Can't Let Go - By Michelle Brewer Page 0,41

him. I know our entire future. And I know it works.”

“Because he’s from your world.” She said nothing and he exhaled loudly, turning away and leaning against the railing, wishing he could voice his frustration. “You think you’ll be happy?” He asked finally, words from her father echoing in his ears.

“Happy is a vague word, Logan.” She sighed then, looking up at the sky. Logan only stared, watching her pull away once more. “I should probably head in.”

“It’s pretty late.” Logan gave her the excuse she needed, nodding. He stood up, turning to face her. In the light from the moon, she was absolutely radiant. Her golden hair hung in loose ringlets, framing her face. Her fair green eyes were clear—free of pain and loss, free of worry and sadness. He reached out, hesitant at first—but she didn’t back away. He rested his hand against her cheek, running his thumb along the soft skin. “You know, you really are the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen, Abby.”

Her eyes fluttered closed for a moment. When they opened again, the pain was back. She stared up at him, reading everything in his eyes. “Good night, Logan.” She whispered, turning away and hurrying inside. As she shut the door, she felt the tears welling up inside her, beginning at the deep ache within her chest.

Why did he have to do this? Why did he have to remind her of how happy she used to be? How easy their love was? Why did he have to break her heart time and time again?

Why couldn’t this have happened before? Why couldn’t he have come back into her life years ago? Why had he waited until now?

It wasn’t fair. Not any of it.

She longed for her best friend. She longed to hear Hayley’s consoling voice, telling her what she should do.

And before she knew what she was doing, she had grabbed her purse and dug through it until she found her keys. And then she was hurrying from the motel room and jumping into her car—taking off without really knowing where she was going.

But as she pulled up in front of the familiar ranch house several moments later, she knew.

~*~

He found her, of course. Somehow, she knew he would. She was sitting in their bedroom, pictures scattered all around her, tears streaming down her face. Logan was confused—what had happened? Hadn’t he just said good night to her no more than two hours ago?

“Abby?”

“Are you happy, Logan?” She asked, staring at the photo in her hands. It had been taken sometime during their last year together—they were at a baseball game, and she was sticking her tongue out at the camera. Logan was at her side, smiling his perfect smile.

“What?” He stepped further into the room, taking in her surroundings.

“Are you happy?” She questioned again, not shifting her eyes away from what she held in her fingers. “Do you see yourself being happy in the future?” Something in her voice made her sound as if she was far away, off in some distant place.

“What’s this about?”

“Because I did.” She wiped angrily at a tear that escaped from her eyes. “Just a few days ago, before all of this. Before you came back into my life. I saw myself being happy.” She chuckled softly, shaking her head. “Happy. With Eric.” It sounded like such a joke to her now.

“Abby—” He started forward once more, reaching out to her.

“Do you remember what it used to be like, Logan?”

“Of course I do.” His heart was pounding in his chest, almost fearful of what she might do. She looked so shattered, sitting there, surrounded by memories.

“We were happy.” She shook her head, touching her finger to the photo she held. “I forgot how happy we used to be.”

“Why don’t we—” But Abby broke in, interrupting him.

“Did you forget?” He sighed, shaking his head though he knew she couldn’t see him.

“No, Abby. No. I could never forget.” Abby remained quiet for several moments. When she spoke again, Logan felt his heart break.

“You left me, Logan. You remember that?” He noticed for the first time that photos were not the only thing surrounding her—on her lap, he noticed a crumbled piece of paper. “You left me, all alone.”

“You weren’t alone.” He closed his eyes, willing the ache in his chest to go away. Why was she doing this now? After the night they’d just had?

“Oh, Logan…yes I was. I still am.” She wiped at her eyes. “You know what happened that morning