Stop in the Name of Love (Completed)

Chapter 20

Saturday morning is slow, it was hard to sleep knowing what this place is to Jordan. I showered, which soothed the pain in my head and relaxed my muscles, but it took me until midnight to get comfortable and to sleep. Waking up though, I just feel numb. My mind fills with questions I'm not sure I want the answers to.

Has he stayed in this room before? Was there a girl like me here with him?

I shove myself out of the bed and start digging through my stuff. I pull out my makeup and clothes, knowing Jordan will be here in about an hour.

Part of me debates just going home, I don't know if I'm up to going out with Jordan today. It's all been really heavy and now I feel like there's a pressure to get physical with Jordan.

Pulling on my jeans, I hear my phone ring. I don't hold back the frustrated sigh as I go to pick up. I'm not surprised to see it's Jordan.

"Hi," I run my hand through my hair, "What's up?"

"I'm on my way over there, I know it's a little early but I thought we could get breakfast. Did you sleep alright?"

I look at the messy bed, "Yeah I guess. Just felt weird here."

I can feel the tension even with him nowhere near me, "I'm sorry, Rhea... I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."

"Jordan, I don't know what you want me to say. I didn't know you'd ever been with someone, I didn't expect you to ever bring me to your... Hookup spot."

"That's not what this is, I swear! I just... I wanted to keep you safe and that was a place I knew I could make work. I'm not going to do anything to push you into something you don't want," I hear a deep sigh, "Do you want me to just take you home? I understand if you're not up to going out today."

"I don't know... I want to but I just feel awkward. I don't know what to do," I sit on the bed and rub my forehead.

"Maybe a compromise? I'll pick you up, we'll go out, if you decide you can't handle it, I'll take you home."

"Alright, I can do that. I'm going to finish getting ready."

"Ok, I'll be there soon... I love you."

"I love you too," I hang up and drop the phone onto the floor.

I finish getting dressed and lay back down. My makeup isn't perfect but it'll do for the day. Slowly, I start drifting off again. My arms and legs feel heavy, as if they're sinking into the bed.

I don't realize I've fallen asleep until I'm waking up to the sound of knocking at my door. Letting out a deep groan, I drag myself to the door to find Jordan looking upset.

"I've been knocking for ten minutes," He sighs as he brushes past me into the room, "Are you ok? What happened?"

"I fell asleep," I cross my arms and squint, suddenly cold and sensitive to the bright room lights.

He gives me a sympathetic look, "I'm sorry," He sits on the bed, "I'm just making things worse aren't I?"

"No," I groan as I sit next to him, "There's just so much going on, so much of this is new to me. It's... Confusing and overwhelming, I don't know what to do a lot of the time."

He takes my hand, "You do whatever feels right, you tell me when something is wrong. That's all that's expected of you, we'll take this as slow as you need."

I don't look at him, "What are you planning for us to do today?"

"Umm, I was thinking... Maybe we could go back to the park for a while, just relax for a while. I want to just take today slowly, play it by ear, if that's alright."