Legally Brawn (Rom-Com Reboot), page 10
The morning was a blur. I worked with Maggie, listening with only half an ear as she chattered happily about her new boyfriend, Mike of the bloody nose. I went through the motions, wishing this could be one of the mornings Jordan had agreed to return. I needed to see him, talk to him.
What if he wasn’t okay with what happened? What if he regretted it?
There was no time before class, and once again, it was the class Jordan didn’t TA. It felt as if every minute was an hour. I pulled out my phone and tapped out a text.
Ellis:
See you for coffee soon! =)
Jordan:
Can’t make it today. Raincheck?
My heart sank. Dang it. I needed to see him, to reassure myself we were good, and the world just kept conspiring against me.
Ellis:
Okay, so we’ll meet at the Flex Gym this afternoon, then?
Jordan:
Actually, my schedule worked better to go by this morning. I’ve interviewed staff. You can check out the equipment and let me know anything useful.
I sucked in a breath. Damn. He wasn’t avoiding me, was he?
Ellis:
Are we okay?
Jordan:
Of course we are! Just busy. Talk later?
Ellis:
Okay, sure =)
“Mr. Woods, do you have something more important to do right now?” Professor Green snapped out.
I dropped my phone back into my bag. “No, Ma’am. Sorry. I was just…”
“Yes? Tell us all since you’ve distracted us from class.”
I winced while Vic gloated and Clay watched, his forehead creased with concern. A few days ago, his concern for me would have felt like a victory. But now? I was too worried about Jordan to feel much of anything about anyone else.
“I, uh, was just confirming an appointment for my internship with Callahan,” I said weakly. “Sorry.”
It wasn’t a total lie. I had asked Jordan about that appointment.
And he blew me off. Shit.
“Well, I’m sure Professor Callahan appreciates your dedication, but let’s focus on class while we’re here, hm? You might learn something useful for that case you’re working on.”
I nodded. “Of course. Sorry.”
I pushed my personal thoughts away and focused on taking notes. When class ended, relief swept through me. Finally, I could put an end to this torture.
Jordan might have blown off seeing me, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t track him down and make sure he was okay. That we were okay.
I headed out the door, striding down the hallway, and burst through the front door. I pulled out my phone to ask Jordan where he was right then. Probably Callahan’s office—
“Ellis!” Clayton called.
I half turned, eyebrows raised. I didn’t see Victor. “Why aren’t you with your worse half?”
He snorted a laugh. “Wow, that was downright mean. You’ve changed, Ellis.”
I winced. “Sorry.”
He shook his head, a grin tugging at his lips. “Don’t be. It’s a good change. You were too sweet before. Too soft.” His gaze swept over my chest and arms. “Well, emotionally, anyway. Your body has always been rock-hard.”
I shifted, uncomfortable under his blatant once-over. Last night, he’d drank in my appearance and it had felt like a victory in the midst of Victor’s scheme. But now? With Jordan so fresh in my mind? I wasn’t sure I liked his attention.
He’d walked out on me. Told me I wasn’t good enough.
“So, listen, Ellis,” he said. “I thought maybe we should talk.”
“About what?”
“Us.”
I blinked. “What about us?”
“We were good together,” Clay said, taking a step closer. “I miss the fun we had.”
“The fun,” I echoed, remembering he’d used similar words to dump me.
“Yeah.” He stroked his hand down my arm, toward my wrist, then loosely tangled our fingers. “There’s no reason we shouldn’t enjoy each other. We’re both young and hot, and—”
“What about Vic?”
Clayton shrugged. “We’re engaged, but we’re not married yet, Ellis. I don’t owe him anything.”
I tugged my hand away. “I disagree.”
“I know you still want me,” Clay said. “That slutty costume was for me, right? That kiss with Jordan?” He scoffed. “I gotta give you credit. You wanted to make me jealous, and it worked. But now it’s time to take your reward.”
He snaked his arm around my waist, tugging me forward. Clayton’s eyelids lowered, his mouth nearing mine, and I reacted on instinct.
I thrust out my hands and shoved him so hard he stumbled back two feet and would have landed on his ass if not for Victor, who’d just walked up behind him.
“Seriously?” Vic spit out, eyes alight with fury.
I opened my mouth to explain, to apologize, something, but Vic ripped off his engagement ring and threw it at Clay’s head before I could find the words.
“You think you can cheat on me with your ex? We go to school on the same campus. It took two seconds for one of my friends to text me and tell me you were putting the moves on Ellis.”
“I wasn’t—” Clay started.
“You were,” I said.
“You’re such an idiot!” Victor flung out. Then he sent a glare toward me. “And you, you’ve been after him since you got here. Why are you pushing him away now?”
“I finally realized he’s not worth it.” I paused. “And you deserve better, Vic. We both do.”
Clayton huffed. “You got this all wrong. Ellis was the one hitting on me. I shouldn’t have let him get to me, but—”
“Just stop lying,” Vic said. “I’m over it.”
He spun away, and Clayton turned toward me.
I shook my head. “You’re on your own, Clay. I need a partner who can be my equal, and that’ll never be you.”
I left him sputtering in shock and jogged to catch up with Victor.
“Hey, are you okay?”
He glared at me. “Look, you didn’t sleep with my fiancé. Good for you for being a decent human. But that doesn’t make us best friends.”
“I know. I just remember how I felt the night it ended with us, and—”
“I’m not you,” Vic said sharply. “I don’t get hurt. I get even.”
I raised my eyebrows. “Okay…” I hesitated. “How are you going to do that?”
“I’m going to find someone ten times better than Clayton. That’s how.”
I grinned, new certainty lighting me up. “You know, that’s what I did too.”
Victor nodded as if he wasn’t surprised. “You and Jordan?”
“I hope so,” I said. “We hooked up last night, but then—”
“Again, we’re not best friends,” Vic said.
I clamped down on my words. “Right. Sorry. It’s just that everything’s a bit weird right now and I’m not sure what to do.”
“I’ve seen how he looks at you. That man is gone over you.”
“You think so?”
“Ugh.” Vic shoved my arm. “Just go before you make me sick. I’m trying not to punch you.”
“Right, got it.” I spun away, intent on tracking Jordan down. “Thanks, Vic! And just so you know, I think we could be friends.”
“Get the fuck out of here,” he yelled, sounding pissed. “Fucking hell.”
I darted down the sidewalk. Victor was still a prickly, sharp-edged bastard, but I realized now he was a bit like a cornered animal, scared I’d take Clay from him. He was still an asshole, and we probably wouldn’t ever be good friends, but that didn’t mean I wouldn’t try.
Because I knew what it was like to be crushed by Clayton’s disregard and disrespect.
I also knew that was something Jordan would never do.
I pulled out my phone and called Austin. “Hey, I need a favor.”
“What’s up?”
“I need you to find out where Jordan is right now.”
“Well, that’s easy. He just left here.” Austin hesitated. “He seemed a little distracted.”
At least I wasn’t the only one.
“Do you know where he went?”
“He said he was headed home to catch up on some homework.”
“Thanks, Austin.”
“Are you going to fix him?”
“Fix him?”
“You know what I mean. Tell me you’re going to go over there to give him some good news.”
“I sure hope it’s good news,” I said. “I think… No, I know that I’m over Clayton. I am so beyond over him.”
“What brought on this epiphany?”
“Jordan’s a great kisser.”
“Fucking finally,” he said.
“He’s great at everything, really. Last night—”
“TMI, Ellis. Just go get your man.”
I blinked. “Right. Yeah. Good idea. You think he’ll really be mine if I ask?”
“I think he’s been yours all along. He was just waiting for you to see it.”
CHAPTER 17
Jordan
Metallica blasted from my speakers while I typed up my notes from the interviews I’d done with Flex Gym staffers earlier that day.
It didn’t do much to drown out my guilt over ghosting Ellis. I’d rescheduled my visit to the gym to avoid him because I didn’t know how to face him yet.
I would figure it out, though. Even if all Ellis wanted was friendship after that incredible night, I’d find a way to give it to him. I’d give him anything, really. Even my broken heart.
I frowned down at the interview notes, trying to focus. Not one of the staffers remembered a complaint being made by the plaintiff. There was not a single written report of any issues involving the FitnessMaster. They could have been lying. Even though I was working on behalf of the gym, they might be afraid of losing their job for screwing the pooch. But I didn’t think so. They’d seemed genuinely baffled.
I typed in another line or two before my mind drifted once again to last night. To the way Ellis had pulled me into his bed. The teasing sparkle in his eye as he mentioned putting his muscle to good use.
Fuck.
How could I ever forget the intimacy of that moment? I didn’t want to forget it. I wanted to tuck it somewhere safe, so I could pull it out and savor it again and again. But if Ellis wanted to forget it, if he wanted to move on with Clay or someone else, my treasure would become torture.
There was a thud at my front door. It startled me from my thoughts.
I barely heard it over the music blaring through the apartment. I walked over to the stereo and turned the volume dial down. The thud became a pounding.
“Jordan!” Ellis called through the door. “I know you’re in there!”
My heart jumped. What was Ellis doing here? He should be at Flex, inspecting their equipment.
He wailed on the door some more. “Jordie, if you don’t open up, I swear to—”
I yanked the door open. “Ellis?”
“Hi,” he said softly.
Then he grasped my face and kissed me.
I stiffened, caught off-guard. Questions tumbled through my head. This time, I wasn’t so caught up in the moment I could ignore them.
Ellis pulled back, eyes worried. “Jordan, did I get it wrong? Are you upset about what happened last night?”
“I…” I swallowed and shook my head. “I don’t know how I feel.”
The shattered expression on his face was a knife to my heart. I never wanted to hurt Ellis.
“It’s just, I don’t do casual sex,” I said. “Friends with benefits just isn’t something I think I can handle.”
Ellis nodded. “I don’t think that would work for either of us.”
I swallowed hard. “Yeah, I figured as much. I hope you don’t regret last night.”
“No!” Ellis exclaimed. “Never. Last night was amazing, Jordan. I…can’t even express what it meant to me.”
“Me too,” I managed.
“Can I come in? I think we should talk.”
I hesitated. Ellis stood in the hallway outside my apartment. I guarded the threshold like some sort of gargoyle.
Was I ready to handle the aftermath of finally getting a taste of what I could have with Ellis if things were different? If he wasn’t in love with Clay, but was instead in love with me?
“Please,” Ellis said softly.
That was all it took. The key to all my defenses. I stepped back and let him inside.
“I’m not sure we really need to talk,” I hedged, retreating toward my couch, where I’d left my laptop open on the coffee table.
I realized my mistake when Ellis sat beside me, so close his knees brushed mine. He rested one large hand on my thigh. The closeness made it impossible to guard myself against the hurt if this conversation went badly.
“Jordie, last night was great. I never really imagined how good it could be with us. I was blind to that, and I’m sorry.”
I blinked, confused. “You don’t need to apologize. If anyone should, it’s me. I know how you feel about Clay. I shouldn’t have let things go so far—”
“No,” Ellis cut me off. “That’s where you’re wrong.”
“What do you mean?”
Ellis licked his lips, looking nervous for the first time. “I, uh…I told Clay to kick rocks. I don’t want him back.”
My heart lurched, and I spoke before my brain caught up. “Fucking finally!”
Ellis looked chagrined. “Yeah, I’m a little slow, I guess.”
I winced. “No, fuck, I’m sorry. Are you okay? I know how you love him.”
“That’s just it, Jordie. I don’t love him anymore.”
“Oh. Well, that’s…good.”
Ellis started to smile. “Aren’t you going to ask me why I realized that today of all days?”
My throat tightened, and my heart began to race ahead. Was this it? Would Ellis finally say what I’d wanted to hear? I’d been afraid to hope for so long I almost couldn’t get the words out.
Almost.
Ellis was here. He was smiling encouragingly at me. And it was past time for me to step up and acknowledge the love I held for my best friend.
“Why, El?” I asked, surprised my voice came out so even and calm.
“Because last night I realized that I’ve gone and fallen in love with you.”
He raised a trembling hand to my cheek, looked deeply into my eyes, and said, “Jordie, would you consider being my boyfriend? If you only want friendship, I’ll understand. But I want more. I think I would have figured it out a lot sooner if I wasn’t so set on this stupid quest to win back Clay, and I—”
This time, I surged forward to kiss him.
Unlike me, Ellis didn’t go rigid and unresponsive. He pulled me in and met my urgent kiss, parting his lips, flicking out his tongue, and greeting me as if I hadn’t run out on him last night.
Oh god. I totally ran out on him.
“I’m sorry,” I murmured, then kissed him again. “Shouldn’t have left last night.” Kiss. “I was afraid.”
Kiss. kiss kiss.
I couldn’t keep my lips off him. Not now that he’d granted me access to his beautiful mouth. Ellis chuckled into our kisses, mumbling responses in the few seconds I gave him as our lips parted then reunited again and again.
“Should have seen it sooner,” Ellis said, holding me tighter. “Seen what you meant to me.”
I pressed my forehead to his, breathing hard, and closed my eyes. “Are you sure this is… I’m not a rebound, am I? You’ve been invested in Clay for a long time.”
“You’re not a rebound,” Ellis said. “I was holding on to a fantasy. You’re the real thing.”
I opened my eyes, meeting his intent blue ones. My lips quirked. “No one would accuse me of a being a fantasy, that’s for sure.”
Ellis pulled back, mouth twisting. “Don’t do that.”
My heart dropped. “What?”
“Don’t put yourself down. You did it last night too. Do you think I dragged you into my room and got you naked because I don’t like what I see?”
“Uh…” I wasn’t sure how to answer that. I’d been a geek my whole life, burying myself in books because I didn’t know how to connect with people.
Ellis had always been different. He’d been too friendly, too sweet, too warm for awkward distance to ever stand a chance. He’d not broken the ice so much as melted it away with one glorious smile.
I didn’t see myself as special, but for some unfathomable reason, he did.
“Sorry,” I managed.
“That’s okay.” Ellis brushed a thumb over my bottom lip. “Just watch it, okay? That’s my boyfriend you’re talking about, and I think he’s pretty freaking amazing.” He paused. “And hot. I seriously want in his pants again as soon as possible.”
I gave a shaky laugh. “Sorry, didn’t mean to insult such an awesome guy.”
“Good,” Ellis said. “Now, let’s kiss and make up.”
This was really happening, then. Ellis wanted me. Last night wasn’t a fluke. Wasn’t a one-time impulsive hookup that Ellis would regret.
Last night was the beginning of more. The beginning of everything I was certain I’d never have.
I pulled him into another kiss, this one soft and sweet. Then paused.
“Wait, aren’t you supposed to be at the gym inspecting equipment?”
“Maybe?” He pulled away. “I guess I could go—”
“No,” I growled, tugging him back to me for a longer kiss. “We’ll go together.”
“Later?”
I swung a leg over his hip and settled into his lap to kiss him harder. “Much later.”
CHAPTER 18
Ellis
When Jordan led me to his bedroom, the ground shifted under my feet. I’d had my share of casual sex. I’d had other boyfriends. But like with Clay, they’d been based on attraction first, relationship second.
And look how well that had worked out with my ex.
He was Prince Charming on the surface—but only on the surface.
Jordan was rough around the edges. He wore dorky ties, and his wavy brown hair was always wild. He said what he was thinking—sometimes without filtering himself first. He could come across as rude to someone who didn’t know him.
