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He turned back to their mother. “I’m booked in for a retreat this week, just a few days. A quick top up of the mental health. After that I’m back to California. Things are really ramping up at Laguna Beach, so I don’t expect I’ll be back on the East Coast before we do the soft opening in September.”
A moment of silence followed, and he suspected that both his mother and brother were thinking the same thing.Jordan is taking time to make sure he stays clean and healthy.
Matthew patted him on the arm, and after slipping out of Jordan’s hold, he headed over to where his father and the chef were busy turning the meat. Jordan was grateful for his brother allowing him a private moment with their mother.
Alice accepted Jordan’s non-sloppy kiss on the cheek. “I know Matthew loves to tease you. In fact you both enjoy giving one another torment, but he does worry about you, darling. We all do. So tell me are you well? Are you happy?”
Alice, god bless her, kept to a regular schedule of checking up on Jordan’s sobriety. He expected she was privy to his drug tests, but he was grateful that she didn’t ever bring them up. Instead, his mother stuck to offering him words of support every six months or so. The Fourth of July and Christmas Eve had become by default those exact dates. No doubt she was also well aware of the company sanctionedhealth retreatsJordan attended at least once a year. Health retreat looked better in the board minutes rather than drug treatment facility.
“I’m okay, Mom. Busy, but I’m taking care of myself.”
Alice nodded her silent acceptance of his words. Like all good mothers she worried about her children, but she didn’t push things. Jordan was grateful for her support. Even now all these years later, he still carried the heavy burden of the memory of his mother signing the papers to admit him to the rehab facility. And as the nurse led him away, watching her collapse sobbing into Matthew’s arms. It had been the lowest point of Jordan’s life, one he was determined never to repeat.
The folly of not telling the rest of his family about Chloe now laid itself bare. If he’d been man enough to raise the subject months ago, he would be in a position to confide his relationship issues with his mother. As it was, his earlier choices now compelled him to hide the truth. More lies.
When will I learn that keeping things from the people, I love always costs me, and them, so dearly?
Alice would love Chloe, he was sure of it. His mom would see the amazing, sweet woman behind the bright pop star image, and welcome her into the family.
I want to tell her about Chloe, but then she would have to tell dad. I can’t do it, not yet. A couple more months, then the time will be right.
In the meantime, he’d take Matthew’s advice about doing his all to keep Chloe in his life. Tomorrow, he’d ask Sheila to reschedule the health retreat booking—a few weeks wouldn’t hurt. It was more important for him to get back to California. Back to Chloe.
And save our relationship.
CHAPTERTWENTY-SIX
He wouldn’t eat again for another week. The burgers and barbequed vegetables had been excellent. By the time he left his parent’s home in the early evening, Jordan was certain he had eaten close to his own body weight.
His father had politely begged him to stay, but Jordan was determined to get home and watch the Fourth of July, All American Music Awards as they were streamed live from LA. As soon as they were over, he’d try and call Chloe.
Back at his elegant apartment in New York City, Jordan changed into a pair of sweatpants, grateful for their relaxed waistband. Clicking on the TV he tuned in to the station which was scheduled to be broadcasting the show. Shifting some clean laundry from his favorite spot on the couch, he settled in to watch. Jordan caught sight of his red and whiteThe World is My LoverChloe tour T-shirt which was on the top of the pile of clothes. Grinning as he recalled the night a well-sated, Chloe had given it to him, he snatched the shirt up and put it on.
Now I do look like a true Chloe fanboy. A member of Chloe’s Garden.
But unlike all the other fans, she was the only one who screamed his name. Who sobbedJordanas he brought her to climax.
I should have made her my priority. I should be with her tonight. I’m going to book the jet and get back to LA first thing in the morning. I am going to make everything right with her. I love this woman.
The big gold All American Music Awards symbol filled the screen. It was accompanied by the grand introductory music, and the voice of some well-known TV host.
The screen cut to an image of the bright lights of downtown California and the red carpet. Famous people and celebrities were all gathered in front of the cameras. All smiling, waving, and being utterly fabulous. Jordan didn’t honestly give two shits about any of them—he wanted to see Chloe.
He’d been an utter dick. Too worried about the optics of all this and how other people would view it. About what his father might say. He’d let Chloe’s possessive little entourage get under his skin. He was less of a man for it all.
Matthew had been right, priorities did suck. But only when you didn’t understand which ones of them were truly important. What really mattered. Chloe mattered.
This amazing woman, who lights up my life. I’ve let her down. I’ve hurt her.
None of what anyone else might think of the two of them as a couple counted. No one else but him and Chloe. He loved her. He should have said something by now, but he’d allowed his constant self-doubt to hold him back.
The night she came back from London. I nearly said it then. Why didn’t I?
The second he got back to LA, he would tell her how he felt. He would wait patiently for Chloe to rip him a new one, and then when she was done, tell him what she wanted. If it was him, then he was ready and willing to hand her his heart. To take that risk. If she asked for them to go public, he would do it. All the lies and hiding would be behind them.
We can do this Chloe, you, and me.
“And now the moment you have all been waiting for, the arrival of pop princess, Chloe. Her latest album is racing up the charts. And … rumor has it she has fallen in love with a sexy new man.”
