Chapter Sixteen
Chloe
I groaned as I opened my eyes and looked around our hotel room. My body ached everywhere from my nighttime activities with Drake. Speaking of Drake, I could feel him pressed tight against my back and I snuggled in closer. He mumbled something in his sleep and wrapped his arm around me. I sighed happily; I never wanted to leave this bed.
Unfortunately for me, it was almost noon and we needed to head back to the bus so that I could pick up Jordan up and take him home. I rolled over and started running my fingertips along his jaw and under his chin, trying to tickle him awake. He tried to brush my hand away, but I smiled and continued to tickle him.
His opened one eye and peeked at me through his lashes. ‘Will you quit, I’m trying to sleep.”
“And I’m trying to wake you up. I guess that puts us at a draw.”
He ran his hand down my side to my hip and started making small circling motions with his thumb. “There are better ways to wake me up you know.”
“Not when we have to be checked out of here in twenty minutes. So get up and get dressed.”
“Fine,” he said as he rolled out of bed.
I watched his naked backside as he walked to the dresser and pulled a clean pair of jeans from the bag sitting on top. My mouth hung open as he pulled them on commando style.
“Did you forget something?” I asked.
He smirked. “No, why?”
“You’re missing your boxers.”
“Nah, I figured I’d leave them off in case you wanted to tackle me on the bus or something.”
“As fun as that sounds, I have to leave as soon as we get there. I’m sure Jordan is ready to go home.”
He looked disappointed as he pulled a shirt over his head. “Right, for a second there I forgot you were leaving me again.”
“I’m sorry, I promise I will come right back. I’ll stay the night there, then head back to meet up with you tomorrow morning. After being apart as long as we have, less than twenty-four hours is nothing.”
“I know, it still sucks though.”
I rose from the bed and walked over to him, wrapping my arms around his waist. “You won’t even miss me.”
“That’s impossible, I miss you every second that you’re away from me. It’s like I can’t breathe if you’re not around.”
I instantly melted into a puddle on the floor and Drake had to grab a bucket and a towel to soak me up with; ok not really, but I felt like I did.
“You give me the warm and fuzzies when you say things like that.” I said as I leaned in and kissed him.
I slipped my tongue into his mouth and he groaned as he pushed me away. “Go get dressed or we’re not leaving this hotel room. Do you need to wrap your ribs again?”
“Nah, I’m doing ok without it.” I said as I grabbed my clothes from my bag and threw them on. After I finished getting dressed, I walked into the bathroom to brush my teeth and hair. When I was presentable enough, I walked back into our room and threw my things into the bag.
Within five minutes, we were packed and ready to go. I sat on the bed and flipped through my phone while Drake was in the bathroom. After a couple of minutes, I started to get up and check on him but he came out just as I stood up.
“What were you doing in there? Fixing your make up?” I asked jokingly.
“Funny. Come on, let’s get out of here.”
I readied myself on the elevator ride down just in case the girl from the night before was still at the reception desk. Luckily, she was gone and an older man was sitting in her chair. I walked to the counter and checked us out while Drake carried our bags to the car.
The man smiled at me as he glanced at the clock. “You made it with three minutes to spare, that has to be a new record.”
I laughed as he handed me the receipt. “Tell me about it.”
I walked through the doors and to the car. Drake was tapping his fingers on the steering wheel impatiently as I slid inside.
“Took you long enough,” he said as he pulled out onto the main road.
He seemed cranky and I gave him a questioning look. “What’s up your ass? You were fine five seconds ago.”
“Nothing, I just hate taking you back to him.”
I sighed and rested my head against the seat. I knew Drake was upset that I was leaving again, but the faster I got Jordan home and put some space between us the better. I knew once he wasn’t a daily fixture in my life that Drake would calm down.
The rest of the car ride was silent, with both of us lost in our own thoughts. Drake pulled into the parking lot and parked my car beside the bus. I opened my door to get out, but he grabbed my hand and pulled me back to him.
“I’m sorry, I know I’m being a dick. I just get so jealous when I see other guys with you.”
“Drake, it’s not every guy, it’s Jordan. You could care less when Adam and Eric talk to me.”
“Because they’re my friends and I trust them. No I don’t like Jordan, but he’s definitely not the only one. When you’re with Logan it bothers me too.” He stared at the steering wheel as he spoke.
I really didn’t know what to say to that; Drake was one of the most confident people I knew and for him to be worried? Well that just proved how much he really cared about me.
I threw my arms around him and kissed him deeply. “You never ever have to worry about me wanting someone else. You’re everything I want.”
His lips turned up in a small smile. “I hope so.”
“You are.” I said as someone tapped on my window and I jumped.
Jordan was standing beside the car, smiling down at me. He stepped back, giving me enough room to swing my door open and get out.
“It’s about time. The band is cool and all, but I really want to get back to Danny. Kadi could be there trying to screw with him while we’ve been away.”
That thought hadn’t even occurred to me; I assumed that she would know that Drake would tell me everything and we would all be aware of her little plan.
“Shit, you didn’t call him?” I asked.
He shook his head. “I called, but telling him his “kind of” girlfriend was just using him to get back at his cousin isn’t exactly something you want to tell a person over the phone.”
“Go get your stuff and throw it in the car. We can leave as soon as you’re ready.”
“I’m packed, let me just grab my bags out of the bus and I’ll be right back,” he said as he turned and walked back into the bus.
Drake walked around the car and handed my keys to me. His eyes met mine as he brushed a stray lock of hair away from my face. The anger I had seen in his eyes earlier had all but disappeared now, and was replaced with warmth as he trailed the back of his hand down my cheek.
“Hurry back to me,” he whispered.
“You know I will, I’ll see you tomorrow.” I stood on my toes and kissed him softly.
Jordan walked back outside to my car with his bag slung over his shoulder. “Let’s get the hell out of here. I need the pool.”
I stepped away from him, giving him one last lingering look as I slid into my car. I expected Jordan to get directly into my car, but instead he walked over to where Drake stood. I watched nervously as they spoke, afraid Drake’s newfound temper would make and appearance and they would start hitting each other.
I was shocked when Jordan held out his hand and Drake shook it. With that, he turned and walked back to the car. Drake watched him closely as he slid into the car and grinned at me.
“You can close your mouth now.”
I realized I was staring back and forth between the two of them with my mouth hanging open. I snapped it shut as I started the car and pulled out.
“Want to tell me what that was all about?” I asked.
He shrugged. “I didn’t want this to be the last time we saw each other, and since your head is up his ass most of the time, I figured I should probably make amends with him so he doesn’t keep you away.”
I glared at him. “My head is not up his ass.”
He snorted and gave me a bewildered look. “Whatever, you’re like a lovesick puppy. It makes me want to gag.”
I rolled my eyes as I hit the interstate and floored it. I wanted to make good time so that I would be able to make it back tomorrow.
“What’s the rush? You’re driving like an idiot.”
“I just want to get back to him.”
He laughed. “I rest my case. You said you’re sleeping at Danny’s house before you leave again, so it’s not like it will matter what time we get there.”
I realized he was right as I started slowing down a bit. “Yeah, that was kind of dumb wasn’t it?”
“It’s alright, your hair is blonde so use that as your excuse.”
I reached across the console and pinched him. “Asshat.”
The rest of the trip was uneventful; one stop to fill my car up and two Starbucks later, we were pulling up to the house. I got out and stretched; my body tight from the long drive. I sent Drake a quick text letting him know we were safe before following Jordan into the house. He stopped dead in the doorway to the living room and I bumped into him.
“Chloe, go back outside,” he ordered.
Never one to listen, I refused and started trying to look around his tall frame to see what was wrong. A string of curses left my lips as I saw Danny and Kadi locked in an embrace on the couch. Jordan tried to catch me as I slipped under his arm and into the room, but he wasn’t quick enough. His fingertips brushed my shirt as I stomped over to them and grabbed Kadi by the neck, pulling her away from Danny.
I threw her into the nearby chair and glared down at her. “I can’t believe you’d have the nerve to show up here after what you’ve done!” I shouted.
Danny jumped to his feet. “What the hell are you doing?”
Jordan walked into the room and put his hand on Danny’s shoulder. “She’s been using you. She was only here to break up Chloe and Drake.”
Danny looked back and forth between the two of us. “Have you two lost your minds? She doesn’t even know Drake!”
I looked down at Kadi, who was staring at the door, probably plotting her escape. “Oh she knows Drake. She’s one of his one nighters from before we got together.”
Kadi opened her mouth to speak, but caught herself at the last-minute. She turned her attention to Danny, giving him a pleading look. “Danny, they’re crazy! I would never do that to you!”
“Quit lying, we saw the f*cking pictures.” Jordan growled.
“What pictures?” Danny asked.
“Who knows? You said they were with that band; they’re probably both on drugs or something.” Kadi cried.
I laughed in her face. “Like anyone in Breaking the Hunger would be on drugs. If anyone is screwed up in the head, it’s you,” I turned to Danny, “She took pictures of Jordan and I together and showed Drake, trying to get him to break up with me. Unfortunately for her, Drake didn’t fall for it.”
I smirked as I said the last part and saw anger flare in her eyes. I hit a nerve and I watched as she struggled with whether to tell me off or stick to her story of being innocent. I waited patiently, until finally she broke.
“I wasn’t a f*cking one night stand! Drake loves me, he just can’t see it because of you!” She spit out venomously.
Danny paled slightly as his mouth dropped open. “So they’re telling the truth? Everything you’ve said to me was a lie?” He asked.
She sneered at him. “No offense Danny, but you’re not my type. You’d think you would have figured that out the third time I dumped you, but no, you keep coming back for more.”
I heard a loud crack and was stunned to realize that I had slapped her. My hand stung as her cheek started to turn red.
“You bitch!” She screeched as she lunged at me. The air was knocked from my lungs and I grunted from the pain that seared my ribs as I fell to the ground. She grabbed my hair and yanked as we tumbled around on the floor.
My ribs were screaming in protest as I threw her off of me and launched myself at her. I pinned her to the floor and punched her in the face. She clawed at my face and bucked, trying to free herself, but I was seeing red. That coupled with the adrenaline coursing through my body gave me enough strength to keep her pinned.
“Stay.” Punch. “The.” Punch. “F*ck.” Punch. “Away from Drake, Danny and Jordan.” Punch.
Her head slammed back against the carpet and she moaned. I felt arms wrap around me as they lifted me away. I fought them, trying to get back to her.
“Chloe Bear, enough. You’ve almost knocked her out.” Jordan said as he struggled to hold me back.
I let him pull my body tight against his as I stared down at Kadi’s bloodied face. I really had done a number on her; blood was pouring from her nose and a large cut on her cheek from one of my rings. One of her eyes had already started to swell shut and there were several bruises starting to show on her normally flawless skin.
Danny started yelling at her, telling her to get out of his house. She moaned as she tried to stand. She swayed from side to side, but no one offered to help her.
“You’ll pay for this. I’ll have you arrested!” She spit out as she clutched her side.
“I don’t think you will. It’ll be your word against ours. Plus, I’m sure Drake would be glad to press charges against you for stalking.” Jordan said in a scarily calm voice.
Kadi’s mouth gaped open as she processed his words. Her word wouldn’t matter against ours, and we had several witnesses that could testify that she was stalking Drake. She was backed into a corner and she knew it. She sent us one final glare as she limped to the front door, slamming it behind her.
Danny walked past us, refusing to look at either of us.
“Danny, wait.” I called after him.
“Just… Just leave me alone for a little while.”
I bit my lip as I watched him disappear around the corner. “You should go talk to him Jordan, he’s really upset.”
“Give him some time to cool off,” He said as he turned me around to inspect my face.
I winced as he ran his finger along my cheek. “Easy, she got in a few punches too. Great, now I have bruises on top of bruises.”
He laughed as he pulled his hand away. I must have had a cut somewhere on my cheek; there was a small amount of blood on his fingers that he wiped on his shorts.
“You look way better than she does, I promise.”
I tried to laugh, but it shot pain through my ribs. I sucked in a breath and gritted my teeth to keep from crying out.
Jordan frowned. “What’s wrong?”
“My ribs are hurting; I think I need a pain pill.”
He lifted my shirt to my bra and ran his finger along my ribs. “You shouldn’t have done that, you’re still healing.”
“Sorry, I’ll try to make sure I’m not hurt next time I get into a fight.”
He said nothing as he continued to run his fingers along my ribs. I started to take a step back, suddenly uncomfortable, when he looked up at me. My stomach dropped as I saw the need in his eyes. He lifted his hand and cupped my face.
“I don’t like it when you’re hurt.”
“I’m fine, stop worrying about me.” I said nervously.
“That’s impossible. Chloe, I don’t even know how to say this. You’re so important to me, you’re in my head and no matter what I do, I can’t get you out. I’ve tried to stay away and I can’t.” As he spoke, he lowered his head until we were nose to nose. “You could do so much better than him.”
“Jordan, what are you doing?”
“I want you and I can’t stand it anymore. I had to tell you, to let you know I’m an option.”
He leaned in, pushing past the mere centimeters that were between us. His lips brushed mine softly as my eyes widened and I tried to push him away. He refused to budge as he continued kissing me. I struggled against him, refusing to kiss him back. He became more aggressive, trying to part my lips, but I wasn’t having it. Defeated, he pulled away.
“Don’t do that ever again!” I yelled.
“You won’t even give me a chance Chloe! You cared about me before, what happened?”
“Jordan, there was a time when we might have been a possibility, but not anymore. I love Drake. I’m sorry if I’m hurting you, but I don’t want you that way.” I said softly.
The look on his face broke my heart, but I stood my ground. I felt tears running down my cheeks as he stared at me, a scowl on his face.
“He’ll break you Chloe. When he does, I’ll be here. Just please, don’t forget that.”
I watched as he walked out of the room without another word. I dropped down into the same chair I had thrown Kadi in earlier and covered my face with my hands. I had just lost Jordan and I knew it. It was like I was reliving everything that happened with Logan all over again, only this time I was doing the right thing.