Stop in the Name of Love (Completed)

Chapter 12

My father doesn't acknowledge me at all before I leave for school. Once the hangover fades, it becomes an uphill battle to not drink, so he just stares at his computer and tunes out everything. I make him a sandwich, dropping it on his desk before walking out the door.

Jordan called me before bed last night. I didn't answer. I debated not going to school today. Everything has just been so... Confusing and embarrassing. Dad woke me up in the middle of the night talking about a rehab program he found that guarantees sobriety results in a year. It broke my heart to tell him in was in Arizona and too expensive.

Slowly, I move to my truck, dragging myself up into the drivers seat. I sit there and try to get the engine to turn over, but nothing is happening. I'm praying the engine didn't die because lord knows I can't fix it right now.

I try again, only stopping when my phone rings, "Hello? Jordan? I'm kind of busy."

"Sorry, I was... I was getting worried. You didn't pick up last night and you weren't at the school when I got here. Is everything ok?"

"My truck won't start, it's happened before but it's really not starting this time."

"Do you want me to come get you? I can be there in... Twenty minutes, give or take."

"I guess, I could just stay home today, it's not a big deal," I keep trying to turn the engine over.

"What's wrong? Are you-- are you nervous about going public? We don't have to, we can take this as slow as you want. Are you sick? Is it something with your dad?"

"Jordan, please I'm tired. I'm fine, really. If you want to come get me then come get me, otherwise I'm going back to bed, ok?" I throw my head back against the seat in frustration as tears well in my eyes.

"I'll be there in twenty minutes tops," His voice is firm.

I hang up without a goodbye, I'm so tired. I couldn't get back to sleep last night and I'm just so emotionally spent. I want nothing more than to sleep.

I stare at the ceiling of my car until I hear a car door close. Looking back I see Jordan's Lexus and him walking to my car. He tries not to look concerned when he gets to my door.

"Are you ok?" He asks as I climb out of the truck.

"No," I admit, "Who knows what's wrong with my truck and how much it'll cost to fix! I'm so exhausted I swear I might fall asleep here!" I gesture to the broken concrete driveway under our feet.

"If you want you can rest after school, I'll take you somewhere and you can sleep as long as you want to. Then we can go get ice cream and I'll take you home. How does that sound?"

I look down, not wanting him to see I'm actually pouting! I nod quickly, I hear him chuckle as he wraps his arm around me and takes me to his car. He presses his lips to my temple before helping me in and taking us to the school. The closer we get, the more my stomach turns over.

Jordan takes my hand, entwining our fingers, "Are you sure you're ready to go public?"

"No," I shake my head, "But I want to be."

He glances at me, giving a reassuring smile. Squeezing my hand, he presses his lips to my knuckles and sets my hand on his knee. I feel a little strange even though I enjoy my hand on him, it's something I'll need to get used to.

As we pull into the parking lot, I see our classmates bustle about. Most are looking on their phones or talking to friends, some are reading or finishing homework. The sheer number of people in front of us scares me. I'm enjoying being in my little bubble with Jordan, it will only take one person who a sharp pencil to pop it entirely.