Chapter 16
SABBY
A fter seven days of hectic schedules with her sister coming in and out at odd times, Sabby had to admit to herself that she was tired. Jess had tried not to disrupt things, and had done her best not to wake her sister up when she'd come back late or leave massively early.
But that didn't mean much, as Jess had always been a bit of a door slammer. Jess Adams didn't enter or leave a room as much as erupt in and out of them. So Sabby had gotten woken up multiple times throughout the week.
So Sabby was looking forward to some peace and quiet. Jess might be out late, trying her luck in a local college town, but Sabby knew her sister's love of the gym would keep her from straying too far.
The alley was quiet for a Friday afternoon, but she expected that to change as her shift continued.
Even if the people from Cranked Company were ditching post to scatter on a long weekend, there were still locals and the normal Friday night crew who'd be coming in to roll some games, play some pool, and more.
But she was happily surprised as four o'clock came around and the front door opened... and Logan Goodman strolled in.
"Logan!" Sabby exclaimed, and his smile helped heal the tension inside her.
He was dressed more casually, in exercise shorts and a University of Miami t-shirt that made him look more like a beach boy than a rocker.
He was still devastatingly handsome, though, his hair a little longer and a hint of stubble making him look. ..
Well, panty-dropping sexy.
"Hey." Logan came over and sat down in the same stool he'd been in before.
He looked different, brighter and more casual, but also a little pensive.
Sabby couldn't help but wonder what was going through his mind, but at the same time took heart from the fact he was there, and he was clearly nervous about the conversation they were about to have.
"Long time no see," he started, rubbing his hands together nervously. "Sorry about that."
"No, I uh... I heard about what happened," Sabby said softly, her gut churning with emotions. "I didn't expect you back after that. Um, are you okay?"
"Yeah," Logan said with a soft laugh.
The same sexy chuckle that again made Sabby feel little butterflies in her stomach. He was still nervous, but he wasn't running out the door yet. She took hope from that.
"I've felt like crap not coming by though. I just wish I could have gotten your number before I left that night. And I wasn't sure if I could call the alley without, you know, causing trouble."
"No, I get that," Sabby said. "I had the same thought about calling the front desk at the barracks. So do you have time to get a number now?"
Logan grinned and pulled out his phone, tapping at the screen for a few moments.
"There we are. Part of why I forgot was that when I was going through training at Benning I figured I didn't need a cell phone.
It made no sense to keep paying for one, a phone card to call from the public phones in the barracks was cheaper, so I let my plan lapse.
Moving here, coverage with my old company sucked.
Shopping around I upgraded my phone, and got a new number in the meantime. "
Logan turned his phone around, and Sabby grabbed a pen and paper from the register, copying the number down.
"Can't keep my phone on me while working," Sabby explained before picking up Logan's phone and dialing.
She let it ring, and from behind her in the staff room she heard an echoed ring from her phone.
The alley really was that dead. She grinned as handed the phone back to Logan. "But that's me."
"I'll save it now," Logan said as Sabby handed it back. He typed away for a few seconds, and put his phone back in his pocket. "So uh... yeah. The situation."
"Yeah, you said everything's okay," Sabby asked worriedly. "What happened?"
"Unofficially? Let's just say the lieutenant got in trouble for how badly he messed up that ambush. He wasn't going to risk making things worse by pursuing it. Some higher-ups stepped in."
"Well that's good then," Sabby said, relieved. "Just be careful, they often ask for repayment. Buona sera and all that."
"Maybe, but the price was worth it," Logan said, his eyes softening as he gazed at her. "Especially since it means I get to come back here now... to see you."
Sabby blushed lightly, touched. "So are you going to stick around a bit? I've got nachos, fresh out of the microwave."
Logan laughed. "Of course. Actually, I swung by as soon as I was able to get out of uniform because I figured since things are clear on the investigation side, I needed to find out a few things. Your phone number's one. So that's taken care of."
"It is," Sabby conceded, grinning. "And what were the other things you needed to find out?"
Logan leaned in, grinning. "Second, I wanted to find out your schedule.
I figure half of the problems I had were because I decided to chat you up while you were working.
Let's be candid, things would have been a lot smoother the other night if we could have just bounced after the first time I butted heads with Lieutenant Dickhead.
So I put all my brains and education to the task, and figured that if I found out your schedule, that'd be a good thing.
That way I can ask you out on a proper date. "
Sabby felt her face flush, but smiled. "Well, today I worked an opening shift, so I get off in about three hours. So what do you say? Think you've got some time tonight?"
Logan nodded, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled. "I'd say I wouldn't mind picking you up. What time and where?"
"How about here around six thirty?" Sabby replied, thinking quickly. "I mean, unless you want me to get all dolled up or something?"
Logan laughed. "I like you just the way you are. But I think I probably need to shower, shave, and pick out a better outfit. No offense, we don't quite match."
Sabby looked down at her outfit, a goth black 'princess' dress with striped white and black stockings that just screamed 'cute Wednesday Addams,' although her upper body was covered with an alley uniform shirt.
She wore it most shifts she wasn't singing karaoke simply to keep things chill.
Looking at Logan, she shrugged. "I don't care, really.
I mean, I liked the black jeans last time, but you don't have to. "
"Yeah I do," Logan assured her. "Don't worry, nothing fancy, I don't have anything fancy. But shorts and a U t-shirt won't work. So I'll see you in a couple of hours?"
"Looking forward to it." Sabby watched as Logan left.
As soon as he was gone she hurried to the break room and got her phone.
She hadn't lied, it was a violation of alley policy to have her phone while working, but it was a minor issue.
There were no other customers in the alley, and anyone who did come in would be within earshot.
Besides, she was due a break anyway.
Quickly, she texted her sister.
*Hey, I've got a date tonight. Do you mind?*
*No prob. Why?*
That was a good question. Sabby still hadn't told Jess about the connection between the three of them.
The shameful truth was, she'd chickened out time and time again when she should have just fessed up to her sister about the situation.
But ignoring it wasn't going to make it go away, and now that Sabby had accepted Logan's offer for a date, it definitely wasn't something that could be swept under the rug.
*I've got the car, and he's picking me up here. Think you can swing by to pick it up? I hate leaving it here overnight.*
*Yeah, sure. Gimmie some time to walk over.*
Sabby waited, setting one guy up with shoes and a lane and getting some sodas for others before Jess walked in, looking casual herself in some workout shorts and a tank top with sports bra underneath.
"Hey, thought you were going to get a date?" Sabby asked. "Or are you recuperating first?"
"Nah, just decided that maybe it's time to try for something more than just a hookup," Jess admitted. "I mean, I'm thinking I'd like to actually have more of a connection than just scissoring."
Sabby smiled, nodding. "That's good. Not saying you aren't one hot muscle mommy, but you're more than that, too."
"Well let's see how I feel after a few weeks of celibacy because I'm looking for a real relationship," Jess said with a laugh. "Speaking of which, this guy you're going out with... cas or a real date?"
"I think real," Sabby said before clearing her throat. "Um, about that... you know the guy."
"You better not be talking about Brian Manheim," Jess said warningly. "We talked about him."
"No!" Sabby winced. "Good god no! Brian's a good guy, and if he wants to date I'm sure there's some woman who'll make him happy again, but that woman isn't me."
"Okay, then who is it?"
Sabby took a deep breath. "Hollywood. I was the girl at the alley that was getting picked on, and Logan was the guy who stood up for me. Please don't be mad, I didn't know he was under your command at the time and he doesn't even know my last name yet! I have to tell him I know but... I'm sorry."
It all came out as one long spiel, with barely a pause in between words. By the end she was panting, having used all the oxygen in her lungs to power out the last few words, and she expected Jess to flip out.
Instead, Jess leaned in, looking her in the eye. "You two had sex."
Sabby swallowed, catching her breath, and nodded. "Yeah. It was totally unplanned though. I mean, he was trying to be nice, helping me clean up after my shift and he took out the garbage when that jerk LT started trouble."
"And hormones and instinct took over," Jess finished, and Sabby nodded. "Who started it with who?"
"Oh, the lieutenant totally threw the first punch, Logan was trying to walk away until the last second."
"That isn't what I meant."
"Oh," Sabby replied, blinking. She'd never talked about sex like this with her sister before, usually their talk was more 'girl talk banter' than anything serious.
"Um, really mutual. Like, fifty-fifty for sure.
And he was really respectful about it. He even asked me if I wanted to go further, and my response was the pool table's open. "
Jess groaned, and for a moment she thought her sister was going to be mad. But after a moment she realized that Jess's shoulders were shaking and her sister was only holding back a smirk by the skin of her teeth. "You're not mad?"
"I'm dying of the cringe," Jess groaned in reply, and Sabby let out a sigh of relief. "The pool table? Seriously, is this a Bon Jovi video or something?"
"More Whitesnake than Bon Jovi," Sabby teased back, breathing freely now. "Just so you know, we're safe. I'm clean as a whistle and he wore protection."
"Glad those weekend safety briefs don't go wasted," Jess muttered, and Sabby chuckled.
"Anyway, he came in today to ask me out and get my number," she explained, "and I said yes. We're going out tonight right after my shift. So he must want another chance to actually get to know me."
"Or he just wants that incomparable Adams delight.” Jess grinned wolfishly. "The powers of which are known to enchant men and women alike."
Sabby rolled her eyes, feeling totally cool and relaxed with her sister again. "I thought that was your tongue."
Jess laughed, and Sabby felt like things were back to normal with her sister. "I won't deny I'm a cunning linguist. So where are you two going?"
"Dunno. I just said be casual and relaxed, because I wasn't sure about going home to change clothes for this," Sabby said. "Um, about that... you seem okay with me seeing him. Why? Two weeks ago if I'd said I'd hooked up with Logan, you'd have put me on a bus to California or something."
Jess chuckled. "Two reasons. One, it's your damn life, and how someone is as a soldier doesn't mean shit about them as a boyfriend. But on that note, let's just say that Hollywood's starting to improve and show what he's made of. Remember that ambush I told you about the other day?"
"You mean the one where you guys housed the entire platoon without anyone in your team even getting hit?
" Sabby asked, and Jess nodded. "Yeah, just like, a hundred times.
You came in the house practically doing a victory dance and declaring your victory to the entire neighborhood.
I even know what 'traveling overwatch' means because of all of that. "
"Hollywood was the planner," Jess said simply.
Sabby gawked. "What?"
"He was saying that the ambush also may have gotten him off the hook on what happened here, too," Sabby said. "Something about the El-Tee Mafia?"
Jess nodded sagely, unsurprised. "That sounds like something that could happen. They definitely don't want drama when one of their own's looking like that ate up piece of trash. Lieutenant Parker likes him, and after that show out at the ambush... yeah, you can go out with him. Just do me a favor."
"What's that?"
"Make sure he walks you to the door tonight," Jess said. "I want to see his face when he realizes who's sister he's dating."
Sabby thought about it, and nodded. It was a devious little twist to the end of the night, but innocent enough. And it'd be a fun way to break the news to Logan, provided he didn't have a heart attack and drop dead on the lawn. "Sure, why not? Sounds like fun."
* * *