27. Savannah
TWENTY-SEVEN
SAVANNAH
After our first-place win, I’m feeling optimistic. Not too much because that would be crazy, but I start to feel like maybe we actually do have a shot at the Olympics. Max and I are good skaters. There’s no denying that. We just have to be a little better than everyone else.
The confidence boost I get from Logan when he tells me how amazing I am every time I skate off the ice doesn’t hurt either. If Logan Sokolov, one of the greatest skaters in the world, believes in me, then I should believe in me, too.
Two weeks after our win, it feels like things have gotten back to normal.
Max is his usually goofy self, and whatever was going on with him during the competition seems to be over.
I tried to talk to him about it when we got home, but he said everything was fine.
If he doesn’t want to talk to me, that’s fine.
I’m not going to keep pushing him unless it starts affecting his skating, which, at the moment, it’s not.
After practice, Logan waits for me by the locker room.
I can’t remember the last time we didn’t spend an evening together.
All of my spare time goes to him, something I never thought I would allow.
I realize that before Logan, I didn’t have anyone I wanted to give my spare time to.
Now that I have him, I can’t imagine not spending all my time together.
“Come to dinner tonight? My aunt is making pasta, and my mom has been asking to see you again.”
“Ok.” It’s a no-brainer for me because I want to be where he is.
I haven’t been to his house since we became… more. Not that anything is really different, but I guess I feel a bit more nervous.
Logan holds my hand as we walk into his house.
That’s his thing. Little touches here and there.
If he can hold my hand, he does. If he can kiss me on my forehead or my hand, he does it.
I’ll notice his hand on my lower back occasionally or his heavy palm resting on my thigh while we’re sitting.
He always wants to be touching me. As someone who isn’t usually a fan of touching, I’m surprised how much I enjoy it.
It’s like a small reminder that he wants to be as close to me as he can.
The house smells delicious when we walk in.
Reminds me of when my mom used to cook big family dinners on the off chance that everyone was home.
It’s been a while since I’ve seen my mom and dad, and I know I should really make an effort to check in on them more.
I think they got so tired of me declining their invites that they stopped asking. I don’t blame them.
“Mom, you remember my girlfriend, Savannah?” Logan says, once we’re in the kitchen. It’s stupid how happy it makes me to hear him call me his girlfriend.
His mom looks up from the counter, and her face lights up. It’s almost comical how big her smile is. Even Logan laughs.
“I do remember her!”
She comes around the corner and wraps me in a hug. “It’s good to see you again, Natalia.”
She pulls back and squeezes my arm as her eyes go from me to Logan. “I’m so glad you could make it, Savannah.”
“Thanks for the invite.”
“You’re always welcome here. Logan, grab you and Savannah a drink and then set the table, would you?”
“Yes, Mom.”
Logan gets us both water, and I follow him into the dining room. Once all the plates are set, Anya brings a giant pot of pasta out, followed by garlic bread and a salad. I skip the bread and fill my plate with pasta and salad.
Logan tells Natalia and Anya about his day, and they ask me how everything is going this season, even though I imagine they already know.
I know Logan keeps them updated. He admitted to sending his mom some of our training videos for her to see.
He mostly wanted her input, but I also think she misses skating and coaching, and the videos give her something to look forward to. I like that he does that for her.
After dinner, Logan does the dishes while Natalia asks me to sit outside with her. It’s chillier out now than it was the last time I was here, so she hands me one of Logan’s jackets before we go outside. She starts up the fire pit and takes a seat next to me.
“Savannah, I wanted to thank you,” she says.
“For what?”
“You’ve given Logan so much over the last few months. It’s been… a while since I’ve seen him smile the way he does when he talks about you.”
“Oh.” I feel the blush creep up on my cheeks, but hopefully she can’t see it in the dim sunlight.
“I’ve been so worried about him. He wasn’t himself after my first cancer diagnosis, and then when it returned, I thought I’d never get my son back again. I was more worried for him than I was for myself. As a mother, all I want is for my son to be happy and have a good life.
“When he retired last season, I felt like a failure. I didn’t want him to do it, but he made the decision on his own. It hurt my heart to see him give up something he loved because of me.”
“He doesn’t regret it,” I inform her. He’s told me so many times that he’d make the same decision again, even knowing that the outcome would be the same.
“I know. That’s the thing about Logan. He has such a big heart. He knew he wanted to be with me through this journey, and that’s exactly what he’s done. His support has meant the world to me. But I also want to make sure he’s happy. And you’ve done that.”
“I don’t know if I’d say that.”
She reaches out and grabs my hand. “I would say it. I knew from the moment he smiled a little when he told me your name. He said you hated him, but I didn’t believe it.”
“Well, at the time…”
She chuckles. “Yeah, I get it. But I knew he’d win you over. So, thank you for giving him a chance and for making him smile again.”
“I certainly wasn’t expecting him, but I’m glad he didn’t give up on me.”
“He’s so proud of you, Savannah. We all are. It’s your time to shine.”
“Thank you, Natalia. That means a lot.”
“There you two are,” Logan says, coming up behind us. “Mom, are you telling her all of my most embarrassing stories?”
“Of course. Isn’t that my right as your mother?”
Logan laughs. “Unfortunately, yes.”
He sits down next to me, and Natalia stands up. “It’s getting chilly, so I’m going to head inside. You two enjoy the rest of your night.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
She walks off, and as soon as we hear the back door close, Logan pulls me onto his lap so I’m straddling him. With wide eyes, I look toward the door his mom just walked through. “Logan! What if she comes back out here?”
“She won’t.”
“But—”
“Kiss me.”
He doesn’t give me a choice. He grabs both sides of my face and pulls me down to his lips. I don’t fight it, relaxing into him. As much as I don’t want to get caught making out by his mom, I want to kiss him even more.
I don’t know how long we’re out there just kissing as the sun sets.
This man has seen every inch of my body, but having his lips on mine feels like something special.
It’s not until the sun is completely down and my hands start to get cold that I realize we’ve probably been out here way too long. I pull back and look down at Logan.
His cheeks are pink, and his dark, hooded eyes are trained on me. I love when he’s like this. I can tell he’s so turned on, but he’s also looking at me like I’m the most beautiful thing he’s ever seen.
“Can I ask a favor, Savannah?” His voice is deep and gravelly, sending a shiver down my spine.
“Sure?” Seems like an odd time to ask for a favor, but I’m intrigued.
“Don’t break my heart. Please. It’s been through too much.”
“Me?” I ask, surprised. I’m not sure I’ve ever broken anyone’s heart. Well, besides Max, I guess, but that was different. I usually don’t let people get close enough to break their heart or let them break mine, for that matter.
“Yes, you.” His hands run down my sides, settling on my hips. “I’m giving it to you. Handing it over willingly. Just go easy on it, alright?”
“I’ll do my best. But you have to promise not to break mine too.”
“Done,” he agrees. “Easiest promise I’ve ever made. Wanna shake on it?”
“I think we can think of something better than shaking on it, can’t we?”
He smirks. “We absolutely can. Let’s get out of here.”
I hop off his lap and we walk inside, quickly saying goodbye to his family before he drives me home and we “shake” on our promise.