“I'll check. Text me your number. Take care, Kristen. See you again soon, I hope.” After clasping Kristen’s arm for a second, Alicia darted across the street, turning to wave.
Kristen took a deep sigh as she entered the lonely condo. After logging Alicia's number in her phone, she sent her the text. Kicking off her flip flops, she laid back on the sofa, closing her eyes. It had been a long time since she'd felt the slightest bit of encouragement. Her thoughts drifted back to a time when Logan filled that void, followed by Jake. But those days had come and gone, leaving behind nothing but emptiness. Now the possibility that her life would once again include someone she could really relate to, who had experienced similar hopes, dreams, and heartache, was thrilling. Smiling again, she abandoned herself to the promise of a peaceful sleep.
LOGAN
Nick sauntered up to the poolside Tiki bar of the trendy South Beach hotel, La Fresca. As soon as Logan saw his long face, any hope of an enjoyable afternoon disappeared. Nick gave him a swift pat on his shoulder and gestured to the waitress for the drink list. Logan massaged his neck, desperate to alleviate the sharp pains that had been plaguing him from the moment he drove up.
Nick watched him like a hawk, grimacing when Logan’s phone vibrated, and a concerned expression took over.
“Can't she leave you alone for one second? Damn! I'm glad I'm not married!” Nick snarled, downing his gin and tonic.
“She's pregnant, what do you expect?” Logan muttered, reading the text and sending one back. “I'm glad it’s not me.” He grinned.
Nick rolled his eyes dramatically, then looked at him like he was insane once again. “That's the excuse for everything these days, huh, Logan?” He frowned, stubbing out his cigarette.
“Here we go,” Logan said under his breath as he finished off his beer and signaled for another.
“Let's move to a private area.” Nick picked up his glass, motioning for him to follow.
Logan grabbed his beer and the bowl of chips with a loud grunt and went after him. Nick sat back, mellowing out, but it wasn’t working for Logan. He felt the heat rising in his face from Nick’s scrutiny and rushed to order something harder.
“At least you're looking better. That's good news.” Nick gave him the nod of approval. “The guys from NYC have a lot of promising ventures coming up, and you're gonna have to rip yourself apart from your wife. Maybe get her a nurse or something.”
Nick’s harsh tone made it painfully apparent to Logan that it was more than a suggestion. Just what I need, right when she’s about to pop! This isn’t going to be an easy ride.
He sulked, bowing his head as Nick continued.
“We may have to go to the city for a few days. I'm not sure when. It's big bucks, Logan and I don't want it screwed up, you hear me? If you do it right, maybe it will lighten up that debt.” He lightly slapped his face.
Logan flinched at the memory of the loan he should never have accepted. And he despised it when Nick acted out, treating him like he was one of his gangster friends or worse yet—some low life asshole.
“That's cool man, but I need to be close for the next month. We don't know when she's gonna have it. She needs me now.”
“God damn it, Logan, get her a live-in nurse, a nanny, a fucking playmate. I don't give a shit! You can't be her crutch!”
Logan began to sweat. Mopping his brow with the back of his hand, he squirmed around in his seat. “I don't have to sit here and take this shit.”
Nick raised his eyebrows. “Look, Logan, I'll try to keep you local for a while, okay? I didn't know you cared so much. When the hell did this happen?”
Nick had his hand on Logan’s knee now. Logan's eyes fell on it and darkened. Nick’s occasional display of affection was bad enough, but he couldn’t stomach it when it turned domineering. Aware he needed a quick fix before he did something he regretted, he drained his glass, allowing the numbing effect of the alcohol to pacify him.
“It'll be different after the baby is born.”
Nick didn’t blink an eye. “Good news is she managed to redeem herself after that first fiasco. Jonny was impressed, and they're all for us.” After slapping Logan’s leg a few times, he removed his hand. “He was a little concerned though about you going back to the club. What's that about a boyfriend or something and you? Fill me in, I'm in the dark here.”
Logan snapped up right. “There's nothing to talk about! That shit is history!” His pulse rate accelerated. He smashed the empty glass on the table and jumped to order another.
“Maybe you should slow down. What did I tell you about being bombed all the time? And you're gonna have to keep Kristen under control. We can't have her mouthing off all the time!” Nick anxiously peered around, trying to determine if they'd attracted too much attention.
Logan shook his head in disgust.
If that’s what he thinks Kristen mouthing off is like, he’s insane.
The longer they glared at each other, the closer he was to setting him straight. Then the money clicked in his head. “Any other demands?”
Nick laughed at Logan’s escalating agitation. “Take it easy. Enjoy. Let's drink to the daddy to be!” He lifted his drink for a toast.
Logan sat frozen, lost in thought. Daddy is a strong word I may not be able to deal with.
Noticing his changing attitude, Nick probed, “So what's up with Gina? Think we can have another threesome?”
Logan's eyes opened wide. It hadn't crossed his mind for quite some time. Glancing up at Nick, his face brightened. “I'll see what I can do once this is over.”
Nick chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief. “Where'd my Logan go?”
“Taking a short vacation.” Logan tipped back in his chair, smiling.
KRISTEN/LOGAN
It was 9:00 p.m. when Kristen heard the door opening. She quickly flicked the lamp off and hid under the quilt, pretending to be asleep. Logan stumbled into the room, the stench of liquor following him to the bed.
“Krissy? You awake?” Anxious for a response, he bent over to pull the blanket off of her face. “Come on!” He nudged her. She didn't budge, the only sound in the room her soft, even breaths. Refusing to let up, he put the light on.
“Logan, what are you doing?” She winced, covering her eyes.
“I knew you were awake!” He smiled, straddling her.
“I am now. Don’t tell me you were drinking again!” Giving him a dirty look, she turned her face away. He pulled it back.
“Just with Nick! I swear!”
Before averting his gaze, she couldn’t help noticing the drunken grin plastered across his face. Groaning, she retreated back under the blanket.
“I'm sorry it's so late. He was talking about a lot of shit.” Logan shut the light. After ripping off his clothes, he tossed them across the room, jerked the blanket back and crawled under. Snuggling up to her, he laid his head on her chest.
“Okay, what's wrong? What did he tell you?”
At first he didn't want to talk about it, then decided to open up. “He said we're gonna be doing more business with those assholes from NYC. He wants to send me to back to that club—”