Beautiful Chaos/A Jordan Knight FanFic/ Book One in the Beautiful series. ✔️

38

Dallas

I'M TIRED OF THIS ALREADY. IT'S been a week since the pictures posted and the story broke, and photographers still seem to be everywhere I am. I keep telling myself it will die down, but as soon as I step out of the rec center after my dance class, a pack of photographers swell forward, hurling questions at me, shoving cameras in my face.

""Dallas, how long have you and Jordan been together?"

"Are you living with him?"

"Will you be going on the road with him?"

I ignore them, just like Jordan told me to, lowering my head even though my hair is pulled up and doesn't shield my face from the cameras' flashes.

I estimate how long it will take me to run to the bus stop, already regretting telling Jordan I'd be fine without Gep. The girls from my class laugh and squeal behind me, but I don't turn to say good-bye. I take off running, partly to put distance between me and the paps. Partly because I can't afford to miss the next bus.

A few of the persistent ones chase me for a little bit, but honestly, I'm not that big of a deal. I expect this rabid interest to pass soon. Jordan's the star. Not me.

Not yet. Maybe after this lunch meeting, I'll be one step closer.

As soon as I sit on the bus, my phone rings.

"What took you so long to call me back, San?"

"I do have a job and all, Dallas. I mean, I know I'm not dating a rock star like you, but you're not the only one with a life."

"San, this is serious." I can't believe I'm having to swallow back tears on the Metro, surrounded by people who could have been Googling me this morning.

"What's wrong, pipsqueak?" His voice holds concern that undoes me even more, forcing a tear down my cheek.

"I'm going to lose him," I whisper, lowering my head and cupping my hand around my brow to shield my eyes.

"Dallas, calm down. That guy's nose is wide open for you."

"No, listen to me. D'you remember Drex Martin?"

"I thought you said we weren't ever to talk about him again?" San slows his words down because he knows for me to bring up Drex this must be serious.

"Jordan hates Drex. Like despises him to the point of won't be in the same room with him."

"It can't be that bad."

"No, it is." I close my eyes, replaying my conversation with Jordan and the horror I felt the more he shared. "Petra, Jordan's only other girlfriend, cheated with Drex in high school."

"Damn. That's bad, but it was high school. I'm sure Jordan's not still stuck on that."

"And then Jordan's convinced Drex leaked those tracks from his first album."

"Aw, hell. That is bad."

"If Jordan's ever finds out I ..." I look around the bus, not sure who might be listening or have their phones recording me. "He can't find out, San."

"I think you should just tell him, Dallas."

"No, you don't understand." I press a trembling hand to my forehead. "We just started, and I love him, San. Like, I love him. I can't lose him now."

"You won't. Jordan's not unreasonable. He'll understand that you and Drex had your thing before you even knew him. Just—"

A beep from another call cuts off whatever San would have said. I glance at my screen. My heart lifts and falls when I see J. Knight.