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

by Harley, HJ

  “You’re awake, gorgeous. I’m the one that’s been asleep. I am so... I swear, Jordie, I... I...” He put his forehead against mine. “This, this is what I was missing. This is what I have been searching for. I just couldn’t remember. You—this—us.”

  He reached out and placed his hand on my belly. That was all it took. I exploded in tears and sobbed, smiling as if I had completely lost my mind.

  “Quit smiling like that. You look like a nut job,” he teased. “My subconscious knew, though. For the past month I’ve come to this street every night, right over there, humming that song.” He nodded out to towards the street. “I’d sit on that bench in a hoodie next to my bike for hours. I sat there just trying to fit the pieces together.”

  “All those women, Nathan...” I breathed out.

  “I told you I never slept with any of them. I was just so desperate to figure out what I was missing. I was searching everywhere. Then one night I overheard my mom ask Tyler if he would mind picking up Emma’s and the baby’s Christmas presents at the store, and just to bring them over to the bar so Rachel could wrap them up for her. She also asked him to find out what size boots mamma was,” he explained with a concentrated look on his face. He told the story with reverence and such passion that I couldn’t be angry with him.

  “Then something inside just clicked, I knew whatever it was I was missing was here. Not with any of the others. I was beginning to think I would be broken for the rest of my life. Tonight when I was at the bar with Tyler that squirrely best friend of yours put on this horrific boy band song and started to dance on the bar like a lunatic.” He laughed. “Then she started yelling at me like a lunatic. Poor Tyler, she really let him have it, too. So I walked out. I couldn’t comprehend everything she had just told me, about you and me, Emma and the baby. I was so confused. As soon as my feet hit the curb though, I started seeing flashes of... it all. Everything came back to me at once. I wasn’t going to wake you guys up at three in the morning. Even though I did consider it, trust me. Instead I ran back in and asked Rachel to let me in so I could get to the rooftop and wait for you here.”

  “Lucky I heard you. I don’t come up here anymore.” I yawned.

  “How come?”

  “Obviously I don’t smoke anymore so what’s the point? Besides, it’s too much of a pain in the everywhere to climb up and down the past few months.”

  “That’s crazy. You love it up here.” His arms were still wrapped around me tight with our foreheads touching.

  “It was just too painful, Nathan. All I’d see was you. So much has happened between us up here.” I gave a small smile. “And then you were gone.”

  “Never again will I leave you, unless you have another crazy dead husband waiting in the wings somewhere ready to attack?” He was playfully sarcastic.

  “Oh my god, you did not just say that!” I laughed and the smile remained on my face when I finished. Wow, that hasn’t happened in a long time.

  “I love you so much, Jordan.” He leaned down and kissed me.

  My head was spinning. Was this real? I hoped so.

  “Whoa! What the—” Nathan jumped back with a nervous laugh, looking a bit in awe.

  I laughed and took his hand and placed it on my belly.

  “Nathan Junior, this is your daddy. Nathan, meet your son and future soccer player or river dancer, I can’t figure out which it is yet.” I smiled up at him, and he was just amazing.

  “That was him? He did all that?” He stood there with his mouth open in shock.

  “Yup, he’s a kicker.”

  “Holy shit, I can’t imagine how that feels on your end.” He rubbed my belly now on his own accord.

  “It feels great.” I shrugged. “This little guy has helped me through a lot these past few months. Haven’t you?” I looked down and gave my belly a tiny jiggle. He responded by kicking me again right under Nathan’s hand.

  “Wow.”

  “I love you, too.” My eyes found those blue eyes of his. “We’ve missed you so much, Nathan.”

  “Me too, Jordan. I love you, baby.” He kissed me.

  And we kissed... and kissed... and kissed...

  “You’re welcome, Heifer!” Rachel yelled from down in the front of the building. We heard her and Tyler laughing as we peeked over the wall. They were already getting in the cab.

  “Hollerrr!” I screamed down to her.

  “Hollerrr.” She smiled back at me and closed the door.

  I turned to Nathan and he leaned in to kiss me again.

  I pulled back and yawned. “I’m sorry. I’m exhausted.” I covered my mouth.

  “Let’s get you back to bed.” He turned off the lights and led me to the stairs.

  “Do you want to stay with me?” I yawned again, hopeful he would say yes.

  “Baby, I’m home. I’m never letting you out of my sight again.” He kissed my forehead.

  KIM JOHNSON, NICOLE CORRADO QUEZADA thank you for making it through the first draft. I know how painful that must have been. Not fire nipple painful, but a close second. Love you guys. I couldn’t have done this without you. Speaking of drafts,

  Jennifer Reinhold, I could never thank you enough for making it through all 457 drafts and for all the input you’ve given me. You should be able to recite this bad boy by now. You’re the best. <3

  Dawn Fant Poch and Chanee’ Terro, thank you both for everything, you have no idea how much I value your opinions.

  Aunt Ree thank you for all your support and encouragement, it means everything to me. I hope this makes my mom and everyone else up at the casino in the sky proud.

  Asia Werner our friendship has inspired one of the coolest best friends Jordie could ever ask for, thank you for being you.

  Salome’ Jones, you’re not just an editor…you’re my mentor…you’re my friend. Thank you for always sticking by me during my spaztastic moments. You and Tim really helped me make it through those tough spots. Comma?! What is this comma you speak of? I know this is yours but just don’t touch it!

  To the best group of friends scattered across the country, geography sucks but here’s to the double decker road trip someday.

  Sandy Geteles, you’re the greatest kinda-mom a kid could adopt. I hope you’ll always think of me when you see Twinkies and diet soda.

  Amber Lopez you did nothing but support this crazy idea of mine. Luv ya’ girl.

  Finally, a special thanks to Kathy Coyne Borowick. Your encouragement stuck with me all these years, and you’ll never know how grateful I am for your persistence. You went above and beyond as a teacher and never gave up on me. Every kid deserves a teacher that will believe in them the way you did in me. Thank you.

  I truly hope everyone enjoys this…