Loving Logan - Sammi Cee Page 0,29

I could think of about a million things I’d rather do than meet his parents. Not because I wasn’t into him, but what if they hated me? With losing his cousin, who’d been another son to them, they’d been devastated, and Logan said his mom had become overwhelming at times. The fear of not measuring up had my stomach tied in knots.

“Are you ready?” Logan asked with his hand on the doorknob. He’d texted me this morning that he was worried that his mom would scare me off. I’d reassured him that everything would be fine and resolved not to let him see my own nerves.

The door wasn’t even all the way open before an older woman of average height, ample body, and short gray hair was hustling toward us. “My boys.” She leaned down and squeezed Jakey, before patting Logan’s bicep, and then turned to me. Logan had obviously inherited her gray eyes, but where he had gone from looking upon me with fear to wonder and eventually with happiness, hers were shrewd and annoyed.

“Mom, this is Creed. Creed, this is my mom, Elena.”

I stuck my hand out to shake. “Nice to meet you, ma’am.”

She didn’t even acknowledge my hand.

Logan’s eyes widened. “Mom.”

“What?” she said mulishly.

“Creed, I’m so—”

Logan’s words cut off as the warmth of a little hand slid into mine, Logan’s eyes filled with moisture as he looked down and his mom gasped. The significance wasn’t lost on me, and my heart sped up. Trust. Smiling down at the little boy, I squeezed his hand. He grinned happily, then turned sparkling blue eyes on his uncle. “Kuncle Wogan, eat.”

Logan’s mom gasped again.

“Yeah, buddy. We’re here to have dinner with grandmom and grandpop,” he said, voice thick with emotion.

Jakey nodded and dragged me farther into the house, leaving his uncle and grandmom to follow.

The meal had been a success. Logan’s father had glanced over and then done a double-take when he saw Jakey’s hand firmly encased in mine. He’d stood right up, a slightly shorter, older version of my man, and his reception had been much warmer than his wife’s. Dinner went much smoother, but we focused primarily on Jakey. They had all argued when I stood to help clear the table after dinner, but I really wanted a chance to talk to Logan’s mother alone. “Thank you, Creed,” she said as I brought in the last serving bowl from the table.

“You’re welcome.” I picked a dish towel up off of the counter and began to dry the few pots she’d washed and put in the drainer to dry.

“You know, I haven’t actually heard Jakey’s voice in close to six months.” She didn’t stop to look at me, but she kept loading the dishwasher. “I know Logan’s told me that he says stuff to him at home, but here, nothing.”

I wasn’t sure what to say, so I remained silent, listening.

“Losing a child is…the worst thing that can happen to a mother. You know J.J.’s sperm donors actually said that they couldn’t make it to the funeral. That was fine. My husband and I had claimed him as ours long ago. And really, they may have confused and upset Jakey even further if they came in trying to act like grieving grandparents. As far as he’s concerned, we’re his grandmom and grandpop.”

Since I was done drying the pots, I picked up the dishrag and began wiping down the cabinets. Anything to keep busy so she’d keep talking.

“And then, dear sweet Haley. She was such a wonderful woman. You’d never have known she wasn’t raised in a strong, loving environment. She gave her heart fiercely and was as protective of all of us as she was of Jakey.” She stopped and leaned her ample bottom against the sink. “I’m sorry I was rude when you got here. I didn’t even realize Logan was dating anyone. How could I? He’s not much of a sharer, and Jakey doesn’t talk…” She sighed. “That’s no excuse. The truth is, when he asked if he could bring his boyfriend, I was thrilled. Except I told him to maybe take it slow bringing someone new around Jakey. When he told me how long you’d already been a part of his life, my feelings were hurt.”

“I’m sorry, Mama,” Logan said from the entrance to the kitchen.

Elena winced. “It’s okay, honey. I understand. Haley and J.J. told me years ago that I was an intrusive buttinski when it comes to you, but I just want you to be