Logan Kade (Fallen Crest #5.5)(84)

The front desk sat a half-level below the lanes. The wall was open so I could see shoes going back and forth when I went to pay. Sounds of bowling balls hitting the floor and slamming into the pins mixed with loud music, talking, and laughter. It was busier than I remembered. Then again, I got off early from my shift, so it was close to seven thirty. It was prime time for some bowling magic.

“Size seven.” The clerk put my shoes on the counter.

I wasn’t sure how many games we’d be playing, so I looked around for Jeremy, but before I could spot him, I turned to see Claire coming in the front doors behind me. And my stomach dropped. Eric was behind her.

I locked up. Everything. All my insides. “What are you doing here?” I asked just as I heard “Hey!” from my left.

Jeremy was coming down the stairs from the lanes. His hand was lifted in a wave, but not for me. He grinned at Claire. As he paused and followed her eyes to me, his smile changed, but it didn’t disappear.

Claire paused, coming no closer, but she glanced sideways at Eric. She frowned, her hands folded in front of her.

I looked at Eric. “What are you doing here?” It’d been almost eleven months since that day, and as I stared at him now, I no longer knew him.

“Okay. Here goes.” His shoulders lifted with a deep breath. “I came to apologize, because…” He glanced around to Jeremy and Claire before focusing on me again. “I’m sorry, Taylor. I’m sorry that I didn’t protect you. I don’t know what happened to me that day, but I’m sorry I let you down. I’m sorry I didn’t protect you. I’m sorry I didn’t stay.”

“What?”

He nodded. Disappointment. Shame. Guilt. Regret—all of those emotions filled his face. “I couldn’t live with what I did. I know Jason told you I went back to school, but I didn’t.”

“What?” This wasn’t making sense.

Eric lifted a shoulder. “I’ve been hiding this last year. Jason called me. He told me that you might need me.”

“Jason knew you were here?”

He nodded. “I thought he’d hate me, too, but I never told him what I did. I should’ve, though. I should’ve just for you, but it was obvious you hadn’t told him too and,” he glanced away, his Adam’s Apple bobbing up and down before he looked back. “I was a coward. I’ve been a coward this whole time, but I can’t anymore, though. That’s why I came tonight. I’m going back to school. I’m going up there to see if I can get back in, and I’m going to stay put, find an apartment. I’m going to stop hiding.”

This guy had been my first love—my first everything—my best friend, my lover. And I...was speechless. I stared at him now, and all the hate that I thought I would’ve felt was gone. I felt nothing.

“Oh.”

Claire and Jeremy were there. I could feel their gazes at what should’ve been a touching goodbye scene, or a meeting where I could finally let him have it. He left me to die, but there was nothing there. The only thing I could think about was Logan.

Eric left me, and Logan hadn’t.

Logan never hesitated. He didn’t run away. He never left me. He ran toward the action. He fought for me. He fought for me. He—Goddamn, I couldn’t breathe. I had someone who ran toward me, not away from me.

He never left me…

I was an idiot. A Goddamn stupid idiot.

“What am I doing here?”

“What?”

I shook my head. Claire moved closer to me, so did Jeremy. I knew they were all confused, but I didn’t care. What was I doing?

“I have to go.”

“Wha—where?” Eric glanced around. “I’m apologizing here.”

“I know.” I frowned, pushing past him. “I don’t care.” Then I was out the door and hurrying toward my car. I had to find Logan. Why did I wait? I knew I loved him. I knew I had to find him.

I was at my car—

—then I heard the shout, “GUN!”





LOGAN


I saw her.

I saw her car first and pulled mine over, then I saw Taylor hurrying out of the bowling alley. I sat back, letting the image of her wash over me. Goddamn. She was beautiful. I was going to go over there. I was going to make a speech. I’d grovel. I’d beg. I’d do whatever, but I was going to get her back, but then--no.

I saw him then and time slowed.

She was almost to her car. She was digging for her keys. She was stopping so she could unlock the door—and the guy was coming toward her.

Black hoodie. He was hunched over, his hands in his front pocket. I couldn’t see his face. It was hidden by his hood, and then one of his hands came out.

I saw the gun—and time completely stopped.

No. That didn’t make sense. This was a bowling alley—in a nice part of town, a safe area. My family’s dinner was just a block over, in a five star restaurant.

This wasn’t happening—the blood was pumping through me and my vision began to blur. Not Taylor. Not her—he moved forward, bringing the gun across his body. Taylor turned her back to him, opening her door so she could climb inside.

No! It wasn’t happening. I was out my vehicle and sprinting across the street. I was on his right, but he hadn’t seen me. He kept his head down, but as he raised the gun, he glanced up and to the side.