“She offered the information,” Danielle explained.
“And you couldn’t wait to call me,” Logan countered.
“I want you to end up together,” Danielle stated. “Sue me.”
A symphony of baby cries cut through their conversation. “Thanks for calling. I’ll let you get to those babies.” Logan hung up without waiting for her to respond.
What if he lost Brooke in the process of seeing if there was anything with Shelby? The thought made his stomach churn and bile tickle the back of his throat. Ugh, Shelby. The past still remained the same, Shelby dumped him then hightailed it out of town without a thought. Shelby could’ve contacted him anytime, but she didn’t. He let the idea marinate. Instead, she waited until he had a successful job and a girlfriend—wait was Brooke his girlfriend? He paused for a minute and let the idea of Brooke as his girlfriend settle. Losing Brooke, he could fathom it.
Then as if Shelby knew his mind, a text came through from her even though he ignored her first attempt to contact him.
I’ll be in the city today to meet up with an old friend. Do you have time to grab a drink this evening?
Logan groaned and flopped backwards onto his bed. His indecisiveness would be his ruin. Did he want to risk things with Brooke? No. He scrolled up to his text chain with Brooke and held off on answering Shelby. Instead, he typed out a message to Brooke.
Thanks for coming with me last night. I’m sorry for how things ended. I don’t need to go out with Shelby to know I want to explore things with you. When can I see you again?
After he sent the text message to Brooke, he placed the phone on the bed beside him. His body jumped with nervous energy. He forced himself to get out of bed and pace the small space of his bedroom. Then he tried to remember if Brooke was at the hospital or home today. Why hadn’t he listened closer when she told him her schedule earlier in the week?
His phone dinged. Logan nearly toppled over as he slid across his bed to snatch up his phone.
So, what do you say? For old times’ sake.
He rubbed the back of his neck and toggled back to the text thread with Brooke. The message had changed from delivered to read, but she hadn’t responded. Resolved, he typed out a message to Shelby.
It was nice to see you last night, but I’m with Brooke. I’m really happy with her, and I don’t want to do anything to jeopardize our relationship.
The cursor dots of the text thread with Shelby danced at the bottom of the screen. Then they started and stopped so many times, he wondered if she’d simply never respond. Finally, a message appeared on the screen.
I understand. I’ll see you around.
Okay.
He exited out of the text thread and breathed a sigh of relief. Tension in his shoulders made his neck ache so he cranked his neck back and forth to lessen the pain. Did he still have the possibility of salvaging things with Brooke? He sure hoped so.
Then his phone dinged again while simultaneously ringing. Brooke still hadn’t responded to his message. Instead, Danielle sent him a text message while Mom called him. He knew Danielle only wanted to rail into him about Shelby, so he opted to answer the phone.
“Hey, Mom,” Logan answered. “What’s up?”
“Oh, honey, I’m checking to see how everything is going, especially after last night when you and Brooke had to drive out to check on Lily. Tell Brooke thank you for us.”
“I will.” Logan braced himself for what was coming. “Was the concert at least nice?”
“Yes,” Mom said, then she spoke for the next five minutes about the songs, instruments, and musicians.
After Logan listened, he asked, “Mom, was there another reason you called?”
He already knew the answer was a resounding yes.
“Ahh, yes,” Mom paused, “I wanted to make sure you’re still with Brooke, that’s all.”
“Who told you we weren’t together?” he hissed.
“Danielle mentioned you’re going to go out with Shelby.”
“Unbelievable,” he muttered.
“But I worry you might throw things away with Brooke. I think she makes you happy.”
