by B. B. Hamel
Logan looks at me and frowns. He takes my hand and squeezes. “You sure about this?” he asks me.
I nod once. “Positive. Let’s just get it over with.”
He sighs and looks away. I can see the worry and stress etched in his expression, but that won’t stop me. Nothing is going to stop me. I’m going to see this thing through to the very end.
When Logan first called Spencer to set up a meeting, he tried to get us to come to his apartment. But Logan insisted that we meet somewhere public. Eventually we all agreed to sit down in a coffee shop near Spencer’s house. It’s a popular place called Mug Shots, which I can’t help but see the irony in.
The car pulls up outside of Mug Shots and Logan turns to me. “You can stay here if you want,” he says. “There’s no reason for you to come in.”
“Logan,” I say. “We discussed this. It’ll be better if I come. He should have to face me after what he did.”
He sighs. “Okay,” he says. “Let’s do this then.”
He climbs out first and I follow. The day is pretty hot but I’m wearing jeans anyway. I don’t know why, but I don’t want to be around Spencer in anything revealing. Logan takes my hand and we walk together into Mug Shots.
I look around the shop, my stomach a mess of nerves. It’s a modern design, even a little industrial, with a lot of exposed wood and metal. It’s one of those vegan-friendly places with fancy coffees, not the sort of place that I typically come, but Spencer chose it. Everything on the menu is more expensive than it should be, which I think is typical of places like this.
My heart starts beating fast as Logan leads me toward the back of the shop. It’s fairly crowded, which I guess shouldn’t surprise me. Young people sit in groups of two and three, plus a few people are sitting in front of their laptops doing work.
I spot Spencer at a back table. It takes me a second to recognize him because he’s wearing sunglasses and has a hat pulled down low over his face, but it’s definitely him. Logan is making a beeline right for the table, and suddenly I want to get the hell out of there.
But I have to be brave. We approach the table and stand there for a second as Spencer gazes up at us.
“I’m surprised to see you,” he says finally.
“I wouldn’t miss this for the world,” I answer, not looking away. I won’t let him get the best of me.
He frowns. “Sit down. You’re drawing attention.”
“Feeling nervous, Spence?” Logan asks as we sit down across from him.
He grunts. “Not nervous, asshole. Just trying not to be seen.”
“Why?” Logan asks. “Try and rape someone else?”
“No,” he snaps. “Because of this.” He takes off his hat and sunglasses and I take a sharp breath.
Both of his eyes are ringed with deep purple bruises. His nose is crooked, clearly broken, and his jaw has a nasty yellowing bruise along the side. His eyes are both bloodshot. Frankly, he looks fucking terrible.
Logan grins at him. “I do good work, what can I say?”
“This is the reason I don’t want to be seen.” Spencer stares at him for a second before putting his hat and sunglasses back on. “What do you two want?”
“We’re here to offer you a deal,” I say.
He leans back in his seat. “Why would I want a deal? Look at what your fucking husband did to my face.”
“Listen up, cocksucker,” Logan cuts in, leaning forward. “Here’s the deal. You hand over everything you have on Everly. You promise not to get in the way of us again. You swear you’ll never, ever come near either of us. And in exchange, we’ll pay you $3 million.”
Spencer looks surprised. “Only $3 million?” He laughs. “I thought Everly here was worth more than that.”
Logan practically growls but I put a hand on his arm. “Three million, plus I don’t press charges for attempted rape.”
Spencer is quiet for a second. “You wouldn’t dare,” he says finally.
“Yes, she would, and I’ll back her up,” Logan says. “Even if I go to jail for assault, though I suspect I can beat that charge.”
“You’d ruin your deal. Hell, you’d torpedo your reputations.” Spencer shakes his head. “You’re bluffing.”
“Spencer,” I say, staring at him. “We’re not bluffing. You think I wanted to come here today and look at your disgusting face? You’re the last person I want to see. But I’m here so that you understand one thing. I’m not fucking around.”
He stares at me for a second and slowly a smile curls his lips. “I believe you,” he says.
“Good,” I answer. “Now take the deal and let’s be done with this shit.”
“I want to know one thing first,” he says.
“You don’t get to set terms,” Logan says to him. “Rapist piece of shit. I’m of a mind to press charges just to get you off the street.”
He grins at Logan. “Just one simple question.”
“Ask,” I say, wanting to get the fuck away from him and leave this chapter of my life behind.
“Is this real?” he asks, motioning at us.
I hesitate. I don’t now how to answer that. If he had asked me that question when this all started, and I had to be honest, I would have said no. I can lie again here and just say no, maybe that would be easier. But for some reason, I don’t want to lie.
“Yes,” Logan says immediately. “It’s real.”
I stare at him, surprised. He didn’t even hesitate.
Spencer nods. “Fine. Wire the money. I’ll send what I have.”
Logan opens my bag and pulls out the papers we stashed there. “Here’s a contract,” he says. “Binding you to this shit.”
Spencer frowns and takes it. He starts to read, but I interrupt him. “Don’t fucking read it,” I say. “Just sign.”
He sighs, flips to the last page, and signs it. “Whatever,” he grumbles.
We stand up. I’m having some pretty strong mixed emotions at the moment. I look at Logan and he nods at me.
“Goodbye, Spencer,” I say.
“Whatever,” he mutters again.
We take the papers and quickly walk out of the coffee shop. We got back into the car, and it starts driving right away.
Logan looks at me with a grin on his face. “We did it.”
“We did,” I say, and smile. “What you said back there…”
“I meant it.” He takes my hand and pulls me closer to him. He kisses me softly on the lips, and I kiss him back.
He didn’t hesitate. I just keep thinking that. He could have thought of something else to say, lied to Spencer, lied to me, but he didn’t hesitate. When it was time to put all his cards on the table, to be honest about what’s happening between us, he stepped up. He didn’t hesitate.
That’s the sort of man that I want. A man that takes what he needs and is honest when it’s the right thing to do. I need a man like that in my life more than anything else.
I need Logan. And it’s real. I know it’s real. We slowly break the kiss off and I look into his eyes.
“Let’s go home,” I say.
He grins at me. “Sounds good.”
I press my head against his chest and for the first time in a long time, I feel good. Really, really good.
27
Logan
Richard sits across from Everly and I, his usual dour expression replaced with an enormous smile.
“Congrats are in order,” he says, and suddenly a bottle of champagne materializes from underneath his desk.
Everly laughs. “Isn’t it early for that?”
“I don’t think so,” Richard says, looking innocent. “What do you think, Logan?”
“I think that special days should be celebrated. Pop that bad boy open.”
Richard laughs and does as instructed. He pours three glasses and we hold them up.
“To making your dreams come true,” Richard says.
“Here, here,” I say. We clink glasses and drink.
One month passed sin
ce we last saw Spencer Winterfield. I wired Spencer money via Richard’s office, and in return, he sent over a hard drive with everything on it. We can’t be completely sure that he deleted everything and didn’t save something locally, but there’s no way to double-check that. We just have to assume that he’s going to uphold his end of the bargain. I know that bothers Everly, but so far, so good. We haven’t seen or heard anything from him since.
And things with Chester have gone smoothly. True to his word, he signed the papers five days ago, and now it’s my turn. I finish my glass and grin at Richard.
“Let’s make this official,” I say.
Richard nods. He buzzes his secretary and asks her to come in with the papers. She brings everything and stands next to Richard.
“Sign here, here, and here, and initial each page.” She points at each spot. “I’m a certified notary public, so once you’re all done, I’ll make it official.”
I feel like I should really feel something. I should have some huge emotion in my body, propelling me forward, making me want to sign these documents. But truthfully, I don’t feel all that much. It’s like signing any other contract, and I’ve signed hundreds in my career.
Once I’m finished, Richard’s secretary signs, stamps, and carries the papers out of the room.
“That’s it?” Everly asks.
“That’s it,” Richard says, laughing. “Pretty simple after all’s said and done.”
“Wow,” she says, nudging me. “You did it. You own the land. We can start building.”
“We can start building,” I echo and shake my head. “Seems crazy, doesn’t it?”
“I knew you guys would do it,” Richard says. He hesitates for a second. “There’s actually one more thing.”
I cock my head as Richard takes a file from his drawer and hands it over. I take it and open it, scanning the document inside. I can’t help but smile as I hand it over to Everly.
“What’s this?” he asks, taking the folder. She looks at what’s inside and sighs. “So we’re talking about this already, huh?”
“We shouldn’t wait,” I say. “A deal’s a deal.” Inside the folder is a copy of our marriage certificate plus the original signed agreement that we made. “I owe you some money, I think.”
“Logan, come on,” she says. “You don’t owe me anything.”
Richard raises an eyebrow. “Actually, he owes you a million dollars, which I think is a lot of money. It’s right there in black and white.”
“The man’s got a point.” I have a grin on my face and I can’t seem to shake it. Everly looks so uncomfortable that it’s almost delicious.
“And since I’m a lawyer,” Richard goes on, “I can start the divorce proceedings right now. I have the paperwork drawn up per the stipulations in the agreement.” He takes out another stack of papers.
Everly looks like she might panic. “Uh, divorce?”
“Of course,” I say. “In the original agreement, we specified that we’d divorce as soon as the sale papers were signed.”
“Right, yeah,” she says nervously. “So I guess we should divorce.”
“And you’re getting a nice, fat promotion,” I say, grinning ear to ear.
“Right, a promotion,” she says softly, almost a whisper.
Richard looks between the two of us like we’re insane. “Why does Everly look like she just stepped in shit?” he asks me.
I burst out laughing and Everly turns red. “It’s nothing,” she snaps.
“It’s nothing, huh?” I ask her, cracking up. “Nothing at all?”
“Asshole,” she mumbles.
“Uh, what’s going on here?” Richard asks.
“Rich, I know I ask a lot of you. You’ve done so much for me, and I hate to ask for more. But can we have your office for five minutes?”
He signs, shaking his head. “If you didn’t pay me so fucking much, I would drop your ass,” he says.
“I’m sure you would.”
He stands, shaking his head and muttering under his breath as he leaves the room.
Everly look at me with a frown on her face. “So this is it?”
I nod, smiling softly. “Looks like it.”
“We’re getting a divorce.”
“Yep,” I say.
“And I won’t be Alexa’s… whatever anymore?”
“Nope,” I confirm.
“And that’s… what you want?”
I hesitate. “No,” I say softly. “That’s not what I want at all.”
The blood seems to rush back into her face. “Why didn’t you say something?”
“Because I wanted to be alone for this.” I push my chair back and face her. “Everly, listen. I love you, but I think you knew that already.”
“I love you too,” she says softly.
“I don’t want a divorce. When I told Spencer that this was real, I meant it. I want you to be my wife.”
“Okay,” she says, eyes wide.
I get down on one knee and take out the ring I have stashed in my jacket pocket. “Be mine forever,” I say to her.
“Yes,” she whispers, eyes wide.
I slip the ring onto her finger. It fits perfectly, and it better. I paid enough to make sure this was perfect.
She stares at the ring. “It’s beautiful.”
“Good. I’m glad you like it.”
I pull her toward me and we kiss, long and deep.
Richard comes back into his office while we’re still kissing. We’re forced to break apart as he clears his throat, standing in the doorway.
“What’s going on?” he asks.
“We can skip the divorce papers,” I say, sitting back in my chair.
“We’re getting married,” Everly says, holding up the ring. “Er, I mean, we’re staying married.”
Richard laughs, shaking his head. “Holy shit.”
“It’s a big day,” I say, grinning huge.
“Well, I can’t say I’m surprised.” Richards returns to his seat behind his desk and tops off everyone’s drink. “To your happy marriage,” he says.
We clink glasses and drink.
This is the happiest I’ve ever been in my life. I have my wife, my daughter, my friend, and my future project. I’m going to do something good for the city, and it looks like nothing can stop me.
I don’t think I’ll ever stop smiling, as long as I’m with Everly.
28
Everly
Two Years Later
I can feel the sweat slowly rolling down my back under my light cotton dress. It’s hot as balls out, as Logan likes to say. I smile to myself a little bit, sometimes very aware of the habits that I’ve picked up from living so intensely with him. To be fair, he’s picked up some of my habits, too. For example, he dries himself off while still standing in the shower, instead of stepping out onto the bathroom rug first. Not to mention he actually cleans his dishes instead of leaving them for the housekeeper to do.
It’s also weird that I have a housekeeper, but I try not to think about it. My life has changed so much these past two years, and I have to admit, it’s gone fast.
“Are you ready?”
I look over at Logan and grin. I tip my sunglasses down to get a better look at him. He’s wearing a navy blue suit without a tie, the first two buttons undone in the heat. He’s so damn handsome and he makes my heart beat so fast even after all this time.
“I’m ready,” I say.
“Good.” He steps forward and accepts the scissors from the Mayor. He looks out over the crowd and grins at them. “Ladies and gentleman without further ado, I give to you the Ray Community Center and Homeless Shelter, or the RCCHS, as everyone’s been calling it.”
He steps forward and cuts the ceremonial red ribbon as the assembled press snap away with their cameras. The crowd cheers as it falls away and Logan waves as he hands the scissors back to the Mayor.
The ribbon ceremony is really just an empty PR event. The RCCHS has been open for a few weeks now. In a wh
irlwind of building, permits, money, contractors, more money, we razed the entire block and built this modern, beautiful building. It has beds for two hundred people and enough staff to keep them all fed. People are already starting to filter in, getting shelter for the night before heading back out into the world. Nobody is allowed to stay permanently, but if they do stay, they have to go through some mandatory counseling. So far, I think we’ve already managed to find several people jobs, and to get medical help for tons more that needed it.
Meanwhile, the community center part is buzzing. There’s already a basketball league forming, along with classes, more counseling, and even an indoor pool that was a last minute addition when we realized that we had the space for it. Swim lessons are shockingly popular, probably since they’re free.
I spend the rest of the ceremony by Logan’s side. It’s where I’ve been for the last two years, and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. He answers questions like a true professional, and any semblance of the old, media-averse Logan is totally gone. He’s not surly or short with reporters anymore, but he lets his natural charming spirit shine through. I like to think I had a hand in that, but I know the truth.
It’s Alexa. That little girl changed him far more than I ever could. He went from a bachelor with few responsibilities to this man who cares about his community and wants to raise a daughter.
The hot day slowly wears on, but the ceremony ends and the crowd disperses. In Gym Three, there’s a basketball game going, and the cafeteria is serving lunch to the homeless, all of it funded by Logan’s personal charitable foundation. He’s mostly financing that, but others have started to give money, and things look very, very good.
“What do you think?” he asks me. We finally find ourselves alone out in front of the center. People walk past and recognize us, or at least I assume they do based on the way they look, but nobody bothers us.
I smile up at him and kiss his lips softly. “It’s your dream,” I say
He grins and shakes his head. “It stopped being my dream a while ago, Everly.”
“What do you mean?”