Chapter 21: Adam's Last

Okay, so I let her go. It was tough, but I had to do it. I mean, if it meant losing both her friendship and Portman's, it wasn't worth it. Plus, Jordan's right: it's over between us. I mean, I love her and everything, but if she can't see us together, ever, than why waste my time? I could be focusing on so much more. And I just don't feel comfortable with her playing ball. Never would. And she loves it so much, she could never deal with me as a boyfriend. But that doesn't mean it doesn't hurt, knowing she wants to be with someone else.

It was the middle of the week: the championship game was only two days away. Adam was watching Jordan at lunchtime; she was sitting with her football friends, laughing, pieces of hair falling into her eyes. They were all excited about the game. Adam was a wreck.

Please let her get through this game ok, he thought to himself as he returned his attention to the table and his teammates. He glanced over at Portman. The man was in a really bad mood. He hadn't talked to Jordan since Monday, and it was really upsetting him.

Adam totally understood. Portman had done a pretty risky thing with Jordan and left the ball in her court. And, from the way he had described it, Jordan was ready to give in because she really didn't want to stay mad at him. But, from the looks of things, she wasn't as ready as Portman thought she was.

Adam sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. There had to be some way to fix this. It was all his fault. He should be able to talk to her and get her to go back to Portman. They were perfect for each other, at least at this point in their lives. She was smart and spunky and didn't take his crap, and he supported her and wanted to take care of her which she needed. He had to find a way to help them out, and make Jordan realize Portman was the one for her.

Adam turned back around and saw Jordan getting up from her table. He looked back at Portman and made a motion, saying he was going to go talk to her. Portman, still glowering, nodded and went back to playing with his food.

He stood up. "Think I'm going to go get some fresh air. See you guys at practice."

Everyone said goodbye and he walked over to throw his things away. Jordan was saying goodbye to her teammates and heading out into the hallway. Adam followed quickly behind, trying to catch up to her.

She stopped at her locker and Adam stopped right behind her. "Hey."

Jordan glanced over at him. "Hey."

Well, it wasn't much, but it was a start. "Look, I want to apologize. I was a complete and total prick and I'm sorry."

Jordan shut her locker and leaned against it. "Tell me something I don't know."

"Jordan, you and Portman belong together." He blurted out, to get to the heart of his reason for stopping to talk.

"So, your motive reveals itself." She rolled her eyes and started up the hallway. "Not interested."

Adam fell into step with her. "Just hear me out, ok? He's been miserable since you stopped talking and even worse since that kiss."

Jordan whirled around and glared at him. "He told you? How dare he? Is nothing sacred?"

Adam held his hands up in surrender. "Only me, and only because I saw you push him into that classroom and I wanted to know if you had forgiven him." He lowered his hands. "He really cares about you, Jordan."

"So did you and look how that ended." Jordan's voice got sad.

"That wasn't because of us, that was because of Chad and you know it." Adam was exasperated. "And anyway, you and Portman aren't you and I. Things will work out differently between the two of you." Adam smiled. "He loves you, Jordie."

She wrinkled her nose. "I told you never to call me that!" Her face softened. "Does he really?" She looked straight into Adam's eyes, uncertain of the truth.

"You can't tell? The man hasn't eaten in three days. He's not performing like he should be at practice. He's not even talking to Fulton."

Jordan's eyes got wide. "Wow, this is serious." She shook her head. "I don't know. He's so jealous, I don't know if I can deal with it."

"He's not as bad as some people." Adam was talking about himself. He would have loved to have killed her football friends five minutes ago, but it wasn't his place. "Doesn't he deserve a real chance? One without your ex-boyfriend trying to sabotage him?"

Jordan smiled at him. "Maybe. As long as it doesn't come between me and my best friend." She looked pointedly at Adam.

"Best friend? I thought that was Chad?" He was surprised. She'd been mad at him for a long time. And now, she wanted to be friends again. It wasn't love, but it was better than nothing.

"Chad's a great big brother, but he's just not best friend material. However, if you can get over your jealous streak, I think we could be bffs." She giggled at the childish abbreviation.

"I thought you were still mad at me?" Adam was still trying to wrap his mind around being back in Jordan's life.

"I think you've just proven that you've learned something from the ordeal. And in that case, I will be happy to be friends again." She took a step closer to him. "Ok?"

Adam smiled. "Yeah, friends would be great." He stuck out his hand.

Jordan pushed it aside. "We've known each other so long, I think we can do better than that." She leaned over and hugged him.

Adam held onto her tightly, squeezing before he let her go. "That didn't take too long to get over."

Jordan laughed and hit him playfully on the arm. "You caught me in a good mood. What can I say? You're lucky." Her smile got bigger. "Speaking of lucky, my cousin Diana is coming to the game Friday. You know, the really cute blonde one? She said something about wanting to see you again."

Adam vaguely remembered a small blonde girl who used to follow around Jordan when they were younger. "The one who's like a year younger than me?"

Jordan nodded and reached into her back pocket. "I have a recent picture." She handed it to him.

The girl was cute with deep brown eyes and a huge inviting smile. Her blonde hair was in loose curls that framed her face. Adam raised an eyebrow in approval. "Can I meet her?"

Jordan took back the picture. "As long as you won't try anything sinister, than yes."

"I don't make promises I can't keep," he joked.

They laughed for a minute and then looked at each other. The bell rang.

"Well," Jordan said.

"Well." Adam was shifting awkwardly.

"I'll give him another shot, Banksy." She smiled and pointed a finger at him. "But don't tell him. I want him to come to me after the game on Friday. Got it?"

Adam gave her a thumbs up. "You got it." He looked straight into her eyes. "I'm glad this all worked out, Jordan."

"Yeah, me too." She looked over her shoulder toward her class. "I should get going. See you at the game Friday. Dress to impress!" Then she waved and took off.

So, then I kept trying to convince Portman to go talk to her at the game Friday. I think he's almost there. I'll meet Diana and see what develops. Maybe having Jordan as a friend will be a good thing after all…