First Love (21 page)

Jordan watched as Brandan stomped out of the house. Before he left, he said, “This isn’t over.”

*

It took Drew twenty minutes to get across Gainesville. She took every shortcut she knew to avoid traffic and lights. She had no doubt Jordan was safe, but her “I need you now” text was still alarming. The first sign that something was wrong was that she was asked to show identification. She had been in and out of here so many times they knew her by her first name.

She jumped out of her car and ran up to the door. This time it was answered by an agent.

“Is Ms. Thompson here?”

The agent pointed to the kitchen. “She’s expecting you.”

Jordan was pale and visibly shaken. She was clutching the edge of the sink as if it were the only thing holding her up. Drew’s stomach lurched. “What happened?”

Jordan tried to answer but had trouble being coherent. “Please just hold me.”

“Come on, sit down. Let me get you something to drink.” She grabbed some bottled water from the refrigerator and led Jordan to the couch. “Tell me what happened.” She pulled Jordan close, whispering soothing words. Eventually, she could feel the tension in Jordan’s body dissipate. “Are you okay?”

Jordan nodded. “Thank you for coming so fast. I’m sorry. I probably shouldn’t have pulled you away from the hospital. It’s just that—”

“I’m here anytime you need me. Now, tell me what happened. Are your parents okay?”

Jordan nodded.

“Is your brother okay?”

Jordan nodded but began to cry.

Drew was at a loss. “What happened? You had lunch and a meeting at your sorority. Did something happen there?”

“No. It was when I got home. Brandan was here and made a scene.”

“Brandan?”

She told Drew what happened. “I have never seen him so angry. And the things he said. The names he called you and Mark. Why?”

Drew leaned back against the couch. She remembered the painful stories Mark had told when she first got to Gainesville. She looked at Jordan. How could she answer and still protect her? How could she explain unexplainable hate?

“Are you okay?”

Jordan nodded. “He was just so mean.”

“Did he hurt you?”

“No, but he said such terrible things.” The tears had their own life and weren’t ready to stop. “He was so angry. I didn’t know how to handle it.”

“Sweetheart, please look at me.” She kneeled in front of her so that they were now eye-to-eye. “Brandan was out of control. People sometimes say things when they’re angry. Has he ever done anything like this before?”

Jordan shook her head. “Wait. We went to see a musical. There was a scene right before intermission. There were two women kissing in the play, and he really got upset. There were a couple of events we went to that he got upset because I introduced him as a friend.” She stared at her hands. They had finally stopped shaking. She took a deep breath and told her the things Brandan had said earlier. “I don’t understand. He’s never really shown interest in me. And he doesn’t even know you or Mark.”

“Jordan, there are people who hate.” She took Jordan’s hands, stroking her palms. “Unfortunately, there’s nothing rational about that hate. They don’t have to know you. They don’t want to know you. They don’t need to know you. They just hate you for whatever reason they want. Your religion, your ethnicity or race, your sexual orientation. It’s been going on for centuries.” She was beginning to sound like her father.
I guessed I listened to more of his speeches than I thought.

Jordan was on overload. Drew could feel the tension begin to build again and see the way her eyes darted around the room. “Do you have to go anywhere right now?”

“No. I was going to have dinner at the sorority house, but I need to study.” She put one of her hands on Drew’s cheek. “Can you stay with me?”

“I can for a little while.” How was Jordan going to deal with being called names? “I have a few errands to run later. Maybe we can get some rest. Come on, let’s lie down.”

Once she was wrapped in Drew’s arms, Jordan began to talk. “I’ve never been so scared. Brandan was yelling. He was demanding that I be available whenever he scheduled some event—all political. He said he didn’t want his girlfriend hanging around a bunch of quee—”

“Queers?”

Jordan nodded. “If Mattie hadn’t been there, I don’t know what would have happened. I just stood there! I let him scream at me and say terrible things about you and Mark.”

“Jordan, that happens. We just freeze.”

“I can’t imagine that happening to you.”

“Your protection detail would never let anything happen to you.”

“If they can get to me fast enough. When we drove up, I saw Brandan’s car and asked Mattie to come in with me. Usually, I’m safe here and they leave me alone in the house.”

“You have your emergency alert.”

“I didn’t think about that. I was so scared.”

Drew pulled Jordan close so that she could wrap her arms around her. She needed to make Jordan feel safe.

“Jordan, your security will never let anything happen to you. Neither will I. And I’m sure that, in the future, you’ll remember to activate your personal alarm. It’s over. Close your eyes.” Drew began to hum.

The stress and the tension had exhausted Jordan both physically and emotionally. Drew could see it in the look in her eyes, in the way her hands were in constant motion, and the tension in her body. She gently massaged Jordan’s back. Jordan began to relax. Her breathing became even. It didn’t take long before she was asleep.

Drew lay there for a long time worrying and wondering. Whatever came their way, she needed to be ready, and she needed Jordan to know that.

*

Jordan was surprised to find Drew gone and the house dark. She quickly turned on the light by her bed.
It’s almost eight. I wonder where Drew went. I guess I should get up and study.
Jordan washed her face and then walked into the kitchen. Her protection detail had changed at four, and two of the evening crew were in the kitchen. The table was filled with food. Both men stood when she walked in.

“Please sit. And have something to eat. Did Roger fix this?”

One of the men said, “Yes.”

“Ms. Thompson, do you want us to report the earlier incident to your father? We can make sure young Mr. Carter never again comes near you.”

Jordan knew that any potential threatening event would have to be reported to her father. She and her brother had some latitude in what was reported, but all physically dangerous situations were reported regardless. Obviously, this was one of the questionable reporting events. If she reported it, she would have to explain to her parents and she didn’t know what to say. Plus, Brandan’s father had been a close personal and political friend since her father became governor of Ohio ten years ago.

Her life seemed to be slipping deeper into chaos. She was in love with a woman. She had been screamed at by a guy she barely liked who called her his future wife. And the biggie, she couldn’t tell her parents about any of this. Life was perfectly normal.

“No, I don’t think that’s necessary. It was just a misunderstanding.” She tried to blow off the experience, but the event left an impression. “But he is not to be near this place unless I give specific orders in writing.”

“Yes, ma’am. I’ll pass that on to SAIC.”

*

The next morning, Jordan called her parents to say hello and make sure nothing had been reported. The conversation focused on her father’s plans to officially announce he was running for reelection in the next couple of days. Congress was getting ready to recess for the summer, and he planned on spending most of August campaigning.

“Will you be coming here during break?” her mother asked.

Jordan hadn’t even thought about break. It was only two weeks away. “I don’t have any plans yet. I might spend part of the break with one of my friends.” Her father running for reelection meant four more years of the spotlight. For once, Jordan wasn’t sure she would survive it. “Can I let you know later?”

“Please let us know as soon as possible.” Jordan could hear the concern in her mother’s voice. She knew what was coming next. “We were hoping to have you here when your father announces. If you stay, we need the Secret Service to vet the family and check security.” There was no way Drew’s family would pass inspection. Besides, Drew hadn’t even asked her. “Let me get my classes done and I’ll let you know before finals.”

Her life had been protected for so long that she hadn’t had to deal with real threats or even Brandan’s type of behavior. She didn’t want to think about it and never wanted to see him again. “I love you, Mom. I’ll call again on Thursday.”

She texted Drew. She needed to see her.
No, I need her.

*

Drew spent the morning talking to her advisors and filling out paperwork. She planned to do an externship at the University of Wyoming Family Practice Clinic if she got it approved. By arranging the externship during spring, she could be around to help her parents with calving.

Her phone vibrated. Jordan wanted her to call. “Hi there. I’m missing you.”

“Could we have dinner tonight? I’m missing you.”

Drew smiled. Jordan’s voice was filled with longing. “Let me see if I can get some things taken care of, and I’ll be there as quick as I can.” She could hear the sigh of relief coming from the other end. “Are you okay?”

“I just need to see you. And talk to you.”

Once again, Drew let go of her panic.
Please, Jordan, things will be okay.
She tried to sound calm. “What’s up?”

“Nothing. I just wanted to talk to you.”

Relief was too mild a word for what she was feeling. “I’ll get there as quick I can. Miss you.” She needed to trust Jordan to be strong.

“Thank you.” Jordan paused. Drew wondered what was going on. “I love you.”

“Me, too.” Drew was relieved.

*

Jordan had been watching at the window for nearly thirty minutes. She couldn’t believe how much she missed Drew. She needed to calm down or she would end up putting another scar on her. Once Drew was well into the room and the door closed, she grabbed her.

“I missed you.” Jordan kissed her neck and then her ear. “Is this the way it is between all women? I can’t wait to get your clothes off and touch your body.” The smile on Drew’s face was worth the wait. “Please tell me you missed me.”

“I did.” Drew pulled Jordan close. “Let me show you.” She took Jordan’s hand and started toward the bedroom.

“Wait.” Jordan could barely contain her excitement. “Come see what I’ve done.” She led Drew into the dining room where the table was elegantly set with plates, silverware, candles, and glassware.

Drew could only stare in amazement. “It’s beautiful. You did this?”

“I wanted to have a quiet, romantic dinner with you.” She took Drew’s hands in hers. “You have made so many of my dreams come true and this is just another.”

The setting was amazing and the food smelled wonderful. Jordan was pleased.

Drew turned to Jordan. “No one outside my family has made me feel so loved. Thank you.” She kissed Jordan, a kiss filled with love and promise.

*

Dinner was not only delicious but incredibly sensual, especially with Jordan putting pieces of various foods in her mouth by hand. Drew thought she would have an orgasm more than once if she hadn’t focused on control. Dinner done, she had shown restraint long enough.

“You, my dear, are much too sexy for your own good. The only dessert I want now is you. But first, I want some music. Come help me find something to play.”

“What kind of music?”

The disappointed look on her face forced a smile. “Don’t worry. You’ll like what I’ve planned. I’ve been doing some practicing.” She opened her touch pad, found the song, and started it playing. “Ms. Thompson, may I have the pleasure of this dance?” Drew bowed then offered her hand.

A waltz began to play. Drew took Jordan’s hand. She smiled at the almost hesitant look on Jordan’s face. She listened to the music, counted to three, and led Jordan into the dance.

“You’ve been practicing. You make me so happy.”

“Then I’ll work to make each and every day better.”

She kissed Drew. “Then take me to bed and my night will be spectacular.”

*

Drew sat on the edge of the bed with Jordan on her lap. She began removing Jordan’s clothes piece by piece. She loved the softness of Jordan’s skin. The fullness of her hips and breasts. The gentle roundness of her stomach. The way she gave herself.

“You are amazing,” Drew said. She kissed between Jordan’s breasts as she slowly removed Jordan’s bra.

“Drew, please, this is torture. Let me finish getting undressed. And take your clothes off!”

“You are getting bossy.” Drew slid quickly out of her boots, jeans, and underwear. She stood and waited for Jordan to remove her shirt.

“I definitely like your shirts,” Jordan said. “I’ve fallen in love with snaps. And that you don’t wear a bra.”

“Sweetheart, it would be a waste of time. I’m afraid I am not as gifted as you. Hope you don’t mind.”

“Mind? You’re perfect.” Jordan ran her hands over Drew’s small, taut breasts. “This feels so incredible. The way you get so hard when I touch you.”

“I think we need to lie down because my knees won’t hold me up much longer.”

Jordan took Drew’s hand and pulled her down on the bed.

Drew rolled on top of her. Jordan closed her eyes as she released a groan of pleasure.

“Look at me,” Drew whispered. “You are so beautiful.”

“You make me feel beautiful.”

“You are beautiful.”

“Show me.” Jordan opened her legs and let Drew take her to such wonderful places.

*

Sometime during the night, Jordan asked Drew what she was doing during break. “We only have a week and I had planned to fly out to Wyoming.” She took a deep breath and plowed ahead. “Would you like to meet my family? David and Mark are also going with me. I thought we could all be together.”