“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.

Have to go. No more worrying. Promise I got this handled.

Always the protector, worrying about everyone else.

:) Goodnight. Love you. XO

Sleep well x

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Hunger

As I pulled up outside Julia’s potential new home, I was even more convinced she’d love it. The exterior was not only stunning and regal, but also held a cool modern edge. I was dying to see how the interior had changed, given all the design ideas Logan and I had gone over shortly after my car accident.

It seemed like forever ago...another world.

Logan appeared through the front door and descended the porch steps as soon as my car came to a stop in the driveway. My smile was broad, and my mood almost giddy.

“There you are,” he said, opening my door.

“You said four.”

He glanced mockingly at his watch. “It’s two after.”

I rolled my eyes with a soft giggle, placed my hand in his that was extended to me, and climbed out.

“Is Julia here?” I asked, looking around for her vehicle. I only spotted his.

“Not yet. She has an afternoon class and said she’d be here after.” He led me inside, his palm resting over the small of my back.

“Oh.” My heart jolted happily as I realized we were alone.