What Hurts The Most

by Cheyenne Barnett

  Chapter Seventeen

  Once we arrived home, we both took a well-deserved nap! However, I didn’t sleep quite as soundly as Logan did. I was mentally and physically exhausted, but I couldn’t get my mind to rest. It kept replaying everything that had happened over the past few days. Not only that, but I was also excited about our date. I tried to think of where we were going… What we were doing…

  Movies? No… Too high school.

  Coffee? Nah, too simple…

  Maybe dinner at some fancy restaurant? Eh, highly doubt it…

  Everything I came up with didn’t seem quite right. Logan would want to impress me, but how? What could he possibly do that would impress me? I didn’t even know the answer to that, so how could he?

  “Where are you going?” Logan asks as I start to walk down the hallway.

  “I’m going to get my phone so I can tell Andrea I’m back…”

  “Oh, I’ll get it for ya… Stay right there.”

  “Why?”

  “I’m getting stuff ready for the date and you don’t get to see it yet.”

  I contemplate on whether or not I want to play fair. “Alright… Fine. But hurry.”

  “Where is it?”

  “Living room, on the couch… I think.”

  Within in a minute, he comes back and hands me my phone. “Now, run along.”

  “And when am I supposed to come out?”

  “When I tell you to.”

  I don’t argue, I just go back to my room, shut the door, and call Andrea. “Hey, girl! You’re just the person I wanted to talk to! Are you back from your trip?”

  “Yeah, I got back early this morning.”

  “Wonderful! I was going to let you know that I talked with the owner and she is really pushing for that title transfer! It should be done within the next few days!”

  I was shocked. “That soon?”

  “Yep, I’d say you’ll be moving in within three to five days!”

  “Wow, that’s like way faster than I ever expected. But I’m so excited! So, I’ll be hearing from you again soon?”

  “Very soon. Have a nice day, Caroline.” I hang up and toss the phone onto my bed. I go over to my door and crack it open.

  “Logan! What am I supposed to wear?” I yell.

  “I don’t care!” He replies.

  “I’m not asking for your opinion, I mean should I dress casual, dressy or-”

  “Casual. Casual is fine.”

  I shut the door and go into my closet. Casual… I pick out a blue cotton top, capris, and some flip flops. I guess this is good enough.

  “Come on,” Logan says, opening my door.

  “Time to go?”

  “Yes.” He smirks.

  “Now will you tell me?”

  He shakes his head. “Nope. You’ll see when we get there.”

  “Well, I’m assuming we have to drive wherever we’re going, therefore, we’ll be taking my car. So, I’m going to need to know where I’m going.”

  He pulls my keys out of his pocket. “That’s not a problem since I’m driving.”

  “Oh, I think not,” I add and try to steal the keys from him but fail miserably.

  “As I do recall, you said you trusted me, so I’m pretty sure you can trust me with your car.”

  “Yeah, but-”

  “Oh, Caroline, just come on.” He adds as we walk out of the house and get into the car. I’m definitely not happy about letting him drive, but it’s a special occasion, so I’m just going to have to suck it up and deal with it.

  Logan pulls out of the base and gets on the interstate.

  “Our date isn’t in town?” I ask curiously.

  He shakes his head. “Not exactly, but it’s not far.”

  “Can I guess?”

  He laughs. “Even if you’re right, I still won’t tell you.”

  “Why? We’re on our way, so what does it matter?”

  “Exactly, so you can wait a few more minutes.”

  I give up. “I swear, you’re like talking to a wall!”

  “I could say the same about you.” He smiles.

  I roll my eyes. He’s so stubborn…

  After about twenty minutes, he turns off at the Newport exit. “The beach? Our date is at the beach?” I ask.

  “Yep.”

  “Why couldn’t I think of that?” I mutter.

  “Because you were thinking I would take you somewhere fancy, but really, I did the exact opposite. We’ve lived here a few weeks now and yet, we’ve never been to the beach. Now’s our chance.”

  Aw. I always told him I wanted to visit the beach one day. I had never been and it was definitely on my bucket list. Now, it’s going to be where Logan and I have our first date and I’m sure it’ll be something I’ll remember forever…

  “Wow,” I mutter as Logan and I walk up on the pier. The ocean is fairly calm right now, with only a gentle tide hitting the shore every few minutes. The water is the lightest of blue, reminding me of the creek behind my old house.

  “You’ve really never been to the beach?” Logan asks.

  “Nope, but I’m guessing you have?”

  “Oh yeah. I’ve been a lot of places in the time I’ve been in the army. Actually, I used to live on the beach.”

  “Really?”

  He nods, “Julie bought a beach house right before we were married. She didn’t want to move after all the work she had put into it, so I moved in with her. We lived there until she passed away.”

  I swear I learn something knew about Logan every day. “What happened to the house then?”

  “I still own it. I go down there for vacation sometimes. Maybe I’ll take you one day.”

  “I’ll hold you to that.”

  “I wouldn’t have it any other way… Now, could you just stay right here for a minute? I forgot something in the car.”

  “Sure.”

  “Don’t move…” He smiles and walks away.

  I take in the ocean breeze while he’s gone, but all I can really think about is Julie. I would have loved to have seen them together. I’m sure Logan was very loving and I hate that he had to lose her.

  “Surprise!” I turn around and see Logan standing behind me with a picnic basket.

  I chuckle. “Picnic on the beach… Very romantic.”

  “Uh-uh. Picnic on the beach while watching the sunset, now that’s romantic. Two points for Logan.”

  I shake my head. “You’re such a weirdo.”

  “Yes, but I’m your weirdo.”

  “Oh really?”

  “Of course, if anybody else would have screamed at me, ran away, and then caused me to go on a manhunt for them, I’d probably kill ‘em.”

  “Well, aren’t I special?”

  “You have no idea.” He mutters.

  “So, what do you got there?” I ask, pointing to the basket.

  “Funny you should ask…” He pauses and pulls out some containers. “I thought I could bring a little piece of home to the beach. So, I made all your Kentucky favorites.”

  “You made it?” I had no idea he could cook.

  “Yes, I think you may be surprised to find out, I actually can cook… I’ve got fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, and devil’s food cake.”

  “You know, now I’m going to expect you to cook every day.”

  “Eh, I wouldn’t mind. You’re lucky, you know? Only three people know that I can cook and two of them are already gone.”

  “Who would that be?”

  “Julie, Nick, and you.” We both spread out the blanket on the pier and sit down to eat our dinner. I have to give it to him, he can definitely cook!

  The rest of the date went by kind of quick, we just talked and watched the sunset. It was simple but I liked it. I was kind of sad to see it end, but I was really looking forward to going to bed. I hadn’t been feeling very well today, probably due to lack of sleep. But by the time the sun disappeared, I had a major headache and I was a little chilly.

 
It didn’t take long for Logan to notice and as soon as he did, we were back in the car. I had my seat laid back and he had the heat on. “Are you getting sick?” He asks, putting the car in drive.

  “Me? Sick? No.”

  “Are you sure? You’re awfully pale.”

  “I’m fine.”

  “Okay… So, do I get a second date?” I open my eyes and glance at him. He’s crossing his fingers and biting his lip.

  I chuckle, “Yes, Logan. I would love to go on another date with you.”

  “Yes!” He mutters but quickly regains his composure.

  I roll my eyes and drift off to sleep just as Logan pulls onto the interstate...