Broken: Broken p7246

Broken Teigen Harper

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Table of Contents

Title Page

Dedication | To my babies, this is all for you. You are the reason I wake up each morning. You are the reason I breathe and continue to push forward instead of giving up. I love you all so much.

Dedication

To my babies, this is all for you. You are the reason I wake up each morning. You are the reason I breathe and continue to push forward instead of giving up. I love you all so much.

CHAPTER ONE

Hayley “What are you doing?” I whisper to Logan who has his hand on my inner thigh, his grip tightening. He leans in. “Come on, baby. Let’s get out of here?” I can never resist when him. His blue eyes command my attention. God, I want to, but I know we shouldn’t. Logan’s baseball scholarship will only be open to him if his grades are kept up. Well, that isn’t exactly true, he’s so good that certain exceptions are always made. Nonetheless, he needs to be here just as much as I do. Gazing down at my watch, I say, “We have two minutes left. Why are you edgy suddenly?” He lean’s in further, his nose brushing the skin on my neck, and I feel my pulse spike from the alone. “I was watching you. When you looked at me and then I saw you chew on the end of the pen and now I want to get you the hell out of here.” How we ever get out of bed and get anything done, baffles me, but I understand why he’s eager, we’ve been separated the last few days, all thanks to his mother, Celeste. He presses his lips just below my ear, and again and his grip on my thigh tightens. I hate that he has this much power over me. “We can skip the next class, it’s only eco,” I whisper. So far today, things have been calm. Not one skank has tried to hit on my boyfriend. Fighting the bitches off is a daily pain in my ass, and it doesn’t help that Logan and his stupid brother Lucas think it’s funny. I’ve never understood why the whores keep trying. Logan never acknowledges them. When we’re out, his

eyes are always trained on me. Since the second we started dating, just six months ago, not once has he looked at another girl. His twin brother Lucas (fraternal not identical) is a player. He sleeps with a different girl every night of the week, but never are they allowed to enter our tight circle. It’s me and my boys against the whole goddamn world. My parents are always away for work. They own a bunch of restaurants across the world. The kind that only snobs go to. My father Henry is always gone. My mother, Toni, is never with him, however, she’s also never with me. My parents are still married, but they lead separate lives. Sad? Maybe. It would be nice to have my mom around, but that isn’t the life I lead. Logan and Lucas pretty much reside with me these days. The only time they aren’t at my house is when my father is home, or if something's happening at their house. Henry, my dad, is not a big fan of the boys because they’re constantly in trouble. In the last six months, I’ve had to bail them out of lockup no less than four times for petty crimes. Repeatedly, I’ve asked Logan to tame himself because his career could be at stake, and he has, well, he’s tried. “Your place?” he whispers against my cheek, and all I can do is nod. “Oi, fuck face,” Lucas calls from the desk behind us. Logan leans back in his chair, “What?” “Are you skipping?” “You’re not invited,” Logan hisses. “You can’t keep your dick out of her for five minutes?” Lucas scoffs. “Nope. Goodbye, fuck head.” Logan then shoots forward in his chair, and when he does, the bell sounds. “Let’s go,” he stacks our books in one arm and takes

my hand with the other. While in the corridor, I roll my eyes at the girls whose tongues are practically hanging out of their mouths while staring at my man. I want to hit them, but what would that accomplish? “Hey, where are we going? My locker’s that way, ?” I ask as I throw my thumb over my shoulder. “I’ve got my keys. Let’s go,” he repeats, and I chuckle. He’s beyond desperate to get out of here. “My wallet's in there, babe.” “I have mine, let’s go.” He’s now dragging me along. “My house keys are also in my locker.” That makes him come to a halt. “Fuck.” He turns on his heels, and we head for my locker. Not five minutes later, we arrive at his black, Buick Enclave. Destination, my bed. “So, what’s the matter?” I ask when we’re comfortable, and his hand is laced with mine over the console. “What do you mean?” Reaching up with my free hand, I stroke his arm, “You were pretty determined to get out of there. Something wrong? Did something happen last night that you’re not telling me about?” I know there is, but getting him to it it, is where we have issues. Lucas and Logan stayed at their house last night and the three nights before that. Never have we been apart for that long since the minute he noticed me. I miss him so much that my heart aches when I think about him in bed, where he’d usually be wrapped around me. There’s always shit going on within his family. His mother is a raging alcoholic, and his father is never around. Logan has the weight of the world on his beautiful shoulders, and he never wants me to worry about him, it drives me nuts. He is always there for me, but because I can’t stand his mother, and the fact

that she hates me when she’s drunk, that I don’t go over to their house anymore. In the past, I’ve had Lucas call asking me to come and calm Logan down after a fight with her, and I always manage to, but he still won’t let me in. Thomas, his father, is an amazing man, but I don’t see him much, he’s always away for work. Sometimes I wonder if that is the case, or is he just in hiding? Celeste, on the other hand, is always in our business. It’s not appreciated. “So, what happened?” I ask. He shakes his head. “Nothing. Celeste was drunk, that’s it.” He stopped calling her mom long ago. “Then why the hurry to get out of school?” He tightens his grip on my hand. “I’ve missed you. Is that okay?” “Of course, it is, but I wish you would let me in. I know there’s more to it.” I’m so frustrated with him. Looking over, I can see that his skin is lighter than usual and that he’s barely slept. His blue eyes normally sparkle, but today they’re almost gray. “It’s fine, nothing happened, okay?” He’s on edge, and lets go of my hand. I don’t say another word, but I do see his jaw clench. I’ve pissed him off, and I don’t care that I have. When he pulls into my driveway, I have the car door open before he’d even come to a full stop. “What the hell are you doing, Hayley?” he yells. I grab my bag and fling it over my shoulder. “I’m going in. You can go now,” I spit before turning away, slamming the door, and I don’t look back. Once the front door to my house is unlocked, I hear the tires of his car screech and drive away. Yep, I’ve pissed him off. My house is huge. It’s a little too big for my liking, but it’s lovely. It has a Shabby Chic feel to it, with whitewash tables, blue accents here and there along

with lots of super comfortable overstuffed sofas. Frustrated, I drop my bag in the entranceway. I then walk through to the countrythemed kitchen and grab an energy drink out of the fridge. I live on them. Between my homework, workouts, and family issues, I just don’t get enough sleep. As I take a sip, I prop myself up on a stool at the counter and debate whether I should call Lucas and ask him what had happened, but I decided against it. I know he’d tell me, but I want to hear it from Logan’s mouth, not his. When I’ve guzzled my energy drink, I grab another. I know I have to study, so I figure it’ll act as a nice distraction.

MY BOOKS ARE SCATTERED all over the living room table, and my brain feels as if it might explode. I contemplate giving up, but I know I’m already in the shit for skipping, so I should at least have that part done. Two hours in, my brain felt fried. I needed to release some of my tension. My mother had a lap pool built downstairs for me when we first moved in, so that’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to try and swim away my anger.

JUST OVER ONE HUNDRED laps later, I pull myself up and onto the edge, and I do feel better for it. I feel like I can continue with my studies.

AT AROUND SIX O'CLOCK that night, my phone rings. I pick it up thinking it could be either Logan or Lucas, but it isn’t, it’s my mother. The mother I wish was here with me. “Hey, mom.” “Hayley, my love. How are you?” “I’m fine. Same as usual.” “That’s good to hear. And how is that very handsome boyfriend of yours?” Mom loves, Logan. My father’s the only one that doesn’t. “Good. Same old, same old. Where are you?” Fuck knows where she could be. “London. I’m here launching the new restaurant because your father is stuck in New York, ?” “Oh, yeah. Sorry, I forgot.” She never told me, but I find it’s easier just to agree. She claims to worry about me, but her actions sure as shit don’t show it. We moved to Orange County a little over six months ago, from Las Vegas. My father wanted a more wholesome town to live in because I was verging on turning eighteen at the time. Since I’d meet Logan, my father regretted the decision. He thought I would have been better off in Vegas, but he knows I won’t move now. Logan has all of me, and he's the one reason I haven’t broken down into a million pieces. “Is there anything you would like me to pick up for you while I'm here?” I then hear the front door open, and I know who it is. “Hayley?” my mother pushes. “Sorry, my head is killing me, mom. Can I call you back?” I see Logan come around the corner. His eyes immediately lock with mine. “No problem, sweetheart. Drink lots of water and take two aspirin.” “I will. Bye.”

“Bye, sweetheart.” I hang up the phone and place it down on the table. My gaze is still trained on his. “Your mom?” he asks. “Yep.” That’s all he’s going to get from me, and he knows it. I hear him exhale a breath. Logan wants me to drop it, but that’s not going to happen. He needs to realize that we’re together and that he can’t deal with everything on his own. He drops down into the seat beside me. “I’m sorry.” I stay silent. “Celeste went at Lucas last night. I had to stop her from beating on him. Again.” My eyes close. I’ve been privy to seeing Celeste beat on her own son once before. It was a few months ago now. Lucas had called me to come and calm Logan down, but when I got there, I witnessed Lucas getting belted on by his mother. I saw red, I hit the bitch and pulled her off him. Lucas wouldn’t fight back. He’d never hit a woman, regardless of the situation. So I did it for him. Logan wasn’t anywhere to be seen, he’d left to cool off, but he ran when he heard Lucas yell my name and entered as I threw the last punch. She was so drunk that she ed nothing from that night. Suddenly, I feel his hands on mine. “Where is he?” I care for Lucas almost as much as I do for Logan. I open my eyes and stare into his. “He’s out for the night. He’ll probably end up back there. He knows how much you hate the skanks he brings to the house, so to piss Celeste off, he’ll take them there.” He lets go of my hands, reaching for me, and I let him. He pulls me into his lap, and I bury my head into the nook of his neck. I hate that Lucas isn’t coming back here, but those sluts are doing my head in. Every female that lives in this town thinks I’m sleeping with both Lucas and Logan. I catch looks of disgust from the girls traipse half-naked around my house.

I didn’t ask Lucas to stop bringing them here, but he must have caught onto my moods when the whores were around. “I’d rather he stayed here.” His arms envelop me. “I know. I did ask him to call if she flared up. I may need to leave during the night if he does ring.” “You’re staying?” I wasn’t sure if he would because it’s been so long since he’s been here with me. “Only if you want me to.” He reaches up and tucks my hair behind my ear. “Of course, I do.” My head raises to look at him, and when I do, I see how sad his eyes are. I want to take all his pain and worries away. “Is there anything else you don't want to burden me with?” There’s more to it, but I don’t know if he’s ready to tell me. “Just Celeste.” He’ll tell me when he’s ready. I don’t want to push him. He’s close to giving up. I can’t let him do that. Yes, I was on his back earlier, but I need to cut him a break. “Tell me if I’m crossing a line, but I think your mother needs an intervention.” I’ve been trying to broach the subject for some time, but now feels right. “I don’t think it will work. She’s so stubborn.” My hand reaches up, and I run it through his blonde hair. God, he’s sexy. “What’s her weakness?” “What do you mean,” his brows bunch. “Who is the one person she will cave for? Everyone has one. Mine is you.” I lean in and kiss his cheek. His hands skim my arms. “Mine is you.” I watch his lips. “My mother's is Stef.”

Stef is Logan and Lucas’s older sister. She moved away to college four years ago and never looked back. After she finished her studies at Harvard, she moved to New York. I talk to her a lot. I fill her in on what happens around here when the boys won’t. We’ve never met in person, but we’re close. My brain’s finding it hard to focus. I can’t stare at those lips for much longer. I want them on my skin, but I know I must keep enough composure about me so we can arrange something for Celeste. One night not that long ago, Logan was at a late training session which left Lucas and me back here at the house watching a movie in the media room. After my third beer and his fifth, I asked him what his mother was like before becoming an alcoholic. According to him, she was caring, sweet, and kind. The way he spoke about her, told me he missed her. He also missed his sister. Sure, the boys go to visit her every few months, but growing up, the boys and Stef were as close as siblings could be. “Would it be okay with you if I asked Stef for her opinion? If she’d be okay with being involved? You don’t have to do anything.” His gaze is now on my lips. He’s holding back just as much as I am. “You don’t need my permission,” it comes out no louder than a whisper. He then lightly kisses my cheek. I take a breath. “Yes, I do.” His hands move to my hips. “If you think you can pull it off then go for it.” He shifts under me. “Now,” his grip on me tightens again. “Can we focus on just us for a little while?” My mouth is dry, so I lick my lips. “Come on,” I stand, taking his hand in mine. While walking to my room upstairs, Logan’s phone rings. Dropping his hand, I continue to the room. I know I’ll be going to sleep horny and alone. Every time his phone rings, it’s because there’s a problem, and it always has something to do with his mother. I’ve grown used to the disruptions, but that doesn’t stop me from wanting to be selfish and tell him to fuck the

whole world off. Who were we kidding? If there’s a problem, he’ll be there. My door’s open, so I peel off my shirt off and step out of my jeans as I move across the room. “What happened?” I turn and see Logan come in. I reach back, unhook my bra, throw it to the floor and hop into bed. Logan’s eyes have darkened with lust, but at the same time, he’s focused on the person on the other end of that call. Our eyes are locked on one another’s. “Fine,” he hangs up. Frustrated, I know he isn’t staying because he hasn’t pulled his shirt off for me. Kneeling on the bed he edges towards me. “Where are you going?” I ask. “I’m so sorry, baby. It’s Celeste. She’s tearing up the house. Dad said something that pissed her off.” Leaning in, he presses his lips to mine. “I’ll be back.” Reluctantly, I shake my head. “Don’t bother coming back, baby. By the time you deal with her shit, it will be late, and you need to be up early for training. I’ll see you tomorrow.” I’m beyond pissed off, but not with him. He takes a breath. “What day is it tomorrow?” he’s so tired from his mother’s antics over the last few days he doesn’t even know what fucking day it is. “Saturday. You need sleep, you can’t function properly. How does she expect you to keep your grades up, and attend practice? You need to take a time out.” I’m so worried about him. If the crap doesn’t settle soon, he’ll lose his shit. He presses his hand to my cheek, and I lean into his touch. I’ve missed him so much. “I know. I’ll see you tomorrow. I promise. I feel like we haven’t seen each other properly in days.” “It has been days,” I swear Celeste’s causing trouble just to keep us apart. Bravo, bitch. It’s working. “Take the spare key, just in case you or Lucas need it.” “Is it in the same spot?” “Yep, the same spot,” I breathe. I hate that he’s leaving.

“Will you be okay?” “Fine. I just miss you. That’s it.” I miss him so fucking much. His eyes search mine. “I love you,” he whispers as he leans in and kisses me. “Love you, too. Go and deal with that woman before the cops do,” I tell him as I rest my head back down on the pillow. “I guess I should. Bye, baby.” He kisses me Goodbye, and I watch him walk out of the room. Again.

Logan Fuck, I hated leaving her. If I hadn’t of been such an asshole earlier, I could have spent most of the day with her. Instead, I cracked the shits and went to cool off. I miss her so much. Never have we spent so much time apart since we’ve been together. It’s not just the sex I miss. I miss talking to her, I miss holding her while we sleep. The second I pull the Buick to a stop at the front of my house, I jump out and race inside the front door. Immediately, I hear Celeste screaming. What? I don’t know because she’s wasted. “Celeste,” I yell. “Up here,” Lucas calls back. So I take the stairs two at a time and when I reach the second story landing, I see my six-foot-one, blond-haired brother holding a shovel up in defense. “She’s fucking lost it, Logan. Dad’s divorcing her, so she’s smashing up the place.” He looks almost scared. “Don’t hate on me, bro, but I called the cops a minute ago. I didn’t know what else to do. Hopefully, they’ll put the bitch in the drunk tank for the night.” I shake my head. “You did the right thing.” It’s the one thing I’ve been trying to avoid doing, but I can’t be upset with him. Hell, he feels threatened enough to be holding a shovel for fuck's sake. “Fucken asshole thinks he can leave me!” I hear Celeste yell. I grab my phone out of my pocket and throw it to Lucas who immediately drops

the shovel to catch it. “What do you want me to do?” As I walk down the hall to face Celeste, I tell him, “Call Hayley. Tell her to get Stef on a plane, and do whatever she has to do, to arrange an intervention ASAP!”

Hayley After Logan had left me, again, I threw on my silk shorts and matching black camisole and went back to my homework. How pathetic, Friday night, and I’m at home doing homework. Alone. Not twenty minutes after Logan went back to his place, my phone rings. I panic when I see that it’s him. “Babe, what’s the matter?” “Wrong brother.” “Lucas, why are you on Logan’s phone?” “No time. He told me to ask you to get Stef on a plane and organize the intervention ASAP. I called the cops. We’re going to get them to take her in for the night. Do you think you can manage it?” “Of course. I’ll call Stef, and your dad now.” “Thanks, Hayley,” he sounds beaten down. He sounds like Logan. Even though the boys are twins, Logan acts more like a big brother to Lucas. Lucas doesn’t have a care in the world, and he glides through life living off his father’s money, where Logan wants to make his own. “No problem. Come here if you need to, okay?” “Okay.” We hang up. Immediately, I dial Stef’s number, I can’t the time difference, but right now, it doesn’t matter. “Hello.” “Stef, I’m sorry to call you like this,” I start.

“What did she do now?” I can hear the frustration in her voice. “Your dad just told her he’s filing for divorce and she’s tearing the house apart.” “Well, it’s about time.” “I know. Logan’s given me the go-ahead to arrange an intervention. They’re having her locked up for the night, so I have to do this as fast as freaking possible. Logan asked that you be here. Will you come?” God, I hope she says yes. I hear her sigh. “I’ll come for you and the boys, but not for her. Never for her.” My head falls with relief. “Thank you. I have to find someone to come out to do the intervention. It could take a couple of hours. Would you be able to ask your dad to come? I’d call him myself, but I need to lock in an intervention specialist as soon as possible.” “No problem. I’ll play the guilt card. We’ll be there. And Hayley.” “Yeah?” “Thank you for loving Logan as much as you do. I know that if it weren't for you, he would have cracked under the pressure long ago.” I take a couple of cleansing breaths to calm myself, I can’t cry. There’s too much to do. “I do love him. More than I ever thought possible. I’ll text you and your father the details. I think we should do it at their house, in the middle of the destruction she has caused so she can see it from a sober point of view. What do you think?” “Agreed.” “Okay, thanks, Stef.” “No, thank you. Bye.” “Bye.” We hang up, and immediately, I begin texting Logan. Me: Stef’s coming, she’ll bring your dad too.

Logan: Thanks, baby. I knew she’d say yes to you. I love you. Me: Love you, too.

It took two hours to find someone that could come out to the house. Apparently, interventions are highly sought after these days. Especially, at the last minute. But I was able to get a woman. I figured Celeste would be more comfortable with a woman. The interventionist’s name is Carol, and she’s already on her way to the police station to get more information about what charges Celeste could be facing. She thinks it will help our case more. The boys need her to go into treatment. They need to have their family back in one place. They deserve that. Before alcohol, Celeste was sweet, kind, and caring. On the few occasions I’ve caught her sober, she was nothing but nice to me. She even likes Logan and me being together when she’s straight. So I shot off the details to all involved. I received a few thank you texts, but I hadn't heard from the one person I needed to hear from, but I figured Logan was probably dealing with the police. By one AM, I still hadn’t heard from him, and my body was tired, so I sent him a Goodnight text, and climbed into bed.

Logan Once the police had taken her away, I felt relief. In jail, she can’t destroy us. I’d talked to the officers after Celeste was cuffed and in the cop car. I told them what Hayley was putting together for us, and that the woman conducting the intervention would be stopping by to talk to the arresting officers. When they’d left, I check my phone for the time, and my heart sinks when I see Hayley texted me Goodnight. “You going over there?” I hear Lucas ask. I drop the phone onto my leg and rub my face with my hands. “I want to.” He comes into view. “You should. She’s really gone to bat for us. She deserves you going to at least say thank you in person. She misses you, dude.” “I know. I fucking miss her too, but Celeste keeps getting in the way. I swear

she’s doing this shit deliberately, just for fucking attention.” I meet his gaze. “If she doesn’t go with that woman in the morning, I’m going to pull a Stef. I can’t deal with this shit anymore. Fuck, she’s going to ruin my career before it even starts.” “Really? You’d leave?” “Not without you, bro,” I assure him. “Where the fuck would we go?” “I’m not worried about the where part. The only thing I do know is that it wouldn’t be far from here. I couldn’t just up and leave Hayley like that.” That girl stole my heart the second I saw her sitting on the bleachers reading a book six months ago. I’d never used the term girlfriend before her, but she’s more than just a girlfriend, she’s my heart. “Go to her, dude. I’ll stay here and get some sleep. You two need some alone time. And text coach, tell him what’s going down and that you’re skipping practice. Just be sure to hit the gym tomorrow, and he won’t care.” I nod and stand. “Thanks,” I give him a bro hug and leave the house.

IT WAS JUST AFTER TWO AM when I pulled up to her house. I cut the lights before I entered the driveway. I knew it probably wouldn’t have made a difference. Her house is just as big, if not bigger than my family’s home. I climb the front steps, shove the key in the lock, and enter the house. She’d left the lights on. Either she knew I’d be coming back, or she was hoping I would. Once I reach the second-floor landing, I see her bedroom door is still open. I strip off, and carefully climb into bed beside her.

Hayley

I FEEL THE BED DIP, and I smile. I hoped he’d come back. “Hey,” I whisper. He slides his arm under my pillow, and his other is now draped over my midsection. “Thank you,” he says as he kisses my cheek. “Anytime. Everyone okay?” I edge closer to him. “They will be.” His lips find mine, and he pulls me against him. “Fuck, I’ve missed you,” he murmurs. I melt into him. “So much. I’ve missed you so goddamn much. I didn’t think I was ever going to get you back from that woman.” His leg moves between mine, “Me either. Tomorrow is it, baby. If she doesn’t take the help, then I’m leaving. I can’t do it anymore.” My body stiffens with fear. He’d leave? Where would he go? Would he leave Orange County? Holy shit, I can’t live without him. Since moving to this town, there are only three people I can count on. Logan, Lucas, and my best friend, Abby. If I were to lose the boys, I wouldn’t cope. They’d take my shredded heart with them. “Hey,” he soothes. “I’d never leave you. That is one thing you can always count on.” Physically, I relax, and I feel him smile against my lips. “Don’t say shit like that to me,” I say, frustrated. I pull away, I lay on my back, and my eyes close. I can’t handle even the thought of being without him. Feeling him move, I open my eyes, and he’s hovering over me. Staring down at me. “I promise you here, and now that I will never leave you. You own me, all of me.” I wish I could believe him. Ashleigh, a girl he used to fuck, is always on my ass. She’s always telling me how hot the sex they had together was, and how Logan always went back to her when shit didn’t work out with him and another girl he’d see for a few months. She also told me he’d eventually become bored of

being with just me, and I thought I believed her. If he’s left so many girls in the past, then what would make him stay around for the long run? My heart would be crushed if he ever left me. “Has that bitch been in your head again?” he knows my looks. I stare up into those moonlit eyes, and I have no words. The lump in my throat that’s formed, won’t let me speak. “Fuck!” he shakes his head and then lowers it, resting on my shoulder. “I love you.” He lifts his head again, his eyes are on mine, “Never have I ever called someone my girlfriend. Never have I said I love you. To anyone. And never have I wanted to spend my life with someone, but with you, I do. I want to be with you every minute of every day. I want to build a life with you away from all the assholes that try to keep us apart. The only way we won’t be together is if you walk away because I never will. You are my heart.” He kisses me and then pulls back again. “Please believe me.” The tears that had welled in my eyes are now streaming down the sides of my face. Never has anyone said anything like that to me. I was a virgin when we first got together, and Logan is the only guy I have ever been with. Sure, I’d kissed a few boys, but I never slept with them. He is my all. I smile up at him, and my need for him grows. His hand skims my side until it’s resting on my cheek. “It’s only you,” he whispers. He tilts his head to the side, his lips meeting mine, and he takes control of the kiss. My leg lifts and wraps around his, but he pulls me until I’m on top of him, staring up at me. So much love sparkles in his eyes. He is it. He is my everything. Lifting my camisole up and over my head, I throw it to the side. His eyes drink me in, and they linger on my breasts for a moment, but then he sits up, and his mouth meets mine again. My hands become lost in his hair, his arms enveloping me. My core is throbbing, I want him inside me. Now. Abruptly, I use his shoulders to push myself up until I’m standing on the bed, my feet on either side of him. “What are you doing?” he asks in barely a whisper as his teeth nibble on my thigh, his hands moving upwards until he hooks his fingers in the waistband of my shorts and slowly, so freaking slowly, he pulls them down until I’d step out of them.

As I go to kneel, he stops me. His hands are firmly planted on my ass, and he uses it to bring my body closer to him. Then, his tongue licks the sweet spot causing my head to fall back. I run my hands through his hair, but then I grip it. I need to keep steady as he keeps licking and sucking until I feel I’m about to burst. “No, no, no. Stop,” I cry. I don’t want to cum without him. “We have hours, baby,” he whispers. I want to interject, but the vibration from words sends the waves crashing over me. My knees buckle, “I’ve got you,” he assures me as he gently lowers me down until I’m straddling his lap. My forehead is now resting on his shoulder. Then I , and my head snaps up, so I’m looking at him. “What did you mean when you said we had hours? Don’t you have to go to training?” I ask, breathless. Slowly, he shakes his head, “I spoke to coach. He was cool with me skipping. I told him I’d probably end up back here anyway, and he knows you have a sweet setup downstairs.” He leans in and kisses me. “Workout with me tomorrow?” he asks. “Of course.” My goal has always been to obtain a scholarship for swimming, and when Logan was scouted for Stanford, I almost gave up and enrolled, but he pushed me to be my best, and I did it. I landed a scholarship to Stanford also, so we’ll never have to be apart. Lucas, on the other hand, isn’t into playing sports or doing any form of work, so he had his father, Thomas, make a generous donation to the school, and all of a sudden, an acceptance email was sent through. Suddenly, Logan’s hands grip my ass again, and it’s all I need to be ready to go. The moment he slips inside me, all my tension is gone and forgotten. I rock my hips with his, my lips on his. Logan flips us until he’s back, and I’m on top. His hand is resting on my cheek, “I love you.” I take a breath and smile. “I love you, too.” Then his lips are back on mine. My legs wrap around his waist, tensing when I’m close. I grab onto him, and he

knows I’m about to push over the edge, because he moves faster, but still gentle. Logan moves in and out again and again until I hit that peak and cry his name. His body collapses onto mine as his body finishes convulsing. “God, I love you,” he whispers, out of breath. “Me too, baby.” I tilt my head backward and catch a glimpse of the clock that rests on my bedside table. “We need to sleep. We can’t be only half awake when we have to face Celeste,” I yawn. He lets go of a sigh. “I know how much you loathe her, so I don’t expect you to be at the house. It’s up to you. I know what that woman can be like. I don’t want her to make you feel like you don’t belong there, because you do. You are my family, and she needs to get used to that.” He’s still laying on me, his arms now around me. “I said I’d be there, so I will. I’m not going to let her bully me. I’m done with it. I'll go so I can the family, that’s it.” “I won’t let her attack you, not even verbally. If she doesn’t get help, I’m out of that house.” He presses a kiss to my naked shoulder. “You could stay here,” I offer. I hate being in this huge house without him. He continues to kiss the skin. “That’s only a short-term solution.” He’s right. It is only a short-term solution. My father is due back from New York next week. He’s only coming back for a few days, but when he’s home, he wants to see me, and he doesn’t want to see my boyfriend, or my boyfriend's brother. The two men in my life that make it worth living. I keep trying to think of solutions, ones that mean he won’t be far from me, but nothing comes to me. I’m simply too exhausted. Logan lifts so he’s hovering over me, again. “Let’s just see which way Celeste will go, and take it from there. If I do have to leave because I can’t get somewhere closer, then you’ll be coming with me. If that’s what you’d want to do.”

I nod my head. “It is something I want.” We both know I’ll go to the end of the earth to stay with him. He smiles and only moments later, I fall asleep.

Chapter Two Logan Stef called Hayley’s phone just after seven in the morning. She and my father were already at the house and wanted to let us know that our mother should be back in the next hour. We jumped out of bed, showered, changed, and hopped into the car. On the way over, Hayley calls the woman that’s doing the intervention. “Yes, so you will be there on time?” I hear her ask. “I’m worried that she’ll snap. Her whole family hangs in the balance. If she doesn’t seek treatment, she may just lose them all.” Her sweet eyes catch mine, and she reaches over, taking my free hand in hers and squeezes it. What I wouldn’t do for this girl. Despite the shit my mother gives her, she’s still trying to help her. Celeste had better pucker up and kiss Hayley’s ass because if she doesn’t, she will lose me. “Great. I sent you the details last night. We’re only five minutes away from the house.” Suddenly, I begin to feel nervous, and I don’t get nervous. My emotions are overwhelming me, and they’re starting to make me feel sick. “Babe?” I’m pulled from my thoughts, “Yeah?” I glance over at her, she looks concerned. “Are you okay?” she must have finished her call because my hand is now cupped between hers. I let out a sigh. “I want her to choose us. I want her to give the shit up and choose her family.” I must it, I do feel a little better after saying the words out loud. “God, I hope she does,” she whispers.

THE HOUSE LOOKS TO be in worse shape now that I see in the light of day. “Holy fuck,” Hayley gasps. “Yep.” I snake my arm around her waist and take a good look around. The drapes are ripped to shreds. My father’s favorite seat has been hacked with a butcher knife, and the knife is still sticking out of the cushion. Celeste also ripped up the carpets and managed to smash the lamps. And all that damage is only in the living room. “Come on, let’s find the others.” I remove my arm and take her hand, lacing our fingers. “Thank fuck, the favorite son returns,” Lucas calls when he spots us coming around the corner that leads to the kitchen.

Hayley Immediately, I recognize Stef. How could I not? Her legs look as if they go on forever. Her blonde hair is cascading down her back, and she has the same color eyes that Logan has. A bright, crystal blue. When she sees me, her eyes widen, and she barrels forward. I’m worried she’s going to fall. Her lilac skirt is super tight and those heels she’s wearing, well, I don’t know how the hell anyone can walk in those, let alone run. Logan chuckles and drops my hand, and then I’m almost bowled over. “Oh, my God, I can’t believe I am finally getting to meet you.” Her grip on me is tight. “I know. Thank you for coming. I think the boys needed back-up,” I whisper. She pulls back and sets her gaze on me. “They don’t need me anymore. They have you. And you, my friend, have been the only other person that has ever been able to tame those two butt heads,” she laughs. “So, I know you’re on break soon, and I know the boys are coming to New York in a couple of weeks, will you be ing them?” she’s pouting. How does this family do it? Every single one of them is gorgeous. They could pull the most horrible faces, and yet, they’d still be hot as hell. I shake my head, disappointed. “My dad’s coming home that weekend, and I haven’t seen him in months. Hopefully, next trip. I’m sorry, Stef. I do want to go,

but it’s always something that gets in my way.” I want to see my father, but at the same time, I don’t. For months, it’s just me, me with no rules, but then he comes home trying to act like a father. He isn’t one, and as much as I try to hold my feelings back, sometimes they seep through, and I tell him how I feel, and then I’m ‘punished’ until he leaves again. It’s been the same routine since I turned sixteen. For two whole years, I’ve been raising myself. Sure, in Vegas we had live-in sitters, but since being here in OC, nothing. I haven’t had a single ‘adult’ to seek guidance from except Logan’s father. Sure, Thomas is away a lot, but he’s easy to talk to. He told me just last month when he called to check up on me, that he would boot Celeste out of the house so that I could move in, but I declined. Who the hell am I to ruin a family? I should have known the divorce was coming after that comment, but I never told Logan what he’d said. Maybe the boys won’t need to leave the house at all. Maybe it will be Celeste who does? “Your dad sounds like a dick,” Stef says, her face serious. I nod. “He can be.” “Is that my future daughterin-law I can hear?” My body stiffens. I hate it when Thomas calls me that. I always feel it could be the thing that will scare Logan off. “Yes, it is. She’s in the kitchen,” Logan laughs. ittedly, I feel somewhat relieved, but I’m still embarrassed, which my beloved boyfriend notices and comes over to me. He grabs the hem of my shirt, pulling me closer, “Not going anywhere, ?” I nod. “If it were up to me, you would already be his daughter-in-law.” My eyes widen and my stomach drops, I think I’m going to be sick. Does he want to marry me? “What?” I manage. He tilts his head, his eyes on mine, “I’ll explain later. Will you be okay waiting to hear what I have to tell you?” I shake my head. “Tough,” he chuckles, “Because your number one fan is coming up behind you.”

It takes a moment for my brain to click to what he’s saying and before I have a chance to turn around, Thomas has his arms around my waist, lifting me up. “How are you, my love?” he laughs. “Put me down, and I’ll tell you,” I choke out. He lowers me until my feet are on the ground and I spin around to face him. Those damn genetics. Thomas is Logan in twenty years. They have the same jawline. The same hair color and even the same dimples when they smile. “So, I hear you are the reason we have all congregated here this morning?” Moving back, I grab one of the stools that are still in one piece and take a seat on the island. “Yep. I couldn’t do anything.” I shrug. “She’s turned their,” Lucas had walked in the room while his father was swinging me around like an idiot, so I point in his and Logan’s directions, “fucking lives upside down. I was convinced that she was causing drama just to keep your son and me apart. Sober, she likes me, drunk, I’m the slut that took her son from her. Rarely do I come here anymore, Thom. She’s horrid when she’s had too much.” He nods in agreement, and he then shifts into serious mode. “The offer is still there. Okay?” He’s so sweet. Even my own father doesn’t love or care for me the way Thom does. “I know, and thank you. I’ll keep it in mind, but I would like to see how this morning pans out.” Suddenly, the doorbell sounds. I stand, then give Thom a quick hug and go to answer the door. “What was the offer?” I hear Logan ask, curiosity thick in his voice. “She’ll tell you later. Don’t worry, it will benefit the pair of you,” Thom assures him. When I open the door, immediately I recognize the woman standing before me from her image on the website. “Carol, thank you so much for coming, I’m Hayley.” I open the door a little wider for her to enter. She’s not all that tall and her hair is a chestnut brown and is very short. She looks to be in her fifties, but I

can also tell that she’s drained. I’m hoping it doesn’t have to do with Celeste. But Carol must find it hard to have a job like this. I don’t think I’d be able to keep my own emotions at bay if I had to deal with broken family’s day in and day out. “Good to meet you, Hayley.” She comes in and stops beside me. “Is the family all here? The station called and said that Celeste would be released within the hour.” “Everyone’s in the kitchen. As you can see,” I point in the direction of the destroyed living room, “the family is in desperate need of help.” Her eyes widen just a fraction. “Is there somewhere else we can go? The kitchen is a little impersonal. We need her calm and not feeling threatened, or it won’t go to plan.” I have to think for a moment, “Thom,” I call. “Yeah?” “Can we use your den?” He comes around the corner and walks over to us. “Hi, I’m Thomas. Celeste’s husband.” He reaches for her hand, and she shakes it. “Nice to meet you. I’m Carol. I just wanted somewhere to sit that won’t make your wife feel threatened. The kitchen won’t do.” “What about the sitting room, just off Logan’s room? The den is too small.” “Perfect,” Carol agrees. “Thom, can you show her where to go and I’ll gather that lot in there?” I want to see if Logan’s okay before we head up. He gives me a look that tells me he knows why I want him to be the one to take Carol upstairs. “No problem. Go check on him,” he assures me. While he takes Carol to the sitting room, I make my way back to the kitchen. Lucas is sitting on the island, while Logan and Stef are on the stools in front of

him. “Hey, what are we doing?” Lucas asks, and when he does, Logan’s gaze shifts to me, and he sits up a little straighter. “Upstairs sitting room. Let’s go.” All of them stand and move towards me. “Except you,” I point to Logan. “You, I want a minute with.” He comes to a standstill in front of me. “Hurry up, and no sex,” Lucas calls, and we ignore him, our eyes are locked. I move closer, closing the gap between us and as I do, I run my hands up his chest, and I cup them at the base of his neck. “You okay?” I ask as I lean in and press a kiss to his lips. He gives me a half-smile. “I will be. I hate not knowing what’s going to happen.” His hands grip my hips, and he brings me even closer. “Whatever happens up there, please know that I love you, even if Celeste doesn’t.” “I know that.” I give him another kiss. “Come on, babe, let’s get prepared.” Literally, I have to drag him up the stairs. When we arrive in the large sitting room, I see that Carol is on the single-seater sofa. Thom is sharing one of the lounges with Lucas, while Stef sits alone on another couch. Moving to the couch, I drop down beside her, and Logan takes the vacant spot beside me. The moment we’re comfortable, Carol goes on to explain what may occur once Celeste arrives back at the house. “Anger, guilt, frustration, betrayal, and sadness will only be the beginning. She will try and use your connections with her to get out of seeking treatment. She’ll promise you she’ll seek help on her own, but in my experience, they never do. I was a drug addict for many years. I wasn’t just trained to do this job. I’ve lived it. I was a person that made promises to keep people happy, but then I’d go and steal something to get drug money later that night.” At that moment, I hear the front door slam. My stomach twists and Logan takes my hand. I know I’ll be the first to receive a berating from her and I’m already bracing myself for it. “I think you should get her Stef. She’ll come with you,” Carol suggests.

I know Stef’s pissed, but she is the only one that will be able to get her mother up here. It’s been so long since the two exchanged words, let alone been the same room together. She’s our only hope at getting Celeste to listen. Before she stands, she leans in and kisses my cheek. “Don’t let her get to you.” I nod in agreement before she stands and moves towards the staircase. Logan lets go of my hand, he wraps his arms around me and pulls me to him, protecting me. “Love you,” he’s making sure I know it. “Oh, my God, why are you here, Stefanie?” I hear Celeste squeal, but she still sounds drunk. How fucking much did she have to drink before being arrested? I’d hoped being in the drunk tank for the night would have sobered her up, but because it didn’t, I know for a fact that she will try and attack me. Fucking hell. This is going to be far worse than I anticipated. “Just come up.” Poor Stef, she’s really trying to keep her shit together. Not one minute later, I see a pissed off Stef come around the corner, and a second later, I spot the devil that is Celeste. “Why are you here?” she repeats to Stef, and as she does, she looks around the room. “Thomas, what are you doing here?” she seethes. It’s so wrong that she’s still so beautiful even after spending the night in the drunk tank, but Stef is her mirror image, tall, leggy and beautiful. “Just sit down,” she orders her mother. As Celeste takes a couple of more steps, she looks around the room, and then she spots me. Immediately, her eyes darken with fury, “You, you don’t belong here, you’re no family of mine,” she spits as she stabs her index finger in my direction. Logan’s grip on me tightens. “Fuck, she hasn’t done anything against you, so shut the fuck up and listen,” he’s pissed. He just needs to hold it together for a bit longer. Celeste continues to move until she’s standing directly in front of us, and I shift my focus. I knew this would happen. I love Logan, but at the same time, I don’t need this shit, so I decide to stand up for myself. I stand up until I’m almost in

her face. “You’ve fucked your family over for the last time. Pull your fucking shit together before you end up alone. I’ve had to stop you from beating the shit out of your son because he won’t hit a woman. At least someone taught him morals,” I look to Thom who nods, permitting me to continue. “You destroyed the house, your family’s house, but you don’t give a fuck, do you? No, no you don’t. Why would you? You just throwback another bottle of whatever you're drinking that day and you don’t give a flying fuck who you hurt in that time.” I have to take a breath. “Your daughter moved to the other side of the country because of you.” The bitch snickers, “What would you know about family? Your own parents don’t even want to have anything to do with you. You fuck my son, that’s why he hangs around you. Stop putting out whore, and you’ll see that I’m right. No one wants you. No,” and then she’s yanked back. Logan has her by the arms, and he looks like he might just finish her off. “This isn’t helping. I’ll go downstairs. Deal with her,” I tell Logan. “Are you sure?” he’s worried I believe her. Unfortunately, part of me does. I’m already exhausted, and I nod in return as he continues to hold his mother back. I turn away and begin to walk towards the stairs. “Good, fuck off, whore,” I hear Celeste spit. I turn again just in time to see him push her into the seat I was just in. I continue towards the stairs, but before I can descend, Lucas catches me. “Hey, you okay?” I don’t like it when he’s serious. It doesn’t suit him, at all. “I’ll be okay. Can I take your car? I’m going home.” He pulls me in for a hug. “Keys are on the hall table. Make sure you have your phone, okay?” I nod, “Okay, but don’t tell Logan I’ve left until this shit is sorted. He doesn’t need to be worrying about me.” I’m close to crying, but I have to get out of here first. “Hey, don’t let her get to you. She’s more fucked up than all of us combined,” he

says as he pulls me in for one last hug. “Go back in there. They need you.” I peck his cheek and then race down the stairs, grabbing his keys off the table and leave the house. I climb into Lucas’s Chevrolet Silverado, turn the key, and get the hell out of there. Driving always manages to help clear my head, but today, it’s doing jack shit. I want to scream because Celeste was right and that’s what’s gotten to me the most. My family doesn’t love me, if they did, they’d be here, with me. Instead, they traipse the world, without me.

WHEN MY EMOTIONS BECOME too much to handle, I pull into the parking lot at a park, shut off the engine, close my eyes and rest my feet up on the dash. While I cry, my phone rings. I pick it up and see that it’s Logan. I can’t answer because I can’t talk. My sobs have taken over my body. I drop the phone again, and a moment later I hear a ding. Logan: Where are you? I try to text him back, but my chest is heaving, and my heart is full of despair. Logan: Where are you? Please answer, baby. Me: I’m fine. That’s the best I can do for the moment. He tries calling again, so I press accept and put him on speaker. “Where are you?” “I don’t know where I am. I started driving, and then I pulled into a park,” I sob. While I wipe away my tears, I tell him, “You need to focus on your family, don’t worry about me, I’m fine.” “You are my family, babe,” he whispers. “I’ll go home soon. I just need some time.” “Let me come to you. I’ll bring Lucas. He can drive the car back.” “No, I can’t have you always saving me, I need to work through this. I’ve got to go. I love you.” I hang up and switch off the phone. After throwing it onto the enger side seat, I shift back and closed my eyes. I’m so tired and worn out that I fall asleep.

MY HEART ALMOST JUMPED out of my chest when there was a tap on the driver-side window. Immediately, I was on alert until I looked up and saw those very familiar sparkling blue eyes looking down at me. I flicked the button and unlocked the doors. “How did you find me?” I ask as he opens the door. My throat is dry, and my head is pounding from crying. “We started checking parks, eleven later and here we are.” Fuck, I feel horrible. “You need to be with the others. Not me,” I tell him as I rest my head back against the seat and as I do, the enger door opens, and Lucas slides in, his arm comes around me, and I rest my heavy head on his shoulder. “Wanna get drunk?” My chest moves with my chuckle. “I really do.” I need to lose myself for a little while. Be carefree, even if it is only for a few hours. It will have to do. “Good. I filled his trunk with booze before leaving the house,” he points towards Logan. “Your place?” he asks. Before I can answer, Logan says, “Come on, baby. Let’s go home.” His hand reaches for mine, and I take it. As much as I want him to forget about me and be with his father and siblings, I know I need him too. Once we’re in his car and on the road, Logan tries to get answers out of me, but I don’t want to talk about any of the shit that went down that morning. “Please, can we just be? I can’t talk about it. I’m tired, and I can’t think about my family, let alone talk about them, babe.” His grip on my hand tightens. “Whatever you want.”

WITHIN TWO MINUTES of arriving back at my house, Lucas had a Bourbon and Coke ready for me, and I skull it. “Another,” I order as I slide the glass to him. He fills it, slides it back, and I again finish it in one guzzle. “Another.” By the fourth drink, I feel my body begin to relax. Logan’s on the stool beside me, and his arm snaked around my waist. “You okay?” I nod. “Yep. Or I will be, I don’t know.” What Celeste said to me hurt, it hurt bad, but I need to push through. I don’t have the lovely parents that want to be with their child, and I need to get used to it because it’s never going to change. Lucas rests his forearms on the counter, his eyes on mine. “Don’t let what she said to get to you.” My breath catches. “It’s true, though. She wasn’t lying. She was stating a fact.” Fuck, the tears are back, and I reach up and wipe them away with the backs of my hands. “You really think I’m only with you for sex?” Logan’s arm drops from my waist. He sounds hurt. My gaze meets his. “No, that’s not what I agreed with. She wasn’t lying about my family. You, I know is with me because you want to be,” I see his shoulders slump with relief, his hand moves to my waist again. “What she was right about was that if my parents loved me, then maybe they would be here.” I shift my gaze to Lucas. “Another.” He gives me a tight nod and pours. “Do you really believe that?” he asks as he hands me the full glass. “I’ve always thought it. She just confirmed it,” I shrug. “Come on, let’s go and chill beside the pool. It’s still hot out.” I stand up a little too fast, and I reach out and rest my hand on the countertop, steadying myself. “Woah!” Logan envelops me. “I’ve got you, baby.”

My focus is back. “I’m fine. I stood up too fast.” His arm snakes around my waist and I look up at him, “I love you.” He gives me one of those panty-dropping smiles, “Love you too, baby.” He leans in and kisses me, and it’s a kiss I’d like to follow through with, but I know Lucas wants to talk, so my hormones will have to wait a little while longer. As soon as we’re out the back, the boys lay down on the lounges beside the pool a few feet apart, and Logan pulls me into his lap.

Logan “Did she say where she was going?” I ask Lucas. “She said she was going home. She took my car.” I grab my keys off the table, she can’t be alone. I wish she’d have told me she was leaving. I would have gone with her. “I’m going, you coming? “Yeah, I want to see if she’s okay. Celeste was a fucking bitch to her.” “I’ll try calling her. My gut tells me that she didn’t go home.” I dial her number, but she doesn’t answer, and I’m starting to worry. I know she hasn’t gone home, despite telling Lucas that’s where she was headed. My girl likes to drive away her frustration. It calms her and helps clear her head. I text her a couple of times and with each ing second that I don’t hear back from her; my body becomes tense. Then finally, my phone beeps, and it’s a message from her. “Thank fuck,” I let the air I was holding go. Hayley: I’m fine. I call her again, and she answers. “Where are you?” “I don’t know. I don’t know where I am. I started driving and pulled into a park,” She’s been crying. I could kill Celeste, and I almost did back at the house. “You need to focus on your family, don’t worry about me, I'm all right.” My heart aches for her. She’s alone, and she has my mother’s words swirling around in her head.

“You are my family, babe,” I whisper. I couldn’t love her more if I tried. “I’ll go home soon. I just need some time.” “Let me come to you. I’ll bring Lucas, and he can drive the car back.” Lucas nods in agreement. He doesn’t want her to be alone either. “No, I can’t have you always saving me, I need to work through this. I’ve got to go. I love you.” “Fuck!” I scream. “What happened?” “She hung up. She fucking thinks that she’s a burden on us. That couldn’t be further from the truth. She fucking saved our whole family today, and she thinks that she is the burden.” I run my hands through my hair, frustrated. “Don’t stress, bro.” I look over to Lucas and see him pull up a map on his phone. “What are you doing?” “We’re going to go to every fucking park in a fifty-mile radius and find her. She shouldn’t be alone. She’s been alone way too much lately, thanks to Celeste. It’s her turn to heal.” “You are so fucking wise sometimes.” “Only when it comes to the people I love. Start the car. We need to find her.”

ELEVEN FUCKING PARKS later, and I spot Lucas’s car parked in the lot. “She must have fallen asleep.” “She’s had a lot going on. It doesn’t help that you haven’t been able to stay at her place. She doesn’t sleep well when you’re not there.” I pull the car to a stop beside her. “How the hell do you know?” I ask as I unclick my seat belt. “When you’re not around, we talk.” He shrugs. “It isn’t all jokes. We get serious, BTW, you may need to bail her out of lock-up soon. She’s about to go ape-shit on Ashleigh’s ass. That bitch has been filling Hayley’s head with so much shit.” Fuck, I knew she’d been on Hayley’s back since I haven’t been around lately, but the bitch has gone too far. “Why does she talk to you, and not me?” I hold up my hands in defense. “I’m not bitching, I’m glad she talks to you, but why not me?” I’d do anything for her, why won’t she just let me in? He sits back in his seat. “She knows you’re holding back on things you should probably tell her, too. She can see how stressed you are, and she doesn’t want to burden you with her crap as well.” I move my gaze to the truck beside us. I can’t see her well enough to know if she’s asleep because the tint on the window is dark, but I’m positive she is, or she would have already wound down a window. “You’re going to have to tell her about Callie, bro. Because if you don’t, and she finds out from someone else, she’s going to think that something is going on between the pair of you.” My eyes meet his, I know he’s right, but for the moment, Hayley doesn’t need the added pressure. “Come on,” I hop out and move towards the driver’s side door of my brother's truck. I only tap lightly on the window, but it still scares the shit out of her. The second she sees that it’s me, she unlocks the door, and I open it. “How did you find me?” She's been crying, I can see it in her eyes. “We started checking parks, eleven later, and here we are,” I shrug. I’d have gone to every park in the United States if that’s what it took to find her.

“You need to be with the others. Not me.” Why does she always put everyone else ahead of herself? Lucas slides in beside her. “Wanna get drunk?” “I really do.” “Good. I filled his trunk with booze,” he points to me. “Your place?” he asks her. I wasn’t planning on going back to our house until it’s been fixed up. That and I don’t want to be apart from Hayley. “Come on, baby. Let’s go home,” she’s still so tired. Between not sleeping much over the time I’ve had to stay at home to deal with Celeste, to her having to spend half of last night pulling together the intervention, she hasn’t had much rest, at all. As soon as we’re in the car, I take her hand in my free one and gently squeeze it. Shit, I’ve missed her. “Are you okay?” I ask. “Can we not talk about today until I’ve had a drink? I’ve done too much fucking sooking as it is. I’m too tired to do anymore, just yet,” she sighs. “Anything you want.” What I want is for her to unburden herself, but if Lucas is right, then she might not. She’s worried I’m going to snap, all of a sudden, and I don’t blame her for thinking that way because I know she’s right.

AFTER WE'VE ARRIVED at Hayley's house, and we're settled in with drinks in hands, I decide to broach the subject again. “You okay?” She nods. “Yep. Or I will be, I don’t know.” “Don’t let what she said, get to you,” Lucas tells her. “It’s true, though. She wasn’t lying. She was stating a fact.” Does she honestly believe my mother's vile words? I’d never use her for sex. Ever. “You think I’m only with you for sex?” I question as my hand drops from her waist. A moment later, her eyes meet mine. “No, that’s not what I agree with. She wasn’t lying about my family. You, I know are with me because you want to be." Thank fuck for that. “If my parents loved me, then maybe, they would be here.” She looks away from me and asks Lucas to top off her drink. I could kick her useless parent’s asses right now. They have the most amazingly bright, and caring daughter, yet they leave her to fend for herself, for months at a time. Do they not know how incredible she is? Or are they just too selfish to give a fuck? Either way, I’m pissed off. “Do you truly believe that?” Lucas asks as he hands her the glass. “I’ve always thought it. She just confirmed it." She shrugs. “Come on, let’s go and chill beside the pool. It’s still hot out,” he suggests. When Hayley goes to stand, I notice that she loses her balance, so I help steady her. “I’ve got you, baby.” She looks up at me. “I’m fine. I stood up too fast.” That smile. I love that smile. “I love you.” “Love you, too.” I lean in and kiss her. As soon as we’re outside and beside the pool, I pull her into my lap on the lounge, under the umbrella. It’s just after six in the evening, and the sun won’t be out much longer, but it's still hot out here.

“Okay, I’ve had enough booze to be able to deal with shit. Tell me what happened at the house, after I left,” Hayley asks. “It can wait, I don’t want to bring you down, babe.” I kiss her shoulder. She doesn't need to hear more negative bullshit. She's already done so much for us as it is. She shakes her head. “Nope, let’s get it over with.” Lucas jumps in, saving me from voicing my opinions. I don’t want to have to go through it all over again, especially after my mother drained me, emotionally, this morning. Lucas looks positively giddy. “Holy shit. Okay, so, when you left, and Logan threatened to have Stef kick Celeste’s ass, she mellowed and she finally took a seat. Let me tell you, she was pissed as hell when she found out who Carol was and why she was there. I thought Celeste was going to bolt. She told us that we're all a bunch of assholes and that if we’d just asked her to stop drinking, she would have taken it upon herself to get help on her .” Lucas rolls his eyes. Hayley shakes her head in disbelief. “Carol told me and your dad she’d say that. Apparently, it’s only a tiny margin of those people that do go on to help themselves, and that we weren’t to believe her even if she promised us she would.” My arms tighten around my love. I’m so mad at Celeste. Here Hayley is, trying her hardest to help my mom with her addiction, and her relationships, and all she received in return, was a proverbial slap in the face. She leans into me, and I kiss her cheek. “After Stef told her she'd never her again if she continued to act like a child, Celeste was silent. Oh, and then there was the kicker. Logan told her that he also wouldn’t ever have anything to do with her if she didn't take the help offered to her, the tears started. In the end, she knew she’d been defeated, and finally, she agreed to leave with Carol.” Lucas shrugs. “So, what happens now?” Hayley asks. I lean in, kissing her cheek. “She doesn’t come home until she can prove that

she will change. Dad's promised to put the divorce on hold for now, and he won’t proceed if she stays sober. Dad loves her. He loves her so much that he couldn’t stand back and watch her kill herself, hence the divorce.” “Good. From what you guys have told me, they sounded pretty damn happy together before the alcohol became such a huge part of Celeste's life.” She raises our ed hands and tenderly kisses my palm, she knows what that does to me. She knows that her lips and my palm make me ache for her. Abruptly, Lucas stands. “Alright bitches, I’m out of here. Toby’s got a massive party happening tonight, down at the beach. I take it you two will be staying here?” Hayley shifts until her eyes are on mine. “You can go. I really am okay, I’ll just go to bed.” She's sincere, but I’m not planning on going, not after Lucas told me she hasn’t been sleeping. I need to try and get her to open up to me. “Nope,” I shake my head. “Not going anywhere.” “Peace out. I’ll go back to our place if I hook up,” Lucas tells me as he approaches. He then leans in and kisses Hayley’s cheek. “If you hook up? You’re being modest. I think it’s more a question of how many of those hookups will end up back at yours,” she laughs. “What can I say, modest is my thing.” He shrugs. “Bye, fuck face,” I call as he walks away from us. “Are you sure you don’t want to go? I'm just going to head up to bed,” she asks as she laces our fingers. “Nope. We can go to bed if you’re tired, babe. Thanks to all the shit going on, I’ve barely slept.” She opens up more for me when we lie in bed, facing each other. “Come on,” she stands and waits for me. Once we’re upstairs, she strips down to her bra and panties and climbs into the bed. I follow suit and snuggle up against her, resting my leg between hers. This

is when I’m at my happiest. Laying here with her is what I’ve missed the most over the past few weeks. “Are you really okay? You still seem down.” My hand rests on her hip bone. Lucas was right, I need to tell her about Callie, but tonight isn’t the night. She’s had enough shit for one day. She lets go of a long breath she’d been holding onto. “I think so. I won’t lie, what she said did hurt me. It brought all the feelings I’ve spent the last two years burying, up to the surface. My parents simply aren’t here because they don’t care enough about me.” Her father’s in town next week, and before I hop on the plane, and head to New York, he’s going to be told how he's hurting his only daughter, whether he likes it or not. I know it will probably fall on deaf ears, but someone needs to stand up to him. Her mother will be my next target. Sure, Toni calls Hayley and checks up on her, but just like her father, Toni is constantly absent in her daughter's life. “I’m here, and I’m with you because I care. Fuck them. Honestly, I don’t know how they can just up and leave you all the time." “Me either.” She moves closer, tucking her head under my chin as my arms envelop her, pulling her until she’s flush against me. “Hey, what were you and my dad planning before Carol showed up? He told me I had to ask you because he wanted you to tell me.” She chuckles. “That man is such a sweetheart.” She pulls back to really look at me. “I’d forgotten about it until he mentioned it this morning. Do you when my father was home last time and we had that huge fight?” “The one where he told you to stay away from me, or you’d be out on your ass?” Fucker. He’s never around, but that’s the part he wants to play over the few days he’s home every other month. She gives me a slight nod. “That’s the one. After that, I’d called Stef because I was stressed, and after I’d hung up from her, she called your dad. Anyway, he then face-timed me and said that if dad did kick me out, or if I just wanted to walk away, he would move your mother out of the house so I could move in.” My eyes widen. I had no idea. “I know, it’s a stupid idea,” she says before burying her head.

She thinks I don’t want her to, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. “Hey,” I tuck my finger under her chin and tilt her head back. “I was surprised in a good way. I think it’s a pretty fucking perfect idea. When the house is fixed up, why don’t you just move in?” With Celeste gone, we can be together all the time and not have to be apart when her asshole father decides to come to town. Fuck, he hates me, and the feeling is mutual.

Hayley Does he really want me to move in with him? “I don’t know. Then there’s the bullshit that would go down with my father if I did leave. He doesn’t do anything for months at a time, but if it involves you, he’ll be a huge fucking pain in my ass.” Logan shrugs. “Fuck him. You’re eighteen, babe. There isn’t much he can do.” He has a point. “Are you sure it’s what you'd want? Right now, you have somewhere to go when you need to be alone. My moving in would affect the others in the house too. I don’t want to be in the way. Here, I don’t piss anyone off.” He comes closer, and his mouth closes over mine. Once we’re breathless, he pulls away. “I don’t know what the fuck those parents of yours have put in your head, but you moving in, would be fantastic. Lucas is the only other person that stays at that house now that Celeste is gone, and he pretty much lives here with you anyway. We both do. The only thing that will change is the location. Instead of us always being here, we’ll be over there.” I take a moment to think about it, and I wholeheartedly agree with his reasoning. “I’ll see how dad’s visit goes next week, and I’ll take it from there. I know he’s going to completely cut me off if I do leave.” He will. My father will cancel my cards, and the only way I’d survive is if I could get my mother to release my trust fund. God, I’m beginning to feel sick. Logan's hand cups my cheek. “Money is the last thing you should be worrying about.” I shake my head. “Nope, I’m not taking your money.” I won’t.

He lets out a sigh. “ when I told you this morning that you'd already be my dad’s daughter-in-law if it were up to me?” Butterflies are fluttering around in my stomach. How could I forget? The man I love with my all told me he would marry me now. Before college, before moving in together. Of course, I . “Yes,” I whisper. “Well, when my grandfather was on his deathbed a few months ago, and we’d only been together a couple of weeks, he asked one thing from me. I had to make one promise,” he kisses my cheek. Rubbing my nose along his strong jaw, I ask, “What was the promise?” I run my hand down his waist, inching my body closer to his. Logan kisses my forehead while sliding his hand over my hip until it’s on my ass cheek. As he squeezes, he pulls me even closer. My eyes roll back into my head when his hardness rubs against me, and I’m finding it very difficult to concentrate. “He knew I loved you, he knew we’d stay together, forever, but he made me promise I wouldn’t get married until after I'd finished college. He didn’t want me to be distracted. At the time,” he nudges my bra strap off my shoulder. “I was so consumed with sadness that I made that stupid promise. One I wish I could take back. Because I would marry you right here, and now, if I could.” I choke up. He really does love me that much. I have no words, so I just kiss him with a force that tells him how much I truly love him. He had me naked in a matter of moments, his lips exploring every single inch of me. Logan moves me until I’m on my back, kissing between my breasts. When his tongue darts out to taste my nipple, I let out a shaky breath, my hands now lost in his hair, using it to keep him there. He kisses back over my chest, up to my neck, and back to my lips. “I love you with all I have.” The next kiss is so deep, but as my tongue explores his mouth, Logan grips the back of my thigh, and as he pulls it up, he slips inside me. My head falls back. The feeling of him inside me always makes me feel lost, lost in a good way. His tongue licks my neck, and my eyes close, my legs wrap around his waist and my back arches, I want him to fill me to the brim. Logan’s

hand cups my cheek bringing my lips back to his. Once he’d made sure I was well taken care of, I lay back in his arms. “When are you leaving for New York?” I ask. Logan kisses my temple. “Saturday. I wish you’d reconsider and come with me.” I wish I could, but then there’d be a massive shit storm I’d have to face when my father found out I wasn’t here to see him because I was away with Logan. “I know. The fight that would come after, would be too much to deal with.” “The offer’s there. If you change your mind, or if he becomes too much, you need to tell me. I’ll have a car at the house to get you to the airport and I'll have a ticket waiting for you. Okay?” I shift onto my side and kiss his chest. “Okay.”

Chapter Three Hayley This week has been the week from hell, at school. Anytime I’d be separated from Logan and Lucas, that fucking slut Ashleigh would be in my ear. If she tried to tell me about her sex life she had with Logan before we had gotten together, one more fucking time, I was going to punch her. Ashleigh also continued to pester me about some girl named Callie. Apparently, Logan had been seeing her regularly last year. She told me that if our relationship was as serious as we claimed it to be, then I should already know about her because there’s a huge secret that's being kept from me. I haven’t brought the subject up with Logan because I know it’s just something she's trying to use to cause a rift between us. It won’t work.

LOGAN LEAVES FOR NEW York tonight, and the only person that knows how hard it will be for me, is my best friend, Abby. I met Abby the day I moved into our new house. She’d lived next door to me for the first three months of my being in Orange County, but then her family soon moved to a bigger property. We still go to school together, and when we get the time, we spend it doing girl stuff that the boys hate doing. Like go for manicures, facials, and all the other girly up keeps we have to do to our bodies, so we don’t repulse the boys. Lucas and Abby claim to only be fuck buddies, but I know their feelings run so much deeper than that. Sure, Luas sleeps around, but that’s only because he doesn’t want to it that he has feelings for her. I’m always telling Abby to go and hang off a new guy in front of Lucas because I want him to realize she won’t wait forever. Abby deserves to be happy, and he needs to pull his head out of his ass and tell her that he loves her. Before it's too late. “What time do you have to leave?” I ask Logan in bed. His hold on me tightens. “I leave at five in the morning. I have to go to practice first, then go back to the house, pick Lucas up and leave.” I don’t want him going anywhere. “Fuck, I’m going to miss the shit out of you,” he whispers. “Come with me, please?” he’s begging. I snuggle closer to him, sleeping at night isn’t going to be easy for me, not until he's back home. “I wish I could, but dad will be here at ten. As much as he’s an asshole, I do miss him. I miss mom more, but he’s my dad,” I shrug. “I guess I just want a couple of days where he's physically here and acts like my father, the way he did when I was a kid.” I was my daddy’s little girl, once upon a time, but the minute I turned sixteen, it all changed. He lost interest and told me that I could fend for myself and he handed me his credit card. Logan kisses my cheek. “Whatever you want, but you call me if the shit hits the fan?” “I will,” I promise him. I hope things will run smoothly since Logan and Lucas will be on the other side of the country, but you never know what can happen with my father.

LOGAN’S ALARM GOES off just after four AM, and I unfairly wrap myself around him, not letting him move. “You aren’t playing fair,” he chuckles. “Not trying to,” I whisper as I nibble on his neck. He rolls us until he was hovering over me. “I love you,” he whispers, and as he cups the back of my knee and pulls it up, thrusting inside me at the same time. “Shit,” I breathe as he thrusts, “I love you so goddamn much.” He moves until we’re breathless and exhausted. “Coach is going to kick my ass,” he laughs with his face buried in my neck. “Why?” I ask as I run my hand through his beautiful blonde hair. “He's told me I’m useless to him after being with you in the morning. I’m not allowed to have sex the morning of any game. He tells me I’m sluggish,” he continues to laugh. “Tell him it was my fault. Tell him you woke up and my hand was on your dick. Even he wouldn’t be able to berate you for that one, he is a male, after all,” I chuckle as I kiss his cheek. “That might just work,” I hear him take a breath, he’s about to leave me. “I know.” “I wish you would come. Five days is a fucking long time.” His hands grip me a little tighter. I take a breath, “I know, babe. I’m going to miss you. Stef’s looking forward to seeing you guys, and you’ll be able to do that family session with the doc at the treatment facility. It sounds like your mom’s trying.” Celeste entered an establishment just outside of New York. Stef told her she'd take part in the family sessions. I think it’s a great step forward for his family. I just wish mine was also making progress, but it will never happen because my parents don’t seem to think that there is anything wrong with the dynamics of our relationships.

He agrees and heads to the shower. Not five minutes later, he’s freshly dressed and hovering over me. “I love you.” Desperately, I’m trying to hold back the tears. “Damn it,” they betray me and fall. “Oh, baby.” He leaned in kissing me. My lips pulled away from his. “Ignore me. I’m just hormonal. I know you have to go, I just don’t want you to,” I try to smile. “I know. I’ll call you before I board. I love you so goddamn much.” His lips find mine again. While we kissed, I mumbled, “Love you too, babe. Be safe and make sure you come back to me in one piece.” I pull away, grab the front of his shirt, and wait. “I promise you that I will come back in one piece. I love you.” “Bye.” He gives me one more kiss before leaving the room. My tears fall faster when I hear his car leave. Five fucking days. I just must keep my shit together for five fucking days.

Logan “Come on, fuck face,” I call to Lucas. I’ve been waiting in the driveway for the last ten minutes. I’d told him to pack his suitcase last night, but he went and got some strange pussy instead. When he hops in the car, I pull the door closed. “I told you to be ready.” “You should have seen this chick last night. If you were single, that was a piece of outta town strange even you would have gone after. She was like, half Latino, and the way she moved her ass, fuck that ass was a masterpiece itself.” My head shakes from side to side in disbelief. “Good for you. Let’s get to the airport before we miss our flight.” I pull out of the driveway and head for the freeway.

“Was Hayley okay this morning?” he asks. Sadly, I shrug. “I wish she’d have come with us. It’s going to be a long five days for me.” “Henry fly’s into town this morning, doesn’t he?” Henry is Hayley’s father. “Yup. He’d better not fuck with her. I don’t give a shit if he is her father. I have a feeling she will be moving in soon,” he can’t keep his mouth shut, and there are no ways that I will ever let him take her away from me.

ONCE WE ARRIVE AT THE terminal, we check-in and head for the airport lounge. “I need a drink. You want one?” Lucas asks. “Yeah, whatever you’re having.” I watch as he walks away, and I slip my phone out of my pocket. Me: Miss you already. Hayley: I’m going nuts, and it’s only been three hours. Me: I love you. Hayley: Love you too, babe. “Fuck head,” Lucas calls, and my head raises. “What?” He points towards the bar, where I see Henry, feeling up a woman, one that isn’t Toni, Hayley’s mother. My smile is wide. I have the fucker right where I want him. Lucas comes closer, and I stand. “You gonna say something?” “Fuck yes, I am.” Lucas is by my side, step for step. Henry isn’t a good-looking man, not at all. It just goes to show that money, will get anyone laid. He has a pudgy gut, he’s balding, and there aren’t any good features about him. So the twenty-year-old-looking blonde that's hanging off of him, knows he’s loaded. I come to a halt behind him. “So, this is what you do instead of spending time with your only daughter?” I start. I see his body stiffen, and slowly, he turns to face me. His sweaty fat face is seething with anger and hatred. “Who are you to question my judgment?”

I give him a snort. “You want me to stay away from your daughter, but it’s not me that makes her feel unloved and as if she doesn’t matter. No, no, that is all you. You have no idea what a beautiful bright girl you have, you leave her alone for months at a time so you can live your devious cheating life. Toni know about her?” I point to the blonde that’s hanging off him. He starts waving his finger in my face, but I don’t dare budge. “You will stay out of my business, and away from my daughter.” I interject. “Nope, I won’t,” I shake my head. “Unlike you, I actually love her. You’re just another piece of shit she doesn’t need in her life. She doesn’t deserve such a pathetic asshole as a father. She doesn’t deserve the shit you put her through. You come in every few months, tell her what to do, and fuck off again.” He moves towards me, but Lucas slips in between us. “I can take him, bro.” I reach out taking his shoulders and shift him to the side. This is my fight, not his. Henry’s face is red and sweaty. “You will never see my daughter again.” He looks as if he’s about to blow. “I’m going to marry her because I love her. You have no say in it.” And I walk away.

Hayley Logan: I’m sorry, babe. I just ran into your dad at the airport. My gut churns when I see the message. It’s going to be bad, I know it is. So I hop into the car and drove to the closest ATM. I know I have six hundred dollars at the house, but I need to be covered if shit goes to hell, as I suspect it will. I pull out another five thousand, the maximum I can get for the day. I then head back to the house, pack a couple of bags, and throw them in the car. As I walk up the steps to the entrance, a limo pulls in behind me. “Hayley,” my father calls, and I come to a standstill. I give him a sweet smile and pretend as if I have zero knowledge of what happened between him and Logan at the airport. “Hey dad, it’s so goo-” that's as

far as I get. “You’re still seeing that Reed kid, aren’t you?” he asks stomping towards me. No point in lying now, “Yes, dad. It’s lonely here.” He stops in front of me, his face is now right in mine, and I can smell the booze on his breath. I’m screwed. When he has been drinking, he becomes an asshole, just like Celeste. “I told you that you were to stop seeing that parasite. He is nothing but trouble. He and his asshole bro-” I cut him off. I’m done with this shit. “Stop it. You’re never here,” I scream. “You used to give a shit about me. You used to care if I was dead or alive, but these days, I’m only on your priority list when you want to take the one person from me that gives a shit.” Here come the tears. “Logan and Lucas do give a shit about me. Hell, their father calls to see if I’m okay because you don’t. I don’t know what I did to make you and mom hate me enough that you never want to spend time with me, but I’m done.” I turn on my heels to walk into the house, but he pulls on the back of my shirt, bringing me to a halt. “Get out!” he roars as he points towards the gates. “Go and fend for yourself. You think I’m horrible, then go and live off someone else. I’ll cancel your cards, and you may as well hand over your car keys because that belongs to me too,” the fucker smiles. He fucking smiles. What did I ever do to him to deserve to be treated like this? My entire life, all I’ve done is strive to be better. To try and make my father proud of me, and this is what I get in return? I hope he fucking chokes when he eats that whore’s pussy. I hate him. I hate him so fucking much. Rolling my eyes, I tell him, “First off, you brought me the Jeep. That’s in the garage, you can keep it. But the Escalade,” I point towards my car, “I bought with my own money. From the money that was left to me by my grandmother. You can’t have that. My name is on the title. And just before I do go, let me tell you that you suck as a father, you suck as a husband, and from this moment forward, you don’t have to think of me anymore. You are free, the ties are cut.” I don’t pay him any more attention. I walk to my black Escalade, but before I close the door, I yell, “You can do what you have wanted to do for so long, you can forget that you ever had a daughter. Have a nice life, asshole.” I never looked back. I drove to the Bradstone, a hotel close by, and through my tears, I managed to get a room and go upstairs. I threw my handbag on the white

sofa resting in front of the television, and I collapse on the bed, too exhausted to do anything else.

Logan As soon as we’d landed, I tried calling Hayley, not to have her answer. I began to worry she was taking the shit for what I’d done. I continued trying to call, but still, there was nothing. Me: Babe, why aren’t you answering? Did I fuck up and get you in the shit? I’m so sorry if I did. Do you want me to come home? “What’s going on?” Stef asks. We’re now at her modern-style loft in Manhattan. “She won’t answer.” Stef knows I’m stressed, and she places her hand on my shoulder. “Do you want me to try and call her?” “I’ll try anything. She’s probably pissed at me.” I’m kicking myself. I fucking went after him and left town. I left her to deal with him. I’m pulling at my hair, guilt consuming me. Stef clicks her fingers in front of me, she’s managed to get Hayley on the phone. Fuck, she is pissed. She must be, why else would she talk to Stef and not me?

Hayley I can’t answer his call, he’d hear the emotion in my voice and try to come home. But just as I’m tapping out a text to Logan, Stef calls. “Stef?” “Are you okay? Logan’s been trying to call.” “I know, could you leave the room?” “Give me a Sec.” A moment later, I hear a door close. “What happened?” she whispers. “I don’t want Logan knowing anything until he is back home, okay? Because

he would try to come back, he doesn’t need my shit right now. He needs to be there for family counseling, and your birthday. Agreed?” I won’t tell her anything until she makes me that promise. “Okay,” she sighs. I know she hates keeping things from her brother, but at this moment, in time, she needs to. “I take it he told you what happened at the airport?” “Lucas did. Logan’s kicking himself over it.” “He shouldn’t be, he was standing up for me. Anyway,” I go on to tell her what happened between my father and me back at the house, and that I’ve checked into a hotel. “Shit. He really should go home, Hayley. You need him more than we do.” “No. Logan isn’t far from snapping. I'll tell him when he does come home, but not a moment before then. I’ll be fine.” “Why don’t you come here? I’ll book a ticket-” I cut her off. “Nope, I’m not going to gatecrash. Can you just tell him I’m getting my nails done, that’s why I didn’t answer? Also, make sure you tell him I'm not pissed off with him? I’ll text him in a minute. I just need to chill out and get rid of these tears.” “Okay, call if you need to talk.” “I will. Thanks, Stef.” “No problem. Love ya, chick.” “Love you, too. Bye.” “Bye.” We hang up.

Logan I pace the living room waiting for Stef to return. When the door opens, I come to

a halt. Stef is smiling. “She’s fine. She’s with Abby, getting her nails done. She was texting you as I called.” “Why did you leave the room?” Something isn’t right. Stef puts her phone down on the table in front of her. “Because they had all of those nail file thingies’ going on in the background. That and the fact Lucas was babbling on about something when no one was even listening to him. She’s fine.” My phone beeps. Hayley: Sorry, babe. All is good. I did have a fight with dad, but I’ll call you when we’re finished at the salon, and fill you in. I love you. My heart slows, and relief fills me. Me: Thank God. I thought you were pissed at me. I fucking hate it when you’re so far. Are you sure you can’t jump on a plane? Hayley: I’ll see you in one-hundred and thirteen hours. I smile to myself. Me: I can’t wait. Hayley: Me either. I’ll call you later, or do you have plans? I can call tomorrow if you do. Me: Hell no. Nothing will get in my way of talking to you. Love you, babe. Hayley: Love you, too.

HAYLEY Abby called me a little later in the day, asking why my car wasn’t in the driveway back at the house. “Shit, I’m so sorry Abb’s, I forgot to tell you I got kicked out.” “What?!” she screams. “Yep. I’m at the Bradstone. You wanna come and get drunk with me?” Please say yes. “That sounds like a plan. I’ll be there soon, text me the room number.” “Doing it now. See you soon.” I hang up. Thirty minutes later, Abby is standing at my door with a bottle of bourbon in one hand, and a bottle of Coke in the other. “I could have called down,” I tell her as she enters the room. She always looks so damn good. I’m feeling frumpy in comparison. Her long blonde hair and long legs remind me of Stef. Personality-wise, they’re also very similar. It’s the reason why I love them both so much. She throws her bag beside mine on the sofa and turns to face me, her bright green eyes mischievous. “So, how drunk are we going to get?” “Paraplegic. Well, I can, after I talk to Logan.” I take a seat at the dining table beside the wet bar. Abby is grabbing glasses and ice. “I take it you don’t want him knowing anything is wrong until he gets back from NY?” I shake my head in return. “He has that family thing with Celeste. He’s already on edge. I’ll tell him the minute he lands.” She has the bourbon poured and is now adding the Coke. “Fair enough.

Although, I think you should tell him. He’s going to be pissed when you do if you leave it too long.” She hands me a glass and drops down in the seat opposite me. While she gets comfortable, I take a long sip and place the glass back down on the table. “I know.” “So, what happened?” Here we go. “Logan saw my dad at the airport and confronted him about him being a shit father. It was going to happen. I just didn’t think today would be that day. Anyway, he sent me a text apologizing for having a go at dad. I had no idea of the details, but I knew it was going to be bad, so I packed up as much as I could fit in the back of the Escalade, I raced to the ATM, pulled out five grand, and went back to the house.” I take another sip. “Would he honestly cut you off?” she asks, her mouth agape. Abby doesn’t know my father because he’s never around, so she doesn’t know what to expect. “Yep. I know it. I managed to pay for the hotel room on the card and filled the Escalade with gas, but it'll be canceled by now.” “Shit. Are you okay? What are you going to do?” Just as I go to answer her, my phone beeps. “Hang on,” I tell her as I stand and pick my phone up off the bed. Logan: Stef’s birthday is tomorrow, and the family thing with mom, is the day after. I’ve decided to come home on Tuesday. Lucas is staying behind, but I’ll be back in the afternoon. I miss you too fucking much already. I love you. Me: You don’t have to do that, babe. Logan: Yes, I do. It’s for me more than you, so get over it. Me: Love you, too. “Oh, I know that look. Logan said something sweet and sexy,” Abby mocks. I lower myself back down in my seat. “He’ll be home Tuesday.”

She rolls her eyes. “You two make me sick.” “Jealous?” She rolls them again. “Yep.” Then she takes a long sip from her glass. A moment later, my drink needs refreshing. “I still think you and Lucas should get together. And when I say together, I mean more than just screwing each other.” Those two have sex, a lot. But neither of them will it they’d be amazing together because they would. Lucas thinks she’ll be there waiting for him, waiting for him to finish sewing his wild oats, but that door is closing, slowly. Each time she sees him with another skank, her tolerance for him lowers, further and further. I'd hate to have them at each other’s throats because I’d be stuck in the middle. Somewhere I wouldn’t be comfortable being, because I love them both so much. Just as I’m feeling the effects of the bourbon take hold of my body, I decide to call Logan. I want him to be able to understand me. Apparently, I mumble when I’m drunk. So I pull up his info on the screen of my phone and put it on speaker. “Hey, babe,” he sounds a little upbeat. He must be drinking with his siblings. “Hey, sexy,” I blurt. “Are you drunk?” he chuckles. “Not my fault. Abby made me do it.” “Don’t listen to her Logan. I’m the semi-sober one. She’s the one that's pissed,” Abby calls. “Nuh-uh. She brought it with her. She made me get drunk. Anyway, I wanted to talk to you before she made me get too wasted.” He laughs at me. “I miss that damn laugh,” I tell him. “I miss you.” “Miss you, too. Anyway, I’m not going to get soppy,” I can’t. I’ll start crying, and I know I won’t stop until he’s back here with me.

“Okay then, but you need to tell me what happened when your father arrived back at the house after my little confrontation with him.” Logan’s now in serious mode. “The usual, babe. ‘I told you to stay away from him. Go near him again, and I’ll cut you off.’ I swore at him a few times, I told him he was a shit dad, and hopped in my car and left. That’s why I’m with Abby.” I’m cringing. I hate half lying to him, and the look on Abby’s face tells me she wants me to open up and give him the truth. I can’t do that, not while his family is finally mending. I shake my head at her because I know she’s drunk enough to yell something out. “You’re sure you’re okay?” Logan presses. “I’m fine. Well, I will be in three days, at least. Thank you for coming earlier. I’m sorry you feel you have to.” I want him with me now, but that wouldn’t be fair to him. I can’t live my life relying on him. “I’d come now if you wouldn’t give me hell about it.” “I know, but I would give you hell. You need to be with Stef. Marshall is away,” Stef’s live-in boyfriend, “I don’t want her to be alone on her birthday.” “You’re right. I know you are, but it’s hard, baby.” Abby frowns and gives me her sad face. “Trust me, I know. Now, go and be with her. I have Abby. I’m not on my own.” “Thank you, Abby,” he calls out. “Not a problem. I love the bitch,” she laughs. “How could you not,” he tells her, and I roll my eyes. “Stop rolling your eyes, Hayley,” he adds. “Man, he knows you too well,” she laughs. “Okay you pair, say goodnight,” I tell them. When they do, I take him off the speaker and put the phone to my ear. “I love you,” I sigh as I fight back the tears.

“Love you, too. Three days, babe. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” “Okay. Bye,” I whisper. I’m not doing as well as I had hoped. I miss him, and with the added bullshit from my father, I just need him here with me. I need him in my bed, with his protective arms wrapped around me. “Bye, baby,” and we hang up.

Chapter Four Logan On the night of Stef’s birthday dinner, our father stood at the table during dessert and asked for our attention. “I had a call from your mother and her treating doctor. They have decided not to go through with the family counseling session we had booked for tomorrow. It seems that your mother is rather embarrassed about her actions, and I honestly don’t think she’s ready to receive the backlash I know you will give her over her treatment of Hayley.” He looks at me. “I wouldn’t blame you if you went all out on her, I would defend you, and she knows it. None of us are quite ready to forgive her, so I think it’s wise that we leave the meeting be, for now. I'll be going to meet with her, but I’m her husband, and I want to start taking steps to repair our marriage.” I don’t want to sound like a dick, but I’m more than relieved. I’m definitely not ready to face her. I need some more time to get used to her being gone so she can get help, and I need to let go of the resentment I hold towards her for how she’s treated Hayley over the last few months. As soon as dinner is over, Stef pulls me into her bedroom, closing the door behind her. Curious, I take a seat on the edge of her bed, and she drops down beside me. “What’s up, sis?” I ask and when she turns to face me, I can see that she’s nervous. “Okay, now that the whole thing with Celeste has been canceled, I want you to go home,” she says, barely louder than a whisper. “Why?” Now, I’m on edge. She takes my hand in hers. “I’m about to be the shittiest friend there ever was, but I need you to swear you me you will keep what I tell you to yourself. You cannot tell Hayley anything I say, agreed?” she is so fucking serious that my stomach begins to churn, but I agree anyway. “You need to go home because there is a lot more going on than you’re being told. She wanted you to stay for

Celeste, and me, but since that’s canceled, you need to go to her.” Immediately, I stand, dropping her hand. “What happened? What didn’t she tell me?” Stef shakes her head. “That, I can’t tell you because I need her to be able to trust me. Please don’t fuck around with a normal flight, get the red-eye, and call her. Don’t bother going to her house. But that’s all you’re getting from me.” Shit. “I’m going. Can you arrange the flight while I get the driver to take me to the airport?” I need to leave, now! I'm not mad at Stef, she'd made a promise, and Hayley needs to know that she can trust her. “Get going.” She also stands. Reaching out, I take her in my arms. “Thank you.” I kiss her cheek and head for the door. Once my bag is packed, I race to the front door. “Where are you going?” Lucas and dad ask in unison. My hand is already on the door handle. “Stef will fill you in. I have to go.” Lucas and father nod, they know I wouldn’t leave like this if it wasn’t important.

I WAS AT THE AIRPORT and on the red-eye within the hour. The whole flight, I was twitching, and a nervous wreck. In the end, I had to tell the stewardesses what was going on because they were looking at me like I was a terrorist. As soon as I’d explained the situation, they relaxed and told me that I was a great boyfriend. What a load of shit, if I were a great boyfriend, I would never have left her the way I did after attacking her cheating, asshole father.

Hayley I spent most of the day in bed feeling sorry for myself and missing Logan like crazy. But by ten-thirty that night, I decided to get up and have a shower. I was hoping it would help me calm down, but it didn’t. It just cemented that the love of my life was on the other side of the country and that my father hated me. Stupid shower, stupid brain. I can’t switch it off. While I'm seated on the edge of the bed in my bathrobe, brushing my hair, my phone begins to ring. My heart aches when I see that Logan's calling. “Hey, you’re-” he cuts me off. “Where are you, baby?” he sounds panicked. “Why?” “I’m home. I went past your house, and the Escalade wasn’t there. Are you okay?” he’s freaking out. I let the breath I was holding go. “I’m at the Bradstone.” “What?” “I’ll text you the room number.” “I’ll be there soon.” “Okay,” I whisper. I’m not ready to get into this. I’ve cried most of the day. I’m just not ready.

“Hey,” his voice has softened. “Yeah?” “I love you.” “I love you, too.” “Text the room number, Princess. I’ll be there as soon as possible.” “Okay.” I hang up and proceed to send him the information.

Logan Stef told me not to tell her I knew she wouldn’t be home, so I had to lie. I was in my car at the airport when I’d called. She sent the text to me, and I drove faster than ever before. I needed to be with the other half of me.

Hayley While I'm sitting on the bed crying, I hear a knock on the door. With the sleeves of the dressing gown, I wipe away my tears as I move to the door. The second I see him, I know he’s raced to get here, his arms immediately envelop me, and he kicks the door closed behind him. “What happened?” he whispers, as he bends and picks me up, carrying me over to the bed. Once we’re lying face to face, I start talking. “Dad kicked me out.” His hand reaches up, and he brushes my still wet hair out of my face. “Why, why, didn’t you tell me?” “Because you would have come home.” “Of course, I would have come home. Have you spoken to your mom?”

LOGAN The fucker did what I’d suspected he'd do. “No, I haven’t talked to her yet. The minute I received your message about seeing him at the airport, I raced around packing the car. I went to the bank pulled what I could, and just as I’d arrived back at the house, he drove in, and immediately, he started yelling at me. He tried to take the Escalade, but unfortunately for him, I paid for it, so he couldn’t.” As soon as she’s asleep, I’ll be doing a little planning with Lucas. I know she won’t take my money, and I also know she would rather drop out of school than have my father pay for it. Luckily, Lucas, without my knowledge, took a few photos of Henry and the little mistress that was hanging off him. I might just have to use the photos Lucas took, without my knowledge of Henry and his mistress to bribe him into paying his daughter's college tuition. Hayley can’t know about it or be in on it, she wouldn’t agree to blackmail and extortion, but they work well when you need them to. Leaning in, I kiss her. “Tomorrow, we move you into my house. You’re not staying here. Okay?” Reluctantly, she nods. “Hey, you aren’t a burden. You aren’t going to be in the way. I want you there. Hell, I spoke to Lucas and told him I’d be moving you in, and he was pumped. Baby, please come and stay with me and be okay with it.” I kiss her again. “Okay. I will.” She then takes a breath and comes closer, her body pressing against mine.

HAYLEY The next morning, after our very long shower, we packed up my belongings, and I followed Logan back to his house in my Escalade. It was an odd feeling, knowing I wasn’t going to go back to my home, but at the same time, I was excited. I was going to be living with the man that said he wanted to marry me. The moment we'd pulled into the estate and parked the vehicles, I see Logan jump out of his car, and he comes over to the driver’s side door and opens it for me. “Welcome home, baby.” He’s beaming, and it’s infectious. My smile matches his as his hands grab at mine, and he tugs me out of the car. “Babe,” I chuckle, “I need my purse.” He lets go and swiftly moves to the trunk and opens it. “I’m proud, you look like you managed to cram your whole room in here,” he says as he begins unloading the trunk. With my handbag secure, I move around the car and come up beside him. “I was in a panic. I just grabbed whatever I could.” I lean in and grab my father’s football trophy. “Isn’t that his pride and joy?” he gives me a half-smile. My face is beginning to ache. “It sure is. I’m surprised he hasn’t called yet. I didn’t have a plan when I took it. I just wanted to piss him off. I'll either smash it, or we will come to a compromise.” I shrug. Logan drops my bag he'd pulled out of the trunk, on the ground, and throws his arms around me, lifting me off the ground. “I thought I was proud a minute ago, but it doesn’t compare to this.” He lowers me until my feet are firmly planted on the ground, and his lips press to mine. “Fuck unpacking, take me to bed,” I beg of him. Again, he lifts me, my legs wrap around him, and he starts for the front door. We don’t make it to the bedroom. We only get as far as the sofa in the living room.

Logan lowers us down, and a moment later, Logan’s pulling my jeans off. The second he drops his own, he lay’s back down on top of me. I know he wants to take his time, but I don’t. “Just fuck me,” I breathe, and when our eyes meet, I see that his smile is devious. He doesn’t bother ripping off my panties he just moves them to the side and thrusts inside me. “Fuck yes,” I cry. That’s exactly what I wanted. He moves fast, hard, and deep, and it’s fucking amazing. When we’ve finished screaming each other’s names, he collapses against me. “Holy crap, I love you,” he pants. “Love you too, babe.” My arms are still around him. “Should we finish unpacking?” I ask, breathless. “In a minute,” he chuckles. “I was going to go down to the gym, but that was a workout.” He shifts his head and kisses me. “Nope, we both need to hit the gym, and I need to do some laps. I haven’t been in the pool in days. Coach always knows when I’ve slacked off.” I kiss him back.

AS SOON AS THE CAR is unpacked and Logan has made room in his closet for my belongings, he lifts me in his arms. “I fucking love that you’re living with me.” My eyes are locked on his. “Really? Are you really, happy that I’m here, and that you don’t have a place to go to when I give you the shits?” He lets go of a laugh. “Yes, I love that you're here. I love that I'll wake up with you every single morning. If I get pissed off, which won't be at you, I’ll hit the gym. Rarely do you upset me. The only time you do is when you try to put everyone before yourself. You deserve attention, too. I need you to know that. I need you to know you shouldn’t feel as if you’re a burden. If you were, do you think my dad would have offered for you to move in without my knowledge?” I smile at his logic. “I guess not. Come on, let’s get changed and hit the gym before we both lose our scholarships.”

Logan She’s even sexy when she’s all sweaty, and lifting weights. I skipped the pool, but I continued to work out in the gym. When Hayley comes back, wearing nothing but a tiny, black bikini, I pull her into the shower and worship every inch of her glorious body. With our bathrobes secure, Hayley lays down on the bed, and I snuggle up beside her. “We’re never going to get anything accomplished,” she chuckles. Leaning in, I kiss her. “That’s more than fine with me. Anyway, are you hungry? I sure as hell am." “Yeah, we should probably order in. When I went to get an energy drink, before, I noticed that there wasn't any food in the fridge.” My leg moves over hers. “What do you want to eat, babe?” I know she’s going to say a salad. I swear that’s all she eats. “How about we order from that Greek place you like so much. I could go for their salad with lamb.”

At least she’s going to eat some protein. “I’ll get my phone.” “Mine’s here.” She reaches for her phone that’s resting on the bedside table. “Your usual, babe?” My nose rubs against her cheek. “Sounds good.”

ONCE DINNER HAD ARRIVED, we sat in the kitchen at the island counter. “It’s so quiet here without your mom and Lucas,” Hayley points out as she goes to take a bite of her salad. I nod in agreement. “I like it,” but before she can respond, her phone begins to ring. “Who is it?” I ask hoping to hell it isn’t her father. I’m tired, and I don’t have the energy to go and kick his ass. “Mom.” She presses accept and places it on speaker. “Hey, mom.” Hayley doesn’t look impressed. Not at all. “Hi, sweetheart. I was about to leave Heathrow, so I thought I would check-in. How are you?” Our eyes lock, our forks drop in shock. Toni has no fucking idea what’s been going on around here. “Mom, when was the last time you spoke to dad?” “Umm, this morning. I had to call him about the new restaurant. Why, Sweetie?” “I cannot believe this,” I mumble, shaking my head. “Is that Logan?” Toni asks. “Yeah, I’m here. So Henry didn’t tell you he kicked his daughter out of the house and cut her off financially, yesterday?” I already know she’s going to be pissed, but it just goes to show how much she has to do with her only child. It’s been over twenty-four hours, and nothing. “He what?!” she screams. “Yep, he tried taking her car, too. She had to check into a hotel because I was out of town. She’s staying with me now.” Reaching over, I take Hayley’s hand in mine and squeeze it in a show of . No matter what, Hayley will be protected. “That asshole! Who does he think he is? Hayley, do you need anything? Will you be okay until I sort this out?” She sounds concerned. “I'm all right.”

“She’s moved in with me. She’s not going back to that house. I’m sorry, Toni, but that asshole keeps trying to rip us apart,” I let go of her hand, and pull her to me. “It’s not going to work anymore.” “Is it safe there? What about Celeste?” Toni asks. “She’s at a rehab facility in Manhattan, not far from Stef. Dad won’t let her come back here. He’ll also take care of Hayley.” I know he will. My father loves Hayley, and he will not let her be put in the line of fire. Not if he can help it. “Okay, then. Let me call Henry. I’ll threaten divorce, and I’ll make sure everything is taken care of. Nothing scares him more than the divorce word because California laws state that everything is split down the middle. It’s the only reason we’re still together. That and the fact that if I eventually manage to catch him cheating, I could take everything. He'd be left penniless.” She seems somewhat happy. I should tell her about the photos, but I’ll talk to Lucas first, and see what he thinks we should do. “Thanks, mom. I won’t go back there, though, especially if he’s home. I’m here now, and I’m staying here.” She nuzzles her head under my chin. I love that she wants to stay with me. “I understand, sweetheart. Okay, I’ll get going, and I will call you when I land in New Zealand.” “You’re going to New Zealand?” Damn, now my girl’s pissed off. Her whole body has stiffened. “Yes, I’m sorry, but there have been a few miscalculations in the restaurants we have there. I need to find out who is stealing from us.” “Fair enough.” Immediately, the anger is gone from her voice, and her body relaxes against mine, again. “I love you,” Toni tells her. “Love you too, mom.” And she hangs up the phone. Hayley turns and wraps her arms around my waist. “You okay?” I ask as I press a soft kiss to her temple.

Her head nods. “If you weren’t here, then no, but you are, and right now, that’s all I need.” She’s trying so hard to hold back her tears. “Bourbon?” I ask. “Yes,” she whispers. Seven drinks later and I finally have her laughing. “I want to fuck my father over. I need to get a P.I. to follow him. I know there are other bitches, I’ve always known there were others, but never have I caught him red-handed,” she says as she takes another sip and then places her empty glass down on the bar. I don’t know if I should tell her I already have photos of Henry. She’s drunk, as well as angry, and I don’t want her doing something she’ll regret in the morning. No matter how much I'd love to fuck Henry over, I can’t have it weighing on Hayley’s mind in the light of day. “Do you truly feel that way?” Again, she nods. “I know I don’t say shit sober, but I do think it. I’ve wanted to take him down for a couple of years, now. I just keep chickening out when it comes to calling a P.I.” Decision made. “Come with me.” She straightens in her seat and studies my features. “You’ve already planned something, haven’t you? What, were you waiting for me to crack before going ahead?” “Yep. I didn’t think you'd want to be involved because you’re such a good person.” I shrug as I take her hand and lead her up the staircase. “My phone’s in our room.” But the second the words leave my mouth, I’m pulled to a halt when Hayley suddenly stalls. I turn to find out what the issue is, but I’m met with a wide smile. “What’s that look for?” I ask, dumbfounded. “You just said, our room.” She’s drunk as hell. I cup her face in my hands and plant a ionate kiss on her lips. I did say our, and I loved saying it. I love her, and I love that she’s here with me. “Never will I let you move away from me. Now that I’ve got you, I’m

keeping you.”

Hayley That was so freaking hot, but then something comes to mind, and I pull away from his lips. “What’s the matter?” he asks, breathless. “You’re going to have to, babe.” Shit, I cannot believe this is just coming to light. He looks scared, “Why?” “College dorms do not let guys and girls room together.” I let go of a sigh. “Let’s not go to college,” I pout, and he laughs. “Why the hell are you laughing?” I can’t see the funny side of this, or am I too drunk and missed something? He pulls me back to him until my body is pressed up against his. “Dad already bought a house only five minutes from campus. When I asked him why he did it, he said that there was no way in hell we’d be able to stick to their rules on the no boys allowed in the dorm, thing.” My heart melts. “Your dad’s pretty fucking amazing.” “He is,” Logan agrees. “Come on. I’ve got something to show you, ?” He takes my hand in his and leads me to our room. He then tells me to take a seat on the bed while he gets his phone. A moment later he plants his beautiful ass on the spot right beside me. “Are you sure you want to do this?” he asks. He’s giving me an out. “My mom needs to be able to get what is rightfully hers. She was the one that inherited the money to open the first restaurant. My father didn’t have a cent to his name. I always thought that that’s why he married her, for her money.” I shrug. I’ve always wondered, but how could I prove it? “Wow. Why haven’t you ever told me before?” his arm comes around me. “They were never around, so it didn’t matter. I’ve held a lot in, over the years, and I guess I’m just used to having no one I trust to tell.” My eyes shoot to meet

his. “Not that I don’t trust you, babe. It simply never came up. I fix other people’s problems, but I suck at trying to solve my own. I never know where to start.” Never have I been good at dealing with my own life, but I’m pretty damn good at helping others. I like helping people, and it makes me feel like just maybe, I do have a purpose. His lips press against my cheek. “Never will you have to deal with anything on your own, ever again, okay?” My gaze again meets his, and I smile. I like being a part of a team, and it takes a little weight off my shoulders. “Love you.” “Love you too, babe. Now, let me pull them up.” I watch as he scrolls through his iPhone. He has the App Photo vault which requires his code to enter. Once he’s in, he shows me, and I’m completely shocked when I see the images of my father sleazing over a twenty-somethingyear-old Barbie doll. “I always suspected, but it’s strange to see it for myself. What a slimeball. Why would she hang off him? He’s fat, sweaty, and horrible to look at.” Logan hands me the phone so I can freely scroll through the images. “I hadn’t thought to take photos. When I looked up in the airport lounge and saw what was going on, I saw blood. It was Lucas that took them. Henry threatened me, telling me he would ruin me if I told anyone about the affair, but my lawyer is pretty fucking good at his job, so I wasn’t fussed.” He shifts on the bed, so his body is facing mine. “What do you want to do with them?” My brain hurts. Between the images and the alcohol, my temples are starting to throb. “I want to use them so my mother gets everything, but I still want to have someone follow him. If I can prove beyond a doubt that he's a cheater, he will be left with nothing. The same nothing he went into the relationship with.” “I’ll be back,” Logan says suddenly and hops up, taking off out of the room, and I’m left to sift through the horrid images. Not one minute later, he’s back with his MacBook in hand. “Let’s find someone.” He scoots up the bed until his back is resting against the headboard. “Come here, baby.” He pats the empty spot beside him, so I climb up the bed and snuggle in beside him.

“Hey,” I start. “Yeah?” he begins typing find P.I’s in OC into Google. “We have a huge problem. I cannot believe I didn’t think of it before.” He stops typing, and his eyes lock with mine. “What’s the matter?” “We both sleep on the right side. At my house, I get the right, but here, I get the left. I hate the left. It makes me feel uncoordinated,” I mock. The poor thing thought something was wrong. “Are you serious?” he throws his free hand up in the air. “I thought there was a real problem. My heart's going a million beats a minute.” “What are you talking about? It’s a huge issue.” I try to keep a straight face, but it doesn’t work. “Oh, my, god,” he groans. “Let’s find a P.I. and then we'll discuss it.” “Fine.” He chuckles and kisses me before going back to his search. After searching for a few minutes, Logan says, “This guy fits in with what we need. I’ll shoot off an email and wait to hear back.” So that’s what he does. Once the laptop is put away, we strip off and snuggle up together under the sheets. “Have I told you how much I love the fact that you’re here?” he whispers, his fingers grazing the skin on my arm. “Only a few hundred times,” I whisper in return. “Well, that’s just not good enough.” He shifts until he’s resting on top of me, his beautiful blue eyes on mine. “I love that you’re here. I love that you’re staying and I love that I love you.” I raise my head and press my lips to his. Logan takes my hands, reaching them above my head, keeping them there. Tenderly, his free hand skims my side while the other keeps me anchored. My eyes close as his lips kiss and lick my skin. Every time I try to move, his grip

tightens, keeping me immobile. He continues to explore me while I want to do the same to him, but each time I try to pull free, he’d kiss or lick me in places that make it impossible to do anything but moan. He wants this to be about me, and only me. I’d complain, but I’m moaning way too much to be able to interject. Eventually, it becomes too much, “I want to touch you,” I whisper, and as I do, he gives me an animalistic groan, and his grip on me eases, letting me go free. My hands grip his shoulders, pushing him onto his back, my legs straddling his lap. He'd already made sure my panties had come off when my arms were trapped. There's nothing between us, and we're skin on skin. I raise just enough to ease over him. His eyes are locked with mine. Love and lust are all I see. Logan sits up, and embraces me, his lips on my shoulder as I move on him. I feel whole like nothing can hurt me. My head ducks and I begin licking and kissing his neck, his grip on me tightens, and my hands move to his face, cupping it. The moment my lips meet his, he opens for me, his tongue slides the length of mine. I keep kissing him, I love kissing him, but the second I let go of a moan, he flips us until he’s on top of me. He takes full control, his lips still against mine as he moves inside me. My hands skim his chest, my legs wrap right around his torso, raising my pelvis so I can take all of him. That’s all I need. I can’t hold off anymore, I let my body be consumed by him. I have to pull my mouth away from his, so I can catch a breath. “Shit, baby,” I groan. He moves faster and deeper. “Fuck.” He keeps going, and I begin to shudder, the waves of ecstasy are crashing, my body clenching around his. “God, I love you,” he pants. It takes a while for us to regain any kind of composure. Logan is still laying on top of me, his weight protecting me. I don’t want ever to let go of him. Those beautiful lips find their way to my neck. “Marry me,” he breathes. I still have orgasm brain, I think he said ‘marry me,’ but I can’t be sure. “What, babe?” “In four years, marry me?” he shifts until his eyes are on mine.

“Of course, I will.” I have no reservations. Nothing. I know it’s right. “Really?” he’s so serious. “Yes,” I assure him. Logan will be my husband. The fact that we have to wait four years, doesn’t worry me in the slightest. Suddenly, his lips are back on mine, the kiss full of ion. We spend another hour making love, before falling asleep in each other’s arms.

Chapter Five Hayley When I open my eyes the next morning, Logan is already awake, staring down at me. “Hey,” I say as I stretch my arms above my head. When I’ve finished, I snuggle up against him. “How long have you been awake?” I ask as my nose skims his neck. “An hour or so,” he whispers as he presses a kiss to my forehead. “Why are you still in bed?” I ask, my lips brush against the skin of his neck. “Because you look so cute when you sleep,” his arm tightens around me. “You just watched me? Why didn’t you wake me?” I kiss him again. “Because you’ve had a few shit days. You needed sleep. And I wanted to be here for when you woke because I have something for you.” “Oh yeah, what’s that?” He pulls away and opens his bedside drawer. His hand shuffles around for a moment, and then I see what it is he's looking for, the second his hand appears. “This was my grandmother’s. She told me to hold onto it until I found my perfect partner. The one person I will never want to be apart from. You are that person.” Awkwardly, he tries to open the velvet box, but one of his arms is still under me, and I chuckle as I watch him struggle. “Would you like your arm back?” I ask. “Nope. I’ve got it.” Soon enough, he manages to get it open, and my eyes widen when I see the ring. It’s so beautiful. It has one huge emerald cut diamond, with two smaller ones resting on either side. “It’s so beautiful.” It really is.

“Seriously? You like it?” he sounds relieved. “I do. It’s not too big to be obnoxious, but not too small either. Your grandfather knew what he was doing when he chose that for her.” He really did. I only met Logan’s grandfather Richard a handful of times. Just weeks after Logan and I had begun dating, his health deteriorated, rapidly. He did okay, considering he was eighty-seven. He was a lovely man, he even pulled me aside one day before he was too sick to talk, and told me to ignore anything and everything Celeste may say to me when in her drunken state. He told me he knows Logan and I are going to be happy together, and that we needed to push through any problems that may arise. Logan then places the box on my stomach and carefully plucks out the ring. “I know four years is far away, but-” he seems almost sad. How could his mood have changed so fast? “You cannot break the promise you made to your grandfather. If you’re with me, then everything will be okay. It will soon all fall into place,” I assure him as I press a kiss to his lips. He pulls back. “I’m so glad you get it.” He lifts my hand and slides the ring on. “I will never leave you. You are my all. The one person I would kill for.” Again, he leans in and kisses me, but he then deepens it. Forty minutes later, we manage to hop out of bed, get showered, and head down to the kitchen for breakfast. “Babe, you need to eat more than just yogurt,” he nags. “Fine.” I move to the cupboard and take out a box of granola. “Better?” “Yes.” To keep him happy, I mix some in with my yogurt and take a seat at the island beside him and start eating my breakfast. “I think I should do some online grocery shopping today. There is nothing to eat in this house,” I say as I go to take another bite. “That’s probably a good idea. My credit card’s in my wallet by the bed.” He continues to eat. “Is there anything you want to do today since it’s nice out? That and the fact that our peace and quiet will be gone tomorrow when Lucas gets back.”

My brain tries to think of something, but I come up with jack shit. “I have to go and do fifty laps in the pool, but other than that, I can’t think of a damn thing.” And then it hits me. “Mom, I have to get onto mom and tell her we have proof Henry is a cheating asshole, but that she needs to keep it under wraps until we get more on him.” I want him to go down. He has screwed with me for the last time.

Logan Henry must have hurt her more than I initially realized. Hayley isn’t normally one that seeks revenge, but if it makes her feel better about herself, then I’m all in. I place my spoon down and turn to face her. I swivel her stool around and pull her closer to me, her legs now resting between mine. “I don’t think we should tell her just yet.” My eyes are on hers. She begins to speak, but I gently press my finger to her lips. As I go on to continue, she kisses my finger and takes it in her mouth. Shit, I have to take a big breath and tell my dick to stay down. “You’re trying to distract me,” her tongue licks it. “Just hear me out.” Her hand comes up, taking mine, her mouth lets go of my finger. “Thank you.” If she'd kept going, I sure as shit wouldn't have ed what I was going to say to her. “Fine,” she rolls her eyes, but I see that smile, the sly smile she's trying to hide. “I’ll try again. I think we should get a P.I.on board and get some more dirt on him. The images I have, aren’t enough for a court case. He could tell a judge he was drunk, or he could say the slut was coming onto him.” I pull her closer to me. “I’m not going to lie, I’d love to do it, now, but if I have to wait so we’re sure we can fuck him over on my mom's behalf, then that’s what I’ll have to do.” She shrugs. I lean in and press my lips to hers. I was just planning on a quick kiss, but she deepens it as she crawls into my lap.

AFTER WE’D MADE LOVE, twice, I decided to put a call into Lucas. I want to be sure I have copies of all the images he shot of Henry and the whore at the airport. “Dude, everything okay?” he asks. Smiling, I hate to it it, but I miss the asshole. “Yeah. The fucker threw her out. You have a new roommate.” The phone is resting upon the dining table, on speaker, but before he can answer, Hayley’s arms come around my neck, her chest pres against my back. “Sweet. It’s about fucking time. Is she okay?” I look up at her. “I’m fine, Lucas. Thanks, though.” “No problem. It’s about fucking time he moved you in. Fuck, I thought he was going to do it the week after he met you,” Lucas laughs. My arms move behind me, and I take hold of the backs of her perfect thighs. “I wanted to move her in the second I saw her.” Hayley kisses my neck. “Anyway, I'm calling because I want to know if the images of Henry you sent through to me were all of them, or do you still have more on your phone?” “There are a few more. I’ll email them to you, bro. I’m sorry, Hayley. It wasn’t something we wanted to have to use.” “I want the fucker to go down.” She's still as mad as hell. “Logan, are you sure that’s our Hayley you have there? It doesn’t sound like her.” Lucas is weary. “He fucked her over, she’s pissed and looking to take out revenge on him.” I drop my head back and look up at her. She isn’t happy, but she isn’t sad either. “He doesn’t love or even care about me, Lucas. Why should I care about him? If you saw the way he talked to me the other day, you would have kicked his ass. I want him to be left without a penny to his name. Fuck him. I know he married my mother for money, so I’m going to take it from him. You don’t kick me out and cut me off without payback. I’m done.”

“I like this Hayley, Logan,” Lucas laughs. “Just send them through for me. I’ll see you tomorrow?” “Yep. I have a car picking me up from the airport, so I’ll be home before lunch.” “Cool. Thanks, dude, I’ll see you then.” “No problem, bro. Bye, Hayley.” “Bye Lucas.” And we hang up.

LUCAS STUCK TO HIS word and he sent the rest of the photos through, but they didn’t show much more than the ones I already had in my possession. One of the P.I's I'd sent a query email to the night before, finally got back to me in the afternoon. Greg, the P.I, informed me that he's going to start trying to dig up any dirt on Henry. I explained that money wasn’t an issue and that he was to do whatever he had to, to get the asshole caught on film in the most disturbing of poses, if possible. Greg assured me he'd do what he could and that he'd call me the minute he had anything to go on.

LUCAS ARRIVED HOME at eleven, and Abby dropped in just after lunch. Coincidence? I think not. While lounging around the pool, Lucas suddenly jumps up and yells my name. “What?” I call in return. I have no idea what his problem could be. Why is he so mad? He was fine just a moment ago. He comes over to us, Hayley’s laying between my legs, and she has her head resting on my chest. “Why the hell didn’t you tell me?” He keeps coming forward and he reaches out, taking Hayley’s hand in his. “You gave her Nan’s ring, and you didn’t tell me? What the fuck, dude?” He’s so fucking pissed off his nostrils are flaring. Shit. I should have told him. “Fuck, I’m so fucking sorry.” I feel like an ass. “I know I wasn’t here, but I thought we were close. I thought you would, at least, call me and tell me you fucking got engaged.” It's abundantly clear that he’s upset with me rather than being angry. “What?!” It's Abby's turn to have a go at me. She then jumps up off the lounge and races towards us. “I really am sorry. There’s been so much going on. It wasn’t planned. I was a dick and didn’t plan anything. She deserved better, but for whatever reason, it felt right at the time.” I’d thought about how I'd propose to her a hundred times since the first time I saw her. In not one of those scenarios did I do it while we were in bed, two seconds after we’d made love. “It was right. It was perfect. I would have hated a spectacle,” she smiles up at me, then shifts her attention to Lucas. “I’m the one who’s sorry. I’ve had him preoccupied with the shit heap that is my life. He’s done nothing but fucking worry while trying to help me fix things. Please, if you’re going to be mad at anyone, be mad at me,” she begs him. He pulls on her hands until she’s up on her knees and hugs her. “I couldn’t be mad at you, sister-in-law. Hang on,” he keeps a hold of Hayley but turns to face me. “Didn’t you make a promise to Pop?”

I nod. “I’m keeping my promise. I needed her to know that I wasn’t going anywhere.” My eyes lock with hers, and she smiles. Then I hear someone sniff. “Are you crying?” Hayley asks Abby. Abby waves her hands around in the air. “You two are just so fucking cute. Stop staring at me.” “Go and fuck her, will you?” Hayley asks Lucas. “I don’t need to be told twice.” Lucas hugs Hayley one last time before he throws Abby over his shoulder. “Let’s go.” He slaps her ass, and I laugh. “Just get together already. You would be a perfect couple,” Hayley yells but doesn’t receive an answer. I shake my head and chuckle. “Come here you,” I hold my arms out for her. She straddles my legs and kisses me.

NOT MUCH HAPPENED OVER the next week, thank fuck. We lounged around while Lucas and Abby humped like rabbits. But on Friday, before school was to go back, we had a call come in from Greg, the P.I. that's been following Henry. “Greg, what have you found?” I ask as we're seated around the island in the kitchen. “A lot, honestly. I’ll send over the file, but it seems that he has a mistress in every town he has restaurants in. I’ve had my men follow him twenty-four hours a day, and we have collected a vast amount of evidence so far. Would you like us to continue watching him?” Greg asks. “Yes,” Hayley and I answer in unison. “We need as much evidence as we can get our hands on. I need to know that my mother is protected,” Hayley explains. “Not a problem. I will keep you informed, and you should have the email containing what we've found later this afternoon.” “Thank you. I'll send my credit card details in the return email,” I tell him. We’d hung up soon after, and Hayley takes a seat in my lap. “I can’t let you pay for my family’s bullshit. I'll call my mother as soon as we have the email and get her card number. This is our bullshit to pay for, not yours.” She comes in to kiss me, but I pull back. I take her hand in mine and raise it. “Do you know what this means to me?” She lets go of a breath. “We’re not going to be married for four years, until then, I pay my way. I don’t care if I have to get a job. I will, and it won’t bother me,” she shrugs. My head tilts so I can see her better. “My grandfather left Lucas and I everything he had. We each inherited over two-hundred-million dollars.” Her eyes widen. “Exactly. Paying an investigator is chump change. We never need to work. I want to, but I don’t want you forcing yourself to go out and get a job because you feel you need to. You don’t have to, and I don’t particularly want you to

work while we're in college. It would be a huge distraction, one you don’t need. I want you to, at least, pretend we're married. I want to take care of you. I'll have your name on everything I own, well before we’re married. You own me, Princess. You own all of me. Money means nothing. I wouldn’t be fazed if I didn’t have any. You are what I want. You are what I need. Everything else comes second, third, and fourth. Please don’t fight me on something as stupid as finances.” I watch her think, and finally, she agrees. “I promise I won’t fight you when it comes to money. But I need you to know that the only reason I have fought, is because, like you, money isn’t my number one priority. You are.” My smile is wide. “I love you so goddamn much.” Her smile now matches mine. “I love you too, babe.” As she leans in and kisses me, I hear Lucas come down the stairs. “Oi, Terrance is having a huge kick-ass blowout at his t tonight. Abby’s in, how about you two?” he calls as he comes around the corner and into view. My gaze finds Hayley’s. “What do you think?” She shakes her head. “I’m not up to it. I don’t know if it’s the bullshit with my father, or what, but I can feel a migraine coming. There's pain right behind my eyes. It isn’t bad, yet, but it will be.” I look to my brother. “Nah, dude. Sorry.” I’m not leaving her. “Uh, huh," Hayley interjects. I look up at her in question. “I want you to go. All I’m going to do is take a couple of sleeping tablets, drink some ginger beer to calm my stomach, and go to bed. I’ll be sleeping most of the night.” I don’t want to leave her. When Hayley has a migraine, they’re bad. She vomits until there's nothing left in her stomach, and I’ve had to call a doctor in so that they could give her a shot of morphine, mixed with some anti-nausea meds, in the past. “What if you need a doctor?” I question. Her beautiful eyes meet mine, and I reach up and brush the straying hair back

over her shoulder. “I’ll keep my phone on me. I’ll use Siri to call you and the doctor if need be. Please go and have a good night. I’ll be fine.” I can see that the migraine is already worsening because her eyes are now squinting, trying to avoid the light. “Let me get you some tablets and the ice pack first.” I won’t leave until I know she has everything she needs. I’d prefer it if she’d come with me, but I know she’d be miserable.

ONCE I TUCK HER INTO bed and make sure she has everything she needs, I ask, “Are you sure you want me to go? You already don’t look well.” She can get so sick from these migraines. Whether she’s put the pieces together as yet, I don’t know, but they seem to rear their ugly heads when her parents have given her any kind of grief. She closes her eyes. “I’ll be okay. Go have fun.” I lean in and kiss her. “I’ll call to check on you.” “Okay.” She snuggles her head into her pillow. “Go, I’m fine,” she grins.

Hayley I don’t know how long I’d been asleep, but I was woken when my phone beeped. Blindly, I reach for it and tap the screen. Someone’s sent a message, it isn’t from a number I know, but I open it anyway, and when I do, immediately, I regret it. It’s a photo of a shirtless Logan, with Ashleigh on top of him, their mouths locked. My stomach churns. Pulling back the covers, I run to the bathroom and throw up. My head is still aching, and my heart has been crushed into a million pieces, I need to get out of here. I can’t stay here in this lie. I gather what I can and go to leave the room, but then I the ring. The one he gave me when he’d asked me to marry him. Pulling it off my finger, I throw it across the room. The instant I’m in my car, and I'm behind the wheel, my throbbing head stops me from starting the engine. I need help, so I dial Abby’s number. “Hello,” she answers, but I can barely talk through my sobs. “Hayley, what happened?” “I need to leave, but I have a migraine. I need help,” I cry. “Where are you, sweetheart?”

“I’m in the asshole's driveway, but my head hurts so much I can’t drive my car. I need to leave. Please help me,” I beg. “I’ll get dad’s driver to bring me over now so I can drive the Escalade for you.” “Thank you. Please hurry. I can’t be here when Logan gets back. I’ll kill him, Abb’s.” “Give me five minutes.” “Thank you,” I whisper and hang up. Blindly, I reach out and hit the CD player needing a distraction, and the most appropriate song starts playing. It’s ‘So much better’ by Eminem. That song is perfect for how I feel right at this very moment, I do wish I was dead. While I sit back and cry, true to her word, Abby shows up to be with me within the five minutes she’d promised. “Where are we going?” she asks as she climbs into the driver’s seat. I’d moved to the enger side while I waited for her to arrive. “My parent's house. Dad’s gone.” “Okay.” She doesn’t press me for answers straight away, but she will once we’ve arrived at my house, but not yet. As soon as she’s helped me up into my old bed, Abby lays down beside me, taking me in her arms, and asks in a whisper, “What happened?” My chest aches from my sobs. “Go into messages on my phone,” I manage. My eyes are closed, but I know when she’s seen the photo because her breath hitches. “Mother fucker.” Just as she reaches over to place it on the bedside table, it starts to ring. “It's Lucas. Do you want me to answer?” she asks.

“Tell him his brother is a cunt, and hang up.” All I have left in me is pure hatred. “Lucas. You fucking listen to me, tell Logan he’s a cheating cunt, and that he is never to Hayley again!” She hangs up. “I’m going to block their numbers so they can’t get through, okay?” I nod in response. “Can you hit the switch and close the front gates? I don’t want them getting in.” “Sure thing.” I feel the bed move, and I hear her footsteps as she walks down the corridor. My crying causes my chest to heave. I love Logan with everything I have. I love him more than I ever thought would be possible, and he does this to me? Why, why didn’t I listen to Ashleigh the skank, when she kept trying to tell me that he would leave me for her? Why didn’t I listen when she said that he always goes back to her? First, my father treats me as if I don’t exist, he kicks me out of my home, disowning me, and now Logan has done the same. Why did I think that I could have a great life? Shit, my parents don’t want to hang around, why would anyone else? Moments later, I hear Abby return. “Here.” I open my eyes and see she has a bottle of water in one hand, and a box of painkillers in the other. It’s hard, but I do manage to sit up just enough to take them. “Thanks.” She takes the bottle from me, places it down on the bedside table, and lays down beside me. “So what are you going to do?” Abby asks. My eyes close again, my head is still aching. “Well, now that my father has proved me wrong, I’ll stay here. I feel like such an idiot. Ashleigh told me that no matter what, he always goes back to her. I should have taken that warning seriously. I should have listened. Never will I fall for a guy the way I did with Logan, ever again.” Never in my wildest dreams could I have ever been prepared for the hurt I’m feeling right now. The man that proposed to me a week ago, the man I didn’t hesitate to say yes to, has managed to rip my heart out.

Thankfully, it isn’t long before the pills kicked in and sent me to sleep.

WHEN I WAKE, I LOOK for Logan, out of habit, and then it hits me all over again. I roll onto my side and begin to cry until I hear the crinkle of a piece of paper under my head. I pull it out and read it. Hey, Hayley. I had to go home for a bit, I hope you don’t mind, but I took the Escalade since the driver had taken me to meet you last night. I won’t be too long. My grandparents are coming for lunch, so I have to be there. If you need the car, call me. Both the boys have been trying to call me, so I blocked their numbers. If you need anything while I’m out just let me know and I’ll grab it on my way back. Love, ya. Abb’s. Once I’d been to the bathroom, I took some more sleeping tablets and climbed back into bed. I couldn’t lie awake. I couldn’t think about him. Just as I closed my eyes, the buzzer from the front gate sounded. Once I’ve reached the monitor, my heart stops beating. It’s both Logan and Lucas. I press the intercom button, “Fuck off and drop dead you fucking asshole.” I see that he’s going to press the buzzer to talk, so I hit the silence button, and curl back up in bed, my tears soaking the pillow. Thank god, for sleeping pills. I manage to successfully sleep through the rest of the weekend. Each time I wake, I take a handful of pills and cry myself back into a slumber.

IT’S MONDAY, AND SCHOOL is back in session, and I’m not going. I can never go back there. My main goal for today is to have a shower since I hadn’t had one in three days, but it suddenly felt like it was going to be too much of an effort, so I take another huge handful of sleeping pills mixed in with some painkillers, and drift back off to sleep. By Tuesday, I’d blocked Abby’s number from my phone, too. She’d called and told me that Logan wasn’t to blame for the pashing Ashleigh situation, so I hung up. It hurt me because I knew I had no one else. Thursday comes, and I still haven’t showered, but I’m hungry, and out of pills. When I find some chips in the kitchen, I grab a can of Coke from the fridge, and I go to my mother’s room to hunt for more sleeping pills. As I make my way through my parent's ridiculously huge, and extravagant bedroom, I throw the Coke and chips on their bed and continue through to their private bathroom in search of pills. “Bingo!” I find some in her cabinet. As soon as I’m back in my bed, curled up with my chips and coke, I turn the TV on. Desperately, I need to find something to watch, something I don’t have to think about, so I put Trailer Park Boys on and lay back, taking a pile of pills and chuckle at how ridiculously stupid and awesome Ricky is. Sleep consumes me, once again, and I welcome it, but I wake to someone shaking me. “Fuck, Hayley. Fuck, how many did she take?” I can’t work out who’s talking because I’d taken not one hand full of pills but two. I wasn't trying to kill myself, but I did think that it wouldn’t be the end of the world if I were dead. It’s not like anyone would miss me. I can’t open my eyes, and someone tries to tell me something, but I have no idea what, so I swipe at whomever it is away from me. “Fuck off,” I mumble. “Hayley?” someone whispers. I swipe again. “Let me die for fucks sake. No one will miss me,” I know I’m

mumbling, but it’s all I can manage. My body is exhausted, so I give in again and sleep.

Logan The moment we walk through the front door of Terrance’s house, the room roars. “Dude, where’s Hayley?” Terrance, our friend, asks as soon as he meets us. Terrance is your usual seventeen-year-old. He walks and talks like LL cool J, thanks to his amazing African-American heritage, he manages to pull it off and look cool all at the same time. He’s a laid-back guy that cares for those around him, and his parties are always the place to be. He doesn’t discriminate either. Like Lucas and me, he doesn’t care if you’re rich or on the poor side of things. He just wants everyone around him to have fun. My hand outstretches and he takes it, shaking it in greeting. “She’s home with a migraine. She sent me out to have fun, but all I’m doing is worrying about her.” Our hands drop, and he nods in understanding. Terrance has seen Hayley when she’s been at her worst. He knows how ill she can become. “Poor thing. I’ll bet that the family bullshit is getting to her. I don’t mean to be disrespectful, but damn did she get dealt the shit card, parent-wise.” “You’re telling me. The fuckers have no idea how amazing she,” but then I’m cut off when someone rests their hand on my forearm. When I turn and see nothing but a pair of huge, fake boobs, I roll my eyes and then shift my attention to Lucas. “Get rid of the skank?” I ask as I yank my arm away from Ashleigh’s grip. “Where’s the whore?” Ashleigh asks just as Lucas grabs her by the shoulders, and pulls her out of my reach. My blood is now boiling. “Shut your fucking mouth, you stupid slut! Hayley has way more class than you will ever have,” Lucas growls. “Get her away from me, or I’ll be classed as a fucking woman basher,” I seethe. “Dude, she’s not worth shitting on,” Terrance adds. “Let’s go and get you a drink.”

Blowing out a hot breath, I know that he’s right. I need to have a drink and calm down. Hopefully, that is the last I'll have to deal with her for the night.

AFTER A FEW DRINKS, I begin to relax. Some of the other party-goers informed me that Ashleigh had managed to snake her way back into the house, but while she didn’t bother me, I figured I’d drop the subject.

I DON’T KNOW HOW LONG we’d been there when I saw that Lucas had found some girl, he takes her upstairs, and while he did her, I kept slamming back the drinks. Never had I felt as disoriented as I did sometime later in the night. Something wasn’t right, and I wanted to go home, but the moment I tried to stand, my head began to swim, and my legs gave out from under me.

MY EYES OPEN, AND IT’S so damn bright. Immediately, I raise my forearm and rest it over my eyes, trying to block the light. “Logan?” That’s Lucas. “What the fuck happened?” I whisper. My whole body feels weak. I feel as if I’m going to be sick. “Dude. Ashleigh drugged you. It’s fucking ten in the morning, we’ve been here most of the night. The doctors told me you're going to be okay, but they wanted you to stay in under observation.” I hear him move and then the lights go out. My arm relaxes, and I let it drop to my side. “Thanks.” “No problem. So, do you think you’re well enough to get the fuck out of here? These damn doctors and nurses are boring as fuck.” My gaze meets his, and I see a smirk. “I feel like shit, but I need to go home to see Hayley.” His mood falters, and I begin to worry. “What’s going on?” “I haven’t been able to get a hold of her. She must still be sleeping,” he shrugs. "Let's go."

“SHE’S STILL NOT ANSWERING, bro,” Lucas tells me as he drives us back to the house. “Where’s her car?” I ask as we pull into the driveway. Lucas sighs. “I didn’t think she’d be here.” What the fuck? “Why wouldn’t she be here? What do you know, Lucas?” He doesn’t look happy. He looks almost panicked. He takes a breath. “When I did get through to her, once last night, Abby answered Hayley's phone.” “And?” I press. “All she said was, ‘Tell Logan he’s a cheating cunt and that he's never to Hayley again.’” My eyes widen, my mouth is now dry. “What the fuck? Why would she say that?!” I scream. “I don’t know. I’ve been trying to call the pair of them. Let’s go and see if there’s a note or something that will tell us what’s happened.” Lucas pulls the car to a stop, and I sluggishly hop out and move up the front stairs. “You okay, bro?” he takes my arm and flings it across his back, his arm around my waist, helping me up and into the house. Once we’re in my bedroom, immediately, I see that most of Hayley’s belongings are gone. I take a seat on the edge of the bed. “I don’t understand.” My head is killing me. Why is she so mad? Why did she leave? None of this makes any sense, whatsoever. “Shit,” I hear Lucas mumble. “What?” I turn and watch as he picks something up off the ground. And then I see it. I see the ring, and I want to break down. Lucas walks over to me and places it in my palm. “We need to find out what

happened.” I nod, still staring at the ring. I feel numb. My love has left me. The girl I fell in love with the instant I saw her, has left me, and I don’t have a fucking clue as to why. I need to find her. For hours, we made calls, trying to piece together the mess that has been created. But I came up with jack shit.

THE NEXT DAY, I’M BACK to being myself. The drugs are completely out of my system, and the search for Hayley escalates. I call every hotel in the area, but nothing. Even though Abby told Lucas to fuck off on many occasions over the last twenty-four hours, we still push forward and out of desperation, we show up on Abby’s doorstep. When the door opens, and Abby sees that it’s us, she starts yelling, “What the fuck are you two doing here? You need to get the fuck out of here.” She comes up and into my face. “You think I want to fucking look at you? You’re a fucking asshole. How could you hurt her like that? She loves you, and you do that to her?” Abby has a small frame, but right now, the five-foot-six-inch blondeheaded girl standing before me is so fuelled with rage that she could quite possibly take me out if she wanted to. “Abby, I was fucking drugged on Friday night. The last thing I was telling Ashleigh to fuck off. Lucas had the paramedics come and get me, I was kept in for observation until the morning. When I got home, she was gone, and she’d thrown away her ring. I’ve been trying to get a hold of her. I need to know what happened.” Deep down, I know Abby will help me. She knows in her gut that I’d never hurt Hayley. Abby’s eyes close. “You’d better come in. I’ll show you why she left you.” Lucas gives me a grim look, but we follow her through her very bright white living room and up the hall to her bedroom. Once she has her phone, she scrolls through it until she finds what she’s looking for, and when she does, she hands it to me. The instant I see the image of Ashleigh straddling my lap, her lips on mine, I spit, “That fucking slut,” I’m livid. “She sent this to Hayley?” My gaze meets Abby’s, and she nods. “Fuck!” I scream. “No wonder she fucking left. Where is she?” Abby thinks for a moment, before sighing and saying, “She’s at her house.” My body stiffens. “Why would she go there?” She shrugs. “Why not? She thinks her father’s right and that she’s an idiot.” Her gaze meets mine. “She’s been hitting the sleeping pills pretty hard. I only left because I knew she was out of them.”

“We have to go there,” I tell Lucas. Even though Hayley is out of pills, I’m still worried because I know she’ll hit the booze, hard. My love always tries to mask her feelings with alcohol, and even if the pills are gone, they may not be out of her system, yet. She could overdose. I can’t let that happen. Abby comes a step closer. “She’s got that place secured so you can’t get in.” My head drops. “Ashleigh is going to pay hard for this. I will destroy her.” I’m going to fuck her up. How? I have no idea, but she will pay for doing this to my love. Fuck the waiting four years, bullshit. My grandfather loved Hayley. I know after everything that's happened, he wouldn’t blame me for wanting to make her my priority. To make sure she knows that she’s my number one priority. “I’ll call Hayley and see if she’ll listen to me,” Abby offers as she takes the phone from my hand, she then begins dialing and places it on speaker. “Hey,” Hayley answers, but she sounds groggy and miserable. “Hayley, you need to listen to me. I spoke with Logan, and it isn’t what you think.” “Fuck you. What, now you’re on his side? Fuck you!” And she hangs up. Abby tried calling her back, but she’s already been blocked. “What now?” Abby asks. “We go to her fucken house and make her let us in. She’s self-medicating. She may be out of pills, but she’s slurring. I’ll bet she’s either found some more, or she’s hitting the booze,” Lucas says as he places a hand on my shoulder. He can see how stressed I am. “Right now, that girl is hurting because she thinks that the man she hates, the man she’s supposed to call dad, was right. She thinks the man she loves, cheated on her, and I’ll bet she’s already talked herself into believing that you never loved her to begin with. And to top it all off, she also thinks that her best friend in the world,” his focus moves to Abby, “is siding with the guy that she thinks cheated on her. Somehow, we have to get to her before it’s too late.”

WHEN WE SHOW UP AT the front gates of Hayley’s house, I press the intercom button. “Fuck off and drop dead you fucking asshole.” That's all she says, her words slurring. I try the intercom, again, but I know she’s already silenced it.

FOR THE NEXT TWO HOURS, we try to get Hayley to listen to us, but it's to no avail. Eventually, I tell Lucas we need to go home and make a plan. When we arrive back at our house, we begin to brainstorm. “We need to get in there,” I say as I sit on the sofa in the living room, downstairs, with my elbows resting on my knees, and my head in my hands. “How? Every single part of that fence is over eight feet tall, and has cyclone wire wrapped around it.” Lucas is pacing my room. Suddenly, it hits me, like a bolt of lightning. “Ladder and that picnic blanket mom has. The one with the heavy plastic underlay.” “What the fuck are we still doing here?” he asks as he waves his hands in the air. “Let’s go.”

THE LADDER AND BLANKET work like a treat, and I climb the eaves to reach her bedroom window. The moment I see Hayley, I panic. I know she’s drugged to the max. She’s hunched over in the bed, and she's foaming at the mouth. Immediately, I raise the window, climb in, and race over to her. Rolling her onto her side, my heart races. “Fuck, Hayley! Fuck, how many did she take?” I scream as Lucas climbs over the terrace. “Fuck off,” she mumbles. “Hayley,” I whisper, my emotions rising to the surface. She swipes at me again. “Let me die for fucks sake. No one will miss me.” My heart breaks and then, she’s unconscious, again. “Call an ambulance,” I yell to Lucas as I pull her head into my lap, tears flooding my eyes. She was trying to overdose because she feels alone in this world. She can’t die. No, I won’t let her leave me like this. Never! Once the paramedics arrived, they shoved a tube down her throat and whisked her away. They wouldn’t let me go with her because there were too many machines they needed to use to keep her alive. They couldn’t even tell me if she would, in fact, live. Lucas managed to get me in the car and drove me to the hospital. When they asked who I was to her, my brother barged in and told them I was her husband, and that he was her brother-in-law. I was glad he did because if I said I was her partner, they never would have let me in. We were ushered through to a waiting room, and we sat back while we anxiously waited for news, any news. Pacing the room, my mind keeps wandering to the girl I love. “Ashleigh’s going to wish she was dead,” I seethe. “Fuck that bitch, bro. Let’s

focus on Hayley and think about dealing with that slut later. Right now, the woman you love is behind those doors,” he points in the direction of the sliding, frosted doors, “Needs to know that she has us to turn to. That we will be here for her, no matter what.” He’s right. Hayley is all that matters.

IT FELT LIKE WE'D BEEN waiting forever before a doctor came to speak with us. “Is she okay?” I ask as I stand to greet him. The youngish, Asian, male doctor, nods. “She will be. We had to pump her stomach. She’s still unconscious, but you can see her. I'd like her to consult with one of the councilors before she's discharged. I wouldn’t want her trying to harm herself again. Generally, when people go back home, they realize they hadn’t taken enough and they make sure that the next effort won't have them ending up in the emergency room, but rather in a casket. Is there anything she's been through recently that may have triggered this suicide attempt?” My body is now numb, and the word suicide keeps playing in my head. Lucas must have noticed because he jumps in on my behalf. “She has had a lot of family abandonment issues to cope with lately. She’s practically raised herself, and her father cut her out of his life completely the other week. She’s been to hell and back, doc.” The doctor nods. “That would do it. I'll that on to our counseling department, but for now, I can take you to see her.” We follow him through to a room just outside of the emergency department. The moment I see her, I feel as if the wind has been knocked out of me. My chest grows tight, and I can’t breathe, but I have to push through, for her. For the girl I love. Hayley’s natural bronze glow is gone, her hair is matted, and her cheeks are sunken. When I’m at her bedside, I reach out and take her hand in mine, and when I do, she smiles.

HAYLEY I know that hand, I’ve missed that hand, but I’m too weak to be angry with him even though I know I should be. My eyes flutter open, and the first thing I see is the boys standing over me. Then I soon realize that we aren’t in my house. Immediately, I try to sit up, but can’t because my head begins to spin. “Where the hell am I?” I whisper. “Hospital. They had to pump your stomach. Are you okay?” Logan asks, and my heart aches with each word. I’ve missed being with him. I’ve missed him holding me against him, assuring me that everything will be okay. Right now, I need it. I need him. “I’m too weak to be mad, but I will be, soon. Why would you do that to me?” I shift to my side, burying my head as the tears begin to fall. He kneels beside the bed and moves the stray hair away from my face. “Baby, I didn’t. I was drugged, and I spent the night at the clinic. I saw the photo. I wasn’t even conscious when it was taken. I’m so sorry. I’m sorry you were put through that. I’m sorry I listened to you and left you that night. Never would I ever be with anyone else. Fuck, I even made sure I got the damn doctor’s notes to prove I wasn’t conscious. I love you too fucking much to be with anyone else. I need you to believe me, baby.” He presses a tender kiss to my cheek. “That fucking bitch. I’m going to kill her, and you cannot stop me,” it comes out as a whisper, but then my sobs take control of my body. “I’ll come back,” I hear Lucas tell Logan. I see him nod, but his attention is still focused on me. My hand grabs at his shirt, and I use it to bring him closer. I need him. Logan climbs on the bed beside me, his arm pulling me until I’m flush against him. I feel like an idiot. “I should have known. I’m so sorry.” I cry. I should have asked. I should have at the very least, spoken to Lucas. Logan holds me tighter, “No, I saw the photo, it looked pretty fucking bad.”

I’m such an idiot. He loves me, and he’s always loved me. “I just up and left you. And I fucking threw-” he stops me as his body shifts, and then, he pulls back. “I knew you’d kick yourself once you found out the truth, so I’ve had it on me since Lucas found it. Even after all of this bullshit, will you still marry me in four years?” My sobs are now too much. My chest is now restricted so I can’t answer. I just give a nod as he slips his grandmother's ring back onto my finger. “I’m so sorry.” I finally manage. “You need to stop apologizing. You need to get better so we can figure out a way to fuck that bitch up.” He then presses his lips to mine. Home, he is my home, my heart, and my soul. “I’ve missed you so much,” I whisper as I nuzzle my head into the nook of his neck. “I missed you too. We will have to assume from now on that immature assholes will try to get in our way. We need to promise that we will talk instead of believing others at their word. College is just as bad as high school when it comes to skanks and assholes. I promise I will always talk to you first.” He kisses my temple. “I promise I will always talk to you first, too,” I assure him. “Good.”

Logan They kept Hayley in for another twelve hours, but she refused to see the counselor that was assigned to her. They pushed and pushed until I’d finally had enough and told them to back off. Sure, I think she would benefit by speaking to someone, but at least, she has me. I need her to know and to understand that I will never leave her side. My mind is spinning trying to think of ways to help her, but I can’t come up with

a damn thing. Was the girl I love trying to end hers her life because she felt alone? Or had the fight with her father and what that whore Ashleigh did to her push her to her brink? Never again will she ever feel alone. Never again will something or someone come between us. But then there’s the fact that my dream is to play pro baseball. If I’m drafted, what do we do then? Do I be selfish and beg her to drop out of school and come with me? Or do I suck it up and do what I had always planned to do before she came into my life? Sure, I want to be the one that s us. I don’t see the point in Hayley pushing herself all so she can attend college. I want to take care of her. I want to be the breadwinner, especially down the track when we do get married and do decide to have a family of our own.

LATER IN THE FOLLOWING afternoon, Lucas returns to pick us up from the hospital to take us home. To our home. My brother had been working his ass off over the last few hours. He went back to Hayley’s house and retrieved all her belongings and returned them to our home. Where she belongs, with me. When the discharged papers are signed, I push her out to the entrance of the hospital in a wheelchair. When we climb into the car, I sit in the back seat with Hayley’s head resting in my lap. She’s still tired. The drugs, even though she’d had her stomach pumped, are still in her system.

THE MOMENT LUCAS PULLS the car into our driveway, I let go of a breath. She’s home. She’s home with me. Once the car is pulled to a stop and the engine killed, gently I wake her. “Babe,” I press a kiss to her forehead, and her eyes flutter open. “Hmm,” she shifts in my lap and looks up at me. “We’re home.” She smiles, “Good. I hated that place.” Slowly, she tries to sit up, so I help her. “Shit, everything is back at the other house.” She’s panicking. I need to assure her that everything will be okay. “Lucas went and got everything you owned along with the Escalade last night. Everything is back in place,” I lean in, kissing her again, “Exactly where it belongs. Come on. I’ll help you up to our bed. You probably need to sleep some more before you feel better.”

CAREFULLY, I CARRY her up the stairs and into our bedroom, laying her in our bed. Things feel somewhat normal again as I pull the blanket up for her. “Where are you going?” she asks, worry written across her features. Resting on the edge of the bed, I take her hands in mine. “I’m going to get you a bottle of water and something to snack on. You’ve barely eaten in days. Is there a preference?” When I see a stray hair over her eyes, I reach up and brush it out of the way. Even though she’s unwell and pale, she is still the most beautiful woman in the world. I cannot wait to call her my wife. “Cheese.” A chuckle leaves my chest. “Cheese?” She gives me a stiff nod. “Cheese.” “Okay, then. I will be back with your cheese soon.” I stand, but as I turn to walk away, she pulls on my hand and uses it to yank me back down next to her. “What’s the matter?” “I’m sorry.” That’s all she says, and I can see that she’s desperately trying to hold back her tears. Leaning in closer to her, my hand cups the back of her neck and her eyes close. “Hey, you didn’t do anything. The assholes that are going to pay did it all. We know to trust each other. We know that other than the people that live in this house, no one else matters. Let them play their games. We’re smarter than those assholes combined.” I cup her cheek and her eyes open as she leans into my touch. “You and I are good. Let’s just pretend that the last week never happened and go on to be puke-worthy happy together. Deal?” That gets me a laugh. “Deal.” Again, she pulls me forward and kisses me. “I need a long hot shower. I feel disgusting.” “Why don’t you do that, I’ll get you some clean clothes and the cheese you want.” Who just sits around and randomly wants cheese? “Do you need any help getting up and into the bathroom?” I stand and pull the covers back. “I don’t think so.” But she still seems weak. It’s going to take time for her to be

herself again, but damn do I miss my Hayley. My Hayley that gives the world the finger. The girl who doesn't care about what others' opinions are. I hope to hell she'll be back with us soon. When I enter the bathroom, I turn on the water and make sure it’s at the right temperature. I then run around gathering clean clothes and of course, the cheese she wanted so it's ready for when she gets out of the bathroom.

AFTER TEN MINUTES OF hearing the water run, I decide to go in and check on her. She still isn’t feeling great, and I don’t want her to become overtired, but when I walk into the bathroom, I see her sitting on the floor of the shower. “Babe?” She looks up at me. “I’m fine. I suddenly became dizzy, but I still need to wash my hair, so I slid down the wall. The only problem I have now is that the shampoo is all the way up there.” She points to the wall where it sits out of reach. "Can I come and help wash your hair?" Any other time I wouldn't ask her permission to enter, but it's been a rough week. I don't want to assume she wants me with her, naked. "Yes, please." Once I’ve stripped off my clothing, I open the glass door and climb in with her, and I make sure to gather the shampoo and conditioner. As soon as I slide down the wall, I move her until she’s resting in front of me, her back to my front. My legs on either side of her. Hayley rests her head against me. I place the bottles down on the gray tiled flooring and wrap my arms around her. I’ve missed her so much it had shattered my soul. Every waking minute all I thought about was this, having her in my arms again. “I love you,” she whispers as she kisses my hand. I dip my head forward and press my lips to her neck. “Love you too, babe.” Hayley cups the back of my thighs and shifts her head until her lips find mine. Those damn lips make me want to forget there’s an outside world. They make me want to forget all our problems and the assholes that try to stand in the way of our relationship. I run my hand up her arm and cup her cheek, but it isn’t enough for her. Hayley twists her body until she’s in my lap, her legs straddling me. Desperately, I want her, but I also don’t want her wearing herself out. She tilts

her head, and then her lips are on mine. I press until she opens up for me, my tongue runs the length of hers, while her delicate hands take hold of my shoulders. Hayley’s body presses against mine, rubbing in just the right spots. “Are you still dizzy?” I breathe. “If I were, I wouldn’t care,” she says before she shuts me up with another mindblowing kiss. My hands run up her back, and she shoves hers between us, taking me in her grip. “I missed you,” I say with my lips brushing against hers. Hayley lifts just enough to then lower herself over me, my eyes close, and we move together. Fuck, I’ve missed her like crazy. Her back arched as her head falls back, her rhythm picking up its pace. My lips move to her neck, and she let go of a moan, she’s so damn sexy, I know how lucky I am to have her. Now all I have to do is keep her. “Baby,” she whispers. “Yeah?” “Don’t ever leave me.” “Never will I leave you. Never will I stop loving you,” I whisper. Even though we’re young, I know deep down in my heart that we will stay together, she owns me. All of me. Hayley pulls back, and her smile is full of lust. When her lips return to mine, we continue to love each other until we can’t hold on any longer.

CHAPTER SIX

Hayley When I woke the next morning, I didn’t bother moving. The last few days had been frustrating, and I had a week of school work to catch up on. The coach has me training four hours a day because of the sessions I’d miss after being in the hospital. And on top of it all, there’s the whole My father is an asshole thing.

Lucas, bless his heart, had been working with the private investigator to get the dirt on my father, and I’d promised him I’d go over what had been dug up with him since Logan's already at his training session. As I sit up in the bed, the asshole comes flying into the room. “You are so fucking lazy,” he chirps. “Lucas, you had way more to drink than me last night. How are you so fucking peppy?” I’d had a few bourbons after having shower sex with Logan. Logan didn’t think I should drink, but I needed to unwind. Lucas hops up on the bed and proceeds to jump, moving me about. “Come on, let’s get this fucker.” “Are you talking about my father or Ashleigh?” I can't be sure since he’s out to get them both. He shrugs. “Whichever. Let’s go!” his feet hit the floor, and a second later, he’s out the door. “I really hate you sometimes,” I call. “Don’t lie. You love me.” As soon as I’d thrown some cold water on my face, brushed my teeth, and got

dressed in one of my light summer dresses, I went downstairs to find him at the dining table. My eyes widen when I see how many photos, and sheets of paper there are laid out before him. “Can I make a coffee before we get started?” I ask, his eyes are fixed on one sheet in front of him, but he raises his hand and waves me off. Desperate to see what’s been unearthed, I make two lattes and head back to the dining room and hand him one. “So, whatcha got for me?” He raises the sheet he’d been focused on, and I begin to read as I sip from my mug. “No fucking way!” I almost squeal. My eyes find his, and the smile he’s wearing tells me this is just the beginning. “When did you get Greg to dig up so much dirt on Ashleigh?” “When you left us,” he shrugs. Shit, the realization hits me, and it rocks me to my core. I hadn’t just left Logan. I’d left Lucas too. “I’m sorry, Lucas,” I whisper as an apology. He shakes his head. “Not your fault. I would have done the same thing.” He then points towards the paper in my hand. “I’ve already ordered a thousand flyers and two banners.” I look down at the doctor's notes. “No way? Really?” “Yep, the whole of Orange County is going to know that skanky Ashleigh has gonorrhea. She’ll be run out of town. The printer I ed has guaranteed they will be here within the week. There’s a hell of a lot more that Greg dug up on her. I have a list I’ve compiled.” He hands me his notepad, and I take a seat. I place my mug down on the table and begin to read. “Shoplifting charges, DUI arrests, and public intoxication. How the hell is she not in a detention center?” I ask Lucas. He’s still sifting through papers, but answers, “She has one of the best lawyers in town. The bitch is connected,” but as he says the words, I notice his eyes widen.

“What is it?” I lean forward. “I think I just found something to help Toni.” His smile is wide. “You may want to be sick after you see this, but it's good.” “Just tell me.” I lower my head, my forehead now resting on the table. “It seems that Henry was arrested for solicitation, with a transgender prostitute.” My head snaps back up, “No. Fucking. Way?” Not only is there solicitation, but a transgender? This is huge. “Bruce Jenner wasn’t available?” “Don’t you mean Caitlyn Jenner?” Lucas’s brow raised. "Smartass." “You know it, let’s keep digging.” While we sat and read every piece of paper in front of us, the front door opens and closes. “Hello,” Logan calls. “In the dining room, baby,” I call in return. A moment later, I have two strong arms wrap around me from behind, and his lips press against my neck, causing my chest to swell and my need for him grows, but I know I have to keep myself focused. “Hey,” he whispers. Damn, I’d spent too much time away from him, all I want to do is drag him up the stairs to our room and have my way with him. “Hey, yourself.” I turn in my seat, and his lips meet mine. “Did you find anything?” he whispers, his breath grazing my skin. Speechless and desperately trying to keep some composure, I opt to point to Lucas so he can answer for me. “What she’s trying to say is that you’ve made her horny and she can’t speak just yet,” Lucas adds, and I nod in agreement. Logan laughs. “Fine, you tell me what you've found.” He slips his hand into mine, using it to pull me up. When he’s in the seat, he brings me down into his lap. When comfortable, with Logan’s arms wrapped around me, Lucas goes on

to tell him about the whole transgender prostitute thing, with my dad, and then he moves onto Ashleigh, but at the very mention of gonorrhea, Logan stiffens, and my smile falls. Shit just got real. I can’t believe I hadn’t thought of it before. Shit! Lucas looks up, and he can see that our expressions have changed, and it takes a few moments for it to sink in. “You two had better make doctor’s appointments ASAP!” His focus shifts directly to Logan. “Tell me you wrapped it?” Lucas is mad. So damn mad at Logan. My heart is pounding in my ears. Never have we used a condom. My mother had the doctors put me on the pill two years ago when my period became irregular, and because the cramps I was experiencing were horrendous. “Always.” I relax a little. “Still, get tested.” Moments later, when everything had sunk in, Logan pushed me off his lap, and he walked away. “Where are you going?” Lucas called, but he didn’t answer as he rounded the corner, and a second later, I heard the front door open, and then slam shut. “What a fucking asshole.” I turn my attention back to Lucas. “He doesn’t give a shit about you. Fuck him.” My eyes begin to well with tears. He just up and left me, and he didn’t say a word. “He doesn’t care about me, does he?” I whisper over the lump in my throat. I know he just told me the answer to my question but for whatever reason, I need to hear it again. “What are you going to do?” he asks as he reaches over the table and takes my hand in his. My shoulders shrug. “I’ll test the waters when he returns and go from there.” Later that night, while I lay in bed, Logan finally came home. He stripped off his clothes, climbed into bed, and when he did, he didn’t face me. Tears began trickling down the sides of my face. I couldn’t stay there, so I hopped up, gathered some clothes, and went to sleep on the sofa, in the theatre

room. Alone. Over the next couple of days, I opted to stay in the guest room. I didn't know what I should do and the only reason I hadn't gone back to my parent's house, was because Lucas had begged me not to. He wanted to make sure I wasn't alone. He was an amazing comfort to me, but Logan's lack of love and affection had me at a loss. Two days later, we're seated in the doctor’s waiting room. I'm feeling nauseous, and Logan is still keeping his distance. Since the very moment he was told about Ashleigh’s condition, he’s avoided being with me, and he's been acting like this situation is all my fault. Hell, he hasn’t even tried to hold my fucking hand. As soon as we're called into the doctor’s office, Logan explained the situation. Tests were ordered, and we were told we'd be waiting a couple of days for the results. when we left the office, I tried talking to Logan, but it was as if he didn’t want to look at me or even speak to me. I felt utterly alone. Once we’ve arrived back at the house, he changed his clothes and went down to the gym. While he was gone, I packed an overnight bag and headed for the front door. “Where are you going?” I hear Lucas ask. Sighing, I turn on my heels and face him. “Logan doesn’t want me here. He hasn’t spoken to me other than one-word answers in days. I’m going, tell him to call me when he’s either ready to apologize or to break up with me. I’m tired, Lucas. I’m tired of him acting like an asshole towards me.” All I want to do is break down and cry. Lucas comes towards me. “You know that the guilt is killing him, right?” Nope. “I thought that’s what it was too, but even guilt isn’t an excuse for how he’s treating me. I’m sorry, I can’t do it anymore. I can’t lay next to the man I

love with my whole heart and wonder if he still loves me. I’m not feeling any love from him, so I’m going to give him an out. I can't see us coming out of this. I can't see myself being able to push past this. I already have one man in my life that treats me like I don't matter to him, I'm not going to hang around so he can do the same to me.” I turn back and head for the door. “Love you, Hayley.” My hand is resting on the doorknob, my head hanging, “I love you, too, Lucas.” And I left.

Logan My head is wracked with guilt and hatred towards myself. Why does she still love me? She should be screaming at me, hitting me, and showing me how much she hates me, but she hasn’t done any of those things, and I deserve them. I know I do. I'm a pathetic piece of shit. I can’t even bring myself to be close to her because I may have branded her for life. Never would I be able to forgive myself if I have. I don’t deserve her love. While I'm downstairs lifting weights, I hear the door to the gym open, and I don’t look up, I can’t. “What the fuck is wrong with you, you fucking cock sucker?” Lucas is raging. I drop the bar and turn to face him. “What are you talking about?” “What the hell? You’ve been treating Hayley like shit for days. She packed a bag and got in her car, you cumwad. She said you can only call her if you sort out whatever it is that’s making you be such a dick to her, and either apologize or tell her to move out. But I don't think she's coming back, ever!” Shit, my chest tightens, my breathing shallow, I can’t have her leave. That will kill me. “She doesn’t even think you love her anymore?” My head drops, I’m such a fucking dick. “How the hell could she think that I don’t love her?” I ask in disbelief. I know I’ve been distant, but I still love her with all I have.

“Because you've treated her like she doesn’t fucking matter anymore! I’ve seen it with my own eyes, you've been cold and an asshole to her. She compared your actions over the last few days to her father’s, and I agree with her. I don’t think Henry has been as awful to her as you have.” He’s pissed. “Where did she go?” I feel ill. I need to get her back here, where she belongs. I need to apologize and prove my love for her. “I don’t fucking know! Fucking fix it asshole. You will beat and destroy any fuck head that looks at her the wrong way, but it’s you that has made her feel like she doesn’t deserve to exist. She said that she gets that you’re feeling guilty, but that doesn’t excuse the fact that the man she loves won’t even hold her fucking hand. It’s not just you that’s affected here, she is too, you stupid cumwad. Fuck, I don’t even want to fucking talk or look at you. Hayley saved our whole family, she always puts you first, and this is how you repay her? Fuck that.” He begins to walk away but abruptly, he stops. “Don’t bother fucking talking to me until you’ve sorted your shit out!” This time, he does leave.

Hayley Exhausted, I end up back at Abby’s house. She was out, but she had arraigned for security to let me in. The minute I’m in her bedroom, I throw my bag on her bed and head straight for the downstairs bar needing to lose myself in a bottle of booze or several bottles. Four shots in, my phone beeps. I pull it out of my back jeans pocket and look at the screen. Logan: I’m such a dick. I ignore it. If he thinks he can get me back with a simple text, then he's in for a shock. Until a couple of days ago, I thought I was going to spend the rest of my life with him. Never, in my wildest of dreams could I have imagined he would treat me the way he has. Even if he is feeling guilty, it's no excuse. I wanted to take him in my arms and show him that no matter what the outcome was, I would still love him unconditionally, but before I had that chance, he pushed me away. It's such a frustrating and heart-wrenching situation to be in. It took only a few

seconds for him to go from loving me to pushing me out of his life, and his embrace. Why does everyone I love, walk away from me? Maybe I am the problem? If he truly loves me, he’s going to have to prove it. Logan: I’m sorry. It still isn’t enough. Here is a man that told me he loved me, he placed an engagement ring on my finger, and asked me to marry him. Yet when he’s faced with an obstacle, he caves in unable to cope. Life isn't a breeze, shit happens. How will he act when the shit hits the fan down the track? Is he going to push me and our future children away because he can't cope? Logan: Please answer. My frustration and rage are bubbling to the surface. I wish he was here so I can scream at him. Picking up my phone, I message him back. Me: No, it's not good enough. The first real I have with you in days is through a text? I was by your side and you chose to ignore me. You won’t even hold my fucking hand. You came to bed and rolled away from me. I didn’t put us in this situation, you did, and I'm so fucking stupid because I still love you. I can’t do this up and down crap, Logan. I’m done with this. I'm done with us. You don’t love me the way I love you. I know that now. Don’t you think I get enough of this kind of bullshit from my father? I don’t need it from the man I thought loved me. Is this what happens? Something gets in the way, and you give up? Logan: I know, I need to work on it. I don’t want you to be gone, I want you here, with me. Me: You want me there because Lucas is pissed at you. You want me there so you can feel better about yourself. Why did you bother giving me that ring? I don’t get you. I don’t get how you could treat someone you say you love like they're a stranger.

Logan: No, I want you here, and I do love you. Me: Not going to happen, right now. I need to think, and I would appreciate it if you don’t me until I’m ready to talk. That is how far you have pushed me away. Immediately, I block his number from my phone.

THE SHOTS WENT DOWN a treat, and it was the very thing I needed to numb the hurt in my heart. When I was drunk enough, I lay down on the bed and began to sob. I was alone, I was utterly alone, again. I should have listened to my dad. He told me Logan would never love me the way I deserved to be loved. What the fuck happened to us? For months, we were blissfully happy, but now, there is always something getting in the way, and he lets whatever situation is thrown at us, tear us apart.

LATER THAT AFTERNOON, while coming out of my drunken haze, my phone rings. Reluctantly, I pick it up and see that it’s Stef who’s trying to call me. “What an asshole,” were the very first words she said to me. “Yep.” “I booked the red-eye. I’ll be there in the next hour and a half. Would it be okay if Lucas and I came and saw you?” “You don’t have to do that, Stef.” My tears begin to flow. “Yes, I do. I consider you my sister, Hayley. Text me Abby’s address, and we'll be there in a couple of hours.” “Thanks, Stef,” I whisper and proceed to send her the information she requested.

Logan I try calling her again, but I’m blocked. Never would I have thought she would block me again. Frustrated, I throw myself on the bed and scream. “You’re a fucking dick!” My sister yells. “Yeah, I got the memo, Stef.” I don’t bother shifting my gaze. Stef is the best sister a guy could have, but she’s brutal when I fuck up, and I shouldn't be surprised that she's here. Suddenly, she grabs a fistful of my hair, using it to pull me upwards. It hurts so goddamn much that I have to go with it. “You’re a fucking prick.” I try my hardest to get her off me, but she has one hell of a grip. “I fucking know I am. She’s everything to me, and I fucked it all up. I fucked it up because I don’t deserve her, Stef.” She still has my hair in her hands, “You're right! You don’t deserve her, but she loves you. Fuck knows why. Right now, she’s alone, she’s alone and waiting for test results, ones that she had to get because she loves you! Because she was never a skank that slept around. Because the man she loves was a fucking whore

before he met her! Logan,” my eyes met hers, “I’ve never been this angry and this disappointed in you. You pushed the one person away that would give up their life for you. The one person that would be there for you, no matter what the situation.” Stef let’s go of my hair, and I slump back on the bed. “I’ll bet she didn’t even get mad when she found out about that skanks diagnosis, did she?” Slowly, my head shakes from side to side. “No. No, she didn’t. She told me we’d be okay, and I pushed her away. I didn’t want to deal with the, what if.” I didn’t. It was me that put us in this situation, not Hayley. “Right now, you’re no better than Celeste. I’m going to go and see Hayley and try to stop her from imploding. Pull your fucking head in brother.” Suddenly, she turns on her heels and leaves the room.

Hayley While drinking myself into a coma, Stef shows up at Abby’s house. Opening the front door, I’m surprised to see that Lucas is by her side, but seeing him makes my eyes well with tears and they begin to fall down my cheek. He comes forward and takes me in his embrace. “I’m sorry, Hayley.” Why is he apologizing? Lucas has done nothing but me. Exhausted, I tuck my head under his chin. “You did nothing wrong.” The tears continue to fall. “Come on, let’s go inside,” he soothes and walks with me into the house. We moved through to the living room where Lucas lets go of me because Stef pulls at my arm until I lay on the sofa, my head in her lap. “I’m sorry my brother’s an asshole,” she says as she runs a hand down my hair. I take a calming breath, “I just don’t understand.” I don’t, I've tried desperately to hunt for answers, but I've come up with jack shit. “Because he's a coward,” Stef says, a matter of fact. But she adds, “Don’t get me wrong, I’m not defending his actions, but he’s panicked. He doesn’t think he deserves your love. He doesn’t understand why you weren’t mad at him and went off on his ass."

I wrap my hand around her calf, forcing my eyes open, and when I do, I see that Lucas is focused on me. “What’s the point in screaming? No matter what happens, I'll always love him. No matter what the results, I will still love him, but I won’t let him treat me like I don’t matter. Even I know I deserve better than that.” Lucas leans forward, his hands ed, his elbows resting on his knees. “You do deserve better. Logan’s being a huge dick, but I do know that he loves you. He loves you in a way I never thought he’d be capable of, but he can’t get his mind around the fact that you would stay with him, even after all of this. It’s like Stef said, I don't agree with his actions, but I do know that he’s beating himself up over everything that's happened. He’s in self-destruct mode, that’s why he’s being such a fucktard.” Just then, his phone beeps. When he checks the screen, I know who it is, just by the reaction on his face. “What does he want?” Do I really want to know? Who the fuck am I kidding? Of course, I want to know. “He’s asking if you’re okay. What do you want me to say?” I shrug my shoulder. “Whatever you want.” As he taps out a message, Stef asks if I’m okay. I shift in her lap so I’m looking up at her. “I want him to stop shutting me out. What’s the point of being in a relationship if one of us walks away when something happens?” She smiles down at me. “That’s what I told him before I came here.” “Hayley?” Lucas says, so I turn to face him, and as I do, he comes towards us handing me his phone. Logan: Tell her I love her. I stare at the screen, unsure if I should respond. "What do I do?" I ask the others. "Whatever you feel is right," Stef whispers. Me: You wouldn’t know it with how shitty you have treated me over the last

couple of days. Logan: Hayley? Me: Yes, it’s me. Logan: Baby, come home, please. Please, come home. Me: Why? Logan: Because I’m an asshole that loves you. I’m an asshole that needs you. I’m sorry baby. I’m sorry I’ve been such a dick. I’m sorry I shut you out. Guilt consumes me. I’m sorry that I haven’t been there for you. And I’m sorry that because of me, we’re in this mess. Clueless as to what I should do, I hand Stef the phone. “What do you think?” I ask. She reads through the messages, then stares down at me. “He sounds genuine. It’s your call in the end.” She hands back the phone, and I stare at it at length. Me: I don’t know what to do. Logan: Come home, please? Me: What would change? You'll continue to feel guilty and stay away from me, we both know it. Logan: I swear, no more hiding. No more shutting you out when things get too hard. Me: You’ve told me that before and, look at where we are. You have said those exact words to me before, and here I sit without you because you wouldn’t even make eye with me. I was treated like I was a stranger to you. I was the person you least wanted to see and deal with. I needed your love and comfort, but instead, you showed me just how selfish you can be. Logan: I know. I fucked up, big time. Let me show you how much you do mean to me. Please?

Me: Fine, I’ll come home, but don’t expect me to be all happy families. I’m still so fucking mad at you. Logan: Thank god. Just let me prove to you that I love you because I do. I love you so goddamn much. I don’t respond to his message. “I guess I’m going home,” I sigh. “Do you want to?” Lucas asks as I begin to sit up. As I hand him his phone, I tell him, “Honestly? I don’t know.” I straighten, but I rest my head on Stef’s shoulder. “I should go and hash it out with him. There will be a lot of yelling on my part, so be prepared.” Lucas chuckles and Stef s in. “I wouldn’t expect anything less, but I think my brother here,” she points to Lucas, “should go to dinner with me and we’ll give you two some privacy.” My back straightens until I’m holding my head up. I’m utterly exhausted. My poor body feels like it’s been beaten down. “You guys don’t have to do that.” Lucas stands before responding. “Nope, I’m with her on this one. You don’t need us butting in.”

ONCE I’D GATHERED UP my things and messaged Abb’s telling her that I was going to go and yell at Logan, we left. While on the drive home, my phone began to ring. When I see who it is that is on the other end of that call, my stomach turns. “Who is it, Hayley?” Stef asks. I take a deep, calming breath, “It’s the doctor’s office.” She reaches over the console and places her hand on my forearm as I press accept and place the call on speaker, “Doctor, Desmond?” I ask. “Yes, is that you, Hayley?” “It is. Do you have the results?” My chest tightens, my breathing now shallow as I wait to receive potentially, life-changing news. “It’s okay, Hayley. Your results are negative. You don’t have gonorrhea.” My head drops with relief, and I feel as if I can breathe for the first time in days. “Thank you, Doctor Desmond. What about Logan’s results, are they in?” I need to know. “I’m sorry, I cannot give you his results under patient confidentiality.” “I understand. Thank you, anyway.” “Not a problem. Good day, Hayley.” “Goodbye, Doctor Desmond.” I hang up the phone. “Well, that’s a relief,” Lucas says as he comes forward and gently squeezes my shoulder. “Yup, but now all I want to know is if Logan has the all-clear.” God, I hope he is. Let’s face it, I won’t leave him if he does have it, but he has to treat me with some respect. I love him more than anything else in this godforsaken world. I will put my health at risk to be with him, but only if he treats me as his equal. When we turn into the driveway and Stef has pulled the car to a stop, she turns in her seat to face me. “Now, you call me if you need me.”

“I promise you I will.” When the others have driven off, and before I open the front door, I suck in a deep breath and let it go. When I turn the handle and enter the house, I don’t see or hear Logan, and I don’t plan on chasing him down. He knew I was coming back, and I expected him to be waiting. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. Without thinking, I head up the stairs to Logan’s bedroom, to find he isn’t there either. Dropping my overnight bag on the floor, I make my way through to the bathroom where I proceed to strip off and hop into the shower.

Logan She’s coming home. That’s all that matters. While waiting for her, the doctor called and gave me the all-clear, and rather than be happy and celebrating I was pissed off. I’d put Hayley through hell for absolutely fucking nothing. I had no idea how I could make it up to her. What do you do for someone when you’re trying to say, ‘Sorry about the gonorrhea scare, and for me being a dick about the gonorrhea scare?’ When I make my way back upstairs from the gym, I hear the water running, so I race to our room. I take a quick look around and see her overnight bag on the floor by the door. She's home. Needing to have her close, I race over to the bathroom, and rest my butt against the sink, and watch her. Of course, I want to open the shower door and climb in, but I don’t know if I’d be welcome. While watching her, I can see that she’s sad, and it’s killing me knowing that it was me that did that to her. I made her miserable. Me, not some random asshole. Me, the one that’s meant to love and protect her. It doesn’t take her long to notice me. “You just come up from the gym?” she asks flatly, and I nod. A moment later she let’s go of a sigh, “Get in then.” “You sure?” I won't get in if she doesn’t want me to, and if she’s only telling me to get in because she feels bad for me. I’m the one that has to fix this. I’m the one that needs to put all of the jumbled puzzle pieces back together. I did this, I made this mess, not her.

“Get in,” she repeats and then opens the glass door. I strip off my clothing, step into the shower, and close the door behind me, unsure of what I should do next.

Hayley I’d missed him, and I don’t mean just from when I left the house earlier on. I’ve missed him since we were seated at the dining room table three days ago. While under the water, I turn and see him resting against the sink. He looks miserable, and I have no idea what to do. Finally, I let go of a sigh, “You just come up from the gym?” I ask. I want him in here with me. When he offers a nod, I say, “Get in then.” I want him to hold me, but at the same time, I’m still as mad as hell at him. Just seconds later, his arms come around me, his chin resting on my shoulder. “I’m so sorry, baby,” he whispers. My eyes close, but I don’t utter a single word. He then turns me until I’m facing him. “Please say something,” he begs. “What do you want me to say?” I sigh. There is no doubt in my mind, I can see in his eyes that he’s sorry and that he knows he fucked up, but what does he want me to do? Does he want me to forget everything and forgive him, just like that? Nope, I can’t do it. I won’t do it. “I want you to tell me you still love me.” His hand reaches up and cups my face. “Of course, I still love you, but that’s not the point,” but before I can say another word, his lips crash down onto mine. It takes everything I have to build up the courage and push him away, but eventually, I do force myself to pull back and when I do, he seems confused. “The doctor called, I got the all-clear.” “Me, too.” Thank god. His lips come back to mine. I try to resist, but the asshole still has my heart. My eyes are clenched shut, I’m fighting back the tears. “I’m still so fucking mad at

you,” I tell him, my lips still against his. He moves back just an inch and rests his forehead against mine. “And you have every right to be. If I could take it all back, I would. I would go back and not be an asshole.” He presses his lips to mine. “I would talk to you.” He kisses my cheek, his hands skimming the lengths of my arms. “I would hold you and tell you that no matter what, I would be here with you. That I would love you forever.” My eyes betray me and I begin to cry. This was what I needed from him for the last three days, but it took me leaving for him to notice me. “Hey,” my eyes remain closed. Shaking my head, I say, “I can’t. I can’t do this.” It’s all too much. I pull out of his embrace, step out of the shower, and wrap a towel around me. When I’ve reached the bed, I take a seat on the edge. I don’t know how to feel right now. I’m sad, angry, devastated, and worst of all, lonely. I hear him come in, but my gaze stays focused on the carpet. The bed dips beside me. “Hayley, do you want to leave me?” he asks in a whisper. The tears continue to flow and I shake my head. I just don’t want to be the second or the third most important person in his life. One he thought would always accept his apology, no matter what the circumstance, but I’m not that person. I never will be. “Come on.” He takes my hand as he shifts up in bed. I don’t care that my hair is still sopping wet, I rest my head on the pillow so that we're lying face to face. He reaches up and wipes away my straying tears. “I really do love you, Hayley. I just really suck ass when it comes to stress and guilt. My not speaking with you, had nothing to do with you. I was riddled with guilt, guilt that I could have ruined what we have, that I could have been the reason you got sick.” “You fucking suck,” I close my eyes, trying to stop the tears. “You suck at this crap. You shut me out every chance you get. You would rather treat me like shit than talk to me. I don’t get it, I don’t get you. I thought we were a team. I thought that we would be able to turn to each other when things got rough, but instead, I have to deal with shit, alone.” Nope, keeping my eyes closed isn’t working. My sobs grow louder, and I curl up into a ball. He pulls me to him, and I let him. I need his warmth, his love, and protection.

“Never will I shut you out. I know I’ve said it before, but, I cannot lose you. I need to pull my head out of my ass and stop trying to take on everything myself.” He leans in and kisses my shoulder. “I’m done. We worry until we're fixed. Until we're perfect again, and no one else gets a look in until then.” I raise my head to look at him. “Do you really want to fix us?” God, I hope he’s serious, I can’t keep doubting our future. His smile is faint, but it’s there. “I do, more than anything.” Then his lips are on mine, and this time, I melt into him. I slip my arm through his and take hold of his back, pulling him closer to me. Am I being stupid? Probably. But you can’t help who you fall in love with.

Logan My god, I cannot believe I stayed away from her. From the girl that loves me unconditionally. From the girl that completes me, and makes me want to be a better person. Her hair and skin are still wet from the shower, and there are still tears in her eyes. I need to get my shit together because if I don’t, she will leave me and I’ll be the only one to blame. My mission from this very moment forward is to make her feel loved and wanted. She tilts her head, giving me more access to her mouth and I take full advantage. She still has her towel on, and I leave it in place. She needs to be loved, not fucked. I continue to kiss her as I run my hand behind her back and pull her closer to me. I want to feel her warmth, I want and need to know that she still loves me. My lips move down to her neck, and my tongue sweeps over her skin. I hear her suck in a breath, before reaching up and pulling away the towel she’s wearing, giving me permission to lick and taste more of her. As I go to move lower, she stops me, and I pull back to meet her gaze. “What’s the matter? Do you want to stop?” Never would I push that boundary with her. She shakes her head, but there is no smile. Hayley reaches down and opens my

towel, I lift just enough for her to pull it out and throw it to the side and she does the same with hers. She’s so beautiful. Why, why did I try to keep my distance? We can do this. We can make us work. I have to make us work. Her lips are now back on mine, and my hand skims her side as she moves closer to me. I make sure to take my time. I want her to know that I’m here, that I will always be here. I shift us until she’s laying on her back, my body hovering over hers, my eyes on hers. “I need you to know how much I love you,” I whisper. Her eyes well with tears. “Stop pushing me away. Please stop shutting me out because when you do, it feels like you’re giving up. That I’m not important enough to you.” My body collapses beside her, laying on my back, but I still have my arm under her neck, and I use it to bring her closer until her head is on my shoulder, her hand on my chest. “You are the only one that matters. I love my family, but you are my future. There is so much I need to work on. I’ve never been in a relationship, not properly, at least. No more secrets, no more keeping you at arm’s length. I couldn’t function without you. I love you, Hayley.” Her hand skims my chest. “I love you, too. But this shit must stop. I love you. That’s it. It’s both of us or nothing.” My stomach churns, and I shift to my side. “Both of us, I want and need both of us.” “Then it’s settled. You can stop being an asshole to me, and we can work on us.” She presses her lips to mine. “I love you, babe,” I whisper. “Love you, too.” Slowly I work her body, my lips move down to her neck, over her chest until I have her nipple between my teeth.

Hayley

My chest heaves when he gently bites down, one of his hands is on my hip bone. I wrap a leg around him, and he moves closer to me. All I want is for his lips to be on mine. “Baby,” I say. “Yeah?” his gaze meets mine. “Kiss me, please.” And that’s all it took. His body shifts until those lips are on mine. I let go of a sigh, I need him. I need him to need me too. My legs are now firmly wrapped around his waist. He kisses me with such ion, and there is so much love was behind it. I'm left breathless when he slips inside me. He keeps kissing me as he moves. He moves in and out while I hold onto him.

Chapter Seven Hayley For the next week, other than having to go to training, I spent all my time with Logan. We seemed happier, we appeared to be on the same page, and hopefully, we will go the distance. While we were having breakfast on a Saturday morning, Lucas comes barging into the room. “So, asshole. I’ve got the whole basketball team putting the banners and leaflets up at school tomorrow night. You in, or do you want to stay in the background?” he reaches over, he takes my spoon and has a bite of my yogurt that’s mixed in with granola. “Nope, this one is all you,” Logan answers as he takes my hand in his, lacing our fingers. He turns his head, and my eyes meet his. “I’ve got more important things to focus on, bro.” “Fair enough.” Lucas knows how rough things have been. He’d told me he wanted to punch Logan out after he'd been a dick to me, that he could somewhat understand why Logan was acting the way he was, but he also knew just how much I was hurting. “It’s going to be epic. BTW, Terrance is throwing a huge party tonight. You guys in?” Logan shakes his head. “Nope, I wanna lay low for a bit. I think it would be for the best, but call if something does happen.” Lucas takes another bite of my breakfast. “No problem.” The asshole drops the spoon, then reaches over and messes up my hair before leaving the room. “You’re a dick,” I say as I smooth it back down again. He doesn’t respond. “Anyway, I’ve got to go and do some laps, I’ve been so slack over the last couple of weeks.” I stand and pick up my bowl, but before I can move. Logan’s hand snakes around my waist, and he pulls me to him until I’m standing between his legs. “What would you like to do tonight?” he tugs me closer until I’m flush against him. He takes my bowl from my hand and places it back down on the table.

“Not fussed, babe. I want to be with you, that’s it.” And I do. Sure, things are way better between him and me, but we still have a ways to go. His hands grab my ass, and he squeezes. “Me, too. Leave it with me, and I’ll figure something out.” “Okay.” I lean in wrapping my arms around his neck closing my mouth over his.

LOGAN TOLD ME TO DRESS casually, so I did. It's still hot out, so I throw on a little white dress with a pair of white, Billabong flip-flops. “So where are we going?” I ask as we leave the house. Once we’re in the car, he turns the key and takes my hand in his free one. “I did some googling and found a nice quiet spot.” I rest my head back. “I love you.” “Love you too, babe.” He raises my hand and kisses it.

THE SPOT HE CHOSE IS perfect. The field is green, surrounded by wild, bright, colorful flowers. When we exit the car, Logan opens the rear door and comes out with a blanket and a basket. This is my kind of date. He spreads out the blanket, and we lay down, my head is resting in his lap. “It’s so nice here.” “I had a feeling you’d like it.” I sit up just enough to get him to shift and lay down beside me until we’re face to face. “You know that the shit’s going to hit the fan on Monday?” My eyes close for a moment. “I know, but that bitch deserves everything that comes her way. She's taunted me for close to eight months. It’s her turn to suffer because I’m done being her victim.” His smile is wide. “My thoughts exactly.” We sit together, talking, and we have something to eat. He’d packed all of our favorites. Fresh baguettes, Havarti cheese, tomatoes, and lettuce. It's simple, yet perfect. When we've finished eating, we lay back down and make out until I wanted more, but I wasn’t going to do anything with him out in the open where anyone could see us. So I dragged him into the back of my car. Once the trunk was closed, I watched him come to me. “We have a perfectly good house and bed, but you don’t want to wait?” he chuckles. I shake my head. I want him now. Thank god the Escalade has a huge trunk, it made things a whole lot easier. When we’ve finished convulsing, he rests his head on my shoulder as we regain our breath. He turns his head, kissing me. “You want to head back to the house?” “Yeah. Let’s go home.”

As we pull into the drive, I see what’s going on at our house, and I shake my head. “Lucas could have given us a heads up,” I tell Logan. The last thing I need is to have stupid drunken sluts giving me hell. The only difference tonight is that I will stand up for myself. Never again will I let a horrible click of teenage girls make me feel worthless. I have what they want. They all want a piece of Logan, what they can’t get through their dim-witted brains is that he isn’t interested in them. Never has Logan flirted or checked another girl out. When we're out at social gatherings, I’m the only person he sees. “I thought the party was at Terrance’s?” he asks as he pulls the car to a stop. “You know what your brother’s like. But if that slut Ashleigh is in there, then I’ll either punch her or go up to our room.” I think about it for a moment. “Fuck it, I’ve bailed you and Lucas out of lock-up a ton of times, it’s your turn to bail me out.” “It’s only fair,” he laughs. He reaches out taking my hand in his as we enter the house. “He’ll be out the back or in the kitchen.” I’m already receiving looks of hatred from the other girls. Unfortunately, it isn’t something you get used to, but it will not ruin my night. I won’t let it. As we enter the kitchen, I can hear Lucas’s voice. He’s yelling out his drink order. When he comes into view, I can see that he’s drunk. “Why is everyone here?” I ask. His head snaps up to look at us. Yep, he’s drunk, all right. “Hayley!” he exclaims as he comes around the bench, lifting me in his arms. “His parents came home for a surprise visit. The place got shut down. Man, you should have seen their faces. He’s fucked.” “Can you put me down now?” When my feet are firmly planted back down on the ground, I turn on my heels to

tell Logan that I’m going to go upstairs to freshen up, but he’s already talking to Zac. Zac is one of the boy’s good friends. He’s the star linebacker for the school’s team. He’s huge but really good-looking, and most importantly, he’s not an asshole. With his brown hair, brown eyes, and not to mention his very well-toned body, it’s safe to say that he is rarely alone when it comes to the skanks we go to school with. I know Ashleigh tried to date him recently. She was bragging to others about Logan becoming jealous and wanting her back. Yeah right. As I head for the stairs, I received a feral look from one of Ashleigh’s followers. I think her name is Cassandra. Believe me when I tell you I tried to ignore it, but something in me snapped. “What the fuck is your problem?” I yell in her face. I hate her and her blonde hair, her legs that go on forever, and her stinking attitude. Bitch. The slut smiles sweetly. “I just thought that you look pathetic.” The bitch sneers. “I’m pathetic? You’re the two-bit hooker that kisses Ashleigh’s ass, and I’m pathetic?” I move even closer. “I’m not a follower like you. And while you’re in my house, you show some fucking respect, or I will haul your ass out by your hair. Got it.” “Your house? You stay here, and you think you live here. So sad.” The cow moves her gaze to her fingernails as if she bored. I lift my arm and grab her jaw, so she’s facing me. “I moved in, slut. This is my fucking house too. So, do you want me to beat you and then drag you out, or would you prefer that I just drag you out by your fucking hair?” Her eyes dart to something or someone behind me. “Aren’t you going to stop her?” Then I feel Logan’s hand rest on my hip. “No. You and your friends have fucked with my fiancé for far too long. It’s her turn to fuck with you.” Her reaction when Logan said fiancé, is amazing. She is now pale and looks as if she might be sick. I love it. Her mouth is now agape, and her hand went for her bag. That bitch can’t wait to get her phone. “Are you serious?” her brow arches.

“More than ever. Now, get the fuck out of our house,” it comes out of him no louder than a whisper. My hand leaves her jaw, and I take a step back into Logan’s protective embrace. “Time to go, slut,” Lucas chirps as he takes Cassandra by the arm and leads her out through the front entrance. Logan then turns me until I’m facing him, his gaze meets mine. “You okay?” his features are filled with worry. Reaching up, I kiss him. “Absolutely fine. All I was trying to do was go to our room, but I’m done with these assholes looking at me the way they do just because I was the one to get you,” I smile, and so does he. “Come on, I want to change.” His mouth comes back down to mine, and then he leads me up the stairs to our bedroom, closing the door behind him. Logan takes a seat on the edge of the bed, but as I go to make my way over to the closet, he caught the hem on my dress and uses it to pull me into his lap, my legs wrap around him. “I’m so proud of you. Typically, you would have ignored Ashleigh’s followers. But you stood your ground.” I lean in and kiss him, I then pull back just enough to look into his eyes. “I told you, I was done. You are mine. You will always be mine.” He lets go of a manly groan and shifts, pulling my dress up over my head and throws it to the side. A moment later, my bra s it on the ground. “Fuck, you’re so goddamn beautiful.” My mouth closes over his, my tongue sweeping across his. Once I have his shirt off, I push him onto his back, our lips still locked. Logan’s hands move up my sides until they cup my breasts. My breath holds as his fingers pinch, my nipples, he knows what that does. He knows that it makes me crazy for him. His mouth leaves mine, and he licked, sucked, and nibbled my stiff peaks, and as he does, the ache between my legs grows. “Babe,” I whimper. “Hmm,” he licks me again.

“Please fuck me,” it comes out ragged. He shifts his hands to my hips and flips me until he’s on top. Logan raises to his knees, he hooks his fingers in the sides of my thong, and slips it off. The moment it’s gone, he’s hovering over me again.

Logan I know she wants me to plow into her now, but I love skimming her curves with my lips. She’ll be pissed, but taken care of, all at the same time. My lips find her neck, and she tilts her head, giving me more access to her bronze skin. With her arms around me, I kiss down her neck and between her breasts. I feel her hands move, she loses them in my hair, using it to bring my gaze back up to hers. “I love you,” she whispers. I search her eyes and smile. We are good again. We are a team. “I love you too, babe.” Her legs wrap tightly around my waist as I slip inside her, her gasp is loud, and I grin against her cheek. As I bury myself deeper inside of her, Hayley clings to me. The closer she builds to her climax, the harder she grips me. “More,” her breath is ragged. So I do as she asks, and I push further and faster. “Yes,” she repeats, and she sure as hell isn’t quiet either. She not at all concerned that we have a full house. Hayley stopped caring what others thought of her a little while ago, and I love it. I love her new attitude, so I push her over the edge, and she screams the room down. If the others hadn’t heard her, I'd be shocked. My body relaxes over hers, I’m exhausted but happy. “Do we have to go back

out there?” I whisper. She shakes her head. “Nope, but you know just as well as I do that Lucas will be up here sooner rather than later.” I let out a groan. “There are like only five people I genuinely like here. The rest are hangers-on.”

FIVE BEERS IN, I DECIDED to stop drinking, but I’d lost count of how many Hayley was up to. Never does she drink this much if Lucas or I am not with her. “Hey,” she says as she climbs up me. “Hey, what?” I’m desperately trying to hold back my laughter, but it doesn’t work. “Hey,” she slaps my shoulder. “What?” I repeat. “I want sex. Dirty sex. Now!” Her legs tighten around me. “Do it, bro,” Lucas calls. My head shifts and I search the crowd until I find him. “I’m not fucking stupid enough to say no.” Lucas gives me a lazy thumbs up. And my gaze shifts back to meet Hayley’s, but before I can say anything, her lips are on mine, and they don’t leave as I carry her upstairs, they also don’t leave mine when I’ve kicked the bedroom door shut and lay her out on the bed.

Hayley My head is pounding. Immediately, my hand reaches out to find Logan, but he’s gone. Slowly, I open my eyes, and it hurts, but I do see a note that has been left on the pillow beside me. Still tired, I force my body to sit up, and I train my focus on the note. Hayley, Sorry, babe. I didn’t want to wake you. Coach called me in for a meeting. I have no idea what about, but I’ll fill you in when I get home. I left a bottle of water and a bottle of aspirin on your bedside table. I love you, and I’ll be home soon.

Logan x0x When I see the aspirin and water, I smile to myself. Fuck, I love him. I take two and lay back down. Within twenty minutes, I’m feeling better. I shower, dress, and make my way down to the kitchen, where I find Zac and Lucas cooking up a storm. “Hayley,” they call in unison when they spot me. “Morning.” I climb onto one of the barstools. “You hungry?” Lucas asks. “Yeah, something greasy, but no carbs.” I had way too many last night while I was out with Logan. Lucas hands me a plate of bacon and eggs. “Thanks.” “No problem. Where’s Logan? He didn’t drink much last night, I was expecting to see him first,” he asks as he turns back and continues to fry up more bacon. “Coach Hadley called him in for a meeting.” I hold up my hand and stop him from talking. “I don’t know why, but Logan left a note telling me that he’ll fill us in when he gets back.” I then take another bite of eggs. But when I look up, I notice the two boys are giving each other a knowing look. “What was that? What do you pair know that I don’t know?” I drop my fork, and neither of them says a word. “You’d better tell me, Lucas, or I swear I’ll kick your ass.” I’m tense. I know that look, it means that something bad is coming. Lucas drops his head, and Zac stands and leaves the room. “Tell me!” I demand as I bash my fist down on the bench. He takes a deep breath, “Rumour has it that there are baseball scouts from the big league in town. That’s probably what the meeting's about.” He moves towards me, but I take a step back, my mind needs to process what he just said, and when it do, I drop back down in my seat. “If they do want him, he won’t go to Stanford. They'll take him from me, won’t they?” Suddenly, trying to take in oxygen becomes impossible.

Lucas takes me in his embrace, but I’m too shattered to do or say anything. “It is just a rumor, Hayley. The meeting could be about a million different things,” he tries to assure me. Eventually, I hug him back. “I need coffee,” I whisper. Lucas kisses my cheek and lets go of me. Three cups of coffee later, I hear the front door open, and as it does, my eyes widen and shift to find Lucas’s. He gives me a reassuring smile and mouths that things will be okay. Moments later, Logan comes up behind me, wrapping his arms around my shoulders. I tilt my head back to look up at his beautiful, and as I do, he kisses the tip of my nose. “Hey,” I smile. “Hey, babe,” he then drops a kiss on my forehead. “So, what was the meeting about?” Lucas blurts, and my gaze moves to him. He isn’t mucking around. He wants to know, for both of us. The moment I feel Logan take a deep breath, I know. I know he’s going to leave me. My hands shift to find his, kissing his palm, I need him to think I’m okay. I can’t be the reason he says no. This is his dream. Since he was two years old, all he's ever wanted to do is play baseball. By the time he was five, he knew he wanted to be in the big leagues. His dream is coming true, I will not be the one to get in the way. “Scouts saw me play last week. They offered me a contract.” He tightens his hold on me, but I force myself not to tense up. I just run my hand across his arm, kissing his palm again. Lucas moves closer, “What did you tell them?” “I told them I’d need to talk to dad and my agent. On the way back, I called dad. He’ll be here in the morning.” “Who wants you?” Lucas straightens. “The Mets.”

My brain wants to explode. New York. That means he'll be on the other side of the country. My breath quickens, and I almost fail at holding back my tears, but in the end, I manage to keep them at bay. Lucas nods. “Congrats,” he smiles. “Thanks, bro.” Logan rests his head on my shoulder. “I think I’ll go and find Zac. He’s around here somewhere.” Lucas comes closer, leans in, kisses my cheek, and then leaves us be. All I want to do is cry. All I want to do is hold onto this moment for eternity, but I also know that can’t happen. We need to talk about our future and how we will make our relationship work while apart. I don’t dare move an inch, I need his warm and tender embrace. “You okay?” he asks as his head rises, his lips now brushing the skin of my neck. “Yeah, I knew it was a possibility.” Never did I think my heart could ache as much as it is. The man I love will be leaving me. He turns the stool I’m sitting on and takes my hand in his. “Come on.” Needing him close, I stand, his arm comes around me, and he leads us up to our room. He kicks the door shut behind him, and takes me to the bed where we lay face to face. “Thoughts?” he asks as he brushes the hair away from my face. I take a breath, “Honestly, I’m so fucking proud of you. You’ve dreamt about this day for most of your life. I will not get in your way, we will work it out. I want you to say yes and sign the contracts.” Truth, I’m so damn proud. His hand moves to the small of my back, and he uses it to pull me closer to him. “Are you one-hundred percent sure?” he’s worried. My lips press to his, and I deepen the kiss, but he knows what I'm trying to do, I’m trying to avoid talking, so it isn’t long before he pulls away. “You’re trying

to distract me. Please tell me what’s in here?” he asks as he presses his hand to my heart. Shit, here come the tears. The moment he spots them, he pulls me closer. “Baby,” he whispers. I shake my head. “Nope, I’ll be fine. It’ll just take some time to get used to. That’s it, do not take me into consideration. I’m not fucking around, Logan. You have to say yes. You have to go. I will adjust, and I’ll at least have Abby and Lucas. You won’t have anyone.” And I cry harder at the realization. “I’ll be fine. Dad and Stef are there, ?” he assures me and all I can do is nod, but the tears continue to flow. “When do they want you?” I manage to ask over the lump in my throat. “June.” My head snaps back. “Are you serious?” The plan was to spend the summer together. I wasn’t even going to get summer with him. I bury my head into his chest. His protective arms tighten their hold on me. “I want you to come with me until classes start. I want to spend every spare moment with you.” He pulls away, he wants me to look up at him, so I do. “Will you come with me?” How the fuck can I say no? And most importantly, I wouldn’t. “Of course, I will.”

AFTER WE MADE LOVE, I needed another form of relief, so I changed into my swimsuit and dove into the pool. My brain was racing with thoughts of him leaving, so I pushed myself harder. I clung to the side of the pool when my body had had enough and looked up at the time. I’d been in here punishing myself for two hours. “Hey,” I hear from the far side of the room. I turn to where Logan stands, and I see him holding a towel. He walks towards me. “You’ve done more than enough. Come on, you need to stop taking your anger and sadness out on your body.” He then kneels at the edge of the pool where I’m resting. “It’s the only thing that does help.” My sadness is clear. “You need to focus on yourself, I’ll be fine. I just need some time to adjust,” I smile, but even I know it didn’t reach my eyes. “Come out, baby. You’ll cramp up if you keep going.” He’s right, so I pull myself up and sit on the edge beside him, and as I do, he wraps me up in the towel. “By the way, you are my priority. No matter what happens, I’ll worry about you. I want us to work out a way we can adjust together. We’re a team, ?” he asks as he leans in and kisses me.

ONCE I’D SHOWERED AND dressed, I made my way downstairs and found him in the kitchen making me a smoothie. I sat at the island and watched him. “Where’s Lucas and Zac?” I ask. Logan chuckles to himself. “He’s setting up for tomorrow.” It took me a moment, but then I smile. “So, he’s really going through with the whole humiliating Ashleigh thing?” He sets the smoothie down in front of me. “Thanks, babe.” Logan takes a seat on the stool beside me. “Please drink it all. And yes, he is. Tomorrow should be fun.” He leans in, kissing my shoulder. “Do you want to chill out and watch some movies for the afternoon?” My forehead rests against his. “More than anything.” And that’s what we did. We lay together on the sofa in the upstairs cinema room and watched some of the classics. Wayne’s World, Encino Man, The Breakfast Club, and Empire Records. There was a lot of making out, and we did stop just to stare at each other. I was going to miss him more than I’ve ever missed anyone in my life. Not even the distance between myself and my parents would ever compare to the heartache I’ll face when he leaves me. At some stage, we fall asleep but are swiftly woken when Lucas comes barging in. “Hey,” he calls from behind. When he moves closer, he notices that we’d been sleeping. “Shit, sorry. I saw the TV on and assumed you were awake.” “We weren’t, asshole,” Logan groans, his head still buried in my shoulder. I wipe my eyes with the heel of my hands. “Did you do what you had to do?” His smile is wide and devious. “Fucking oath. By eight, tomorrow morning, the whole school is going to know about the STD-infested bitch. Fuck with the people I love, and your secrets will have you run out of town.”

My smile matches his. “I was hesitant at first, but I’m kind of excited now.” Logan’s eyes are still closed, but he’s grinning. “It’s going to be a laugh,” he manages to say through a yawn. “Good work. We’re going to bed,” I tell Lucas then lean in and kiss Logan’s cheek. “Come on, baby. You have a big day ahead of you,” I tell him. His eyes open, and I see sadness. “You going to do it?” Lucas asks as he leans over the back of the sofa we’re laying on. “I’ll talk to you in the morning. I’m tired.” I roll off the couch, and while I wait, I see the look in Lucas’s eyes, he’s asking if I’m okay, so I nod in return. That seems to keep him happy for the moment. When we’ve reached our room, I strip down to my birthday suit, because the room is hot and climb into bed. A minute later, Logan is spooning me from behind. “Are you okay?” he asks. “Yeah. I’ll be fine, babe.” I shift my head and kiss his arm. I feel his body press against mine. “I love you.” He kisses my neck. “I love you, too.” I let go of a sigh. “It’s going to be hard, that’s all. So if I get mad or even if I fail at not crying, don’t you dare feel bad. It will just be me being an emotional bitch. I’m so fucking proud of you, but we’ve never really been apart, it’s something I’ll have to get used to. It’s going to kick me in the ass, but at the end of each day I’ll still know how much I love you.” He tightens his embrace. “It’s going to be a kick in the balls for me too.” His lips find my neck, and he kisses down to my bare shoulder. “Never will I not love you.” He continues to kiss across my back while one hand moved to my hip. “We can and will make it work.” He moves his hand up my side, he cups my breast, and I can feel his hardness press against me. My eyes drift shut as he tenderly caresses my skin. Reaching back, I take him in my hand, stroking him, while his fingers circle my

erect nipple. My leg lifts and I hook it back over his, inviting him in.

Logan The meeting was what I thought it was going to be. They wanted me. The New York Met’s wanted me, and instead of being excited, my heart broke. I'd miss out on college, I'd miss being with Lucas, but Hayley, Hayley is an entirely different story. The girl is my life. While driving home, I call my dad and put him on speaker. “Dad.” “Logan, everything okay?” “Yeah. I just had a meeting with the coach. The Met’s want me, dad.” “That’s amazing. I knew you could do it, I’m one proud father here.” “Thanks, but can you come out just for tomorrow? I want you to look over the contracts. I’ve already spoken to Damien, he has them. He thinks it’s an amazing deal and is urging me to take it, but I need to know I’m going to be happy. He’s my agent, and his cut from what they’re offering is huge. I need someone that won’t benefit, to have a look.” “Of course. I’ll be out tomorrow morning.” He pauses for a few moments, before asking, “How does Hayley feel about you possibly moving across the country?” “I’m on my way to tell her now.” “If you need anything, call. Tell Hayley the same goes for her.” “Thanks, Dad.” “It’s my job, son.” As I pull up the drive, my stomach falls. I don’t want to tell her. Selfishly, I want to ask her to fuck college off and come with me. I want to make her my wife, now, so she would, but I know she’s looking forward to college. I can't do it to her.

I WATCHED HER INTENTLY for two hours as she swam lap after lap. Hayley had no idea that I was there, but I needed to be, I was worried about her. I saw right through the brave façade she put on upstairs when I got home. She kept telling me she was okay and that she was proud of me, but her eyes told me a very different story. She was worried. About what? I wasn’t sure. All I could hope was that she didn’t think I’d cheat on her, or leave her. Standing, I grabbed her towel, I was going to stop her from swimming anymore, and as I did, she held onto the edge of the pool. I wasn’t sure if she was just taking a breath or if she was finished, but I knew she would cramp up soon.

THAT NIGHT AFTER WE’VE made love, I hold her. I hold onto her for dear life. “What the fuck am I going to do without you? I don’t want to be selfish, but I don’t sleep well without you.” She nuzzles her head into the nook of my neck. “We’ll make it work. We’ll figure it out, babe.” “I know we will. I’m just scared we’ll grow apart. That you’ll be leading this awesome life, one that will keep you on the road, and I’ll see you like, once a month.” My eyes close, she’s scared. She’s scared I’ll lose interest in her. “Baby, we will be okay. We will still be together in the years to come. My focus will be on the game, and you.” I press a kiss to her forehead. “We need to sleep. Tomorrow is huge for you, although I wish you'd be at school when Ashleigh assumes it was me that put out the flyers and banners.” Hayley’s lips meet mine. “Why don’t you skip and come with me?” I want to spend every single moment I can with her. She shakes her head. “I don’t want to get in the way. That and I still need to keep my grades up so I can keep my scholarship.” “Fair enough, but so that you know, you could never get in the way.”

Chapter Eight Logan My father told me he'd meet me at my agent’s office. Before leaving the house that morning, I pulled Lucas to the side and asked him to keep an eye on Hayley. I know she’ll be Ashleigh’s target. The minute this meeting is over, I’ll head over to the school. Not often do I get nervous, but while I sit here in the all-glass office, spying on my agent who’s on his phone behind the desk, I hear my name called, “Logan,” I shift my gaze and see my father coming towards me. I rise to my feet, and he takes me in his embrace. “Hey dad, thanks for coming.” He lets go of me and takes a step back. “Not a problem. I’m here to make sure they don’t try to fuck you over.” He throws his head in my agent's direction. I nod. “Thanks.” “How’s Hayley?” My eyes close for a moment. “It’s going to be hard. She’s worried I’ll lose interest in her while we’re apart.” He moves towards the sofas. “Come, sit.” So I do. “I take it you told her you wouldn’t?” Again, I nod. “I did.” “Do you know for certain that you won’t stray?” My head snaps up, my eyes on his. “Yes, I’m sure,” I say a little louder than intended. Holding his hands up in defense, he tells me, “Don’t get pissed, I don’t want you making her promises you can’t keep.” He leans forward, his elbows resting on his knees. “The major leagues will attract a lot of women, a lot of hot women.

Can you with all honesty tell me you will always say no to them? That after not seeing Hayley for six weeks because of your schedule, you won’t be tempted?” I see the look he’s giving me, he’s more concerned for Hayley than anything else. My head drops again. “I don’t want anyone except her. I want her to come with me, dad. I want her to drop out and be with me, but I can’t do it. I can’t make her give up everything she’s worked so hard for.” My head stays down. “Please don’t ever stray on her. Have the decency to break up with her first.” That was his last comment on the subject.

ONCE THE PAPERWORK was signed, I hopped in my car and made my way over to the school. I’d tried calling Hayley a few times, but she wasn’t answering. I even tried Lucas, and I had the same thing, so I began to worry.

Hayley I’d hitched a ride to school with Lucas because I didn’t want to walk in alone. When he pulled into the lot, I immediately knew the whole school had seen Ashleigh’s secret. “Holy hell,” Lucas laughs. Everyone’s buzzing, half of them are laughing, and the other half’s mouths are big O’s. “Looks like the word’s out.” “Sure is. Come on, let’s do this.” We hop out and fall into step together as we make our way to the lockers. “OMG, what a whore,” I heard one girl say. “I fucking knew it. She was trying to sleep with my boyfriend,” says another. While we’re grabbing our books from our lockers, I hear a shriek. Turning on my heels, I check to see who it is. “Fuck yes,” Lucas laughs. Ashleigh is now aware of the advertising Lucas had plastered around the school. “Should I stand back and wait for the onslaught? Or just continue with my day,” I ask as I rest my back against the locker bay. “I don’t think it matters, but I want you to stick with me all day, okay?” “Logan put you on babysitting duty, didn’t he?” I ask, but I already know the answer. “Yup, but don’t get mad at him, he was just worried.” He comes into my eyeline.

“I’m not pissed. I’m going to try my hardest not to be pissed at him between now and June.” I take a breath. “Fuck, I’m going to miss him, Lucas.” My head rests on his shoulder, his arms embracing me. “Me, too. I promise to try my hardest to keep you distracted. Whether it works or not? I have no fucking idea.” I didn’t even see her coming. She had me out of Lucas’s arms and slammed up against the lockers in an instant. “I know you did this. Has he told you about Callie yet?” she sneers, but I remain still. She’s so mad that even Lucas can’t pull her away. “So he didn’t tell you how he got her pregnant?” My stomach drops and I see the smirk. “Tell him she never got the abortion, that’s why she never came back.” Lucas has stopped fighting. He’s in as much shock as I am. I never even saw the knife, but I felt it as it slipped into my stomach. Ashleigh smiled, turned, and walked away. It wasn’t until I’d hit the floor that Lucas saw she’d stabbed me. He dropped to his knees beside me and started yelling orders. I knew I was as good as dead. I saw how much blood was pouring out of me. Moments later, I heard him screaming my name as my eyelids drifted shut. The only thing running through my head was the fact that Logan had kept something so big from me. Again. He promised me that there would be no more secrets.

Logan As I drive into the parking lot, all I can see are people and police. “Fuck!” I stop the car and leave it running, I need to know what happened. My stomach is nauseous, and Zac is the first person I see, the first person I know. His eyes widen, “Why aren’t you at the fucking hospital,” he shouts while his hands run through his hair, out of frustration.

My feet come to a stop. “Why, why would I need to be at the hospital?” “Shit, you don’t know.” His eyes briefly close. “Ashleigh stabbed Hayley.” My torso doubles over, and I throw up. I can’t move. The girl that owns my heart and soul was stabbed. “Come on, I’ll take you in your car.” I hear him say, and I agree. Even I know I won’t be able to get myself to her, alive. My head is between my legs the whole way. I keep blaming myself for everything that had happened to her. No matter how many times I tried calling, no one answered.

THE MINUTE WE’D PULLED up to the emergency department, Zac told me he’d park the car and drop the keys in. The second I was in the doors I searched for the front desk, but instead of a desk, I found Lucas sitting in the waiting area with his head down. “What the fuck happened?” I yell as I head towards him. His head snaps up. “Ashleigh fucking stabbed her, and the cunt told her about Callie.” He stands and gets right in my face. Lucas was supposed to protect Hayley, and he let her get fucking stabbed. “Callie never had the abortion, Logan!” His words hit me like a slap in the face, and I begin to falter. Lucas grabs my arm and leads me to the chair where I drop down into it. I can’t focus on this now. I just can't. “Hayley, what have they told you about Hayley?” I breathe. “Jack shit. They won’t let me in because I’m not a relative.” I hear him sigh out of frustration. “Who do I talk to?” “The bitches behind the counter.” He points to where the front desk is. “They won’t let you in,” he warns. When I stand, my head begins to spin. “You think if I told them I’m her husband they'd let me in?” It worked when we did it the day Hayley overdosed on sleeping pills. Trying again can’t hurt. Lucas also stands. “It’s worth a shot.” “If it doesn’t, they’ll have to call the cops because I’ll be going in, either way.” I walk over and wait for the chubby, mid-fifties, white-haired, woman to finish with her call. When finished, she looks up and gives me a warm smile. “Can I help you?” “My wife was brought in with a stab wound, Hayley Crossgrove.” I hate saying the words. 'Stab' caught in my throat.

Her smile turns to sadness, “She’s still in surgery. I can let you in so you can wait in the surgical waiting room.” I take a breath. “Thank you. Can my brother come?” Her sad smile is back. “Of course. It’s just through that door on your right,” she points to a big blue door. “The signs will tell you where to go.” “Thanks.” I turn to Lucas, “Come on." He moves towards me. We found the waiting room and each time the theater doors opened, I’d jump up, but it was never for us. I became exasperated and stressed. “Have you called Toni?” Lucas asks. “No. I’ll do it now. She needs to know.” I pull my phone out of my pocket and dial her number. “Logan, is that you?” she asks. “Yeah.” “You sound down, what’s the matter? Is Hayley okay?” “No. You need to get home, now.” “You’re scaring me.” “Hayley was stabbed at school. I have no updates, yet.” “Oh, Logan. I’ll get on a plane now. Please, even if I don’t answer because I’m in the air and the plane isn't equipped with WIFI, please text with updates, and I will call you the moment I land.” “I will. Hurry.” “I will. When she wakes, tell her I’m on my way and that I love her.” “Of course.” And I hang up. “Can you call dad?” I ask as I toss my phone to Lucas.

While we’re waiting, two female, uniformed officers enter the room. “Hello, are either of you Lucas Reed?” the tall woman with red hair asks. “Yeah, that’s me,” he raises his head and stands. “We were told you were with Miss Crossgrove when the incident took place?” His eyes burn with fury. “Incident? Are you calling a stabbing an incident?" I rise to my feet and place my hand on Lucas’s shoulder. Screaming won’t get us anywhere. “Just tell them what you saw,” I breathe. The red-haired cop looks at me, “And you are?” “He’s engaged to Hayley,” Lucas is trying to keep his calm. “You weren’t there when it took place?” she moves towards me. I shake my head. “No, I was in a meeting with my father and agent at the time. When she didn’t answer her phone, I drove straight to the school. When I arrived, a friend told me what happened and offered to drive me here. I knew Ashleigh had issues, but never did I think that this would happen.” Never did I think Hayley’s life would be in danger. The officer’s features soften, and her attention moves back to Lucas. “Could you come with us and give a statement?” He shakes his head. “I’m not leaving the hospital,” he tells her. The officers glance at one another, then turn back to face him. “We can go to the cafeteria if you like?” Lucas faces me. “Go, I want that bitch to stay where she is. You need to tell them everything you . Do it for Hayley,” I say. “That, I can do. I’ve got my cell, call me if the doctor comes out before I’m back.” He’s dead serious. “No problem.” When they left the room, I sat back down. Each minute that ed, felt like

forever.

WHILE I PACED THE SMALL room, a short, balding man who I assume is a doctor (because of the scrubs he was wearing) came out and asked if I was Hayley’s husband. “Yes, how is she? Is she okay?” He takes a deep breath - that’s not good. Panic fills my insides. “We lost her, twice.” My breathing stops, but he continues, “The bleeding was uncontrollable.” I’m going to be sick again, I have to sit, so I take a couple of steps back until I feel the chair hit the backs of my knees and drop into it. The doctor takes the seat beside me. “We managed to stop the bleeding, but the knife punctured her kidney. Whether we have done enough to save it, we won’t know for some time. We will have to watch her closely. She also had to have five pints of blood. I won’t lie to you, she is in horrible shape, but she is also young and fit, so she may just be okay. She will have to stay in the hospital for some time, though.” My body leans forward, my elbows on my knees, my head in my hands. “Can I see her?” It comes out barely a whisper. “You can, but she is very pale and still under the anesthetic.” He stands, and I follow suit. As I head for the door, Lucas calls from behind, “Is she okay?” I turn to face him. “They don’t know, but they’re letting me see her.” He swiftly moves towards us. “I’m coming.” “Okay, but you must keep it down, we don’t want her becoming upset or agitated,” the doctor explains. “Then you shouldn’t go in to see her,” Lucas crosses his arms over his chest. I want to hit him. My hands are balled into fists at my side. “Fuck you.” “Fuck you, she doesn’t need your shit,” he growls. “I swear, I care for her more

than you do at the moment.” His eyes are slits. “If you think I don’t care, or love her, then you have no idea.” I want to hit him. I want to throw him to the ground and bash the living fuck out of him. “I’m sorry, but if you pair can’t put your emotions aside, I will not let you in to see her,” the doctor is firm, and I know he won’t budge. If I don’t calm the fuck down, he’ll make sure I’m escorted out of here, in cuffs. I let my arms relax. “No, we’re okay, doc. Let’s go.” Lucas has also calmed down. We can’t let Hayley down because we can’t push our anger aside. We followed him through to where she lay. She was white and had tubes coming and going from her. I took the chair beside her and cupped her hand between mine. I wanted to cry, I wanted to scream.

IN THE HOURS THAT ED, I didn’t leave her side. My father came in, and just the look on his face told me he was scared. Stef flew in and sat with me as I waited for Hayley to wake. My eyes stayed on her, I needed her to wake up. I needed her to tell me she was okay. As the clock ticked, so did my heart, but then I felt her hand twitch, and I stood over her. “Hayley, baby,” I whisper, and I lean in and kiss her cheek. In my peripheral, I see Stef leave the room, closing the door behind her. “Hayley, baby, please open your eyes.” I feel the tears, and I swipe at them with my free hand. Her eyes flutter open. “Hmm,” is all she managed. “Are you okay?” I kiss her cheek again. She seems confused, but then her eyes are sharp. “Baby.” “Yeah?” Slowly, she shakes her head. “No, you had one and didn’t tell me.” She went from confused to mad, but she’s still under the influence of the sedation. She might be hallucinating. I want to throw up, again. “I didn’t know.” “You did. Don’t lie to me. You lied, again,” she whispers. Tears form in the corners of her eyes and my heart sinks. “Fuck. I didn’t know she didn't right the situation, we had a plan.” My mouth is dry. “You kept it from me. You kept something so huge, a secret, a secret your exfuck had to tell me about before she fucking stabbed me.” I can see she’s in pain. She can barely function. I want her to drop it for the moment and yell at me when she’s stronger. When

she’ll be able to cope better.

Hayley He keeps lying to me. I'm groggy and in pain, but I need him to know. “You kept something so huge from me. You don’t trust me, Logan. Go and deal with it. Go and find out what the fuck happened,” I whisper over my tears. The pain is more than I can cope with. Between his lying and my stab wound, it’s simply more than I can take. He leans over and presses his forehead against mine. “I’m not leaving you.” “You already have. Go. I’m done.” And I close my eyes. “Are you serious? I can’t leave you like this. That's something that can be dealt with later,” I can hear he’s scared. Gently, I shake my head again. “I don’t know why you keep me at arm’s length, I’m not even sure if you know what love is. I can’t promise to marry you anymore. I’m done. Go off and have a great life filled with women you can fuck, at random, Logan. You have no idea what a relationship is.” My throat hurts, I can’t swallow over the lump. I thought he loved me, but it’s just another situation where I’m made to look a stupid fucking fool. “No, no, no, don’t do this, Hayley. You don’t mean it. There is no one else I want to be with.” His voice is filled with pain, but in the end, I know he’ll be better off being with other women. He doesn’t need me tying him down. “Please, just go.” My eyes remain closed. “I’ll make sure you get your grandmother’s ring back. Good luck in your life. For what it’s worth, I loved you, and I still love you.” I can’t press on, it hurt’s too fucking much, both physically and mentally. “Umm, what’s going on?” I hear Stef ask. “Get him out of here, please,” I cry. “Let go,” I open my eyes, his face is still in front of mine, his blue eyes are welling with tears.

“You don’t know what you’re saying, baby. Please don’t do this. Don’t push me out of your life,” he begs, crying. My tears blur my vision, “Stef,” I cry. “Come on,” she pulls him by the arm, his gaze stays locked with mine until she has him out of the room. The second he’s gone, my chest heaves with my sobs. I just pushed the man I love away, but I know it’s best for him. My eyes close as the pain heightens. A moment later, Stef returns, she takes the spot Logan was just in. “What happened?” she asks as she takes my hand in hers. “Can you call for a nurse?” I ask through my sobs. She reaches over, pressing the buzzer and a young nurse comes running in, “Everything okay?” she asks. “In pain. Lots of pain.” The young brunette nods, “I’ll be right back.” And she leaves the room. “What happened? Why did you kick Logan out?” Stef asks while taking my hand in hers again. Taking a few breaths, I tell her, “I let him go. He doesn’t love me, he keeps me because he can. Have you heard the latest?” I whisper. “Lucas called. I can’t believe he was so stupid. But I do know he does love you, Hayley. He really does.” My eyes meet hers. “Then why does he keep lying to me? No,” I shake my head. “I gave him his out. He’s eighteen and has his whole life and career ahead of him. I’m just an anchor. He will face so many amazing opportunities, ones he will knock back because of me. And now there’s a kid, Stef. A fucking kid. Sure, he didn’t know about it, but he knew he'd gotten her pregnant. He got a girl he didn’t even love, pregnant. The whole thing makes me feel sick. Someone else had his child inside them. I don’t know if I can get past it.” My eyes close again,

the tears continuing to fall. “Sweetheart, I’m so sorry. But make sure it’s the right decision for you.”

Logan Once I was out in the waiting room, my father stopped me. “What happened?” he asks as he grabs my shoulders, so we’re eye to eye. I feel like I’m going to hyperventilate. “Logan, take some breaths, and tell me.” “She broke up with me.” I need to sit. I pull out of his grasp and drop into the first chair I see. “She was going on about me lying, and that there's a kid. She told me that she’d be holding me back from sleeping with other women and that I don’t know how to love someone.” Dad takes the seat beside me. “She’s right, son. You have lied to her, you have been distant. Shit, you pushed her away just a few weeks ago. You pushed her to the point that she had to leave. You were lucky she came back, but a kid, that’s huge.” He shakes his head. “What do I do?” it comes out as a whisper. “You have to prove you love her and fast. If I know Hayley, and I think I do, she’ll be pushing you away because she thinks it’s what’s best for you. I’d place bets now that that girl is laying in there a wreck because she just let go of the man she loves.” He places his hand on my thigh. “She loves you too much to let go of you, but she also loves you enough to let you go because she thinks it’s for your own good. Do you love her as much as she loves you?” My shoulders shrug. “I wouldn’t be as selfless as her. I need her just as much as I need air. She’s it for me. She is what I need. How do I show her? I need suggestions because my brain can't focus.” “You go and find Callie. You find out what the fuck happened, asshole,” Lucas says as he enters the room. “And then you beg Hayley for forgiveness. I cannot believe how fucking selfish you’ve been. What the fuck, you’ve been treating her as if she’s just a fuck. No one would know you were in a relationship.” He also shakes his head before turning and walking away.

“Where the fuck are you going?” I bite out at him. “I’m going to try and do some damage control. I’m going to tell her that although you’re a fucking asshole, you do love her before it’s too late.” And he disappears through the doors. “Where do I start dad?” I ask. He shifts forward. “You need to go and see Callie. Hayley won’t talk to you unless you find out either way what happened. And do it fast, I don’t want her upset for longer than necessary.” His hand cups my shoulder. “Welcome to the real world, son. When you fuck up, you have to man up.”

Hayley The nurse gave me a shot of Pethidine, which left me feeling loopy. “Are you still in bed? What the fuck!” I chuckle when I spot Lucas. Carefully, he sits down on the end of the bed. “So, how can I make you two okay again?” he asks. Shaking my head, I say, “Nothing, he’s free to fuck and get anyone he wants pregnant. I’m sure he’ll have a great time.” Yep, the drugs are kicking my ass. “He really didn’t know, Hayley,” Lucas says softly. “He does love you. Granted, he sucks in the way he shows it, but I know he does. He doesn’t want anyone but you. You know I wouldn’t back him if I knew he was wrong, but this is different. I already know he'll be sued by The Met’s soon enough because he won’t leave this town knowing he could be working on trying to get you back. You are his heart.” My tears are now streaming down the sides of my face and into my hair. “Trust me when I tell you that the first chance I get, I will be beating his ass.” “Where is he?” My chest aches. Logan could tell me he loved me, but right now it’s hard to believe. He got some random bitch pregnant. She was pregnant with his child, not me. It wasn’t me; it was her. “He was talking with Dad. I’ll see if he’s still there.” Right before that slut stabbed me, I’d made a promise, one I now need to keep. I won’t get mad at Logan. Yes, I’ve already broken it. But maybe I do need to face Logan. Whether we can’t work, fuck only knows.

Logan I raced to my car, hopped in, and switched on the engine. I was going to sort this shit, now! “Siri, call Zac.” “Calling Zac.” I hit the speaker button. “How is she, Logan?” “She’s awake, but I need your help.” “What happened?” “She knows about Callie. She fucking broke up with me. I need to sort this shit out now, so I can get her back.” “Shit, what do you need?” “Callie’s address. Can you get it?” “Give me five. I’ll get back to you.” “Thanks.” I feel defeated, I hang up. I know she’s out in Anaheim, so I’m going to head that way while I wait for an address. I know I should be thinking about what happens next if there is a kid, but Hayley is my focus. She has to take me back. I couldn’t leave L.A. knowing she hated me. The Mets will have to sue my fucking ass. I don’t care. I’ll pay for it because I need to stay and fix things. Not three minutes later, my phone rings. “Zac?” “Got it, dude. I’ll text it through to you now.” My phone beeps. “Thank you so much.” “No problem. Just let me know you’re okay when you’re done with Callie. I’m worried about you.”

“Thanks, I will.” I hang up. Siri pulls up the address and types it into my GPS. I’m an hour away. It’s going to be the longest fucking sixty minutes of my life.

Hayley When Lucas came back in, I was still groggy and wanting to sleep, but I needed to know why it wasn’t Logan entering the room. “Where is he?” I ask, my words slurring, but I don’t care. He rests his hands on the edge of the bed. “He’s gone to Callie’s to find out what the fuck happened. Dad said Logan told him he will do anything to make things right, he wanted to start immediately. He won’t take no for an answer. He wants you, only you.” The tears continue, and Stef gently places her arm under my head, cradling me. “Are you scared that there is a kid?” she whispers. “Fucking oath, I am.”

Logan As I pull up to the house, I begin to panic. I want to get this done, but I'm not sure if I can. Just then, my phone rings, it's Lucas. “Yeah?” “You okay?” “I don’t know. I’m sitting outside of Callie’s house. I don’t want to go in.” “Do you want me to come out there?” “No, Hayley was right. I have to start dealing with shit.” “Make it quick.”

“Why?” “She wants to talk to you, but I told her where you were.” “Is she okay?” “Yeah. She said she let you go so you aren’t tied down. She’s worried you will resent her later on when you do face the women that will throw themselves at you. Hayley’s scared, that’s it, she’s scared she’ll be hurt, later on, Logan.” “I love her.” “I know you do. Now, go and find out what's going on because she needs you.” “She’s going to let me back in?” “Yeah. Don’t push her about the ring, I know she’s still planning on giving it back.” “Why?” “It’s like I said, she wants you to have an out. She won’t let you be stuck with her.” “It’s not being stuck, Lucas.” “I know that, fuck face. Now, go and find out what’s going on so you can get back here.” “Thanks.” “No problem.” We hang up. Looking at the terracotta-colored, rendered home, I grab the door handle. After a moment, I bite the bullet and get out. Taking a breath, I reach up and press the buzzer, and not one minute later, it opens.

Hayley

Lucas stayed by my side, even while I slept. When I woke, I asked him if he’d heard from Logan. “Sorry, no.” he shakes his head. I want to see him, to talk to him. “How long has it been?” He glances down at his watch, “A couple of hours.” I’m trying my hardest to remain calm, but he’s with the girl that fell pregnant with his child. And the very thought makes my stomach turn. “Lucas, what if there is a kid and he stays there? I fucking told him to go because I was groggy and mad. We need to know, but I’m scared.” “There was no history between them. She wasn’t a girlfriend to him. He never had one before you. That is one thing he didn’t lie about.” Lucas is extremely pissed off at his brother. Who could blame him? “Why didn’t you tell me?” He shakes his head, “It wasn’t my place too. I fucking told him to tell you. You deserved to know, and you should have heard it from him, and only him.”

Logan “What are you doing here, Logan?” Callie looks the same as she did the last time I saw her. She still has choppy blond hair, bright green eyes, and a tiny body. “You didn’t get the abortion,” I blurt. I’m not here for small talk. I need to get back to Hayley before she changes her mind about talking to me. Callie steps back, holding the door open. “Come in,” she sighs, so I do. When she'd closed the front door, I follow her through the Tuscan-themed home until we’re in the kitchen. “Take a seat,” she offers as she points to the oak finish dining table. So I do. I take a seat on one side while she is directly opposite me, her eyes on mine. “So, you dump me, hand me a grand in cash, you tell me not to call you

again, and fourteen months later you show up on my doorstep out of the blue, and accuse me of not killing my baby?” Yep, I'm going to throw up. “Who told you I didn’t have the abortion?” she asks as she moves forward and laces her hands together on the table. “Ashleigh.” Callie rolls her eyes and laughs. “I should have known.” I'm desperate for information, and I can’t be here all night, so I ask, "So, what happened?” I soften my tone, being pissed off isn’t going to get me anywhere. "She was fucking with you, Logan," she answers as she shakes her head. I give her a sideways glance. “What?” I press. "I miscarried before I had a chance to go through with it. And it was probably for the best because I was struggling with the decision.” She gazes down at her ed hands. “I didn’t think it was up to me to take a life. I would never have told you if I had decided to go through with the pregnancy. I knew how mad you were, and you were such a fucking asshole about the whole thing.” Her eyes are still focused on her hands. My head drops in shame. I have been horrible to her in the past. "I’m sorry I was such a dick to you, I should have been there. I should have ed you.” "Umm, who are you? Because this isn’t the Logan, I .” My eyes meet hers. “I’ve done a lot of growing up in the last year.” She smiles, “I like this Logan much better.” I nod, "So do I. I’m sorry to barge in, but I have to get going.” "You’re leaving?” Her hand covers mine. "I have to. Ashleigh stabbed my,” I pause because I don't even know what Hayley is to me anymore. Is she still my fiancé? My girlfriend? Or an ex? I hate the thought of her not being with me. I hate the fact that she broke up with me because she wants me to be open to sleeping around. Then I feel Callie’s hand

squeeze mine. "You’re what, Logan?” "Honestly, I don’t know. Until a few hours ago, she was my fiancé, but now, I have no idea what she is to me.” Parts of me want to give up, but I know I can't. "Why isn’t she now?” her hand is still on mine, and I'm beginning to feel uncomfortable, so I try to pull away, but she keeps a firm hold on me. "Because, right before she was stabbed, Ashleigh told her you never had the abortion.” Then I think for a moment, “No, I’m wrong. She was mad that I hadn’t told her about the pregnancy in the first place. That and I haven’t been open with her. It’s not that I don’t want to be, it’s just that I don’t think she needs my problems to be piled on top of her own, and it pissed her off.” Quickly, Callie ducks her head to meet my gaze. “She’s pissed because you wanted to protect her? I’m sorry, but that makes no sense?” I let go of a laugh that's filled with sadness. “If you knew her, you’d understand.” I miss Hayley. I miss her so much, already. "She sounds high maintenance, to me,” I know that voice, it's Callie’s seductive tone she’s always used on men. Successfully, I manage to pull my hand free from hers, and I abruptly stand. "I have to go," I tell her as I push the chair out from behind me. As I begin to walk towards the front of the house, Callie races ahead and barricades the door. “What are you doing?” Good god, she's giving me her sex face. “I like this new Logan. He isn’t an asshole.” She takes a step towards me, and I take one back. “Why are you moving away from me?” but the psycho keeps trying to close the distance between us. “Because I have to get back. I’m not here for sex. I did just come to see what had happened. That’s it, Callie. I have to get back to the hospital.” I shift sideways, and so does she. I hold my arms out, I not going to let her get any closer. "But she broke up with you.” She moves towards me again. “She doesn’t want

you, I do.” Believe it or not, but she begins unbuttoning her shirt. I shake my head. “I will get her back. I love Hayley, and I’m not going to just give up her and sleep with you. I’m going to leave here because she told Lucas she wants to talk to me. I have to be with her, no one else will ever get a look in," I explain as I push past her and exit the house. As I head for my car, so does Callie. She starts yelling something, but I choose to ignore it. Once I'm behind the wheel, I lock the doors, slip the key into the ignition, turn the car on and get the fuck out of there just before she is able to bash on the window.

THE MOMENT I'VE PARKED my car, I race into the hospital. Lucas and my father meet me just outside the ICU doors. “Well?” Lucas takes a step towards me and asks. Dad moves up behind him and reaches up, resting his hand on my brother’s shoulder? "Give him a minute to catch his breath?” Dad tells him. I hadn’t realized I was panting. My hands rest on my knees, and I take a few deep breaths. I feel like I just ran a marathon. When my breaths have evened, slowly, I stand. And then I begin to explain the Callie situation. "She miscarried before she went to have the procedure. Ashleigh, the whore, was fucking with us.” My father lets go of the breath he'd been holding. “Okay then.” He looks as relieved as I feel. "I’m going in. Is Stef still with Hayley?” Lucas nods and comes towards me. “Yeah, she’s still sitting with her.” He then leans in and hugs me. “Go and tell her," he urges. “Thanks," I sigh as I pull out of his embrace. I give my father a swift nod and walk through the doors to Hayley’s room. When I enter her room, Stef turns. The moment she s who I am, her eyes widen, and she gives me a nod. I know my sister's looks, she's silently asking me what happened with Callie. “All a lie,” I whisper. “Dad will explain. Can I sit with her?” I ask. Stef nods and gently lets go of Hayley’s hand, but before she leaves the room, she reaches out, taking me in her embrace. “She loves you. You must stop fucking shit up. The one thing I can tell you for sure is that she still wants to be with you, but I doubt she’ll put that ring back on,” Stef whispers in my ear. I feel like she just punched me in the gut. I guess we’ll have to work through it. “Okay,” I whisper in return. As soon as we're alone, I take the seat beside her and gently take her hand in mine.

Hayley My body wakes when I feel that familiar hand touch mine. My eyes flutter open, and he's the first thing I see. "What happened,” I whisper. The pain is back. He comes closer. "You’re hurting. Let me call the nurse,” he soothes as he stands and brings his face close to mine. Desperate to kiss him, I hold back, the pain worsening. Giving him a tight nod, he leans over, and he presses the buzzer. A moment later, a young woman enters the cubicle, “Everything okay?” "She’s in pain,” he tells her, but his beautiful blue eyes are immediately back on mine. "I’ll get some painkillers," the nurse answers and leaves the room. He presses a kiss to my cheek. “Ashleigh lied, baby. There is no kid.” Relief floods my body as the words hit me, my tears well in the corners of my eyes. His hand reaches up, cupping my cheek. “I love you so much. The minute you’re better, I swear everything will be put on the table. Anything I’ve held back because I thought I was protecting you, will come out. I can’t lose you. I couldn’t go on knowing you didn’t want me.” But the instant I see Logan’s eyes are also welling with tears, I break. “No more secrets, I can’t do it. It’s all or nothing,” I manage to tell him over the lump in my throat. He pulls away just enough so I can see his smile. That damn smile always melts my insides. “I swear to you, no more secrets.” “Even if you think you’re protecting me?” I question. He nods. “Even if I think it’s for the best.” His lips meet mine, but when we hear the nurse return, he pulls away, but he stays close. Once the morphine is in my system, my head begins to feel groggy, but at least, the pain is gone, for now.

When the nurse has left the room, Logan goes to take a seat in the chair that is beside the bed, but before he does, I grab the hem of his shirt and pull on it until he turns to face me. “What’s the matter?” he asks in a low tone, his features full of concern. “Lie down with me?” I almost beg. “Honey, you just had major surgery,” he whispers. Pointing to where I was stabbed, I tell him, “They operated on this side, not this one,” I then point to the left side of my body. “Lie with me, please?” I need to have him close to me. I need to know we’re a team again, that nothing will ever separate us again. Not even when he goes away to New York for his job. We can do this, I know we can. Thanks to the morphine, I was able to shuffle aside to give him some room. When he lays down, his face beside mine and his hand gently cupping my cheek, I tell him, “I’m sorry I was such an ass.” My eyes close in shame. “Hey, I need you to look at me baby,” he coos. Slowly, my eyes open and are met by his. “I did try to tell you about Callie a few times, but something always got in the way. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I’m sorry I left so many things unsaid.” Sure, I know deep down that he wouldn’t do anything to deliberately hurt me, but he needs to stop wrapping me up in cotton wool all the fucking time for this relationship to work. “I was hurt, so hurt, still am. I had to hear it from that bitch, instead of you. I was hurt because the thought of someone else being pregnant with your child made me so fucking mad and sick, all at the same time.” And it did, I felt expendable. “Don’t get me wrong, that is something I won’t be ready for, for a long time, but it’s just so intimate. You probably don’t get it because you’re a guy, but-” he cuts me off. “I get it, baby.” He kisses me. “On my way back here, I thought about how I would have felt if the situation was in reverse, and I knew I’d be mad. I knew I’d want to kill the guy. We’re definitely not ready for that, but I wouldn’t want to have a family with anyone but you. You’re it for me, babe, and no matter what happens, even when I have to go to New York, I will only want you. I'm only leaving here so I can set our future. As selfish as this is going to sound, I wish you were coming with me. I don’t want to have to go weeks at a time without

seeing you.” My mind moves to all those women. Those women who are so hot in comparison to me. “What happens when you do leave? What happens when I don’t see you for weeks, and some whore throws herself at you? What then? I’ll be at school worried? I just want you to have an out. I want you to walk away now, instead of later.” I hold my breath. He deserves to know how I feel. He deserves this opportunity. Logan moves beside me until he’s resting on his elbow, his beautiful face looking down at me. “They’re not you. We could be apart for months at a time, it wouldn’t matter. You are my love. You will be the one I marry. You will be the mother of my children. I don’t need random women, I need you and only you. We’ll make it work, I don’t know how, but we will.” Again, he leans in and kisses me.

Chapter Nine Logan Hayley was in the ICU for three days and was then moved to a private room. The only time I left her was when I had to go to training. As much as I didn’t want to leave, she kept telling me that my future would be on the line if I didn’t, and that would be when I’d remind her that it was our future, not just mine. Toni showed up the day after I’d called her from the emergency room, and when she first saw the condition her daughter was in, she was devastated. When I had to leave, reluctantly, she would come and sit with her. “So,” Toni says to me as she sees me just outside of Hayley’s room. I hadn’t wanted to go to practice today, but Hayley pushed me, and she wouldn’t cave. “Yeah?” I press. I’ll lose my shit if she tries to keep me away from her daughter after she goes home. Toni's been hinting that she alone wants to care for her daughter. I need to be with her. I’m the reason Hayley’s in that hospital bed. I’m the reason her life is shit at the moment, but I will do everything I can to help her press on and keep assholes away from her. Toni, proceeds, “I know Hayley’s living at your house now, but until she is better, I would like to take her home with me.” Her short blonde hair is uncharacteristically disheveled, and she hasn’t taken the time to apply her makeup. Anytime I encounter Toni, I’m always taken back by how much she and Haley look alike. Maybe she is concerned about her daughter? Who knew? It’s not that I dislike her, it’s that she consistently leaves her daughter. It’s never made sense to me. I know Hayley will be the mother of my children, and I also know that she will never leave them. Not if she can avoid it. “That’s something you’ll have to talk to her about. She can make her own decisions, she has for a long time now, Toni.” I’m not trying to be an asshole, but her absence still pisses me off at times. She nods in understanding. “I’ll talk to her.” She reaches up and places her hand

on my shoulder, “Is everything between you two okay now?” My lungs fill with air. “I think so. She hasn’t told me to fuck off.” I shrug. “You’re good together.” She smiles. “I see how much you love her. All will be okay in the end.” “Is it okay if I see her now? She was still asleep when I left?” I ask. Toni moves to the side, “Of course, you can.” My hand reaches out to open the door as I brush past her. When the door opens, Hayley’s blue eyes shift to meet mine, and a smile soon follows. “Hey, how are you feeling, honey?” I ask as she pats the spot beside her on the bed. The moment I lay down beside her, I press my lips to hers. She’s still pale, but she doesn't need as many pain killers as she had while she was in the ICU. As I pull away, her eyes flutter open. “I’m okay. Sore, but okay. How was practice?” she snuggles her head into the nook of my neck. “Same shit different day.” I turn and kiss her forehead as she laces her fingers with mine. “I love you,” she whispers. “Love you too, baby.” My free hand moves to the skin of her arm. “Your mom’s trying to take you home with her. Is that what you want to do?” Please say no. Please say no. Hayley takes a breath. “I want to go with her.” My eyes close, I really have fucked up, and she doesn’t want to live with me anymore. “Hey,” she urges, and I open my eyes again. “Only if you’ll stay with me. It won’t be long before Toni has to leave for work again, but it would be nice to be with my mother for a couple of weeks.” Does she think I’d say no? If she does, then she’s very mistaken. “If you really want me to stay, I will. I don’t want to get in the way.” She lets go of a chuckle. “I’m not going without you, babe. As much as I want to be with her, I want to be with you more.” Thank fuck for that.

“It’s settled, I’m going with you.” I pull my phone out of my pocket, “We can make a list of the things you want from the house, and I’ll send it to Stef. I’d send it to Lucas, but he’s pretty useless at this stuff.” I kiss her cheek and begin to make a list.

Hayley The following Saturday I was desperate to go home, but Logan had Abby come and sit with me while he went to practice. “So, how are thing’s between you and Logan?” she asks as she plays with the nurse call button. “We’re better, so much better. I won’t put the ring on, though. I don’t think I’m ready for that yet, but we’re doing well. He’s coming to stay with me at mom's when I’m discharged later today.” Slowly, I manage to stand. Abby drops the buzzer and stands. “Where are you going?” her hands are on her hips. She’s worse than a dictator. “You are going to help me shower. I can’t have one more sponge bath. I need to be clean.” I move towards the wardrobe where my clothes are hanging. “Go into the bathroom, I’ll get your clothes, and I’ll wash your hair. But I want you to sit in the shower chair. I don’t care if it makes you feel like a cripple. You can’t stand for too long, or you’ll faint on me. I can’t have that.” Abby arrives at the closet before I do. But then again, a freaking turtle could beat me right now. “Thanks, Abb’s.” She isn’t wrong, my head already feels light, but I avoid the mirror at all cost. I don’t want to see the hideous scar I now have running down my side. It’s a scar I’ll have to live with, but that doesn’t mean I’ll ever embrace it.

ONCE I’M CLEAN AND wearing a loose-fitting, white dress, slowly I leave the bathroom, taking one step at a time, desperately trying to keep myself upright. When I look up, I see that Logan’s back from training and already packing my belongings. He’s as eager as I am to get out of this sterile environment. “Are you in a hurry?” I chuckle. Turning to face me, he drops my clothes he was holding and comes over to me. “Do you feel okay being up?” he asks as he leans in and kisses me. “I need to sit down,” he slips his arm around my waist, leading me over to the bed where he helps lower me until my butt rests on the edge. When I’m comfortable, Logan kneels on the floor in front of me, but my head moves down until my forehead rests against his. “Have the doctors been in?” he asks, his hand's cups mine in my lap. Shaking my head, I respond, “Not yet. How was training?” “The usual. Do you feel well enough to go home?” My shoulders shrug, “Pain-wise, they have it under control and will be sending some pain killers home with me, but I am dizzy. The doctor told me to expect it when I stand until I’m fully healed.” He pushes up on his knees, pressing his lips to mine. “I don’t want you to worry about anything, okay? I want you to rest and get better.” I try to smile, but there’s so much going through my head. “What is it? What are you worried about?” he asks with his face still close to mine. Taking a breath, I answer, “Everything. After all this shit, I doubt I’ll still have my scholarship. I don’t know what the hell I’m going to do.” I’ve been worried for days. So much has happened recently and I haven’t been as dedicated to swimming as much as I’d once been. Logan's hand raises, and he cups my cheek. “I called your coach, and he said that you were to take as much time as you needed to heal because he knew you

would be okay and that you would be back in the water. Don’t stress; everything will fall into place.” Leaning back in, he presses his lips to mine again, and I physically relax. “Thank you,” I sigh.

Logan When she was given the okay, I sent Toni ahead of us to get Hayley’s room ready for her. I wanted to be the one to take her home. It’s my job to make sure she gets there safely. I help her up and into the enger seat of my car. When I move around the car, I climb in behind the wheel, but before turning on the car, my gaze meets hers. “Are you in any pain?” She nods, but when she sees me take hold of the door handle, ready to race back upstairs to get a nurse or a doctor to give her something for the pain, she stops me, “I just want to go home.” Her hand reaches over the console for mine, and I give it to her.

ONCE WE ARRIVE AT HER mother’s house, I move around the car and open the door. When I offer to carry her upstairs, she pouts, “I’m only saying yes because I don’t want you spending the next hour patiently following me upstairs.” “I’d follow you all day,” I laugh as I slip my hands behind and underneath her. Hayley rests her head against my chest, and her hands are around my neck. When we’re inside, I lay her out on the bed, and she asks me to lie next to her. I can see how tired she is from the journey home. Not wanting to upset her, I lay down on my side facing her. “Are you hungry?” I ask as I lace our fingers. “Nope.” She responds, shaking her head. “I’m too tired to be hungry. I love you.” Her hand squeezes mine. “Love you, too. Close your eyes. I’m just going to go unpack the car and find where your mother went to,” I tell her as I move forward and kiss her. “I’ll be back soon,” I assure her.

TO MY SURPRISE, TONI acted like a mother that cared for her child. Hayley’s father Henry tried to her, but Toni and I managed to block all communication. As much as I wanted to bring the asshole down, Lucas and I decided that the plan to destroy him should remain on the back burner until Hayley was well. Not long after the stabbing, my father, Thomas, reluctantly went back to work. Stef also flew back to New York, taking Lucas with her. Another family session had been planned at the treatment center my mother was a patient at. Apparently, Celeste was improving and had been physically upset when she heard what had happened to Hayley, but I wasn’t ready to face her. The horrible things she’d said and done to the woman I love, are still at the forefront of my mind. No one will ever treat her with such disrespect again. Six weeks after the stabbing, the doctor told Hayley she could start back at the gym, but only if she promised to take it easy. Making sure she didn’t push herself, has been my only mission over the last few weeks. Well, that and making sure no asshole she hates, had the chance to come near her. That night, when she snuggled into me in bed, her lips move to my neck, and that was all it took for me to want her. I’d managed to keep my promise to myself since she was discharged. I'd promised myself I wasn’t going to press her for sex until she had the all-clear, but let me tell you, it’s been so fucking hard. Hayley’s been horny for two weeks now, and although she understands why I’ve kept my hormones at bay, it doesn’t mean she’s liked it.

Hayley I’d missed our closeness. I know he’s worried about me, but right now, I’m horny. When Logan’s head turns, I kiss his neck, but it’s not enough. Now that the doctor has given me a clean bill of health, Logan might just cave under my touch. At least, I fucking hope he will.

Quickly, he has me on my back, his body hovering over me, his mouth crashing onto mine. My body presses up against his, my leg draping over his using it to hold him even closer to me. His hands caress my skin, and all I can think of is how much I’ve missed those hands. My lips and tongue explore his. “I love you,” he whispers as he right before his lips find mine again.

Logan The next morning, Lucas comes over for breakfast. Hayley had decided she was finally well enough to hand over all the findings Gary, our private investigator had dug up to her mother. “Okay, who wants eggs and bacon?” Toni asks. “We all will, including this daughter of yours that will try and eat only yogurt,” I tell Toni, while Hayley scowls. “Love you, too,” I chuckle as I lean in and kiss her cheek. But when I see Lucas’s plate, I shake my head. It’s piled high with pancakes, bacon, eggs, and toast. “You’re jealous,” he says around a mouthful of pancake. “What the hell am I jealous about?” I scoff. “I get to eat all of this, and you don’t, Mr fancy baseball star,” he laughs. I try to hold back my laugh, but it escapes. “Anyway,” I deflect, “What are your plans for the morning, Toni?” I question as she places two eggs and two strips of bacon in front of Hayley. When she’s placed the pan back onto the stove, Toni looks up at me. “I was going to take Hayley to get a mani-pedi, why?” “Well,” I shift my gaze to meet Hayley’s, and she gives me a nod. She wants to go ahead with the plan to take her father down a notch or two. “Before Ashleigh did what she did,” I squeeze Hayley’s hand. “We hired a PI to follow and dig up dirt on Henry. There's a lot of it. A lot that will help you keep everything you've worked for.”

I can’t decipher Toni’s reaction. Her eyes are sad, but she also has a slight smile on her face. “You three did this for me?” Yep, here come the tears. Hayley lets go of my hand, she stands and rounds the counter, taking her mother in her arms. “We love you, mom. You deserve to keep what you went into the marriage owning. And the way he treated me after being gone for so long, well, I want to kick his ass. That and the fact that these two caught him feeling up some young slut at the airport.” I see her cringe. “Sorry, mom. It was the reason Logan called the PI in the first place.” After we’ve eaten, Lucas and I spread out all the images and paperwork across the dining room table. “There is so much to go over,” Toni covers her mouth with her hand, clearly overwhelmed by what she’s seeing. “We can take our time,” Hayley tells her as she takes her mother’s free hand in hers.

Hayley The hatred, loathing, and hurt that emanated from my mother, broke my heart. I know she loves my father in her own way, but she finally cracked when she saw images of him and various other women coming and going from different hotels. But the photo that made me feel sick was the one I saw of him and that airport bitch making out in the entryway of our house. It was taken just after he'd kicked me out. I know this because he’s wearing the same suit I saw him in that day, and before you tell me that normal people reuse suits, you need to know that Henry never did. He never wears anything twice. Stuck up asshole he is. Sure, I’d lost all respect for him after the last words we’d exchanged, but seeing how hurt my mother is, enrages me. While my mom and the boys continued reading through the paperwork Greg had sent over, I decided I needed to open a big bottle of wine. I pulled two chilled wine glasses from the fridge and filled them. Before returning, I skull my glass, and as I was refilling it, a familiar hand rested on my hip. “You okay?” Logan asks in a whisper, his lips close to my ear. As I finish pouring, I place the now empty bottle of wine on the bench and turn

to face him. “There’s a lot in there, a lot I don’t want to see.” His hand reaches up, and he pushes my hair behind my ear. “You don’t have to look at it. I can stay down here with them and continue going through it all. I hope your mom has a good lawyer.” He leans in and kisses my cheek. His smile is sad. Shaking my head, I tell him, “I have to do this. I can’t walk away from her. She needs me to be on her side. It’s as if he is leading a whole other life, one that doesn’t include me.” My eyes meet his. “Do you think he kicked me out just because he wanted the house to fuck around with that whore you saw him with at the airport?” He nods, “I do. What was he going to do with her after the airport? Put her in a hotel while he stayed here? I don’t think so. He pushed you out so that he could bring her in. He knew Toni was on the other side of the world. He used me as an excuse to get you out.” His arms wrap around me, and my head rests against his chest, his hand cupping the back of my neck. “Thank god, I have you,” I tell him as I look up at him. His beautiful blue eyes are on mine then his mouth closes over mine, he is my home. Even through all the shit, he’s here, and he wants to be here. Most guys would have packed their shit and walk away, but not my Logan. “I think I’m ready for that ring, if you still want me to have it,” I tell him. His smile overwhelms me, tears well in the corners of my eyes. I need to trust him more. Two weeks after being home from the hospital, Logan sat me down and told me every single secret he’s held. Some I wished he kept to himself, but he did it. “Really?” his smile stays in place. “Really.” A moment later, he pulls it out of his pocket and slips it on my finger. “Please don’t take it off again. If something happens or someone tries to cause shit,” he rests his hand on my face, “Come to me. Please?” Raising on my toes, I kiss him. “I promise, I will come to you first,” I whisper against his lips.

Logan’s arms envelop me again, and he spins us around, I can’t help but chuckle. He does make everything better.

AFTER ANOTHER TWO HOURS, my mother was worn, she couldn’t look at one more image. “Okay,” she says as she stands and pushes the images away from her, but then she turns to me. “If it’s okay with you, I’m going to call one of my girlfriends, hit the bar, and get drunk.” “You deserve it. Do you want me to make an appointment with your lawyer?” I ask, as I bring the glass to my lips and take a drink. I’m not drunk, but I do have a nice buzz going on. She shakes her head. “I’ll call him tomorrow. I’m going to have a long shower and get drunk.” Lucas jumps up and drapes his arm across my mother’s shoulders. “Want some male company Toni?” he does that wiggly eyebrow thing he does when he’s trying to stir my mother up. It worked because she laughs. “I think I’ll be okay with the girls. I know,” she turns to him, and his arm drops. “Why don’t you call Abby and tell her you love her?” My eyes widen, and Logan chuckles as he stands beside me. I always give Lucas hell about Abbs. They do share a bond, but Lucas loves to sleep with as many whores as he can. Apparently, that’s what high school’s all about. Lucas seems taken back. “Abby is a cool chick, but love? I don’t think so,” he says in a not very convincing tone. My mother waves him off. “One day you will wake up, and it will hit you like a slap in the face.” She may as well have dropped the mic because she just turns and walks away. “You love her, Lucas. You’re wasting time, what if she finds someone else while you’re whoring around?” my mother calls over her shoulder. Lucas stands still, his expression perplexed. Does he not know that he loves her? Maybe my mother’s right. Maybe it will slap him in the face one day. I know Abby loves him, of course, she hasn’t come out and said it, but why would she continuously turn down dates with nice, unbelievably hot guys if she wasn’t waiting for him? Why does she avoid every party she is invited to if she knows he’s taking someone else?

Logan’s grip on my hand tightens, he too wants Lucas to settle with Abby. He thinks it will tame him, something I’m not sure will happen. Lucas is Lucas, unpredictable. You never know what trouble he’s going to get himself into day after day. Logan wants his brother to settle because of me, and I know it. He wants to be sure someone will be my protector while we’re at college and Logan is playing baseball in New York. Lucas turns on his heels to face us. “I think your mom’s drunk,” he’s deflecting. “Could be,” I shrug. I see the boy’s eyes lock, I know there’s going to be a conversation between the brothers later when I’m not around. “I was going to call Abby until your mother blurted shit about loving her, so, what should we do instead?” He’s trying hard to hide his feelings. “You really should call her and stop sticking your dick in randoms.” Logan turns to face me, “Zac’s throwing some bash tonight at his. You want to go?” he asks. My eyes find his. “I need to get the hell out of here. I love this house, but I’m tired of looking at the same four walls.” I stand. “I’m in.” I then turn my attention to Lucas. “Are you calling Abb’s or am I?” He waves me off, “You can. If I do it, you’ll read something into it,” he moves to the staircase, taking two steps at a time. “Why won’t he it it?” I ask Logan, my gaze still following Lucas. His arms come around my waist, his chin resting on my shoulder. “He’s afraid,” he says as he brushes his lips across my neck, making me weak under his touch. “Afraid of what?” My eyes close, and my breath quickens as his lips move over my skin. “He’s petrified of the L-word when it comes to chicks. Until you, so was I.” He turns me in his arms. “I know he loves Abby, but I don’t think he realizes that what he does feel for her is love. He’ll keep his distance, I know he will, but Toni’s right. He’ll wake up one day, and he’ll just know.” He presses his lips to mine. “The second I saw you, I knew I loved you,” Logan shifts and rests his

forehead against mine, our gazes locked. “But he hasn’t figured it all out. If she finds someone else while waiting, he will beat himself up inside. When we get home later, I’ll talk with him.” “Okay. I’m going to go and shower and find something to wear.” My lips are on his again. When we finally manage to pull away from each other, he says, almost breathless, “I might go talk to him now because if I follow you up there, we’re not coming out for the rest of the night.” His mouth closes over mine, yet again. We’re shocking, but I hope I never get used to the feeling I have when he kisses me. “Okay, you pair,” I reluctantly pull my mouth away from Logan’s, and turn my attention to my mother who’s changed into a little black dress, black stilettoes, and her hair is swept up at the back of her head. She looks stunning. “You look hot, mom,” I let go of Logan and help mom with the top part of her zipper. “Thank you. Okay, I have a car on its way, and I’ll send it back so you can take it to your party. Get the driver's number and call him to bring you home.” I lean in and kiss her on the cheek. “Thank you. I’m going to get showered and changed. Have a nice time and don’t bring any strange men home. Dad could be having you followed too.” She shakes her head. “He’s the cheater, not me. Until things are settled, I won’t look at another man. Right now, anything that has a penis is off-limits,” she states as she places her phone in her clutch. My face cringes. “Penis, really?” She rolls her eyes. “What, doesn’t Logan have one?” she laughs, and my eyes widen. Kill me. Please kill me? “Not something I want to discuss with my mother.” My body shivers with disgust. “I’m going to go and wash off the filth you just threw at me.” As I move towards the staircase, I hear Logan and my mom laugh.

I STAYED IN THE SHOWER for at least a half-hour. It was so nice under the water, I never wanted to emerge, but I did in the end. As soon as I was dressed and my makeup was applied, I grabbed my black pumps and walked down the stairs with bare feet. I could hear the boys talking in the kitchen, so that’s where I headed. The moment I round the corner, I see Logan has changed into his jeans and a black, fitted V-neck shirt that accentuates every muscle and not to mention his trim waist, but when he sees me coming, his smile is gone, and I stand in place. “What the hell is that look for?” Do I stink? What the hell’s going on? Lucas turns to face me, and when he does, he laughs. “That’s a look that tells me I should leave the room.” And that’s what he does. He turns on his heels and leaves the room. “What the fuck was that?” I ask as I move forward and place my pumps on the island counter. Logan comes closer, and his eyes skim my body. Now I understand the look he’s giving me. I’m wearing a sleeveless, black, chiffon blouse and a very short gold sequin skirt that looks amazing against my tanned legs. Logan's hands rest on my hips. He pulls me closer to him, his lips meeting mine while I tilt my head giving him more access to me. His hand moves from my hip to my ass, pulling me even closer to him as I cup his neck, my body melting against his. “Hey you two horny kids, the car is here,” Lucas calls as Logan’s tongue explores my mouth. He pulls away just enough to rub his nose against mine, but he doesn’t say a word because he starts kissing me again until I’m breathless. Lucas is going to have to tear us apart.

“Come on. You can fuck the brains out of each other when we get back. Let’s go!” Lucas yells from the foyer. “You are so fucking beautiful,” Logan whispers against my cheek. “I love you,” I whisper in return. “Come on, baby, let’s go.” I take his hand in one of mine, but I make sure I grab my pumps in the other. It feels as if I’m dragging him along. “Why won’t you speed up?” I laugh but continue walking towards the front entrance. “If I speed up, I can’t stare at your ass.” “Then you'd better stay back there,” I chuckle. Once we’re in the car, Logan pulls me into his lap. Lucas already assumed this would happen, so he sat up front. Logan and I made out like our plane was going down, and I hadn’t noticed the car had stopped until Lucas opened the back door and told us to get out. I slipped my feet into my shoes and hopped out. The party was well underway at Zac’s. He had fairy lights woven through the trees, and I could see that the sorority sluts were already drunk and hanging off the boys. Logan has my hand in his, he’s still in overprotective mode. As we make our way through the crowd, a few of the boys tried to stop us to say hi, but all Logan did was give them a polite nod as we continue to beeline through to the front entrance. “Hayley,” I hear Abby call when we find the kitchen. My gaze works the crowd until I spot her by the far wall. “I’m going to see Abb’s,” I tell Logan. He uses his hand to pull me until I’m flush against him. “Don’t go far, I don’t trust anyone with you,” he whispers into my ear, but then he catches my lobe between his teeth, my eyes close for a brief moment. “You are going to get fucked so hard later,” I whisper in return.

“Fuck this, let’s go,” he’s serious. “I’m sure you'll live for a couple of more hours,” I chuckle and turn, but he uses the hem of my skirt to hold me in place. His chin rests on my shoulder, my head moves to the side. “You’d better stop pulling on my skirt. I’m not wearing anything else underneath.” He lets go of a groan, and his fingers skim the back of my thigh. “My God,” Abby comes over and grabs my hand. “She’ll fuck you later, Logan. For now, she’s all mine.” “I’d pay to watch that,” Lucas calls, and I shake my head. Abby pulls on my arm until we reach the bench in the kitchen where the hard liquor is, and she pours me a drink. “So, how are you and Logan now? I see you have the ring on,” she points out as she hands me a glass of bourbon and Coke. Bringing it to my lips, I take a long sip. “We’re good. More than good. Now that the shit's out of the way, we can spend time focused on us,” I explain as I take another sip. “Good. Come on,” she takes my free hand in hers and leads me out to the backyard where a group of frat boys is gathered. “Oi,” Abby calls, and they turn to face us. “Be gentlemen and fuck off.” I laugh at how fast they scatter. Those boys know who I am and they know who Abby’s sleeping with. We take a seat together away from the madness. There’s girly, shitty music playing, and it’s making me cringe. “They could have better tunes,” I tell Abby. “It’s not that bad Miss, I don’t know any other artists other than Eminem and Yelawolf.” She rolls her eyes. “I don’t need to know any other music. Anyway, I have to tell you what my mother said to Lucas this afternoon,” I start as I go to take a sip of my drink. Abby rests against the back of the chair. “God, what did Toni say?” “Well, she told him to stop screwing around and it that he loves you.” Her reaction is gold. Abby spat her drink, and I thought I was going to pee

myself from laughter. “Stop laughing,” she says as she wipes her mouth with the back of her hand. “Is that why he hasn’t called me? Normally he’s the one that calls and tells me that there’s a party, but he didn’t. You did. OMG, he’s going to ignore me from now on, isn’t he?” She’s worried, and my smile is wide. “What is that fucking smile all about?” her brows bunch together. “You do love him!” I exclaim. She buries her head. “Yes, I do, but he doesn’t want that. Lucas isn’t finished sleeping around. I want him, but I won’t wait forever.” Taking a breath, I drape my arm across her shoulder. We sit and talk about the Lucas situation, but we’re interrupted soon enough. Ashleigh’s slutty followers have approached us. “What the fuck do you want?” Abby seethes as she stands in front of me, blocking me from their view. But I can take care of myself, so I do just that. I stand and gently move her aside. “So, come to finish me off?” I ask. My hands crossed at my chest. Cassandra comes a foot closer and visually takes a breath, the bitch is nervous. “I wanted to apologize. We wanted to apologize.” She throws her thumb over her shoulder to where the other followers stand. “Never would we have thought that Ashleigh was capable of doing what she did to you. We want to make peace. That’s it, pure and simple.” My gaze shifts as Logan comes up beside me, snaking his arm around my waist. “Simple, is it?” he says. Leah, one of the other followers with platinum blond hair and a barely-there dress, steps forward. “We didn’t know how twisted in the head she was.” “But you didn’t tell her to stop. You did her bidding. You treated Hayley like shit because some slut told you to. The whole lot of you are jealous, ass-sucking followers. Whether Hayley forgives you or not, is up to her. And if she does, because that’s the type of person she is, she forgives, she loves and protects with her all, it won’t be that way with me. Never will I forgive and forget. Each one of you bitches was out to get the woman I love. What did she do to you?” his voice raises. “What did she ever do to anyone of you?!” he’s yelling now, and I’m not going to stop him. He needs to let it out.

The girls all take a step back. “She didn’t do shit. She was targeted because she is with you, Logan. That’s it. We’ll get out of the way. All we wanted to do was apologize,” Leah speaks with a soft, yet scared tone. “Why not apologize straight after it happened?” his arm leaves my waist as he moves closer to them. “Why didn’t you do it straight after the surgeons had to bring her back to life, twice? Twice she died, and she never did anything to deserve it. She was a target because I love her. Because you bitches think you have some sick dibs on me. Get the fuck out of here and never speak to her again.” His hands are now by his sides, balled into fists. My feet shift forward, I rest my hands on his waist, and I see him relax. “Get out of here. Now,” it’s barely louder than a whisper, but they heard him, and they left. Logan turns and takes me in his arms. “Are you okay?” his eyes on mine. “I’m fine. I have you. They can’t hurt me anymore.” His hand cups the back of my neck as his lips come down onto mine. “I love you,” he tells me with his lips brushing against mine. My smile is wide. “Love you, too. Come on, I need a drink after that.” He kisses me once more, then pulls away. “Sit with Abb’s, I’ll go and get you one.” So I do. The rest of the night was calm, but by midnight, I was wasted. “Come on you,” Logan laughs as he pulls me up against him. My hands move under his shirt, and I run them over his abs. “Take her home and fuck her, Logan,” Abby laughs. “I plan too,” he chuckles. “You good to get home?” he asks her as I move my hands around to his back. “I’ll make sure she gets home safe,” Lucas says as he comes out of nowhere. My drunken gaze shifts to Abby, and she seems taken back. “What, you didn’t find a whore to fuck, so I’ll do?” My eyes widen. I know she’d had a few drinks,

but that was blatant for her. She always plays along, but not tonight. Logan holds me a little tighter as we watch the scene unfold. We won't leave until we know she will have a safe ride home. Yes, Lucas offered, but I'm not sure she'll let him take care of her. Lucas shakes his head. “I didn’t try to pick anyone up. Come on, let me get you home safely. I’ve already called a cab. If you want, I’ll drop you off at your door and head straight back to Toni’s.” “Shit,” I say under my breath, and Logan knows what I mean. I don’t know what Logan said to Lucas while I was in the shower, but shit just got real. I can feel it. Her eyes meet mine, and she knows what’s going to happen. They’re going to have 'the talk.' “I’ll go with Lucas. You go home and fuck him senseless. I’ll call you tomorrow,” she says as she stands and hugs me goodbye. Once Logan has said his goodbyes to the boys, we headed home. The house is silent, and mom isn’t home. The second we’re in the door, I climb up him, his hands on my ass, keeping me against him. Logan races us up the stairs, kicking the bedroom door closed behind us, and in that time, his lips never left mine. I unwrap my legs from around his torso until my feet hit the floor. I need to get his clothes off, now. As I grab the hem of his shirt, his eyes catch mine. “You are so fucking sexy,” he whispers as he leans in, his lips finding mine again. Forgetting about the shirt, my hands move to the button on his jeans, and I pop it. I rip down the zip and push them down along with his boxers, and his shirt is next to hit the floor. Logan turns me around and undoes the button that keeps the blouse on. Other than that, and my skirt, I have nothing else on. When I was getting changed before heading to the party, I knew I’d want him to have fast, and easy access to me. Once they’re piled on top of his clothing, his lips are on my neck, his arms around my waist.

Again, he turns me to face him, and when he does, his mouth crashes down onto mine. I don’t want him to make love to me, I want sex, the kind you have on a one-night stand. He must sense my urgency because he picks me up and presses my back against the wall. I don’t need foreplay, I just need him. As his hand lifts my thigh, he thrust up and into me, causing me to lose my breath. “Shit,” I tense. “You okay?” he asks against my lips. “More,” I breathe, and he does as he’s told. He thrusts a few more times before taking us over to the bed, where he lays me out before him. Leaning over me, he thrusts harder and faster. Each time he pushes inside me, I come and closer to my climax. My legs wrap tightly around him, my lips on his shoulder. Desperately, I want to kiss him, but I’m out of air. As he keeps fucking me, I murmur, “Shit” I breathe heavily as my body is pushed over the edge. Logan is thrusting harder and harder until my body begins to shudder. His grip tightens on me his thrusts continue deeper still, and I feel his body tremble with mine. He tells me how much he loves me, and he relaxes on top of me. I love his weight, I love how it feels, it's as if I’m protected by the world when he lays on me this way.

WE DID END UP MAKING love, soon after and Logan took his time, but while he spoons me afterward, I ask, “What was with Lucas and Abby before?” I press a kiss to his arm. “When you came up to shower and change,” he pulls his arm out from under me. He rolls me on my back so he can look me in the eyes, “Which holy hell, you looked so fucking hot. If you hadn’t been stuck in the house for a month and you didn’t have cabin fever, I would have brought you straight up to bed.” I chuckle because he's so serious. “Don’t laugh, every time I saw you tonight I was sporting a semi, it was killing me. When those bitches went up to you, I was just about to pick you up and take you into the bathroom. Don’t get me wrong, it’s hard to watch you and not do anything about when we’re out, but you were and are drop dead fucking gorgeous.” His lips are back on mine, and he's hungry for more and now, so am I. After another romp in the sheets, I catch my breath and gaze up at him. “We’re hopeless,” I laugh. His hand cups my cheek. “Hopeless and in love. What could be better?” My smile widens, “Absolutely nothing.” I press my lips to his and then ask, “So, what did you say to Lucas while I was showering?” He blinks a couple of times as if he’s in a daze. “Oh, yeah. He does love her, you and your mom were right about that. I told him Abby wouldn’t wait around forever, and that she's hot to a lot of guys at school. We both know how many offers she’s knocked back waiting for him. I also told him the clock was ticking. He needs to figure it out, all of it before she’s gone from his life.” My hand rakes through his hair. “I hope they work it out, I don’t want to lose the one friend I trust because he's an idiot.” Logan nods in agreement. “I also told him how you'd be put in the middle, and he agreed that you don’t need that stress.” My smile widens. “Thank you.” “I love my brother, but you, you, I want safe and happy. That’s my priority.”

WHEN LOGAN FELL ASLEEP, I slipped out of bed. I was exhausted, but my mother was here, she was trying to be a mom to me, so I wanted to help her by going through the papers Gary the private investigator had sent over. My head began to pound from reading and from staying up so late. I was huddled on the floor in front of the bed my lamp is the only light. While I'm on the finishing end, I jump when Logan’s feet appear by my side. I didn’t even hear him move. “Baby, what are you doing?” he asks as he lowers himself behind me, his legs spread out on either side of mine. “I wanted to have a system. Something so the lawyer didn’t waste time. I want him out of my life. I want him gone for good.” I take a long deep breath and let it go. Henry hates the man I love. He was never here to see me, he didn’t care about me. It hurt me to know that the man that doted over me when I was just a small child had cut me out of his life. “What system do you have set up?” I can hear that he's still tired. My head turns to look at him. “Go back to bed. You’re exhausted.” He presses a kiss to my temple. “If I help you, then it can be done quicker, and you can sleep too. Come on, talk me through it.” He gives me one more kiss, and we get to work. He was right, with him helping, it halved the work, and just half an hour later, I was wrapped up in his arms, and I closed my eyes.

Chapter Ten Hayley Late that morning, Logan hopped into the shower with me, and when we finally emerged, we got dressed and headed for the kitchen. I needed some bacon, fast. Logan sits at the counter reading the sports section, and I turn when I hear voices. Very familiar voices. When I see that Lucas and Abby are holding hands, I try to hide my smile. Normally, they act as friends the morning after, but whatever was said between them after Logan, and I left the party last night, changed their whole dynamic. “Morning,” I chirp. “You two hungry?” I turn back to focus on the bacon and eggs, but my smile was wide. “Starving,” they answer in unison. When I go to move towards the fridge, Logan had beaten me to it. Our eyes caught one another’s, and we smile, but we manage to regain our composure when he brought the rest of the bacon and eggs over to the stove. “Thanks,” he leans in and kisses me. “Do you two ever stop being cute?” That came from my mom. “Nope,” I call in return. Throughout breakfast, I would catch Lucas and Abby smiling shyly at each other, and it was adorable. Personally, I’d never seen Lucas look at anyone the way he was looking at her. “So, mom,” her gaze meets mine. “Would you like me to call your lawyer for you? I think we should get a jump on things before Henry catches wind of the divorce that’s imminent.” I push my plate away, but Logan pulls it back. “Eat,” he orders.

Rolling my eyes, I do as I’m told. “I can call him. I’ll have him come out to the house,” my mother answers, then I see take in a breath. “Are you okay?” I’m so worried about her. Even though Henry could take everything from her, I feel like she chose me over him and I feel loved. I feel as if she wants to be my mother again, something I welcome with open arms. “I’m good.” She moves her attention to Lucas, and I hold back my laugh, but I nudge Logan’s knee under the table. When he looks up, my eyes shoot to where my mother sits, and when I gaze back at him, I can see that he too is holding back laughter. “So, Lucas,” she begins. “Are you going to stop whoring around and focus just on Abby?” I choke on the forkful of eggs I’d been chewing on. Logan patted my back, but I can see that he’s barely holding himself together. It’s nice to not be the center of attention. “Yep,” my eyes shoot to where Lucas sits at the end of the Island. “No fucking way?!” I blurt, and I hear Logan laugh. “Yep,” he repeats. “You two,” his finger waves between my mother and me, “need to help me out if I fuck up.” “When you fuck up,” I correct. He waves me off, “Whatever, you need to keep the yelling to a minimum and just tell me how I fucked up and how I can fix it. Agreed?” he asks and we reluctantly agree. “I know I will,” his arm moves around Abby, and he pulls her closer to him, “But I haven’t done the only one girl thing before, like, ever, so please be gentle with me?” He then leans in and kisses Abby’s cheek. “I promise to help you, but the yelling will come if you fuck up really bad, okay? You also need to that Abby is my best friend, which gives me the right and privilege to rip your balls off if you hurt her.” I stare him down until he nods. “Good. Now, I will wash up and bring the files down.” As I go to stand, my mother stops me, “What files, sweetheart?”

Shit! I forgot about the files. “Oh, Logan and I went through everything Greg sent over and boxed them up under different categories. Cheating, arrests, bankruptcy, and the rest. I thought it would make it easier for you and your lawyer to go through.” I shrug. I want this divorce to be as quick as possible. Logan interjects. “I didn’t do shit. I woke at four this morning and when she wasn’t in bed. I found her huddled up on the floor with her lamp putting it all into different categories. She’s barely slept, Toni.” He’s worried about me. Fuck, I love him. “I’m fine, really.” But as I go to gather the plates, Abby slaps my hand. “What the hell was that for?” I turn to face her. “I’ll do the clean-up. Logan, take her to her room and make her lie down,” she orders Logan. “What the hell? I'm all right, yes I’m tired, but that’s it.” I throw my hands up. They keep babying me, and as much as I love the fact that they care, it’s starting to drive me a little crazy. Abby stands, “It was only six weeks ago, that you were stabbed. Six weeks ago you died on the operating table. Twice. Get your ass up those stairs so you can get back to beating your lap times in the pool. Please,” she takes my hand in hers, “Just go and rest.” My features soften. “For you,” I say, and she smiles. Logan closes the bedroom door behind us and spoons me in bed. “God, I wish you people would ease up on me. I know what happened, I know how long ago it was, but I hate being reminded,” I whisper. I hate knowing that someone out there wanted me dead. I hated the fact that because I fell in love, I became a target. “We’re worried about you. We love you so of course, every single one of us is going to look out for you. Stop taking it as an insult. If we didn’t care, we wouldn’t look out for you.” His hand moves to my hip, and he pulls me until I’m on my back. He hovers over me. Worry is the only emotion I can see on his beautiful face. “Fuck, I love you. You are the only one for me. You are going to be the mother of my children. The grandmother to my grandchildren. I need you to heal. I need you with me. It's us, baby. That’s it. No one else gets a look in.”

he kisses me and lingers there for a moment. He knows my eyes are filled with tears. He wants me to be the mother of his children. He’s all in, and I feel his mouth etch up into a grin. “I love you,” is all I can say. There’s a lump forming in my throat. “Now, let me sleep.” And that’s exactly what I do.

OVER THE NEXT MONTH, my mom, Logan, Lucas, and Abby, and I all band together to dig up dirt on my father and there was so much of it. He hadn’t tried ing my mother or me directly if there was anything he needed to ask, he used his lawyer to converse with us. We found out he was living in a hotel in the middle of Manhattan, and that he had another woman. We were trying to find out the stranger's identity, and when we found out that she was in fact, a whore, my mother went into meltdown. She canceled his cards, and then came another blow. It turned out that the person embezzling money from the restaurants located in New Zealand was my own father. He knew that the shit was about to hit the fan so he set up an offshore and continuously wired money between the s. It turns out, he managed to take more than four million and change. Even with the cards canceled, he still had money to live, for now.

A COURT DATE HAS BEEN set, and Ashleigh has kept her distance. School has been so much easier now that she’s gone. The other girls listened to Logan and have kept their distance. I laughed when they saw us the other day in the cafeteria, they quickly turned and ran in the opposite direction. Tomorrow is our very last day of school before embarking on the new chapters of our lives. Some people look forward to that day, but not me. It means that we are one step closer to being separated for months at a time.

THE MORNING OF GRADUATION, Logan wakes me with a kiss on my naked shoulder, and I turn in his arms until I’m facing him. “Good morning, baby,” he whispers, before leaning in pressing a kiss to my lips. “Morning,” I whisper in return before letting him take me, again. When we’ve finished showering, and I’ve changed into a pair of skinny black jeans and a sheer white blouse, I take Logan’s hand in mine, and we make our way down to the kitchen where we find my mother at the stove cooking up a storm. When she turns and sees us, she smiles. “I’m so proud of you both. I cannot believe that today is graduation. I swear, Hayley, you are still a little girl in my mind,” she then comes around the counter and takes me in her arms. “I love you, my girl,” I can already hear that she’s choking up. I hope she isn’t planning on spending the whole day crying. I don’t have the energy for that. As we sit down at the breakfast bar, and my mother has loaded up plates of greasy food, mom’s phone rings. When she moves to the bench, she says, “Hmm, I don’t know that number, but it’s a New York number. It’s probably your father,” she says as she rolls her eyes, but my mother is a kind woman and swipes the screen and puts it to her ear. “Hello,” she starts. Silence. “Yes, that’s me. What’s happened? Why are you calling me?” My stomach begins to turn. “No,” she cries. But when I see her falter, I race around the breakfast bar and manage to catch her in my arms before she could hit the floor. Logan’s right behind me. He takes the phone and puts it on speaker. It’s a man that’s on the other end, “I’m very sorry to tell you over the phone, but

we need you to come to Manhattan to identify your husband’s body.” My eyes feel like they’re going to pop out of my head. My mind is foggy. I know Logan’s explaining the situation, but my body is numb. I can’t move an inch, so I stay seated on the floor, lost in my thoughts.

Book Two- Will be out mid 2021!

Read Chapter 1 Now!

Chapter One Hayley The last week has been the week from hell. From the very second I found out my father had taken his own life, I’ve been trying to find distractions, jobs to keep me busy. There's been so much to do, considering my mom has been in a state of shock since that dreaded phone call we received letting us know my father, Henry, had hanged himself in a rundown hotel room on the other side of the country in New York. She has no concept of time, and it’s beginning to frustrate me to no end. Of course, Logan has been nothing short of perfect. He’s helped deal with the comings and goings of friends and distant family to the house, and he’s made sure they've all left me alone when I need some quiet time. Dealing with humans isn’t something I want to be involved with right now, because each visitor that walks into the house has the same thing to say about the monster I called dad for so many years. It’s all, ‘I’m so sorry, for your loss. Henry was such a good man, he’ll be missed,’ and it’s taken everything I have in me to not tell them all to fuck right off and that the perfect Henry was nothing but a cheating thief. The prick killed himself because he knew we were going to discover the fact that he had been funneling money from my mother's multimillion dollar corporation. He was a putrid piece of scum. Henry was a thorn in my side when he would voice his asshole opinion on my relationship with Logan. He hated the man I love. He banned me from having with him, of course, I never complied, but the comments alone made me despise him. When the house is crowded, I know I can get the peace I need up in my bedroom when things become overwhelming. The only people that have access to my bedroom are Logan, his twin (fraternal, not identical) brother Lucas, and my best friend, Abby, who is also dating Lucas. That relationship is very new. The pair of them had been fuck buddies for months, and in the beginning, there were no feelings shared, but over time, Abby

grew to love Lucas. We knew there were feelings on Lucas's side too, but until both Logan and my mother Toni had butted in telling him to stop being a whore, to wake the fuck up and figure out what he wanted because Abby wasn't going to wait around forever, that he, very recently, decided to give the whole relationship thing a go. So far so good, but I’m sure it won’t be long before Lucas fucks it all up. He’s good at that. On the morning of the funeral, I decided I wouldn't be attending. I was exhausted, and I didn’t want to have to listen to a stranger talk about the vile man I called dad. Humans tend to glorify the dead, they always have, and they always will, but I’m the exception. If a person was an asshole while they were alive, then they should be ed as an asshole when they're dead. As I lay snuggled up in my bed, refusing to get up, I turn my head when I hear the door open, and I soon see the man I love pop his head inside. His beautiful face fills my heart with love, and I cannot help but feel lucky, lucky to have him in my life. Lucky that he loves me just as much as I love him. Logan slips into the room, and I just stare at him. Here I am, an utter mess, still wearing my sweatpants and a t-shirt, and he looks like he was on the cover of GQ magazine. He’s wearing dark wash jeans with a black t-shirt that shows off his muscles, and his blonde hair is still wet from the shower he took as I was waking up. And all I want to do is fuck him, like the horny bitch I am when he’s around. Logan’s touch always helps me forget about the world around us, and I will always love him for that. “You’re awake,” he asks surprised as he closes the door behind him, he then takes a seat on the edge of the bed. “I am, but I’m still tired, I just want to go back to sleep,” I return. Going back to sleep will help me deal with today, but what happens tomorrow? I know I can’t swipe everything under the carpet in a bid to forget, but I want to. Reaching up, he cups my cheek in his hand, and I lean into his touch. “The funeral starts in an hour. You need to start getting ready, babe. Let’s get this

funeral over and done with so we can move forward with our lives,” he tells me as he comes in and kisses me. Hoping to distract him, my mouth opens for him, inviting him in, and I run my tongue along his, but he isn’t playing along. Pulling away, his bright blue eyes meet mine, and he’s wearing a sad smile. “I know what you’re doing, and as much as I’d love to finish this, we do need to get ready. Your mom, Abby, and Lucas are waiting downstairs for us. Do you know what you’re wearing? I can lay it out for you while you freshen up,” he offers only making me love him more. “You are perfect, and I hate to disappoint, but I’m not going. Deep down, I know I won’t have any regrets if I don’t attend the funeral because the man was a pig. He treated me like shit, babe. Why should I go and celebrate his fucking shit of a life?” I just can’t do it. I cannot sit there and pretend to be sad when I’m not. I'm angry, not sad. Kissing my cheek, he tells me, “I get it, I do, but I think your mom needs you there. Please, try for her. You don’t need to be there for him, but I know Toni would appreciate you going with her, and I’ll be there, right by your side. Whatever you need, you can count on me. Whether it be playing interference, or just holding you through it, I’ll be there. I can promise you that,” he whispers as he leans back in and presses his perfect lips to mine. As much as I don’t want to go, I know he’s right. I know my mother will need me one way or another, and I also know she too has mixed feelings over my father’s death. The man stole her money, he was sleeping around on her, before his death, Lucas and Logan had uncovered the affair after catching him at the airport with his hand on another woman’s ass. Damn, anything could happen at this funeral, and I don’t think I'd want to miss it if something does go down. “Fine. But I’m not talking to anyone, and the first person that gives me the head tilt and says, ‘You doing okay?’ will be the first person I punch. Got it?” That is non-negotiable. I will scream from the mountain tops at the asshole's last goodbye, that he was a prick that hated his daughter. That he threatened to take the love of my life away from me simply because they didn’t get along. Chuckling, Logan tells me, “Got it. If you need to hit someone, I’ll be sure to have the lawyers on speed dial.”

“That’s all I ask.”