Their Heart Search: Bethany & Jordan's Story (Search Series) (8 page)

Bethany

She followed Tai back to the house and was nervous the whole time. Did she really want this information? She did, but she was scared. She liked Jordan. No, she loved him. She hadn’t admitted that to anyone. Hell, she was barely admitting it to herself, it was why she had pulled back from him a bit these last few weeks. With Raiden stalling on the proposal, she had no choice, she couldn’t afford to get crushed. 

On the back porch, Tai finally broke the silence. “Bethany, what’s wrong?” she asked. 

Bethany sighed, “I want to ask you about everything that happened with Jordan, but then I worry that makes me a shitty friend for making you relive it when I know it hurt you deeply.” That was the first she thought of that as she said those words. Did it make her a shitty friend? 

“I’ll tell you, but don’t judge him on this. If you like him, give him a chance.” At Tai’s words Jordan’s words came back to her. ‘There are two sides to every story, baby.’ Both Bethany and Tai drifted to thought, but Tai was still lost when Bethany came from her head. 

“You still here, Tai?” Bethany finally asked. 

“Yeah, sorry. I was thinking about something I have to do later.

What’s your first question?” Tai quickly refocusing on Bethany. 

“Tell me about the day of the breakup. Raiden said there were a lot of things stacked against you that day.” Tai simply nodded at her words. 

“You could say that,” Tai replied with a low chuckle. “I was called to my parents’ house and informed that after twenty-five years of marriage, they were divorcing. I was stunned and heart broken, because I always felt like their marriage was pretty close to perfect, and I wanted a marriage like theirs. That night I was excited, because Jordan was coming over and we were going out. I figured he could take my mind off the divorce but…” she paused and Bethany was worried it would be too painful, but the pause was only briefly. “But when he arrived, I knew something was wrong. That was when he said we shouldn’t get married in four months. I was confused so I asked if he wanted to postpone and he said no he didn’t think we should get married at all. I asked who the other woman was, and he denied it, but I just knew there was one.” Bethany was stunned by Tai’s omission that she knew Jordan had cheated on her. It bothered Bethany to think that sweet Jordan could have cheated on sweet Tai. On the outside looking in, she was sure they seemed like the perfect couple. 

Tai continued, “When I thought things couldn’t get worse he asked for the ring back.” Wow, why the hell would he request that? “I threw it at him and told him to get the fuck out.” That made Bethany chuckle. She didn’t blame Tai at all for that one she would’ve done the same thing. 

“I would’ve done the same thing,” she smiled.

“Yeah, things got much worse after I was here,” Tai paused and Bethany could see the pain in her eyes. This part clearly still bothered her. 

“Jordan called me not happy about my leaving and proceeded to call me gorgeous and baby.” Bethany couldn’t help but stare, perplexed at Tai. 

“Why is that bad?” she questioned. Tai laughed. 

“It wasn’t bad, it was just odd he had never called me that or beautiful, or even pretty. To Jordan, I was Tai and I was adorable and cute.” Bethany suddenly felt bad. Jordan had been calling her beautiful from that first day, and today he called her baby. Tai was indeed gorgeous so this didn’t really make sense to Bethany.

“Oh, umm…Jordan told me I was beautiful yesterday and today when he was leaving he called me baby.” Tai didn’t need to know that Jordan called her beautiful all the time. 

Tai smiled at her, but she didn’t know why, “It’s okay, Bethany. I realized a while ago I wasn’t Jordan’s
‘one’
, but I believe you are.” Bethany wanted that more than anything, but she couldn’t allow it yet. 

“Anyhow, the next morning my mom called. When I left for here we weren’t speaking, because she thought I was giving up on Jordan too easily.” Bethany was wondering when Tai’s mom would enter the picture. She knew she played an important role in the story, especially with the amount of times she had called Jordan. 

“What she said only devastated me more. She was rambling on about how Jordan called and told her I cussed him out and hung up on him. I didn’t deny it because I had and I didn’t regret it.” Bethany appreciated where Tai was coming from there, she wouldn’t have regretted that either, yet she wanted to like Jordan and she was afraid Tai was about to drop the biggest bomb. 

“Then she started talking about how she and Jordan made their mistakes.” Bethany felt her eyes widen at Tai’s words. Tai had said she suspected Jordan was cheating, but her mother. REALLY? Tai chuckled and Bethany assumed it was because her mouth was hanging open. 

“Oh my God, how do I date someone capable of that?” Bethany screeched. 

“Bethany, remember your promise. Give him a chance. He can be the most amazing guy in the world for the right woman, I know this. I firmly, with all my heart, believe you could be that girl.” Bethany had seen how sweet Jordan could be, but she was in shock with Tai’s words so she shook her head. “No, Bethany, trust me. Trust him, and most importantly, trust yourself.” Bethany pondered Tai’s words and watched a smile spread across Tai’s face. 

“You’re right, Tai; I avoided relationships for so long because I never thought Raiden would settle down. I swear he’s pickier than a woman. I didn’t want to put my heart out there only to have it crushed, because I had an obligation to fill.” She had done that once already and Kai Lukas crushed her. “One that no longer exists and now I’m terrified.” She was more than terrified of what a relationship with Jordan could bring, and she couldn’t be crushed again because it would ruin her. 

“I can appreciate not wanting to put your heart out there. I wasn’t going to give Raiden the time of day, because I was scared too. But in a matter of hours he had convinced me somehow. It was pretty surreal.” Bethany couldn’t help but laugh with Tai. Raiden, in the least, was persuasive when he wanted to be. Tai suddenly stopped laughing though and directed her attention towards the glass door. Bethany’s gaze followed and Raiden waved, flashing a smile before turning away leaving them alone as she hoped he would. 

“Hey, Bethany, what do you think he’s waiting for? He tells me all the time that he wants to marry me and I know his time is running out. I don’t understand.” Tai’s eyes focused back on Bethany when she finished talking, but Bethany didn’t have an answer for her. She had been wondering the same thing as well. 

“Been trying to figure that out myself. He doesn’t shut up about proposing and yet he hasn’t taken any action.” Bethany was confused. 

“Do you think he’s having second thoughts about us?” Shit! She hated Tai was thinking that. Raiden needed to get his ass in gear. 

Bethany felt her head start to shake before the question fully left Tai’s mouth. “No. I know for a fact that’s not it, but I’m not sure why he’s waiting, Tai. I wish I knew that answer for you, but if you want I’ll go kick his ass just for you.” Tai laughed, but Bethany was worried something was holding him back and that terrified her.

Jordan

He was waiting for her to get home. After his day at the diner he went back to the apartment and packed his things. It didn’t matter if he got to explain, he wouldn’t want to stick around if the situation was reversed. Nothing he said was going to make what happened right. He was wrong. Meredith was wrong, but he didn’t stop it and that made him…well, an asshole. 

The door opened, but he couldn’t look at his beautiful Bethany, the woman he was sure was his one and only. The woman he was sure he was about to lose before he ever had her. “You packed?” She questioned, her footsteps moving closer to him on the couch. 

“I did.” He tried to remain calm. Tried to pretend like he wasn’t about to lose his heart. 

“Why?” she asked as she said next to him. Her hand coming to his knee. Damn that felt good, no great, no fucking amazing. 

“Is my explanation going to make a difference?” he questioned back, laying his head back on the couch staring at the ceiling. 

“I made a promise to Tai, a promise to myself to listen and then make a choice. Tai told me not to judge you on this. Tai believes in us. I want to believe in us too,” she sighed.

He looked at her and covered her hand on his knee with his own. “Where do I begin?” he asked locking his eyes with hers hoping he could find some peace in them. Hoping to find some grounding in them. 

“The beginning. Tell me about wanting to break up with her changing into proposing to her. How did that come about?” He nodded at her. 

“I respect Dale and I cared about Tai. I didn’t want to break her heart, but I knew we had fizzled out. I was hoping by ending things when I decided to would help Tai and I go back to being friends.” Bethany nodded and he continued. “I called Dale and we met for lunch. I explained my feelings and while he didn’t want to see his little girl hurt, he respected me for making the choice I was. Dragging our relationship on would only make things worse when they ended.” Jordan closed his eyes and tried to focus. Oh how he wished he had just listened to his gut. 

“What changed your mind?” she asked not backing away from him. He inhaled and gathered his thoughts. 

“Meredith,” he stated simply at first. She cocked an eyebrow and he smiled at her before scratching his head. “She heard from Dale, of course, about my plans and called to ask if we could meet for coffee the next day. I agreed, figuring she was just going to berate me for wanting to break her daughter’s heart.” Bethany nodded. 

Jordan remembered the day well. He began to tell Bethany the story… “I walked into the coffee house and found Meredith.”

“Hi, Meredith.” Jordan greeted, taking the seat across from her. He was sure she was going to berate him for wanting to break Tai’s heart. Nothing could’ve prepared him for what she actually said. 

“Propose to my daughter.” She sounded desperate. Jordan was confused.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea, Meredith. I love Tai, I care about her, but our relationship isn’t going anywhere.” He tried to be firm on his decision, however, staring at Meredith he suddenly was questioning his choice. 

“My dear Jordan,” she smiled reaching across the table enclosing something in his hand. “Your relationship has stalled because you have let it. Propose and things will get better.” She patted his hand and got up to leave. Once she left, Jordan opened his hand. She had given him a ring. Jordan sighed staring at the diamond. What was he going to do now? What choice was the correct one?

“Wow, Jordan. She gave you the ring?” she asked, he just nodded in reply. “Does Tai know that?” 

“Hell no!” Jordan shouted. “I don’t want her to know either. None of that matters. What matters is what we did, what I should’ve stopped. I didn’t stop what happened. I didn’t listen to that burning inside of me that told me to break up with Tai, and honestly Tai knows all she needs to know. I’m grateful she’s putting up with me and willing to try to become friends again.” Bethany smiled at him. 

“Are you still leaving?” she asked turning to look at his things by the door. 

“Do you want me to?” She looked back at him and shook her head. 

“Good, I don’t want to leave,” he whispered, pulling her into his lap. 

“How did the affair start?” she asked, resting her head on his shoulder. He sighed as he relived that first night.