“Yeah, they were really happy.” He moved back, holding her at arm’s length for a moment, then sank onto the bed to gaze at her. “She was surprised about the name. Why did you name him Alex?”
For a second, she looked disconcerted. “I remembered what you said about your dad…” Before she could finish, his lips were devouring hers. It was so intense she couldn't breathe. She broke away, her eyes full of questions.
“I thought so. Thank you.” This time, he didn’t bother to hide the tears in his eyes.
Taking a deep breath, she smiled at him. For once, everything felt right. And safe.
They let a few minutes pass in contented silence.
“Do you really think I should call my mom?”
It was unpredictable. He had to chuckle. “It's up to you.”
“I know, but what do you think?”
“Well, as long as you're asking for my advice, I don't think it would hurt.” Vague enough—she couldn't blame him, no matter what happened.
“Hmm.” She closed her eyes, running it through her mind. “Thank you.”
Climbing back onto the bed, she gestured to him. Bending down to meet her, she stretched closer, kissing him. The words stung her tongue, but she swallowed them. After they were settled in, maybe she would trust him enough to talk to him about her own family.
SUNDAY
LOGAN
Logan found himself suffering from another vicious anxiety attack, the uncontrollable jumpiness driving him crazy. To ease it, he decided to get drunk. Already on his third vodka, he was halfway there.
Nick was on his way to meet him. It had been a last minute decision coming back to La Seca, but he needed a serious diversion. On impulse, he gave in to Nick and texted Gina. Now, with his agitation increasing, he regretted it.
Nick walked in first, an unusual sight in jeans and a black tee shirt. Logan snickered. He couldn't remember ever seeing him so causal, unless the times he was undressed were counted.
The scent of Nick’s expensive cologne preceded him. “Is she coming?” He sat next to him, searching for the waiter.
Logan wasn't in the mood for conversation.
If she shows up fine. If not, I won’t sweat it. We can always dig up another beautiful woman. As long as the money and drinks are flowing, Miami is swarming with them.
Nick’s close scrutiny gave Logan the impression his presence irritated him. Where most of the time Nick was an expert at concealing it, this wasn't one of them.
“What the hell is wrong with you? Besides the fact you look like you haven't slept in months, that is.” Nick frowned.
Logan took his time. He stretched, yawned, and looked him up and down. “Trying to grow a beard again?”
Nick sucked in a breath, before downing his drink. Not wasting a second, he motioned for another, grunted and shifted his body in Logan's direction. “Whatever. I need to know if you are in or out, Logan.”
Logan disregarded the bitterness in his tone with an abrupt wave of his hand and leaned back in the chair. Nick’s obvious exasperation increased his amusement and he burst into gregarious laughter, his eyes tearing. “What the hell do you think?” The breathless words slipped out between cackles.
“If I knew, I wouldn't be asking you. So what's really going on with your wife? I thought the kid wasn’t an issue and you were gonna get rid of the competition and make sure you got her back.” Nick struck back.
“Yeah, right! Whatever gave you that idea? I told you that shit is over now, so celebrate cause I'm all yours.” It sounded like a joke, but his expression turned serious. He lifted his eyebrows, waiting for Nick's reaction.
Nick shook his head in contemplation. “Are you sure it's over? What happened?”
“Nothing! It's finished. Or how do you say it in Italian, so you understand? Finite? Yeah, that's it.”
Fucking pervert only cares because he wants to fuck her again!
The truth was he was fed up with Nick and sick to death pretending. Determined not to back down, he shoved his hair out his face and flagged down the waitress for another drink.
“That's finito, asshole! And you should slow down, Logan. You don't wanna disappoint Gina, do you?”
Logan's mouth opened, about to come back with a sarcastic remark. The look in Nick's eyes stopped him. He turned to follow his gaze. It led straight to Gina, strutting their way.
“Well, I see you changed your mind after all, heh, Papi? I knew you couldn’t live without me!” She leaned over to kiss him, thrilled by the hunger in his eyes as her breasts popped out of the top of the low cut red dress. When he didn't follow her lead, she dug her long red fingernails into his cheeks, and clamped her lips to his. Unable to avoid it, his gaze landed on the purple bruise mark on her cheek. Frowning, he wiggled around in his seat, to redirect his line of vision.
Nick's laughter boomed louder in his ears, his eyes taking on a devilish glow as they devoured Gina's body.
“Hey, what about me, sweet stuff?”
Gina grimaced, pulling out of Nicks hands. “What the hell is he doing here, Logan?” She glared at Logan, her hands glued to her ample hips.
Logan drummed the table with his fingers and continued ignoring Nick's glare. With his head already spinning, he’d put too much energy into getting buzzed and didn’t want to ruin it. “What do you want to drink, honey?”
“Rum and coke. Don't change the subject Logan, I asked you a question and I demand an answer! You finally text me after our little fiasco and he's here? Why?” Gina’s voice reached a feverish pitch, alerting the waitress, who rushed over.
Logan ordered another round and placed both hands on Gina’s shoulders, the sheepish grin on his face silencing her. This time when he opened his mouth, instead of words a loud sigh escaped and he threw his head back with a huge smile. Enraged, Gina's eyes narrowed. He couldn’t help it and burst out laughing, unable to stop. Growing madder by the second, Nick maneuvered his way in between them.
“Sorry, sorry, it's just so funny! You should see your face, Gina!” Logan's cackles slowly faded out, while Gina’s outrage escalated.
“You motherfucker! What the fuck did you think I was gonna do both of you?”
As her tirade picked up steam, it brought a lot of unwanted attention their way and a small, excited crowd had assembled around them.
“Okay, okay! Calm her down, Logan. What the fuck is going on here? I thought you worked it out with her?” Nick appeared to be teetering somewhere between a heart attack, disappointment, and anger.
Logan wanted to speak but his numbed mouth and breathlessness from laughing so hard, prevented it. All he could offer was another helpless shrug. Sensing he was in trouble, he turned to Nick, certain he would back him up. It didn’t happen.
“Don't look at me. I thought she knew.”
Logan didn’t get a chance to blink let alone search for explanations or reconciliation. Gina lunged forward, knocking him off the stool. Nick jumped up anxious to grab her thrashing arms before she turned on him. Logan wobbled to his feet, swaying back and forth. Despite his dazed, drunken state, his survival instincts were sharp. He managed to duck out of reach and stay there until Nick restrained her.