River Falls: The Wolves

by Lizzie Wildblood

  “You’re not alone. And I can tell that you don’t need someone to take care of you. I can see that in you. You’re a strong person, but....I want to take care of you. I can’t help it. I can't explain our connection Alexia, but it’s just in me to take care of you. To protect you. You have me for support. Whenever you need it. ” He puts his hands on either side of my face and places a kiss on the top of my head.

  It’s one of the sweetest things anyone apart from my parents has ever done.

  “Thanks Logan.”

  We carry on walking hand in hand. I ask him questions about his family, his siblings. He doesn’t ask me questions, but sometimes I’ll add my own little story about my family. I’m grateful he’s not pushing it. Today is the most I’ve talked about my family since that night.

  The more we talk, the more I start to think how wrong I was about him. After only two days of actually talking to him, no matter how much I tell myself that I’m not ready for a relationship, where my heart and Logan are concerned I don’t think I’m going to have a choice soon.

  But my head keeps reminding me that I can’t have him. He has someone else that he’s arranged to be married to, however archaic that may seem to me. It’s the truth. I want to believe Logan when he says he can deal with it and I believe that he thinks he can.

  But I don’t think he has a choice either.

  Chapter Eight

  Back Off

  I turn to face him in the truck as we are almost back to my house. My house. It still feels slightly strange calling it my house, but it also feels right.

  “Thanks for today Logan. I had a really great time.” We spent the rest of the day after our gentle hike, just talking about everything and anything and driving whichever direction we wanted as promised. There were a few questions I wanted to ask him but I didn’t really have the courage to ask.

  Like Tara.

  Like how he heard me.

  Like the electricity thing.

  My phone tings with a message, I look at it and see it’s from Amber.

  Amber: Did you forget to tell me something? Wink wink! I want the details..... All of them! I’ll come get you for school in the morning.

  Me :huh????

  I quickly type back my reply.

  “Something wrong? You look confused?” Logan asks. I shake my head and shrug.

  “Just Amber. She just sent a strange text. No need to worry.” I’m feeling a little disappointed. I don’t want the day to end. I really have had a nice day. And driving with Logan today has actually made me realise how much I miss driving. I think I will take Chris up on his offer tomorrow.

  “If your sure. Want me to give you a lift to school in the morning? I don’t mind.” He asks as we pull up in front of my porch. And both get out the car. We meet by the front of the truck. It’s a little dirty now from our days driving. I hear my phone go off again but decide to ignore it for now.

  “No it’s fine. Thanks though. Amber is going to come and get me. Your cars all dirty now. I think you're going to have a job cleaning it.” I say, pointing to the car. He just looks at me with a huge cheeky grin on his face.

  “Well technically we both made it dirty so I think it’s only fair that you help me clean it.” He has a smile on his face like he has just had the best idea in the world.

  “Oh really? Well technically you asked me to spend the day with you. And driving was your idea, so I don’t really see why I should have to clean it.” I reply with a grin of my own.

  “I’ll make you a deal. You go on a real date with me. we dress smart, dinner, movie and I’ll clean it ready for the date.” Date? An actual date?

  “Um Logan , I’m not sure that’s a good idea. I mean I know we just spent the day together and it was great, really it was. But there’s that ..... Um..... Thingy..... With your family arrangements, and to be honest I’m not really in a place where I’m ready to be on dates yet. I still have some things in my head to concentrate on. Does that make sense?”

  Great I pretty much just told him I’m mental. He just stays stood in front of me but moves a little closer and puts his hands on my waist. I can feel ten bolts of lightening coursing through my body at the connection. Yeah I need do figure that out too.

  “I get it, really I do. But I already told you not to worry about my family stuff. I’ve got it under control. And your stuff in your head, I want to help you through it. But it’s fine. I’ll bring the car round in the week and you can just help me wash it.”

  He smiles and tugs me closer to him. I think I’m starting to lose the feelings in my legs. It’s a good job he’s holding onto me. I felt so confident talking to him two minutes ago, now just because he’s holding my waist and staring at me I can’t seem to think straight.

  “Oh” is all I manage to get out. It’s like he knows he is having an effect on me, and he gets a mischievous glint in his eyes. He bends down to my ear and grips my waist a little tighter.

  “A date with me, or wash my car with me.” He whispers in my ear. He stays there though. His lips just a millimetre away from my skin. I feel his breath on my neck and it’s sending pleasure all through my body. All I manage to do is nod my head. He chuckles.

  “Yes to a date?” He whispers again. I shake my head side to side I hear him sigh and he moves one of his hands to the back of my neck and pulls me closer to him. His one finger moves slowly on my neck. Tracing an invisible line from my ear to my collar bone.

  “You sure?” He says even softer than before. Over the erratic beating of my heart, I’m surprised I hear him. I nod my head and he inhales deeply. Did he just smell me?

  “Ok, I’ll see you at school tomorrow.” He places a kiss on the top of my head and I have to stop my self from gripping his shirt and pulling him in for a proper kiss. But right now, somehow my head is still over ruling my heart. And I have to listen to it while I still can.

  “Bye Logan.” I take a few steps away and start walking up my porch steps.

  “I’ll bring the buckets you can bring the sponges.” He calls back to me with a smile. But I can see in his eyes he is disappointed. I hate that I have given him that look. That I’m the reason he’s disappointed. But it’s just better this way.

  I have to save myself somehow.

  “Ok” I say and nod back at him as he moves to get in his truck. I stand and watch him drive away and give a little wave.

  I feel disappointed with my self. It really had been a perfect day and I think I just spoiled it. But in the end I know what’s going of happen.

  He’s already told me what his future holds and it’s not me. It’s some other girl. I’m going to be the one who’s left crying and heartbroken. And I don’t think my heart can take much more.

  I just can’t take that risk.

  ◆◆◆

  A horn honks out side and I say bye to aunt Sara. I walk to the car and I’m greeted by a wide eyed Amber with a huge grin on her face.

  “Well, well, well, I have to say I’m a little hurt you didn’t tell me. But, tell me the details and I’ll forgive you. I mean it is Logan we’re talking about after all!”

  She claps her hands together excitedly and starts to make her way towards school.

  “What are you on about?” I say, I have a clue now that she has said Logan’s name, but I don’t know how she knows.

  Do I even want her to know and make it into something it’s not. She passes me her phone and shows me a photo on there. It’s of me. Me and Logan to be exact. It’s taken from Saturday night. When we were sat in the coffee shop. He’s holding my chin gently and looking into my eyes. It looks as if we are about to kiss or just finished kissing. It’s gives my stomach butterflies just thinking back to that moment.

  “Oh. It’s really not what it looks like” she gives me a look and raises her eyebrows.

  “Uh huh, honestly I don’t mind you didn’t want to come to the party because you had plans with Logan. But you could have told me. So is he good? Tell me?” she asks jokingly. Only I d
on’t think she actually is joking. I think she really does want the details. But the truth is there isn’t any to give.

  “How did you even get this?” Amber goes on to tell me that the slutty waitress is one of Tara’s best friends and must have taken a picture of us. Then Tara sent it to Amber with a message. Do I even want to know what it is?

  “She said to tell you to Back off. I mean what are we? In kindergarten?” She laughs. I’m not really finding it funny.

  “What did you say back?” Amber's not one to mince her words. I’ve only known her a few short weeks and I know that she openly speaks what she thinks. She laughs again.

  “I told her to get a life. You're a better match for Logan, as he would never get with a bitch like her anyway, and that I will help you in anyway possible to snag him.” She looks very pleased with herself.

  “I don’t want to snag him, I bumped into him at the mall on Saturday morning and he didn’t really give me a chance to say no.” I try to explain what happened.

  “Uh huh” she says again.

  “You do realise he is the hottest guy in school? No scrap that, the hottest guy in this state. And he hasn’t asked anyone out for a date ever. Don’t get me wrong. He’s not a monk, he’s gone on dates but he doesn’t do the asking. The girlies all flock to him.”

  “Well they can keep on flocking then because I’m not interested.” Yeah right. I don’t even believe myself. And the look Amber gives me, I know she doesn’t believe me either.

  Walking up the school steps I spot Logan straight away. He’s leaning against the railing, arms folded over his chest, which shows off his arm muscles perfectly. His white t shirt isn’t too tight, but I can tell there’s a wall of pure muscle underneath. I know from standing so close to him yesterday. He looks up at me and smiles. I can’t help but smile in return. I think today is going to be a good day.

  “Uh huh....you just keep on lying to yourself.” Amber says with a smug grin.

  “Lying about what?” Chris says as walks up behind up and drops his arms over our shoulders like he did the first day we met. I start to hear a low grumbling growling sound again that I was hearing last week but when I look around to see where it’s coming from it seems to be from where Logan is. No one else ever seems to hear it. He looks absolutely furious and starts to make his way over to us.

  I try to shrug out from under Chris’s arm but he just holds it around me even tighter.

  “Ummm lying about which celeb we think is hotter. That’s...." I never get chance to finish my sentence.

  Logan walks right up to us and shoves Chris hard in the chest so he steps back a few paces. After a couple of seconds of realising what just happens he steps right up to Logan and shoves him back.

  “Dude, what the hell is wrong with you?” Chris shouts, but Logan doesn’t reply he just punches him in the face and knocks him to the floor. Chris quickly gets up to fight back. People are starting to gather around us, noticing some excitement in their boring Monday morning.

  “Logan stop, just stop” but he can’t hear me. He’s not listening. Chris manages to get a quick jab to Logan's jaw but then he gets hit and again is knocked down to the floor. I’ve never actually been his close to a fight before. I’m just stood there watching in shock, not believing that this is the same guy who was so gentle with me the day before. His eyes even look a completely different colour. So much darker than usual.

  Logan grabs a fist full of Chris’s shirt and pulls him up so the top half of his body is off the floor.

  “Stop touching her, just stay away the hell away from her.” Logan grits out through a clenched jaw.

  “Logan stop!” I shout louder and crouch down to try pulling at his tensed shoulder. That gets his attention and he turns around and looks at me. He stares at me for a few seconds, looks to Chris then back at me. It’s like he’s just realised what he’s actually done. I can literally see his eyes start to change back to their normal colour.

  “Alexia, I’m sorry, I ....” He says quietly. Chris shoves Logan’s hand off his shirt and starts to rub his cheek.

  “Just go Logan.” I say shaking my head. I knew he had a temper and that he didn’t like Chris. But it’s not like Chris did anything wrong. He didn’t provoke him or anything. Logan takes my hand.

  “I’m sorry, let’s just go and talk. I can explain” He says. I take my hand back and move so that I’m knelt beside Chris.

  “No, I think you just need to go Logan. I’m staying with Chris.” He looks hurt by what I’ve said, but I don’t think I should go with him. What if he gets mad at me. I’m pretty certain he would never hurt me. I’ve never felt as safe as l had the past two days with him. But I can’t understand this shift in him today.

  “Alexia....”

  “She said go. You should listen to her before I change my mind on beating your ass.” Chris says and stands up pulling me up with him.

  “You could try.” Logan says squaring up to Chris again. I can see his fists clenching, and I think he’s gearing up for round two.

  “Logan” I say standing in front of him so I’m in between the two, I place my hands on his chest, gently pushing him and he takes a couple steps back, I walk with him and look up to him.

  “Go calm down before something happens you’re really going to regret. There’s going to be teachers here soon.” I take a few steps back until I’m stopped by Chris’s body and he puts his hands on my hips holding me closer to him.

  I can’t understand the look in Logan’s eyes. It’s total devastation, but doesn’t he realise he caused this. I can’t look at him anymore. It’s making me hurt inside to see that look on his face. He is the total opposite to what he’s been like with me all weekend. So I turn around and find myself looking at Chris’s chest instead.

  I hear his footsteps as he walks away, once I know he’s not there anymore I turn around and watch him get in his truck and swiftly pull out of the car park. Maybe my day isn’t going to be so great after all.

  ◆◆◆

  A gentle squeezing on my waist makes me turn away from Logan’s retreating truck.

  “Hey, you ok? You didn’t get hurt did you?” Chris asks gently.

  “Me? No I’m fine. But you’re not. I can’t can’t believe he did that. I’m so sorry. Are you ok?”

  “You’re sorry? What do you have to be sorry for? It’s his fault, he’s a complete ass. It’s not so bad any way. I’ve had worse.” He says rubbing his chin. His lip is split and is already swelling up. And I’m sure he’s going to have a nice black eye for a while. He tries to smile but winces when it pulls the split further apart. He tilts his head to the side and leans in closer to me.

  “However if you feel the need to nurse me back to full health then you can just go right ahead nurse Alex, I’ll even get you a costume.” He chuckling slightly but his hold on my waist also got a bit tighter.

  “Oh he’s fine if he’s making sexy nurse suggestions. Pervert” Amber playfully says and taps him on the shoulder.

  I take a couple steps away from him to give myself some space. I’m feeling strange at the minute. I want to stay with Chris to make sure he is ok and I know that Chris is the victim here and that I’m the one who told Logan to go away. But the look on his face when I told him I was staying with Chris. I can’t get it out of my head. In reality I know that Logan is the bad guy here, but you know those movies where sometimes you actually want the bad guy to get away with the crime, it’s like that. I just have a need to make sure Logan’s ok.

  “Don’t be stupid Chris. You need to go the nurse.” Amber voice is getting louder and pulled me out of my thoughts. They’re arguing about something.

  “No Amber I don’t. If I do then she’ll tell coach I’ve been fighting and he won’t let me play in the game next week. Trust me. That’s the only reason I actually let him walk away.”

  “Alex, tell him will you. He needs to get checked out.” She pleads with me.

  Looking at him, he really does need some ice o
n his face otherwise he won’t be able to see out of his eye to even play next weeks game. It’s hard to believe Logan’s only seventeen with the strength he has.

  “Come on we can go to my place. My aunt will have left for the studio by now. And even if she is there I don’t think she’d mind anyway. You ok to drive Amber. I’m not sure he should.”

  “Yeah that’s fine. Come on before someone spots us out here and calls us in.”

  We all get in Amber's car and drive back to my house. Chris sits in the back with his head laid back and closes his eyes. No one really says anything we just sit in silence listening to the radio.

  “Alex?” Amber whispers after a few minutes has gone by.