Page 92 of His Turn

“Sure,” I say, liking the whole getting the hell out of here part. “You got everything you need, Anna?”

Anna looks down at her clipboard and smiles. “I got it, Bric. Do you want it delivered tomorrow? We have everything in stock.”

“How about Friday?” I say. “We close Friday morning at nine. So, noonish?”

“Yes,” Jordan says, feeling Nadia up. Nadia is giggling and her hands are wandering just like his. “Friday night we’ll break this baby in.” And then he sits up, helps Nadia sit up too, and stands, holding her hand as she climbs out of the bed. “I gotta go,” he says, leaning in to kiss her again before she can protest. It’s passionate and long. Long enough for Anna and I to look at each other. I’m annoyed, but she’s blushing.

I have to control my eye-roll.

“But you just got here,” Nadia says, more than a hint of disappointment in her voice when she pulls out of the kiss.

“I know,” Jordan says, looking intently into her eyes. “But this case, Nadia. I have to be in court early tomorrow for jury selection. And this guy, man. He’s a big problem. Got arrested while he was out on bail just before trial. It’s a fucking mess. But it’ll be over soon. Two weeks, tops. Then I’m all yours.” He glances at me when he says that. “I’ll make it up to you guys when it’s over. OK?”

I shrug. I’m ready to go, so what the fuck do I care?

There’s another kiss and then Jordan disappears throughout the rows of furniture.

We finish up the details with Anna and then Nadia and I walk out of the store together.

“Well,” she says, once we’re back in the freezing cold car. I can see her breath as she sighs that word out. “Furniture-shopping went better than I expected.”

“Did it?” I ask, blaring the heater as I back out of the parking spot. “You looked like you’d rather be getting a root canal than shopping for furniture with me.”

“That’s because you’re a dick, Elias. You made me mad. And this was all your idea and you ruined it. It should’ve been fun and you’re the reason it wasn’t.”

“Oh.” I laugh. A nice, loud incredulous laugh. “But it’s OK for Jordan to be two hours late?”

Nadia looks out the window. “At least he was happy to see me.”

I drop her off at her building. I don’t even pretend like I’m going to walk her in and have my way with her upstairs. I’m not in the mood. “I’m busy tomorrow,” I say, just as she opens her door.

“Me too,” she replies. “So I guess I’ll see you whenever.”

“No,” I say, grabbing hold of her arm before she can escape. She looks at me. Pins her eyes right to mine. Challenging me over whatever the fuck we’re doing right now. “I’ll pick you up after work on Friday. Have your things packed. You’re moving into the house.”

She smiles. It’s fake, but it’s big. And says nothing. Just removes my hand from her arm and gets out of my car.

I pull away without another look.

Nadia has twelve boxes and seven of those are cardboard wardrobes that mostly contain all the clothes Jordan has bought her since they’ve been together. I know this because she made a point of telling me that. Stressed his name, in fact.

Jordan is not here. Asshole. Even though I had his keys delivered to him after I signed the papers today.

We’re in the house. The last of the furniture is being delivered. Anna was here all day hanging pictures and messing with window coverings. She’s got bedding for the bed and towels in the bathrooms. The kitchen is stocked with dishes and glassware. The dining table seats fourteen, for fuck’s sake. And It occurs to me that I have no idea what I was getting into when I bought this house just to make Nadia mad about not participating. Five million dollars cash. What the fuck was I thinking?

She’s in the master closet, presumably emptying out her cardboard wardrobes and thinking about Jordan—asshole—and how perfect he is.

I’m drinking a bottle of brandy in the office. I like the office because I can see almost the entire first floor from here. Specifically, the stairs. And I can hear everything too, like this place has perfect acoustics. Anna and Nadia are up there laughing. Men are walking down carrying folded cardboard, chatting and happy, discussing what they will do this weekend, eager to go home and forget about their week.

I’d like to forget about my week too. My middle brother, Gaius, called yesterday. And my oldest sister, Candace, called today.

I didn’t answer my phone either time, but Margaret made a point to leave me little sticky notes so I’d know they called the Club as well.

My brandy is good and I finish the drink and pour me another. Nope, I’m not getting sucked back into that drama. They can call all they want. I’m not gonna do it.

I didn’t bring anything over except clothes. So I guess Nadia and I aren’t that different. Jordan has brought nothing. Because he’s not here yet. Asshole.

Nadia and Anna descend the stairs. They know I’m in here. Have been in here since I brought Nadia over a few hours ago. But they don’t even look my way as they pass the open door. Just stop in the foyer and do stupid cheek kisses as they say goodbye.