Unwanted Meeting

BECCA

I couldn’t do anything to avoid this meeting. Lily told me that he was running some errands with John, so it was only logical that he was also back. But no, I was too distracted by meeting with Lily’s future husband. Dammit!

I took a step back and looked up at Logan. As soon as our eyes locked, I felt trapped by him. His eyes always had a magnetic effect on me, simply because I liked their brown color. Wrong thought, Becca!

I saw his face contort with confusion. His brows furrowed, and Logan fixed his gaze on me. The silence was becoming more and more uncomfortable. I had a feeling that we had been staring at each other for hours when, in reality, it had only been a few seconds.

“Rebecca?” His voice was calm and familiar. But why did he act like he didn’t recognize me at first sight?! “What the fuck did you do to your hair?!”

Hell no! No! We hadn’t seen each other in person for a few years, and that was the first thing he said to me? Who did he think he was?

“Nice to see you too, Logan.” I strode past him towards the exit of the living room.

I even bumped into his shoulder on my way out. It hurt because he was a fucking wall of muscles and biceps. But I didn’t care. I climbed upstairs and went straight to my room, closing the door behind me. I barely restrained myself from slamming it. I was furious!

Why was I surprised?! It was me who was pathetic, following his life through the photos in the media or on his social pages. I knew everything about him, even that he had another set of tattoos done.

One of them, the tattoo of the eagle, was on his neck, and he got it two months ago. I saw him now, and he looked just like I pictured him, because I saw him last week on the pages of a gossip magazine.

His dark brown hair was messy on top, but his temples and nape were shaved. His nose was even more crooked than before because he broke it five months ago. His lips were full and inviting as they always were.

Logan was all about strength and power. His fucking chest felt like it was made of steel. I knew every little detail about the asshole! Even how his scar looked now because last month I saw his photos from the beach and he was shirtless.

While I read, Googled, followed his Instagram, Logan hadn’t known anything about me or my life. I was an active user of Instagram, and I posted a photo with my new hairstyle when I got to New York.

He didn’t see it. I knew that he wasn’t one of my followers, but somehow I thought that he looked at my photos from time to time.

Stupid, Rebecca! Even the fact that he didn’t recognize me at first was confirmation that he erased me from his life. Logan threw our memories in the dust and didn’t give a damn about my life.

I closed my eyes. That realization was too much. I wouldn't cry. No! It would be all over my face if I let myself start that. I needed to stay strong.

I took a deep breath and started breathing in and out, calming down. Why was I expecting something different from him? I looked down at my wrist and ran my fingers over my tattoo. What he did with my necklace and what he said after that was confirmation that I meant nothing to Logan.

I was going to get drunk at Lily's party tonight. I needed to let loose.

I stayed locked in my room for a couple of hours. I went downstairs only when Lily came to my room and called me to go greet her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Jones were always nice to me, and it wasn't surprising that I felt relaxed in their company.

I talked a little with Mrs. Jones about my life in New York. She knew everything about me from Lily. For once, I was happy that her son didn't show his asshole face while I was in the kitchen.

At 9 pm, I went to my room and changed into my dress. It was a lined dress with red lace material, a cupped bust with adjustable straps, and a full skirt. It looked good on me, highlighting my boobs and my collarbone.

I didn't do anything in particular to my hair, only created loose curls at the end. But I put a lot of effort into my makeup. I tried to highlight my emerald eyes with eyeshadows and with a black line of eyeliner on my upper lids.

Making sure not to overdo it, I used a moisturizing balm on my lips. They looked fantastic. I put on my heels and went downstairs.

In the hallway, I met Mr. Jones. He looked me up and down and gave me a thumbs up. I smiled at him. He was the only person who knew that I slept with Logan. As far as I know, he never said a word to Mrs. Jones, and he was always respectful to me.

“Rebecca, you look stunning. Well, you always were a very beautiful girl, but now you are a gorgeous young woman.”

“Thank you, Mr. Jones.”

“Sweetheart, I remember that my wife and I asked you to call us by our names. It’s Matthew.”

“I know, I am sorry, Matthew.”

“That’s better. Are you ready to get crazy? My daughter and John went all out while planning a combined party.” He laughed, and I felt my smile freeze in place. He said, “combined”. Damn you, Lily!

“Yeah, soooo ready!” I nodded my head. “I’ll go wait outside.”

“Of course, Rebecca. Have a nice night! And even if you drink too much, it’s okay. The wedding is planned for Saturday evening, and you will have time to get through your hangover!”

“Thank you.” I opened the front door and walked outside. Everything fell into place. That’s why she was hiding from me the details about the party.

She knew that as soon as I realized that it would be a bachelorette and bachelor party combined in one, I would make some excuse and wouldn’t show up at all. I was ready to kill her right now!

I went to my car and climbed inside. I was planning to leave it near the place of the party, but now I was seriously considering the option of not drinking anything. It would be much safer. Because in my drunken state, I could easily see myself saying something to Logan.

“What are you doing in your car?” My door opened, and I saw Lily. She was confused. “Dad said that you went outside, and when I came out of the house, you weren’t there.”

“Combined party, huh?” I said, pursing my lips. Lily cursed.

“So, now you are thinking about not coming to my bachelorette party?” She folded her arms over her chest.

“Don’t say stupid things, Lil! Of course, I will go. You mean a lot to me, but I would have been happier if I had known it from the start.”

“Maybe. But I know you too well. Come on, Becca.”

“Okay. Tell me where to drive.” I placed my hand on my keys.

“I thought we would go there together.” I turned to look at Lily. “You, Logan, and I. In his car.”

“Thank you for your offer. But I will politely decline. I could follow his car, but I won’t sit inside.”

“Becca.” Lily sighed and rolled her eyes. “Fine. Wait for me.”

I wasn’t looking where she went because it would mean seeing Logan. I was staring at my nails while my fingers were going nuts on the steering wheel. I heard the passenger door opening, and Lily climbed inside. Only then did I turn my head and look her over.

She chose a sparkling beige dress that hugged her every curve, and it looked perfect on her. Her makeup was bright and highlighted her high cheekbones and her brown eyes with long eyelashes. Her hair was down with beach waves. She looked beautiful.

“So… Not to state the obvious, but I guess your meeting with my big brother didn’t go well,” Lily said as soon as we drove. Since I was the driver for Lily, it was Logan who followed my car.

“Why?” I didn’t even turn my head to her.

“Maybe because he walked inside a few seconds after you left the kitchen. In other circumstances, I guess John and I would have found you talking, remembering the good old days. What happened?”

“I guess it was stupid of me to think that the great Logan Jones, star of the Philadelphia Eagles, would remember me.”

“What? That’s bullshit!”

“Lil, I saw his face. He barely recognized me.”

“I don’t believe that. Sorry, Becca, but not this time.”

“But he did! He asked me in a surprised tone of voice, ‘Rebecca?’ and the next thing I know, he insulted my new hairstyle!” Lily fell silent.

“What did he say, exactly?”

“What the fuck did I do to my hair? Nice, right?”

“I guess he was surprised, that’s all! You were brunette when he saw you the last time!”

“That’s just it, Lil. I could tell you when he decided to shave his beard or even when he decided to grow it in the first place. Because I know fucking everything about your brother!”

“What?”

“I thought that it would be the same for him. Yes, we parted ways not in a good way, but... I thought that if I meant something to him, if our friendship meant something to him…”

“That he would be interested in your life?” Lily’s voice was quiet.

“Yeah. But you see how stupid that was.”

“I am sorry... He never asked about you. Drew - yes, but Logan - never.”

“I am telling you, I am the biggest fool!” I laughed, but it sounded so fake, so I instantly closed my mouth and shook my head. “It’s okay. I will live. He was right when he told me that.”

“But it’s rude... He said that today?”

“No. He said it at the lake.”

“You still don’t want to tell me what happened between you two? We were having a good time together, and then just bam, and you wouldn’t look at or talk to each other.”

“Lil, it’s between your brother and me. It didn’t mean anything.” I sighed. “Let’s change the subject. We are almost at the venue, and my mood is a fucking mess. And you need to look happy and cheerful.”

“Okay. Want me to tell you who will be there?”

“Definitely.”

With that, Lily started listing the names of her friends from high school; from college, there would be only Kate and me.

When she started talking about John’s friends, I felt myself relax a little. Well, it was a low blow. But I was stronger than that, and I would be able to act as if nothing happened. Logan Jones cut me out of his life. Okay. I need to take a few lessons from him on that one. He was a real pro.