“I’m never buying another Jason Young album again,” one girl told Jordan.
Another put her hand over her heart. “I know how it feels to be cheated on. I want you to know that you have our support.”
“We started an online fundraising account for you, Jordan,” a young redhead told her.
Jordan stared at her. “For what?”
“For whatever you need to get back on your feet,” the girl told her.
Jordan shook her head, seemingly coming out of her dazed state. “Oh my gosh, you guys,” she said, taking another small step forward. “You can’t do that. I appreciate it, but I don’t need it. I promise I’m okay.”
Another girl leaned in. “You’re so strong. You’re my inspiration.”
Jordan’s eyes were wide. “You guys don’t understand. Everything’s okay.” Jordan looked over to where Jason was standing.
Part of the crowd had stayed near him, but everyone was watching her.
Fletcher didn’t know Jason nearly as well as Jordan, of course, but he could’ve sworn that the man mouthed I’m sorry to her.
Jordan took a deep breath, squeezed Fletcher’s hand, then dropped her hold on him. And headed toward Jason.
Fletcher didn’t know what was going on, but he was clearly no one’s concern at the moment. Everyone watched Jordan’s every step and her little fan club immediately fell in behind her as she approached where Jason was standing.
Fletcher moved closer as well but stayed at the back of the crowd. He wasn’t going anywhere without Jordan.
She stepped up next to Jason and turned to face the little crowd. “Hi, everybody,” she started.
The crowd applauded and a few called, “Jordan!”, clearly showing their support.
Jason grimaced.
Fletcher tucked his hands into his pockets and settled back on his heels to watch. Anything that made Jason Young uncomfortable was entertaining for him.
Jordan held up her hands. “I wasn’t expecting to see you all today. But I guess I should take this chance to say something. I think there’s been a big misunderstanding.”
“Team Jordan!” someone called again.
There was more applause supporting that sentiment.
“I ripped up my Jason Young t-shirt!” another voice yelled.
“I’ll never listen to ‘Sweet Southern’ again!”
Jason looked almost sick at this point. Jordan glanced at him, clearly concerned, then back to the crowd. She caught Fletcher’s eye. He gave her a nod. He didn’t know what he was nodding at exactly, but whatever she thought she needed to do, he was supportive.
Jordan held up her hands again, quieting the group. “You guys, seriously, we need to clear something up.”
The crowd calmed, but nearly everyone present lifted their phones, clearly recording.
Jordan took a deep breath. “Jason and I have been together for a long time. You all know that. We are really close. I am thrilled at all of his success. But…this life isn’t what I want. And it became clear over the past couple of years that we were moving in different directions. But…” She paused and took another deep breath. “I made a huge mistake. Instead of being honest with him and ending things, I…”
Fletcher felt his spine tighten and it seemed that the entire crowd was holding their breath together.
“…had an affair.”
There was a collective gasp. Jason looked completely stunned. Fletcher felt shock and rage arch through him.
“But,” Jordan said quickly. “Jason and I tried to work it out. Again, we had been together so long. We truly love each other. Still, in the end, I fell in love with someone else. I told him right before he went on stage last night. Which was totally unfair of me. So he was still shocked and hurt and felt he had to go through with the proposal. But then he realized we were over and how he really felt for Viv and…” She stopped and looked at Jason. “I’m so happy that Jason found Vivian, and now we can both move on with our lives and be happy.” She reached out and took Jason’s hand. “I’m so sorry and thank you for forgiving me and I’m so glad we’re going to keep being friends.”
The crowd was clearly shocked. No one said anything for several long beats. Which was enough time for Jordan to make it halfway to where Fletcher was standing.
But finally, someone said, “You cheated on Jason?”
That seemed to loosen everyone’s tongues.
“Who’s the guy?”
“Jason, how long have you known?”
“This is all your fault?”
“He forgives you?”
Jordan made her way to Fletcher almost robotically.
He met her partway and immediately reached for her and tucked her under his arm. He glowered at the first two people who tried to step close.
“Are you the guy?” one of them asked with a gasp.
“Who are you?”
“Wow, huge balls to just show up here like this!”
Okay, now they cared who he was.
“That’s Fletcher.”
The entire crowd rotated back to face forward again as Jason spoke.
Under Fletcher’s arm, Jordan trembled slightly.
Fletcher glanced down at her. “What the hell?” he asked in a whisper. “You had an affair?”
She looked up at him with a frown. “Of course not.”
“Then what —”
“I’m trying to make him look good.”
Jesus. Fletcher shoved a hand through his hair. Of course she was. And of course, without having planned anything, this was what she’d come up with. She was willing to be the bad guy, take the blame for the breakup, let everyone go on thinking that Jason was some big hero.
Fuck.
“Fletcher and Jordan have been friends since they were in first grade,” Jason said. “He came to be with her after everything happened last night. I’m really grateful for their friendship. I felt huge relief knowing he was here with her.”
Fletcher met the other man’s eyes. He realized Jason was trying to downplay what people thought was going on between Fletcher and Jordan. Maybe just to help them get out of the casino without a mob scene. But he was clearly lending Fletcher his support and, in essence, telling the crowd that he was not a threat or someone they should be angry with.
Well, he did not need Jason Young’s help.
“Okay, so if you’ll excuse us, Jordan and I have an appointment.” Fletcher said, raising his voice to carry over the cluster of people.
Then he turned, with his arm still around Jordan, and started for the second door on the right.
He yanked on the gold handle and nudged Jordan through the door.
The last thing he heard before the heavy door bumped shut behind them was, “Oh my God, they’re getting married!”
6
“Hello, can I help you?”
Jordan looked at the woman coming across the lobby of the wedding chapel toward her and Fletcher.
The wedding chapel.
Well, one of them needed help.
And yeah, it might be her because her heart was pounding and her stomach felt like she’d swallowed a hundred butterflies.
She and Fletcher weren’t actually getting married.