Logan
Disappointment slammed me hard and fast when I woke up to discover Viking and Priest hadn’t stayed until I woke up. I know they tried hiding after they left, but I saw them parked, watching the building and street throughout the night.
Marie and Connie are gone for the day, since it’s the first time they’ve had off together in a while. They had already made plans to go to a county fair in Biloxi, and they’ll be gone all day. Which means I get to spend the day how I’d like.
What I’d really like is the company of two bikers. I’m just not sure how to ask for it without sounding needy, especially after they refused me last night. That alone had been shocking, and while I sort of brushed it off at the time, it’s all I can think about right now.
In the kitchen, I decide to call Carly while making some breakfast.
“Hey girl!” she answers almost immediately. “Lord, I miss you. It’s so boring without you.”
“Shouldn’t you be packing? You leave in like a week for college.” The saddest moment of my life was when Carly told me she got into the University of Virginia. She’s always wanted to live on the East Coast, and now she will.
“Yeah…” She pans her phone around the room so I can see the mess she’s in. “It’s been slow going. I can’t seem to bring myself not to pack everything I own.” She sighs and pouts before we break out into laughter.
“First-world problems, Carls.” She agrees and takes a sip of her water while I crack some eggs in a bowl to make French toast.
“How are those bikers of yours?” she asks. I must get a look on my face because she squeals. “You are so in love with them.”
Can’t really deny it. I’m pretty sure I am too.
“It makes me nervous,” I admit.
“What the hell for?”
“Our age difference.” They don’t seem to care, so I know I shouldn’t, but I can’t help it. What if my young age starts to show? Being with them has allowed my personality to shine through. I can be silly and fun with them, and they just pull me closer. But what happens if I take it too far?
“Stop overthinking it, Lo. They’re aware of how old you are, right?” I confirm that they are. “So let them worry about that burden. If they aren’t complaining, then you shouldn’t worry.”
She’s right. I know it; she knows it. Doesn’t make it any easier to let go of, though. “Have you seen my mom lately?” I’ve dreaded asking.
Carly’s features soften, and her eyes become sympathetic. “She came by twice. I think she’s truly miserable without you. Or at least worried.” This honestly shocks me. We haven’t had a decent relationship in years. “Have you thought about calling her?”
“No. I’m afraid I’ll give in and tell her where I am. Not that it matters since Ian and Connor are both here anyway.”
“Seriously?” After explaining the interaction at the club last night, she’s slack-jawed. “Do you think they left for good?”
“Not really, but I don’t know how else to escape them either. Especially when I don’t know how they found me.” That is the most confusing part of it all.
Guilt washes over Carly’s face. “Miles thinks it’s John.”
That’s what I was afraid of. “I don’t want to leave here, Carls.” It’s hard whispering the words I’ve been thinking for days.
“So, don’t. Let Viking and Priest in. Ask for their help. I get the feeling those sexy bikers will be all over protecting your body.” Snorting out a laugh at her not-so-subtle word choice makes her grin.
“Maybe. I don’t know. I’m already worried about our age.
I don’t want to feel like a burden to them either.
” I wish I’d met them when I had my life together; then I would know there was no obligation on their part.
“I should go. My eggs are overcooked, and I’d like to hop in a shower before cleaning up around here and making dinner before I work tonight. ”
“You know I love you, right? I’d bring you with me to college if I could.”
I smile, having no doubt that she would. “I’ll be up to visit you just as soon as I can.”
We say a tearful goodbye because I likely won’t get another FaceTime call with her until she’s settled into her dorm.
It saddens me because college was never something I could plan for, as much as I’d wanted to.
Now, I’m on the run from two men who can’t take no for an answer and seem to delight in hunting me down like a piece of lost property.
Sitting around doing nothing has never been easy for me, so instead of wallowing in self-pity and depression, I decide to find a Target and go shopping for a few things I need.
Thankfully, it’s only one bus ride and a few minutes’ walk to the nearest store, but I stop short when I see a salon advertising that they take walk-ins and decide to treat myself to some pampering.
“Hey, welcome in. How can I help you today?” the two women at the counter greet me happily.
“Uhm, I think I’d like a haircut.”
“You think?” they respond in unison, then laugh.
“I would like a haircut, maybe a few inches and some layers?” It’s been at least a year since I’ve done anything with my hair.
“You got it. Follow me!” the taller one says, while the other woman stays up front. “My name is Millie, and I must say, you have some gorgeous hair!” She’s quite enthusiastic.
“Thank you. I’m Logan, and well, as you can see, it’s been a while.” I flip up the bottom of my hair to show her the dead ends, and she agrees.
After draping me with a cape and brushing my hair in silence, she combs her fingers through the strands and finally looks up. “So, you only need about an inch taken off. Did you want more?” Currently, my hair is between my shoulder blades.
“Think we could go two?” I’m not much for having short hair, but losing a bit of the weight off my scalp would feel nice.
“You bet, and then were you thinking longer layers or short? And what about some face framing?”
Staring at my reflection, it’s all a little overwhelming.
“Get me out of my comfort zone. Do what you think will look amazing on me.”
Her grin widens as she nods and spins me around so I can’t see the mirror anymore.
I watch the sheared hair begin to fall. She hums a few times, moves around me excitedly, and continues. The other employee stops her work a few times to comment how good it’s going to look, and that gives me a bit more confidence.
“Shall I style you as well?” Millie asks while double-checking the length and ensuring all is right with the cut. “Maybe just a blowout?”
“Yes, that sounds nice.” I’ve never had one, but Carly gets them done all the time, and I’ve always loved the look.
Millie works her magic, perfecting every strand and ensuring I look amazing before finally allowing me to glance in the mirror.
“Oh, wow!” My hair shines like it never has, but the face-framing layers are what capture my attention most. They flow with the contour of my face in ways I’ve never had before. “I love it so much.” Standing up, I wrap her in a hug as I thank her.
“You come in anytime, and I’ll get you taken care of, you hear?”
I give her one last hug, fully intending on taking her up on it. After paying and leaving her a nice tip, I run into Target to pick up the essentials I need and hopefully a couple of dresses for the summer.
“Logan?” At the soft tone, I turn away from a rack of sundresses to find Trista standing near a shirt display, appearing uncertain.
I’m hesitant to be too friendly with her, given how she’s treated me so far, so I keep it brief. “Uhm…hi…how are you?”
“I’m sorry,” she blurts out, tears welling in her eyes—the same shade of blue as my own. “Mom told me you were dead. That you died with Dad, and I was so damn sad. I never thought to ask more questions…to get proof.” That sounds terrible for her.
“I’m sorry you went through that.” And I truly am.
“I’ve spent so long grieving you that I never imagined a world where the possibility of you being alive was even plausible.
” She shakes her head and takes a few hesitant steps forward.
“I’d really like it if we could start over.
If you could think about the possibility of forgiving me, I want us to have a relationship, but I’ll understand if I’ve ruined that from ever happening. ”
She looks absolutely miserable, and I hate it, because aside from our recent reunion, I’ve dreamed of this moment. “I’ve already forgiven you,” I say and walk forward, drawing her into a tight hug. Her arms wrap around me, and she breaks down into heart-wrenching sobs.
I’m not sure how long we stand there, but some people watch us, wondering what’s going on.
“God, I’m such a mess,” Trista laughs at herself.
“Let me pay for this stuff, and then we can have a late lunch?”
She agrees, we link arms, and head to the registers.
As we leave, Trista leans her head against mine and whispers, “So, you and the boys, how’s that going?”
“Scary but a good kind of scary that makes me think we could be something special.” She nods her head in agreement.
“I’ve never seen them so protective over someone so quickly. And the way they look at you… Yeah, I think you’re their forever too.”
Lunch is peaceful and quiet, filled with stories of our childhood while we reminisce about the good times we had together, and for the first time in years, I feel like I have family again.