Endlessly

Rae

My hands twitched nervously in my lap, as I sat in the front seat of David's pick-up truck. It was 7:05, exactly five minutes after I said I would show up to the Staal's barbecue, and I had exactly two more people with me than I originally said I would bring. I was counting on the fact that Jordan's entire family loved me enough to let it slide.

Chelsea hummed from her spot beside the window, radiating happiness. When I had invited her along with me, she had shrieked and tackled me into a bear hug, before rushing off to plan an outfit worthy of the presence of her favorite hockey players. As for myself, I had gone with a pair of white jean shorts and a flowy, navy silk top with beading along the scoop neckline. It showed enough skin to bother a certain someone, but covered enough to be passable as appropriate for a public event with children.

"You really should calm down. I don't want my date to be hot and bothered before we even get there," David said with a smirk from the driver's seat. I rolled my eyes, snorting in response. As if.

"I can't believe I'm finally meeting them. The Staal brothers. They're practically gods. I wonder if Jared's single still..." she trailed of, actually seriously contemplating the question.

"Honey," I said in response to David's exasperated looks. "Jared's a little old for you. And, to tell you the truth, you're a little out of his league, not the other way around. Why don't you look for that Charlie guy you were talking about?"

"Because he's good, but not Staal good," she explained matter-of-factly.

Jesus, I thought to myself, this was going to be a long night. Not only would I have to deal with a jealous date, an extremely possessive and jealous Ex-that-desperately-didn't-want-to-be-an-Ex, but now I had to add watching out for Chelsea on top of the others.

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Jordan

I checked my watch for the millionth time in the past five minutes. Rae was late. I had been anxious an hour before the party. Now, I was fast approaching hysterical. Where on Earth could she be? What if she got sick, and forgot to call? What if her car broke down? What if David was holding her captive? What if she was willingly letting David hold her captive?

The what-ifs flashed across my mind at rapid-fire pace, like a light-speed shooting drill. Just as I thought my brain was going to destroy me, a cold bottle of beer was pressed into my hand. Glancing up, I found Marc standing silently next to me, sipping his own.

"You looked like you needed one," was all he said, his presence offering moral support.

Untwisting the cap with a popping noise, I chugged down half the bottle in three gulps. I felt Marc watching me, but I didn't care. I needed something to lessen the sound of my brain, and alcohol was the perfect buffer.

I heard the crunch of gravel as a red pick up truck pulled in, and three bodies piled out. One, I saw to my delight and despair, belonged to Rae. The others were a girl I didn't recognize, and David.

My blood began to boil instantly. "What the fuck is he doing here?" Marc asked, reading my thoughts.

"I don't know, but I'm going to find out." I started in their direction, but a strong hand held me back.

"You might want to re-think that. That's exactly what Rae wants you to do. And knowing you, this will turn into an all-out brawl."

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Rae

I couldn't comprehend why Jordan hadn't knocked David's lights out yet. I thought as soon as I pulled up with David he would freak, or at least when I greeted him and introduced the two. But, surprisingly, he was being polite, keeping up small talk. I had been beside myself with confusion, and excused myself to the drink stand. 'Cause if I was going to survive a night with Jordan and David breathing the same air, I sure as hell was going to need one.

I picked up a chilled beer, not caring about the brand or how many calories it had, I just needed a fucking beer. It was nice to not have people questioning a girl drinking a beer, like they had in the 'States. I just got drink in peace here.

Not so much.

"Rae? Is it the Rae Kealy?" I turned at the playful tone, and broke into a smile when I saw Eric making his way over to me. He wrapped one arm around me, careful not to spill either of our drinks. "How's it going? I heard lover boy over there," he jerked his head in what I knew to be Jordan's general direction, "saying you're back for the whole summer. I'm so bummed I'm only here for a week or two."

I smiled and nodded, about to say something in reply when a blonde tornado suddenly attacked Eric's legs, screeching, "Daddy!" at the top of its lungs.

"Parker, my man!" In a fluid motion, he scooped the toddler up into his arms. "How's it going buddy?" The little boy, who looked 100% Staal, with the shock of blonde hair and clear blue eyes, was about to answer when he noticed me. He considered me for half a second, before burying his face in Eric's shoulder. "Aw," Eric cooed, "Don't you want to say hi to your auntie Rae?"

Poking his head up, Parker watched me carefully, before releasing a fistful of Eric's shirt and waving. I couldn't help but grin, despite the fact that Eric hadn't given me an appropriate title. "I'm not his aunt," I whispered through gritted teeth.

"Yeah, but we all know you will be someday. Jordan's just gotta get his head out of his ass already and sweep you off your feet."

I rolled my eyes, not believing my ears. The entire world was convinced Jordan and I were meant to be.

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Jordan

Three hours after Rae arrived, the party was in full swing. After a few drinks, most people had loosened up, and about four dozen crowded onto the makeshift dance floor in front of the pickup-truck-dj-stage my brothers and I had assembled. From where I sat, slouched in my seat, I could see Rae and David dancing, both laughing and appearing to have a good time.

I had spoken maybe half a dozen words to Rae since she arrived, but managed to have a fifteen minute conversation with David. It was all part of Marc's plan to win Rae's trust, but it was really starting to get on my nerves. I didn't know how much more I could take of watching David give her bedroom eyes, even though she politely ignored them.

God, she looked great. In those white jean shorts, her legs looked impossibly long and tan. The navy blouse was made of some shiny-ish material that moved like water over her body, making me itch to reach out and touch it. And the fact that she was barefoot just added to the summer goddess appeal.

Someone tapped my shoulder before plopping down next to me. Jared. Great.

"You might want to ask Rae to dance. The next song is going to be a slow one," he stated matter of factly. I raised an eyebrow, which he shrugged in reply to. "You just have a really awesome brother. Thank me later."

I stared in Rae's direction, mentally going over tactics like I would hockey plays. I could always just leave it be and not dance. Which would be like shooting at Fluery during a game. Or I could ask her to dance, she'd say no, and I'd look like a loser. I'm Jordan-fucking-Staal. No one makes me look like a loser. Or she'd say yes, we'd dance, and everything would be hunky-dory. Cut the bullshit. She's not some puck slut. I knew I had to get David out of the picture. But how, I wasn't sure yet.

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Rae

I was dancing with David, to some song that I didn't really know but recognized. But in reality, I was watching Jordan out of the corner of my eye, who was watching me. Actually, he was full-out, unabashedly staring, but I didn't mind. Jordan's attention just made David work twice as hard for my attention.

Wait, he was no longer there. I glanced around, hoping David wasn't too offended, looking for the familiar blonde giant. I could make out Eric and Jared, but Jordan was out of sight.

Well, you know what they say. Out of sight out of-

"Mind if I cut in?"

I whipped around at the familiar rumble of a voice, forgetting the music. Jordan stood behind me, hands in his pockets, looking surprisingly shy. I wasn't sure whether he had been asking me or David, so I turned back to David, hoping he'd say no.

But, to my dismay, he was nodding his head. "Sure, man. But just one or two songs, alright? Can't have her ditching me," he winked at me like it was some private joke, that I obviously didn't get, and walked away. Boys will always confuse me. Even when I'm 98.

Jordan placed a hand on my lower back, and I turned. Right into his waiting arms. He placed one of my hands on his shoulder, before clasping the other in his giant one. I was about to tell him the song was too fast to dance like this, when the bass beats gave way to a softer piano melody. A slow song; actually, a love song.

Great.

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Jordan

Just as Jared promised, a slow song came on just as I gathered Rae into my arms. I saw the confusion and surprise cross her face, before she quickly tried to cover them with indifference.

Her hand was tentative on my shoulder, unsure of where it should stay. Her other hand, locked in mine, twitched slightly, moving into a more comfortable position. She kept her face even with my collarbone, not letting me look at her.

"I won't bite, I promise," I whispered over the music. "I just wanted a chance to talk."

Pulling back, she looked at me, allowing me to see her up close for the first time in over three years. In that moment, she just looked exhausted, like she'd been up too late the night before. My mind wandered to her and David, together, alone...

"Jordan?" Rae's voice brought me back, and her wide eyes are still turned up, inspecting my face. "What's wrong?"

That's the problem when you spent a greater portion of your life with someone; they know you better than anyone else, whether it be your habits, your hobbies, or your facial expressions. "Nothing. It's nothing, really," I reassured her, my hand automatically rubbing a small circle on her back.

She gave me a look, before turning away, starving me of her gaze. "I just-" I started, but wasn't sure how to go on.

"Jordan, I missed you."

I froze, my attempts at dancing halted. At first, I wondered if it was my imagination running wild, but she turned back to me with sad eyes. She released my hand, then placed her's on my jaw, her palm pressing into my stubble. I knew I should've shaved before, I think to myself, as my brain shorts out from the skin-to-skin contact.

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Rae

Jordan's eyes were desperate and pleading as he asked permission to talk. My words slipped out before I realized what I was doing.

"Jordan, I missed you."

He stopped moving altogether, pulling me to a stand still as well. His facial expression has changed to a deep and utter longing, one that I had grown accustomed to seeing in the mirror every morning for the past three years. Reacting on instinct, I set my hand against his cheek, and can't help but be surprised when he leans into it, craving the contact as much as me.

When he opened his mouth to speak, his breath came out a raspy and short. "You have no idea. I felt like... I can't even explain. All I know is that I wouldn't even wish it on my worst enemies, what I felt when I left you. I just-"

"I know," I whispered. "Trust me, I know. But, what you did, I don't think I can ever forgive for that. What you did, it destroyed me."

We swayed in silence for a few lyrics, drowning in our own memories. When he spoke again, he seemed to have re-gained some of his composure. "Rae, I would, and will, go to the ends of the earth just to have you back in my life. It was hard leaving you behind, but it was a thousand times harder when I couldn't even come back to you. I fu- I mean, I screwed up big time. I know that. But, name anything you want, and I'll make it happen. Money's no object anymore, and-"

"Stop." My throat was constricting of its own accord, trying to hold back tears. "Please, just stop."

I stepped away, out of his arms. One more second of his touch and I would break down. I'd beg him to take me back. I couldn't do that. It would just happen all over again.

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Jordan

"Please, just stop." Tears I hadn't noticed earlier slipped free of her eyes as Rae slipped free of my arms. I reach forward again, but David appeared out of nowhere, slipping a protective arm around her shoulders.

"I think that's enough for now," he said, steering her away from me.

"Wait," I reached out, grabbing David's arm, just trying to stop their escape. Next thing I knew, David's fist was connecting with my jaw, snapping my head to the side.

Several shrieks filled the air as I gripped my jaw, surprised by the force of his punch. Rae's desperate voice rose up. "David! What the hell?"

I looked up, fists balled at my sides, ready to get him. I didn't even know what the fuck it was for. The least the guy could've done was give me some answers.

But Rae stood between us, her back to me, hands out to David, stopping his advance. The fight left me right then, and I noticed the blood that dripped from my nose and lip. "Rae," I said, seeing if she'd turn around. When she did, her eyes went wide as they took in my face. "Let him. I deserve it, I suppose. For stealing his date and all."

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Rae

My jaw dropped when Jordan basically told me to move so David could beat the crap out of him. Because he deserved it.

I couldn't help but wonder if this was a loaded request, just Jordan trying to prove he really would do anything to win me over again. I didn't get much time to think it over because Mr. Staal came storming through the crowd that had gathered.

"Jordan Lee Staal, what did I tell you about starting fi-" his scolding trailed away as he noticed the gore adorning Jordan's face. "Did you-"

Jordan shook his head before his dad even finished the question. I backed him up, saying, "Not a single punch, sir."

"Then who-" this time his voice turned up threateningly, looking for whoever had started a fight at a 'family event', an offense punishable by forced manual labor in the Staal household. His eyes locked in on David, and I saw his chest puff up, about to chew him out, and I stepped in again.

"I'll take care of it." I strode over to David, grabbed his elbow, and dragged him through the hoards of people that had gathered. Once we hit an open space, I pulled up short, turning on him. "What the hell were you thinking? Why did you even do that? You know what, I don't even care. All I know is that the Staal's are like family, no matter what Jordan did to me all those year ago. And when someone messes with my family, I get pissed."

"I was doing you a favor! Jordan was gonna-"

"I don't want to hear it. Just be happy Jordan's on his best behavior, or he would've fricking leveled you. And now, I'm starting to think that wouldn't have been such a bad thing."

I turned on my heel, took several strides before adding, "You can leave now."

"What about Chelsea? And you? You guys need a ride home," he said hopefully, trying to weasel his way back.

"I'll get Jared or Marc to drive her back. As for me, I don't need your help. Please leave, before I have you forcibly removed."

"Un-fucking-believable! I try to help a girl out, and I'm the bad guy!"

"I didn't ask you to punch him! I just wanted him a little jealous, not wounded!"

"You know what? Fine. I'll leave. But you've got to make up your mind; do you hate him or not? And when he dumps your ass again when he leaves this August, don't come moping around my house."

"Fine!"

He stalked away, leaving me breathing hard, seething with anger.