Chapter 33：Mrs Carter

Lana was back home in Minnesota and settled back into an easy routine. She had gone back to college to complete her final year, before graduating. Jordan had left her to settle in at his house and immediately taken off to finish the last leg of his tour. Their relationship was still strained and they barely spoke to each other.

Still on strained relationships; her mother was still upset with her and their conversations always ended up with an exchange of harsh words. So Lana did her best to avoid her.

It was the second week of school and Lana was dashing to the library when she ran into her friends, Olivia and Lisa.

"Hey there Mrs. Carter!" Olivia said.

"Hey guys," Lana stopped in the corridor and they chatted for a bit.

"So where are you rushing to? For a secret rendezvous with the smoking hot Mr. Carter?" Lisa wiggled her eyebrows.

"No.." Lana blushed despite the fact that she wasn't on good terms with Jordan.

He had been gone for almost three weeks but he hadn't called her. On the plus side, he always made mention of her during his interviews or while he performed on stage. Even if it was all an act she was hopeful.

"We still need all the deets and juicy bits," Olivia said as she looped her arm with Lana's as they walked to the library.

"Sorry, girls-but I can't share such intimate details with you," Lana laughed.

"A girl can only try," Lisa grumbled.

"But it must have been good right?" Olivia questioned, ever inquisitive.

"Oh, it was better than good!" They all burst out laughing.

"Well if it isn't the famous Mrs. Carter, that literally screwed her way to the top." Victoria Young and her minions stood in front of them, evidently blocking their way. Students started to stop and watch the showdown which was synonymous whenever these two met.

Victoria disliked Lana since kindergarten and the feeling was mutual. She always knew what to do or say to get Lana riled up and derived pleasure from making her life miserable.

"Not everyone is like you Vicky," Lisa looked at her with scorn.

"I don't recall asking you to speak so be quiet until I decide to speak to you. Got it?!" she said dramatically with a wave of her hand.

"I don't have time for your drama today Victoria," Lana tried to go round her but she pushed her back.

"We're not done talking," she pressed her hand against Lana's chest, showing off her long manicured nails.

"Oh but I think you are," Jordan's voice broke in as he sauntered down the hallway leisurely like he owned the world. He was dressed in a plain white long-sleeved shirt and a pair of light-washed ripped skinny jeans that hugged every curve of his toned lower body. His tan Chelsea boots echoed on the tiled floor as silence fell all around the quad.

"Jordan Carter!" Victoria squeaked and rushed towards him.

He grabbed her wrists and pushed her back, "My wife is standing right there-show some respect," he said with a toss of his platinum blonde hair.

There were screams and squeals of delight heard all over as the students rushed towards their idol, but his bodyguards pushed everyone back.

"Hie sweets," he lifted Lana up, spun her around and smiled at her, "Miss me?" His blue eyes shone.

Before she could answer he lowered her slowly, pulled her hips closer to him and gave her a kiss that made everyone blush. He deepened the kiss as her lips parted, granting him further access and causing some onlookers to cat-whistle and cheer them on.

"I missed you, Bambi," he whispered softly, his warm breath fanning her flushed face.

"Hmmm..I can tell.." she said, trying to catch her breath.

"You missed me too? Aww look we even have matching outfits? Coincidence?" he loosened his hold and stepped back to look at her, "can we do lunch?" he laced their hands.

"Hie JC I'm Victoria-" she held out her hand and he looked at it like she had the plague.

"Don't want to know,-don't care." he brushed past her, "ready baby?" he turned to Lana and she nodded.

"Actually...I need to dash to the library quickly. Why don't you sign a few autographs and stuff? Then I'll meet you back at the car when I'm done?" Lana suggested.

"Hie Jordan!" Lisa and Olivia stepped forward.

"Hey Lisa," he hugged her and then Olivia, "hey Ollie."

Victoria was looking on and getting angrier by the minute after her very public humiliation. She tried to talk to Jordan but he ignored her again and continued to talk to Olivia and Lisa like they were old friends.

"I thought you were bad with remembering names?" Lana asked him.

"It depends sweets..some names are worth remembering," he kissed her forehead and Olivia awed.

"You're too good to be true Jordan Carter," Lisa sighed dreamily.

"I know right?" He laughed and pulled Lana in for a quick kiss and let her go.

"See you just now," she said and he winked at her before getting lost in the crowd of students.

"He's sooooo hot! You're so lucky!" Olivia exclaimed, "Can't believe that he hugged me!" she said fanning her face.

"Can't believe you get to do that on-demand," Lisa added.

"Hey, Lana! Wait up!" Cassie King, one of Victoria's minions ran up to them.

"What does she want?" Olivia rolled her eyes.

"Hey Lana..I-uhm-was just wondering if you wanted to come to my 21st birthday party on Saturday. It's going to be an exclusive event at The Marquette Hotel. Strictly by invitation of course," she stared pointedly at Lisa and Olivia, "but Jordan is obviously invited," she quickly added, tossing her long brown hair back.

"Sorry can't make it-we will be busy on that night. Let's go, girls," They turned and continued on their way but Cassie was not deterred.

"Wait!"

"Not interested-" Lana shouted out.

"You can bring your-friends.."

"I'll think about it," Lana called out.

"Hello sweetheart," Jones stepped out of the car and engulfed Lana in a bear hug.

"Hie Jones! I missed you!" she grinned at him and Jordan scowled.

"At least she missed someone," he grumbled before jumping inside the car.

They had just arrived at the cocktail bar and placed an order for their club sandwiches when the press swarmed outside the restaurant. The manager had to close the doors to keep them out. The other patrons in the restaurant began to stare in their direction and whispered excitedly.

"Sorry sweets," Jordan apologized, "I thought we could eat out but-" he looked out the window as the camera's flashed from the outside. "Do you want to leave?"

"No," she shook her head, "we came here to eat so that's what we're going to do." she looked around, challenging the stares.

"Hmm...I like a woman that takes control," Jordan leaned forward and nuzzled her neck.

"Let's go!" Jones called out as he got to the table, "we can order in today kids."

"No," Jordan smiled, "my wife over here wants us to sit this one out."

"Are you sure?" Jones asked.

"We can't keep running Jones," Lana said with determination, "this is who I married so I'm going to have to get used to it I guess."

"Will you look at that? My baby is all grown up," Jones pretended to cry and wiped fake tears from his eyes. Jordan cracked up and Lana grinned widely.

Jordan called the manager over and told him to open the doors. He didn't want the restaurant to lose business on their account. Curious stares were thrown in their direction but they carried on as normal.

"If they're going to watch then we might as well put on a show.." Jordan pulled Lana's chair closer to his until his legs were between hers.

"Don't do it Carter!" she warned under her breath.

"Oh I'm only getting warmed up.." he whispered seductively into her ear before tracing his tongue slowly around it. "I missed you so much.." he sucked her earlobe and Lana's body reacted immediately, "Why don't we skip lunch and head straight for dessert?"

"I'm going to be sitting over there," Jones pointed to the table behind and dashed away.

The waiter cleared his throat when he arrived with the food; interrupting a very heated kiss.

"Just leave it on the table and you can go," Jordan said without turning around. He reverted to nibbling Lana's delectable lips like their every move wasn't being watched and documented.

"Sorry to interrupt," Ryan broke in as he took a seat at the table, "but we have a guest."

"Go away," Jordan said as he leaned his forehead on Lana's.

"I'm sorry Hannah-they are usually like this..this is actually a PG version," Ryan explained to the shy brunette that sat next to him.

"Hie Hannah I'm Lana," she extended her hand.

"Pleasure to meet you, Mrs Carter. I'm your new personal assistant. I look forward to working with you," Hannah smiled as they shook hands.

"Please call me Lana."

"Lana-got it," she nodded.

"Right- now that the formalities are over you two can leave," Jordan gestured with his hands.

"I'm sorry Hannah. My husband tends to act like a child when he doesn't get his way." Lana said apologetically.

"That's okay Mrs-Lana," Hannah replied, as she pushed her wide spectacles up the bridge of her nose.

"Ryan, do we have to do this now? I just got back and I'm only here for the weekend," Jordan grumbled.

"We're not going to take much of your time. Ten minutes tops. I think I'm ready to order-waiter!" Ryan waved his hand and the server came to take their order.

"Hey sweets, look over there," Jordan pointed at a Karaoke machine and they gave each other a knowing look, "are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

"Karaoke?!" They said in unison and then burst out laughing as they rushed over to the machine.

"Oh no!" Jones stood behind Ryan and shook his head.

"What?" Hannah asked confused.

"You'll see-it's a Carter thing," Ryan replied, not taking his eyes off them.

"Just sit back and enjoy the show, Betty." Jones sank on the chair next to Ryan and crossed his arms.

"I don't care by Ed and Justin?" Jordan asked. "An interesting choice of song Bambi."

"Ready?"

"Born ready sweets." He grabbed her hand as they started to dance and sing along.

I'm at a party I don't wanna be at

And I don't ever wear a suit and tie

Wonderin' if I could sneak out the back

Nobody's even lookin' me in my eyes

Then you take my hand

You know I love you, did I ever tell you?

You make it better like that

Don't think I fit in at this party

Everyone's got so much to say, yeah

I always feel like I'm nobody, mm

Who wants to fit in anyway?

'Cause I don't care when I'm with my baby, yeah

All the bad things disappear

And you're making me feel like maybe I am somebody

I can deal with the bad nights

When I'm with my baby, yeah

Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh

'Cause I don't care, as long as you just hold me near

You can take me anywhere

And you're making me feel like I'm loved by somebody

I can deal with the bad nights

When I'm with my baby, yeah

Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh

We at a party we don't wanna be at

Tryna talk, but we can't hear ourselves

Read your lips, I'd rather kiss 'em right back

With all these people all around

I'm crippled with anxiety

But I'm told it's where I'm supposed to be

You know what? It's kinda crazy 'cause I really don't mind

And you make it better like that

Don't think we fit in at this party

Everyone's got so much to say, oh yeah, yeah

When we walked in, I said I'm sorry, mm

But now I think that we should stay

'Cause I don't care when I'm with my baby, yeah

All the bad things disappear

Yeah, you're making me feel like maybe I am somebody

I can deal with the bad nights when I'm with my baby, yeah

Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh (oh yeah, yeah, yeah)

'Cause I don't care as long as you just hold me near

You can take me anywhere

And you're making me feel like I'm loved by somebody

I can deal with the bad nights when I'm with my baby, yeah

Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh (no)

(I Don't Care lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group)

The restaurant came alive and everyone ended up joining in on the fun. The floor was packed with couples dancing around the tables. Lana and Jordan smiled as they looked around at the chain reaction they had caused.

"Hey sweets, do you have to go back to any classes?" Jordan asked as they walked back to the others.

"No..why?"

"Let's go to the bar. I missed sharing a cosmo with you," he waved Jones over.

"But we're not done with Hannah-" Lana said.

"She can join us-she has to learn how to party like a rock-star," he winked at a gaping Hannah, "Let's go."

"But-but it's only two in the afternoon," Hannah kept glancing at her watch.

"Tell us something we don't know Betty," Jordan laughed and grabbed Lana's waist as they went over to the bar.

They were the last ones to leave the pub and the press was still camped outside.

A reporter stepped forward boldly, "JC would you like to comment on your whirlwind romance with Miss Logan?"

"It's Mrs. Carter now-but I have a comment," he dipped Lana backwards and kissed her long and hard and all that could be heard was the clicking of cameras.

"You can write about that-if you can put it into words that is. Thank you-excuse us." The bodyguards helped them get to the car and the journalists kept asking questions.

"That was so unnecessary Carter," Lana protested.

"You loved it." He slid closer to her and kissed her neck.

"Maybe.." she smiled.

"Who is this now?" Jordan moaned and pulled his phone out of his pocket, "Yes?" he barked.

"Is that the way to greet your best-friend?"

"I'm hanging up."

"I know where Dahlia is.."

"She's dead."

"No, she isn't."

"Prove it."

His phone got a notification and he opened up the image immediately.

"Where is she?!"

"Tell your goons to let me go and then she's all yours."

The phone went dead.