A Little More Love (Jordan Witzigreuter / The Ready Set)

Chapter 14 - Not Your Fault

When I woke up the next morning memories from the night before came flooding back. I smiled, I could still feel Jordan's lips on mine, and his hands on my waist. I checked my phone and found 2 texts from Jordan. I read the first one, "Good morning beautiful, we're practicing at 11, see you then." Then the second one, which was from just a few minutes ago, "Wake up cutie, I wanna see you."

I rolled over and looked at my alarm clock. 11:30, since when I do I sleep this late? I didn't feel like getting dressed yet, and all of the guys had already seen me in pajamas so I didn't bother to get out of my sweatpants and T-shirt. I threw my hair up into a messy ponytail, brushed my teeth and went to the kitchen to make brunch. I could hear the boys practicing in the basement, Jordan's gorgeous voice traveling up through the kitchen floor. Memories of last night came flooding back once again and I smiled to myself. 

I leaned against the kitchen counter waiting for the water to boil so I could make myself tea. As I struggling to reach a mug I heard someone giggling behind me. I turned around to find Jordan behind me, "You need some help there?"

"It's not my fault Travis put the mugs on the highest shelf the world has ever seen," I laughed, hooking my finger in the handle of the mug and pulling it down off the shelf, catching it at the last second. 

Jordan stepped farther into the kitchen, "I see you finally woke up." 

"You kept out till midnight last night!" I joking pointed a finger at him. 

His arms snaked around my waist and he pressed his forehead to mine. "Don't act like you didn't like it," he smirked. "And if I remember correctly, you kept me up till 3 am watching movies last week." 

"It was really fun," I kissed him. "Let's do it again, soon." 

"Of course," he smiled. "I have to go downstairs cause I told them all I was just gonna get some water, but you should come watch again." 

"Sure," I poured the hot water into the mug and followed Jordan downstairs. 

"Look who I found," Jordan smiled as I came down the stairs. 

Travis rolled his eyes, "Yeah ok, 'found'," he chuckled; putting air quotes around the word 'found.' 

I assumed my respected position on the couch across from the band, sitting directly in front of Jordan. He gave me a sheepish smile. He always said he was kinda nervous to sing around me, no matter how good I told him he was. "What am I hearing today?" I asked. 

"Can we do 'Stays Four the Same'?" Jordan asked, turning his back to me and facing the guys. 

"Yeah can we?" Mike asked, "I need more practice on that one." 

The rest of the boys agreed that the song needed more practice, so Travis counted them in and the band began to play. I watched Jordan begin to sing, first locking his eyes on me, then closing them and letting his head bob to Travis' drum beat.

I smiled as the song carried on. "The way your hips move, left to right, side to side, guide me home tonight," Jordan sang. I thought I saw a pained expression flash across his face but it was gone as quickly as it had appeared so I couldn't be sure. I don't know what Jordan would be upset about anyway, the song was going great. 

I turned my attention to the other members of the band, watching as they played their instruments. Travis looked like his was in a world of his own, his hair whipping about as he pounded the drums. I had never really payed attention to how he played before; but I realized he was really good. As I held my gaze on him he stopped whipping his hair and hit a bunch of different drums really quickly, eventually returning to the original beat. 

Mike and Deryck swung their instruments back and forth, Mike swaying with his bass and Deryck rocking back and forth to the rhythm of his strumming. I began to dance around to the song, waving my hands in the air and whipping my hair in circles. I was so proud of the whole band, they'd come so far in such a short time. Jordan's singing was lovely and the music was wonderful. Everyone was so good at what they did I couldn't possibly imagine a better band than The Ready Set. Not to mention I felt like I'd gained 3 brothers; well I guess 2 brothers and a boyfriend. 

When the song came to an end I clapped, a smile spreading across my face, "Oh my god guys that was literally so good. Is that a new one?"

Ignoring my praise and question Jordan shook his head and turned to Mike, "That was complete shit man I'm sorry."

"What are you saying? It was great!" I told him, trying to get his attention back. 

"No man it's ok it was mostly my fault. I should know how to play this stupid part I wrote it," Mike sighed. 

"Guys seriously what are you talking about? I loved it," I said. "Travis that part where the drums get really fast is cool," I walked over to where he was sitting at his drums. 

"That wasn't supposed to happen," Travis said, letting out a frustrated sigh. "I messed up and I was trying to get the beat back." 

"Well it still sounded cool," I smiled, trying to get a cheerful response from one of the band members. "And Deryck I love that little rocking thing you do when you play."

He rolled his eyes, "I only do that cause I keep losing control of the guitar."

I couldn't help but laugh, "What is everyone so upset about? The song is amazing!"  

"Listen we know it sucked," Travis spat. "We don't need your fake compliments ok."

Jordan turned to me, "Yeah really, why don't you just go upstairs."

"You, you're the one who invited me to watch," I stammered. 

"Ok well now you're messing us up, so I'm telling you to leave," he said sternly. 

"What the hell guys?" I said. 

Mike turned to me, giving me a sympathetic look. "Baily, look it's not you; but we just need to practice right now." 

"Actually it is her," Travis interjected. "If she wasn't dancing around and distracting everyone we would've gotten through the song."

"You know what forget it," I sighed, walking back upstairs. I was too lazy to fight with them and it really wasn't worth it. It was 4 against 1 and even though I was right, they would end up beating me. I hadn't done anything wrong; besides the practice was going fine, the song sounded great. I decided it would be best to just give them all some space, and hope that the whole thing blew over. 

I was on the couch watching TV when I heard the basement door open, revealing Mike who was coming up the stairs. I figured he was still mad at me so I didn't bother to make eye contact as he went into the kitchen to retrieve a water bottle from the fridge. On his way back downstairs though, he decided to sit down next to me on the couch. 

"Hey, listen," he sighed. "I'm really sorry, we're all sorry, about earlier. We're just under a lot of pressure right now cause we're trying to start recording soon and we just want everything to be perfect."

I shrugged, not sure how sincere his apology really was, "It's fine, whatever."

"It wasn't your fault," he said softly, leaning closer. 

"I know," I gave him a weak smile. 

He put his face up to mine, "Don't feel bad about it, ok?" Then he did something I never expected him to do. He leaned forward and he kissed me. I was so taken aback that I nearly scrambled off the couch. I could understand this from Deryck, I mean he was a major flirt; but I never thought Mike would do something like this. Even though I didn't kiss back, Mike kept his lips on mine. The kiss felt cold, like it was generating the opposite of sparks. 

I was so shocked by it all it took me a minute to find my words, "Mike. What, what are you doing?" I said, words tumbling out of my mouth. 

Mike's face grew red. "I don't know," he said quickly. "I am so sorry I just, it just, I mean I thought it would make you feel better," he stood up from the couch and began backing up toward the basement door. "I am so sorry. It'll never happen again. Please don't tell Jordan." He opened the door and flew down the basement steps. 

I just sat there stunned, unsure of what to do. I wasn't even sure if any of that actually happened. Everything felt so out of character, so weird; but I knew it had happened. I knew I'd felt Mike's lips on my own, and I didn't like having them there. I knew Jordan wouldn't want them there either but did he have to know? Could I just not tell him? But what if he found out? Or worse, what if he found out from Mike?