Since you walked into my life

Chapter 18

They stared at each other from across the room. Her heart was thumping as he walked towards her.
She shook her head
"What are you doing here Jordan" she whispered
"Do you really need to ask that?
She closed her eyes to try and prevent her tears, it was too late. He moved towards her to wipe them away. She backed away and went to pick up her towel. She knew, if he put his arms round her, she would give in to him. Her chest glistened with sweat. Jordan made it worse. He followed her. She took a slug of water.
"This is what I didn't want. We need a clean break." She pleaded.
"I can't just walk away from you Imogen you must know that"
"We have to though" she wept.
"No we don't" he cried "I can't loose you Ims. I love you."
"I love you too. It won't work though. I thought I could handle it, I can't"
"So you'll choose to believe her over me? How's that fair?"
"It's not. But how is it fair to me either?"
"Why are you so hell bent on me cheating? It's like you already accused me."
"Tell me about Mya" she said flatly
He blew out a breathe "what do you want to know?"
"Everything" she was ridged with fear of what he was about to say.
He rubbed his face. "I met her at an event I went to. Melissa and I had only been separated for a couple of weeks. I didn't want to be there but, it was a friend of mine's event. I said I'd drop by. Mya was hosting the vip area. We got talking. I drank a couple drinks. I'd not drunk for years, it didn't take much before I was drunk in no time. One thing led to another, we ended back up at her place. She thought it made us an item. It didn't, we were a stupid mistake. I wasn't in the headspace for that. I told her I was wrong for letting it get that far and it wasn't gonna happen again. She got mad and lashed out at me, I left. A couple months later Melissa  phoned me to tell me she had been approached by Mya. She told her we'd been seeing each other way before we split. It gave Melissa the push to file for the divorce. She cited Mya as the reason. She wouldn't listen to me when I told her Mya was lying. The divorce was granted. It was gonna happen anyway but this, just speeded things up. Things settled down. We sat down and decided we needed to figure a way to be amicable for the boys. They didn't need to see us fighting anymore. They were the ones getting hurt. I wanted her to know Mya had lied. We figured it out, Mya told Melissa it was a weekend. It was a weekend when we were with the boys the entire weekend. She knew then she'd lied. She hadn't worked it out at the time. She was in her own funk about us splitting. You can call her right now and ask her. She's got no reason to lie to you. She doesn't owe me any favours. Mya tried a few times to hook up but, after that stunt do you really think I'd want anything to do with her? After the MSG gig and you and I got together, she saw me and tried to hook up. I told her to back off or I'd get a restraining order. I didn't want to draw attention to her though, she wasn't worth that. Then at New Years after you'd gone she  appeared at my suite shortly after you left for home. I'd just asked you to marry me and I didn't want her to spook you so I didn't tell you. I thought the threat would keep her away. That's why I never said anything to you. She'll never be anything to me. You and her are worlds apart. Nobody could turn my head from you."
Imogen looked at the floor,
"If she will go to those lengths to get between us, so will others"
"They only succeed if you let them. There isn't anybody I want to be with as much as I do you. The family thing too, I didn't think I'd be with anybody again to have children with. With you, yes of course I'd have more children."
She burst into tears again. He stepped forward again to wipe them away, she backed off again. He tried again only this time he pulled her into his arms. She tried to resist, he held onto her until she stopped fighting. He lifted her head up and wiped her tears. Their foreheads touched as the tears ran down his own face.
"I'm so sorry Ims. I should have told you this before. I love you so much. I can't loose you"
She broke free from his hold. He looked at her with hurt in his eyes.
"I'm sorry too Jordan,it's over"
He looked at her in shock
"You're still gonna do this? After everything I just told you? Please Imogen don't do this"
"Goodbye Jordan"
She walked out of the studio and went to find Leila. Checking the studios she found her in the main office.
"Leis I need your car. I gotta get out of here quick"
Imogen gave her a look that told her there was no use trying to reason with her yet. She handed her the keys. Without saying a word Imogen left. She had no idea where Jordan was. Getting into the car she drove. Before she knew it she was in long beach. She parked the car in a lot. After a short time she went down onto the beach. She found a spot and dropped into the soft sand. She sat with her legs tucked up against her body and wrapped her arms around them. Alone in her thoughts, her heart was broken. She loved Jordan but, having to fire fight other women's accusations was going to be hell. The only thing was, Jordan had done nothing for her not to trust him. Her head throbbed. She sat for a while before heading back to the car. She drove back to Leila's, parking the car in the lot below the condo. Letting herself in, Leila must have still been at the studio. She was glad, she just wanted space. Imogen left the studio in a rush she'd not even picking up her phone or wallet. She called Leila from the home phone. Stacey one of the older girls answered.
"Hi Stacey it's Imogen is Leila free?"
"Erm no she just went into a class"
"Ok can you tell her I left my stuff there. My keys are in my hoodie with my phone and wallet. I'm at home"
"Sure I'll let her know" she replied
"Thanks Stacey"
She hung up and changed into a over sized shirt She got into bed and toss and turned for a while before she finally fell asleep through exhaustion.
She woke with a start. She sat up to see Jordan sat on the chair with his head in his hands. He looked up, the sadness in his eyes all but destroyed her. She never wanted that. She just knew Mya and all those who followed would be an emotional drain, She didn't want to be that suspicious and never trusting Jordan. He'd done nothing wrong. He'd not told her about New York but it wasn't a lie.
"Why are you still here?" She rubbed her eyes.
"I'm not giving up on you Imogen. I can't. I love you" his voice broke as the tears fell. Imogen cried too seeing him like that.
"This is what I do. I get hurt and I shut down" she said
"I haven't hurt you Imogen, I couldn't do that to you. You hear what people say about us and, how we look at each other. If I'm not with you, you're all I think about. I've introduced you to my kids, I asked you to marry me, I wouldn't do that if, all I was gonna do is fuck somebody else.?"
She shrugged
"What do I have to do Imogen? Tell me I'll do it"
She closed her eyes. He used the opportunity to move over to her before she had time to react. He took both sides of her face and looked directly at her,
"Don't push me away please baby"
She gulped hard,
"You need to leave Jordan"
He looked at her in shock
"Don't do this Ims" he cried
"It's over Jordan. I'm sorry. Please go home."
He looked at her for a few moments
"I'll go but I'm not going to loose you" he croaked.
She watched him walk out of her room then heard the apartment door click shut. No sooner had it happened she burst into tears.