Chapter Twenty Two
tangled in each other
I wake up to the sound of birds chirping, and the early morning sun shining down on me.
It takes me a minute to come to and realize where I’m at, until I feel Logan pressed against my back. His head buried in the crook of my neck, sleeping soundly.
I lay there for a minute, not wanting to wake him, but I have so much to do today.
He starts to stir, and I roll over so I’m facing him. I giggle to myself as I look at him.
His hair is a complete mess.
His eyes peek open, and he smiles when he sees me.
“Good morning you.” he says with a deep sleepy voice.
“Good morning you.” I repeat his words back to him.
Logan plants a kiss on my nose, then pulls me closer to him, squeezing me.
“I have no clue what time it is.” I tell him.
“You don't need to know. Just shh.”
I giggle into him, “But I do. I’m supposed to go sign for the shop later today, and I think after last night I could really use a shower.”
We're both still naked, and truthfully, I don't remember where our clothes went. And I need to pee.
He groans, “Fine. But first..”
Logan pulls me into him, planting himself between my legs, and we're back to being a tangled moaning mess.
And it suddenly occurs to me that I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of this.
Logan drives me back to my apartment, and offers to drive me to meet Kelly.
She’s meeting us at the store in 3 hours, which gives us time to get cleaned up, eat breakfast, and get on the road.
I want to get there before she does, so I can look at the place by myself again.
“You go shower, I’ll cook some breakfast.” Logan says as we walk through the doorway.
“Ok, thank you.” I say, as I make my way to my room.
I live in a one bedroom apartment, so the main bathroom is attached to my room.
Grabbing fresh clothes and a towel, I walk into the bathroom, catching a glimpse of myself in the mirror.
My hair is a knotted mess on top of my head, my cheeks are flushed, and I can't stop smiling.
But then the thoughts creep into my head.
What does this mean?
What now?
How would Sam feel right now?
I know Sam isn't here, and I know moving on is normal. It’s just hard to actually move on.
But last night. My toes curl just remembering how last night felt.
I’ve never experienced pleasure like that.
Pushing the thoughts from my mind, I undress and get in the shower, washing quickly because my stomach is growling and I can smell something heavenly coming from the kitchen.
I toss on jeans and a big t-shirt, and don't bother drying my hair.
“Ok, whatever you made smells incredible.” I say as I walk out petting Pudding on the way.
Logan is plating what looks like ham and cheese omelets, with some coffee and fruit. I didn't even know I had eggs.
He freezes when he sees me.
Setting everything down, he walks over to me and runs his hands up the sides of my face and into my hair, giving me a smile, followed by a deep kiss.
When he pulls back, I’m left feeling dizzy.
“You are so beautiful, Charlie.” he leans in and whispers in my ear.
Goosebumps spread like a wildfire.
“So are you.” I smile, and he pulls me into a hug.
My head rests perfectly on his chest, his chin on my head, and I breathe in his scent.
I could stay like this forever.
I feel him chuckle. “You think I’m beautiful?”
“I do.” I smile into him.
We stay like this, until my stomach growls and reminds me how hungry I am.
After we eat, we drive over to his house, bringing Pudding with us, per Sarah’s request.
“Pudding!” I hear Hazel yell from the porch. “I’ve been dying to meet this dog, thank you for bringing him Charlie!”
“Aw, you're welcome. You promise to keep him company today? He’s pretty needy.”
I bend down and scratch behind his ears.
“I promise.” she squeals. “Come on Pudding! Let's go play barbies!”
I stand, laughing as they run off.
“Thanks for bringing him.” Sarah says, stepping out with coffee in her hand.
“Oh no problem. Thank you for offering to watch him. I hate leaving him alone.”
“Anytime. Where are you two headed again?”
“I’m driving her over to Sage Valley, to sign for her new shop.” Logan says, coming up behind me smiling.
Those dimples will be the death of me.
She just smiles, watching him, and I wonder if she knows.
“Sage Valley? What’s taking you out that way?”
I shrug my shoulders, a giddy smile forming on my lips, “I fell in love with that town. I don't know how to explain it. The building, the location. It’ll be an adjustment, but I’m so excited.”
“Logan, weren't you just..”
“We better get ready.” Logan interrupts, and I look at him confused.
Sarah just laughs and shakes her head.
“Ok. Well, Charlie, you're welcome to hang out with me while he gets ready?”
I look back and forth between them, not sure how to answer that.
Because I kind of wanted to see his space, and be with him, but if I say that, then she’ll know and I don't know how Logan feels about people knowing about us.
Before I can say anything, she makes an ‘Oh’ face, and winks before she turns and goes into the house.
“I guess my hesitation gave that away.” I mumble to myself, embarrassed. Not that I don't want people knowing, I just don't know if he does.
“Gave what away?” Logan asks as we walk into the house.
I point between us, “Whatever this is.”
He just laughs, “She knows.”
I halt, and turn to him, “What do you mean she knows?”
“She guessed. After the first time you came over.”
My jaw drops. He’s liked me for that long?
“Oh” is all I say before he turns me to a door.
Logan opens it for me, letting me in first.
This is definitely Logan's room.
There's dark gray walls, blackout curtains,and a full size bed with a black comforter.
It’s small, but it smells like him which makes it cozy.
“I know it's small,” he starts, “it's the spare room that she and Hazel turned into my room when I told them I was coming home.”
I nod, not judging at all. “Did you live here before? Or did you have your own place?”
I watch as something in his eyes changes, then he says, “I lived with Matty..” he trails off, looking around the room.
“Oh. I’m sorry.”
He waves a dismissive hand, “After we lost him, it didn't feel right going back to his place without him. So, I came here.”
“I don’t blame you, I did the same thing.” I pause, sucking in a breath. “Sam and I lived together, but after..I couldn't go back. Cassie and my mom moved all my stuff so I didn't have to go back. I understand.”
Logan looks around, then chuckles to himself.
“What?” I ask, confused why he’s laughing, but finding myself giggling with him.
“We’re an emotional combination.” he laughs, and I can't help but laugh with him.
It’s true.
“We’ll be ok though.”
Logan holds out his hand, sticking his pinky finger out, and my heart flutters a beat.
“Pinky promise.” he whispers as I hook my finger with his.
“I’m going to shower, then we can hit the road. You can hang out in here, or go sit with Sarah.” Logan says.
Dammit, I should've waited to shower.
I do like Sarah, and would like to get to know her more.
“I’ll go hang with Sarah. Maybe she has embarrassing pictures of you.” I call over my shoulder with a laugh.
“Don’t even think about it!” he yells back, but I’m already down the hall.
I walk through the kitchen, then the living room, until I see Sarah outside with Hazel and Pudding.
I push the sliding glass door, and she smiles.
“Come, sit! Do you want some coffee?” she asks.
“Sure, I can get it though.” I say, but she holds her hand up.
“Oh no, I don't mind at all. I’ll be right back.”
“Thank you.” I say as she walks away.
I sit, watching Hazel and Pudding play. She’s throwing a stick, and he’s running back and forth every time. He has so much energy.
Maybe I need a yard for him?
“Cream and sugar?” Sarah calls from the kitchen.
“Yes, please!” I call back.
A moment later, she returns with a mug full of coffee.
“I’m so glad to have someone else here who uses cream and sugar.” she laughs, “Logan drinks it black, and I gag just watching him.”
“Tell me about it. I don't understand how black coffee can taste good.”
We both laugh, then take a sip of our coffee.
I can feel her eyes on me, and I just know she’s going to ask me something about him.
I hear her clear her throat.
Here it comes .
“You and Logan seem to be getting along well?”
I set my coffee in my lap and look at her with a smile.
“Yeah, he’s really sweet.”
She smiles back, “He is.” She sips her coffee. “He’s never brought a girl over before.” she eyes me, and I swallow nervously.
“No?”
“Nope. He’s dated, of course, but no ones ever been right for him.” she takes another sip, “He must really like you.”
My heart beats a little faster, and I remember that look in his eyes.
“You think so?” I ask. And I know I’m being completely vulnerable, but this is his sister, not his mom.
She smiles at me, “I know so.''
She looks back at the door, as if to make sure he isn't there, then continues.
“Don’t tell him I told you this, but he’s hardly left the house since he got home. Staying locked in that room, being a gross man. But then I sent him out to buy Hazel a present, and he came home with a smile on his face.” She looks at me, “And now I know that smile was because of you.”
I feel my heart tighten.
“I didn’t know that.”
“He likes to keep things to himself, especially the dark side of him. The side that gets sad every now and then, and locks himself away for days. He hasn't done that in awhile, and I can only assume that has something to do with you.” she stops, fidgeting with her hands, “The military changed him in some ways, but he’s still the same lovable Logan I grew up with. Just a little scarred now.”
I swallow the lump in my throat, thinking back to the scar on his shoulder and the scar across his stomach. And all the little scars scattered around.
He’s lucky to be alive. He’s lucky to be here.
And I’m lucky to get to have a chance with him. I don't want to mess this up.
She watches me for a minute, then says, “He likes you, Charlie. Don’t give up on him.”
My heart tightens, and I replay that night he had the nightmare. The way he calmed down instantly.
Maybe he needs me just as much as I need him.