Chapter Thirteen
Jordan
I see the lines of tension around Jay’s mouth, and I have to use all my strength to keep from saying something.
Summer has been floating around the apartment for the past hour, moving things and leaving a trail of clutter as she goes.
“I think the energy of the space would feel so much more open with a water feature in the corner,” she says, assessing the layout.
“If there’s a water feature over there, it means the toilet is leaking from upstairs,” Jay says in return as she sets down a book a little too firmly.
Summer gives Jay a patronizing look, and again I have to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from telling Summer to pick another face.
“How long are you planning on staying here for?” Jay asks in a straightforward tone that anyone could pick up on. Summer, however, isn’t just anyone.
“Didn’t you get my postcard from Sedona?” she says airily, laying out a blanket in the middle of the floor in the living room and crisscrossing her legs. She sits like she’s about to meditate with her hands on her knees and her back straight.
“No. I haven’t heard a word from you in months.” Jay twists a towel from the kitchen in her hands until I think it may rip in half.
“I’m sure you just misplaced it.” Summer makes a waving motion around the pristine apartment, where everything is in order except for what she’s moved. “Anyway, I’m coming to stay with you for a while. I’ve finished my recent healing journey, and I’m going to live here with you in New York until I find my next guide.”
“Your next what?” I can’t help the question that pops out of my mouth. I look over and see Jay shake her head and roll her eyes.
“My next spiritual guide,” Summer answers, like I’m the idiot.
Jay is steaming. I can almost see it coming out of her ears. Not only has her sister come in and disrupted her order and peace, she’s made a statement to move in without a single question asked. I might be an only child, but that seems like a pretty dick move from a sibling.
“Jay, can I talk to you in the bedroom?” I ask, seeing her hands clenched in fists as her face gets red.
“Summer, are you serious right now? I don’t hear from you for months, and then you show up saying you’re going to live with me?” Her voice is getting higher, and though I should stop this, I think she kind of needs her moment. “The last time you did this, you took over my place for almost a year without paying me a dime for rent or groceries or anything. I’m not doing it again. You’re my sister, and I will help you in any way I can, but I can’t enable you to act like this. I’m not a last resort. If you need help, I’m sure there’s room at the farm with Mom and Dad.”
Summer sits back on her hands and shakes her head. “They’re full right now. I already checked. Come on, you can’t kick me out on the streets.”
When I see the tremors go down Jay’s back, I grab her arm and half drag her to the bedroom. When we get there, I close the door behind us and sit her on the bed as I go to the closet. I grab two big suitcases and put them out on the bed beside her, flinging them open.
I grab the contents of her dresser, scooping up everything in both my arms and dumping them into the bag. For a woman, she really doesn’t have a ton of clothes. Next, I go to the closet, lifting the clothes—still attached to the hangers—and fold the pile in half. I stuff the clothes down in the other suitcase. Then I see a large gym bag in the bottom of her closet and decide to use that for her shoes. I’m almost finished filling it up when I hear Jay finally speak.
“Jordan, what are you—”
“This is really simple, little bird. Summer can stay here and you can stay with me until you get this worked out. It’s perfect.”
“What? I’ve never even been to your place. I can’t just move in with you.” She stands up and holds her arms out like this whole thing is too much.
“There’s plenty of room. You’ll love it.” I toss the bag of shoes beside the suitcases and hold out another bag for her to get her bathroom stuff. “Unless you want me to put your lady business in here, I’ll let you handle that.”
“My lady business? Seriously? Has everyone lost their damn mind today?” She drops her head in her hands, and I walk over to her, sitting down on the bed and pulling her into my lap.
“Shhh. I’m here. Hey,” I say, making her look up at me. “Do you trust me?”
Her dark eyes shine with unshed tears, but she smiles and nods. “You know I do.”
“Then trust that no matter what happens today, tomorrow, or fifty years from now, I’ve got you. I’ll take care of anything that comes our way, and you don’t have to worry. You let me do that for you. Okay?”
“Is it really that simple?” There’s so much hope in her voice, and it makes me proud that I’m able to answer that for her.
“It is. When it comes to me and you and the way I feel about you, nothing could be simpler.” I reach out and cup her cheek. “Jay, I—”
“Jay, is this garlic free-range gluten-free?” Summer shouts as she busts open the door without knocking.
I hold back the growl that’s forming in my chest, because I don’t want to say something to Summer I can’t take back. No matter how aggravated Jay is, this is still her family. And to be honest, this probably wasn’t the best time for that conversation. I want to be able to make that special.
Without answering Summer, Jay turns to me and a look of finality passes over her face. “Do you need me to carry one of these bags?”
“I think I can manage,” I answer winking at her.