“Alexia?” He says softly.
“Why am I here Logan? Why are you telling me all this?” He has hardly said two words to me since I’ve been here and now he’s sharing his deepest secrets with me.
“Honestly?” He asks, I nod slowly.
“I’m not too sure. I think there’s a connection between us and I just wanted to get to know you.”
“So why has it taken you four weeks to actually have a nice conversation with me? And what about this other girl. Does she know? What danger would she be in?”
“No she doesn’t know anything about it. And as for nice conversations, I thought you were with O'Connor. He annoys me. You being with him affects me.” I see the way he tenses when he speaks. He really must not like Chris.
“But you’re team mates. Aren’t you supposed to get on with each other?” He walks over to me and holds out his hands for me to take. I’m slowly getting used to the feelings in my body when we touch so I can touch him now without showing a reaction, I must be a better actress than I thought. He pulls me up, a bit too fast and I crash into his hard chest. He just holds me there not letting me move away.
“I don’t want to talk about Chris. And I didn’t plan this evening to be this serious so a change of subject is needed. Tell me things about you. I want to get to know you.” He steps away from me, and I let go of the breath that I didn’t realise I was holding. He starts to lead the way to walk by the lake.
“Well, there’s not much to tell. I like chocolate and reading. Ideally together. My favourite colour is green” he looks at me, smiles and wiggles his eye brows. I’m sure it’s to show me he has green eyes. But I already know that. I can’t stop thinking about them. I carry on.
“I like watching The Walking Dead, although I always have to double check the door before I go to bed if I watch it at night.” I laugh at my self, but he doesn’t say anything just lets me carry on talking.
“I don’t only like one type of music. I like all kinds, and I am always willing to try new bands I haven’t heard of. People who are bitches and jerks annoy me; but I don’t let them bother me. So consider yourself warned. This is your one chance.” I look up at him with a smirk on my lips and he nods his head.
“I can take a hint. I know I was a jerk. I’m trying now. What else?” he says softly.
“Ermm, I miss driving. It’s been a while since I’ve driven anywhere.”
“Why don’t you drive your aunts car then?”
“Honestly?” I ask, just like he asked me a few minutes earlier. He nods and stops walking.
“I think I’m too scared to. And no I don’t mind that you know.” I shrug my shoulders and carry on. Not looking to see if he’s following me.
I know he will.
◆◆◆
Back in the warm car, Logan is trying to find an album on his phone that he wants me to listen to. Apparently I’m going to love it. We spent a little more time walking at the lake and when he noticed I was getting cold and the light was fading he suggested we go get coffee somewhere. Which is where we are on our way to now. We just talked about random things. Nothing serious like marriage, driving or the other girl.
I didn’t want to think about her.
We arrive at the coffee shop and he manages to find a parking space near the entrance. Being here reminds me of the growling I heard out side of Joe’s and the newspaper article. I start looking around making sure there’s nothing out there. Logan comes around my side of the truck.
“What’s wrong? What you looking for?” He asks and starts to look around for any signs of danger. Satisfied there is none he looks back to me.
“It’s nothing really, I just heard growling near Joe’s the other night, and then in the paper today there was that piece about the person being attacked by wolves. Guess I’m just nervous.”
He smiles down at me and drapes his arm across my shoulders. Shaking his head.
“I don’t think it was wolves. They never hurt humans, just deer, maybe you just thought you heard growling. I bet it was nothing. And my dad thinks the attack was more a bear than a wolf anyway. You’re safe with me don’t worry. Plus, the wolves don’t go near people anyway........Have you ever seen one up close?”
He looks at me intently. Waiting for my answer. I really don’t want to lie to him. But what can I say? Uh yeah actually I petted one in my yard last night?! I don’t think so. Instead I look down at the ground and slowly shake my head. He doesn’t say anything to my lack of answer. Just pulls me along to the coffee shop.
The doors chimes signalling our arrival and the barista looks up and smiles. She must like what she sees as she suddenly stands up straighter, pushes out her chest and smiles even bigger.
“Logan, good to see you. What can I get for you?” she asks sweetly while leaning on the counter, giving him a full view of her cleavage. Ugh, could she be any more obvious. I can feel my anger raising. I mean he is here with another girl for goodness sake. Taking me by surprise Logan takes my hand and looks to me instead of replying to her. I think I’ve seen her at school with Tara. I’m pretty sure she’s a cheerleader.
“What would you like?” he asks as he squeezes my hand.
“Hot chocolate please, I’ll go grab a table.” I can’t stand to be there any longer next to him while somebody else flirts with him. After a few minutes he comes to the table with our drinks and a cookie for each of us. He sits down in the booth next to me rather than opposite me. His leg is touching my leg under the table but it’s not uncomfortable and it strangely calms my anger.
“Have a nice chat?” I ask sarcastically, slightly ashamed that I’m actually letting her get to me. He looks at me and a huge grin appears on his face. It looks good on him.
“You’re jealous.” I shake my head, oh my gosh, I am jealous.
“You are, hey it’s ok. I don’t mind. I quite like it actually.” If it’s possible his grin gets even bigger. I slap him gently on the arm.
“I am not. She’s just.....just....”
“Uh huh. Jealous.” He repeats not even bothering to hide his grin.
“Oh shut up” I laugh. We talk about what I thought of his music choice on the way over here. I quite liked it actually. It was a little rocky, but I like that. I’ll have to get him to sing on the way home to see if he does have a good rock star voice. A shadow falls over our table.
“Hey Logan, can I get you something else?” She purrs. Her top is lower and her lips are redder than they were when we first walked in. She must have checked her appearance before coming over here. Before Logan has chance to answer, I put my hand on his shoulder possessively and snap at her.
“Logan is good thanks. We still have drinks and if we need anything else we’ll let you know. You do however have an actual person who needs serving, stood waiting for you. So run along.” Her mouth is agape in shock. I don’t think she’s accustomed to being spoken to like that. Especially in front of someone like Logan. I may have well just peed on him; I can’t believe I did that. I can feel Logan’s shoulders shaking trying to hold in the laughter. So I smack him again. He leans over to me to whisper in my ear.
“Jealous.” I shiver as his breath tickles my ear and neck, and I’m positive my cheeks are a bright rosy red.
“Oh come on. Who does that to someone who’s on date with someone else? Her boobs were about to fall out her top. I’m sure that guys going to come every night from now if that’s what he gets to see.” I fold my arms over my own ample sized chest. I’m not jealous of her body. Mine is just as good as hers. I’m not insecure about it. I don’t actually know why I’m jealous. But he’s right. I am.
“So we’re on a date are we?” he leans into my ear again. I swear he knows the affect it’s having on me.
“I don’t know. Are we?” I lean away from him and look him in the eye.
“I was sort of hoping we were.” He reaches out and takes the piece of hair that’s fallen over my face. I was leaving it there to hide my embarrassment. He curls it arou
nd his finger for a few seconds before tucking it behind my ear.
“I’d like to have another one. Soon. How’s tomorrow?” He looks deadly serious. But I can’t help thinking about the other girl. I know I’m only going to get my heart broken in the end. I can’t look him in the eye anymore so I look downwards.
“What about the other girl? And your responsibilities?” He puts his fingers gently under my chin and lifts my head so I have to look into his eyes. They have flecks of gold in them. They are the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen. The more I look the more the gold seems to overtake the green., and I’m mesmerised by them.
“Let me worry about that.” I nod my head. Not really trusting what would come out of my mouth if I spoke.
“So how about tomorrow we go for a drive? I’ll come pick you up around ten? That ok?” I nod again. And he laughs lightly.
“Breathe Alexia.” I nod again, smile and blink breaking our eye contact. How can one person have the ability to make another person forget to breathe? That’s the effect he has on me. I’ve never felt anything like it in my life. He sort of makes me forget everything else.
“Yeah a drive would be nice.” We finish our drinks and get up to leave. Logan waits for me to exit the booth then he walks beside me with his hand gently on my lower back. As we walk past the counter miss big boobs shoots me a dirty look and continues texting on her phone. Two guesses who she’s texting and I bet I only need one. I don’t say anything and carry on walking to the truck which Logan helps me into.
As I pull my hoodie up higher around my neck, it reminds me to ask him how he knew I had bought one. I’ll ask tomorrow. He gets in the car and turns the heat up full and heads towards my house. There is one question I do ask though.
“How do you know where I live?” I say, turning to face him. He looks a little uncomfortable like he’s trying to work out what to say.
“It’s a small town and we only have one artist in town my mum buys from. She told me.” It seems like a passable answer but I get the feeling it’s not the complete truth. I decide not to push it though. I don’t feel like he’s a danger to me.
We drive up the dirt path to my house, and I realise I don’t want the evening to end. I’ve been in his company now for almost five hours straight and my body is used to him being there. He slows down his driving as if he has just realised the same thing.
“So I’ll pick you up about eight in the morning we could grab breakfast first.” He says, he looks unsure of himself again.
“I thought we said ten?”
“We did, but I can’t wait that long to see you again so I changed my mind to six, but thought that was too early. So eight will have to do.” Oh, I can feel my cheeks start to heat up.
“Ok eight it is then. I hope you get a good playlist going. If we’re gonna be driving, we need music and chocolate.” We pull to a stop outside my porch steps. I bend to pick up my bag from the footwell of the car and go to open the door, only there’s no need to, Logan is already there waiting with the door open.
“Wow, that was quick. Must be why you’re the star football player huh?” I joke with him. He just smiles and chuckles.
“Must be. Well that and my manly body of course.” He waves his hands up and down his body as if he was a glamorous assistant on a TV game show, showing off the prizes. This time I chuckle.
“Well of course. How could I have forgotten that? I had a good time tonight Logan. I’m glad I didn’t fake being sick so I couldn’t go.” I smile as I say the last part. He looks fake shocked and puts his hands to his heart.
“You were going to cancel on me by faking to be ill? Unbelievable.” I can tell he’s trying to look hurt but I know he finds it funny that I would almost do it and then actually tell him I almost did it.
“Well I’m glad you didn’t fake being ill either. I’m a crap fake nurse. You may have died.” He says in a very serious manor. He nods his head as he says it and starts to laugh quietly.
“Good night Logan, I’ll see you in the morning. Thanks again.” I move closer to him and before I can change my mind I give him a small kiss just on the very side of his lips. I can feel his whole body rumble and did he just growl at me? Well it was sexy as hell whatever it was. I need to go before I do something I may regret tomorrow. I turn around and slowly jog up the porch steps. Just as I reach the door he calls me.
“Good night Alexia.”
Chapter Seven
Where The Road Takes Us
Alexia... I like the way he says my name. No one calls me Alexia, everyone just calls me Alex. I usually prefer it, but I like it when Logan says it. Aunt Sara must still be at the studio. I know she’s busy right now doing a piece for a high paying client. I suppose it is getting late and if I’m going out early in the morning I probably should get to sleep, so I go up to my room and get ready for bed.
Snuggling down in the blankets and drifting off to sleep, I can’t help but smile a little to myself. I had a good time. I enjoyed myself. And I’m excited for tomorrow.
◆◆◆
I’m sat in the back seat of the car with my eyes closed. I have some random pop song playing on my phone, my earphone buds pushed tightly into my ears. I love that smell, the ocean. I could breathe it all day. I open my eyes and look out my window. The beautiful coastline flows by. I can see people on boards in the surf. I never really learnt how to do that. Tammy could surf really well and tried to teach me a few times. But I just preferred laying on the sand soaking up the heat.
I feel something lightly tap my knee and look up while pulling my earphone out. My mum smiles at me.
“Your dad and I were just talking, thinking about when we go to Italy in the summer, if maybe Tammy wanted to come too? Your older now and we don’t want you to be hanging around us oldies all the time. What do you think?” What do I think?OMG I can’t wait till I tell her. She is gonna go crazy.
“I think that’s the best idea you’ve ever had.” I say excitedly. I pop my earbuds back in and lay my head back and close my eyes again.
I can feel something tapping me on the leg again. I open my eyes and realise I must have been asleep for a while. It’s dark and raining out side. I turn my head to face the front to hear what my mum wants now.
“What’s wrong mum?” I say.
Then the screaming starts. A loud agonising screaming. That doesn’t stop. It just goes on and on. It’s hurting my head it’s that loud. Lights are flashing, red and blue lights are surrounding me.
Now I’m stood on the side of the road. I see my parents car upside down and mangled up with another vehicle. I run over to it expecting someone to stop me. But no one will. I know. I’ve been here many times before. No one ever stops me. Because I’m not really here. I wasn’t there that night either. I was safe at home.
I reach the car and get on my hands and knees. I’m looking through the windows to make sure my parents aren’t still in there. But they are. Their eyes are glassy, and staring straight ahead. They aren’t moving, or talking. They aren’t breathing. They are dead. The screaming gets louder in my head and I have to crouch down and put my hands to my ears trying to block it out. But it doesn’t work. Feeling heat on my face I look up, I’m stood further away from my parents car. I don’t know how I got here, but it’s a dream, I don’t have to know.
There’s a bright orange glow in front of me. The heat is immense. But it doesn’t burn me. Just my parents. And the three strangers in the other car. I never got to see them after they left that night. They were ‘un recognisable’ according to the police support worker. The screaming starts again and I can feel it vibrate all through my body. I know it’s coming from me. But something is different in this dream, different to the ones that I’ve had countless times since that night. There’s another sound. It’s louder than the screaming. But it’s comforting. It’s an animalistic sound. It’s howling and it’s getting louder and louder.
I jolt up in bed quickly. Despite the cold weather outside my body is sticky wi
th sweat, and my face wet with tears. The screaming from my dream has gone. But there is still a low gentle howl I can hear. I get out of bed and go over to my balcony doors I just need some fresh air. Although it was just a dream I can still smell the smoke. It felt so real. I need to let fresh air fill my lungs.
I stand on my balcony in my boy short pjs and vest top. Goosebumps cover my skin and I start to shiver but I welcome the cold. It’s better than the feeling of the fire. I look down and sat directly below my balcony is my black wolf. I’m not sure I should call him that anymore. I know what Logan said about the attack most likely to have come from a bear but he could still be the one who killed that hiker. I don’t think he is though. He’s too calm He’s just sat looking straight at me. It almost feels like he’s checking on me.
River Falls: The Wolves Page 7