A Lingering Tension

BECCA

When I woke up, it was almost noon, but I stayed in bed for another thirty minutes. Yesterday’s party was insane. I hadn’t felt so mixed up in years! And the reason for most of it was Logan.

My happy memories were connected with Lily and John when they danced together, laughed, and talked with their friends. They even went together for a private dance from a stripper. The more I watched them, the more certain I became that they were perfect together.

I went to the bathroom and washed my face. I looked a little pale, but I guess it was all because of a lot of alcohol. My head wasn’t killing me, so it meant that even if I drank a lot, it didn’t affect my consciousness.

I changed into my sweatpants and a loose t-shirt that hung off one shoulder. I looked nice, but it was all a facade. I just wanted to look normal.

I went downstairs and strode straight to the kitchen. I heard voices behind the door. Inside, I found Lily and her mother, Alicia. When they saw me, they both smiled. I smiled and waved in greeting.

“How are you, Rebecca? Did you sleep well?” Alicia asked me and turned to the fridge. She showed me yogurt and a sandwich, and I only nodded.

“Everything is fine. I just woke up a few minutes ago.” I sat near Lily and glanced at her. She looked perfect, with no trace of tiredness or a sleepless night. Come to think about it, I have no idea when she and John left the club.

“You look good,” she winked at me and took a sip of her coffee. “Did Liam play the role of your driver? John asked him to look after you.”

“Yeah. He was a perfect gentleman.” And I was incredibly rude to him. After I found Logan and Riley in the bathroom, I barely said a word to Liam. I was silent and moody. Let’s hope he thinks it was all because of alcohol in my system.

“Do you like him?” Alicia stood in front of me with her cup of coffee in her hands.

“He’s nice, handsome, and smart. But we only met for the first time yesterday.”

“I saw you were dancing with Logan,” Lily exclaimed, and I tensed. “Were you two able to find common ground again?”

“No. It’s useless. We are strangers now.” I took a bite of my sandwich. Lily looked disappointed.

“John said that you looked damn good together.”

“Rebecca was a perfect match for Drew,” Alicia said, looking me straight in the eyes. Okay, point taken. I wasn’t good enough for her marvelous son. Interesting, would she think that if she knew about him and Riley?

“Yeah... They were perfect together,” Lily said, smiling again. I kept my mouth shut and just ate my food.

“What time did Logan come home?” Alicia looked at Lily and me; we both shrugged our shoulders.

“When I left, he was still in the club.”

“Really? I didn’t see him. But we left twenty minutes after you and Liam. We were back almost at three.”

“I thought I heard the front door opening around five, but I'm not so sure. He’s still sleeping. I took a look inside his room... I wonder what state he was in; he was still in his clothes,” Lil’s mom said thoughtfully. I guess she wasn't expecting this behavior from her perfect son.

“Well, Mom, he was drinking a lot. I'm not surprised.”

“I think his life away from home is changing him. And not in a good way, I have to admit it. I asked him when he's going to get married, and he just laughed in my face! Can you believe it?”

“Seriously?” Lily placed her cup on the kitchen counter and stared at her mother.

“Yeah, he said that at first, it’s not my business. And the second, that for that he needs to make everything right. I tried to ask him again, what does he mean by that, but it was useless.”

“The Logan I knew and the Logan I met yesterday... it’s a different person,” I said in a low voice, standing from my stool.

“You’re mistaken, Rebecca. Again.” I turned around and stared at Logan. Damn, he looked terrible. Dark circles under his eyes, pale face, and messy hair. I guess he was hungover beyond everything.

“Really? Well, agree to disagree, Logan.” I went to the sink and washed my plate.

After I finished, I walked to the exit. Logan sat on the stool where I was seated just minutes ago. He was pressing his fingers to his temples. Yeah, I think his head must be killing him right now.

“Lil, what time are we going? I need to take my car from the club.”

“At 6 pm. The rehearsal is scheduled at 8 pm. It will be quick, so after that, we will have some dinner outside on the terrace. There will be only John’s parents, our best men, and bridesmaids.”

“Okay. I will go then. Thank you for the food, Alicia.” Mrs. Jones smiled at me and turned her gaze to her son. She was worried about him, and it was pretty clear.

He was showing impressive results on the field, but in his personal life, he was a disaster. He never got involved in anything very scandalous, but he had been seen at a lot of parties and with a lot of women.

What changed him so much?

Oh, for fuck’s sake! I shouldn’t even think about him! I need to turn that page in my life and forget about him entirely.

After this wedding is finished, there will be a small chance of me meeting him again. In a few years, I will look at him with a smile on my face, while I tell my new friends or colleagues that I was friends with Logan Jones.

I put my phone on the table and went to change. The weather was hot, so I just put on my strappy floral dress and walked out of the room, making a high ponytail on my way through the door.

I will walk. This way, I will have the opportunity to think about everything that happened at the party with a clear mind. Besides, the fresh air was also good for making me more reasonable.

For starters, this thing between Logan and me is still there. Neither of us is able to act unaffected by each other. We have this pull, and I know that he feels it too.

It is obvious by his glances, by the way he touches me while we are dancing. But it is so stupid! Why is it like that? I don’t want to have any feelings for him at all!

After that strange night, a few times today, I caught myself thinking about my upcoming meeting with Drew. How will it be? Will I be attracted to him? Or will it all be in the past?

When I said goodbye to him, I promised to stay in touch. And obviously, I never did. I wanted a fresh start. No hard feelings, no regrets.

I tried to keep pleasant memories of our relationship, and I think I’ve managed pretty well. This night was the first time I remembered this Natasha girl, who was the reason for my breakup with Drew.

I saw a street sign that I needed and turned left. I saw my dad’s car from afar. I strolled to it and noticed that Logan had parked his car right next to mine. I bit my lower lip, staring at his powerful car. I wanted to drive it badly.

It was a Lamborghini Aventador, and I felt totally dazed by its beauty. And the strength that was hidden under the hood. Damn, this idiot had exquisite taste in cars, and I envied him for that. Not for luxury. But for the opportunities that were open before him.

He could have had everything. All he needed to do was just ask or even hint. I sighed deeply and closed my eyes. Fuck, it was getting the better of me.

I walked to my dad’s car and opened it, sliding inside. I was ready to start the engine when I saw a taxi stop in the parking lot. Logan, dressed in a white t-shirt and jean shorts, jumped out.

He had sunglasses on, hiding his face from the eyes of a curious public and also from the sunlight. How could he even think about driving this car in his condition? He wasn't completely sober. Ugh, I hate him!

“I hope you aren't planning to drive it,” I said as I climbed out of the car. Logan turned his head to me but said nothing. Besides, his sunglasses were hiding his eyes from me.

“Actually, I do.” He sounded hoarse.

“This is the dumbest thing I've heard from you. You were drinking. You are experiencing a hangover right now. And your car is too powerful to drive in your condition!” I pointed my finger at him and stepped closer, which was absolutely unnecessary.

“Here.” Logan took a step, closing the distance between us. He placed something in my palm, and when I looked at it, my heart skipped a beat. It was the keys to his car.

“I can't…” I stared into his eyes.

“No, you can. I will drive your car.”

“It's not mine, it's my dad's…” Logan extended his hand, waiting for me to give him the keys.

“Logan, I…”

“Rebecca, I know you want it. I saw you staring at it. So just jump on this opportunity and use it.” I licked my lips, becoming more and more nervous with every second. “I will drive your dad’s car as slowly as possible. Promise. Keys, Rebecca.”

I gave him the car keys, and he instantly walked to the car, leaving me in front of his. What should I do? Oh fuck, please, I've already made a decision. I'm going to drive this car. No matter what. Or why.

Logan drove off, leaving me behind. Well, now I don’t have a choice. I opened the driver’s door and sat inside. I even closed my eyes, inhaling the car’s aroma. If I can be honest, I even felt aroused just because I was inside such a beautiful and untamed car.

“You can do this,” I whispered to myself and started the engine.

The drive was the most intense of my life. I enjoyed every little bit of it, even if it was only for 10 minutes. When I parked the car in the garage, I walked back to the porch. Logan was there, waiting for me.

As I walked closer, I realized that he wasn’t wearing his sunglasses anymore. His look was still a little pale, but the other symptoms disappeared. He was scrutinizing me.

I smiled at him, despite everything. And he smiled back, showing me his cute dimples. It reminded me of our interactions in the past. Without thinking, I rushed to him, hugging him by his neck. Logan stumbled a little but caught me in his arms, wrapping them around my waist.

“Thank you, Logan. From the bottom of my heart.”

“It’s nothing. You wanted it, and I gave you the opportunity.”

I leaned back from him, still staying in his embrace. I wanted to look him in the eyes. Now, he looked just like the Logan I had seen at our first meeting. Without even noticing, I leaned towards his face. Towards his lips. I was also the one who was staring at his mouth.

Logan leaned towards me, and I was ready for it to happen. I was ready to answer his kiss as soon as he wanted it. Our lips were almost touching. I closed my eyes, letting myself go in his arms when I felt my phone buzzing. Incredibly bad timing!

I wiggled and looked in my purse. I took out my phone. It was Jenny.

“Do you really need to answer that?” Logan’s whisper sent shivers down my spine.

“Yeah. It’s my friend, and she will be worried. And it’s the last thing I want to happen.” I stepped back from him.

“Why?”

“Because she will call Chase, and he will be worried too.”

“For crying out loud! Do you even spend at least one day without this guy?” Logan sounded angry. Back to square one, I guess.

“Not these days. I live with him.” I shrugged my shoulders. I was going to answer Jenny when I heard Logan’s laugh. I turned to look at him.

“And just a second ago, you almost kissed me? Damn, Rebecca, you never were like that.”

“Listen to me, Logan. And try to remember this once and for all. Yes, I live with Chase in his house in Brooklyn, but I also live with Jenny. She’s his wife, for three years already. And I love this girl, just like I love her hubby. We are friends and nothing more.”

I watched as his expression changed. But it was too late.

“And yes, Logan. I wanted to kiss you just now. Because I still feel attracted to you and because the ride in your car gave me a sensation I’ve never felt before just from driving.

“But now, forget about it. You could go and find Riley. Maybe she will give you another sloppy blowjob. Just like she did yesterday.”

With that, I turned around and walked away from the house. I still had time, so I was going to stroll a little. To clear my mind (Again!). To talk to Jenny. And to think about how I will be avoiding Logan.

Because, yes, I was ready to jump on him, despite everything that had happened in the past or just at the party. And it wasn’t right. Not right at all.