Lather

by Nicki Rae

  “Emily now is really the best time to tell us everything you remember. Your information may help us find Justin a little easier.”

  I had not thought of that.

  He stares at me intently for a few seconds.

  “Please, can I just go to the hospital with Logan to make sure he is ok, and as soon as I know that he is, I promise I will tell you everything I know?”

  “Ok. I will go back to the station and find out where we are in the hunt. Then I will come looking for you.”

  I nod my head in response.

  As Logan and I are walking out to the ambulance, I see what a mess that has been created. Police and medics are everywhere. Even seeing all of them standing there, I feel like I need to be watching over my shoulder. I know Justin is not dumb enough to come back when this place is crawling with police but I feel like he is walking right with me in my shadow.

  “You ok babe?” What a loaded question that is. I am certainly not ok but I don’t want to worry Logan further.

  “I will be fine once I find out if you are ok.”

  He pulls me to his side and kisses the top of my head.

  I’m pulled from my thoughts as Logan is arguing with the medic that he can drive us to the hospital.

  “Logan, you have just been shot and I have been kidnapped, it is probably best if we ride in the ambulance.” I laugh at what I just said to him.

  Did that really just happen?

  As I am getting into the ambulance, I realize that I haven’t called my mom, yet.

  “Can I call my mom?” I ask the medic, once we are in the back of the ambulance.

  “You’ll have to wait until we get to the hospital. I have to take your vitals before we get there.”

  Both Logan and I are being worked on as we ride in silence, all except for the occasion question from one of the medics.

  I am watching the medic take my blood pressure when Logan’s medic tells her she needs her help. I turn my head to see what is going on. Logan’s eyes are closed and he is not moving.

  “What is going on?”

  They are working on him, trying to get him breathing again.

  “What happened?” I ask again.

  “He went unconscious on us.”

  “What do you mean he isn’t conscious?” I scream.

  I know that I need to keep my composure but I just can’t take anymore.

  “Emily, please calm down. He has lost a lot of blood, it happens sometimes. You have been through a very traumatic experience yourself, please calm down; we don’t need anything happening to you, too.””

  “How can I be calm when you are telling me he isn’t conscious?”

  Neither of the medics answers as they continue to work on Logan. We pull up to the hospital. They open the doors, and immediately wheel Logan out on the gurney and hastily take him in. I am freaking out.

  They finally pull me from the back and wheel me in. When we reach the room, my family is there.

  “Emily! Oh my God!”

  My mother says to me as she rushes over to my side.

  “I am fine mom. I have to go see Logan.”

  “They will update us on Logan, Emily. You have to get yourself checked out first.”

  “They checked me in the ambulance, I am fine.”

  The nurse comes in and I ask, “Can I get up and go to Logan’s room? They checked me in the ambulance and I am fine.”

  “Only immediate family can be with him right now.”

  I lay my head back on the pillow as tears start streaming down my face. This has to be the worst day ever.

  “Ma’am, we need to have a few words with Emily, if you don’t mind.”

  I look up to see Evans talking to my mother. I hear my mom start to protest but I stop her.

  “It’s ok, mom, the sooner I can tell them what happened, the sooner that bastard will be put away for good.”

  She walks over to the bed and kisses me on the forehead.

  “When you feel like you need to stop. Stop. I don’t want you getting yourself all worked up.”

  I nod my response and she walks back to her seat.

  Chapter 27

  *Logan*

  I feel a soft hand running up and down my arm. I open my eyes to see Emily sitting next to me.

  She smiles. “Hey baby.”

  I smile back at her. I look around the room and it crashes back to me that I am in the hospital.

  “What’s going on?” I ask Emily, still a little hazy.

  “You were shot, Logan. You lost a lot of blood and lost consciousness. You have been out for three hours.”

  Shit! I try to wrap my mind around this.

  “Where is my family?”

  Her eyes soften, “They are in with your father.”

  In with my father? What does that mean?

  She sees the confusion on my face.

  “Do you remember that your dad was in a coma?”

  I try to recall the events of the past few days. I remember the accident and me running around like crazy to try to get Emily to take me back. Yeah, I guess I remember the coma.

  I nod my head.

  “Yeah. I guess that wasn’t something I would have remembered without a little help, though.”

  She stands and sits on the edge of the bed. Her hands move to my cheek and she starts to caress it. I close my eyes and move toward her touch. She soothes me. I take her hand from my cheek and kiss it.

  When I open my eyes, I see tears falling from her eyes and pooling on my blanket. I reach up and wipe them away with my thumb.

  “Don’t cry baby, everything is going to be alright.”

  “Logan, do you have any idea what a mess the last few days have been? Do you remember what happened to you? Do you remember anything?

  I remember Emily and me fighting. I know she believed I slept with that girl but I didn’t.

  “Do you remember that we were set up, Logan. Justin paid that girl to try to sleep with you, just so he could get to me. I am so sorry I didn’t believe you.”

  Did I just hear her right?

  “Did you say Justin set me up?”

  She nods her head.

  “He told us everything when he kidnapped me. That isn’t even all of it.”

  I scan my memory.

  “I was at the clearing when I figured out it was Justin who had you. I went to his apartment and you weren’t there. So I called Tyler and he told me to check Jon’s parent’s lake house.”

  I look over to my shoulder and put my hand over my wound.

  “That mother fucker shot me. Where is he? Does Evans’ have him?”

  “Logan, did you say that was Jon’s parents’ house we were at?” she says completely disregarding my question

  “Yes, I can’t believe the nerve of that guy breaking in; is he a dumbass?”

  I look over at her; she has suddenly gotten really quiet.

  “You ok, babe?” Her eyes move to mine.

  “Logan, I think Jon is the one who helped Justin kidnap me.”

  “Are you fucking kidding me right now?”

  “No.” She shakes her head in response. ”And, Justin shot him. He is dead, Logan.”

  I cannot believe this. Jon and I have been friends since before we were in school.

  *Emily*

  I see him struggling with this information. I know that he and Jon have been friends for a long time

  “Does my brother know this?”

  “No, I just realized who he was.””

  “Where is he? I want to talk to him.”

  “I’m not sure, Logan. He may be in with your dad?”

  “Does Evans know all of this?”

  “Yes…no. I told him earlier when he was here. But as I said I just now figured out about Jon.”

  “I need to get out of here, will you get me a nurse or doctor or someone?”

  “Yes, Logan. I will.”

  I step out in the hallway and Shay is there. She walks up to me and gives me a hug. I can’t le
t her go. I just need someone right at that moment. I have endured this hospital too much this week. It is time to go home.

  “You ok?” Shay says to me as she pulls out of our embrace.

  I am wiping tears away as I say, “I am getting there. The truth is finally out. We just need everyone out of the hospital and Evans’ to find Justin, so we can start healing.”

  “I hear that. Is Logan awake?”

  “Yes, I am supposed to be finding a nurse. Do you know where Tyler is?”

  “I wasn’t supposed to say anything but he is helping the police find Justin.

  “Shay, I just figured out who helped Justin kidnap me.”

  “I didn’t know who it was at the time. I don’t know if they have found his body yet, but I need to go talk to Evans, just in case.”

  A nurse and Dee are heading towards Logan’s room. Dee sees me and waves. I walk over to follow behind them in the room.

  When we enter, Logan looks up to us and says, “I need to get out of here. Is that possible anytime soon?”

  “That is why we are here Logan. To check your vitals and make sure you are ok.” The nurse says to him while she is putting the cuff on his arm.

  The doctor said Logan is going to be just fine. In fact, they said that, with the exception of having to wear his arm in a sling, he probably wouldn’t even notice.

  “Did you tell him about his dad?” Dee asks me while the nurse is checking out Logan.

  “No, I figured you would want to do that.”

  “Thank you, Emily.”

  “No problem, Dee. I have something I need to check on. So, I am going to head out for a bit.”

  I see the worry in her face.

  “Do you think it is a good idea for you to be going out alone, Em?”

  “I have to go see Office Evans, I am sure I will be ok. I’m going to take Shayla with me.”

  “Ok, you girls be careful. I can’t have anything else happening to my family.”

  It warms my heart to hear Dee call Shay and me a part of her family. I know Logan and I have had some issues but I just love this family so much.

  Now, for the hard part, I walk over to Logan. Once I am close to the bed, he grabs my hand and pulls me down. He takes my face in his hands and puts his lips to mine.

  “When we get out of here, Emily, you are never leaving my side or my bed again. I think we are going to be in your room for a week.”

  I pull back laughing. This may be slightly more difficult that I thought.

  “Logan, I have something to do. So, I am going to leave for a bit.”

  He glares at me, his eyes turning that fierce shade of green that I love.

  “No.” He says simply.

  I stand and shake my head.

  “It is important, Logan. I have to go talk to Evans about the case. I am taking Shayla with me, so I won’t be alone.”

  “Oh, well since you are taking Shay, no problem then.” He says, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

  I kiss Logan, “I love you. I will be careful, I promise. And I won’t be gone too long.” I walk out of the hospital room.

  *Logan*

  “Well Logan, let me go find the doctor and see if we can get you out of here.” The nurse says to me.

  After the nurse leaves, Mom hobbles over on her crutches and sits on the edge of my bed.

  “Well, son, I’m glad to see you awake. I can’t wait until everyone is home and back to their old selves again.”

  “Does that mean Dad is awake?”

  Mom puts her hands over her mouth and I see tears falling from her eyes. I pull her to me and hold her while she cries.

  “Don’t cry Mom, we will get there.”

  “I will be glad when they have that little son of a bitch. I can’t believe all of the pain he has caused our family.”

  “So Emily told you what he did to us?”

  “Yes, did Emily also tell you that we think it was Justin who paid someone to run the red light and smash into our car?”

  I feel my body heat rising. They better hope the police find him before I do because I will kill him.

  “I’m sorry, Mom. I had no idea.”

  “He really seems to have a vendetta out on our family. Do you know why?”

  “I’m sure he will say it is my fault, one way or another. He seems to think that he deserves Emily and I have her. I have had her since the day I went to her locker; evidently, he can’t get past that.

  *Emily*

  Shay and I get to the police station. We spot Tyler sitting at one of the desks talking to a police officer. We start to walk towards him but instead he gets up and heads our way.

  “What are you guys doing here?” he says and he seems a little agitated.

  “We came to talk with Evans.” Shay says to him.

  “By yourselves?”

  “Yes, by ourselves. We are big girls, Tyler.”

  He glares at Shay.

  “I fucking know that, Shayla. You do know that a psych-o-path just kidnapped Emily, shot my brother and put my parents in the hospital? And we still have not found him. You need to stay at the hospital!”

  “I’m sorry, Tyler. I didn’t think.”

  He pulls Shayla into an embrace and closes his eyes. This is the first time I see how much he cares for Shay. I saw the fear in his eyes when he was talking about something possibly happening to her. I know the feeling.

  He puts his hand at the small of Shay’s back and leads us both back out to our car.

  “Look, I will let Evans know that you need to talk with him, but now is not a good time.”

  Shay and I look at each other.

  “What is going on Tyler?”

  “Nothing. Just go back to the hospital and stay there; I need to know that you guys are safe”

  “Tyler, it was Jon who helped kidnap me.”

  He is quiet for a moment. I see him process this information.

  He closes his eyes before he says, “I was hoping that I was wrong but that makes sense. Why would Justin randomly pick Jon’s house to keep you?”

  “I don’t know where they were keeping me first but that is where he shot and killed Jon.”

  “They found his body; that was Justin’s apartment.”

  My heart sinks. I can’t believe I let myself get close to someone like him. How did I not know?

  “Emily, don’t beat yourself up. There is no way you could have known. Hell, Logan and I have known Jon since we were small and look what he did. Drugs will do that to people.”

  He kisses Shay, and stands there, waiting for us to get in the car and leave. Shay and I look at each other again but we decide to get in the car and leave.

  I take my phone out and dial Evans; it goes straight to voicemail. Damn it! I want to know what is going on. I am the one that was kidnapped; I think I have every right to know.

  When we get back to the hospital, we find that Logan no longer occupies a room. So, Shay and I walk to where they are keeping Charles.

  When we walk in the room, I stop and put my hands over my mouth in shock. Logan is helping his dad walk around the room. I don’t think I have seen him this happy in a long time.

  “Oh my goodness, Charles! Look at you!” I say, excitedly.

  Charles smiles at me and holds his arm out, for me to come and give him a hug. I walk over there and he embraces me. I don’t want to squeeze him too hard but I really just want to give him a big ole bear hug.

  “I’m glad you are safe, Emily. Logan was very scared he was going to lose you. We all were.”

  “I think we can say the same for you, Mr. Moore.”

  I feel Charles turn his head over mine as he looks back at Shayla.

  “Don’t think I am leaving you out, Shayla. Get over here and give me a hug.”

  I back away from him to give him and Shay some room. Logan grabs me from behind and pulls me back to him. I inhale him deeply; I will never get tired of having his scent surround me.

  He whispers in my ear, “Want to go some
where, just the two of us?”

  I turn my head to the side and look up at him. I see need in his eyes, how can I tell him no?

  “Let’s take a walk.” I turn Logan’s words on him.

  “Em and I will be back in a little bit. Will you guys be ok?” Logan asks Dee.

  “Yes, sweetheart. You go and get some rest.”

  I hear him laugh under his breath.

  “Yeah, we will.”

  *Logan*

  I can’t wait to get her back to the house. Since she was taken from me, I have felt the overwhelming need to be close to her every second of the day. I put my hand on her knee, to hold me over until we get there.

  We get to the house and I practically drag her inside.

  “Logan you should be careful, you do remember that you were just shot.”

  “I will be fine, now get your ass over here.” He tries to be dominant but he just can’t and we both end up laughing.

  I walk over to him in the kitchen. He goes to pick me up and I stop him. I already know what he is going to do. So, instead of hurting himself, I just hop up on the counter. He walks between my legs and we are eye to eye.

  “Do you know how crazy I was, when I didn’t know where you were?”

  “I have some idea.” I say and shrug.

  I see disappointment in his eyes.

  “Look, all of that is nonsense now.” I raise his arm and point to his tattoo.

  “Let me tell you exactly what did happen. I really need you to know.”

  “It really makes no difference now, Logan. But if you feel that strongly about it, go ahead.”

  It’s the first day of class and I am sitting in the lecture hall. I don’t know anyone, so I am just sitting there playing on my phone while I wait for the professor.

  Someone sits beside me and I look up. I don’t recognize her so I just smile at her and go back to some addicting candy game on my phone.

  “Everything is so overwhelming; I barely made it on time.” She says to me.

  I don’t know what she is talking about because we still have plenty of time before class starts, plus the instructor hasn’t even shown up yet.

  “It’s a pretty big campus, easy to get lost.” I say but I don’t look at her.

  “Are you a freshman?” she asks.

  “Yeah.”

  “I’m Stephanie, where are you from?”