“I have good news!” I announce that Friday the moment Logan walks into the door from work. I’ve been here all week and so far, so good. I like staying here with him. My main concerns are whether it’s too soon and handling a job with school. Are we rushing things? Then again, I also have Logan’s speech about how he’s not rushing, but he isn’t waiting either. It’s a mess.
I also feel like if I had a job from the get-go, then I could’ve balanced everything from the start. Logan may say I don’t need a job and Dad may work with me on my bills, but if I’m moving out, then he shouldn’t have to do that. If I’m stepping out into the world of adulthood, then I need to do so fully. That means no more relying on my daddy to pay what bills I do have. For now, I’m in no rush to move in with Logan or find a job.
“Well, hello to you too, sugar,” Logan says with a chuckle, walking over to the kitchen table where I’ve set up shop to do a paper and kissing me on the cheek. “What’s your good news?”
“Uncle Ronnie called me today. He and Uncle Peter realized that I was right about my dad overworking himself. He wanted to reassure me that they are going to come up with a plan to get him out of the shop more often.”
“That’s great. I know you’re thrilled.”
“Yes, I am. Home late again?” He’s been late almost every night this week.
Logan shrugs. “We had another meeting, but I think it’s our last for a while.”
Just as I’m about to ask what we’re doing tonight, there’s a knock on the door. Logan stands to answer. “Remember I love you,” he says, confusing me.
“Lo-Lo!” Savannah shouts.
“Hey, Savannah. You ready to hang out with me for a few hours?”
“Yes! I bring some toys and a new coloring book.” She runs around him to the kitchen. When she sees me, she smiles. “Hey, Kayla!”
“Hey, Savannah. Or is your name Puddin’ Tang?”
She giggles and shakes her head at me like I’m the silliest person she’s ever met.
“Are you ready, Kayla?” I hear Sydney ask. I turn and see not only her, but Carey. Logan has his eyes firmly on Andrew, who is in his arms.
“Ready for what?”
Sydney glares at Logan. “You didn’t tell her we were coming?”
“I just got home,” he defends.
His sister sighs. “Logan suggested the three of us hang out together, so I got us tickets to the Rebels game tonight. He was supposed to tell you two days ago,” she finishes with another glare at Logan, making his excuse about just getting home completely useless.
I thought he was kidding when he suggested making me hang out with Carey. I never thought he would actually go through with it! I can’t believe this! With a fake smile, I nod. “Awesome. Let me just grab my phone and my purse.” I’m so killing him when we get back. Witnesses or not, he’s going down!
Logan follows me to the bedroom because I also need a jacket. “I know I should’ve warned you, but—”
“Don’t give me your excuses now, Logan,” I snap. Okay, I realize that I shouldn’t dislike Carey as much as I do, especially now, but I can’t help it. She made a bunch of bad impressions and it sucks that I’m having to give her a second chance. I’m doing it because it obviously means so much to Logan, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it. What bugs me the most is I had no warning. No time to get used to the idea of doing what makes me uncomfortable. He could’ve alleviated that for me, but no. He chose not to because he thought I’d react like I am now. But I would’ve had time to calm down and ease the uncomfortableness too!
Logan frowns and looks worried when I face him. “Kayla, baby,” he starts in an almost pleading tone, but a quick shake of my head shuts him up.
I cross the room to stand in front of him. “It’s fine. I’m not mad at what you’re doing; I’m mad that you sprung it on me.”
He relaxes a bit at that. “I’m sorry. I’ll make it up to you, promise.”
That works for me. I kiss him quickly and walk out of the room. The last thing I want Sydney and Carey to think is Logan was in there convincing me to go. With Logan in charge of the kids and me ready, I follow them out of the apartment.
“I’m really sorry Logan didn’t tell you about tonight,” Sydney apologizes.
“Oh, it’s no problem. I was just working on a paper before y’all got there. I’m excited to go to another game, too. Do you get nervous watching Ian play?”
“Sometimes,” she admits. “He fights, and of course I would worry about him before, but ever since I had Andrew, it worries me to death to see him throwing punches on the ice. I’ll be a mess if he ever gets hurts.”
When we arrive at Sydney’s car, Carey goes straight to the backseat, leaving me to take the front passenger seat. Well, isn’t that nice of her.
“Ian likes to joke that I’m backward. I should’ve worried more with Savannah, but now I worry more with two kids.” She shrugs. “I don’t want anything to happen to my husband. It was terrifying enough to see Brayden Hayes struggle to stand after he was hit a few months ago and got his concussion.” Sydney shudders at the memory. “Anyway, tonight should be fun.”
A silence falls over us. A few minutes later, Carey leans forward, her head appearing between our seats.
“Kayla, I want to say I’m sorry for intruding on you and Logan so many times. I’m not used to him having a girlfriend and I’m too used to running out when I get pissed. Anyway, I wanted to say sorry, especially for that night I scared you.”
“Thank you. I hope everything works out with you and your boyfriend.” That’s a good response, right?
“They’ll be fine,” Sydney answers for Carey. “They just need to learn to quit with the stupid arguments and fix the ones the matter.”
“And we’re working on it,” Carey adds.
“How are things with you and Logan?” Sydney asks me. “He said you’ve been staying over a lot.”
“We’re good. And yeah, I’m just seeing how things go. He’s been proposing or asking me to move in with him at least once a week.”
“Wow,” Carey breathes from the backseat. “Logan goes from hopping around and answering booty calls to settling down and popping the question.”
“Right? It’s crazy.” Sydney shakes her head. “It’s really good, though. Bonus that we like you.” Interesting that she says we. Does she mean her and Carey? Or her and her family? “Do you think you’ll move in with him already?” Is that a clue she thinks it’s too soon?
“I don’t know yet.”
The small talk stops as we arrive at the arena and walk inside. We grab something to eat before finding our seats. We’re in the lower bowl again. What surprises me the most is that Carey asks me all sorts of questions, clearly wanting to learn more about me. The conversation flows easily and I learn more about her, too. I even like her a little bit. Doesn’t that make me feel totally guilty? Not a lot, just enough. I still don’t like the fact that she slept in our bed with us, or that she used to sleep in the same bed as Logan. That would never work now.
But Logan forcing us together did its job. As long as she abides by the new boundaries in place, I’ll feel okay. Logan still has to make it up to me when I get back, though. I wonder how he’ll do that. I’m slightly distracted throughout the rest of the game, though I try to pay attention to both it and the conversation with the girls. But in the back of my mind, there’s Logan and the various ways he’ll pay for sending me out with Carey.
I push the door open to the apartment. Logan sits on the couch, his feet kicked up on the coffee table, and his head tilted back, eyes closed. Savannah is curled into his side while Andrew rests in the crook of his arm. All of them are knocked out.
“Isn’t that the cutest thing you’ve ever seen?” Sydney whispers from behind me. “Well, not as cute as seeing them like that with Ian, but still.”
His hotness does increase with those kids asleep on him. It’s weird how we’re wired like that. I step further into the apartment, but I don’t want to wake any of them up. Sydney doesn’t mind. She walks over and eases Andrew into her arms, which immediately wakes Logan up.
“I wasn’t sleeping on the job, I promise,” he jokes.
“We caught you red-handed, Lo-Lo. Will you carry her out to the car for me? I don’t want to wake her if I don’t have to.”
“Yeah, Syd. No problem. Where’s Carey?” he asks Sydney upon noticing she’s not with us.
“She decided to wait in the car.”
Since they both have their hands full with a little human, I grab the things they brought over and carry them out myself. Logan and Sydney talk softly about something as we head out of the apartment, but it stops once we’re all in the elevator.
“That little girl turns four in a few weeks, Kayla,” Sydney tells me with a glance toward Savannah. “Make sure you come to the party with Logan, okay? And make sure you make him come see us more often. Don’t hog him.”
“Syd,” Logan chides.
“Well, if you can’t leave her alone for five seconds to come see us, then I’ll tell her.”
“We’ve been dealing with a lot lately.” Oh, I don’t think he’s told her about my issue. Logan mumbles to himself. “Got to keep up with you, my dad, and my mom. Family’s a pain in the ass.”
Sydney laughs. “I’m your favorite, so I don’t care about your grumbling. Don’t be a slacker and we won’t have any problems.”
“Maybe I’m trying to stay away so Andrew’s first word isn’t Lo-Lo. Do you really want me to piss Ian off again?”
Sydney rolls her eyes as the elevator doors part. We get the kids settled in the car, Sydney takes the bag from me, hugs her brother, and waves goodbye. Logan takes my hand and drags me back to his apartment.
“How was it?”
“It went well. Your mission has been accomplished, but I’m still not happy with your method.”
“So, you like Carey now?” He sounds so hopeful.
“For now. She seems nice. Why does it mean so much to you?”
He shrugs. “I almost want you to like her as much as you like Sydney. They aren’t the same, but it would be nice if you liked my friends, you know?”
That makes sense. “Well, like I said, I feel better about her now.” It helped that she seemed fully committed to her relationship and didn’t at all seemed interested in Logan. I feel like I would’ve been able to tell.
“Good.” His smile is pure contentment.
He begins picking up a bit in the kitchen and I sneak off to our bedroom. My first idea is to strip naked and call him in here. I’m comfortable with Logan, but that sets off too many butterflies in my stomach. Instead, I change my clothes, frown at my plain black bra and panties, and rifle through the drawer Logan gave me; it’s all I need for now. Ugh. Nothing! How do I not own anything with lace or bows or something cute or sexy? I can’t lie down on the bed in simple black bra and panties. What’s there to look at?
“Kayla?”
I whirl around, covering myself up, even though I’m technically covered already.
“What are you doing? Why don’t you want me to see you?” Not only is there confusion in his tone, but there’s also hurt.
My shoulders sag in defeat. Might as well come clean. “You owe me, so I was getting prepared. But then I realized I don’t have any cute bras or panties. At least, if I do, they aren’t here!” I look down at myself. “Who wants to see this?”
Logan’s laughter causes me to look up at him. It’s a gut-busting, can’t breathe, tears streaking down his cheeks kind of laughter. He’s laughing at me? What the hell? Just as I’m about to go off on him, he says, “I do.” What? I’m so confused. “I want to see it.” He takes a deep breath to get rid of the last of his laughter. “Baby, I don’t care what you’re wearing. What excites me is that I get to take it off and see what it covered. To be honest, I’ve never noticed what you’ve worn before.” He shrugs. “I’m not admiring your clothes, Kayla. I admire you.” He takes my hand in his. “Now, if you want to buy some fancy bras and stuff, go on. I’ll make sure to appreciate them for you. Otherwise,” he pulls me flush against him, “I’ll keep paying attention long enough to take them off.”
Well, that’s reassuring. Logan unclasps my bra, distracting me entirely as he dips his head and kisses my neck. “Am I totally forgiven for earlier?” he murmurs against my skin as my bra falls at our feet.
“Not yet. Take your shirt off.”
He lifts his head, raising a brow at my command. He lifts his arms to grab the material at the back of his neck and pull his shirt up and over his head, tossing it to the side. I admire his tan skin, sexy shoulders, and the heat coming from his skin like steam.
“I feel like a piece of meat.”
My eyes snap up to Logan, who’s smiling. “A hunky piece of meat. I’m with you because you look good, remember?”
He laughs. “Yes, I remember.” He takes my hand and pulls me to the bed. “Let me remind you why else you’re with me.” He parks me on the bed, moves between my knees, and sinks his hands into my hair. Before I can take another breath, he kisses me like his life depends on it, a moan quickly leaving me.
“Logan?”
“Hm?”
He moves on to pull off my panties, but I want his focus on me. I grab his jaw and force him to look at me. This is only the second time I’ll have said it. We’ve yet to get into the habit of saying it more often. “I just wanted to say I love you.”
Logan grins and kisses me deeply once more. “I love you too.”
And then he shows me.
“You’re not spending the day with me?” Logan questions with dismay.
I laugh. “I know we’re still in the honeymoon phase of our relationship, but I need to get some more clothes and I would like to see my dad.”
“We’re never leaving the honeymoon phase.”
I snort. “I’ll remember that when we have our next fight.”
Logan rolls his eyes at me. “We’ve already had spats. Do I need to remind you of last night? Or you making me set up boundaries with Carey? We’re still in the honeymoon phase even after that. We’re never leaving it. I don’t care how many arguments we have, we’ll rebound into the honeymoon phase.” He confidently pops a peanut into his mouth. “You wait and see.”
My grin can’t be helped. Whether he’s right or wrong, I love the thought and how strongly he seems to believe it. I kiss him quickly. “Whatever you say, handsome. Cook me a good dinner tonight, okay? I’ll be back in time for it.”
“Oh, so you expect me to stay home all day and then cook you dinner?” he teases.
“You can leave. Just be home in time to cook for me.” I flash him a grin and leave before he can keep me here any longer.
On my agenda today is talking to my dad to tell him I want to move out and to figure out a game plan for moving in with Logan. I’ve decided I want to do it. I have a loose game plan already, but I’ll feel better if I talk it over with Dad first.
Dad is in gym shorts, toeing out of his shoes when I push open the door. Maybe he’s been out running. Running always puts him in a good mood.
“Hey, Kayla. How’s my little girl?” He kisses my cheek and returns my hug.
“I’m good. You’ve been out running?”
“Yeah. This old man has to stay in shape somehow.”
I laugh and follow him into the kitchen. “You’re not old, Dad.”
He shrugs as he grabs a water bottle from the fridge. “What’d you want to talk about?”
“Two things. First, I want to change my major.”
Dad laughs before I can say anything else. “You think you need my permission for that? I don’t care what you go to school for, Kayla. As long as it’s something you want to do, go for it. Just please don’t make me pay for it for the rest of my life, okay? Be sure it’s something you want to do. Don’t be one of those kids who stays in college for seven years. I’m not paying for that.”
Wow. Apparently, needing their permission was something I thought I should have and never something I ever actually needed.
“What else did you want to talk to me about?” Dad asks.
“Well, I’m moving in with Logan. I’m telling him when I go back.” Dad clenches his jaw, not as thrilled with this, but he doesn’t say anything. “How much is my car payment, insurance, and phone bill?”
“You’d need at least five hundred dollars a month for those.”
“Okay. I was thinking I could sign up to tutor at the university, which would earn me a little extra cash in addition to whatever job I get.”
Dad nods. “Don’t worry about March, okay? You can start paying me in April. We’ll still cover your tuition; I’ll talk that over with your mom.”
“Thanks.”
He shakes his head a little. “This is what you’re certain you want to do? Move in with the jackass?”
“Yes.”
“I can’t change your mind, even if I beg?”
“No.”
Resignation fills his features. “Okay. You’ll always have a place here, and I still expect you to come see me here and there. Have you told your mom about this?”
“Not yet. I guess I could go see her before I go to my new home.”
Dad nods. “Yeah, you should do that. You need to make as much effort to see her as you do me, you know.”
“I know,” I grumble. “I just get along better with you.”
“Can’t get along better with your mom if you aren’t trying,” he points out.
I agree with him because he’s right and it’ll make him happy. I leave him so I can pack and he can shower. Instead of going to see my mom, I decide to call her. She might not be home or if she is, Glenn might be there, and I’d rather deal with only her today. She’s on speakerphone while I pack.
“How are you doing?” she asks after we exchange hellos.
“Great. I’m at Dad’s right now. Are you busy?”
“No. What’s going on?”
“Nothing bad,” I say since she sounds worried. “I’m changing my major and moving in with Logan. He asked and I said yes.” That’s essentially what happened. “I’m getting a job and I might tutor at the university.”
“This is not what we agreed on, Kayla,” she nearly snaps from the anger in her tone. I don’t know if she’s pissed about the major change or moving in with Logan, or both. It doesn’t change my response, though.
“I know, but things change. Besides, Dad is okay with it.”
“Of course he is,” she mutters. “He has no backbone when it comes to you kids. He gives in to whatever you want. You haven’t known Logan long enough to move in with him, Kayla! You certainly won’t move back here if it doesn’t work out.” Ah, so it’s definitely the fact that I’m moving in with Logan that’s bothering her. “Look at what happened to your father and me. We moved too quickly and look at us now!”
I shake my head, even though she can’t see me. “My relationship with Logan won’t ever turn out like yours and Dad’s because I won’t stop fighting for my relationship.”
That sets her off. She rambles on and on and I make sure to sigh loudly every few seconds. This is why we don’t get along. Dad isn’t completely happy with my decision either, but guess what? He supports me anyway. The way she’s going off makes me want to tell her something mean, but I keep packing. Eventually, Dad steps into my room with a frown on his face. He didn’t even finish getting dressed because he’s only wearing jeans. Sounds of Mom’s rant must’ve traveled over into his room. Dad grabs my phone and walks out.
Ha! He’ll set her straight now. I should also get a gold star for not saying anything while she went off on me about how I absolutely should not be making this decision. Well, no more than I did. I have two suitcases full, the rest Logan can help me pack, when Dad returns to my room.
“She’s happy for you.”
I snort. “Sure she is.”
“She’s also sorry for her reaction.”
“I see it’s you telling me this instead of her.”
Dad sighs and sits on the edge of my bed. “She will. She needs some time to get used to the idea. All packed?”
“For now. I need to go buy some toiletries and stuff and then run some more errands.” I’m swinging by the campus to pick Suzanne up for her to hang out with me while I do my errands. Plus, I have to tell her the big news, too.
Dad helps me carry my things to my car and soon, Suzanne is getting into my car.
“Why am I running errands with you?” she asks. “There’s a party tonight and I have homework to do.”
I roll my eyes. “I’m moving in with Logan.”
She gasps. “Congrats! That’s so exciting! What do your parents think?”
“Dad is okay with it, though I think he’d prefer I wait. Mom wasn’t happy at all and Dad ended up saying something to her.”
She releases a happy sigh. “Of course that hunky dad of yours was okay with it. Do you think he’d go for a younger woman? I promise I won’t act like a stepmom if things work out.”
“Stop it!” My stomach heaves, ready to barf at the way she’s talking about my dad. “My dad wouldn’t date someone my age; are you crazy?”
“Hey, the age gap isn’t that huge. I have an aunt and uncle with a twenty-year age gap and they’re as happy as can be.”
“Suzanne, you are not hooking up with my dad!” A shudder runs through me. “Please stop before I have to pull over and puke.” The thought of someone my age dating my dad? Insanity. My dad may be young, but he’s turning forty soon. He can’t date someone the same age as his daughter. Nope. Nope. Nope.
“Fine, but he needs to find a woman soon. It’s an absolute shame a man that damn good-looking is single.” I groan, and thankfully, she changes the subject. “What are we doing anyway?”
“I need soap, shampoo, things like that. I also wanted to buy a slightly cuter bra, panties, and PJs. Nothing too drastic of a change, but a step up from things I’ve owned for way too long.” Logan might not care, but I do. I have some pajamas that are years old. Something new and cuter would be nice. “And I want to buy a little cake. I told Logan to cook dinner, so I want to pick up dessert. I haven’t exactly told him I’m accepting his offer yet.”
Suzanne is silent for a few seconds. “Is that wise? To buy this stuff and carry your things and a cake over there without telling him first?”
I laugh. “If it was anyone else, I would agree with you. I doubt Logan will suddenly change his mind, but if he does, then I’ll come back to my dad’s.” I don’t want to think about that possibility at all, especially since I think it’s unlikely. Why worry myself over potential hurt until I need to worry?
Our first stop is buying the boring stuff. When we get to the cutesy stuff, Suzanne shakes her head.
“If you’re spending your money on this, make it worth it, Kayla.” She yanks the slightly sexy, but not too crazy bra out of my hand and picks up another that screams look at me with a pair of panties that shout take me off with your teeth!
“I still need to wear something I’m comfortable in,” I point out.
Suzanne rolls her eyes. “Thongs are out then. What about these?” She tosses various bras and panties at me. She makes me get some lingerie amongst the new pajamas, too.
Whether Logan likes these things or not, whether he pays attention or not, I’m happy with my purchases. It’ll be fun to wear something new and sexier than usual. Lastly, we stop by the store to pick up a sixteen-layer chocolate cake.
I drop Suzanne off and drive to my new home. I push open the unlocked door and smell a heavenly aroma of something good cooking in the kitchen. My arms are loaded down with bags, one hand is carrying both my suitcases, and the other has the cake cradled against my body.
“Damn, Kayla. Why didn’t you text me that you needed help?” Logan asks as he rushes over to take the cake from me and set it on the counter.
“I was fine.” A giggle-snort combination erupts from me when I see he wears a Reward the Cook apron that has an arrow pointing toward his dick. “What is that?”
“You’re not the only one who did a little shopping today,” he says with a grin. “What is all of this mess anyway?”
“I brought more clothes over and bought some clothes and a cake.”
“A cake? Seems a little odd compared to the rest of your things, but okay.” He grabs my suitcases and rolls them to his room, leaving me to follow him with my shopping bags. “We’ll make room for your things later.”
“We might need to make a lot of room,” I say, causing him to glance at me with a raised eyebrow. “You still want me to move in, don’t you? Don’t tell me that celebratory cake will go to waste.”
“You’re gonna do it? You’re saying yes?” A grin lifts his lips. Logan wraps his arms around me and picks me up before I can finish getting all of the bags off my arm. He twirls me around. “This will be one of the best decisions you’ve ever made, baby.” Then, he crashes his lips to mine. His tongue seeks mine, dancing, licking, twirling. He pulls away. “We need to eat my dinner, your cake, and then go shopping.”
“For what?” I ask, my words coming out a bit breathless.
“If you’re living here, then you need to make your mark on this place. We need to buy something you’ve picked out and that’ll be your first addition to our apartment.” He grins, looking completely satisfied with himself. “This place can’t feel like my apartment anymore, and today is the first day of making it feel like ours.”
“You enjoy saying that too much.” But I’m wearing a grin myself, so I can’t say I don’t enjoy hearing it either.
A beeping sound interrupts whatever he is about to say. “Come on. We need to eat. What kind of cake did you get?”
“Sixteen-layer chocolate cake.”
“Oh, those are good.”
Score for me. Logan made pot roast, which tastes so good. Maybe that’s simply because this is my first meal in my new home. The cake even tastes better than usual, too. Logan doesn’t talk to me. He’s too busy grinning and floating on an air of happiness. I almost can’t believe that my saying yes has made him as happy as it has. He’d freak out if I ever say yes to marrying him, but that’s a thought for another day.