"Here is your double espresso, sir."

"Thank you." I grabbed the small cup from the barista before I turned to exit the coffee shop and walk back to my truck.

Once I heard my mom on the phone with Wyatt yesterday, I got out of there. I didn't want to get in the middle of that anymore than I already was. I left my parents house, went home, and I haven't gone anywhere else until this morning.

I was surprised that I actually slept better last night than I had in a while. I still occasionally glanced at my phone—okay...frequently—to see if Grant reached out to me. Still nothing.

There were a few times I caught myself almost calling him again. If I had known where he was living, or staying, I probably would have driven over there already. Even if he really didn't want anything to do with me anymore, I at least owed him an apology. I apologized to him in that voicemail, but I don't even know if he listened to it. If he was pissed off enough, he may have just deleted it. Or changed his number.

I climbed into my truck and turned the key in the ignition. I needed to think of something else. Now that everything was out in the open with my family, it was probably a good idea if I took some time for myself. I wouldn't need to lie to them this time, either. I could just tell them that I wanted some time to myself and let them know where I was going. I didn't want my mother worrying again like last time.

When I leaned my head back against my seat, I couldn't help but think of the fucked up shit I said to him.

"Just go," I said after a few minutes of silence. My tone was defeated. I gave up. On him. On us. Whatever it was, was over. "Leave. I want you to leave."

"No, you don't. I said I wasn't fucking going anywhere. We need to talk about this and work it out."

My voice dropped low and I shrugged my shoulders. "What's to work out? We never worked. That was the problem and it still is the problem. We always fight." I shook my head. "Just leave, Grant. And this time, no reaching out to each other. We're done. Over." 

My shoulder brushed against his when I stalked past him into the bathroom. I grabbed the knob to shut the door and his voice cut through the dense silence. 

"Just remember this, Logan—I may be the one getting in my car, but you're the one that left this time. You're the one that didn't want to fight for 'us'."

My thoughts came back to the present, and I hated myself. He was right—I didn't fight for us. I didn't fight for him. Instead, I was just a fucking idiot.

Ring-ring

I didn't even bother looking at the screen. "Hello?"

"Hey," Wyatt's voice came into the receiver. "Where are you? I went by your place."

I shifted in my seat. "I went to run some errands. I just got coffee. What's up?"

I really hoped this wasn't bad news. I didn't think I could handle bad news right now.

"I wanted to say thanks for spilling the beans on me and Amelia to mom." The sarcastic was strong in his voice. "I really appreciated that." 

I snorted with amusement. "I didn't tell her anything about you guys. She started asking how Amelia was doing since the wedding was called off and I told her to talk to you. That's it."

"Yeah, well, she let me hear it."

I adjusted the AC in my truck. It was fucking hot outside. "How did she take it?" 

"She was surprised. She was a little pissed—but that was mostly because of all the secrets. She hates being left in the dark." Wyatt exhaled a deep breath. "She said she was cool with it, but I think we really hurt her with this whole wedding thing." 

I didn't doubt it. Seeing my mom plan the wedding for me and Amelia was the happiest I've ever seen her. She loved being involved with the whole process. Now, that was over. There was no wedding. No planning. 

"Maybe we can do something for her to lift her sprits," I offered. 

Slight hesitation from my little brother. "Funny you should mention that."

"What..."

"She, uh, wants us to come to the lake house for the weekend." 

I groaned with disagreement. "No, Wyatt. We just went there for, like, two weeks. I want to be alone and not surrounded by family right now." 

It sounded harsh, but he knew what I meant. After the confessional past few days, I just wanted some 'me' time. The last thing I wanted to do was drive the few hours to the lake house. Honestly, I rather go lay on a beach and get flat out drunk for the next few days. That sounded like paradise. 

"We have to go," Wyatt explained. "She said this is what she wants with everything that happened. It's just a couple days. Then you can take some time for whatever you need." 

My eyes slid shut and I gripped my cell phone a little too tight. "When does she want us there?" 

"Tonight."

"Fuck. Tonight?" I sighed with defeat. "Alright. Tonight then. I'm driving home now and I'll get packed and head out. Did you guys want to ride together?" 

There was a shuffling sound on the other end of the line. "Nah. Amelia and I will take my car. Thanks, though." 

"No problem." I smiled before I added, "By the way, I'm happy for you two. Really, I am. You guys just make so much sense."

Wyatt cleared his throat. "Thanks, Logan. That means a lot." 

"Just don't hurt her again, or else I'll—"

"Kick my ass," he finished with a laugh. "Believe me, I know." 

I pulled out of the coffee shop parking lot and started driving in the direction of my apartment. "Good. I'm headed back home now. See you in a few hours." 

"See you there, bro." 

The call disconnected and I threw my phone in the passenger seat. I reached in my pocket for my pack of cigarettes and cursed under my breath when I saw it was empty. I looked to the right and saw a convenience store on the corner. Perfect. I was going to stop and get more cigarettes before going home. Then I can pack for this family weekend I was being forced into.

I meant what I said to my brother—I was happy for him and Amelia. But seeing them together right now...it was rough. It wasn't because I had feelings for Amelia—because that wasn't the case. It was hard because I wanted with Grant what they had. Maybe one day I would. I had no idea what was going on with Grant right now. Maybe he dropped his phone. Or lost it. 

Yeah. Riiiiiiight. I needed to think about something else. Anything else. I went inside the small store, got my cigarettes, and left to go to my place. Once I was home, I packed my duffle bag with enough clothes for the weekend and put some bottles of water and snacks in the small cooler I took with me on long drives. 

By the time I was on the road, it was nearly two in the afternoon. The drive wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. Without traffic, it usually took an even two hours. Today, it was two-and-a-half hours. Not too bad considering it was close to rush hour on a Friday. 

I parked my truck behind Wyatt's car in the driveway. I grabbed my smokes and my duffle and headed inside. I took two steps into the foyer before my mom came barreling towards me. 

"Logan!" She hugged me like she hadn't seen me in months. "I'm so glad you came!" 

I wrapped my arms around her. "Well, Wyatt made it seem like I didn't have much of a choice," I half joked. 

She pulled away and swatted at my arm. "That's right. With everything that went on, we need some family time. No more secrets and no more running away." She held my stare, daring me to disagree. "Clear?" 

"Clear." 

"Good," she said with a smile. "Now, go get washed up. Food will be here soon. We ordered in tonight." 

"Okay, mom." As I started up the long staircase, a chill crept up my spine. It was weird being back here. The last time I was here, I was engaged to a woman I didn't love, my parents thought I was straight, and I was having an affair with the man I was helplessly in love with. Yeah, like I said...it's weird being back here. 

When I got to the top of the landing, a soft voice drew my attention. 

"Logan, you're here." 

I turned towards Amelia. She was wearing a yellow summer dress and she looked as radiant as ever. "Did everyone think I wasn't going to show up?" 

She laughed and shrugged a shoulder. "We were hoping you would. This will be good for us." 

I nodded. "I hope so." I hooked my thumb over my shoulder. "I'm going to take a shower. I'll see you guys at dinner." 

Before she said anything else, I turned and walked down the hallway to my room. Even though I was on the same floor as Wyatt and Amelia, we were still far enough apart to have our privacy. 

When I finally got to my room, I pushed the door open and stepped inside. I dropped the duffle bag on the floor and—

"Holy fucking shit," I whispered breathlessly. "I don't—I don't believe it."

Standing in front of me—looking as fucking hot as ever—was the love of my life. 

"Grant?"

Eek! Grant's here! I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter...and tomorrow's! We are getting close to the end of Grant and Logan's story 💔 but I will have some special announcements for you when it's finished!

Thanks for reading xoxo 🖤