyway.”

  “Afford ashmord! Your first wedding was at a fucking White Castle in Toms River, New Jersey, asshole. You are so doing this one right.”

  “What are you talking about, Rachel? It was a fairy tale wedding. You tell me, what bride doesn’t want to get married in a castle?” I barely said the words without laughing.

  “Oh my god, I fucking hate you.” She laughed hysterically.

  “Whatever, seriously, plenty of time, Rach. Plenty of time. We’re in no rush. I don’t think he’s going anywhere anytime soon.”

  “Love ya, bitch.”

  “Love ya too, hooker.” I hung up and my phone beeped.

  *Hey gorgeous, want to come here to avoid the crowd?*

  *Yes, please. I’ll be out there in 20.*

  *Love you.*

  *Love you.*

  Surprisingly enough I got on set easily and the guard gave me a pass.

  Fancy stuff. It’s laminated, so it must be official. “All Access Four Forty-Six,” it read with my name under that. He handed me another one for Emma. She is going to flip when she gets her grubby little hands on this. Another man walked over and put a sticker on the bottom part of my windshield before he opened the gate. When I got to Nathan’s trailer I walked in, but I didn’t see him. “Babe?” I called out.

  “Hello?” That wasn’t Nathan’s voice, that was for sure. The brunette bombshell walked out from the bedroom back there. My stomach sunk and I wanted to puke on her.

  “Hi, I’m Rena. You are?” She had the fakest smile plastered across her mug.

  Who am I? Stank ho, I’m the one that’s going to knock that pretty little smile off your face if you don’t tell me what the hell you’re doing in here. That’s who I am, bitch. “Where’s Nathan?” I skipped my less than chipper introduction and went straight to what I actually gave a shit about.

  “Oh, Nates?” She swept her hair back dramatically with a smirk. “He was here a moment ago. Guess you just missed him.” She glanced around the area with a shit-eating grin.

  My phone beeped. Lucky bitch, I was just about to rip your lips off and feed them to your ass.

  *Come to Suite 109 inside building B, I’m there. See you soon. I love you.*

  *How long have you been there?*

  *Um, a while. Why?*

  *Oh, I don’t know, I’m in your trailer and little miss I’m going to rip her fucking face off saunters out from the back somewhere. What the fuck, “Nates”? Never mind, I don’t care, I’m leaving. See you later.*

  *Wait, I’ll be right there*

  “Everything okay, sweetie?” the brunette said. Sarcasm rang through her voice.

  “Oh, everything is great.” I smiled as I brought my left hand up to push my hair behind my shoulder, making sure I flashed my ring. Her eyes widened for a fraction of a second but she composed herself quickly.

  “Nathan is on his way back to get me, take me somewhere more—private.” I had no idea if that was actually the plan but I was improvising. The trailer door swung open and slammed into the side of it. There stood Nathan out of breath—and he looked pissed.

  “What are you doing in here, Rena?” he spit out through clenched teeth.

  “My toilet wasn’t working properly, so I came to use yours. You didn’t answer when I knocked...”

  “So you just took it upon yourself to come in and what, upset my fiancée?”

  “You know, you really shouldn’t do number two in these bathrooms. That’s probably why yours wasn’t working right. Yup, stops them up all the time.” I smiled, sarcastically sweet. She rolled her eyes and headed for the door so I moved out of her way.

  “Thanks, Nates,” she said sweetly as she brushed her hand across his chest when she moved past him. I clenched my fists and locked my jaw. I’m really going to kill this bitch.

  “It’s Nate, thank you.” He plucked her hand away in disgust and his eyes never left mine.

  I loosened my grip and unset my jaw.

  “Whatever.” She stomped out, slamming the door behind her.

  “Bitch,” he mumbled. “Seriously, she’s a pain in the ass.” He took me in his arms and brushed his lips against my forehead. “Hi.”

  “Well, that was fun.” I was less than enthusiastic.

  “Come with me, I want to show you something.”

  We got to suite 109 and once we walked in, his agenda became clear to me. Suite 109 was the studio’s day spa.

  “I figured you could use a day of relaxation. Don’t worry about Emma, Frank is picking her up after practice, and then we can meet them for dinner.” He stuck his card in the scanner and put it back in his wallet after it beeped. “All set. What do we want to do first?” He rubbed his hands together like a kid in a candy store.

  �
��You’re the best. You know that? You’re spoiling me.” I tippy toed up to steal a kiss, but when I got back to flat footed the room spun. “I feel sick again.” I swayed. “Where’s the bathroom?” I covered my mouth just in case. I should have vomited all over that smug bitch when I started to feel nauseous. If I had, then this wouldn’t be cutting into my and Nathan’s alone time.

  “Right here.” He ushered me a few feet to the right and took me in the bathroom. He waited for me just outside the stall while I tossed my cookies a few times. When I came out and stood in front of the sink, I caught his expression in the mirror. He looked so concerned. I turned the cold water on splashed my face and rinsed my mouth out.

  “It’s nothing. When I saw bitch face in your trailer I started to feel sick. Guess it just didn’t go away. I’m good now.”

  “All right.” But I could tell by his worried scowl he wasn’t convinced.

  Dinner was great. We went to the pizza place where Nathan and I had our first ‘date’. Emma was still wearing the set pass around her neck. I didn’t think that thing was ever coming off. She went on and on about how cool Rena was when she met her. I, of course, knew better so I rolled my eyes on the inside, but sat and listened to my daughter’s excitement as a good mom should. Frank joined us, but half way through dinner he had to excuse himself to take a call. When he came back to the table he looked really agitated.

  “Emma, would you go pay the bill for me?” He reached in his back pocket and pulled out his wallet.

  “Sure.” She smiled as Frank handed her two twenties and the check.

  Once she was out of ear shot Frank turned his attention to me. “Jordie, I know you’re more than capable of handling your own affairs, and have done a great job of doing so, but my job is to protect you guys.” His tone was much calmer than what his body language gave off.

  Shit, busted. “Charles told you?” I mumbled as I guiltily lowered my head.

  “Excuse me, what did you just say? Charles knew about this?” His nostrils flared as he hissed.

  “Uh, hello? Someone care to fill me in here? Jordie? Frank?” Nathan sounded so confused.

  “Here’s the change, Frank.” Emma placed it on the table.

  “Thank you, sweetheart.” He smiled at her as if our conversation had never taken place.

  “Shall we?” He gestured to the door.

  Nobody said a word on the car ride home. Luckily it was only two blocks away. There wasn’t really enough time for it to get too awkward in there. Once we were all back at the apartment I told Emma to do her homework, shower, and go to bed. Nathan was eyeing Frank and me suspiciously the entire time.

  “Is someone going to tell me what the fuck is going on here?” Nathan was pissed.

  “Jordan?” Frank gestured to me.

  What? Did Frank expect me to tattle on myself? “Ugghhh, fine, but keep it down. I don’t need Emma hearing any of this,” I whispered. “I got another phone call yesterday, and if Charles didn’t tell you, then how did you find out?”

  “Remember you gave Richard permission to have all the phone lines traced so we were prepared if you did receive any more calls?” Frank reminded me.

  “Yeah? And?”

  “Well, incoming calls are monitored; if it is not suspicious the trace is shut down, but yesterday’s call was suspicious so the trace was left on.” He raised an eyebrow at me.

  “Well whatever, I don’t care. I’m not going to let some pervy asshole attempt to scare me into seclusion, or some shit.”

  “Jordie, why didn’t you tell me or Frank? And why didn’t Charles report this to you?” Nathan turned to Frank.

  “I will deal with Charles later.”

  “No, no, please don’t. It was my fault. I begged him not to call you. He tried so many times to call you. I just kept begging him not to.”

  “Jordan, I can’t help you if you aren’t honest with me, and from what I heard on that recording I’d take a guess that you really pissed him off.”

  “What? The guy is a shit bag. He deserves what I said to him and more.” I folded my arms. Screw that, I was proud of myself.

  “That may be true, Jordie, but you’re just adding fuel to the fire, sweetie.” Frank’s face finally relaxed a bit.

  “So now what?”

  “Now we wait to see where the call originated from.”

  “I don’t care. I’m not allowing this sick freak to consume another minute of my time. I mean, this place is on lock down, right? Nobody can get in without us knowing who it is, so what is the big deal?” I threw up my hands, exasperated.

  “I’ll put three more guys on duty and someone will be with Emma at school again.” Frank gathered his belongings. “I need you to tell me these things, Jordie.”

  “Sorry, Frank. I just didn’t think it was a big deal.” I shrugged, still tight lipped with my arms folded across my chest.

  “I’m sorry, what, Jordan? You didn’t think some clearly unstable man who has been harassing you, stalking you, ransacked your apartment, violated your personal belongings, and flat out told you he was coming for you was a big deal?” He tried to keep his voice down but it was still loud and frustrated.

  “Whoa, what?” Nathan jumped in.

  “Oh yes, Nate, the guy called her a deceitful piece of trash who he was coming to get because she was his. Right, no big deal?” Frank threw his hands in the air and slapped them down on his thighs.

  “Jesus Christ, Jordie.” Nathan ran his hands through his hair.

  “Oh Lord, don’t you start on me too, Nathan.” I walked into the kitchen and poured myself a glass of wine. “Seriously, it’s done and over with. Drop it. I don’t think he’ll call back.”

  “Mom, is everything all right?” Emma was standing in the hallway.

  “Oh yeah honey, everything is fine.”

  “I’m going to bed. I’ll shower in the morning. I love you.” She came over and kissed me goodnight.

  “Love you too, honey.”

  “Night, Nathan. G’nite, Frank.” She walked back into her room.

  “If everyone is done ganging up on me, may I be excused? I’m exhausted.” I glanced back and forth between the both of them.

  “I’ll let myself out. Jordan, please, you kids are not just a job to me.” Frank opened the door.

  “I know. I’m sorry. Thank you, Frank.”

  Once we heard the second door close, Nathan set the alarm and locked up. “Early night tonight I guess?” He dimmed the kitchen lights and shut off the ones in the living room.

  “Yeah, I’m beat. Shower and bed.”

  “My parents will be driving in next week,” Nathan said as I stripped and turned on the shower. “Wednesday or Thursday they should get here.”

  I let the hot water run down my back and I felt Nathan up against me. I smiled.

  “I will never get tired of you and your reaction to me.” I slid my hand behind me and took him in my hand.

  “Me either.” He moved his hands up to my breasts and guided me against the wall.

  “This way okay?” He whispered in my ear and kissed my neck.

  “More than okay,” I breathed.

  While I towel dried my hair, I tried to explain to Nathan that every time he wanted to take me that way he didn’t have to ask. He was hesitant because it made him feel better to know I was okay with it.

  “I told you, I’m not all fucked up from it. Shit happens. Either you dwell on it or the hell with it. I choose the hell with it. Keeping shit pent up and staying angry will not change the past. Besides, it loses its spontaneity once you ask.” I quirked the corner of my lip up and squinted slightly. “Trust me, Nathan. You’d know if I didn’t want any part of it.”

  “All right, all right. No more asking.” He shook his head and chuckled as he walked out of the bathroom.

  It was only eight-thirty and I was exhausted.

  “You know, for someone who doesn’t do very much, you’d think I ran marathons every day. I’ve been so tired these past two wee
ks.” I yawned and climbed into bed.

  “Are we going to talk about this at all, Jordie?”

  “About how tired I have been?” I tried to act like I didn’t get his point.

  “You know about what.”

  “Not really, babe. I’m tired and I’ve forgotten about it already.” I snuggled against his open arm waiting for me.

  “I love you,” was all he said, and I fell asleep.

  The next two weeks flew by. It had felt as if I had known Nathan a lifetime by that point. His parents drove from Sacramento in their RV. No wonder Nathan was such a great man—his parents were genuinely good people to the core. Their love for him radiated from them. They generated the kind of mood that made it impossible to stop smiling. They even brought Emma a few gifts that they’d picked up along their drive to New York. Nothing overwhelming, just a few truck stops novelty trinkets and key chains. She was thrilled though, being that she had never left the Tri-State area and hadn’t really received gifts from anyone other than myself, Kelly, and Rachel. She’d never had the “grandparent experience,” so to speak.

  After Jason passed away, I’d never heard from his side of the family again. Good riddance was all I had to say about that. Jason’s mother was a few fries short of a Happy Meal anyhow. So it was a relief I had gotten along with Nathan’s parents so well. As suspected, once I actually met Nathan’s mother it was much easier to talk about Jason. I had to admit, I felt really guilty when they walked in my place and saw all the pictures of Jason hanging on the wall. It almost felt like a weird shrine to my deceased husband. His parents looked at all of the pictures though, expressing how sorry they were for our loss. I wanted to say to them that it was all right, things happened for a reason. The truth was if Jason hadn’t passed away, I would have never met their son. As harsh as it sounded, Nathan and I were meant for one another. If Jason hadn’t passed, I would never have known what true happiness was. I decided it was best to keep that to myself for the time being and that perhaps it was time to take down some of those pictures and begin replacing them with new memories.

  His mother insisted we have the wedding in Sacramento and also insisted on paying for it. I couldn’t see that happening, but I wasn’t about to insult the woman by declining. It was her only child, and she was so happy we were getting hitched. Sacramento did sound better than White Castle, I had to admit. I left that situation for Nathan to handle.