Chapter 31
Brice woke up, his heart leaping in his chest as the woman with blond hair stood over him, a smile on her face. It took a moment to realize it was Bree and he was at Logan's house, having slept on their couch.
“Morning, sleepyhead,” she said, a smile on her face. “I have some coffee for you.”
Brice sat up, blinking his eyes and taking the cup from her. “Thank you. What time is it?”
“Almost noon. By the way, you snore,” she said, with a laugh, then walked off into the kitchen.
Turning his head, he saw Maddy and Logan sitting at the counter. Both were smiling as they talked. Taking a sip of his coffee, Brice felt good and not as groggy as he thought he would be. The events of last night came rushing through his mind, and letting out a sigh, he was glad those days were over.
“Me and Bree are heading into town. Do you need anything?” Maddy asked walking over, a smile on her face.
“No, thank you. This is perfect,” Brice said, raising the coffee cup. A moment later she and Bree walked out the front door and Logan came walking over, a pile of clothes in his hand.
“A shirt and jeans for you, and a sweater. Socks are new, and I figure you’re going to have to go without boxers until you get your own.” He set them on the couch next to Brice and then walked over and took a seat on the chair.
“I’ll be right back,” Brice said, setting his mug down and then hurrying to the bathroom. A few minutes later he was throwing water on his face before heading back to the couch. Taking his mug back in his hands, he looked over and saw the wide smile on Logan's face.
“It’s good to see you smile. I missed it,” Brice said.
Logan nodded. “And yours as well. It’s addicting. I haven't seen Maddy this happy in a long time. Thanks to you.”
“I don't know about that,” Brice said, feeling a bit self-conscious. He looked up when he heard Logan speak up, his voice firm but warm.
“No, don't deny it, we owe you big time. You risked a lot for us. What you did took courage, and I appreciate it.”
“Thank you,” Brice said, then took another sip of his coffee. Logan was right, what he did, did take courage, but it was hard to accept. It was a new feeling for him.
“So, I forgot to ask last night, what about you? I mean, your job and all?”
“Well, the good news is I get to keep it. Carol has been appointed Sheriff until an election is held. And she is also going to be your new parole supervisor.”
Logan nodded. “Does that mean…?” Logan said, his voice trailing off.
“Well, it depends. Can you see yourself dating a cop?”
Logan stood up, and then setting his mug down, walked over and sat next to Brice. Turning towards him a smile crept on his face. “No, not just a cop, but a man who is stronger than he believes. A man of honor who keeps his word. That is a man that I could date.”
Brice felt his heart soar into the heavens, his feelings for Logan so strong that he was struggling to put them into words. And even though they had made up last night, he still felt a twinge of guilt for the pain he had inflicted. “I'm sorry again Logan for my part in all that happened to you and your family.”
Logan shook his head. “You did nothing wrong. As a matter of fact, you did almost everything right.”
“What did I not do?” Brice asked, worried he had hurt him again.
“This,” Logan said, leaning in. Their lips locked together, and Brice put his hands on Logan's biceps, loving the feeling of how big they were. Then his hands went to Logan's chest, moving across the expanse of it and around to his back.
“So, does that mean I'm your boyfriend again?” Brice asked as the kiss broke.
“It does. And just like before, I won’t let anyone hurt you.”
Brice smiled this time, leaning in and kissing Logan again. And in that kiss so many emotions were shared, and the thoughts of the past, and the hurt that happened, left. A new feeling began to take their place. When the kiss broke again, Brice smiled as he looked into Logan's eyes. Beneath the hard exterior was a man who was kind and gentle and who Brice knew would take care of him in more ways than one, fulfilling his needs both physically and emotionally. And instead of more kissing, they began to talk—of the future and both of them together in it.
***
It had been just over a week, and Brice pulled the SUV up to the front of Logan's house. Turning the car off, he turned towards Carol. “You know, your bravery is the reason Harry is going away for a long time, and that the three of them inside are happy again.”
Carol smiled as she reached her hand across the seat and took Brice's hand in hers. “I appreciate that, but I got it from you. From you telling me about how you were gay, to the personal things we shared and cried over. It was your encouragement and courage that led me to make the phone call to the FBI. So, thank you, my friend.”
Leaning over, Brice gave her a hug and she kissed his cheek. When he pulled back there was a tear in her eye.
“I never thought I would have a best friend as kind as you,” she said, wiping the tear away. “Thank you for everything.”
“I feel the same. And even though I’m seeing someone it doesn't mean you can’t still cook me dinner,” he said, and they both laughed.
“Deal. And speaking of, let’s go ahead and go in.”
“Whatever you say, Sheriff,” Brice teased. With Carol now the Sheriff and his boss, he knew she would run the office with integrity and honor. Something that had been missing for years.
Brice knocked on the door, and Bree answered it and let them in. “Go take a seat. Studly is changing, I think,” she said, causing Brice to laugh. They headed into the kitchen, and a moment later, Logan came walking in. Brice bit on his lip as his eyes went over Logan. He was wearing a black shirt that looked as though it had been painted on. His jeans were tight, showing off the prominent bulge up front.
“Carol, this is Logan,” Brice said, and the two shook hands.
“Logan, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you. Brice has told me a lot about you.”
“All good I hope?”
Carol shook her head. “Well, not all of it. Anyway, let’s go over your parole first. I can tell you what he said later.”
“Of course,” Logan said with a laugh, then motioned towards the island.
Brice grabbed a stool and sat across from the two, listening as Carol began to speak.
“Now that Shit-for-Brains is gone, things are going to be run right around town.”
“Good to hear,” Logan said, a smile on his face.
“Now, I can’t have Brice supervising you anymore, and I think we both know why.”
Logan nodded.
“So, I’m your new parole officer. I know what kind of hell Harry put you through, but at the same time, I need to do things by the book.”
“I understand,” Logan said. “It’s the way it should be.”
“Once a month, come by the office and drink a cup of coffee with me and show me your pay stubs. As long as you keep out of trouble, the next few months are going to fly by.” Carol smiled. “Any questions?”
“No. But I wanted to thank you for all you did. You were brave, and my sisters and I appreciate it.”
Carol stood up and Brice and Logan followed suit.
“It was because of Brice and his bravery. And by the way, every Tuesday night for dinner, he’s mine,” Carol said, a laugh to her voice.
“Sounds fair. I won’t argue,” Logan said, offering his hand. Carol shook it, then put her arms around Logan and gave him a hug. Brice smiled, watching his best friend hug his boyfriend.
“Alright, Brice, we should head back,” Carol said. “I’ll give you a minute.”
“Be right there,” Brice said, watching her walk out. Turning to Logan, he smiled, letting his eyes roam over him once more.
“Do you like what you see?” Logan asked, a cocky smile on his face.
“Definitely. I might have to take a closer look later after work.”
Logan's arms wrapped around Brice, the strong arms providing a wall of protection. Then the words Logan whispered in his ear made his heart soar.
“She is right. You are brave. You always have been, you just never saw it.”
“Thank you,” Brice said. “I'm starting to see it now.”
His mind went back to his parents and when he told them that he was gay. Then the thoughts went to how he stood up at various points in his life, all culminating to bringing Harry down. Weak men ran in the face of danger, but with the support of Carol and the man who was now holding him, Brice had stood on what was right. And as their lips met again in another kiss, Brice knew that Logan was the right one for him.