“What about you, Cassandra?” the officer asked, holding his pen and notepad.
I shook my head again.
“All right, then. If you change your minds, just stop into the station.” He smiled, and after taking a few notes, he climbed into his squad. “Have a good night and put some ice on that pretty face, Cassandra.”
After the scene was cleared and the crowd had disappeared, I sat on the sidewalk, leaning against a fire hydrant, feeling the weight of tonight. It was eerily quiet. I refused everyone’s offers to drive me home. I just sat there watching and waiting until I had my chance to speak with Logan.
“You okay?” My voice was so soft, nothing more than a breath in the wind.
He was leaning against a car rubbing the back of his head. He said nothing, just stared down at the patch of grass in front of him.
“You should get your head looked at. You might have a concussion,” I said louder, noticing the dried blood on his hands. Kurt had hit him pretty hard but Logan refused to go to the hospital. One of the paramedics did however manage to get a quick look after Logan made sure I got a damn near full physical. Logan was relentless and it took everything I had to prove I’d be fine. Luckily, it wasn’t a broken nose. The maniac’s fist caught more of my lip and the pressure there was already building beneath the skin.
I sighed, growing agitated, when he still didn’t answer me. “I’m sorry, but how was I to know the man was a psycho? You should have told me before watching me drink so much tonight.” The alcohol was long gone from my system between the rush of adrenaline earlier and the pain from a grown man punching me in the face. I was stone-cold sober.
“And you would have believed me?” he snapped, looking my way for only a brief second before dropping his head. I hugged my knees closer against my chest, and rested my chin on them, watching Logan shake his head in thought.
He looked at the grass, and then tipped his head back, staring at the full moon. Finally, he pushed off the car and offered a hand to help me up from the grass.
“Probably not,” I mumbled, honestly. I stood and stepped back to see his face under the glow of the street light. “But that’s your fault. You’re always hitting on me or making me feel…I don’t know…all right. You just get in my head. I never know what’s real and what’s a game.”
Our eyes locked for a long moment before he spoke. “You’re right.” He softly wiped at the blood on me cheek. “I’m sorry.”
His arm wrapped around my waist, and he helped me down the sidewalk to his car.
The ride to my house was painfully quiet. I wasn’t sure if he was angrier that I got hurt, or that I didn’t listen to him earlier and let him take me home before things got out of hand. Either way I could tell he was pissed. His hand was tight around the steering wheel, grinding into the leather.
The moment he switched off the ignition Logan was out of the car and opening my door for me. He caught me off guard, when he swooped me up in his arms and carried me to my front door.
“I can walk you know,” I said trying to climb down.
“Shut up, and unlock the door.”
Accepting defeat, I tugged the keys from my purse and reached down sliding it in the lock. Logan was definitely mad. We walked inside and he laid me on the couch and headed straight into the kitchen. The sounds of drawers and cupboards opening and closing made me stifle a laugh until I heard him place a glass on the kitchen table.
Everything became instantly quiet and it took only half a second until my posture stiffened. Shit! I left the condoms Hilary gave me on the table. The quiet went on for what felt like hours. Seconds ticked by as minutes, until I heard a swoosh of air then a loud thud. The sound of water running brought me out of my flushed state.
I lay back, exhausted, knowing there was nothing I could say. I closed my eyes, embarrassed, and broken.
“Drink this.”
I opened my eyes, finding Logan sitting beside me with a tall glass of water in one hand and a wet washcloth in the other.
“Thanks,” I murmured.
He waited quietly as I took a sip, but as I leaned forward to set it down, he frowned.
“Drink more,” he insisted. I brought the glass back to my lips obeying without complaint. I wasn’t used to having a man tell me what to do but this was different, he was trying to take care of me and it was…nice.
It took nearly five minutes for me to consume the entire glass, my swollen lip burning each time it made contact with the icy water, but Logan sat patiently beside me waiting.
Once I finished, he took the glass and set it on the coffee table in front of us. I watched with fluttering nerves and hooded eyes as his hand reached out pulling the bloody strands of hair from my face. With his other hand, he gently slid the washcloth over my chin, across my mouth, and around my cheek. His eyes studying every place the cloth cleaned.
My stomach filled with swooning butterflies eager to thank him with each tender caress to my skin.
“How do you feel?” he asked, his voice low and raspy. He set the washcloth on the table.
I swallowed. How could I answer that? Every emotion I had ever experienced was present at the moment. I felt confused, terrified, and completely taken by his kind actions.
“Does it hurt, Cassandra?” he pressed further.
“Huh?” I stuttered finding my voice. I blinked. “Um…yeah. I mean no…it’s fine. It’s feeling better.” I attempted a convincing smile but the pain flared back up in my lip. “Thanks.”
I sat quietly for what felt like forever as Logan retreated to the kitchen with the soiled washcloth and empty glass, and replayed the tender touches he was capable of giving.
“I want to start over,” Logan said entering the room with a piece of French bread and refilled water.
“Start over?” I cocked my head to the side, staring at him in disbelief. How could we start over now? After all our interactions over the past month.
“Yes.” He sat down handing me the items. “I want to really get to know you, and if that means starting over as friends then I’ll take it. I want you to trust me, Cassandra.” He looked away for a moment in thought then back to me. “I’d never hurt you.”
Was this happening? Could I honestly forget everything I knew about him? My insides screamed for me to give it a try and before I could debate it any longer, I nodded.
“All right, I’d like that. Friends.” I took a sip of the water processing the thought of a friendship with Logan West and set the glass down to pick at the bread. “I can’t forget how much of a playboy you are,” I admitted, openly, “but with everything else, it would be nice to have a clean slate.”
“Thank you.” He smiled, his eyes brightened. “Now finish that and then I’ll help you into bed.”
I nodded with an ironic smirk. “When you say help me into bed, you do mean alone, right?”
“Well, there is always the option of friends with benefits?” he chuckled softly, rumbling his chest.
“Yeah, I’m good with friends, don’t push your luck.”
Chapter Thirteen
Olive Branch
The next morning I awoke with a shudder. My face was buried against my pillow, pressing painfully into my broken lip. I twisted to my side and held my hand in front of my mouth, and groaned, not brave enough to touch the tender gash.
I pulled myself up, and fell back against the cream linen-upholstered headboard Hilary and I tackled as a DIY project earlier in the summer.
Hilary, I thought closing my eyes. How could she set me up with someone that had just gotten out of prison? Someone that could have done God knows what with me had I taken him home.
With my eyes closed, I inhaled through my nostrils and slowly blew it back out, attempting not to move my mouth. Repeating it twice more, the deep cleansing breaths calmed the growing anger wakening inside me. I stretched my arms high above my head, before padding across the floor toward the bathroom.
The shower worked wonders to my body. Exhaustion m
ade me refuse one the previous night even though Logan offered to stay, in fear of me falling, but I just wanted the night to end.
My body rested against the cool tile, warm water cascading over me as my mind drifted back to Logan. His unprecedented kindness left me both grateful and confused. There was so much more to Logan West than he led on and with each new glimpse I received, I was left wanting more.
With my hair twisted up in a fluffy white towel, I wiped the fog from the oval bathroom mirror. “Ugh!”
I leaned forward over the sink to examine my swollen lip with a giant gash running down it. Lightly, I ghosted my fingers over the area, flinching when it stung even under my own touch.
Lazily, I fell on the corner of my bed, still draped in nothing but a towel, and picked up my phone I’d set to silent last night. I rolled my eyes when it read eighteen missed calls and fell back against my pillows, scrolling through the list. Twelve were from Hilary and the rest from my mother.
There were also a few texts from Hilary. Each text asked the same thing—was I all right and could she stop by. As I continued scrolling through the messages, my phone lit up with a new text. With an irritated scoff at Hilary’s persistence, I opened the message surprised to see an unknown number.
Good morning, sweetheart. Hope u are feeling better. If u need anything, please let me know. See u tomorrow morning at school –Logan
I stared down at the message, rereading it, wondering how he had my number. My lips curled up into the faintest smile as I hit reply.
Thanks. I’m sure u r in a lot worse shape than me. Did u have Julia check on u last night? U promised.
I hit the send button and then saved his number in my contacts. Almost instantly, I had new message.
Yes, and as you can see I survived just fine :)
I smiled and typed back quickly.
Good, I could only imagine the mob of angry women coming after me if anything happened to you.
I didn’t have to wait long until my phone lit up.
Now that I think about it, had I been truly hurt, I would have greatly enjoyed u nursing me back to health.
Another text dinged before I could reply.
U in a naughty nurse’s outfit would heal any man’s ailment.
I chuckled and rolled my eyes as I began typing.
Friends, remember. No more enticing seduction routine.
Enticing? Really? Do tell more.
U wish. You’ve enticed more than your share of women in this town. I won’t be added to that list.
I smiled, shaking my head at his flirty banter.
There was no instant response after that. I meant it playfully and began to worry I’d insulted him. That wasn’t my intent. Rereading my own text over and over, I realized how it could have been received. The longer I waited for my phone to light up with his reply the worse I felt. It took over five minutes and I preferred to think he was merely busy and not offended.
Of course not.
Shit, he was hurt. Great start to a friendship.
Sorry, I didn’t mean anything by that. You’re charming and hot, of course women would want to sleep with u.
I hit send, and then reread my message. Ok, that sounded better in my head. I was now only feeding his ego. My phone dinged immediately.
So u think I’m hot. ;)
Yeah, completely added to that damn ego of his.
I’ve seen hotter.
I sincerely doubt that and for the record u haven’t seen all of me.
And I never will. Although I saw enough when we were jogging. If u cared about women at all you’d wear a shirt.
Did u find it distracting, sweetheart?
Again, I’ve seen better.
Well, I haven’t seen anything sexier than watching you jog ahead of me. Highly impressed.
I froze, staring down at the tiny screen. We were treading on dangerous ground. It was so easy with Logan, too easy to go down that path, but I wanted to see more of the man that looked out for me the previous night.
Well, FRIEND, I need to start my day. And that will not include jogging this morning. Still a little sore.
Have a wonderful day, sweetheart. If u need anything at all please let me know.
Thnx. Tell Oliver I said hi.
I placed the phone back on my nightstand to finish charging, and walked over to the dresser in search of my favorite pink cotton shorts and a tank top. Today was all about relaxing around the house.
I walked out to the kitchen and placed a bowl on the table to prepare breakfast when I quickly realized the box of condoms was gone. It didn’t take long to look in the trash can and find them sitting on top of Friday’s newspaper. I cringed, flushed at the idea of Logan seeing them. The idea of him throwing them in the trash was slightly bewildering, however. Why did he care? I dropped the lid and decided to forget it ever happened. So what, Logan knew I had sex. Or that I was considering to anyway. Not now though. I was officially off the market until I met a guy that could prove he was worth my time.
The moment I curled my feet up under the blanket on my petite couch, a bowl of Fruit Loops in my lap, a loud knock vibrated at my front door.
“Seriously.” I sighed, rolled me eyes, and headed for the foyer.
It could only be one of two people, Hilary or my mother. At the moment, I would rather deal with the latter. I was still too pissed at my friend.
One glance through the small peephole left me debating my options when I saw Hilary standing with Caleb at her side. Worry and nervousness radiated off Hilary, while Caleb looked simply distraught. His hair was disheveled and dark bags highlighted his usually sparkling, mischievous eyes.
With a small, calming breath, I slowly opened the door.
“Oh my God!” Hilary shrieked, her hand flying to cover her mouth. “Are you all right? God, I…I am so sorry. Please, can I just come in? I haven’t been able to sleep at all since Caleb told me what happened to you last night.”
I held the door open, moving aside for Hilary to enter before stepping back in the way to block Caleb from following.
“I’ll talk to you later,” I told him calmly, unable to deal with both of them so early in the morning.
“Cassandra, I truly am sorry,” Caleb whispered, unable to hold my gaze. “I should have looked into his background, I had no clue the guy was dangerous, I swear.”
“I know. We’ll talk later. I promise.” I slowly shut the door, feeling worse.
I stood behind the closed door for a few silent moments before turning on my heel and finding Hilary staring back at me, her eyes hooded and face pale. She wasn’t lying about not sleeping. I’d never seen her look that bad before.
“I can’t freaking believe this. I had no idea,” she said, her hands worked animatedly as she spoke. “If Caleb had told me the guy had been to prison I never would have tried setting you up with him. You know I want to see you start dating, but God, not with a guy like that.”
I walked past her, plopping back down on the couch and pulling the blanket over my lap. I curled up comfortably and grabbed my bowl of cereal.
“Come on, say something,” she pleaded, walking toward me.
I took a large bite of cereal, chewing slowly and watched Hilary tensely take a seat across from me in the armchair.
“Your lip looks…bad. Do you want me to get you something for it? I can run to the pharmacy?”
I took another large bite of cereal. Hilary sat there, squirming in front of me waiting for me to speak.
She sat up on the edge of the chair, her shoulders slumped forward, hands fidgeting together. “Listen, you know I love you. You’re my best friend!” Her voice raised an octave higher. “I would never set you up on a date if I thought the guy would hurt you. You have to believe me!” Her eyes glistened with unshed tears.
I swallowed my last bite of Fruit Loops, and leaned forward to set the empty bowl on the table in front of us. As I leaned back up I gave her a small smile.
“I know,” I said sincerely, til
ting my head slightly to one side. “I just wanted to see how much groveling I could get out of you.”
“You’re horrible! You know that right!” Hilary scolded, throwing one of the small pillows at me.
Catching it, I laughed, wincing at the pain shooting from my lips and placed the pillow behind my back as I settled farther in the sofa.
“I deserved it.” Hilary sighed falling back into the chair, looking relieved I was finally talking. “I was so worried. Caleb came over at midnight banging on my door to tell me what happened. He feels horrible. He thinks it’s all his fault and I—”
“It is his fault!” I interrupted loudly, furrowing my brows.
“He never meant for—”
“Stop defending him, Hilary!” I yelled standing up unable to sit still reliving it. “Caleb screwed up, and Logan was attacked because of it!”
“Caleb thought the guy just had a run of bad luck in his past. He was trying to help him out by giving him a job.”
“I get that, I do, but that doesn’t mean he should keep the guy’s past hidden from potential dates. What if I would have brought Kurt back here like I was planning?” I asked, raising my brows.
“I know. I feel terrible.” Her hand slid listlessly across her forehead and down her long hair. “How did Logan get involved last night by the way?”
“He showed up at the bar. He wanted to protect me unlike everyone else.”
“That’s not true, Caleb just didn’t know everything. He wanted to see the good in Kurt. Is Logan all right?” Hilary asked, genuinely concerned. “Caleb said it was a pretty nasty fight. Rumor has it Kurt is still in the hospital.”
“Yeah, Logan sent me a text earlier. And as far as Kurt is concerned, I hope he rots in prison!” I frowned, walking back over to Hilary. “I know this was not your fault. And I also know that Caleb would never put anyone in harm’s way. I’ll talk to him, all right, but not today.”
Hilary nodded, and stood up pulling me in for a hug. “I’m just glad you’re all right.”
Hilary and I spent the rest of the morning and afternoon hanging out like a couple of teens. Buried under a heaping pile of pillows and sheets, snuggled on the couch, and watching reruns of our favorite shows.