Grace

It had been two days since we’d made love. I was feeling nearly a hundred percent, but Logan was worried I’d hurt myself if I walked downstairs. He was out of luck because I was going to anyway. I refused to greet my friend and her family in bed. The rains had finally stopped and the roads were ready to be traveled again. Mrs. Lockwood gave me a couple outfits that she’d sewn last night. It was nice to have something that fit. Logan’s insistence that I wear his shirts wasn’t appropriate for seeing others. Not that he would have allowed that anyway, but it was better than the ruined shorts and tank top I’d worn on my fateful outing.

I heard a car pull into the driveway on the side of the house and I looked out the window and saw the sheriff’s car. After he got out, he opened the doors for Dana and her family. Trying to hurry down the stairs, I lost my footing, just in time for Mr. Lockwood to catch my fall. I looked up at him feeling utterly mortified, but he just chuckled and said, “I suppose Logan wasn’t being too overprotective when it came to you coming down here. I have a feeling you’re going to be a handful.”

“Probably,” I said with a guilty laugh. The doorbell rang and I felt anxious. My hands were shaking, feeling like everyone could see the change in me. As soon as they stepped into the house, Dana ran up and hugged me tight. I groaned, and she let go.

“Oh shitballs. Totally sorry, Grace.”

Her brother was on me next. Jared wasn’t hugging hard though, instead he slid his hand around my waist in a very possessive way that had me wanting to vomit. “I’m so fucking thrilled you’re all right. I was losing my mind waiting for the rain to stop so I could see you.” I maneuvered out of his hold and took a seat at the edge of the large sofa and tugged Dana down next to me. I didn’t miss the look that passed between Logan’s parents. They were suspicious of my relationship with Captain Jackass.

Dana’s mother started off the conversation, asking how I managed to get here. “Beats me. I was completely worn out, hot, and disorientated.”

“Goodness, you were incredibly lucky,” she replied. I saw her expression change then the question that was clearly on everyone’s mind slipped past her lips. “So when will you be able to leave? We’re only here until tomorrow.”

“I understand. I still need a couple days, so I’ll take a flight back then. You don’t have to wait for me.”

“I can stay with you, Grace,” Jared offered with a vile, filthy look on his face.

“Thank you, but Ms. Harper will be staying with us, and that is all the room we have.”

“She and I can share a bed.”

“Jared,” Dana and her mother screeched at the same time. My face was red with anger. I wanted to get up and punch him in his stupid mug. He was trying to get the Lockwoods to believe I was with him. Not only was it a lie, but it was rude as fuck to say something like that in mixed company. He knew better than that. It figures he would cross that line. I don’t think there’s a line he wouldn’t.

“Um, we brought your things just in case you couldn’t come with us and well, we figured you’d want them regardless.” Her dad walked to the door and grabbed my bag and small suitcase.

“Thank you so much. I’m sorry I managed to ruin your vacation.” I really felt terrible about the entire thing. If I hadn’t gotten lost they would have had a great trip.

“Oh that’s all right,” Dana’s dad said. “These two never really like the trip any way. But it got Dana to actually do the hike without complaining every ten seconds.”

“Hey, I’m not that bad.” Dana gave her father a dirty look and that was when I caught the sheriff’s nod to the Lockwoods. My eyes narrowed, but I quickly hid my apprehension. Something was going on between them and it was clear it was about me and Dana’s family, specifically Jared.

“Well, I’ve got to go, sorry to cut this short,” the sheriff said, looking at his phone. I pursed my lips, but stood and gave Dana and her mom a hug, dodging Jared’s and shaking her father’s hand instead. They left and I excused myself. Mr. Lockwood brought my luggage up for me and left me to my thoughts.

I sat on the bed, pondering my next move. It was foolish of me to live in this daydream with Logan. The disapproving looks from the sheriff and his parents made it clear they didn’t think I was good enough for him. Swallowing hard, I held back the tears. Maybe returning to Springfield was for the best. It wasn’t what I wanted, but I’d already intruded in their lives enough as it was.

The past two days had been the best of my life. Logan made me laugh at the way he tried to do everything for me because I was injured. We had made love several times that day and I let him take me with no protection. I could be pregnant with his kid because I was stupid and let passion override my common sense.  I grabbed my bags and readied myself to call Dana and ask them to come back for me. I should have just left with them.

I sat on the bed and dialed Dana’s cell. The dam broke before I could even say hello. “Hey, Grace, what’s up?” she asked upon only getting silence from me.

“Sorry, Dana. I’m wondering when you’re leaving?”

“Well, the sheriff and Jared had a disagreement and now they’re kicking us out of the park. We have to pack and leave in the next two hours.” I gasped. “Did you want us to get you? Those people didn’t seem very welcoming.”

“Um, I do need to go home.” I heard the door slam open. Whipping my head toward it, I saw Logan standing there with an angry expression, shaking his head. “Dana, I’ll call you back.”