If I didn’t have that, what good was I?
The music that played in the speakers changed to a ringing tone. The caller I.D. on the radio said Haden, and I was relieved. I didn’t want Maria calling.
“Hey man,” Logan greeted.
“Where are you? Your sister is getting antsy.”
“Am not!” Lucy yelled in the background. “Give me the phone.”
“No,” Haden said. “Get your own.” And then Haden groaned a painful sound. “Fine, here,” his voice high−pitched and barely recognizable.
I covered my mouth and chuckled.
“I can’t wait to meet her!” Lucy sounded truly excited and happy.
“You’re going to love her; she’s amazing, Lu.”
I blushed. Hearing him say it was one thing; hearing him talk about me to his sister was another.
“He is bringing her? Are you kidding? This is a family gathering,” Maria said in the background, and I narrowed my eyes at the radio, wishing I could jump through it and wrap my hands around her throat.
Lucy sighed at the same time as Logan. “Maria, if you can’t be nice, leave. I won’t have you ruining this for my brother.” A few moments passed before a door slammed, and I wondered if Maria actually left.
Good riddance.
“She’s been moody lately.”
“Wonder why,” I grumbled, placing my chin in my hand as I perched my elbow on the door.
“We will see you soon, okay?” Logan said. “Love you, Lu. See you soon.” He disconnected the call, but I couldn’t help but feel disconnected from everything.
Maybe I didn’t belong here after all.
Chapter Fifteen
Logan
I knew something was wrong way before I pulled into Lucy’s driveway. I wanted to ask, but Lucy was on the porch when we got there, waiting for us impatiently. She waved her hands in the air like we couldn’t see her. Lucy wore a big, happy smile as she ran toward the truck.
“You have three seconds to tell me what’s wrong, or it will be too late, and Lucy will bombard you,” I told Abigail and leaned my arms against the steering wheel. I looked at her and saw the terror all over her face. She was so nervous, and it wasn’t about Lucy.
It was about Maria.
All of that would come to an end today, that I fucking promise. I wouldn’t let Maria ruin my good thing because she was too fearful to enjoy what she had. I was done being nice, and if anything happened today, it would be the straw that broke the camel’s back, and I would go off on her.
Lucy tried to open the door, but since it was locked, she couldn’t. She knocked and tried again, being impatient as ever. Abigail unlocked the door, and the moment Lucy heard it, she yanked the door open and yanked Abigail into her arms. We weren’t even out of the truck yet.
“Oh my god. It’s so nice to meet you. I’ve heard so much about you,” Lucy said, swaying Abigail from side to side.
I got out of the truck, feeling a bit forgotten, but it was alright. I understood my sister’s happiness because I felt the same way.
Godrick came up to me while holding his son and held a hand out. “Happy you could join us.” Haden came in behind him and peered over my shoulder to see Abigail wide−eyed as she stared at him through the windshield.
“I need to go get my girl before she runs away from me. And we all know she knows this city like the back of her hand. I’d never find her again.”
Haden snorted, and Godrick grinned. I hurried around the truck and pulled my sister off my girlfriend. That was the longest hug that ever existed. I tucked Abigail under my arm and gave Lucy the glare.
“What?” she asked me innocently. “I’m just glad to meet her. She’s so pretty, Logan.”
“I know she is.” I gave Abigail’s forehead a quick peck. The breeze blew by just then, and the coconut in her hair had me closing my eyes and relaxing, even if it was just for a second before my sister opened her mouth again.
“So where did you guys meet?” Lucy started with the questions, and Abigail held onto my shirt with a tight grip. “I want to know everything.”
“That’s what scares me,” I said, placing my hand on Abigail’s lower back and guiding her to the front door. My sister lived on the outside of the city in a beautiful, large, cabin style mansion with a wrap-around porch. Godrick had it built for them, and they had no neighbors, just beautiful trees, and an endless amount of property.
“Hi, Abigail,” Haden greeted. “I don’t know if you remember me.” He held out his hand, wanting her to take it, so he had a proper introduction, and with a shaky hand, she met his. He smiled like he had just won first place. “You look good,” he said. “I see Logan has taken care of you.”
“Of course he has. Logan is the best guy there is, next to Godrick.”
“Thank you, sweetheart,” Godrick said, and Lucy blew him a kiss as she swished her long red hair over her shoulder. I saw the heat in Godrick’s eyes, and I never understood it before, but now that I had my own woman to drive me up the wall and to an erotic edge, I could relate all too well.
Abigail had yet to say anything, and I wasn’t going to push her, not like I usually do. This was her first gathering, and she already felt backed into a corner. I didn’t know what was worse, the fact that I didn’t tell Lucy about Abigail’s past or not. Haden already knew and so did Godrick. He hired her on my word, without her social security card or anything.
He could get in trouble for that, but he helped me out, and why should she be hindered because she didn’t have those documents? Tomorrow would be a big day for Abigail. We would apply for her social security card, birth certificate, and all that. I hoped. I wasn’t sure how to do all that actually since she didn’t remember anything.
“Maria is inside,” Lucy said, and Abigail froze in place. “Gabriel just got here and is in there with her. I’ll ask her to leave if you want?” Lucy didn’t ask me; she asked Abigail.
Abigail held her chin up high and shook her head. Her shoulders were back, her spine straight, ready to tackle anything life threw at her, and I was so proud. Godrick and Haden followed behind us as we entered through the massive wooden door. It was round instead of rectangular like most doors. Three men could fit inside of it at once, but it was light at the same time, so Lucy didn’t have trouble opening it.
Abigail’s eyes were wide as she took in the place. It was nice. More than anything, I would probably ever be able to afford, and I hoped that would be okay. I could provide her with a nice life, just not millions of dollars.
Lucy pulled out a bottle of wine and brought down a glass. “Wine?”
Abigail looked at me for approval, but she never needed it. I nodded, telling her to go ahead, and she gave Lucy a small grin.
Lucy poured the Moscato, which shouldn’t even be considered wine, but juice. “Here you go. So tell me everything about you. Where did you guys meet? What do you do?” Lucy practically bounced on her feet; she was so excited to get to know Abigail. The questions made me uncomfortable, and I knew they did my girl too. I should have told Lucy, but I didn’t want her to be biased toward Abigail, and I should have known better. My sister would never treat someone badly because of their past.
“She doesn’t do anything.”
And now I had to reap the consequences.
“That’s okay,” Lucy had a tight smile on her face as she looked at Maria. “Me either. I stay at home and wait on this cute monster, and I’m not talking about my son.”
“Hey,” Godrick protested and strolled forward while rocking my nephew, trying to divert the situation that Maria was trying to cause. “I resent that. You’ll hear about it later.”
Lucy blushed. “Godrick.”
“I’m going to go lay him down. He is exhausted.”
“Okay.” Lucy grinned, kissing the nose of her son. My sister was such a good mom. Lucy watched Godrick walk away, staring at him like he was her entire world. He was, they both were. I kept my arm tight around Abigail’s waist and knew
in my heart of hearts that she was my world. I’d never let anything hurt her, not ever again.
“Back to you—”
“—How about you tell them Abigail?” Maria said, strolling toward us from the living room. Maria was pretty, but now that I had Abigail, there wasn’t even a contest. I knew I was with who was meant for me.
Abigail went rigid against me, and I squeezed her hip, telling her that I was here, that I had her back.
“Maria! I told you that in confidence,” Cortez hissed in her ear and then rubbed his face, looking exhausted. I would be too if I had to deal with Maria’s mood swings. Cortez grabbed Maria’s arm, but she yanked it free and took another step forward.
She looked like a woman on a mission to destroy, and my girl was in her line of sight. “Why don’t you tell everyone that you’re only with Logan to use him? That you’re nothing but a homeless piece of trash, and Logan took you in out of the kindness of his heart?” Maria spit.
“Maria!” Lucy gasped. “How rude. This isn’t like you!”
“I’m trying to protect Logan, which none of you seem to want to do. This girl is up to no good! She doesn’t love Logan. She is using him.”
“No, she isn’t. If you’d let me finish before you go trying to bust everyone’s balls, you’d know better!” Cortez said. “I’m sorry. She asked me to run a background check on her, and I agreed because yeah, I wanted everyone to be safe.”
“You ran a background check on her?” I seethed, pushing Abigail behind me. I was ready to fucking kill someone. “How dare you, and you need to stay the fuck out of my life! Stop calling me, stop texting me. Leave me the fuck alone and leave Abigail alone!” I roared at Maria, and where a normal person would break, Maria only stood strong.
“Abigail is not a threat,” Cortez said through clenched teeth. “You have no idea what she has been through.”
“I don’t care,” Maria said. “She’s no good. Logan deserves better.”
“Like you?” Cortez interrupted me before I could say anything.
“What? No. He deserves someone that will love him, not use him.”
“Why are you calling him? Texting him? What the fuck, Maria? I thought you said you loved me.” Cortez stared at her, waiting for her to answer, but Maria’s jaw was set.
“I do,” she huffed. “I’m just saying—”
“Don’t say it. I don’t love you,” I yelled at her, I was done. The patience I had fled, and all I cared about was protecting Abigail. “I don’t fucking love you. Get that through your fucking head. I tried to tell you nicely, but you pushed me and pushed me, and now you are going to insult her when you know nothing about her? Fuck you, Maria. I want nothing to do with you.”
“Logan,” she said, her voice broken and a slight whisper.
“You crossed a line. You had no right to ask Cortez about my girl. None. You are intruding in business that isn’t yours, and honestly, you need to focus on your relationship rather than the relationship you don’t have with me. From this moment on, I am not your friend. I am nothing to you. Do you understand that? I’m nothing to you. We have never been anything. Let go of whatever idea you have of me because it will never happen. I hate to be harsh but being nice doesn’t cut it with you. Stop being scared of the real thing you have with Cortez and leave me alone. I’m not your safety net any longer. Leave. Me. Fucking. Be.”
Maria sprinted toward the door in tears, and I expected Cortez to go after her, but he didn’t. No one did. Lucy leaned against the counter, drinking from the bottle of wine and held out the glass she poured for Abigail. “This is for you. Jesus, I need a drink after that catastrophe.”
I turned around to gather Abigail in my arms, but she chugged that glass of wine down like a champ and then wiped her mouth on the back of her hand.
“I need to talk to the both of you,” Cortez said, pinching the bridge of his nose. He looked exhausted. “I’m sorry about that.”
“I’m sorry,” I said. “I truly had no idea that it would matter if I dated.”
“I knew it would. She never understood how deep her feelings went for you until the option of you was taken away.”
“Her feelings for you run deeper,” I said, wanting him to know the truth.
He smiled and nodded; his shone the truth. He believed me. “I know, but it doesn’t mean it isn’t hard to see the woman you love, love someone else. Anyway, I need to talk to you and Abigail. My name is Officer Gabriel Cortez,” he reached out to shake her hand, but my girl was behind me, wanting to shield herself from everyone. I never should have brought her here. She hadn’t spoken one word, and I wondered if I had pushed her too far.
Abigail peeked from around my shoulder, and Lucy pushed her forward. “Don’t be afraid. He is a big teddy bear. Now that Maria is gone, you have nothing to worry about. I’m sorry about that. I should have kicked her out.”
“You should have,” I grumbled.
“Well, whatever happened needed to happen, that’s all I’m going to say. You were homeless?” Lucy had pity in her eyes. “I’m so sorry to hear that. I’m glad you met my brother.”
Abigail glanced away, cheeks on fire from all the attention. Her palm sweated in mine. She really hated this.
“I can talk to you guys in private if you want? Considering the nature of what I have to say.” Cortez said. “Maybe we should sit down.”
“It’s fine,” Abigail finally spoke, words slurring a bit. “Everyone needs to know. It is something I don’t want to explain again. I have a feeling I know what you want to talk about.”
“Well, this sounds like it needs a bottle or three of wine. Let’s go into the living room. I have a few bottles in the cooler.” Lucy grabbed a few more wine glasses, and Cortez turned around and sat in the red chair, waiting for us.
Abigail and I shared a look. She was scared, and I was nervous for her because there was only so much I could protect her from. Whatever Cortez dug up, I had a feeling it wasn’t good.
Chapter Sixteen
Abigail
I wanted this day to be over.
I didn’t want to talk about what happened in my past.
And I wanted to kick myself for not saying something to Maria, but it all happened so fast, and Logan got so mad, pushing me behind him that I barely had time to think. I never had to deal with something like that before. I was stunned that someone could hate me without even knowing me. She came to so many assumptions and judged me, and now that all of my dirty laundry was in the air, I couldn’t help but wonder if Lucy thought about me like that too.
I didn’t belong here.
We all sat down in the living room, and with the tension, I still admired how beautiful their home was. High ceiling made of wood, large beams that ran from the top to the floor, a chandelier, and then the floor to ceiling windows that had a view of the city in the distance. It was gorgeous.
And the couch was so comfortable. It was black suede or velvet; I wasn’t sure. Logan sat right next to me, tossing an arm around my neck. His arm laid across the back of the couch, and his thumb lazily stroked my shoulder. It was that simple gesture that made me feel loved.
Made me feel strong and protected.
I’d be okay.
Godrick sat on the other side of the sectional, and after Lucy poured all of our drinks, she sat down next to her husband, tucking her feet up and under her. Cortez cleared his throat and pulled out a thick file, and the weight of it made it slap against the coffee table.
“Woah. Are you a criminal? Did you escape prison? Tell me everything,” Lucy said with a big smile on her face.
I giggled and shook my head, but then stopped staring at Officer Cortez unsure because I didn’t know. “Am I?”
He snorted. “No. You aren’t a criminal.” But then his face took on a more serious expression. He had brown eyes, like me, only they were a shade lighter, and as he looked at me, I saw how he didn’t want to ask but had to. “I shouldn’t have done a background check on you, but Abigail, I’m
glad I did. I read through your file, and you had a head injury, right? You can’t remember anything from a year ago?”
“Bits. More like feelings,” I said.
“How do you feel when you think of it?”
The cold dread filled my bones. “Sick. Something bad happened.”
Officer Cortez nodded and brought his fist up to clear his throat. “It did.” He placed his elbows on his knees and leaned forward, his bicep bulging from supporting his weight. He was very much a cop. I saw it now. “Are you sure you don’t want to talk about this on private?”
“Yes,” I said, and Logan’s other hand slipped in mine, lacing our fingers together and held me tight. Good. I needed it. I had a feeling this was going to be a wild rollercoaster ride.
“What do you know? Let me start there. I have everything here that you could ever want to know about yourself, anything you want to know, ask.” Officer Cortez opened the file, and the first thing I saw was a large family photo.
My breath caught when the dream I had from the other night bombarded me. “Can I see that picture?”
“Absolutely,” he unclipped it from the pale yellow envelope and handed it over to me.
My hand shook as I reached for it, and when I sat it on my lap, I gasped, tears springing to my eyes as I saw my mom and dad in front of me, smiling, and I was in the middle. I didn’t look much different in this photo, so it couldn’t have been that long ago.
“You look just like her,” Logan said. “Gorgeous.”
“Abigail Ann Adams. Birthday is October 2nd, 1999. Your mother and father were Sara Desire Adams and Miguel Degaldo Adams. Do you remember them? Do you remember anything I told you?” Officer Cortez asked.
I shook my head, and a tear broke free. “No. I… I dreamed about them the other night. I didn’t know if it was real, but I can’t remember anything right now. I feel it, though. I feel the memory of them.” I laid my hand on my heart and held the picture to my chest. It meant so much to have this photo. So much.
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