by M. J. Fields
“One-night stand?” he asks.
I shake my head. “I won’t betray her trust, Brody. I apologize, but I gave her my word.”
“I’d like you to consider what Maddox and Harper went through. It’s possible this man would like to know,” he says, face void of emotions.
“He’s not Maddox,” I assure him.
He doesn’t look convinced.
Not wanting to break a promise, I give him the last bit of information I will. The rest is for Keeka to share if she chooses. “I made a phone call, he denies it, and that’s it. She has me, she has family, she’ll be fine.”
He nods once.
“I asked Emma to come in here so she could see her daughter is fine. I was a little pissed off that she came over unexpectedly, didn’t call for a ride, and looked like hell. I insisted she sleep.”
“She didn’t call and ask for a ride?” Emma asks with worry in her voice.
I shake my head.
“I don’t understand.” Her eyes brows knit together.
I look at Brody. “If we were all on the same page, there would be less worry.”
When he sighs, Emma looks up at him.
“Clive has returned.”
“Clive?”
He nods. “He’s watching over her. Don’t be angry, Em. I just—”
“Logan’s right; we all need to be on the same page so we aren’t tripping over each other, Brody.”
“She also still wears that bracelet, has her location shared with Emma,” I remind them, “and until this morning, I felt really damn good that she was checking in, calling when she was done with class, and all of that.”
They both nod and now, now I have to put her first, regardless of my concerns.
“Until this morning, after I voiced my concern and saw her get angry, not wanting to answer questions—”
“What kind of questions?” Brody asks accusingly.
“Like, why the hell didn’t you call for a ride? Why the hell aren’t you sleeping? That sort of shit, and that was all me. I was pissed because I didn’t have my thumb on her. I was pissed because I knew if something happened, some random bullshit like what happened at Chaos, I wouldn’t know where the fuck to find her without calling Emma or Maddox.”
“Well, then we’re all on the same page.” Brody nods.
“We may be, but it’s not what’s in her best interest,” I admit.
Brody stiffens. “I disagree.”
“I felt the same way until I watched her sleep. She’s exhausted because she’s not sleeping and she’s here all the time, and she’s trying to fucking make everything perfect. And because she’s worried, we’re all worried, and it’s selfish as hell to put that on her.”
“We’ve stepped back, Logan,” Emma says. “We’re doing the best we can.”
“I understand completely, I do. But when I put my shit on her this morning and insisted on answers”—I leave out what insistence entailed—“she looked even more damn tired. And when I went to shower and came out, and she was sleeping, I decided something needs to give.”
“Unfortunately, it won’t be Clive,” Brody says sternly.
I want to be a dick, but I have to admit, London didn’t seem that pissed off about it, so I can’t be either, not when I’m standing here, wanting what’s best for her, regardless of how it makes me feel. Not when I’m worried she will fuck up her health and her dreams.
“Now that Elle Fields’ secret has been revealed and London’s true identity is known, I won’t disagree. I wouldn’t ask because, honestly, she didn’t seem pissed. And even though I love that it’s me who picks her up and takes her back, when I think about what she did today, catching a cab, I think it’s progress for her.”
“I’m glad we’re in agreement,” Brody replies, holding back that he probably gives a fuck less what I think.
“Let’s hope that continues when I tell you that she needs to be here to sleep.”
He rolls his eyes. “No.”
“No?” I huff.
“She isn’t going to move in with you, Logan. She’s eighteen years old and will finish school.”
“Well, again, we agree on her finishing school.”
“She’s not moving in with you,” he sneers.
“Your daughter sleeps when she’s with me. She feels safe when she’s with me. Does that account for nothing?” He starts to reply, but I interrupt to finish what I’m trying to say. “I didn’t say she should move in with me, but I do think she should move in with Keeka when the place is finished. I also think that, if Clive’s gonna be around, you should tell her to utilize him for a ride instead of jumping in a cab.”
Emma and Brody look at each other.
“I asked Emma to come over so she could see your daughter sleeping peacefully, to know she’s okay, to know she looks a hell of a lot better than she did when she walked in here this morning. And I’m going to be up front and honest with you both. I’m going to suggest it with or without your blessing, because she...” I pause and look down. “She’s better when she’s with me.”
When neither say a thing, I look up to find Brody’s eyes narrowed.
“Is she or are you?”
I hold his glare and answer honestly. “Both of us are.”
Blown Away
Logan
I walk out of my place with Leddie strapped to me while Keeka showers.
London is still asleep and it’s almost eight o’clock at night. It’s a wonder she hasn’t woken up since I check on her nearly every hour, and Emma does the same.
I suppose it’s good that Keeka and she have spent the entire day together. Each time I asked if she needed a nap when I was checking on London, she would tell me no. When I told her Tessa and Emma would like to talk to her, she asked if I could take Leddie while she showered.
She didn’t have to ask me twice. I missed the little angel.
As messed up as today was, it was also peaceful knowing my three girls were all under the same roof and content.
We got a lot done today. Dad, Brody, and I took over the main living space while Emma and Tessa worked on what will be Leddie’s room. Emma and Tessa now wanted Keeka’s input on her room color and to show her Leddie’s.
When I walk in, baby secured to me, I find everyone standing around the island, eating take-out from Dinosaur Barbeque.
Dad beams when he sees her. “How’s our Leddie Lou doing?”
Both Tessa and Emma dash over before he’s able to stand up.
“Baby hogs,” he mumbles and sits back down.
They both stand beside me on opposite sides, swooning over her.
She looks at Tessa. “Hi, sweet girl, hi.”
Emma kisses the top of her head. “You look more and more like Troy every time I see you. More and more like your aunt London, too.”
“She does.” Tessa smiles. “She absolutely does.”
I look up at Brody as he watches Emma intently. Then he looks at me and his lips twitch up at the sides briefly, but it’s a smile.
I look at Emma then at him and give him the same.
“Clearly, he’s helping make any part of this that may hurt her okay.”
“Gotta eat.” I smile. “She’ll need to change sceneries soon.”
“I’ll hold her,” Dad offers.
“We’re good.” I smirk as I walk past him and sit down at one of the stools.
He points his fork at me. “You get her every day.”
“Not today I haven’t,” I tell him.
He laughs, and so does Tessa.
I fill a plate with a baby strapped to me, like it’s nothing new.
We talk about the fundraiser, and I find out it’s in just two weeks. As I listen, I feel overwhelmed by everything the community has done. Not to mention my old coach, my old team, and some of Dad’s old friends who have played for the NFL. I feel even more overwhelmed by what my father, Maddox, and yes, Brody have done to make this all happen.
When the song over the surround s
ound that was Dad’s addition to the place changes, Tessa clears her throat. “Emma and I were thinking that maybe Sunday would be a good day to have you all for dinner.”
“Lexington knows about your new sister and niece. She was so excited. When I told she you didn’t share the same parents, she grinned and said, just like me and London! She’s already claimed them. We can’t keep her quiet forever.” Emma laughs. “Brody told her that she could help plan a dinner soon, and Josie and the rest of the Ross family can be introduced to Keeka and Leddie.”
A feeling of protectiveness washes over me as I look down at Leddie. “I’m not sure she’ll be ready by then.”
“What do you think?”
I look up at London’s voice and see her and Keeka at the doorway.
Keeka shakes her head. “I don’t think so.”
“Okay.” London smiles at her then looks at Emma and Brody. “Hey, Mom. Hey, Dad.”
They walk over and hug her.
“How are you feeling?” Emma ask as she steps back, taking her face in her hands and inspecting her daughter.
“Logan told us what happened.” Brody rubs her back.
She looks at me and scowls.
I shake my head, hoping she gets by now that my word is my fucking word. I told her I wouldn’t say anything if she stopped with the sleeping aid and pick-me-up crap.
“I’m fine,” she huffs.
“Grumpy, but fine.” Emma laughs and hugs her again while she glares at me.
Before I have a chance to say a thing, Keeka is unhooking Leddie from me.
“Keeka...” Dad sighs. “That boy of mine won’t share her. What do you say you let me hold her while you grab something to eat?”
“You have issues, Logan senior.” She smiles quickly at him. “But I’ll think about it.”
I look over as London walks out the door.
“Where’s she going?” I ask Emma.
“She thinks she left her phone in your room. She wants to make sure the girls know she’s okay.”
“It’s in her bag in the hall closet.” I stand and wipe my mouth. “I’ll make sure she finds it.”
I walk out the door and head to my place to save her from searching for her phone. When I walk in, I see her sitting inside the closet, texting frantically.
“I see you found it.”
She looks up, startled, and I feel bad for scaring her.
“I’ll let them know where you are.”
She shoves her phone in her bag and stands up. “Like you let my parents know I’m taking sleeping pills and drinking energy drinks?”
She tries to push past me, but I grab her forearms.
“I know you’re tired, pretty, but I gave you my word I wouldn’t say shit if you stopped doing it.”
“Lie to someone else, Logan.” She pushes my hands off her arms and walks past me.
“Never been one to lie,” I say as I turn around and see Emma standing at the door.
Emma and London are staring at each other, and I’m pretty damn certain she overheard what was said.
“He already told you,” London snaps, “so why are you looking at me like that?”
“He didn’t say anything, other than you weren’t sleeping and you looked like hell when you got here. Now I’d like to hear it from you,” Emma says firmly.
London glances at me, and then back at Emma. “I have to use the bathroom.”
When they walk away, I hear her phone, bend down, and pull it from her bag.
I expect to see one of her roommate’s names, but I don’t. I see Fletcher Reeves and a message.
I’m sorry to hear that, London. And although he’s correct, it wasn’t his place to tell them. I hope to see you tonight. Same time, same place?
When London snatches the phone from my hand, I can’t even look at her.
“Apparently, my words are the only one that’s not good here. If that’s what you want, have at it.” I grab a hat from the closet and shove it on.
“You’re overreacting like everyone else around here.” She sounds like she’s twelve again.
I nod then walk out the door.
§
Driving up to my old place, I see Mitch’s car and a few others. When I turn off the vehicle, I look down at my phone and see London has messaged, Dad has messaged, and Keeka has messaged.
I shoot Dad a text.
Gonna hang out with the guys tonight. Just need a break. I’d like it if someone stays with Keeka.
Then I shoot Keeka a message.
Be back by morning.
I don’t even look at London’s.
When it lights up with her name again, however, I glance down.
I hope you catch something.
Already did. The knowledge that I was right to hold back with you. You’re nowhere near ready to handle what I have to offer you.
Yeah, well, you can’t even have an adult discussion, so back at you.
I’m seconds from replying, “Tell it to bitch boy,” but I don’t. Instead, I turn off the ringer and get out.
When I walk in, Mitch looks up. “Hey.”
“Got a minute?” I ask him.
He nods as he stands and starts walking to his room. I fist bump the guys all sitting on the couch with a bunch of chicks snuggled up to them.
Cuddle season. Never partook until London. Right now, I wish I never did. Fucking knew better.
When I walk in, he looks at me. “You look two steps from death’s door, man.”
I pull my hat down. “Feeling it, too.”
“Well, you know...” He shrugs.
“I know I owe you an apology.”
He chuckles. “You sure you can do that?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I ask, sitting down.
“Nothing, man. I’m just fucking with you.”
“You hear anything new about Downs?”
“Nothing.” He sighs as he sits on the opposite side of the bed.
“No news is good news, I assume.”
He looks down as his phone vibrates in his hand and hits a button.
Shit, Jamie.
“Am I interrupting plans?” I ask.
“Nah.” He smiles at the phone, then looks up at me.
“So, things are good?”
His phone vibrates again, and he looks back down. He reads the message then glances up at me. “Things are good on my end. What’s up with you and London Fields?” He holds his phone up, and I see her number and the message.
Hey, Mitch, this is London. If my boyfriend stops over, please tell him to call me.
“So, yeah, things are good?” Mitch asks.
“Ask her who the fuck her boyfriend is, because I was done a few minutes ago.”
“What the hell happened?”
“Fletcher Reeves,” I tell him. “No, fuck that, London Fields.”
“Bro, which is it?” he asks.
“Doesn’t matter.” I flop back on his bed and cover my face with my hat.
“Hell it doesn’t.” He flops back, too. “You’re in love with that girl.”
“Doesn’t matter either. Should have gone with my gut. Firsts aren’t called firsts because there won’t be a second.”
“You want someone else tapping that?”
“Fuck no!”
“Then fucking fix it.” He fucking laughs at me.
“Killing him won’t fix it. It’ll land me in jail faster than believing that, if there’s grass on the field, play fucking ball.”
“What happened?”
“Don’t wanna talk about it.”
“Cool. But seriously—”
“Seriously nothing. Came here to get away and to tell you I’m sorry I was a dick.”
He chuckles. “You were.”
“Yeah, well...” I yawn.
“Tired?”
“Fucking exhausted,” I admit.
I hear the TV turn on and pull the hat away from my face.
Justified is on.
“Left off at seas
on three, right?”
I nod.
§
I hear yelling and open my eyes as Mitch jumps up.
“Is that—”
“What the fuck is she doing?” I grumble as I slide off the bed.
We both walk out just in time to see London pulling away from Brody and running into my old room.
“You’re such a liar!” she screams.
“What the hell?” I hear a familiar female voice.
Then I hear London say, “You are such a whore!”
“London, that’s enough.” Brody pulls her out of the bedroom.
“No, no, it’s not! He lied to me!”
“Come on, princess.” Brody wraps his arms around her and begins dragging her toward the door. “Let’s not do this here.”
“Not until he knows I hate him,” she spits.
When Jeremy walks out in sweats, she looks at him, stunned.
“Hey, Elle. I mean, London.” He wipes his eyes and blinks.
She looks back at Brody then scans the room. When her eyes land on me and Mitch standing in his doorway, she shakes her head as her lower lip pops out.
I glance up to see Brody looking at me.
When Tammy walks out, she opens her mouth to speak, but then sees Brody and stops.
“You should apologize to the young woman, London,” Brody tells her.
“Apologize?” London huffs, but it’s sad, not sassy like I’m sure she intended. “Penny here—”
“My name isn’t Penny,” Tammy interrupts.
“Well clearly, you’re like one—worthless and been in everyone here’s pants!”
“Okay, London,” Brody says, pulling her toward the door again.
She looks at me expectantly, but I know damn well I don’t have shit to say to her. Therefore, I turn around and walk back into Mitch’s room and lay back down. I just want to sleep.
I hear footsteps and then Brody yell, “London!”
When the door slams shut and locks, I don’t look up. I know it’s her.
“You’re acting like a fucking two-year-old,” I mumble.
“Well, so are you!”
When I feel something hit my back, and pretty damn hard, too, I roll over and sit up.
“Go ahead, read my private conversation with Fletcher. Hell, read all of them on my phone.”