Declan floated closer to Avery, much closer than the others.
“I don’t have long, I guess we’re sort of used to that,” he joked, chuckling in that deep laugh Avery came to love. “Avery, neither of us was meant to be with you forever, it wasn’t in the plan. But Nick and I are thankful that we got to spend some of our last days wrapped up in your love. You were always meant to end up here - to find your soul mate and to find your father. And he is your soul mate, he’s your other half, you two were created for each other. I have to go now, but remember we’re always looking out for you. You’re about to have everything you ever wanted. He’s coming for you now.”
Declan vanished more abruptly than the rest. Avery blinked her eyes, trying to determine if what she saw was real or just a figment of her imagination. She struggled to fill her lungs with more air, the pressure closing in again. Then Avery felt a coolness brush across her mouth, the smell of Declan’s cologne filtering through the air and caressing her nose. As quickly as she imagined it, the smell and touch disappeared, and Avery was again left alone and empty.
A car door slams and Logan finds her as she sat still perched on the swing, looking as though she’s been lost in her own thoughts, the hallucinogenic visions idly slipping from her mind.
They reconciled and as she left the playground, Avery could faintly smell the strawberry scent lingering in the air, in the distance a smaller play set’s swing rocking back and forth, as if pushed and tugged by the breeze. In her heart, Avery knew it was Aria continuing to watch over her.
At Logan’s house, they find the spaghetti stored in a glass dish and placed in the oven for reheating, courtesy of Austin. They sit at Logan’s table and Avery tells him about her plans for the pediatric clinic while dinner warms in the oven. As they serve the meal, they open a bottle of white wine she purchased at the store, planning to open it on Saturday when Logan was schedule to return home.
“I’m really glad you’re home, Logan.”
He looks up at Avery with his captivating hazel eyes, his hair a bit disheveled and hanging over his forehead, and a panty-wetting smirk etched on his face.
“I’m so happy to be home. And I really can’t wait for the makeup sex. I’ve heard remarkable things about it,” he says as Avery stands from the table to dispose of her dishes, his eyes hungrily perusing her body.
Warmth instantly spreads across her body, settling in her center.
Logan stands from his chair and removes the dishes from her hands, resting them back on the table.
Avery licks her lips as she gazes at the tent forming in his pants and she murmurs, “Remarkable things, huh?”
“Mmhmm,” he replies, greedily feasting his eyes on her exposed cleavage due to the oversized V-neck shirt she’s wearing.
Before Avery has a moment to realize, she’s flung upside down, fireman style, on Logan’s broad shoulder as he stalks towards his bedroom.
“I hope you’re ready, baby. We have a lot of lost time to make up for.”
In the bedroom, he flips her over and releases her onto his bed, settling on top of her, devouring her in open-mouthed kisses as he claims her body as his for the rest of the night.
Avery calls out of work on Friday, wanting to spend the day in bed with Logan, but he has other plans. He wants all her things moved into his house.
Austin lets them borrow one of his work pickup trucks and a large trailer, but Avery didn’t come to Carson with many things, so they were able to make one trip.
In just two hours, her stuff is moved from one location to the other, leaving Logan and Avery the remainder of the weekend in bed with each other. Avery never would have guessed that she would have such an insatiable hunger for a man, or that he would have one for her. But she can’t get enough of Logan and every time she thinks she’s gotten her fill, he’ll do something unremarkable, like opening a can, but the way his biceps tighten as he twists the lid sends her synapses into over-drive and she has to have him again.
This morning Logan came after her, claiming that the way she cooked scrambled eggs was sexy, her hips moving along with the movement of the spatula, and he took her against the counter. She had to send him out of the kitchen so she could make a second, more edible, batch.
Avery hasn’t spoken much about her father and his family to Logan. And as she stands at the closet pulling out potential dresses for the evening, she wonders why that is. At first, Avery thought it was because she wasn’t sure if she was going to follow through with the dinner to begin with, telling Logan would have been like asking a trainer to make sure she exercises. He would have held her accountable. But Avery believes, in actuality, she was scared that he would know them - Carson is a small town after all. She didn’t want to learn anything bad about the only family she had; the family that had embraced her with open arms. Instead, Avery brushed off any questions and changed the subject. Luckily, Logan let it go.
She chooses a deep-red dress that hits her just above the knee and pairs it with a set of blank ankle boots. She leaves her hair down, letting it fall in soft natural waves down her back, the same hair that mimics her father’s. Grabbing a small handbag and a black cardigan, she exits the bedroom and collides with Logan, who was posed to knock on the door.
“Wow, Avery, you look beautiful.”
“Thanks,” she replies shyly. “You look handsome, too.” And he does. He is wearing a light gray button down shirt, which is stretched tightly over his arms and chest, showcasing the rippling muscles below. His dark gray slacks flow from his trim waist, wrapping around his tight behind and thighs. “I’m going to have to beat the ladies off of you.”
He reaches forward and strokes his thumb along Avery’s bottom lip and she closes her eyes at the sensation. She can feel the air change as he leans forward, his minty breath swirling across her face. His hand moves from her lip to her chin and he tilts her head up slightly.
“You’re the only one I’ll ever want, Avery. And remember, you’re the one who gets to come home with me and let me make love to you.”
Eyes still shut tight, Avery groans at his proclamation before he captures her lips with his, sliding the soft skin of his mouth against hers. He pulls away quickly, far sooner than she wants. Avery opens her eyes and harshly sets her gaze upon him.
“Don’t look at me like that, sweetheart. I’d take you against the wall right now if I knew that we had the time. But we need to leave. We’ll continue this tonight. I promise”
Avery pouts childishly, disappointed that he’s right, but Logan growls when he sees her lower lip jutting forward.
“Fuck, you can’t do that, baby.”
He looks at his watch momentarily and then turns Avery, pressing her against the wall, securing a kiss against her lips. Using his knee he spreads her legs wide and he slides his hand up her dress. He groans when he touches her tender flesh, wet and dripping for him.
“No fucking panties?”
Avery shakes her head, dropping her bag and sweater as she reaches forward with her hands to grip the back of Logan’s head and pull him in for another scorching kiss. Her body rocks against his hand as his fingers thrust in and out of her heated core, his palm rubbing circles around her tender bundle of nerves. It doesn't take long before she explodes from the movement of his digits and Logan lets her rest against the wall.
“Better?” he asks as he sucks his fingers into his mouth, inducing another wave of aftershocks in her body.
“Temporarily,” Avery replies as she gazes at the hard-as-steel bulge preparing to burst from the waist of his pants. “It will hold me over until we get home.”
Under his breath she hears him say, “Naughty girl,” as he reaches for her bag and sweater, hands them to her, then takes her hand and escorts her from the house.
They arrive at the diner fifteen minutes later and stand at the host’s desk, waiting to be seated. She directs them to a private room off the back hidden around a corner, but instead of entering Avery rests against the wall and takes
a few deep breaths.
“Logan, what if they hate me?”
“They won’t hate you sweetheart. They may be confused and upset, but none of this was your fault. And if they make you feel uncomfortable, we’ll leave okay? You can still have a relationship with your father,” he says as he gently tucks some loose hair behind her ear. “Come on, you can do this. I’m here with you.”
Logan opens the door to the private room and steps in behind Avery. Conversation flows around the full table, but her attention is clutched by the two men at the end of the table.
“Mr. Connelly?” Logan asks, his vision focusing on the same men at the end of the table. Shaking his head in confusion and a hint of betrayal, he takes her hand, looks at her and then back to the man sitting beside Joseph. “Austin, I swear I didn’t know.”
“Didn’t know what?” Austin inquires. “I didn’t realize you were joining us.”
Avery is rooted in her spot, unable to speak as seven pairs of eyes focus on her, narrowing in question.
Joseph stands from the table and walks over to the entrance of the room, wrapping his arm around her shoulder. Avery makes sure that her clammy hand never leaves Logan’s grasp.
“I believe I can answer that for you, Austin. Everyone, this is your sister Avery.”
“Sister? What the fuck, Dad?!?” Austin hollers, his voice bellowing across the room as he stands from his seat.
Avery glances nervously at Logan, biting her lower lip, letting her teeth sink deep into the tissue as the room fills with hushed chatter, the murmurs overtaking the small room. She works to keep the tears at bay.
Thankfully, Amy speaks up, instantly taking charge of the situation.
“Sit down, Austin. Yes, she is your sister - your half-sister. And if you all would stay put, your father and I will explain everything to you. Let’s help Avery feel welcome; we’ve been searching for her for a long time,” she clarifies, “Let’s not scare her off.”
Avery continues to stand frozen, but when she feels a tug on her hand she glances up at Logan and he smiles down at her.
“Where would you like to sit?”
She looks around the table at the random spattering of open seats unsure if she’s willing to sit apart from Logan. Luckily, one of the females at the table removes her bag from the chair next to her, opening two seats next to one another.
“You two can sit here,” she says quietly.
Moving in that direction, Avery sits down beside her, taking notice at how similar she looks to her mother. Long straw colored hair, chocolate brown eyes, pale skin, and cute tortoise shell frames perched on her nose. She’s cloaked in a black turtleneck and a long brown wool skirt. She looks a bit dowdy for someone with such striking features.
“Thank you,” Avery murmurs as she sits down.
Settling into the chair next to Avery’s, Logan says, “It’s, uh...nice to see everyone,” before interlacing their fingers together.
The woman across from Avery, who also has the same brown eyes and blonde hair as her mother, only with her blonde locks in a short wavy bob, gazes at her in astonishment as she mutters, “Christ, she looks just like Jameson.”
Realizing she spoke the words out loud, she shakes her head and turns her attention to the head of the table, glaring at her father expectantly.
“Avery, would you like anything to drink?” Logan asks, leaning close to her ear, his concerned voice wrapping around her like a life raft.
She responds with a shake of her head, knowing that her trembling hands couldn’t handle a glass of liquid at the moment.
“You all are probably not aware that there was a time your mother and I were separated.” Gasps ensue and Avery can hear Austin begin to form a question, but Joseph stops him cold, “Please let me finish before you ask or say anything. This isn’t easy for any of us. I love you all and I love your mother, don’t ever question that.”
Avery glances around the table and instead of seeing anger or confusion, she sees the faces of the children that love and respect their father. Willing to stand behind him and follow his lead.
“As I explained to Avery, while I was separated from your mother I had met a woman. It happened only once and that moment made me realize that all I needed was back at home waiting for me. I told your mother everything that happened and she forgave me. You have to understand that I hated myself for how weak I was, but I was so lost. I was only thirty, with three kids and a wife, and I lost sense of who I was. Your mother took me back and I thank my lucky stars every day that she has such a forgiving heart.” He grabs her hand and kisses the back of it in a sweet gesture.
Amy blushes at the contact and love pours out of the shy smile she gives him.
Joseph turns his attention back to his children, the stress of the secret released from his stance.
“I want you to know that I’m sorry for what I’ve done, but I’m not sorry that I was given this wonderful gift. You all need to know that Avery didn’t know anything about me. We were given a letter twenty years ago that said she had been given up for adoption and we’ve been searching for her ever since. Instead, she found us. I’m sure you’re all feeling confused and upset, but know that Avery being here doesn’t change the dynamic of this family. You’re all more important to me than anything else in this world.”
He sits back in his chair, Amy leaning close and kissing his cheek. Other than a few moments with Logan, Avery has never seen or heard a man speak so freely about his emotions. It is refreshing.
Seven faces turn in her direction, five of them gazing at her expectantly. Logan squeezes her hand in reassurance.
“Hi, I’m...um...Avery Poindexter. I’m from Atlanta and I moved to Carson about three months ago. I work as a medical assistant at the doctor’s office where Logan works.”
A question barks from the far end of the table and when Avery turns in that direction, she’s startled at the similarities of their features. From what she noticed, he seems to be the only sibling that shares the same eye color as her and Joseph.
“Are you here because of the money?”
Avery gulps and squirms in her seat, uncomfortable with the accusation, but she’s saved by Austin’s deep voice.
“No she’s not. She has more money than anyone at this table.”
Everyone’s eyes widen in surprise as Austin continues to speak, addressing her, “Sorry, Avery. I don’t think anyone mentioned that we all have trust funds worth a couple million and we all do well in our respective jobs. No one here needs to worry about you using them.” He leans forward and rests his arms on the table, looking at Avery as a grin grows along his lips. “And it makes sense that we’re related. Why else would you turn me down right?”
And with that joke, Avery bursts out in laughter, thrilled for the ice-breaker. The rest of the family follows suit and she laughs even harder when she hears Logan mutter, “Fucking bastard,” under his breath as he joins in with a snicker.
Now that the tension has dispersed and most of the awkwardness subsided, Amy takes the opportunity to introduce her children, Avery’s brothers and sisters.
She starts with Austin, who is closest to her side of the table and works her way around.
“This here beside your father is Joseph Jr., or Austin as he likes to be called.”
“That’s why I never put two-and-two together; you only ever called him Joseph Jr.”
“Yes, well, he was my first born and we wanted to pass down his father’s name. He owns Connelly Construction and works as a contractor.”
“Oh I know. We’re working on a project together. He does great work. I’m hoping to turn the old school into a pediatric clinic and what he’s come up with is remarkable.”
Austin blushes under Avery’s admission and his mother beams with pride.
“A pediatric clinic is exactly what this town needs, with the surge of families moving to the area and all. Sorry, I’m Everleigh, I’m a pharmacist at Nelson’s Drug Store.”
Her hair is a
few shades darker than her sisters’ and mother’s, as if her chromosomes couldn’t decide on a color and chose a combination of both her mother’s and father’s.
Amy nods to the woman sitting next to Avery, “This is Sydney; she’s a baker and just revamped my old place. It’s now called Wake and Bake.”
Sydney chimes in next to Avery, “I bought the lot next door and I’m looking to add a coffee shop and grill.”
“That sounds amazing.”
“Next we have Jameson beside Logan. He just graduated with a degree in software programming. He also creates and sells apps for companies. His twin is Ryker, who couldn’t be with us. He’s busy touring with his band overseas.”
“Ryker Connelly...why does that name sound familiar.”
Logan leans in and says, “That’s because he’s the lead singer of the band Exoneration.”
“Oh...wow.”
“Finally, this is your sister Cassidy. She’s runs the world-famous label under the same name.”
“Oh my...there is so much talent in your family.”
“You do wonderful things, Avery. The medical field is a tough one and you did it all by yourself. You should be proud of yourself, your father and I sure are,” Amy replies.
The food arrives and Avery eats her meal quietly, listening to the chatter around her. Even Logan is feeling more at ease, speaking freely with his best friend and his family.
Suddenly Avery feels a nudge on her arm from Logan’s elbow as he says, “Jameson asked you something.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. What did you ask?”
“How was it for you growing up? Were you adopted? Did you live in foster care?”
“Oh...um...well…” she stutters, first looking at Joseph and then at Logan.
They both nod for her to share her story. Logan takes her hand under the table and holds it in his warm loving grasp.
Avery lets out a sigh and answers, “Honestly, I lived in hell. My mother left me with my grandmother, who was so ashamed that she pretended I didn’t exist. I was born into an affluent family, but was brought up as if I was a servant in the home. It wasn’t until my sister was born that I learned the truth about my family. I was taken care of by one of the servants. She treated me with more love and care than my own mother. My grandmother began abusing my sister, so when I turned eighteen I begged my grandmother to sign over her over to me. I promised to leave and I never looked back. My sister died in an accident four years ago and I miss her every day. The only good thing to come from my grandmother is the note she left in her will, giving me the address of the father that had never been mentioned in her home. She said that he had a family that would love and care for me. So here I am.”
Coming Alive: Welcome to Carson, Book One Page 18
