Yesterday was bittersweet. Sweet was waking up with Logan’s naked body nestled against mine. Making love to her with nothing between us. I wanted to tell her that I couldn’t give a fuck less if she was on birth control, but decided I would save that little tidbit of knowledge for another day.
Bitter was her grandfather’s visitation. Standing in the background, watching as my girl and her family mourned the loss of their loved one. To make matters worse, several in attendance recognized us. I tried to tell Logan we would wait for her in the back room, but she clung to me and said she needed me. No way could I leave her. Luckily, no one was tacky enough to ask for an autograph.
Today is going to be hard. Today is the funeral, and it sucks ass. There is just no other way to describe losing someone you love. Logan’s gran pulled me to the side. “No matter what you do, young man, just love her through it.” I plan to do just that. I will be by her side every step of the way.
Stacy has been an angel. She spoke to the hotel management and arranged for us to park behind the building and got approval for us to enter the building this way. We just want to make sure we do not draw any attention to Logan and her family, at least not until after today. Once word gets out that she’s my girl, the paparazzi will hound them for a few days. Once they realize Logan is in Tennessee with me, they should leave them alone. At least, I hope that’s what happens.
I’ve just finished fastening my tie when Logan opens the bathroom door. I open my arms and she walks right into them. Right where she belongs. “We need to be going soon,” I say as I rest my chin on top of her head.
“Yeah,” she agrees.
“The guys and Stacy are down there.”
Taking a deep breath, she steps back. “I’m ready,” she says.
I double-check that I have the room key as well as the Tahoe keys, and we head out.
The drive to the funeral home is quiet. The guys make a few crazy jokes, making her laugh, and I make a mental note to thank them. As soon as I pull into the lot, I see a guy with a camera standing by the entrance. I don’t think too much about it. He’s one man, and often times, for those who are big in the community like her grandfather, the press will cover the funeral. Hell, the press covers everything these days.
As soon as we make it to the front entrance, I realize I should have been more concerned about the man with the camera. He starts snapping pictures as three of his buddies come racing toward us doing the same. Anger courses through me. This is a fucking funeral, and they don’t have the decency to give us some privacy. I pull Logan tight against me and stop. I look back and see Cole has done with same with Stacy while Gavin and Tristan stand with their arms crossed.
They start firing off questions. “Were you related to the deceased? Who are the girls? Is it serious?” One after another, the questions come our way.
I hold up my hands and they stop with the questions, but keep snapping pictures. “We ask that you please allow us our privacy during this time.”
“Are you related to the deceased?” one yells.
I realize I’m going to have to give them something to get them to leave. “Listen, yes, I was related. The gentleman we are laying to rest today is my girlfriend’s grandfather. I ask that you give their family the privacy they need to mourn their loss. The guys and I would be happy to talk to you on another day. Today it’s time for us to spend with our families. Please respect that and leave.”
I want to wring their damn necks, but I keep my cool, for Logan and her family,—my future in-laws, if I have a say in the matter.
“What—”
Gavin cuts him off. “Listen, we’re trying to be nice about this. We can do this the hard way and have the police escort you from the premises. Please, just let us have our privacy with our family,” he tries again.
“Is there a problem here?” A uniformed officer asks. He’s walking from the parking lot.
“We’ve asked these gentlemen to leave, to allow us privacy, and they’re refusing,” Tristan sings like a canary.
“This is private property, and I’ve been advised that you are not here to pay your respects and to escort you from the premises,” the officer says.
Two more officers walk up and, suddenly, the photographers are quick to change their tune. “We’re leaving,” the ringleader says and they turn and hustle off to the parking lot.
I turn to the officer. “I’m not sure where you came from, but thank you so much. I’ll make sure to get you all some merch when we get back home. Do you have a card or something?”
“No, sir, just doing our job,” he says. “You all can go in. We’ll stand out here and keep them away.”
I nod and lead Logan into the building, the guys and Stacy following closely behind.
“Gah! I was wondering where they were,” Stacy says when we’re all inside.
“What are you talking about?” Cole asks her. His arm is still thrown across her shoulders.
“I called the police. I had a feeling after last night at the visitation that this might be a possibility. I figured better safe than sorry.”
Cole stares are her in fascination. “Thank you,” he finally says. The rest of us, including Logan, tell her how grateful we are before taking our seats.
The funeral is . . . nice. I really don’t know what else to call it. There were several members of the family, and the community, who stood before the room to tell stories of Logan’s grandfather. He seemed as though he was well liked and would bend over backward to help you. I wish I could have met him. We’re back at her parents’ house and I’m keeping my eye on Logan. She’s staying busy helping her mom with the food.
“Let’s go for a walk, handsome.”
I look over and see Logan’s gran smiling up at me. Leaning in, I kiss Logan on the temple and hold my arm out for her gran. “Where are we headed?”
“Oh, just out to the back porch. This house is getting a little stuffy for my taste,” she says.
Once we reach the porch, she points to the swing. I make sure she gets comfortable before sitting down beside her. “You look at her just like my William used to look at me,” she says.
I grin. “How is that exactly?”
“Like she’s the sun and you’re simply here to revolve around her.”
I laugh. “Pretty much. She’s unlike anyone I’ve ever met.”
“She says the same about you. It’s refreshing to see two young kids as young as yourselves fall in love.” She raises her eyebrow as if daring me to deny it.
“You should see it from my end.” I wink at her. “Everything is better. I can’t explain it. When something happens, she’s the first person I want to tell. I miss her when she’s gone, even if it’s just to run out to the store.” I chuckle. “I must sound like a complete freak. I promise I’m not,” I defend myself.
“Nonsense. You sound like you are quite smitten with my granddaughter.”
“I’m in love with her.”
“Good. I told her as much. I just needed to make sure my suspicion was correct.”
“How did you know? We hadn’t even met yet.”
“The way her eyes lit up when she talked about you. I could tell you caused that. You make her feel special and loved. Only a man in love can put that look in a woman’s eyes,” she says, patting my knee.
“Mom, there you are,” Logan’s dad says. “There are several people looking for you, wanting to say goodbye.”
“Oh, dear.” She starts to get up. I stand and offer her my hand and help her from the swing.
“Do you need help getting in?” I ask.
“No, sweet boy, I can make it.” She pats my arm and disappears inside.
“She’s a handful.” Logan’s dad laughs. “She kept Dad on his toes.”
“I bet she did. I’m sorry for you loss.” I’ve said that already, but it seems appropriate to say it again speaking of his father.
“Thank you. My daughter is happy,” he says, cutting to the chase.
I smile. “I hope so, sir. That’s all I want for her.”
“I can see that. I gotta be honest, at first I was worried. Your career comes with unwanted attention, and I wasn’t sure how either of you would handle it. That is until I saw what happened today at the funeral home.”
I turn to face him. He must see the question in my eyes.
“I needed some air. I was standing off to the side of the building when those photographers started hassling you. You put my daughter and my family first. I wasn’t sure you would. I’ve seen way too many who are in your position who thrive on being the center of chaos and attention. You claimed our family as your own and you protected my daughter.”
“Logan comes first with me, always. I would give it all up tomorrow if it meant that I got to live the rest of my life with her. I love music, writing is my passion, and God graced me with a set of lungs that don’t sound half bad. The band, we’ve all been best friends our entire lives.” I stop there, and then decide I might as well throw it all out there. “I love your daughter, sir. I know you don’t know me, but I will prove to you that she’s my world. I would like to ask her to marry me someday. I hope I will have your permission when I do so.”
“Do you need it?” he asks.
“No. I don’t need it. I do, however, want it. I’m going to ask her regardless, but it would mean a lot to me, and to her, to know we have your blessing.”
“Good answer.” He smirks. “I had this same conversation with my father-in-law, and it was very similar. He asked me the same thing and I pretty much gave him the same answer you just gave me. If Logan chooses you to spend her life with, you have my blessing.”
Relief washes through me. I meant what I said; I don’t need his permission, but I really wanted it for me, and for her. “Thank you, sir. I’ll cherish her always.”
“A little soft for a rocker, don’t you think?” He laughs.
“Not when it comes to Logan. I handed her my balls months ago,” I fire back.
He smacks me on the shoulder. “Good man. Keep my baby girl happy.”
“There you are. What are you two doing out here?” Logan asks, stepping out onto the porch.
“Just getting some air, sounds like things are settling down in there,” her dad says.
“Yes, everyone’s gone. Jase just left to take Gran home.” She looks at me. “You ready to head out? I’m exhausted.”
“Anytime you are, babe,” I reply.
Logan smiles and holds her hand out for me. I take it and allow her to pull me from the swing and tug her into my arms. “I love you,” I whisper into her neck.
She giggles, so I pull back to see what she’s laughing at. Her father is standing behind us shaking his head. “You’re a goner, son,” he chides.
“And damn proud of it.” I laugh and we follow him back into the house.