Kristin sprang up. “—What the hell! You can't do that, Logan!” Staring down at him, her face reddened.
His eyes flipped open to return her stare.
“I don't want to. What am I supposed to do?”
“Tell him no! Plain and simple. Quit, I don't care!”
“I can't quit! Are you kidding me? There's too much money at stake. I told him I can't leave you until the baby is born.”
“That's great, Logan! Leave me alone with him afterwards then.” She began to sulk. As the conversation with Jake and Logan’s suspicion entered her head, she tautened, brushing it aside to avoid bringing it up. The risk of endangering Jake was much too high.
“I'll do whatever I can not to travel, Krissy—I don't want to.”
“You can't go back to that club!”
“Why—him? You really think he scares me?” The harshness in his voice intensified as he strained to get up.
“It's just that... after what happened with Ray…”
“What about it? No one knows—only you, right?” He hunched over her clutching her arm and brought his face to hers.
What does she know? He fought through the drunken haze to go back in time to recall exactly how much he’d told her. It didn’t work.
“As far as I know...” She tried to keep her breathing under control.
“What does that mean, yes or no? Did he say something to you?” He gripped the other arm, his fingers digging into both of them.
“No! But Marty was asking, and so was he—about if we saw him. I told you that already. It's Jonny you should be worried about—he was acting really weird. Logan, stop it!”
By the time he released her, the tears were dripping down her face. She knew she had to do something fast.
“It's smarter to stay away, it'll probably freak you out anyway, won't it?”
Logan became frantic, shoving his hair back out of his eyes. “Krissy, you are freaking me out! I'll bring you with me then…”
“And what about the baby? You think he's something we can just dump on someone and go running around all over?”
“Why not? No one gave a shit about me…” His voice trailed off leaving bitterness and hatred in its place.
Kristen hesitated, regretful she had brought up his painful past. “That's why we have to do it right this time, Logan. I want my son's life to be filled with love. I want ours to be also.” She looked sadly into his eyes, remembering the heartache they were dealing with when they met and how it drew them together in a powerful way.
He pulled her down, kissing her. When they broke free, she could see tears in his eyes. He crammed them shut.
Biting her lower lip, she didn’t blink. “Don't you want that too?”
He lay in silence, his eyes remaining closed. It unnerved her to think he could be reverting to his old ways. What would she do if he clammed up again, if he slipped farther and farther away from her, drowning himself in drugs and booze? It was hard enough the first time.
“I'm too tired, Krissy. Let's talk in the morning,” he muttered, sinking away from her.
Burying her face in the pillow, she wept. Any lingering tranquility from the chance encounter with Alicia had already dissipated. Desperate to revitalize it, she rolled onto her side to massage her stomach. The baby was extremely restless. Perhaps it was true, babies really sensed their mother’s distress. Her mind raced, leaping forward in time.
What will happen if it isn’t his? The thought sent debilitating chills through her. The more she longed for a release, the more elusive it became. When she couldn’t stay still any longer, she crawled out of bed. Careful not to make any noise, she slid the balcony door open and slipped out into the balmy night. The magnificent ocean view that helped provide relief, was obliterated by darkness. The occasional pounding of waves broke the silence of the night.
Her unexpected loud sigh echoed in the air. Startled by the sound, she jerked around to ensure she was still alone. Suddenly chilled, she grabbed a blanket from the patio table, sank to the lounge chair and curled up. The soothing salt air caressed her skin, luring her eyes closed.
As she weakened, the wicked memories began an invasion. All the insane things she'd done in the early years of her passion-drenched relationship with Logan stormed her head, despite how much she rebelled against them. Her body ached recalling their first sexual encounter. They were so young, so naïve. She shivered remembering his surprise when she revealed he was her first lover. Everything was perfect—until the unwanted pregnancy.
How history repeats itself.
It had turned very, very cold. She couldn’t stop her teeth from chattering and the lounge chair became unbearable. Discarding the blanket, she returned to the bedroom.
For a few seconds she gazed down at Logan, listening to his erratic breathing. What a devil in disguise, the picture of innocence and tranquility. Holding her breath, she crawled onto the bed, easing back against him. He stirred, throwing an arm over her body.
What happened Logan? Why did you have to change? Why did everything have to fall apart?
Secure in his arms, her unborn child at rest inside her, a strange calmness set her free. All she could do was hope it would last until she abandoned herself to a deep sleep.
JAKE
Seeing Jenny again brought back all the memories he had been desperate to extinguish. It was a nightmare having her back behind the bar, right between him and Ben. Every time he accidentally looked at her face he relived the night of his brawl with Ray, and the ensuing trouble she'd caused with Kristen. But there she was, flittering around like a wild butterfly, purposely pushing in front of him every time he went to the cash register or to mix a drink. What a coincidence that her chest kept brushing against his shoulder, her boobs bouncing in his face every time she bent over in her low cut, skin-tight top. While Ben was thoroughly entertained, Jake was livid. As far as he was concerned, the night couldn’t end fast enough.
Then he saw Marty gingerly walking towards him. He wasn't sure if she knew Jenny or remembered that she'd been with Ray. For a moment, he considered quitting. After pulling himself together, he approached the bar to deal with Marty.
“Hey, I didn't expect to see you here.” He hesitated before leaning over to kiss her cheek.
“I was bored.” She shrugged.
He handed her a beer, grinning.
“Can't have that.” Through the corner of his eye he witnessed Jenny swooping down on Ben, hanging on.
What a travesty. Another good man taken down by his dick.
“New bartender?” Marty’s words snapped Jake back to the moment.
“Yeah, unfortunately and she's a royal pain in the ass.”
Marty laughed, apparently invigorated. Her eyes never left his face and unexpectedly he found himself intrigued. The music, the electrifying atmosphere, his loneliness, it was all crashing in on him. And he dreaded being crushed to death.
“Who'd you come with?” His face was too close to avoid the hypnotic affect her perfume had on him.
“No one.” Her eyes were inviting, and this time he was trapped.
“I'll be off at four if you wanna wait for me.”
“Are you sure?”
Jake, this is your chance to bow out, to run, hide, avoid another disappointment. He could feel his skin tingling.