With a Twist

by Nicole Hart

  “No, it’s fine. It’s taken care of,” he stated flatly.

  “What do you mean?”

  “They were going to kill Gage. They tracked him down in the bar, put a gun to his temple.” He closed his eyes and shook his head briefly before continuing. “But Reese took care of the bastard before he could make his move.”

  “Reese killed him?” I whispered.

  “She had to…she had to protect Gage.” His words took a defensive tone.

  “Oh, no, I understand. I would have done the same thing for you,” I assured him, knowing I would in a heartbeat. He returned my comment with a small smile.

  “Yeah?” He looked at me, one eyebrow raised.

  “Absolutely.” I ran my fingers down the back of his neck.

  “I helped them get rid of the body.” Logan bit the inside of his cheek, waiting for my response.

  “Oh.”

  “I had to help my brother; he’s my family. It was in the moment, but I would do it again.”

  There’s no way I could fault him for being loyal. It was admirable, as crazy as it sounded. “You did the right thing,” I whispered, kissing his lips.

  “You’re not freaked out about it?” He held me tighter, pulling me closer.

  “I mean, it’s a messed-up situation, but you had to do it. He’s your family.”

  “We’ve only had each other since we were little kids.”

  “You’re lucky to have each other. So that’s why you sold the bar? Because it happened there? Is there a chance anyone would find out?” The questions started to roll through my mind, worried that somehow, Logan would get in trouble for this.

  “Yeah, Reese was really devastated afterward, and Gage just wanted to do what was best for her. I don’t think it will ever come back on us…it was all pretty dirty business with dirty people. The kind of people that don’t really have search parties looking for them. But that’s what caused me to go to the hospital in the first place. I quit smoking because I thought it would get us caught. Which is stupid—this is the city. The cops have other shit to worry about. But my head was just fucked up with everything going on. I’d never really seen shit like that. My brother got into some crazy shit when we were kids, but he always kept it away from me. And weed helps me, so everything was just amplified in my head.”

  “I’m sorry, Logan. I wish I could have helped you.” I kissed both of his cheeks and then his forehead.

  “I’m better now. I mean, as better as I’m going to be.” His chuckle made me smile.

  “You’re perfect.” I smiled.

  “Perfectly fucked up.” He laughed, relaxing into me, and I pressed my lips against his before replying.

  “That makes two of us. I’m here for you, baby. I need you to know I’m not going anywhere. I love you.”

  “I love you, more. And right now, I need you.” He smiled, rolling me onto my back, planting kisses along my neck.

  “Show me,” I whispered, as he unzipped my jeans, pulling them off in one quick motion.

  Logan parted my legs and buried his face between my thighs, showing me just how much he needed me. I was convinced he could do things with his tongue that were pure magic. He made me forget every other thought as he drove me to ecstasy.

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  “I’m too tired to move.” I giggled, curling up next to Logan in my twin-size bed. We usually spent most of our time together at his apartment, and that was the plan tonight. But Logan decided he couldn’t wait another minute when I bent over to grab a change of clothes out of my dresser. Luckily, Braxton wasn’t home, so we didn’t have to worry about being quiet.

  “This bed is ridiculous, you know that?” He tried to straighten his leg, which hung off the side of the bed.

  “It’s not used to two people being in it.”

  “That’s what you get for being so damn sexy.” He ran his hand down the inside of my thigh, my naked body still buzzing from the orgasm he had given me only minutes earlier.

  “You’re the only man on Earth who thinks I look sexy in a waitress uniform,” I joked with him, opening my legs wider for easier access.

  “You look good in anything,” he whispered against my neck. “But nothing at all is my favorite.”

  “Smooth talker.” I purred, intertwining my fingers around the back of his neck. The ringing of my cell phone disturbed round two before it even got started.

  Maxi’s face appeared on my screen when I reached across Logan to grab it from the nightstand.

  “Hey, sis!” I smiled, staring back at Logan’s naked body sprawled across my bed.

  “Jess.” Maxi’s voice was strained, almost raspy.

  “What’s wrong?” I sat up quickly and Logan stared at me, both of us instantly worried.

  “It’s Isaac,” she mumbled, and her voice cracked.

  I already knew. She didn’t even need to say the words. But she did.

  “He’s dead.”

  “Oh God, how?” I didn’t even know why I asked, I already knew the answer.

  “Malina said one of his friends called her. They found him dead at that house we went to. It was an overdose.” She sniffled and a single tear slid down my cheek. I didn’t understand that kind of addiction, not personally anyway. But as a child, I watched it destroy our family. And the demons still plagued some of us, even after all these years.

  “I can’t believe it.” That was a lie. Logan wrapped his arm around my shoulder, pulling me into him, before placing a kiss on top of my head.

  “I wish we could have helped him,” Maxi cried in a shaky voice.

  “We tried…we really did.” I did my best to console her.

  “I know. It just sucks, ya know?” She let out a loud exhale.

  “Yeah, I know,” I mumbled.

  “Malina’s parents are paying for a funeral. It’s in a couple of days in Pittsfield. Do you think you can get off work? My parents want to come with me. I’ve never had to go to a funeral before. How crazy is that?”

  “It’s good they’re going to be with you.”

  “But I need you there, too,” she whined.

  “I’ll be there. I’ll make sure of it.” I wasn’t sure how I would make it work, but I would.

  “Okay, that’s my mom beeping in. I’ll call you back soon. Love you.”

  “Love you, too.”

  I hung up the call and leaned into Logan. He ran his large hand down my side as he cradled me, placing soft kisses on my temple.

  I let the tears fall. For Isaac. For Maxi. For everyone in my life who had let heroin destroy them and everything around them. It wasn’t fair.

  The temperature was brutal as we stood silently around Isaac’s casket at the cemetery. The wind whipped in from the north as a storm threatened to fall over us any second. Logan pulled me closer into him, and I welcomed the warmth his body fueled.

  There were only eight people in attendance, and it made me sad. He was so young, his life stolen from him before he was even given a chance to really live. I watched as Malina broke down, leaning against her father, who remained stone-faced, staring straight ahead, but holding his little girl.

  One choice.

  Maxi reached over and grabbed my hand as the CD player began to play a song I didn’t recognize. The lyrics were meant to be uplifting, about resting high on a mountain, but they seemed cruel to me. I could only hope Isaac had finally found peace. I was so thankful Maxi had grown up the way she did, with parents who loved her unconditionally and would do anything for her.

  As my eyes scanned the small crowd, watching the faces of the mourners, seeing the tears of two young girls hugging as the song played, my heart leaped into my throat.

  Behind the small crowd, further in the distance, stood an older woman, white frizzy hair, frail and sad. She wore a black coat, pulled high over her neck, her thin fingers holding it close to her chin, staring straight ahead. I couldn’t see much of her face, but I didn’t need to.

  The crystal blue eyes gave her away, a
long with the way she shifted her weight from one foot to the other when she was uncomfortable.

  My mother.

  My knees began to tremble, which Logan must have felt because he held me tighter. I glanced up at Maxi, who continued to stare at the casket, wearing a blank expression. She had no idea. I wasn’t even sure if she would recognize her if they came face to face. But I didn’t have a doubt in my mind.

  Our eyes met, locked for a few moments. She was a sad, old woman, lonely and weak. The years had taken their toll on her, and I wasn’t sure how to feel.

  She broke our eye contact and stared at the ground for a moment before turning on her heel and walking away. She didn’t even glance back, and I couldn’t take my eyes off her until she climbed into her beat up old car and drove away.

  Not a word. Not a smile. Not an “I’m sorry.”

  Nothing.

  All the emotions came flooding over me.

  Hate.

  Resentment.

  Disappointment.

  Sadness.

  But one emotion trumped all the rest.

  Pity.

  I actually felt sorry for her. Her issues were more than I could ever understand. And I wouldn’t try anymore. I would let her go. I would let the past go.

  As I stood between the two people who meant the most to me in this world, I chose in that moment to forgive her—for the life she gave us, the decisions she made, and the demons she carried.

  The cycle was broken.

  “It ends right here,” I mumbled under my breath as I squeezed Maxi’s hand, so quietly she didn’t hear me.

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  “Merry Christmas, baby,” Logan whispered into my ear, waking me from another peaceful sleep. The nightmares that plagued me before were a thing of the past, and I was utterly grateful. These last few months with Logan gave me this beautiful sense of serenity that calmed my body and my mind.

  “Mmmm…Merry Christmas.” I stretched, trying to pry my eyes open as the morning shone through the bedroom window.

  This was the first Christmas I had ever really looked forward to. I helped Logan shop for a tree and ornaments, since it was a first for him also. But he wanted to start traditions, and Christmas would be our first. He really was amazing. Braxton had a small tree at our apartment, but this one was over six feet tall and filled with the ornaments Logan and I chose together. We spent the first night making love next to that tree.

  “Do we really get to spend the whole day together, without work?” I smiled, staring up at my love, who sat perched on his knees on the edge of the bed, holding a cup of coffee for me.

  “We do.” He grinned as I took the steaming cup of heaven from his hand. “Get up, come on.” He nudged me. My Logan, the early bird.

  I followed behind him, my feet padding across the floor into the living room, where Bentley waited for both of us. As I walked in, the first thing I noticed were the beautifully wrapped presents under the tree. We had agreed we would buy each other one gift. But unless Logan went a little crazy on buying Bentley presents, he had broken his end of the deal.

  “Baby,” I cooed as I watched the grin spread across Logan’s face. “You broke our deal.” I squinted my eyes playfully at him, but the excitement bubbling up inside me was on the brink of spilling over.

  “I want to spoil my lady on Christmas, don’t give me any shit.” He chuckled as he pulled me into his arms, covering me in his perfection.

  “You spoil me every day,” I corrected him, running my fingertips over his bare back, pulling him even closer to me.

  “Nah.” He shooed my compliment away, kissing the top of my head. He didn’t realize just how good to me he was.

  “Come on.” He pulled me to the Christmas tree and sat me down next to him. There were at least ten gifts with my name on them, and I felt guilty for not being able to do the same for Logan. I’d thought about all the things I’d wanted to get for him, but it just wasn’t possible on a waitress’ salary. I was just thankful I had spent my Black Friday in a ridiculous line to get the silver watch I’d had my eye on. I got it for a steal, and I was excited to see it on his wrist. Even dealing with those out-of-control shoppers made it all worth it for Logan.

  “You didn’t have to do this.” I shook my head as Logan handed me a beautiful package, wrapped in shiny, red paper with gold ribbon. I smiled at the thought of how much time I knew he put into wrapping these gifts, wanting them perfect.

  I opened each gift carefully, not wanting to just rip through all Logan’s hard work, but watching him smile at me each time because he knew exactly what I was thinking. Each gift more beautiful than the last. A gorgeous leather jacket and a stunning silver bracelet. He really knew how do this gift thing right.

  He handed me the last box, and I read the tag on the front “for your side.” I gave him a confused look as I tore open the paper, a little less cautiously than before, my excitement getting the best of me.

  A beautiful silver frame with a photo of the both of us was inside the white box. The photo was one we had taken during our carriage ride through Central Park.

  “It’s beautiful. I love it,” I mumbled, a little confused. “But what does ‘for your side’ mean?” I watched a nervous smile cross his lips.

  “For your side of the bed?” It was more of a question than a statement. “Move in with me,” he stated, pulling his face close and bumping his nose gently against mine.

  My heart started to pound, and I couldn’t stop the grin that covered my lips. “Really?” I asked, unable to hide the excitement in my voice, but sure this could be complicated since I had a roommate.

  “I want you with me every day.” He pressed his lips to mine.

  “I’d love to, baby. But what about Braxton? I’d hate to leave her hanging.” I answered honestly, although everything in me wanted to live with Logan.

  “She’ll understand. She can’t expect you not to move in with your husband.” He smiled a devious grin that almost made me unable to process the sentence that just came out of his mouth.

  Almost.

  “What?” My voice cracked, and my hands started to shake.

  Logan pulled one last gift from behind the tree. A small black velvet box that was blurred by the tears welling up in my eyes. This couldn’t be real.

  He scooted closer to me, and I could see the nervousness in his eyes as he spoke.

  “Jess, I love you more than I ever thought possible. I know we’ve only been together a few months, but I know what I want and what I need. You bring this peace over me that I’ve never had before. You soothe my soul. I used to have days that I didn’t think I deserved anything or anyone, but you make me feel like a better man. You make me strong. You give me a reason to keep going. I want you beside me, every day for the rest of my life. Will you marry me?”

  He opened the box, and I wanted to look down at what was inside, but I couldn’t take my eyes off Logan. He wanted to marry me. Me. I never thought I was worthy of love, especially by someone as amazing as Logan. He was such a good man and deserved the best in life. And he chose me.

  He chose me.

  “You want to marry me?” I asked, tears spilling down my cheeks.

  “More than anything.” He pulled me into his lap, my legs wrapping around his waist.

  “I don’t know what to say,” I cried, still in shock that someone like Logan would want to spend his life with someone like me.

  “Yes would be a pretty good start. You’re making me a little nervous here.” He chuckled, tucking my hair behind my ear.

  “Yes, a million times yes.” I threw my arms around his neck and squeezing him tightly.

  “Let me see your finger,” he whispered as he grabbed my left hand from behind his neck.

  I stared through my tears as he slid a beautiful ring past my knuckle. It wasn’t your typical engagement ring, which made perfect sense for the both of us. It was different, a perfect representation of us.

  It was platinum with a stunning e
merald in the center surrounded by diamonds. The perfect shade of green, just like those postcard eyes that drew me in from the very first moment.

  “It’s so beautiful. It’s perfect,” I whispered, staring at the new beginning that wrapped around my finger.

  “Just like you.” He pressed his lips to my fingers as he stared at me with those postcard eyes.

  Epilogue

  Three years later

  * * *

  “So when are you coming down?” I spoke into the receiver as I stared at the stack of textbooks on the kitchen table, just waiting for me.

  “In two weeks. My skin is so pasty I need to get my tan on, sister!” Maxi giggled.

  “Well, you’re coming to the right place.” I walked over to the bay window and stared at the most beautiful view imaginable. As I gazed out, I noticed Logan’s white Chevy pulling into the driveway and under the covered parking, out of my sight. I wanted to meet him downstairs to tell him the good news but knew it would take him a few minutes to get cleaned up.

  “Shit, I know. I’m so ready for margaritas on the beach. And you’re getting drunk with me, I don’t care how much you don’t want to.” She demanded against my ear.

  My baby sister could legally drink now and was determined to make the most of it without her parents checking in on her way too often for her liking. And she was becoming quite the little party animal these days.

  “We’ll see.” I huffed and shook my head.

  “Oh no, you’re not going to be a party pooper on me. I don’t care how much you have to do, you’re making time for your baby sister,” she whined into my ear, and I knew the only way to keep her happy was to agree. For now.

  “Okay, fine,” I mumbled.

  “Yay!” I could hear her clapping on the other side of the phone.

  “Listen, Logan just pulled in. I’ll call you back later.”

  “Call me tomorrow. I’ve got a date tonight,” she sang into my ear.

  “Okay, be safe, please,” I begged. I couldn’t help but worry about her. She was always so carefree she didn’t think bad things could happen.