We barely recognized them when they came back.

They looked…horrible. Muddy, weary kind of horrible.

Especially Jackie. Her hair was in disarray and Dean was carrying her bag. She looked like she was about to fall any moment now.

Well, did you enjoy it though? I asked them.

Naturally, no one answered as they walked past us.

Georgie was not looking good because she was tired. She was not looking good because she looked confused and bothered.

And the same look was painted on Jordan.

Beatle, buddy, what do you think happened up there? I asked.

Beatle said he had seen that look many times on Dean when he was still figuring out his feelings for Jackie months ago.

And my bumpers almost gave out. My tires almost went flat.

Are you telling me that Jordan is in that same situation?

He said maybe.

No, no…He has a freaking girlfriend. She’s going to make a scene if something happens between Jordan and Georgie. This is why two people from different sex should not be living together unless in a relationship! It is bound to get dirty!

Jam looked like he had fun. Did he have fun because of the hike or he because of Georgie? I was hoping for the latter because it would mean Georgie might have spent more time with him.

Oh, this is freaking confusing.

What the hell happened up there, guys?!

*****

“Why are you so silent?” Jam asked Georgie on our drive back to Bacolod.

She seemed distracted when she said, “Nothing.”

Jam laughed. “That did not really answer my question.”

Oh, Georgie…what’s bothering you, dude?

“Did you have a fight with Jordan while we were gone? You have not been talking when we arrived. And not when we were on our hike back down.”

“Yeah, something like that,” she answered. “Let’s not talk about that. He’s not worth it.”

I did not believe that.

I DON’T BELIEVE YOU, GEORGIE!

Something else happened there. I knew it. But what?

*****

Dannie was not looking good either when we arrived.

The reason being was that Troy was still with her.

What news do you have for me, Tata? I asked my friend.

She told me that she and Troy spent the night there because Troy would not leave Dannie alone knowing she was on her own.

Oh, how sweet of him, I said sarcastically. I bet he gave her hell, right?

As much as I wanted to know what Troy and Dannie had been up to, I was more concerned about Georgie. She was not like Jackie who would talk her heart out to me. I would never find out what she was thinking or feeling because she kept it all to herself.

I’d have to figure out what was happening.

Vicky and Tata told me that I could not do anything about anything I’d find out because no one, except them, could hear me anyway.

Oh, so you two have bonded while I was away? Fine. Enjoy your time together because you’re time is almost up. Jordan would be out of Georgie’s life in no time. They only have six more weeks together, and then it’s bye-bye.

*****

They did not talk about the kiss.

Hell, she was not even sure how they dealt with it after they were done kissing each other in that tent.

But still, she couldn’t help but think about it.

George was not used to such confusion.

And why did Jordan do it with her anyway?

It must be because it was cold, she tried to reason with herself.

Or because… “Shit,” she groaned when she could not think of any other reasons.

Before she slept that Sunday night, she decided she’d just forget about the kiss. It just happened. None of them expected anything to come out of it.

Treat it like you treated Jam’s kiss, she ordered to herself.

Yes, she’d do that.

*****

When we arrived at Jordan’s place that Monday, Georgie was almost back to being herself. The keyword though was ALMOST.

And so was Jordan.

They both drove away with Vicky to go to his office like it was just any other normal Jordan Week.

I felt relieved. If something had happened between them back in Kanlaon, then it must have been nothing. Maybe Georgie was telling that truth. Maybe she really did have a fight with him.

And now they were treating each other like they always did after every fight.

Relax, Toto. You’re probably worried over nothing.

*****

George was working on the training module for next week’s out-of-town training.

Jordan was sitting behind his desk, working on his computer or maybe playing his games again.

She thought she should tell him they would have to go out of town next week, but she stuck to her plan of surprising him. Just like what he did with the hike.

He’d have time to say no and if he did, she’d go alone.

It would even be better. She’d have some time for herself to think and reorganize her thoughts.

Her phone rang. It was her mother.

“George,” Jordan called from behind the table.

“What?” she asked, her eyes on her phone.

“Answer it.”

She did not answer.

“Georgina.”

She raised her eyes to look at him from across the room. “What?”

“Answer it or cancel it. Just choose. I can’t concentrate here,” he said with a frown.

She rolled her eyes. “You’re playing Clash of Clans as far as I know,” she scowled at him before deciding to answer. “Mom, what’s up?”

“I talked to your dad.”

Her heart began to hammer and her eyes involuntarily went to look at Jordan who was back looking at his computer. “What did you tell him?”

Her mother’s voice sounded hoarse. “We had a fight.”

She did not know what to say to that. “About me?”

“No, don’t blame yourself. I think I went too far and we just started fighting.”

“I’ll come see you.”

“No, don’t. Let’s give your father some time, okay? I want to give him space to think about the things we said to each other. He’ll come around.”

“Yeah, sure,” she said without believing her words or her mother’s.

“I just called to tell you not to visit this weekend if you were planning to. Let’s give your father some space.”

George sighed. “How’s Viv?” she asked. At the mention of her sister’s name, Jordan’s head turned to her direction. She ignored him as she listened to her mother.

“She’s doing okay. You know her. She has her own world and at times like this, I am thankful that she does.”

“Lucky her then. Are you sure you’re really okay?”

“Yes. I’ll call if it is safe to visit.”

“He did not—”

“Your father would never hurt me,” her mother said strongly before she could even finish her question.

“That’s good. Call me anytime, okay?”

“Okay.”

When the call ended, she met Jordan’s gaze. He did not say a word, but she knew he understood. Maybe they were similar in this way. They both had the same family issues to deal with and she was grateful for that. Both understood that there was no need to talk at times like this.

*****

Georgie and Jordan spent the entire week in the same pattern. They would wake up to go for their separate runs. Once they shared one run a few weeks ago but that was the end of it because they both went home bickering. I did not bother to find out what they were fighting about. Maybe one of them tied their shoelaces the wrong way.

I did not really care.

Georgie was starting to like Mallows who was fonder of her than Jordan, to be honest. She would spend the late afternoons sitting around the garden set with Mallows and she would talk to Jackie or Dannie on the phone. Jam would call every now and then but their talks were short, not what I would have wanted. But at least, they were talking, right?

Just hang in there, Jam, my boy. We’ll be home in no time.

I also had the privilege to ask Vicky about Cassie’s visit two weekends ago. I did not ask before because I did not really care, but after the Kanlaon trip, I started investigating. Vicky said the lady stayed overnight and flew back to Manila on Sunday.

What did they do?

She sarcastically answered that the house did not have a garage inside so she did not know if Jordan and Cassie slept in the same room or if they had pillow fights.

You know, sometimes I wish you never started talking to me. You’re learning a lot about sarcasm from me and I am ashamed to say you are good at it.

So there were a few things I was able to know:

One, Cassie and Jordan was still together because the lady went away without tears on her face as Vicky reported. That meant Jordan was playing with fire if he was doing something more than bickering with Georgie.

Two, Jam should start making amazing moves because Georgie MIGHT just fall for the wrong guy.

Third, Georgie better get her head together and start being the hard-headed, stone-hearted woman that she was when she first met Jordan.

Fourth, I was afraid Georgie would end up broken-hearted because of number 1!

*****

“Where are we going?”

“Coffee with my friends.”

“Again?” she asked with a moan. “Just drop me off somewhere.”

“Come on, they are nice to you last time, were they?”

He was right. His friends did not do anything to her. In fact, they were nice enough that she should give them the benefit of the doubt.

But there was more than just Benjamin, Christopher and Kimpy. They had ladies sitting beside them around the table when Jordan and George walked it.

Jordan grabbed George’s hand before she could retreat. “Just so you know, I didn’t know they would be here. But since they are, let’s face this and just get it over with.”

He squeezed her hand as if he said a promise and she let him lead her to the group.

The ladies obviously knew Jordan and it was apparent on their faces that they were curious about George. Unlike the men when she met them, they did not ask questions about her or her relationship with Jordan.

When Jordan introduced George to the ladies, the surprise was visible on their faces.

The other lady named Christine finally couldn’t keep her silence and bluntly asked, “Are you guys together?”

Jordan did not like the question because he answered, “Together in what way?”

The other two ladies seemed uncomfortable about Christine’s tactfulness so they just laughed with one of them saying, “Come on, Chris. You know he’s still with Cassie. She just visited him last, last weekend.”

“I’m sorry for my friend here,” the other lady said to George.

She just smiled. “Jordan and I are just… childhood friends,” she lied. “We grew up together.”

“I didn’t know that,” Benjamin said with a chuckle.

“I think Anton might have mentioned that in passing once,” Christopher said. George almost forgot he was also friends with her father.

The three ladies nodded in understanding.

“I’m sorry. I just wanted to clear things up, you know. We are friends with Cassie and you know how women protect their own, right? Jordan would die a thousand deaths if he as much as cheat on Cassie.”

George swallowed and shifted in her seat. She cleared her throat and sent Jordan a kick under the table. She wanted to go home now. He found her hand under the table and squeezed. He was telling her to be patient.

She spent her time drinking her coffee and eating her blueberry cheesecake listening to the girls talking about how they became friends with Jordan after several meetings.

“He’s not a very easy man to like,” said Christine. “We only learned to like him because of these three,” she pointed at Jordan’s friends.

And then it went on how they did more businesses together and the story of how he introduced Cassie followed.

By this time, Georgie was adamant to go home and she had been kicking Jordan under the table.

He finally gave in and told everyone they had to go.

*****

“Why are you angry?” he asked her once they were back inside his car.

“I am not,” she said, looking out the window.

“They’re nice. They were just concerned about Cassie.”

“I understand.”

“Then what’s bothering you?”

“It’s nothing. I am just tired. I have a lot of work to do.”

She was thankful he did not push the issue because she didn’t want to lie about whatever it was she was feeling.

After that afternoon, she decided to avoid Jordan as much as she could. She would spend most of her time at his home with Tippy, Dioning and Lita. Having another serious encounter with Jordan could only bring back a lot of issues such as the kiss, the girlfriend and the guilty feelings.

She’d rather deal with them on her own, at her own pace and time.

*****

The weekend George was hoping to spend alone was ruined when Troy suddenly came by Friday night after having dinner at his parents’ place.

“Dean and Jackie said we should all go on a road trip this weekend.”

George knew about the planned trip. Jackie had called her earlier that day and she had not said yes yet.

She wanted to punch Troy at that moment though. Why would he invite Jordan?

“I don’t have any plans this weekend,” Jordan answered before turning to her. “I don’t know about her.”

“She doesn’t have any plans. So it’s set?”

“Sure. By the way, did you get my e-mail last night?” Jordan asked Troy.

“Yes. It’s cool, man. I can feature your line in my blog.”

“You’re working together?” she asked incredulously.

“No, not really. We’re doing each other a favor,” Troy explained. “Friends doing favors for friends. I feature the clothing line on my blog and I get free clothes in return. Cool, right?”

No, it was not cool. Jordan was getting too close to her friends. This was not part of the plan.

*****

The planned road trip was delayed for almost an hour when everyone argued which vehicles to take.

Actually, the bickering was only between Troy and Dannie, Georgie and Jordan.

Troy wanted to take Tata and Dannie was supposed to ride with him because he could not just drive alone and talk to himself, right? But Dannie wanted to ride with Jackie and Dean. Or Jordan and Georgie.

Georgie and Jordan, on the other hand, were fighting which vehicle to take. Me or Vicky. Of course, I wanted it to be me. Georgie finally won after making an argument that I had not been in use for the entire week and that I needed my engines running again. And Jordan could forget about giving me a full tank as he had promised. Actually, when she mentioned it, they suddenly turned weird. What’s with the full tank promise? Tell me! Tell me!

Dannie finally decided to go with Troy because she didn’t want to be the third wheel if she went with Jackie and Dean. And Jordan and Georgie were obviously having some sort of an awkward silent war and being intuitive of those things, Dannie was wise enough to choose Tata and Troy.

So, after a lot of arguments, the cases were closed and we were on the road.

Jordan and Georgie had been quiet the whole ride. I knew the reason why.

Vicky had told me about their small argument that day they met his friends and it was not the usual banter they had. It seemed that it was a real thing this time. Both were bothered about something and both were not talking about it.

This is the problem, you know. You’re not even in a relationship to talk about it. So I understand where you both stand. But please, settle this matter before anyone gets hurt. You know I am in Team Ja for only one reason: I don’t want Georgie to get hurt. And Jam has less potential to hurt Georgie than Jordan. You, Jordan, you cold expressionless guy, can very well hurt more than just woman—Cassie and Georgie. So you see why I am with Team Ja? I am sure a lot of people in Team Jo can’t see what I can.

*****

They all ended up in Troy’s parents’ farmhouse somewhere near Sagay.

It had been a long time since I had been to this place and it was refreshing at best.

Troy’s family owned a lot of farms but this one was obviously the family favorite. The house was not that big. It was large enough for people to be comfortable. It was not grand. It was more inclined to impress nature, not people.

“Everybody seems busy,” Jackie noted.

They were settled around the lawn near us, around a bamboo garden set. The drivers, Georgie, Troy and Dean, were stretching their legs while refreshments were being served by one of the servants.

“It’s my parents’ wedding anniversary in two weeks,” Troy explained, looking around at the place. “And it’s also my mother’s birthday. They got married here and they celebrate both occasions here ever since.”

The sun was setting and the mood was calm. Everyone seemed to have relaxed, including Dannie who did not enjoy the bickering ride she had with Troy.

But the tension between Georgie and Jordan was almost felt not only by me and my other vehicle friends but also by the human friends.

“Do you have beer?” Georgie suddenly asked, breaking the calm silence.

“You’re drinking?” Jordan asked her with a frown.

She arched her eyebrow at him. “Yes.”

“There must something in the kitchen,” Troy answered, his head resting against the back of the seat, his eyes closed. “You can ask someone to—”

“No, I’ll get it,” Georgie said, standing up.

Dannie and Jackie looked at each other and they both stood up to join Georgie. “We’ll help,” Dannie said.

Jackie gave Dean a look before she left. I knew that look. She wanted Dean to ask Jordan what was wrong. And she would do the same with Georgie.

The boys walked away and the guys didn’t do anything.

*****

“What’s with you and Jordan?” Jackie asked George.

“What do you mean?” she asked as she started to open the fridge to look for something to drink.

“The two of you have been acting weird lately. Did you have a fight?” Dannie asked with concern.

“We always fight.”

“You were slightly different since the Kanlaon trip. And even more so today,” Jackie pointed out.

“It’s nothing. I guess we are just tired of everything that’s been happening in our lives,” she lied. “We want this thing set up by our parents to be over with as soon as possible so we could both go on with our lives.”

Her friends just stared at each other as if they didn’t believe her. And they had a reason to.

But she hated to explain when she didn’t even know what she was feeling. It would only cause more confusion if her friends were aware of about the kiss. They would demand to know what Jordan was planning to do and what George felt toward him. They would argue that she would not have let the kiss happen if she didn’t have any feelings for the guy.

And that was the problem. She didn’t know what she felt.

And there was Cassie. Her friends would either freak once they would be reminded that Jordan was still with his girlfriend when he kissed her. And the fact that George had let him would be even more complicated for them.

*****

The seafood feast for dinner was served fresh in banana leaves. Everyone ate with their hands, enjoying dinner with drinks and stress-free conversations that ranged from outdoor sports, cars, friendship histories and others. What the group did not tackle though was the issues of love.

Of course, Jackie would have loved to brag about her outrageous love story with Dean, but the topic did not even come up.

“Let’s just stay here for the night,” Troy announced once the table was cleared and the drinks were poured. “Tomorrow’s Sunday. We can make it in time for Dannie’s Sunday activities,” he said, giving Dannie baby a wink.

When would this guy ever get tired of pissing Dannie baby?

“No one is conditioned to drive at this time,” Dean finally agreed.

During all these, Georgie had been silent, only answering questions when they were addressed to her. Jordan was okay though. The guys were enthusiastic with the turn of the conversation and I was also enjoying listening to them.

“I guess I should go ahead then,” Georgie suddenly uttered dryly, getting up after she finished her beer.

Everyone looked at each other with a frown. That was new. Georgie leaving before the drinking even started?

Jordan looked up at her, his face blank. “Do you feel okay?”

Georgie did not look at him. “My stomach’s not feeling good. Must be the food.”

“I think the food was terrific,” Dean said.

“It was,” Jordan said, his eyes still on Georgie staring at her with concern.

“Well, I must have eaten the bad ones then,” Georgie snapped and everyone kept their mouth shot. Jordan leaned back against the bamboo chair and watched as Georgie walked away followed by the concerned Dannie and Jackie who also murmured their concerns about staying up late.

The guys, knowing something was up, turned to Jordan with curious looks.

“What’s wrong with her?” Troy asked Jordan.

The guy did not answer.

“Did you have a fight? She’s been acting strange lately,” Dean noted as he opened another bottle of beer.

Again, Jordan kept his silence.

“Maybe it’s her time of the month today,” Troy suggested.

“Jackie’s cranky when it’s her time,” Dean said in agreement.

“Then Dannie must have her time of the month every day,” Troy said. “She’s always cranky.”

“It’s only when you are around,” Dean told him. “You always provoke her.”

“It has always been like that since high school. It’s fun to see how she reacts to my remarks,” Troy said with a laugh.

“You know, I have always had the impression that you like Dannie,” Dean said. But it was not such a big surprise to everyone. I guess it had always been at the back of our minds.

“Of course, I like to torment her,” Troy said, chuckling, but his eyes had a different kind of glitter. Silence surrounded the three men and it was Troy who spoke again after a while. “Yeah, maybe I like Dannie,” he said. “As a matter of fact, no offense to you,” he said to Dean, “I find Dannie the most beautiful of the boys. Natural Filipina beauty that grows on you, you know. There’s innocence in her that just gets to you.” He shook his head, tipping his bottle. “Don’t you dare let this talk get to them or anyone else. Dannie would freak out if she knows about this. She doesn’t have a great history and it is hard enough for anyone, including me, to treat her like every other women. Being friends is the best we can be at the moment.”

The three of them appeared to be lost in their own thoughts as they drank their beers in silence.

I was in the middle of telling Beatle that it was starting to get boring when my words were left floating in the cold night air.

“I think I am in love with her,” Jordan quietly said, his face contorted with confusion and sudden realization. I almost had an engine attack. I thought it was just the wind or something that played with my metallic ears, but no, I heard it right because Tata was almost swooning beside me and Beatle uttered something incomprehensible. And Troy and Dean were looking at Jordan, eyes wide, mouths hanging open, their drinks forgotten.

That was the night I started to jump ship, people.

That was the night I decided I would become the captain of the Team Jo ship and I would sail it around the world!