Chapter 49：Could You?

Lana was not backing down from her decision. No matter how hard Jordan begged she was unwavering. She was going to Manhattan to start her new life..without him.

She would be leaving in less than three months and he was running out of time and ways to convince her that he had changed. He wrote her songs, sang her songs, sent her flowers twice a day, bought her a brand new Ferrari, mentioned her in every interview but it didn't seem to do the trick.

"I've reached the end of the line Jones." He huffed as he lifted weights at the in-house gym. "I've tried everything but-"

"Have you really tried everything?" Jones queried as he ran on the treadmill.

"Pretty much." Jordan tensed as he pushed the weights over his head.

"All you've done is throw material things at her. I'm sure she really feels loved now." Jones said whimsically.

"What more can I do?" Jordan replied with a wry face of discomfiture.

"Give her something that your money can't buy."

"Like what?"

"Your time. Your heart. Candid conversations." Jones stipulated.

"How do I do that?" Jordan was genuinely befuddled.

"Gosh! You really are clueless." Jones muttered under his breath.

"I've never chased after a girl-ever." Jordan placed the weights against the wall and grabbed his towel to wipe the sweat that was dripping down his body. He went over to the mini-bar and got an ice-cold bottle of water, draining it in seconds.

"Well good luck with that Jordan Carter." Jones turned off the machine and stepped off the treadmill.

"You're not helping Jones." He groaned into the towel as he wiped his face down.

"I warned you countless times chum. You only have yourself to blame for this predicament that you find yourself in."

"You think I don't know that?"

"There's a difference between knowing something and acting on the knowledge that you have." Jones pointed out. "Now that you've realized your mistakes what's the next step?"

"Make things right."

"How?"

"By doing the right thing I guess.." Jordan frowned.

"..and what does that entail?"

"Showing her that I love her and that she's important to me?"

"You love her??" Jones couldn't believe his ears. "You've finally admitted it!" He fell onto the bench and cracked up.

"What's so funny?"

"You-Jordan Carter-loves another human being?" Jones clutched his sides.

"It's not impossible," Jordan grunted.

Just then Lana walked into the gym holding Jordan's iPhone and handed it over to him. "Sorry, it kept ringing..on the breakfast table so I answered it.." She gulped, her face flushed.

"Who is it?"

"Dahlia," she replied before she turned her heel and stumbled out like she couldn't get away quick enough.

"Lana-wait!" He cut the call and went after her.

He found her in her room, packing her school bag. "It's not what you think-"

"Doesn't matter what I think-" she threw her bag over her shoulder and brushed past him. He rushed after her as she was just about to descend the staircase.

"It does matter to me!" He grabbed her arm and turned her around so that she was facing him.

"I've got to go to class otherwise I'll be late for the final presentation. I can't let my team down." She tried to pull away from him but he held her fast.

"Not before I explain to you that Dahlia means nothing to me-"

"I don't need any explanations, Carter. It's none of my business."

"The only woman I want is standing right in front of me-I love you Lana-only you, baby.." He divulged with sincerity.

"Just because you've finally professed that doesn't mean I should believe you. I'm still leaving and at least now you will be free to be with-"

"I don't know what it's going to take to convince you that I love you and I'm committed to you!" He leaned against the wall and ran his fingers through his hair in frustration.

"Why should I believe that you've changed Carter?! A leopard never changes its spots-"

"But it can change its mind-" he clapped back.

"You haven't changed Carter. You've just found better ways to lie." She contravened.

"Lana..baby.." he stepped forward and placed his hands on her trembling shoulders, then cupped her cheeks. "I've changed. Everyone else has noticed that-except you. You refuse to acknowledge the truth that's staring at you right in the face." He expelled air from his lungs and faced upwards. "If you can't see how much I care about you-how much I want us to work then..I don't know baby..I'm throwing in the towel. I'm done trying to win you over." He dropped his hands helplessly to his side. "I'm done, Lana." He said before he walked away, his shoulders hunched in defeat.

"He's right you know..believe it or not-he has changed." Jones clambered slowly up the stairs and went towards Lana.

"I can't risk it again Jones-I don't think I'll survive if-" her ponytail swished from side to side as she shook her head; fear clearly mirrored in her eyes. "I've got to go." She ran down the stairs and out the front door.

Jones heard her driving away and went in search of Jordan. He could probably use a friend right now.

"Are you okay kid?" Jones stepped into the studio where he found Jordan standing at the window.

"I'm done, Jay."

"She's just scared of getting hurt again," Jones observed.

"So am I but- I don't know.." He sighed and went to sit at the bar, pouring himself a shot of whiskey.

"That means we will just have to move on to Plan B." Jones smiled mysteriously.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Hey, Lana." Cassie King ambushed Lana when she was opening her locker.

"Hie Cassie." Lana gave her a thin smile.

"So our sorority is having a pre-end of year party at the frat house and we would really like it if you could come?" She said with false enthusiasm. "Don't worry I've already invited all your..minions and they're super-psyched." She said as she punched the air.

"I'm not really-"

"Oh, look-here they come!" She pointed over to Lisa and Olivia. "I'll leave you ladies to discuss. See you later. It starts at eight don't be late." She said with a wave of her hand.

"Hey! so you heard?!"

"Are we going?!"

"We're going right?!

"What are we going to wear?"

"We need to go shopping?!"

"Hey! Breathe you two!" Lana couldn't help but laugh at her over-eager friends.

"Sorry!" Lisa apologized breathlessly.

"We heard that this is the party of the year-besides the end of year dance of cos-we have to go!" Olivia looped her arm with Lana's as they made their way to the school hall for the final rehearsal.

"Okay. Fine!" Lana conceded defeat.

"So we're going to go shopping once you're done with practice," Lisa announced.

"Are you guys staying to watch?" Lana asked.

"Yes. Definitely." Olivia smiled.

"I'll meet you guys here okay?" Lana left them seated and rushed back-stage where her band members were anxiously waiting for her.

"So you heard about the party tonight?" Charlotte's eyes lit up with excitement.

"Yeah."

"I couldn't believe Cassie and Victoria gave me a personal invite! Are you going too?"

"Yeah, I'll be there-let's get ready okay?"

"Hey, Lana." Tyler came over and gave her a hug.

"Hey, Ty. Austin." She smiled, "are you ready?"

"We're up first so don't have much of a choice." Austin grinned.

Rehearsal went well and the performers were packing up their equipment when one of the music teachers came backstage.

"Listen up everyone! I know you were about to leave but-" Professor Kelly clapped his hands in order to get everyone's attention. "we have a slight adjustment to the schedule-a very important guest has decided to join us at the last minute and-anyway let's all go out to the main auditorium and get seated as fast as possible. Believe me, you won't regret it." He clapped his hands again, "come on we don't have all day!" He said as they shuffled out.

Lana went to sit with her friends and filled them in on what the professor had said. Once the students were all seated the lights were dimmed and all eyes were focused on the stage.

Then a familiar voice rang out in the darkness. "This song goes out to a very special someone-you know who you are sweets." The students recognized him immediately and stood up as the applauded loudly.

"OMG Lana!" Her friends squealed excitedly.

When Pink joined him on center stage and the lights came back on the audience went wild.

Even if you see my scars

Even if I break your heart

If we're a million miles apart

Do you think you'd walk away?

If I get lost in all the noise

Flirt with all the other boys

What would you say?

Could you?

Could you?

Could you love me anyway?

Is it for better or for worse

Or am I just your good time girl?

Can you still hold me when it hurts

Or would you walk away?

Even if I scandalize you

Cut you down and criticize you

Tell a million lies about you

What would you say?

Could you?

Could you?

Could you?

Could you love me anyway?

Could you? (Aw, could you?)

Could you? (Could you?)

Could you?

Could you love me anyway?

Could you?

Could you? (Could you still love me?)

Could you? (Pick up the pieces of me?)

Could you? (Could you still love me?)

Could you love me anyway?

Could you? (Ooh, could you still love me?)

Could you? (Pick up the pieces of me?)

Could you? (Could you still love me?)

Could you love me anyway?

Could you? (Could you catch me when I fall?)

Could you? (And we rise above it all)

Could you? (And hold me when it hurts)

Like it's the end of the world

Could you?

Could you?

Could you?

Could you?

(Songwriters: James Allen Shamblin II / Tom Douglas / Alecia B. Moore

Love Me Anyway Pink lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, BMG Rights Management)