Chapter 16
Brice pulled up and parked the car just outside of Logan's. Though he was supposed to meet him at ten, plans had changed and he was going to join Carol tonight for dinner instead. It was now just past noon, and Brice felt his heart quicken as Logan came through the front door.
He was wearing a black leather jack that complimented his dark hair. Sunglasses hid the dark blue eyes, but only enhanced the bad boy look. The jeans were tight, and the dark boots completed the look of the man in black.
“Tall, dark, and handsome,” Brice whispered as arousal coursed through his body, blood rushing to his groin causing him to harden. He smiled as Logan came to the passenger side and got in.
“It’s good to see you,” Brice teased. “It’s been a while.”
Logan laughed. “I know, it’s been what? Twelve hours?”
Brice nodded, picking up the manila folder between the seats. Opening it up, he took out a form that needed to be filled out.
“So, this is your review sheet we need to fill out. I have to mail it today to the main office in Bozeman.”
“I see. And what are you going to tell them?” Logan asked, a smile on his face as he turned in his seat.
“That you’re a bad boy,” Brice said, giving him a wink, his mouth going dry. Shaking the thoughts from his head, he cleared his throat. “I’m going to let them know that you have complied with everything, passed your drug test, and that you’re working and staying out of trouble.” Taking the pen, Brice began to check off boxes and then made a note in the comment section.
Logan has shown that he is taking his parole seriously. There has been no trouble with any request, and his character and determination to work and stay on the straight and narrow is evident.
Smiling, he handed the document and the pen to Logan. Logan signed it and then handed it back to him.
“You’re kind of quiet today. Is everything OK?” Brice asked, tearing off a copy and handing it back to Logan. The man folded it and put it in his coat pocket.
“Yeah, I'm just tired is all. Maddy was up late last night with some anxiety attacks. I wasn’t able to get to bed until almost four.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. Is there anything I can help with?”
Logan shook his head.
“Guess that was kind of dumb.” Brice scolded himself inwardly. He never spoke up in life, and when he did, it was always something dumb.
He smiled as Logan looked back at him. “No, it wasn't dumb. I appreciate the offer. It’s just stuff she’s working through.”
“And what about you?”
Logan snorted. “What about me? I'm fine.”
Brice nodded, trying to build up courage. He wanted to tell Logan what he thought, but he wasn't sure if it would upset him. As he tried to work it out in his head, Logan spoke up.
“Spit it out. You have something to say, so don't hold back.”
Letting out a small laugh, mostly to calm his own nerves, Brice tapped his fingers on the steering wheel. “I know we don't know each other that well, but I see the pain in your eyes sometimes. You still hold a lot of anger and guilt over what happened. I know you told me as much, but have you ever thought about seeing someone to talk about it?”
Logan sighed, and Brice wondered if he had spoke too much too soon. He didn't want to upset Logan, but at the same time, he didn't want to see him suffer.
“I told Bree I would, and I suppose soon enough I will,” Logan said, then both of them looked as Maddy and Bree walked out. The look Maddy gave Brice was cold as the two women got into their car a moment later. Brice watched as the SUV backed out and then pulled away, soon gone from sight.
Turning his attention back to Logan, Brice went to speak, but Logan beat him to it.
“Harry covered it up. It’s why I went after Tommy.”
“What do you mean?”
“Let’s go inside.”
Brice nodded, turned the car off, and got out of the car. It was cool out, perhaps around the high fifties, and he was thankful he was wearing his coat. Following Logan inside, he went to the kitchen table and a few moments later Logan came back and set a mug of coffee in front of him.
“Listen, you don't have to tell me…” Brice started to say as Logan cut him off.
“No, it’s time you knew the whole story. I mean, you’re seeing a murderer, and shit, I need to get this stuff of my chest.”
Brice took a sip of his coffee, remaining quiet. He watched as Logan played with the mug in his hand for a few moments before starting to talk.
“Maddy was up at what they call The Strip, an abandoned airfield where the kids go to on the weekend to race cars and drink beer. Harmless shit, really.”
“I’ve heard about it.”
Logan took a drink. “Bree was out of town with her parents, and I usually went up there with Maddy, but a couple of friends of mine wanted to grab a few beers in town, and so Maddy went alone.”
Brice nodded.
“Tommy was a strong fucker, and Maddy is only a few inches over five foot and barely weighs…” Logan started to say, his voice rising. His face went red and drew tight. “She was no match for a man holding her down.”
Brice's heart broke. There was no need to explain the horror of what happened to the woman, it was evident in her eyes, the way she held herself.
“The thing is, I should’ve been there. I was always there for her, and then guess what? The night I took time for myself, the moment she needed me the most, that happened,” Logan said, tears rolling down his cheeks. “Fuck. I don’t know what is wrong with me, I never cry. And now it’s like a dam bursting.” Logan's voice was high and his face had gone red. He slammed his fist down on the table, the coffee in both mugs spilling over.
“Logan, you can’t blame yourself,” Brice offered, feeling his own tears well up.
With a shake of his head, Logan wiped at his eyes. “Everyone says that, but it wasn’t their job, it was mine and I failed her. Don't you see? My parents were gone, and she was barely over eighteen…” Logan said, his words trailing off. The tears that were there a few moments before were now gone. In their place was a face full of anger, the blue eyes clouded over. It sent a small shiver down Brice's spine.
“It gets worse,” Logan said, his hands gripping the edge of the table.
Brice remained silent as Logan collected himself before continuing.
“She told me that same night what happened, so I call the Sheriff’s office.” Logan’s voice was now near yelling. “And Harry pulls me to the side and asks me if it’s possible Maddy was just trying to stir up trouble.”
“Dear God,” Brice said, feeling sick to his stomach.
“No, it gets better. I told him no of course not, and he pats me on the back, tells me to tell Maddy to shower and clean up and he will take information down at the station. And like a fool, I told her to do just that.”
Brice shook his head, knowing that she basically washed away any physical evidence. Logan stood up and walked over to the window and looked out. Brice wanted to go over and hold him, let him know it wasn't his fault.
“It was two months later, and I was in town drinking. Tommy walks over, slaps me on the back and asks me if Maddy is pregnant. Said it was the best fuck of his life.” Logan spun around. “So, I followed him outside and began punching him, and I didn't stop until I realized he was dead.” The tears ran down his face like a river. “I didn't mean to kill him, but after what he did to Maddy, I had to do something!”
Brice stood up from his chair, rushed around the counter, and put his arms around Logan.
“Let it go, man. Let it go,” Brice said, as Logan sobbed.
“I don't know if I can.”
“You have to. That man has hurt both of you, and you have to find a way to let it go. And I shouldn't say this, but you may have prevented him from doing it again.”
Logan stepped back, the hug breaking.
“I'm not a murderer, I'm a good person,” Logan pleaded.
“I know that. It’s why I like you and am willing to risk losing my job. But you have to see it for yourself.”
Logan crossed his arms over his chest. “I don't know if I can.”
Brice nodded. “Listen for a second, OK?”
“Sure.”
“You didn't have a few drinks and randomly kill a man. You went after the man that raped your sister. And most people get it. That’s why after three years away, people still love you around town.”
He saw the realization come over Logan's face. “I suppose you’re right.”
“But, Logan, it doesn't matter if I see it, or the majority of the town does. You have to see it, and you need to work on it.”
It was quiet for a minute, Logan seeming to work through things in his mind. He kept biting at his lip, then a nod came to his head. “I'll work on it. I see what you’re saying, I really do. And sorry for breaking down like this.”
Brice took a step forward and put his hands on the shoulders of the gentle giant. And that was who Logan really was. A big guy with an even bigger heart.
“I'm here for you. If you need to cry, yell, vent or whatever, just let me know.”
“Will do, Thank you.”
They embraced, and Brice felt relieved. The report earlier had said Logan was making steps, and though not noted, this was a big one as well.
“Look, I need to go back to work. Do you have any plans this weekend?” Brice asked, going back to his chair and putting his coat on.
“No. Sunday I have off again, as well as Monday.”
“Pick me up Sunday around three,” Brice said as Logan walked him to the door.
“You got it,” Logan said.
Brice headed back to the car, and getting in and starting it up, smiled as he watched Logan stand outside on the porch. He not only liked Logan, he had fallen for him, and fallen for him hard. With a wave and a smile, he backed out of the drive and headed back to work.