Since you walked into my life

Chapter 5

Settling on the sand using a towel to sit on, they ate the warm funnel cake with all its powered sugar goodness. The day had been one Imogen would remember for a long time. Apart from a handful of fans who could clearly spot Jordan from a mile off, he'd been pleasantly left alone. He posed with those who did recognise him for selfies and talked as they gushed over him. He'd clearly mastered the art of appeasing them enough before moving them on. His interaction with them had been insightful to observe. At the meet and greets, Imogen had generally gravitated towards Joe for the photo op and spent a couple of seconds thanking the others guys before being ushered out for the next group to join the guys. His shyness from his everyday life, partially blended with the stage version of himself sent the girls away elated to have meet him.
"It was pretty special watching you interact with those girls" Imogen smiled.
He beamed
"it's the least I can do. They feed our energy every time we do a show or interview, whatever. They're pretty amazing, it's nice to let them know they're appreciated."
Her heart melted with the way he spoke about them. His love for them was genuine and he got the same back.
"It must get tiring though?"
"Our schedules can be relentless but theyve been sat at the stadium or studio for most of the day. We have a mutual level of commitment. Those hours they wait are the hours we pour into making the songs or shows the best we can for them. I loved it yesterday when you said about, making every person in a show wether up front or, at the back feel like they are the only one there. If that comes across, I know I'm doing my job"
She was in awe of him. This documentary was going to be epic. Already after speaking to Jordan for the amount of time she knew there was more magic to draw from.
She smiled at him
"What?" he asked
"Just what you said. It blows my mind"
He smiled and looked away. Changing the subject quickly he said
"lets head over to those rocks the suns setting we should get a good view from over there"
They stood up and dusted the sand of the towel choosing to walk where the ocean reached the sand. They climbed to a rock flat enough for them to sit on. Jordan sat and guided Imogen to sit between his legs as they did on the coaster. He wrapped his arms around her resting his chin on her shoulder. As the sun got lower in the sky, the coolness that the night bought, chilled Imogen. Grabbing the towel, Jordan wrapped them both tight inside. The darkness of the day came down leaving the glow of sun to settle on the horizon.
"I love being by the ocean like this. It's peaceful" Imogen reflected
"I get that too. My house is in the bay. It's one of the reasons I moved there."
"I'd love that. Being close to the ocean is great but being able to see it every day, is my dream"
"Wow you're easily pleased huh?" He teased
"I actually am. I would be happy with a shack if I got the view."
"The simple things then huh?"
"Absolutely. Happiness costs nothing" she paused "that got a bit deep for a moment"
"Hey I'm not complainin" Jordan replied.
"Well sunshine heights is definitely getting the thumbs up from me" she said
"Even though it rained?"
"Especially because it rained. It kind of reminded me of the U.K."
"Do you miss it, being in the U.K.?" He asked
"Yeah. Obviously my family are there, even my mother, in tiny doses. There are lots of things I love about being there but, I had an opportunity to come out here and, it's been good so far"
"So you're adapting to American life?"
"Yeah, there are still things that are just all out bonkers"
He laughed "like what?"
"Like some of the stuff you eat, what the heck is grits?"
He laughed again "it's like corn kind of......shit"
She burst out laughing
"Shit? Yeah sounds appetising to have with breakfast"
"Hey listen, we saw some weird shit you guys eat too"
"Like what?" She smiled
"What's that stuff you have with like eggs and bacon? It's black. Cookie sized thing?"
She giggled "oh black pudding"
"Yes that" he pointed
"Yeah I have to agree with you that is pretty nasty"
"Yeah but what is it?"
"You didn't try it?" She asked
"Hell no" he said
"It's pigs blood mixed with pig fat and oats"
She turned to see his face,
"See that is fucked up, are y'all vampires or sumthin?"
She cried laughing
"I have to admit, it won't pass my lips"
He looked at her,
"Speaking of lips" he moved in to kiss her
His kiss melted Imogen. The gentleness of his tongue and the softness of his lips was definitely an experience. She loved how his hands cradled her face. It was still unreal that she was here. She began to wonder if fate, really was a thing. The job, then this. Both were unexpected but, both were appreciated.
They sat for a while longer before the light gave way for the dark.
"We better head off before it gets too dark to see off these rocks" Jordan said
He jumped down onto the sand and held his arms out to help Imogen. As she landed, she looked up to Jordan. Their eyes locked. He moved forward to kiss her. With the same flutter in her stomach, she felt his lips softly touch hers. His tongue played with her own. Their fingers intertwined. She felt like she was floating on air. This level of insanity was a million miles away from Imogen's thoughts yesterday. She opened her eyes half expecting Jordan to have disappeared into the land of dreams. Reluctantly she opened them, Jordan was there. It was real. He smiled at her.
"What?" She asked
He shrugged,
"This was just so unexpected but, as soon as I saw you yesterday, I knew I wanted to spend time with you."
"And now?" She asked
"Now, I'm glad I did."
She looked away shyly, it felt like he was reading her mind. That first look yesterday had thrown her. She randomly wanted to release some of the energy that built up inside her
"That run your didn't do this morning, do it now" she said as she started running.
"When I said I wanted to spend time with you, I didn't have running in mind" he shouted
"Me neither but, I wanted to switch it up" she shouted over her shoulder.
She could feel him getting closer. She started laughing and loosing pace. He caught her by her waist sending them both falling into the soft sand laughing. She turned onto her back as he, propped himself onto his elbow next to her.
"You sabotaged me by making me laugh" she laughed
"You sabotaged me by making me run"
He put his hand on her stomach and lent in to kiss her again.
"Hey I've had a lovely day, it has definitely been better than rereading through frames so thank you for saving me" she beamed
"Thank you for coming with me."
They got up and brushed themselves down and headed back to the car. A small group of women came out from one of the arcades, without his glasses and cap he was easily recognisable.
"Oh. My. God Jordan" the first woman shouted sending the rest to squeal.
Imogen walked ahead leaving Jordan to do his thing. They'd spent a day together. She didn't think he'd need the hassle of answering awkward questions. As Andre moved over to Jordan, Imogen walked over to the car and waited. He came over with Andre
"Hey you didn't have to leave" he said
"I know but, people see me with you and put two and two together and make fifteen. I figured you didn't need the hassle. What you do in public has a million eyes waiting for their dirt to dish"
He smiled "you worry about that?"
"Of course, don't you? It takes one person to draw a conclusion and it spreads like wildfire. There are too many risks of hurting people around you."
He stopped and flashed his biggest smile,
"How are you doing this?" He asked
"Doing what?"
"This ability you have to tap into things that matter to me"
"You're a brand Jordan am not here to destroy it. You have to look beyond the surface and more about the bigger picture. It's what I do."
He shook his head "speechless".
Andre appeared,
"Hey man we're heading back now"
He nodded and went back to his car. Just as they were about to drive off, Jordan got a message. He pushed the phone into the holder on the dash and opened it. "Call me d dub"
Jordan scrolled through for Donnie's number and hit loudspeaker. He reversed out the space and drove on. The phone rang a couple of times
"JK how you doing man?" Donnie answered
"Good man what's going on?"
"I'm just heading back to the apartment. We had a read through at bb today"
"Oh that was today? I thought that was Monday?" Jordan said
"It's Monday too. With the show on Thursday then Summer Rae and I are heading to caymans. We get back and both back into work as soon as we land. That's why I'm squeezin the read throughs in now"
"Holy shit man you got it tight"
"Yep. Gots to get some greens. Time is money and money is time man"
"I hear you bro"
"Anyways I wanted to check in wit you. Jon said you took a hot little English girl to dinner last night"
Jordan smiled and put his hand on Imogen's leg before putting his finger to his lips. She nodded
"The Lobby was crazy, we couldn't get near the restaurant so we went up to my room and ordered room service." Jordan said
"Dude I've known you 30 plus years and I ain't heard you this spiked in a while. What did she do to get you this pepped in like a day? You sound so different man"
Jordan laughed and glanced over to Imogen, "
"I do? I don't know man , she got sumthin I ain't had before"
Imogen blushed
"Damn bro that's how it happened with Summer Rae. It hits you so hard you don't know where you're comin from"
"Oh really" Jordan asked
"Yeah man. You just gotta ride with it. See where it takes you. How does she feel?"
"I don't know man, ask her!" He laughed
"Wait what?" He shouted "you got me on loudspeaker don't you and she's with you?"
"Hey d dub" Imogen laughed
"How would you throw me under the bus JK" Donnie laughed
"Hey miss Imogen. So two dates in two days huh?"
"We just came out to sunshine heights on the shore"
she giggled
"He sounds different. He's jacked on life"
"We're just enjoying chatting that's all" she looked over at Jordan
"Well miss chatty I'll leave you to keep chattin"
"Thank you d dub tell Summer Rae I said hi"
"I will sugar bye. JK?"
"Yep" Jordan said
"Call Jon"
"Why?" Jordan asked
"Because. He. Wants. You to call. Him"
Jordan laughed "ok man bye"
"Bye bro" he hung up.
They both laughed
"That was awkward" said Imogen "I don't think he had any idea I was with you"
"Guess not" Jordan laughed "I better call Jon"
He pulled up Jon's number and dialled.
"Whatsup lil bro" Jon said
"I'm all good here what's new with you?"
"Nothing we were fixing the small barn today. We got the roof sealed"
"Wait you did that?" Jordan asked
"Well we got a guy in but I helped"
Jordan laughed
"We're exhausted now though so we ordered a takeout"
"Nice" Jordan said
"So how did it go with Imogen?"
"Yeah man it's all good"
Jon laughed
"Good. Did you go to dinner?"
"Kinda"
"What dya mean kinda?"
"The lobby was full. Andre didn't think the restaurant would be to good an idea so we ate in my room"
Jon laughed "jees bro"
"What?" Jordan laughed
"I don't know but somethin happened"
"Like what?"
"I don't know but you sound different"
Jordan laughed loudly as Imogen held her hand over her mouth
"Different good or different bad?"
"Different good" Jon replied
"Donnie just said that too"
"He did?" Jon laughed "we can't both be wrong huh?"
"I guess not"
"Where are you now? You sound like you're in the car"
"WE are, WE went to the shore"
Jon laughed out loud as he figured Imogen was with Jordan. "Harley come here, listen to this"
"Who is it?" Harley asked
"Jordan" Jon replied
"Hi J how you?"
"I'm good bro"
"Hey Imogen" Jon said
"Wait she's with him?" Harley asked
"She is" Jon laughed
"Hey Harley" Imogen said
"Hi" Harley laughed
"They went to the shore" Jon told him
"Oh nice" Harley said
"We're heading back to the hotel now though. Imogen is staying at the same hotel"
"Ooohh ok" said Jon
Imogen giggled
"Ok well call me later then" Jon laughed
"Ok bro"
"Bye Imogen" Jon said
"Bye guys" she replied.
Jordan hung up.
"That's Donnie and Jon going to kick your ass now" she laughed
"Yeah well" he grinned