“You should go to the office,” she said, something in her voice not quite right.
“Is everything all right?” I started down the hall with her at my side.
“I oversaw pickup today, and Oliver’s ride never came. We called his father at home and work and haven’t been able to reach him.”
Logan never forgot Oliver. He wouldn’t. If he was unable to make it, he would’ve called someone—would’ve called me. Anxiety rang through my limbs.
“I’ll take care of it, thank you,” I told her, pulling out my phone.
“No problem. I know you and Mr. West are…close.”
My head shot up at the bitterness edging her tone.
“He’s my neighbor, and yes, a close friend.” I held onto my pleasant poise, even smiling at her—an action she mimicked before walking back the way she’d come.
I dialed Logan. Not surprised when it went straight to voicemail, I made a second, gut-wrenching call to my mom.
She answered on the second ring.
“Hi, honey.”
I knew where he was just by the tone of her voice.
“Logan?” It was all I needed to say.
“Yeah, I’m sorry. They brought him in about an hour ago.”
My throat sealed, chest constricting. I needed air. “They arrested him?”
“Baby, listen to me: Logan’s a fighter. He has some powerful people in his corner. He’ll beat this.”
She sounded so sure, but it still took every bit of strength I had to keep myself upright. My stomach twisted, temple throbbing.
“You really believe in him,” I whispered, turning to face the wall.
“I know he loves my daughter, and he’s a good man that will do anything to protect his family. I’ve seen enough to know he wouldn’t destroy his son’s future by doing something that would cause him to spend his life in prison.”
“Can I talk to him?” I slammed my eyes shut, inhaling deeply to push away the demanding emotions boiling up.
“Sorry, not right now.”
“Can you at least tell him I’ll take Oliver home if he can call and give the school permission? Oliver’s waiting here.” Just speaking Oliver’s name was all it took to assure myself I was in control. He needed me.
“Of course. Let me go see what I can do. Try to stay positive. I love you.”
“Love you too, Mom.”
I hung up, straightening myself and sweeping over my eyelids with my fingers, wanting to look like carefree Cassie when Oliver saw me. Determined to give him a full night of so much fun he’d be too distracted to ask where his daddy was, I made my way to the front office.
I spotted him sitting on the hallway bench just outside the door. His tiny body was hunched over as he kicked his feet back and forth.
“Hey there,” I said with a broad smile.
“Cassie!” He sat up straighter and stared over at me, looking semi-relieved. “Daddy never showed up outside.”
I squatted down in front of him. “I know. He had something really important that came up, and he’s so sorry. If you can hang out here for a little while longer, I’ll take you over to my house. You can stay there till he gets done working.”
“’Kay.”
He knew something was up. Kids and their pesky intuitions. More than ever, I wanted to see him smile.
I squeezed his knee, reassuring him. “If you don’t mind, we’re going to make a stopover at my friend Luke’s house.”
A small glimpse of a smile peeked out. “I like Luke.”
I grinned wider. “Me too. Now hold tight, and we’ll get going in a few minutes.” I stood, thankful for his nod, and walked across the hall.
“Has Oliver’s father called yet?” I asked the secretary.
She responded with a slight frown and shake of the head.
“I live next door to him, so when he calls, he should give permission for me to take Oliver. Did you try any family? His uncle should be around.” It didn’t matter who picked Oliver up. I’d take him from there.
“We tried him, but it went to voicemail,” she said.
It was hard to say what Jax was up to.
“Doesn’t his father own the newspaper? Maybe I should try there,” she offered, already grabbing the phone book.
“I don’t think he’s—”
“Oliver! There you are,” Natasha’s exaggerated drawl rang through the halls.
I rolled my eyes with an irritated sigh when I realized there’d be only one reason she was there. No way was she on the list of acceptable people to entrust Oliver to.
“Can I see Oliver’s file for the list of people with permission to pick him up?”
“Sure.” She handed it over, and one glace at it confirmed what I already knew: Natasha’s name was nowhere on it.
After squaring my shoulders to face a woman who was grating my final nerve, I stepped out into the hall.
“Natasha, what are you doing here?” I asked, my mouth twisting from the bitterness of speaking her name.
“Came to get my son. Heard he needed a ride.” She snatched his book bag from the floor. “Ready to go, baby?”
“Sorry, Oliver, but you’ll have to visit your mom another day,” I explained, feigning a sympathetic smile before snapping my attention back to Natasha. “Logan will be calling any minute to give permission for Oliver to be released to me,” I said coldly. “You can go.”
Natasha didn’t seem fazed as she glanced between Oliver and me. “Hm, from what I’ve been told, he might not get a phone call right away. Oliver’s coming with me.”
“Not happening,” I nearly growled, stepping forward.
“Let’s get going, baby. I have to make a few stops before we go home.” She held out her hand, and Oliver jumped down from the bench.
“Where we goin’?” he asked, zipping his jacket before taking her outstretched hand.
“You’re not taking him,” I warned again, my words monotone yet adamant.
“I’m his mother. Watch me.”
I spoke over my shoulder to the secretary. “Call the police. She doesn’t have any rights over Oliver, and she’s not on the list.”
“Police?” Oliver questioned, his gaze bouncing from me to his mother.
“Don’t worry about it. Cassie’s being silly. She’s only pretending. Let’s go.” When Natasha turned and began to walk away, I shot around her, blocking her path. There was no way Oliver was going anywhere with her.
“Oliver, why don’t you go in the office and wait while I speak with your mother a moment?”
He didn’t complain as he attempted to tug his hand from her hold, but she wasn’t letting go.
“Ouch!” he shrieked. Her grip was noticeably tight.
“Let him go—now,” I hissed slowly.
“No, we’re leaving. Josh is in the car waiting for us.” She leered down at her son, who didn’t move. “Come on, Oliver.”
“My hand hurts.” He yanked again and I grabbed Natasha’s wrist, squeezing until she released him.
“Go sit in the office, Oliver,” I repeated. “Now.”
He did so immediately.
Natasha chuckled under her breath, watching him scurry away. “He’s too sweet. Logan should have toughened him up.” When she looked back, it was to meet my threatening scowl.
She rolled her eyes. “Look, Cassandra, I don’t have time for your petty jealousy. Oliver is mine, and I’m taking him with me.”
“No, you’re not.” I felt like cracking my knuckles to prepare for the inevitable.
“Because of you, Logan won’t let me visit my own son! That’s about to change, and you can’t stop me. You’re nothing but Oliver’s neighbor, and the pathetic girl fucking his father.”
Her lack of common decency in not bothering to watch her mouth or at least lower her voice drove me crazy. How had Logan ever wanted to marry her?
“After the other night, you should be real careful what you say to me. I’m done playing your games, Natasha. Oliver deserves
so much better than you, and I’m proud that my man is smart enough to keep you away.”
Natasha’s nostrils flared. “You really are a dumb little girl.” She moved toward me, closing the small gap between us. Her body swayed, and her liquored-up breath hit me in the face. “You really think you have what Logan needs? You have no clue what type of man he is.”
I stepped back, wiping spit from my face, disgusted but not letting it distract me. I held firm in my stance.
“Your son is in the next room, and police are on their way. I’d suggest we discuss Logan at a more appropriate time.”
“You’re a moron,” she leaned in and whispered. “Logan loves everything about me, including fucking me, and you…are nothing…but a distraction—and one that has worn out her welcome.”
If we were anywhere other than my place of employment and in front of her son, I would’ve knocked her on her drunken ass. It took everything in me to keep my fists at my sides.
“Logan won’t admit it, but he misses us,” she continued in a hissed whisper. “Misses what I do to him, for him…the fun we had, and how hot he’d get watching me with the girls I’d bring home to share our bed.” Her menacing laugh caused my blood to boil. “You think he’s a man that will settle down and spend a lifetime enduring boring old sex with a schoolteacher? You’re in for a rude awakening.” She sniffed, wiping her nose with the palm of her hand.
“You need to leave the premises, or you’ll be arrested,” I informed her, blocking out what she’d said about Logan’s previous bedroom preferences. “You’re drunk, and an embarrassment to your son. Go home.”
“I have rights to Oliver!” she shouted, obviously interested in making a scene. Two teachers who were passing by stopped, exchanged glances, then looked to me. But my focus remained on Natasha.
“No, you don’t. You gave them up the day you abandoned him,” I bit back.
“Oliver, let’s go, baby!” she called out.
“Stay there, Oliver.” I didn’t look back to see if he was up or sticking to his seat, not wanting to take my eyes off Natasha. We stood toe to toe, our eyes daring each other to make the first move.
“I’m gonna destroy you,” she taunted.
She was the first to look away. Grinning to herself, she tried to step around me toward the office. I moved with her, hindering her every time, my aggressive scowl set deep.
“I will put you on your ass if you go anywhere near him—especially while you’re drunk,” I threatened in a low, foreboding snarl.
“Drunk?” She cackled. “You’re ridiculous. I have a fabulous life that’s about to get even better once Logan gets rid of you.”
“But that’s the thing, isn’t it?” My head tilted. “He never will. You know it, and your son is seeing your true colors right now—which aren’t exactly fabulous, if you ask me.”
“Mr. West is on the phone,” the secretary said, breaking up our standoff. “He’s asked to speak with you, Miss Clarke.”
With a contrived smile, I turned on my heel, walked into the office, and grabbed the phone.
“Take Oliver into the nurse’s station, and don’t let that woman anywhere near him,” I rattled off to the secretary, my hand covering the receiver.
She did so instantly as I closed the door to prevent Natasha from entering.
“Logan?” I asked, needing to hear his voice.
“Sweetheart, I only have a minute. I told them to let you take Oliver. Keep him with you. I’m not sure how long this will take or what’s going to happen. I called Jax; he knows everything, and will keep you updated.”
“Just take care of yourself. Don’t worry about Oliver. I got him.” The last thing he needed to worry about was Natasha, so I kept that situation quiet. I’d handle her myself.
“My angel…always there.” I heard him sigh. “I love you, Cassandra. Tell Oliver I miss him and will be home soon.”
Before I could reply, he hung up. I placed the phone back on the hook, burying my concern for Logan. I had to deal with someone else first.
Impatiently, I moved behind the desk and cracked open the door to the nurse’s station.
“You ready?” I asked, smiling.
Oliver looked up somewhat reluctantly, his expression conveying a myriad of emotions.
I took his hand—the opposite of the one that was still slightly pink, the victim of Natasha’s insecurity-fueled wrath—and walked him out into the hall.
“Say goodbye to your mom,” I told him, keeping him close. I held out my hand for his backpack that she still held over her shoulder.
“Bye. Cassie’s gonna take me to see Luke.” His frown barely lifted.
As though the prior five minutes had never occurred, she drew on what some unknowing fool might call a heartwarming smile. I rolled my eyes, willing myself not to rip the bag from her outstretched hand.
“I’ll see you at home, baby doll.” She blew him a kiss, unable to get close enough to do more than that. “I love you—and tell your daddy I love him too.”
Was she bipolar, or could she really bounce back into faux mother-of-the-year grace that quickly?
“Love you too,” Oliver replied, staring after her as she walked away.
Oliver was back to his normal giddy self once he saw Scout waiting behind Luke’s door. He dropped to his knees, his arms wide and ready when Scout leapt up into them. The two re-bonded seamlessly, rolling around on the floor while I thanked Luke for all his help. I didn’t mention anything about Logan, as I figured Julia would fill him in if she hadn’t already. On the ride home, Oliver was all giggles in the backseat, holding Scout on his lap.
Less than an hour after we arrived at my place, ready to eat dinner, Jax showed up looking like death. He slumped down onto my couch, not saying anything after his initial, “I’ll kill that bitch if she had anything to do with Kurt.” Luckily Oliver didn’t seem to notice, as he was distracted by Scout most of the time.
If not for his occasional grunt, I’d have forgotten Jax was there too until Julia showed up with Luke a little while later. She curled up on the floor to play beside Oliver and Scout, forcing smiles until Oliver mentioned wanting to show his daddy that Scout was home.
Julia lost it, running from the room with Luke on her heels. This was a family—a real one, solid and loving, and at the center of it was Logan. He had to come home. We needed him.
By nightfall, Jax had persuaded me to let them take Oliver home for the night. We worked it out so that I’d drive him to school the next morning. It hurt to even think about how Logan wouldn’t be there to do so himself.
I’d fought back demanding tears as I’d watched Jax pull Oliver aside to tell him his daddy had to go away for a meeting and would be home soon. I wasn’t positive Oliver bought it, though, considering everyone sitting in my living room with somber faces and occasional hushed talk. It was mainly just speculation, though. We had no idea what was really going on.
A while after they left, I was still brokenhearted from Julia’s profound hug during which she’d whispered her gratefulness for me watching out for Oliver. I’d said it was nothing, and it was the truth. No matter what happened with Logan, Oliver could always count on me.
That night, I lay in the tub, soaking in the stresses of it all. I imagined Logan behind me, his arms clutching me to his broad, powerful chest. I never wanted to leave the warmth of that fantasy, but my phone had chimed twice since I’d climbed in, and I knew if I didn’t get out soon that the pruning of my fingers would be permanent.
I had a feeling it was Hilary. I missed her more than ever; she’d know what to say to make me feel better. There was always the possibility Jax had heard something from Logan, as well, but I wouldn’t allow myself such hope.
I climbed out of the tub, wrapped a towel around my hair and another around my body, and trudged to my room. I sank down onto my bed, propped a pillow behind my damp back, and slid my finger across my blank phone screen. Two new messages: one from Jax and the other from my mom.
> She’d never texted me before—or anyone, for that matter. I didn’t even think she knew how. I was instantly on edge, opening hers first.
It’s Logan. I’ll be home soon. Sleep well. No tears tonight. X
My entire body sprung up and off the bed, the towel on my head unwrapping and falling down over the phone. I threw it aside, unable to control my growing smile. It was too late for no tears, but at least the ones running down my cheeks were of relief and joy.
I replied, hoping he was still around. The text had been sent only four minutes prior.
Logan? U still there?
I only had to wait a few seconds. My mom must’ve left her phone with him, which meant he was still at the sheriff’s office and not sitting in a cell down at county. That was a good sign.
I’ll explain everything tomorrow. Don’t want to jinx it.
I smiled, typing so fast I wasn’t even sure my words were legible.
Ok. I love u. Miss u
Ditto. U ready for the big house reveal?
Talk about subject change. What house?
What?
Julia’s place. It’s ready. Meet me there after school.
I wanted to laugh. After the day he’d endured, he cared about Julia’s house?
It’s ready?
Yes. U worried?
The bet. If Julia loved it—and I was convinced she would—I’d win, and he’d be my slave for a weekend. If she hated it…well, I had no problem spending a few days under his thumb. The thought of spending an entire weekend with him was enough. But because I didn’t want him worried about me, I texted back exactly what I knew he needed to hear.
Not at all, slave boy!
Bring it on sweetheart XO
I laughed, feeling euphoric.
C u there at 4. Just got out of tub…fantasized u were in there with me, holding me.
Wish I was. Fyi This is your mother’s phone remember. ;)
Oh crap! My fingers ran frantically over the keypad, typing for him to delete the message until I realized that if I had to endure seeing her boyfriend in his undies, she could read how much I adored mine.
Oh well. Lol. R U coming home tonight?
Soon…
Before I could reply, he messaged again.