“Logan, I would like to do the interview now,” Jean called from the living room as some of the crew walked by us.
I took my purse and coat from the hall closet, smiled at Logan, thanked Jean, and walked out the front door. I knew he wouldn’t make a scene with everyone around. I was already fighting back tears when I felt his hand on my arm. “Wait.”
I looked up at him. “What?”
He said nothing, as he leaned into me. I put my hand to his chest, stopping him from coming any closer.
“Logan, I meant what I said. All or nothing. I have to go, and Jean is waiting for you.” I kissed him one final time and then I turned and made my way to the car, swallowing hard as I listened to the gravel crunch below my feet. I looked back. Logan stood watching me as I climbed into the car. I started the engine and quickly backed out letting the floodgate of tears open once again as I drove down the driveway.
TWENTY-EIGHT
Logan
One month later
My plane landed shortly after one. I glanced at my watch to check the current time. I had called my mother last night asking her if she had gotten my email. She told me she had run right out to the store and picked up the magazine and that she was so proud of me and what I had done. I had asked her if she would mind telling Leah it was available, she hadn’t been answering my calls or texts again.
“I’ll admit, Logan, I’m a little worried about her,” she whispered into the phone. “She arrived home last night, this is the second visit this month and she has barely left her room since she got here. Joe is beside himself. She isn’t herself. Do you know what happened to her?”
“I have a feeling I do,” I mumbled more to myself, mentally beating myself up for not telling her how I really felt before she got on that plane the night of the photo shoot. I had even debated following her to the airport, but Jean had taken up too much of my time. All I knew was that I wanted to be with Leah, and I had to let her know it.
“Is it serious, Logan? Did something happen to her?” she asked.
I knew Joe was probably sitting beside her praying I would tell them so he knew how to help his daughter, but there was nothing they could do, this was all up to me. I figured if I wanted his daughter, I deserved whatever words he would have to say, and that they should be said to my face and not over the phone.
“I don’t think it’s anything to worry about, Mom, I think she is just overworked, perhaps a little homesick.” I lied.
“I hope you’re right. Well, you’re coming home will do her good, I think. She told me she did a fantastic job on your home. Are you happy with it?”
“I couldn’t be more pleased.” Mom was right, she had done a fantastic job designing my home. There was only one thing missing, and I hoped that the missing object would agree with me and come home.
“Do me a favor, Mom, don’t tell her I am coming.”
“Why on earth not?”
“Are you alone, Mom?”
“Yes.”
“Joe isn’t there?”
“Logan, what is going on. Why would it matter if Joe was here or not?” she asked me, alarm building in her voice.
I debated how to tell her what happened. I mean it’s not everyday someone falls in love with their stepsister. “Are you sitting down, Mom?”
“Logan.” Her voice came over the phone a cross between irritated and annoyed.
“She came home because of me.”
“What? What did you do?”
I took a deep breath and replied, “We slept together, I’m in love with her, Mom. I was horrible to her.”
“I don’t understand.”
I couldn’t tell if I pissed my mother off or if she were shocked.
“Logan, when did this happen?” she asked.