Long-Distance Love

BECCA

Well, my parents’ reaction to my announcement that I was leaving home earlier than planned was unexpected. They both were sure that I would do that, and they weren’t even upset.

Mom said she was tired of looking at my sad face, so I needed my Logan injection as soon as possible. Dad wasn’t very talkative, but even he supported my decision.

So, the next day after my talk with Logan, I was already on the plane. He was ecstatic to hear that I was going to come to him. He promised to meet me at the airport, and now I was standing near my suitcase, waiting for him.

It didn’t look good because he was 15 minutes late. I was biting my lower lip in absolute annoyance. Who does that? Promising to come and not showing up? He didn’t call me and didn’t pick up his phone either. I was tapping my foot on the ground, arms folded over my chest.

My phone buzzed, and I answered right away.

“Rebecca, finally!” Jenny’s voice filled my ears. I hadn’t talked to Chase or her for almost a week. I texted both of them, but I wasn’t giving any hints about what happened with my life. Chase knew that something was up, but he couldn’t guess it. Okay, he decided to change his approach.

“Hey, Jenny! How are you?” I looked around me again. No sign of Logan. Where the hell was he?

“Fine. Work has been taking up a lot of my time, but I am trying to multitask. It’s a marvelous experience. Chase is the loveliest husband anyone could ask for. Other women should be jealous of me because of him.”

“He is. You are very lucky.” It was true. Chase was an amazing man, kind and caring. He would be a great dad one day.

“Rebecca, are you coming back to New York next week, right? We wanted to go on vacation and…”

“Jenny, the thing is… I will come to New York next week to collect my things.”

“What?!” I heard Chase’s voice and sighed. He had been listening the whole time.

“Chase, tell me that at least you’re really going on vacation. Your wife deserves that.”

“Yes, we are going to LA in three weeks… But what does that mean, Becca?” Chase sounded like my dad could have sounded. I guess it was my fault. He got used to caring about me to keep me safe.

“I am not going to stay in New York. I already contacted Mr. Wilson, and he knows that he’ll need to find another person for the position.”

“Did you think about contacting me?” I heard steps, and I knew that he was striding away from Jenny. He sounded angry. Fucking hell! I was starting to lose my cool while waiting for Logan. And now this?

“Chase, I wanted to talk to you… But honestly, I had no idea how to tell you this…”

“Logan or Drew?”

“Logan.”

“Becca Dawson, you’re unbelievable… Babe, why were you afraid to tell me? I have always been there for you, showing you my support and caring about you. Why?”

“Chase, this thing between Logan and me… I couldn’t explain it even to myself… But I love him…”

“I know. I figured that out a long time ago… Your interest in his life was a significant sign. Are you happy with him?”

“To the moon and back… Chase, I am so scared… Drew told me a lot about Logan’s life, and I am afraid…”

“Becca, where are you?”

“I am in Philly.”

“What?!”

“Chase, I will be deaf if you continue yelling like that.” He laughed, hearing me say it.

“Okay. Sorry. So, back to the second question. When are you going to be back?”

“Next week, on Thursday. I will stay with you guys for a few days, pack my things, and then go back to him. That’s the plan… Or it was…” I glanced to the left, then to the right. I felt a pang in my chest. What was I doing here, and where was my man?

“Okay. I will leave you alone for now. But prepare yourself for a big talk. Deal?”

“Deal. Bye, Chase, and say bye to Jenny too.”

“Okay. Bye, Becca.”

He ended the call, and I put my phone into my purse. I was in a bizarre situation. Assuming that Logan would meet me, I didn’t ask him about his home address. I had no idea where to go or what to do.

“Are you Rebecca?” I heard a voice behind me.

I turned around and stared at a stunning woman with platinum blonde hair and a body that could have belonged to a supermodel. She was wearing very simple but very expensive clothes. I recognized all the brands on her. I didn’t like the way she was looking at me.

“Yes. And who are you?”

“I am Leslie, Leslie Kempler. Logan’s agent. He asked me to bring you home.” I looked her up and down. She was showing me with her body language that I wasn’t welcome here.

“Where is he?” I didn’t budge even an inch.

“Busy. Let’s go. I don’t have all day to stand here with you.”

“Are you fucking serious?! Where is Logan?” I arched my eyebrow. Was this his assistant?

“Excuse me?”

“Are you trying to tell me that Logan asked you to come pick me up, but he didn’t tell you my phone number? He didn’t tell you the exact time my plane was landing?” Yep. That’s what I thought. This woman was trying to sabotage me.

“I was busy with…” She shut her mouth, looking at me with narrowed eyes. Then her lips stretched into a big and radiant smile.

“Well, Becca... Now I know that Logan told the truth. You are worth waiting for. You won’t let anyone walk all over you, and you will defend yourself and your man like a tigress.”

“What’s going on?” I was confused.

“Let’s try this again. I am Leslie, and it’s nice to meet you.” She stepped up to me and hugged me briefly.

“Becca, I am very sorry for this performance, but trust me... I have seen a lot of girls vying for his attention, while they were only interested in his money and success.

“I wanted to make sure that he was right about you. And he is. You’re a miracle, and I am happy that Logan was able to find his way back to you.”

“Thank you?”

She laughed.

“Your man was going nuts because his practice was delayed. He called me and asked me to meet you. He gave me your phone number and all the needed details, but I decided to check up on you, and I am really happy with the outcome. Let’s go, Becca, really. Logan is probably on his way home.”

Despite everything, I decided to follow her. We went outside the airport and right to her shiny SUV. She even helped me place my suitcase inside the trunk.

When we were both inside and she drove, I was silent, trying to calm down. Waiting for Logan, then my talk with Chase, and then Leslie’s test—it all took a toll on me.

“Becca, may I say? You’re a gorgeous girl. Your emerald eyes are unforgettable, and your lips… Am I right that they’re all yours?”

“Yes,” I nodded my head a little.

“Well, then you’re a real beauty. My husband loves to say that girls with natural beauty are rare gems these days.”

Only then did I notice a wedding ring on her finger. Damn! I was so stupid! “Yeah, I am married and uninterested in your man. He’s my friend and my client. I care about his well-being, but only in a friendly way. I have his best interests at heart.”

“I am sorry that I was rude to you. Logan promised to meet me, and when I saw that he was late and he didn’t answer any of my phone calls… I was on the verge of freaking out…”

“You’re a feisty girl, and I like you more and more.” Leslie turned her head to me, and we laughed. “Logan planned so much for you… I never saw him go all out for any girl. It’s like he is unstoppable in his desire to please you.”

“All that I want from him is for him to be honest with me and to love me. I need neither his money nor his limelight. I need the real guy that I met eight years ago in college.”

“But he’s not just a real guy, Rebecca. He’s a professional football player, and he’s the star of his team. It goes with the territory.”

“I know.” I glanced at her. Leslie was so serious right now.

“There will be a lot of women around him, don’t let them intimidate you or make you feel insecure. He chose you, and that should be the only thing that matters to you.”

“Thank you.”

“No need to thank me. My hubby was a pro too, but he’s retired now. There were so many harpies who tried to seduce him or to steal him from me… I lost count of them. But we loved each other, we trusted each other, and it was our strength.”

“I love him so much, but trust might be an issue.”

“Really? What happened to you?”

“Well… I was cheated on. Twice.”

“Fools. What can I say? You know, men can sometimes be very stupid. They cheat and then they regret it because they lost someone whom they loved. Do you know Drew?”

I nodded my head at her. Something was telling me that I knew what she was going to say next.

“He cheated on his girlfriend years ago, and he still feels sorry that he did that. He loved her, and he screwed up big time.”

“Yeah, it tore us apart. I forgave him, but I couldn’t trust him anymore. His unfaithfulness broke our love.” I decided to tell the truth without thinking.

“Shut up! Shut up! You were Drew’s girl?! Fuck! Oh my God… Girl, you are full of surprises.” Leslie looked at me sideways. “Then how did it happen between you and Logan? I thought you were with him in college… Well, I never asked for details, but I…”

“I met Logan on my first day in college. We were attracted to each other from the very first second, but he wasn’t single. I started dating Drew, while Logan and I became best friends.

“But then Drew and I broke up, Logan and I fell apart… long story short, I loved Logan for a long time without being able to admit it even to myself. His sister’s wedding helped us find each other and decide to be together. And… Here I am. Moving from New York just for the man I love.”

“He will make you happy. I heard how he talked about you, and he is completely under your spell,” the car slowed down, and I saw a big fence before my eyes. “Well, princess, we arrived at your Prince Charming’s domain. I hope you’re ready for your surprise.”

The fence gate opened automatically, and I saw a huge house. Yeah, Logan wasn’t lying when he said that John’s family house looked almost like his. His house was even bigger, but simpler at the same time: white walls and big floor-to-ceiling windows.

But when I shifted my gaze to the entrance and saw Logan near the car, all other thoughts slipped from my mind. I desperately wanted to be in his arms.