A Drop in the Ocean

Chapter 28

"Girlfriend?" Calum said, not trying to hide the surprise in his voice.  I stood with him, speechless.

"Yep, we met a few weeks ago," Luke told us.  I thought back to a few weeks.

"No, it was over Christmas," Adeline corrected, her light giggle already pissing me off.  Of course they met when I was in Colorado.

"Well, now that you are done with your cute little banter, would you like to come inside?" I asked, not caring about my irritated tone.  They nodded, and I led the three of them inside to the kitchen.  I poured some lemonade for them but was stopped by Adeline's obvious soft voice.

"Oh, I'm allergic to lemons," she said quickly.  I looked up at her, probably scowling.  I could no longer tell.

"Really?" I asked, baffled.  She nodded.  "Who the fuck is allergic to lemons?"  Her eyes got wide at my tone.

"Language, Jordan!" I heard James yell from the laundry room down the hallway.  I pursed my lips.  I noticed Calum snicker next to Luke.  I tried very hard not to crack a smile, but I failed.  

"Really, Cal?" I laughed.

"Definitely," he chuckled.  I turned back to the fridge.

"What about orange juice?  Is it just lemons, or are you allergic to all citrus fruit?" I chuckled, Calum still cracking up. 

"No, orange juice is fine," she told me.  I nodded, pouring her a glass before handing everyone some of whatever they wanted.

"So, how's the relationship going to work once tour stars?" I asked, knowing I was being negative.  I took a drink of the lemonade, relishing in the tangy sweetness.

"Adeline is going to come with us," Luke said.  I spit my lemonade out all over Calum, him groaning.  I must've inhaled some as well because I was sort of choking on it.  I coughed, Cal coming over to slam his palm on my back to help me get everything out of my trachea.

"Are you okay?" Adeline asked me.  I looked up at Luke with a scowl.

"You are already bringing your mom.  I think you are breaking the 'one extra person' rule.  And when were you planning on telling us?" I asked him accusingly.

"Yeah, I mean you could've told us before we leave in two days," Calum added.  

"And you could've fucking asked if it was alright with the rest of us," I continued, absolutely furious.

"Language, Jordan," I heard James say from around the corner.

"James, I'm going to be honest with you and say that I am so fucking pissed, and I'll put a few bucks in the swear jar.  Deal?" I told him.  He gave me a thoughtful look, then quickly nodded and went back to doing laundry.

"Why do I need to ask you?" Luke countered.  I scowled back.

"Because this isn't just you're fucking band, Luke.  Its all of ours.  It is our responsibility to communicate.  That's how bands crash and burn.  Because people don't fucking communicate," I retorted.  His glare became so strong, I thought it could kill me.  But I kept my gaze. 

"Who fucking started this band, Jordan?  I did.  It was me.  So you don't tell me what I can and cannot do," he told me, his voice going up.

"Let me tell you something.  It's not my fault I'm here.  You are the one who wanted me.  Not the other way around.  I saw an opportunity and I took it.  Don't blame me for your choice," I yelled back at him.  

"I can just not come," Adeline quietly whispered.  We both looked at her.  

"No, don't just say that because Jordan is being a bitch," Luke said, turning his head back towards me.  I raised my eyebrows. 

"I'm be a bitch?  Are you fucking serious?" I cried.  He nodded.  I narrowed my eyes.  "Well, congratulations!  You the piss lord of shit mountain.  Thank you for hefting turds down the mountainside so that we, the proles, may feast on our bounteous craps!"

"What the fuck does that even mean?" he yelled back at me.  I shrugged my shoulders.  

"I don't really care what it means!  But you know what, I don't really give a fuck!" I replied.  I stepped out from around the bar.  Luke came up to where I was.  "Back the fuck up, you soggy lampshade!"  I yelled, shoving my hands towards his chest, pushing him backwards.  He staggered a bit but otherwise wasn't fazed.  I growled and headed towards the stairs.

"Where the hell are you going?" he called out to me.  I turned back to him.

"Don't talk to me.  Don't touch me.  Don't come near me.  Don't breathe the same air as me.  Don't breathe at all, thanks," I hissed before turning back to go up the stairs.  I stopped once I got to the top and sat down, listening to the rest of the conversation happening below.  

"She's just angry," Cal told Luke.  I heard the shuffling of stools and feet along with a humph from Luke.

"Yeah, tell me about it," Luke commented.  I could almost see Cal's face in my mind.

"But seriously, you could've at least talked to us about it," Calum said.  Oh goodness, here it comes.

"So you're on her side?" Luke asked accusingly.  

"I'm not on anyone's side Luke.  I think she was being rash with her anger, and I think you could've come talk to us about bringing Adeline.  I'm not going to say you can't, but it just would've been nice to know before now," Cal told Luke in a calm voice.  I heard more shuffling.

"Well, I don't want to deal with this right now, so I'm going to leave.  Have fun doing whatever the fuck you two have been doing all day," Luke huffed, obviously heading towards the door based on the thumping of his feet.  The door opened and abruptly slammed before I decided to come back down the stairs.  I stood on the bottom step looking at Cal who gave me a sad look. 

He sighed, and I sighed back.