Bears of Burden: THORN

by Candace Ayers

  Then there was that stuff Emma said about her dad being famous and living far away. That could have just been some story that Mia had told Emma, but what if it wasn't? Logan didn't usually think of himself as famous, but his picture was in the papers a lot, and he was on television. And California was certainly a far cray from Oakville.

  Logan parents still lived here. They'd never left. He didn't understand how they didn't know more. How no one in this town could give him any answers. And what about Rachel? She used to be Mia's best friend. She must know something.

  He went up the stairs to her room—it was actually her and Erik's room, but he'd somehow managed to hide out since his arrival, not to be seen except perhaps at dinner time. Logan didn't get what she saw in him—he was kind of a dick. He knocked on her door. It was a light rap at first, but when Rachel didn't answer he started pounding on it.

  "For God's sake," Rachel screamed from down the hall. "I'm in here!"

  He knew he was on the verge of throwing a temper tantrum, and tried to check himself. He marched down the hall to find Rachel in their parents' room trying on her veil.

  "What are you doing?" he asked.

  "Seeing which earrings look best with this veil," she said, looking in the mirror. Her voice was cool and crisp. She didn't turn to look at him, and Logan knew she was still mad.

  "Sorry I snapped at you before," he said.

  Though she was pretending not to look at him, Logan saw her eyes slid sideways and catch a peek at him. He knew was forgiven. "Is Mia coming to the rehearsal tonight? Who's coming tomorrow?" he asked. "I mean, has Mia decided on anything?" He was stumbling over his words and felt like an idiot. Luckily for him, Rachel was too reoccupied to notice anything weird.

  She rolled her eyes and sighed. "No. At least, I don't think so. You know, I don't know what's happened to her. How do you go from Harvard law to Smart Mart over night?"

  Logan shrugged. "Don't Mom and Dad know anything? Or some of your friends? It's a small town, someone must know something."

  "You'd think, right? But apparently Mia's super mysterious. She doesn't go anywhere or do anything. No one knows anything about her except for her job at Smart Mart. That's the one thing everyone seems to agree on." Mia shook her head. "I feel bad for her. It sounds like she has zero social life, and a bad job on top of that. No wonder she hides herself away, she's probably miserable."

  "You really don't know anything else?" he asked, trying to hide his disappointment.

  Rachel glanced at him. "No. Why do you care so much?" Rachel was looking at him a little too closely now. Logan felt the heat rise back up in him.

  "Did you ever stop to think that the reason you don't know anything about her is because you're a spoiled brat who only cares about themselves?" Logan shifted on his feet, knowing full well that he was blowing up at Rachel for no reason, but unable to stop himself.

  "I am not spoiled," she said, then smirked. "At least no more than you are." He paused in his exit.

  "I'm not spoiled," he said. "I worked hard to get where I am."

  "Yeah? Well me too." They glared at each other from across the room until Logan stormed off, deciding to go ahead and wallow in his tantrum for a while longer.

  Chapter 13

  Mia stared at the clock on her wall. She had no idea whether or not Logan was going to show up. She'd felt so guilty after breakfast that she'd meandered around her apartment, half-heartedly playing with Emma, before finally texting him that she'd go to the stupid dinner. Then she'd called Mr. Rayner and told him Emma was sick. He'd been less than thrilled but surprisingly understanding.

  Logan had texted back that he'd pick her up at six. Now six o'clock had come around and Logan still wasn't here. She was about to tell Tera to go home, that she wouldn't need a babysitter tonight after all, when there was a light knock on her door. She opened it to find Logan standing on the outside landing, flowers in his hand. Mia's heart melted. She hadn't realized till this very second how much she really wanted to see him again. She quickly turned her head so Logan wouldn't see the momentary tears well up in her eyes.

  He handed her the flowers which she put into water, and said hello to Emma, who tried to crawl up his legs. "I won't be back too late," Mia said and kissed Emma's head. Emma waved to them from the window and they both waved back. It wasn't until they were in Logan's car that Mia realized he hadn't said one word to her since he'd knocked on her door. He'd silently handed her the flowers. He'd silently stepped inside when she asked him to come in. He'd spoken to Emma, but not to her. She glanced at him in the driver's seat.

  "I'm really sorry about breakfast," she said. "Emma loved her French toast." He didn't say anything but at least he looked at her. She felt herself getting irritated. What right did he have to be mad? He'd crossed a line today. "You shouldn't have asked Emma all those questions you know. That wasn't right."

  "What is right then?" he snapped. "Not telling Emma who her father is? Does the father know?"

  Mia fought back the tears that constantly seemed to be threatening to spill over lately. "None of your business," she said.

  They drove the rest of the way in silence. When they got to the dinner, Logan didn't even open the car door for her, he just went straight inside. Mia followed after him, wishing she'd gone to work after all. Maybe it wasn't too late to get out of this. Then Rachel saw her and swooped in, throwing her arms around her and telling Mia how happy she was that she'd come.

  "Well, your brother dragged me," Mia said. Rachel shot Logan a grateful look, but he ignored them both, choosing to focus on the scotch at the bar instead. He poured himself a drink and only allowed himself a quick glance at Mia when she turned her back and couldn't see him looking.

  Dinner was nice, except for the awkward silence between Mia and Logan. Luckily, no one else seemed aware of it. They were too busy making speeches, listening to speeches, and stuffing their faces with free food. After dessert had been served Mia found Logan out on the deck and told him she wanted to go home.

  "Am I supposed to care?" he asked.

  "You brought me. It's your job to take me home." She studied him. His eyes looked lost and sunken. "Damn it!" she shouted. "You're drunk again! Forget it, I'll find my own way home."

  She turned to go back inside, thinking she could walk to the bus stop if she had too, even in heels.

  "Wait!" Logan called, grabbing her arm. It wasn't forceful, it was just urgent. "Please don't go. You're always going." His voice cracked.

  Mia turned and was shocked to see tears in his eyes.

  "Logan," she said, pausing, then throwing her arms around him. She didn't know what she was doing. She should either leave him alone or tell him the truth, she just wasn't sure which was better for everyone involved. Which would hurt the least?

  Every time Logan looked at her she melted a little more. Mia hated seeing him upset and knowing that she was the cause. She wrapped her hands around him, trying to comfort him. His lips were soft and warm and the taste of them instigated a short replay from the previous night. His hand reached up and caressed her cheek. His touch was too much to bear.

  "Why won't you be honest with me?" he asked.

  She jerked her head away and stepped further into the darkness, turning away from him. The finishing touches were still being set on the yard for the wedding tomorrow, and the Chinese lanterns were all off, just hanging gray against a black sky.

  "I wish you'd stop," she said.

  "Why? Stop what? Trying to get the truth out of you? I'm not stupid Mia!" Logan wasn't holding back anymore. He let his rage and pain out and hit Mia with it full force. "If you love me then stop lying to me!"

  Mia's heart broke a little more each time she heard the anger in his voice directed towards her. "I don't think you're stupid," she said.

  "Then what the hell is it? Emma's three. She looks just like me. Like us. Just say it already. Just tell me!" He was screaming at her and if the music inside hadn't been so loud Mia was sure the whole party would
have heard.

  "Fine fine yes!" she screamed, and spun back to face him. Tears poured over her cheeks. "She's yours. You're right. Emma's your daughter." Logan stared at her, his face screwing into a mass of internal explosions too complicated for words. "Well?" she continued to scream. "Are you happy now?" She sank to the ground and curled her knees to her chest, sobbing.

  Logan knelt beside her and put a hand on her shoulder. "Why didn't you tell me?"

  She heard the hurt in his voice and wanted more than anything to take that away. To make him understand. "I was trying to help you," she said. Now that it was out, she might as well tell him everything. "You'd just gotten drafted. I didn't find out till after you'd left. I knew I couldn't do Harvard. But I knew I couldn't give her up either. I didn't see any reason to steal your dreams from you."

  Logan stared at his feet. "You should have told me. It wasn't your decision to make."

  She nodded, seeing that so clearly now. "But at the time, it felt like the right thing to do." She wished he'd understand. See her side. She only lied because she loved him.

  They sat on the deck, in the dark, while Mia sobbed. Finally, when her tears subsided, Logan said, "Come on, I'll take you home."

  Chapter 14

  Logan watched the staff set up the chairs and the band check their instruments. Loud, unpleasant music hung in the air as someone tuned an instrument. It had been a long, sleepless night for him. He couldn't believe Mia had lied to him like that, and for so long. If he hadn't come back for Rachel's wedding, would she have ever told him the truth?

  On the other hand... what an incredible sacrifice she'd made for him. He could only imagine what it must have been like for her when she'd found out she was pregnant. And to go through that alone, without the support of her parents or even a friend... That must have taken incredible courage. He was mad at Mia, but he kind of admired her too.

  "He big brother," Rachel said, walking up to him. "Whatcha doin'? Contemplating the gift you're going to give me on my wedding day?"

  He smiled in spite of himself. "Rachel... are you happy? With Erik I mean? He seems like kind of like..."

  "A jerk?"

  Logan smiled. "Well, yeah."

  She shrugged. "Nobody's perfect. He might be a jerk to others, but he's nice to me. And everything he does, he does for me." She smiled. "Even when he's being a jerk, it's all for my benefit."

  Logan laughed. Rachel gave a small cry just then as their mother stepped out onto the lawn holding what looked like a penguin ice sculpture.

  "That's for after the ceremony," Rachel screamed, running towards her.

  Logan couldn't believe his little sister was getting married. He looked around the yard with the perfect decorations, the perfect band, the perfect day. There was only one thing that wasn't perfect about the wedding, and that was Mia missing it.

  It happened in a flash: one minute Logan was contemplating Mia and the wedding, the next his decision about everything was made. It was all so clear. He jumped into his car and almost crashed pulling into the parking lot of Smart Mart. He searched the aisles, frantic to find what he was looking for. Finally, his eyes lit upon it and he ran to the checkout counter.

  It was dark when he pulled up to Mia's. He saw the glow from their apartment and hoped Mia wouldn't get mad when he knocked. She opened the door and a smile registered immediately on her face. She threw her arms around Logan, who returned her embrace. Her lips were soft as she pressed them against his.

  "Wow," he said. "In front of the babysitter and everything." Mia looked behind her and saw Tera watching with wonder as Mia kissed Logan again. Mia had been terrified she'd blown it last night. That she'd never see Logan again. When she heard his knock on her door, it was like a weight had been lifted. She was determined never to let him get away again.

  "Emma honey," Mia called. She turned to Logan, smiling, radiant. He'd always found her radiant though. Emma walked over and beamed up at Logan.

  "Hi you," he said.

  Emma smiled, but seemed shyer than usual. She cast a sideways glance at Mia.

  "Emma, tell Logan what we were talking about earlier." Mia knew this couldn't make up for the last three years, but she hoped it was a start.

  "Mommy said you're my Daddy."

  The second Emma uttered "Daddy," Logan's heart melted. Football players weren't supposed to cry, but in that moment, he didn't think he could stop himself.

  He nodded. "That's what Mommy told me too. I'm sorry I've been gone for so long." He hesitated, suddenly uncertain what to say. Emma's eyes spoke for him, moving to the box in his arms. "I've got a present for you," he said, holding the box out to Emma. She smiled and gently took it from him. He had a whole lot of presents to make up for.

  Mia gave him a look which, for once, looked happy instead of angry. He wrapped her hand in his, and they watched as Emma ripped open her gift.

  "Princess dress!" she screamed, excited. Mia's eyes brimmed with tears.

  "Go ahead and put it on," he told Emma. "We've got a wedding to get to."

  Mia's head snapped towards him. Her eyes searched his face. "All three of us?" Logan saw her grow pale and tightened his hold on her hand.

  "We're a family now. I'm not embarrassed, and you shouldn't be either. Just hold onto me, and I promise I'll never let go."

  THE END

  TIGHT

  STORY DESCRIPTION

  She didn't even know how it happened. One minute she hated him, and the next she was wrapped in his strong arms giving herself to him completely...

  Emma Davis is nicknamed “mouse.” She's quiet, brainy and keeps to herself. At nineteen, she's never even had a boyfriend.

  Mason Haley is rumored to be the best football star the college has ever had. His hot bod and all-American good looks make it easy for him to get whatever girl he wants, and he wants them all.

  To Emma, the most important thing is school, maintaining her 4.0 GPA. A social life is the least important thing she can think of.

  Biology is the love of her life.

  Until she meets Mason...

  To Mason, grades are the least important thing he can think of. It’s important that he doesn't disappoint his team or his father.

  Football is the love of his life.

  Until he meets Emma...

  When other students start calling Emma a stalker, it seems that Mason has played her for a fool. Is Mason so embarrassed to be seen with Emma, the mouse, that he spread a rumor that she’s stalking him?

  Will Mason prove that he truly cares for Emma, or will he watch as she slips through his grasp and he loses her forever?

  Can the dorm room mouse and the college football hero find love despite their differences?

  Chapter 1

  Emma opened one eye and peered into the darkness. Her first thought was that a burglar had invaded her home, then she remembered that she was in her dorm room, not her parents' house, and the noise was more likely her idiot roommate than some dorm room prowler. She closed her eyes again but opened them immediately when there was a loud thump followed by an "Ouch!" and a giggle. It had only been a few days since school started but she'd recognize that giggle anywhere.

  "Zoey! For God's sake it's two in the morning." She rolled onto her side and tried to drown out the noises.

  "Sorry Mouse," Zoey called back. Emma groaned. She hated the nickname that she'd earned in so short a time. Just because she preferred a quiet evening in to the party house atmosphere that the sororities and fraternities espoused didn't mean that she was a mouse. She was just smarter and cared more about her education than most of the people attending school here.

  Emma closed her eyes and tried to block out the sounds. A second voice echoed in the room—a man's voice—and Emma's eyes shot back open. Mason Haley. Of course it was Mason. Zoey's boyfriend was not only the college football hero, he was also something of a fixture in the girls' dormitory. His sandy hair and blue eyes made him the epitome of popularity. Of course, it helped that his body look
ed like it had been sculpted by Michelangelo himself.

  He'd dated nearly every girl housed here, though as she understood it, there was only a handful of girls that he'd actually deemed worthy enough to see more than once. Zoey was one of them. Of course she was. She was head cheerleader for the college—beautiful and blonde with long legs and a perfect tan. What man wouldn't want her?

  Emma's own appearance was drab compared to Zoey's. She had dark hair and glasses which pinched her nose. Her body wasn't bad, but it wasn't a cheerleader's body either. She had always been "the smart one" of her friends growing up. Smart, quiet, and boring. But that was how she'd gotten into Stanford on a full academic scholarship. Her parents never could have afforded it otherwise. She had to keep her grades up or she'd lose everything. After Stanford, she had hopes of getting into the master's program at MIT.

  She grabbed her pillow and held it over her face, wondering if maybe her parents were right. They had warned her that life in a dorm room was not going to be fun. They'd practically begged her to reconsider and stay at home with them, but she was nineteen and ready to fly the nest a little. Or so she'd thought. They'd told her she could move back home any time she wanted, but she was afraid if she did that she might never leave again.

  Emma groaned as Zoey and Mason jumped onto Zoey's bed. It was much louder than her own, and Emma didn't think she could handle the noises that she started to hear coming from that direction. She jumped off her bed, keeping her eyes shut, and walked blindly towards the door, her blanket and pillow under her arm.