I decided to head out front. Sitting on the stoop, I took a deep breath of the cold night air, letting it fill my lungs. Keeping it there helped me to calm down. As I let it out slowly, I peered to the side and saw my friend.
The cement statue stood guard, keeping our house safe. And he did it with a smile.
I pulled him from his sunken spot in the earth and dragged him to me. We stared at each other for a bit, and his unwavering grin seemed to be working once again.
“I think it’s time you got a name, little fella,” I told him.
It had to be a strong name for him to be our guardian. I pulled out my phone and searched. So many popped up, names of every culture and descent. One caught my eye because of its English and German background, like me.
Howard.
I could call him Howie.
My head snapped behind me as the door flew open.
“There you are,” Becca said. “I couldn’t find you.” She grabbed a coat and came to sit beside me. We were both quiet, staring at Howie. She flicked a piece of dirt from his bent leg. “Heiscute.”
“Yeah, he is,” I agreed. “His name is Howie.”
She giggled.
“What?”
“I like it. Howie, that’s a good, strong name.” She leaned her head on my shoulder. “How ya doin’, big guy?”
I didn’t answer right away, I couldn’t. Because the way I was feeling, and the reasons for it, I couldn’t divulge to her. My hands rubbed at my face, trying to make sense of this entire night.
“I don’t know, to be honest.”
She nodded, assuming she knew how I was truly feeling.
“You did a good thing, Logan.” She picked up Howie and gently placed him back in his designated spot. As she twisted and turned him into place, she looked at me. “Ava finally fell asleep. It took Macie and me a while to get her settled, but she calmed down. I think Macie’s going to sleep in her room with her. I’m sure Ava’ll want to see you in the morning.”
My hands twisted together as so many emotions rolled through me. I couldn’t decipher what I was feeling.
I didn’t want to wait until morning to see her, but there was no choice now.
What I did know was I should be the one in her bed with her.
CHAPTER 24
Ava
The sunlight hurt my head as it filtered through the cheap plastic mini blinds this place provided. I guess I could have put up room-darkening shades but never felt the need. I hadn’t been this hungover in a long time. As I pulled the quilt over my head, I heard the rustling of paper. Looking to my side, I saw a note.
Hey BFF – there’s water and aspirin on your nightstand I ran out to get us some breakfast come down when you feel up to it
Macie
When I felt up to it.
I didn’t want to see anyone.
The shame and embarrassment overwhelmed me.
Why did I allow that to happen to me last night? I shouldn’t have gotten as drunk as I did, for starters. Then my anger toward Logan took over and all it did was almost get me…
I couldn’t even think about what almost happened. Another guy I shouldn’t have trusted. Who failed me in the worst possible way.
