Close to you

Chapter 6

The last few days I’ve spent looking for a place to live. I’ve found a place I would really love to stay at just down from The Brig. Yesterday, I spent the day at my parent’s house helping them pick vegetables from their garden, then we had a wonderful dinner on the patio as we reminisced about the last few years. Rose has bugged me for the last two days to come see her. The look of shame on her face when she saw me and Cody stays stuck in my head. I can’t get over how reckless I was that night. But I finally agreed to meet her for dinner. 

“Can we get two refills, please?” Rose asks the waiter, as she points to our empty wine glasses. I drank my first one within minutes of arrival hoping it would braven me the conversation I know we are about to have. “So are you ready for work tomorrow?”

“Yeah, I think so. I grabbed a few new outfits.” I nod. “Do you know who might be working tomorrow?”

“Jordan will be the one helping to train you, so he will be there. I usually only work days, so we probably won’t work together a ton but I’m always around.” She informs me.

“Good. I’ll be glad to know someone.” I take another sip of my wine.

“Jordan asked me to go on a date with him.” She spills. “Crazy, isn’t it? An actual official date.”

“Wow. What did you tell him?” I questioned.

“I told him yes. Jordan is great. He is so amazing to me and always keeps me smiling. Yet, sometimes it feels a little too perfect. You know? Sometimes when I’m with him I think that there is no other place I’d rather be. Other times, I feel suffocated and feel like I need to escape. I just don’t know if I’m ready for a serious commitment. I’m still so young.” She thinks out loud.

“I completely understand. But you have to remember to keep your mind and heart open for the opportunity. You never know when it is going to come around. Jordan might not be the one for you but on the other hand he could be. He could be everything you have been waiting for and you just haven’t let yourself see it yet.” I explained to her.

“Yeah, you could be right.” She pauses. “I’m going to run to the restroom real fast.”

Just as she walks past the front doors of the restaurant I notice Cody and Jordan walk in. I watch as they start to walk over to the bar but Jordan notices me and taps Cody’s arm. I’m not sure what he said because Cody never looks this way. Jordan changes his direction to head straight towards me. 

“Hey. Are you here by yourself?” Jordan asks as he approaches.

“Oh, no. Rose is in the restroom. We were just getting some dinner.” I told him. 

Jordan sits down in Rose’s chair and starts talking about what he and Cody have been up to all day. I notice as Rose comes out from the restroom and stops to talk to Cody. She points in mine and Jordan’s direction and Cody turns to look back. I smile when his eyes meet mine but he doesn’t respond. He turns back to Rose and grabs his drink from the bar. A few minutes later Rose walks over to the table. 

“Hey, mama.” Jordan says seductively while he runs his hand up her arm as he stands from her seat. “I’ve missed you.”

“Oh you have?” She innocently questions. 

Their exchange only lasts for a second but I have to look away because it feels so intimate. 

“Hell yes I have. You already know that. Are you coming to the apartment tonight?” Jordan asks. 

“I might. When are you going to be home?” She continues.

“We can go whenever. Cody and I were just bored so we thought we would get out and grab a drink.” Jordan gestures towards Cody. “Callie, are you going to come over with Rose?” 

“Hmmm….” I trail off looking back over to Cody. He hasn’t even acknowledged that I’m here. 

“You're coming. It’s already decided for you.” Rose interrupts my thoughts. 

“I don’t know if I should. I should probably just head back to the hotel.” I say, knowing I don’t want to. 

“Nope. That’s not happening. You are coming over.” Jordan overruled my statement. 

“CODY.” Jordan yells across the bar. When Cody looks back Jordan waves him over. 

“I am forcing the girls to come back to the house with us. Well, not really forcing because of course they both want to.” He laughs as he tells Cody when he approaches the table. 

“Wait.. I don’t remember ever saying that.” I respond laughing. 

“Yeah, me either.” Rose joins in.

“Well, I decided for you.” Jordan teases. “Callie, can Cody ride back with you? That way my sweet mama can ride with me.” 

“Hmm….” I start to say.

“Yeah, I don’t care. If that's alright with you?” Cody asks, still not looking at me.

“Hmm… sure.” I hesitantly say.