Loving Logan

by Leila Lacey

  Taking a deep breath and hanging his head and sliding his hands into his pockets. “No, that is not why I came” Logan said. They were both thinking of the last day she had seen him. He had been charged with everything from attempted murder to destruction of property. The attorney that Shelby had hired for him and told him to spare no expense and do all he had to, to get Logan out of all those charges had managed to get them all thrown out with one motion or another except the assault of a police officer charge. Which the lawyer had been able to get Logan an Alfred Plea. So he did not have to admit any guilt, but plead no contest. The judge had offered to allow Logan to serve his sentence on at home confinement as long as he had a $500,000 bail, and pay for the program. Shelby had stood up and whispered to the attorney that she would pay the money so that Logan could go home to Gia.

  “Your honor my client has the money to post the bail and…” the attorney started before Logan cut him off looking at Shelby out of the corner of his eye.

  “No your honor, I do not. I will serve out the three week sentence incarcerated” he said. Looking over at Shelby mouthing. “I don’t want your money! Leave” to Shelby. Once the hearing was over and court was dismissed Shelby had immediately wanted to get out of there as soon as she could. She had heard Lance and his mother calling her name but she kept going not wanting anyone to see her tears. Standing here now in the silence waiting to find out what Logan wanted, tears came to her eyes again.

  “Shelby I am so sorry about the way I treated you. I don’t even have an excuse for my behavior other than just being a grade An ass.” Logan said to her in that sexy southern drawl.

  After 60 second of silence Shelby said “Is that it? Is that what you came here to say?” looking at Logan with disgust. Logan had never seen Shelby this cold and indifferent toward anyone let alone him. It just hit him how much he must have hurt her. He felt even worse that he already did. “Well, Yeah! I wanted to apologize and explain. To see why you were not coming to momma party?” He was trying to get her to look at him. But she wouldn’t, she was looking past him.

  Starting back toward her front door to open it for him to leave. “Thank you for the apology Logan goodnight!” But before she could get past him. Logan grabbed her arm and turned her toward him. “Why are you acting like this Shelby?” Logan said frustrated. Where was that sweet passionate woman that he knew? Snatching her arm away and stepping back from him Shelby said

  “Doing what Logan?” Shelby said.

  “Acting so cold, and distant?”

  “I don’t know what you are talking about Logan!” Shelby said adjusting her robe again. “You came to apologize I accepted your apology. What more is there to say?” Shelby said looking at her feet.

  “Ok, so you forgive me?” Logan said walking toward her. Logan slide his arms around her and started to pull her closer to him. Pushing at his arms Shelby said “Logan STOP!”

  “See you are mad! Baby talk to me, I am so sorry.” Logan said placing his hand under her chin to force her to look at him. Pushing him away Shelby started to walk to the living room.

  “Logan! I was there for you! I got you a lawyer, I worried about you. You treated me like trash, like I was some nuisance hanger on. You don’t get to talk to me like that and then come in here and say Oh, baby I am sorry and I just fall in your arms!” Shelby yelled at him. She is pissed! Logan was thinking he really had fucked up now. He was unsure what to do.. He did not think he had ever seen her angry. Ever.

  “Shelby I..” Logan started to say. Then he saw the tears in her eyes. “Oh baby! Don’t cry!” he said walking toward her. Shelby backed away from him with her arm out.

  “Logan don’t! Don’t even bother. One thing that I can say I have learned is people that care about you. NEVER treat you that way.”

  “SHELBY! That’s not true, I care about you! More than you can know!” Logan said running his hand through his hair in frustration. He had never seen her like this, Shelby was the most forgiving loving woman he had ever known, this woman that he saw in front of him. This was not Shelby.

  “Shelby, baby I am sorry. I wish I knew a better word to express to you how sorry I am but I don’t. Please talk to me! Logan said starting to step toward her again.

  “I am talking to you Logan” she said looking past him still with her guard up.

  “No you’re not! You are talking AT me!” Logan said.

  “What does that even mean Logan?” Shelby said looking at him like he had lost his mind

  “It means that you” he said placing his finger against her chest over her heart. “You are NOT talking to me, the real you!” he finished looking into her eyes.

  Taking a deep breath Shelby took a step around Logan to get distance between them. She could not think with his standing that close. He was standing there in smelling so good and looking so sexy in his burnt orange button down shirt and dark blue jeans. Logan could be wearing a potato sack and be almost irresistible.

  “Logan, you hurt me! This..” Shelby said motioning her arms up and down her body. “This is me hurt, and humiliated for no reason. So I am not going to give you sweetness and light. If you don’t like it there is the door!” she finished pointing to her front door. “I…” Before she knew it she was wrapped in Logan’s arms Logan kissed her squarely on the lips. Initially he was expecting rejection, he was pleasantly surprised when she returned his kiss. The kiss was tentative on Shelby’s part at first; then, with experience she began to kiss him back in Ernest. As they kissed and played for a minute Logan felt a surge of desire and growing intimacy developing between then. Then, just like that it was over as Shelby pushed back from him looking at him in confusion. Shelby then surprised Logan and stepped forward and kissed him again. her lips parted and her tongue slipped into his mouth and there oral dance of passion began. Pulling away from her this time. Logan said “Shelby baby I am so sorry for the way I treated you. You deserve to be adored. To be loved to be respected, I have demons, demons that I think will keep me from treating you the way you deserve to be treated.” He finished.

  Logan walked to Shelby’s front door, before walking out the door he turned and said. “Thank You! I will never be able to repay you for what you did for me and my family this past month.” Shelby looked up at him with tears streaming down her eyes and whispered

  “Goodbye Logan!” Logan nodded and walked out closing the door behind him. Shelby walked to the door locking it and leaning up against the door and sliding to the floor in tears.

  CHAPTER 3

  It had been two weeks sense Logan had come to Shelby’s house to say thank you and to apologize and break up with her if that is what you would call it. She had been devastated the first few days, but realized she needed to pull herself together. So what they had, had mind blowing sex and laughed and talked for hours. She could find that in someone else. Right? The next day she had been walking to the campus library in a pair of the excessively high heels that Cassidy had bought for her and thrown out her flats. She had to admit that she was getting used to them, but they were killer in her feet. When she heard some calling her name from behind her. When she turned around she saw who was calling her name and stumbled a bit because it was Professor Zachary Walker. Professor Walker was the college hottie, all the women professors and students swooned over him and some of the men. Professor Walker did not look like a typical professor, he was 6’4 with chocolate brown eyes and a voice that was deep and sexual and could melt butter. He was a former Marine so he had broad shoulders and big arms and a very authoritative stance. He had a full short cut beard and a bald head, being in the Marines he had gotten used to a low military haircut. He also had tattoos on his arms, she had heard some of the students saying he had them on his legs and chest too. Which was something that Shelby would not mind seeing for herself. He was very smart, he was teaching a History of the Western Civilization for a special summer course. The students loved his lectures and the way he taught the class, Shelby had heard nothing but rave reviews and
now with him standing directly in from of her she could not think of one thing that would be bad about him.

  “Hi Professor Walker, how are you today?” Shelby said to him shielding her eyes from the sun even though she had sun glasses on. Shelby had to look up to look into his eyes.

  “What did I tell you about calling me Professor Walker? Please Shelby call me Zach” he said to her smiling

  “I am so sorry.” Shelby said laughing “I guess that is just the southern girl in me” she said smiling. Shelby did not feel uncomfortable around Zach as she did so many sexy men and she was not sure why. With Zach she felt like she was talking to an old friend.

  “It’s ok.” Zach said smiling. “I happen to like your Southern Charm.” He said flashing that amazing smile. “I wanted to talk to you about something do you have a minute?” he finished

  “Oh yes, of course would you like to have a seat?” Shelby said smiling. The decided to sit a bench that was strategically placed between two magnolia trees. As they sat down Shelby hat thought. “Oh thank God I can rest my poor aching feet” once they were both seated Zach said. “I wanted to find out if you had plans for tomorrow night?”

  “Oh, No not that I can think of. Did you want me to take a evening class for you?” Shelby said. She knew that Zach taught a night class for people that were trying to become citizens and that sometimes he needed a stand in.

  “Oh No, No! I was asking because I was hoping you would grace me with your presence and dinner.” Zach said smiling at her. Damn the man smile! Did he just ask me out? ME? Shelby was thinking. YES, YES, YES a thousand times yes! Is what she was thinking but all that came out of her mouth was a squeak that was a cross between a squirrel fart and a cricket howl. Zach looked around because he heard the squeak but did not realize it had come from her.

  “Ah, I.. Yes!” Shelby said bring his attention and the gorgeous eyes back to him. “Yes I would love to go.” She finally got out smiling.

  “Great! So can I pick you up tomorrow at let’s say eight?” Zach said smiling and leaning back against the park bench and relaxing a little now that she had said yes.

  “Sure!” Shelby said smiling. Taking his phone out of his hand she entered her name address and phone number into his phone and handed it back to him. “There is everything you will need.” she finished winking at him. Where in the hot ham sandwich did that come from? Shelby thought to herself. Cassidy was really starting to rub off on her. But if dinner with a sexy man was going to be the payoff she was ok with that.

  “Thank you! I will talk to you tomorrow beautiful lady.” Zach said leaning in a kissing her cheek before walking across the quad. “God he smells good” Shelby thought as she watched him walk away she started walking and then realized she was going in the wrong direction to go to the library and turned back to the other direction.

  *****

  “Oh my God Shelby! You have a date with Professor Mc Orgasm?” Cassidy said to Shelby smiling from ear to ear. Cassidy had called Shelby to come out to dinner with her. They were sitting a local Italian restaurant that Cassidy and Shelby just loved, called Alfredo’s was owned by an old friend of her fathers from his military days. They created the sights, sounds, smells and particularly the tastes of Italy by offering patrons authentic Italian cuisine. A well-loved dining tradition in Shelbyville, Alfredo’s welcomes loyal devotees as well as new clientele to sample their new specialties. Veal dishes have always been Shelby’s favorite at Alfredo’s, “The Godfather”, a fabulous treat of veal prepared three different styles, Veal Francese, Veal Marsala and Veal Parmesan, were the most popular choice for Shelby and her family whenever they ate hear. Other fine choices include pastas and fresh seafood such as Linguine Pescatore, a combination of mussels, clams, shrimp and calamari in a light tomato sauce over pasta. Thinking of the times that she and her family had eaten here made Shelby think of her brother’s absolute LOVE of Alfredo’s desserts. Alfredo’s boasts delicious homemade desserts, including a thick, rich cheesecake prepared with the finest Ricotta cheese and the delicate Tiramisu. The ambience at Alfredo’s is reminiscent of the neighborhood “ristorante” in Rome and other major Italian cities. Ironically it was not for the food but for the waiters, hosts and bartenders. “I am not sure but I think my best friend was a man in her former life” Shelby was thinking laughing to herself as Cassidy spoke to her about her date tomorrow and stared at the waiter’s ass.

  “Cassidy! Stop that!” Shelby said slapping her friends arm.

  “Oh leave me be Shelby unlike you I do not have a date tomorrow and no prospects. Let me have my fun.” Cassidy said as she tilted her head to the right trying to get a better view point of the waiter’s rear as he rounded the bar.

  “Cassidy will you stop looking at that man’s ass and tell me what I am going to wear on this date tomorrow?” Shelby said to Cassidy. Now actually checking his behind out herself. Stefano was one of the owners many nephews and the boy had a butt like an onion.

  “Oh relax your britches girl! You know that I will be there to help you get ready” Cassidy said talking a bite of her breadstick “I was actually very proud when I…” Cassidy started to finish but stopped speaking and was looking at the person standing behind Shelby at the table.

  “What?” Shelby said swinging around quickly the look on Cassidy’s face was like she had seen a ghost. It was no ghost it he was Shelby’s brother Grayson. Grayson and his wife had moved to Savannah for her new partnership with a law firm about nine months ago. But Grayson had found out that his wife was sleeping with the managing partner and moved back to Shelbyville two months ago. Shelby had not seen or heard from her brother sense the blow out with their mother and sister. He had been out of town on business the night of the family dinner. She assumed that he had been told that it was all her fault did not care about her side of things. Shelby used to be very close to her brother as kids. He always played with her and stood up for her when people picked on her. Even though she was the oldest.

  “Hey sissy! Did you forget how to dial a phone?” Grayson said to his sister.

  “Well no Grey but you have a dial tone just like I do” Shelby said

  “Oh stand up and give me a hug!” Grayson said to his sister smiling. As they embraced Shelby felt such relief to feel that someone from her family that was happy to see her.

  “Hey Cassidy! I see you are still as crazy as ever!” Greyson said as he hugged Cassidy. Cassidy had always had the hugest crush on Greyson and she thought that Shelby did not know. Shelby had always hoped that her best friend and her brother would get together but when he got married she had let that hope go. But the way they were embracing each other now. There may still be hope. Shelby thought.

  “Hey, Grey you know I have to keep it spicy baby” Cassidy said winking at him

  “Grey sit down and have dinner with us.” Shelby said smiling up at her brother from her seat.

  “I can’t baby doll I am meeting Savannah here for dinner.” Greyson said to his sister.

  “Oh, well that is ok. I am glad to see you I miss you. Promise me we will have lunch next week” Shelby said quickly trying to pretend that it did not hurt her to hear her sister’s name.

  “Of course Shelby you know I always want to see you.” Grayson said to his sister resting his well-manicured hand on his sister’s shoulder. “Shelby you still have not worked this out with Momma and Savannah?”

  Shelby started to fidget in her seat not wanting to broach the painful subject of her mother and sister. “No, Grey. There is nothing to work out! I am not momma’s daughter Savannah is and I am tired of being mistreated.” Shelby said to her brother wiping the tears that had rolled down her cheek away. Squatting down next to his sister and taking her hands Greyson said. “Shelby you think you know but you don’t there is so much more to this story, and I am so angry with daddy for not straightening this out years ago.” Just then Greyson saw Savannah walk into the restaurant to prevent a confrontation Greyson decided to get to her before she realized Greyson
was talking to Shelby.

  “Savannah is here baby doll. But I promise there will be a stop put to this and I will call you tomorrow.” Greyson said kissing his sister on the cheek. Shelby knew what he was trying to do and she loved him for it. She smiled and mouthed Thank you to him.

  Just as he was about to walk away Cassidy said “where’s my sugar?” with her arms spread wide. Shaking his head Greyson leaned down to give Cassidy a small hug and a peck on the cheek at the last minute Cassidy turned her head and kissed Greyson on the mouth. The kiss was instantly soft and sensual and actually a total surprise to the both of them. Shelby sat there with her mouth wide open in shock once she knew that her brother was out of war shot she leaned over and said. “Did you just slip my brother the tongue?” She and Cassidy laughed and went on to enjoy there evening. But Cassidy was not able to get Greyson out of her head the entire night.

  CHAPTER 4

  “MOM!” Logan yelled walking in the front door of his mother’s small home. His mother had finally been able to buy her house last year. She was so proud of her home you would think that is was one of the stately homes across town but it was just a small little single family home. The main floor featured 3 bedrooms and 2 full baths. Second floor has 1 bedroom, 1 bath. Hardwood floors on the main level, antique fireplace mantles throughout, a full kitchen, and laundry room, patio, private fenced yard. Lance had recently added a patio and a swing set out back for Gia so there mother could sit out back and watch Gia play.

  “Out here!” he heard his mom say from the patio. As Logan stepped outside he saw that Gia was Lance were playing on the monkey bars that were attached to the swing set he had bought her.

  “Hey Mom. How was she today?” Logan said to his mother as he kissed her on the cheek and sat down in one of the chairs that went with his mother’s patio set.

  “She was wonderful!” He mother said “You know Gia is always a good girl” she finished smiling at Gia squealing and running from Lance. His mother looked over at him and she could see the pain, worry and just plain exhaustion on his face.