Chapter 26
Sweat ran down Logan’s face and into his eyes, but he didn’t stop punching the speed bag. He needed this release, this physical outlet for all the emotional shit pent up inside him.
He could see the way Gemma touched her stomach, the look of awe on her features before he walked into the room. But once he stepped inside, her hand flew away and her expression became shuttered.
She didn’t want him to know she was pregnant.
He punched harder, the speed bag coming faster with each swing. Maybe she was telling the truth and she just needed some time to think.
God knows he did. But she knew about the baby and chose not to tell him, which made him fear she had no intention of telling him at all.
Was she going to keep it?
She was career focused. She didn’t plan on having any kids because she didn’t think she could have any. He couldn’t assume that an unplanned pregnancy would change any of that, no matter how much he wanted to believe it would.
The muscles of his shoulders were burning and he pushed himself harder, needing to feel something besides the pain of this lingering doubt.
Should he give her space, give her some time to think? Or should he go over there and tell her how he felt, tell her he desperately wanted her to keep their baby. Keep her in his life.
Cowboy walked into the gym. “First you train on AK-47s, then basic explosives and martial arts, now this. What’s next, Doc? You going to earn your swim fins?”
“I don’t need to be a fucking SEAL. You fools would be dead in the water without me.” He hit the speed bag with a burst of force that left it flying in his wake.
This conversation with Cowboy was long overdue. He’d been avoiding it for so long, but now it was just another avenue to release the stress inside him—a punching bag he could hit. “If I’m going to stay with HERO Force, some things need to change.”
“I’m listening.”
“I may not be a SEAL, but I bring a lot to the table and I’m sick and tired of being treated like a fucking kid. That isn’t how you and me are going to work. Either you open your eyes and acknowledge that I’m goddamn useful around here, or I’m off the team.”
He was ready for a fight. Ready to force his hand, ready for battle. Or he’d walk away if this son-of-a-bitch couldn’t see he was worthy.
Cowboy narrowed his eyes. “Maybe you’re right.”
“You bet your ass I’m right.”
“I’m not used to you being on the front lines. I’m not used to you being capable.”
“I was always capable, Leo. I just hung back and let you guys patronize me, because I thought you were better than me. But those days are done. I looked up to you, but now I know that’s bullshit, and I’m not willing to work for a company that thinks I’m less-than everybody else.”
Cowboy stared at him for what seemed a long time before reaching out and touching his shoulder. “It’s about time, Doc. I’ve been waiting for you to stand up for yourself, though I’ve got to say, I didn’t understand I was part of the problem. I’m sorry about that.”
“It’s all right.”
“We’ll make some changes.”
Logan nodded, wiping away the sweat from his eyes. “Good.”
Jax walked into the exercise room. “Question for you, Doc. Where does Cole’s death leave the lawsuit? Does it die with him?”
“Legally, it passes to his heir, but I don’t think he has one. If that’s the case it will be dismissed.”
Cowboy screwed up one side of his face. “You know way too much shit.”
“That’s why he’s a good guy to have around,” said Jax. “Well, that and saving my ass from a burning building.”
“Doc here wants more responsibility,” said Cowboy.
Jax turned and walked away, calling over his shoulder, “About fucking time.”
Cowboy looked at Logan with a smirk. “Told you.”
Logan shook his head and went back to punching the speed bag. “You guys are fucking nuts.”
“You want to tell me whose ass you’re kicking over there, Doc?
“Not especially.”
“Faraday seems like a real good woman.”
Logan glared at Cowboy, who pretended not to notice.
“Something happen between you two?” Cowboy asked.
“I have an idea,” said Logan. “How about you and I discuss the finer points of your relationship with Charlotte?”
Cowboy turned on his heel. “Never mind.”
“Hang on there, brother. I think this is a fine idea. You’ve been dating my sister for what, almost six months now?”
“Seven.”
“And she moved in with you about a hot week after the cruise.”
“Yep.”
Logan got his rhythm going again, the speed bag bouncing hard between its platform and Logan’s alternating fists. “Guess I’m just wondering what your intentions are toward my sister, Leo.”
“You ate fucking grumpy flakes for breakfast this morning, didn’t you?”
“Didn’t seem to bother you until I changed the topic.”
“Charlotte and I are happy just the way things are.”
Logan stopped punching and turned to Cowboy. “You’re not going to marry her?”
“Not that it’s any of your business, but she doesn’t want to get married.”
“Bullshit. She married Rick.”
“Exactly. She married Rick, and look how that turned out.”
“Son of a bitch. You can’t convince her?”
“I meant what I said. We’re happy together.”
“You don’t know her like I do. She’s broken inside. That loser made her think she was worthless.”
Cowboy nodded. “I know that, too. But I treat her like the most important person in the world, because that’s just what she is to me. Nothing would make me happier than making her my wife, but the idea doesn’t make her happy at all. Not much I can do about that.”
Logan cursed under his breath and took off his boxing gloves. “I’m sorry, man. I just assumed you were dragging your feet.”
“And you wanted to beat somebody up. I get it. But maybe you should go talk to Gemma instead of throwing rocks at everybody else’s windows.”