Taming His Heart

JORDAN

I am sitting in the coffee shop really hoping that she actually shows up. All week she has been avoiding my texts. I am hoping that her agreeing to coffee wasn’t some brush off. She makes me a little jittery every time I see her. I can’t explain it. It’s not like she flaunts herself. She is very reserved, a lot different from her sister. Usually Danny wouldn’t even be a person that I would want to be around, but something about her pulls me in.

I see her from the corner of my eye step into the coffee shop and I am elated. She didn’t blow me off. It quickly turns to disappointment, when I see the back that is facing me. The “Miller” is taunting me. She is wearing his sweatshirt. Fucker, I fucking hate him. He always has to steal everything from me.

After collecting her coffee and a blueberry muffin she looks around for me. She gives me a pleasant smile and comes towards me. “Hey, you came.”

I smile back. “Yeah, I was a little worried that your man wouldn’t let you.”

“Oh, Kyle doesn’t control me. He knows it.” She points to the seat opposite me. “Can I sit, or do you want me to leave?”

“No, sit please.” I’m just surprised she’s here. I guess it’s evident by my reaction to her being here. She must think that I don’t want her here though.

She takes a seat. “So, you were saying something about needing help studying.”

“Yeah, when do you think you’ll be free?” I am fidgeting with my coffee cup.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

“Oh, anytime really. I have work in the evenings, but only a few hours a week. I have a lot of time actually. I know you have football, so that’s going to hinder your time.”

I want to talk about us spending time together, but I also want to get rid of that offending thing. “Aren’t you hot?”

She looks at me shocked with the change of subject. “Not really, I am used to wearing a hoodie. My sister said I was being too flashy and trying to get attention, so she made me cover up. That was like eight years ago. I am pretty used to it now.”

“But does it have to be that hoodie.”

She chuckles. “Oh, I see. Your problem isn’t the sweater but who it belongs to. Unfortunately my hoodie got beer spilled on it last night and it isn’t clean yet. That’s why Kyle let me wear his this morning.”

“You spent the night together?” I am shocked, I didn’t think he was that serious about her.

“Well he slept over.” She seems a little embarrassed about it. “So, studying. When do you think you can do it?”

“How about Saturday mornings? It seems as good a time as any.” I lean back a little upset that she won’t take the hoodie off. It’s like he is staking a claim on her. I hate it. It’s like he is sitting next to her wrapped all around her, taunting me.

“What is your problem with Kyle? I didn’t really get an answer out of him last night.”

“I’m surprised, he likes to bring me down. He just thinks he’s better than me. It pisses me off.”

“That’s kind of what he said about you. Where does this come from?” She takes a drink of her coffee and looks over at me for an answer.

“Last year we were in competition on the team. He just always tried to one up me. It wasn’t just on the field, but off too. If I liked a girl he had to have her first. It just got old. We developed a hatred for each other.”

“Is that what you think is going on with me?” She looks a little ashamed. Like she played a part and she didn’t even know it.

“No, I don’t. I don’t think you would do that to me. Even though you did avoid me last week.” I give her a small smile.

“I did that because I am sure that you like my sister. I am not one of those stepping stones to her. There is no connection between the two of us, like that.” She looks a little sad to talk about it. Like it hurts her feelings.

I laugh a little. “You honestly don’t get it do you. I wanted to talk to you, get to know you. Not Courtney.”

“I saw the way you looked at her Jordan. I know you want her.” She looks away from me. Like voicing the thought makes it all so real.

“Look, I am like every other guy on the planet who at some point thinks with his dick. Sorry to be vulgar. She was dressed rather scantily. That doesn’t mean that I am not attracted to you.”

“I am dating Kyle, remember.”

“How can I forget?” I roll my eyes. “Can you just do me a favor? Don’t count me out yet. You’re just getting to know me. It would really suck to just meet you and you are already throwing your towel in the ring. Just give me a chance.”

She sighs and bites her lip. “How about we try being friends. It’s not like I plan on marrying Kyle. We are trying something out. We have known each other for a very long time. I know what kind of guy he is. But he asked for a shot and I am giving it to him.” She seems a bit evasive, but honest too. It seems cute.

“Alright, it’s a deal. So, you want to do something else?”

“I have to clean my apartment, remember I told you.” She cocks her head at me. Like I am being tested here.

“Yeah, I remember. But it can’t take that long to clean an apartment.”

“You don’t know how messy my sister is.” She laughs.

“Shouldn’t she do her fair share?”

“Yeah, it will be a cold day in hell before that happens. I have to go food shopping too. You want to come do that with me?” She’s joking. Who would want to volunteer for that? Me, that’s who.

“Yeah, let’s finish up here and I’ll help you out.” I take another drink of my coffee.

“Jordan, I was joking.” She looks at me shocked. She didn’t expect me to say yes.

“I know, but it was an invitation. You can’t take it back. So, I am helping. I offered to help with the cleaning but you said no. So, now you have no choice but to accept my help.” I am pretty satisfied with myself. Kyle can try to keep her all to himself, but that doesn’t mean that I can’t win her over.