Hidden Bruises, Hidden Plans

BECCA

I was on my way from the airport. My emotions were mixed up to the highest level. My reasonable side was telling me that I could go to New York, and everything would be fine between Logan and me. My damaged side was scared of leaving him alone. He was too important to me.

My love for him was more than just simple care and affection. Being around him brought me joy. I truly hated being separated from him. My mom was right… The way I was attached to Logan started to even scare me.

Last night at Leslie’s house went amazing. She and her family were friendly people. Logan was friends with Leslie’s husband, and for a good portion of dinner, they discussed games and tactics.

Leslie and I participated until she stood up, took my hand in hers, and walked us away from the men. She told me that this gesture would remind them that they weren’t alone there. She was right. Logan and Kith walked to the living room from the terrace 10 minutes later.

The thing that surprised me the most was Logan’s relationship with Leslie and Kith’s daughter. Courtney adored Logan, and he treated her the same way. He let her draw flowers on his wrist, and he played the role of her servant when she imagined herself as a queen.

Leslie told me that it had always been like that. Her daughter fell in love with my man from the first day she met him. She even was a little hostile toward me at first. The five-year-old was jealous, can you believe that?

Logan brought me to the airport, and we stayed locked in the car for more than 40 minutes. I was disappointed, though; he needed to go to practice, so he couldn’t stay with me until my plane boarded.

I sent him a message as soon as my plane landed in New York. He answered me immediately, telling me that he only had time to shower right after practice and was now on his way home.

Yeah, it wasn't so easy to concentrate on my surroundings when the only thing on my mind was a very naked Logan under the streaming water. Snap out of it, Rebecca!

It was Monday evening. Chase and Jenny should be at home already. I changed my ticket so I would arrive at their home when they were there.

I was sure that a big talk was waiting for me. Chase wasn't one to let go of things like this. He always tried to make me talk, to voice my feelings and my desires.

“Hey, finally!” Jenny opened the door for me and hugged me tightly. I hugged her back and smiled like an idiot. She was always so nice to me, and I loved her so much. “You are a brunette again. Your man doesn't like blonde hair?”

I stepped inside and smiled at her, shrugging my shoulders.

“Well... He loves everything about me, but I was so tired of hearing everyone commenting on my new hair color, and besides, I started to miss my natural color...”

“God, you sound so cheeky.” As soon as I stepped into the living room, I saw Chase walking to greet me. He wound his hands around my waist, lifted me, and pressed me close to his chest. What did I do to deserve a friend like him?

Chase and Jenny prepared an astonishing dinner for us, while I brought the wine from Philadelphia with me. We talked and laughed, confiding in each other. Most of the evening, we discussed their plans for the vacation and the near future.

Jenny went to the bedroom, leaving Chase and me alone. I wasn’t surprised. Yes, she was my friend too, but with her hubby, it was a whole different story. He was like a big brother to me, and she was aware of that.

“Okay, babe, I am listening,” Chase said as he sat on my bed after we took care of the empty dishes.

“What?” I plopped myself down on my back and stared at the ceiling.

“Becca… Do you love Logan?”

“This feeling is overwhelming. I’ve never felt like this, Chase. I swear to you. He is the one. He was meant for me from the day I met him for the first time. I know it now.”

“Destiny, huh?” Chase slid onto his back and lay next to me.

“Something like that.” I smiled and closed my eyes.

“Becca, I am so happy for you. When I look at you, you radiate love and happiness. I don’t know how to explain it... When are you going to go back to your Prince Charming?”

“On Saturday. I already bought a ticket, and he will meet me at the airport.”

“You bought a ticket? Your boyfriend could buy you the whole plane!” Chase laughed, and I chuckled. Yep, he was telling the truth, but I didn’t need that. I only needed Logan to make me feel happy. “I am joking, baby girl. I know it’s not in your nature. What about Drew?”

“God, where did you learn to change the subject like that?” I giggled, but then became extremely serious. “I hurt him so much with my decision... He was hoping to meet me at the wedding and that I would give him a second chance.”

“Yeah, it’s a pity, but it was inevitable. I mean Logan and you. I was sure that it would be like that when you told me that Lily invited you to her wedding.”

“Are you a seer? A Nostradamus, maybe?” Chase tickled me a little, making me laugh so much. Then he wrapped his hand around my shoulder and pressed me to his chest. “I will miss Jenny and you like crazy. You are my family.”

“We will be too, babe. I will stay with you. If you are okay with that,” I nestled in to get a little more comfortable near him and shook my head. Chase kissed me on the temple. “Goodnight, Becca.”

“Goodnight, Chase.”

I fell asleep in Chase’s arms that night; we were both dressed in our clothes. When it happened for the first time, I was afraid that Jenny would hate me or be jealous. But no, she understood it right away and made fun of us when she came into the room that morning.

That night was different in only one way. Chase felt that my life was changing, and he wanted to spend as much time as possible with me.

I woke up in the middle of the night. Chase was sleeping on his back a little further away from me. I sat up in the bed, trying to understand the reason for my awakening. It was my phone vibrating on the bed near my pillow.

I took it and saw that it was Drew. Why did he need to call me at 4 am?! I stood up and walked to the hallway.

“Drew?”

“Rebecca, is that you?” Okay. He was drunk. “Fuck, how much I missed your voice and you... You have no idea, babe... Do you know how hard it is for me to know that you are with him...”

“Drew, it’s…”

“I always knew that he was in love with you,” he interrupted me. I wasn’t so sure that he heard me at all.

“My best friend was in love with my girl… It sounds like a cruel joke, but while he was keeping it to himself, I was good… But fuck! You had feelings for him too! This whole time!

“I barely kept myself from hitting Logan when he was at the hospital. I came to visit him, and you were there, sitting on his bed and talking… You looked so cozy together. It pissed me off so much!”

I heard the sound of something falling to the ground. Drew sounded drunk and furious. Not a good combination.

“When I realized that my trip to Texas conflicted with the wedding… I wanted to cancel it. Because I had this feeling in my gut… That he would steal you away from me! Guess what?! I was right! Fucking asshole!”

Another sound of something falling to the ground. “My best friend is going to live happily ever after with my girl. The only girl I ever loved. The only girl I wanted to be with. Becca, be with me, please…”

I closed my eyes and leaned my back against the wall. What could I say to him? I was sure that Logan was the one. Drew was good for me, but now that was all in the past. He was gorgeous, hot, smart, and funny, but he and I were not going to happen.

“Becca, I love you, and he could never love you as much. He is too selfish, he’s used to being the center of attention... He knows that all the women that surround him would be more than happy to just let him bang them... I saw it so many times, trust me, babe... He will cheat on you, Becca…”

“No.” I opened my eyes and stared at the wall. I was angry at Drew. The things he was saying about Logan were horrid. He had known him since they were kids!

“He will, Becca... and I will make sure that you will know... It will make you open your eyes... You will be with me, and I will heal your broken heart.”

I ended the call and turned off the sound. I was so frustrated right now and so furious. He had no right to talk about Logan like that. Who told him that there was even the slightest hope for him and me? There was nada. I didn’t love him anymore. That was something that I knew for sure.

I will call him in the morning. He was going to fly to Logan on Wednesday, but hearing his nonsense, I had no desire for my man to be near Drew. I was afraid that he would do something. That he would sabotage my and Logan’s relationship. Or he will hurt Logan…