When Sparks Fly (85 page)

I grab my purse and head for the door. My heart is pounding, my head may explode and my hands are shaking so badly I have to curl them into fists to get them under control. I have never stood up to my family in this manner before…

But I have more to say to them before I leave.

I stalk back into the room and all eyes turn to me. “Just one more thing. I understand that you have no respect for me. But I will not tolerate you speaking disrespectfully of Grant. He is a part of my life, whether you like it or not. I don’t know if this will last a day, a year, or forever, but that’s irrelevant. He is a great man and I will not allow you to smear him because you don’t understand how selfless and amazing he is.”

I slam the front door as I leave, partly because I’m so upset, but mostly because I know it will drive my mother to distraction. She cannot stand slamming doors or other dramatic displays that she doesn’t initiate.

I’m halfway home before my breathing slows to a somewhat normal pace, and things around me come back into focus. I’m still shaking, though.

I have never before stood up for myself. Never raised my voice to my father.

Holy shit! I did it!
Laughter bursts from my lungs, filling the interior of the car. It rolls through my body and before long tears stream down my face. I feel lighter. Freer than I have ever felt in my life.

By the time I walk through the door of my condo, the adrenaline high has all but dissipated and I’m completely drained of energy.

I strip out of my clothes and crawl into bed. It’s late here, which means really late for Grant.
He’s fast asleep. No need to wake him. We can talk tomorrow.

I type out a quick text message to him.

I plug the phone into the charger on my nightstand and turn out the light. Nothing like having a screaming match with your family to make you tired as hell, but completely relaxed. Tomorrow is going to be a new day, with a bright new beginning.

Time to start dreaming big.

*

Grant

My alarm blares heavy metal at four in the morning, shaking me from a dead sleep. Too many beers had been consumed last night waiting to hear from Jordyn. I finally gave up and went to bed.

I roll over, grabbing the phone off the bedside table. A text from Jordyn came in a couple of hours ago.

**Dead tired. Will call in the morning. We need to talk.**

What the fuck does that mean?

My mind is going crazy sorting through all the possibilities, but only one seems clear. Jordyn decided to listen to her family. I’m out and Jeremy’s back in.

Something inside me snaps. I’m not waiting around for her to get a good night’s sleep, well rested enough to break my heart. If she wants to end what has barely started, something that could’ve been amazing if she had just given it half a chance, then she’s going to do it on my timeline, not hers.

I press the speed dial button for her and wait while it rings.

A sleepy voice answers. “Hello?”

Damn, why does she have to sound so sweet and sexy right now?

“Hey, Jordyn, it’s Grant. Sorry to wake you, but I have to go fly so I won’t be reachable for a few hours.” It’s partly true. I do have to fly, but I’ll be done by mid-morning and could’ve let her sleep longer.

“Hey, babe… no, it’s fine. I would’ve called when I got back last night, but I didn’t want to wake you.” I can hear the rustle of sheets and dammit if my mind doesn’t instantly wonder if she’s alone.

“So, you said we need to talk. I’m all ears.” I’m trying my damnedest to take Beeper’s suggestion and not make her prove she’s trustworthy before she does something that makes me truly question it, but my voice has a distinct sting to it.

“Yeah, big fireworks. I still can’t believe it. I have finally figured out what my family was saying, what they have been trying to get me to do. They actually admitted it.”

My stomach twists into a tight knot. Yep, this is it. She’s going to tell me how she’s giving Jeremy a chance. All the air rushes from my lungs like the wind has been knocked out of me.

“Are you okay? Is something wrong?” She asks.

“Yeah, I’m fine, just tell me what happened.” I slump onto the bed. My head drops to my chest and I close my eyes. I don’t want this to happen. I’ve been here before, and it sucks every single time. But somehow, even though we haven’t known each other long, haven’t spent much time together, this one already hurts more than any of them. Even Rachel.

“Well,” she starts, “I told Jeremy to pull his head out of his ass and stop trying to make something out of our nothing relationship. I told him it was never going to happen between us, and that I was done talking about it. Over. Finished. Good-bye.”

Her voice is so strong… and happy. So resolved, and I’m so enthralled with the melodic way she’s speaking that I nearly miss what she’s said.

She told Jeremy to take a hike for good
. My eyes open and my head comes up. I start breathing again.

“Think he’ll listen?” I ask, the pissyness all but gone.

“No, but it doesn’t matter. I made sure he knew I’m not going to change my mind and I’m done trying to make it less awkward for him.”

“Wow.” I ran my hand over my face.
I am awake, right? This is not a dream?
Guilt is battling with relief and happiness. I thought the worst of her. It wasn’t fair. She’s not responsible for what happened in my past relationships. And she shouldn’t have to pay for what others have done.

“Yeah, but that’s not the best part. After Jeremy left, I went back inside and told my parents and brother to stay the hell out of my life.”

“And how did that go?”

“Well, it started out with them being their usual condescending selves, but this time I didn’t avoid the fight. I actually had it – and I think I won!”

“Really? What did you say?” I glance at the clock.
Shit, I hadn’t really thought the call would take this long
. I figured she would tell me it was over and I would hang up on her. Five minutes tops.

I have to get ready and get out the door. I walk into the bathroom and turn on the hot water.

“Well, I basically told them that I was done with them dictating my life and to back off. I mean, we said more stuff, but my brain’s not functioning well at the moment – I’ll have to give you the blow-by-blow when I’m more awake. But, you would’ve been proud of me, Grant. I finally told them off.”

“I am proud of you, baby. And I can’t wait to hear about every word you said. It sounds like you let go of a ton of crap you’ve been holding onto. That’s gotta feel good, huh?” I press the speakerphone button and place the phone on the shelf next to the sink.

“It did. It does!” She lets out a yawn and laughs. “I owe you, Cary Grant, my leading man and sexy hero.”

“For what?” I ask, slathering shaving cream over my face and neck.

“If I never met you, and you hadn’t made me promise to take back my life – to dream about all the possibilities I’ve never considered – I wouldn’t have said anything to my family. I wouldn’t have my own voice. So that makes you pretty amazing in my book, and I think I’ll keep you, if that’s okay with you?”

I freeze. Her words hit me like a tidal wave, nearly knocking me over.

“Yeah, that’s okay. That’s absolutely okay.” My voice is husky and I have a lump in my throat. This woman, damn, she brings out emotions in me that I desperately want to keep locked away for a little while longer.

She yawns into the phone again. “Hey, babe, would it be okay if we talked later? I’m wiped out and need to get a little more sleep before I go to work and face the aftermath of last night’s escapades.”

“Yeah, of course. I’m sorry I woke you.”

“Okay, talk to you soon. Be safe up there in the clouds, but come back to earth. I’d be lost without you…” Her voice fades off and I listen to her slow, even breathing. I spent a fair amount of time over that weekend in Tahoe listening to the sound of her sleeping.

My head is spinning and buzzing, and I put my hands on the counter to steady myself. She said everything I need to hear.

“I’ll always come back for you, Jordyn,” I whisper into the phone and reluctantly hit the end button.

‡
Chapter Two

Jordyn

August

My brother knocks on my office door and sits in the chair across the desk from me. It’s been a tense two weeks since the verbal explosion at my parent’s house, but I’m determined to make it through the next few days before I leave for Virginia Beach without creating waves.

“So, something has come up and I’ll be unable to attend the textile conference in Chicago this weekend. Dad and I have talked, and decided you’ll have to go in my place.” I look at him and wonder if that smug smile ever leaves his face. It’s been a while since I’ve seen him genuinely smile.

“No can do,” I say, plastering a fake smile on. “I’m going to Virginia Beach this weekend.”

“Jordyn, this is far more important than a wild weekend of sex with your fly boy. The company has a huge exhibit at this convention, and we need you to be there to represent the family. You can go on your little vacation the following week.”

“Uh, no, actually I can’t. Grant will be out to sea the following week. That’s why we chose this weekend for me to go out there. Get someone else to go. We have plenty of employees that can stand in for you.”

“Jordyn, we have a family business. We have a reputation to uphold, and we have always had a family member at this convention representing the company. Dad and I are unable to attend, which leaves you. There is no one else.”

I lean back in my chair, cross my arms over my chest and narrow my eyes at him. “You did this on purpose just to fuck with my weekend.”

“This is your family, Jordyn, and we need you. That used to mean something. Now, MaryAnne has already changed all the travel and hotel reservations into your name. I will have her forward the itinerary and conference schedule. You leave on Wednesday. Have a nice trip.”

He leaves the office without another word. Icy tingles prickle across my scalp slowly rolling through my body.

This is going to ruin everything.
God, how am I going to tell Grant I can’t come?
He’s been sending me links to all the places he’s going to take me. We’ve spent the last two weeks talking about all the things we want to do.

And in the course of a two-minute conversation, it’s all blown to hell.

My father and brother figured out a way to keep Grant and me apart. They know I’m looking forward to visiting Grant. They can see that I’m happy. Happier than I’ve been in a long time – maybe ever.

And none of it matters to them. The only thing driving them is their need to control me. There insatiable quest to grow their financial and social influence. I mean nothing beyond what I can do for them, what I can bring in that they can manipulate for their own purpose.

I put my head back and close my eyes. Eddie’s voice is in my head,
this is your family, Jordyn, and we need you. That used to mean something
. My blood simmers through my veins. They need me, but what about what I need? My family has never given a damn about what I want.

They never will.

Another conversation floods my mind. During the argument at my parent’s house, Eddie said something.
Are you going to give up your career and follow him around?