Chapter 43：Just a Theory

Lana had just got her test results and she didn't do so well in most of her exams-meaning that she had to repeat the whole year again in order to graduate. She spent the whole day holed up in her bedroom, bawling her eyes out. Pink was on repeat and she ended up turning it off because some of the songs reminded her of Jordan.

Jordan.

Bella had told her everything she knew about Dahlia Davenport. The apple of Jordan's eye. The reason he ran away and left her all alone. Her and their unborn child.

Apparently he thought Dahlia was dead but it turned out she was sold to a house of iniquity somewhere in Thailand. Preston happened to stumble upon the information and used it to get his way with Jordan because he knew Dahlia was his weakness.

Lana knew she didn't stand a chance against her so she decided to try and move on. College was a drag lately and the last class was Music Theory and then she would head home. She wasn't feeling too good today-the headache and pains in her stomach were not letting up.

When she got to the class there were excited whispers heard everywhere. She went to sit with Tyler, Austin, and Charlotte as usual.

"What's the buzz about?" She asked Tyler as she took out her notebook.

"You didn't hear who's taking today's class?" Charlotte turned around.

"No.."

"Your-" Austin started to explain but the lecturer walked in and the class went wild. Screams from the girls, the guys hooted and broke into applause.

Today's class was being taught by none other than Jordan Carter. He was dressed in light-blue ripped skinny jeans that exposed his ankles, a white formal shirt, a grey formal jacket, and white converse sneakers. His platinum hair was tousled as usual and he had grown a light stubble. He looked really sexy and Lana's heart skipped a beat as his blue eyes scored the room and finally landed on her.

"Thank you all for that-uh-warm welcome..I will be taking today's class and-" more applause and cheers, "yeah-um-it's on music composition. I'll start off with an introduction and we can build on it as we progress in the next lessons. Let's get started shall we?"

Lana didn't hear a single thing he said and decided that it was best she excused herself from the class. She grabbed her bag and swiped her books off the table and walked out.

"Lana!" Jordan called out but she didn't turn around, she hurried down the corridor and ignored him. She heard his sneakers squeak as he ran after her but she ran into the bathroom, locking herself in there-hoping he would get the message and leave her alone.

"Lana!" Jordan banged on the door. "You know that I will and can come in there to get you."

Silence.

"Okay..don't say I didn't warn you.."

"What do you want Carter?" She stepped out of the cubicle and came face to face with her sweet dream and beautiful nightmare.

"To talk?" He asked, hopeful.

"I have nothing to say to you."

"I know but-"

"Just stay away from me and go take care of Dahlia!" She tried to move past him but he grabbed her arm and pushed her against the wall.

"I don't care about Dahlia-only you." He stared intently into her brown eyes and swallowed hard.

"Don't-" Tears slid down her face.

"I'm sorry baby. I shouldn't have left you like that but-I was scared and-"

"Scared?! You were scared?!!" She pushed him away. "Did you ever stop and think about how I was feeling? Huh?!"

"I wasn't thinking-"

"WE are not doing this again!" She picked up her bag from the floor and rushed out, tears streaming down her face.

On her way out she bumped into someone just outside the exit and hastily apologized but kept moving. She felt a tight grip on her arm and was about to lash out but Tyler's sympathetic face came into view.

"Hey..are you okay?" Tyler voiced his concern.

"Tyler..sorry..I didn't see you there.." Lana brushed hot tears from her eyes.

"What happened? You're crying-" He placed his hands on her shoulders and tried to read her face but she turned aside

"Lana?" He questioned.

"I'm okay-I'll be okay-" She yanked her arm from his clamped fingers and continued to the carport.

"Lana! Wait!" Tyler ran towards her as she put the key in the ignition. He leaned on the window frame, "I saw Jordan coming after you-it's him isn't it?.."

"Look-don't worry about me okay? I'm just going through stuff but I'll be fine." She tried to reassure him with a tight smile.

"Let me drive you to wherever you're going? It's not safe for you to drive while you're clearly upset." He volunteered, "please Lana?"

"You're right..but you don't have to do this.."

"I want to." His emerald green eyes softened.

"Okay then.." She crawled onto the passenger seat and Tyler jumped in and took over as the designated driver.

"Where to?" He strapped on his seat-belt and steered them out of the schoolyard.

"Just take me home, please. You can use the GPS for directions."

"Got it." They drove the rest of the way in silence and she was grateful that Tyler didn't pry any further.

When they arrived at her place, Jordan was pacing up and down the driveway anxiously. His face perked up when they drove up to the house and Lana didn't know what to do-make a u-turn or to face him in another confrontation.

"What do you want to do?" Tyler asked, the car was still idling. "If you want to leave just say the word.."

"No..I think you should go actually." Lana turned to him.

"Are you sure? I can stay?" He clutched her hand.

"I'll be fine. I will handle this-I don't want you getting caught up in the middle of this." She unbuckled her seat belt as Jordan approached the vehicle. "You can take the car-I'll get it back tomorrow."

"Call me if you need anything okay?" He implored.

"I will..thanks Tyler.." She opened the door and stepped out, slinging her bag over her shoulder.

"What do you want Carter? I told you-" She tried to get past him but he blocked her path.

"Just hear me out?" He solicited. "Please baby?"

"You need to be more specific? Which baby are you referring too?" She stared pointedly at her baby-bump. Jordan's eyes shot to her belly and he swallowed uncomfortably.

"Both..I guess.." He gave a small shrug.

"Not funny Carter-"

"Lana-I'm sorry-can we please go inside and talk?"

"The tables have turned haven't they?" She turned up her small freckled nose, "Jordan Carter wants to talk??"

"I know you're super-pissed and you have every right to be-"

"That's an understatement!" She lashed out and he winced, taking a step back.

"Do you remember the night I asked you to give me time to sort out some stuff?" He tried to refresh her memory. "And I asked you to wait and you said that you would.."

"You forgot to mention that you were running off to have a little reunion with your two-timing ex!"

"It's not what you think..please give me a chance to explain everything?"He reached out but she put out her hand.

"Don't-"

"Okay-can we go inside?" He indicated to the open door that the housekeeper held open for them.

"This isn't going to change anything." She eyed him warily.

"I know..-" He knit his brows and pursed his lips. "Are you okay? Your face seems pale.. .and you're sweating."

They went into the sitting room and the sun shone brightly through the glass walls, illuminating the plush white leather sofas. Lana dropped her bag onto the thick white rug and relaxed on the reclining couch, putting her feet up.

"So now you're concerned?" She said with contempt, although he was right on that aspect. There was a niggling pain in her lower abdomen and back since she woke up this morning, but she chose to brush it aside. It was probably the Braxton Hicks the OB had told her about and missing school was not an option she could consider.

"If you're not up to this I can leave and come back-"

"You're here already so we might as well hash it out. Besides, I don't think I can stomach seeing you again." She pulled at her ponytail and shook her hair as it fell freely on her shoulders.

"I guess I deserve that.." He curled his lips and sat at the edge of the seat. His eyes took her in but he had a nagging feeling that she wasn't well. "Are you sure you're okay baby? Can I get you anything?"

"I'm not your baby and not your concern.." She grimaced as the cramps pierced through her body.

"Where's Hannah?"

"Jones?" Jordan knelt in front of her and mopped her brow with facial tissue he had found on the side table.

"Went to visit his family-will be back later." She gasped as pain took over.

"You shouldn't be alone."

"I'm not..there's a whole lot of hired help around the house-ahhh!" She cried out as she keeled over.

"I'm taking you to the ER okay?" Jordan swept her off the daybed and rushed out of the house; calling for a driver that was on call.

"We need to get to the hospital ASAP!" He barked out orders. "Step on it, Romeo!"

"Got it JC." Romeo drove like there were dogs on their heels and they were sure to make it on record time.

"You're going to be okay baby. Just hang in there a little longer." Jordan smoothed back her damp tendrils as she writhed in pain.

"My ba-by.." She moaned repeatedly, every chance she got.

"You will be fine.." Jordan's eyes trailed to her mid-section and decided to unbutton her jeans to alleviate the pressure. But as he reached out he noticed that her inner thighs were soaked with blood. His hands froze as he let out an audible gasp.

He was no doctor but he knew what that meant-the baby was in danger or chances were-no-he didn't want to think along those lines and just hoped they were not too late.