Series Starter Firsts in Series Collection - Kaylee Ryan Page 0,297

her another one.

Me: I’m going back to sleep, just wanted to say goodnight and I love you.

Ten minutes later, she replies.

Logan: Night

I try to remind myself that she’s hurting and confused. Instead, I let memories of the last two months run through my mind. She tore into my life like a tornado and I’m scared to death that my heart is about to be the wreckage.

The next morning, I find the guys sitting in the living room eating breakfast. “Who cooked?” I ask. None of us are any good, unless it’s with a grill.

“Nancy. We told her about Logan, and she decided to fill in for her. She said it was her way of helping,” Gavin says, shoving half of a biscuit in his mouth.

“How is she?” Tristan asks.

I shrug. “Not sure. Her texts are short and evasive,” I confide.

“Why are you here?” Cole blurts out.

“I live here. Why the fuck are you here?” I fire back.

He raises his hands in defeat. “I just meant why are you not in Ohio, with your girl?” he tries again.

“I fucking tried. She shot me down,” I say, defeated.

“I call bullshit,” Gavin says.

“Me, too,” Tristan chimes in.

“What the hell? Is this gang up on Kacen day? Look, I begged her to let me go with her. Fuck, she wouldn’t even let me take her to the airport.” I think back to yesterday in the kitchen when the guys were saying goodbye. Looking at Cole, I ask him, “What did you say to her yesterday? In the kitchen, you whispered something, what did you say?”

He smirks. “I told her what you’re too chicken shit to. I told her you loved her and to let you be there for her.”

Wow! Cole is usually our jokester, very rarely serious. “I told her. Right after that, I told her.”

“Finally!” they all exclaim at once.

“So, again I say, why are you not in Ohio?” Cole repeats his earlier question.

“She said to stay here,” I remind him.

“Okay, I get that,” Tristan says, “but why are you here? Since when do you let someone tell you what to do?”

“Kace, man, she’s torn up. Her heart is broken, and she feels guilty,” Gavin says.

“You heard what Stacy said. That fuckstick of an ex was never there for her. She’s never had someone other than family to rely on. She’s pushing you away. You need to let her know it’s not going to work.”

Reaching for my phone, I send her a text.

Me: Morning, beautiful.

Logan: Morning.

Me: How are you?

Logan: Fine.

“Is that her?” Cole asks.

“Yeah, I texted her good morning. She says she’s fine,” I grumble.

“Done,” Tristan says with a smile as he sets his phone on the table.

“What’s done?” I ask him.

“Five tickets to Cincinnati, our flight leaves at two.” He smirks.

The tightness in my chest eases just a little knowing that I will be close if she needs me. It’s then I realize they’re right. I never should have taken no for an answer. I was so caught up in the thought of losing her that I didn’t fight for her. Well, that was a small lapse in judgment. Twenty-four hours of insanity.

“Rooms are booked,” Cole chimes in. “Wait, five tickets?”

Tristan grins. “We’re bringing your girl along.”

“My girl?” he asks, confused.

“Yeah, I texted Stacy and she’s in.”

“You all need to get ready. We’re not missing that flight,” I say as I sprint off to my room to get packed.

Chapter 40

Logan

We just finished making plans at the funeral home. It’s heartbreaking to plan a funeral. We tried hard to do things that represented who he was. From the flower arrangement to the insignia sewn into the casket. Gran is staying strong. Dad, on the other hand, not so much. I know it’s the chain of life. That someday I will lose my parents, but until that day comes, I don’t want to think about it.

“Logan, would you mind driving Grandma back to her place?” Mom asks. I see her look over my shoulder at my father. He’s a wreck, as he should be. I nod, letting her know I’ve got Gran.

Once the final paperwork is signed, we head out. I help Gran into my mom’s car while she, Dad, and Jase take Dad’s truck back to our house.

“Talk to me, sweet girl,” Gran says once we are on the road. “Tell me about your new job.”

I swallow the lump in my throat. I call them every week to check in, but that still doesn’t make up for not coming to visit more often.