Inevitable (20 page)

“I can’t freaking believe this. I had no idea,” she said, her hands worked animatedly as she spoke. “If Caleb had told me the guy had been to prison I never would have tried setting you up with him. You know I want to see you start dating, but God, not with a guy like that.”

I walked past her, plopping back down on the couch and pulling the blanket over my lap. I curled up comfortably and grabbed my bowl of cereal.

“Come on, say something,” she pleaded, walking toward me.

I took a large bite of cereal, chewing slowly and watched Hilary tensely take a seat across from me in the armchair.

“Your lip looks…bad. Do you want me to get you something for it? I can run to the pharmacy?”

I took another large bite of cereal. Hilary sat there, squirming in front of me waiting for me to speak.

She sat up on the edge of the chair, her shoulders slumped forward, hands fidgeting together. “Listen, you know I love you. You’re my best friend!” Her voice raised an octave higher. “I would never set you up on a date if I thought the guy would hurt you. You have to believe me!” Her eyes glistened with unshed tears.

I swallowed my last bite of Fruit Loops, and leaned forward to set the empty bowl on the table in front of us. As I leaned back up I gave her a small smile.

“I know,” I said sincerely, tilting my head slightly to one side. “I just wanted to see how much groveling I could get out of you.”

“You’re horrible! You know that right!” Hilary scolded, throwing one of the small pillows at me.

Catching it, I laughed, wincing at the pain shooting from my lips and placed the pillow behind my back as I settled farther in the sofa.

“I deserved it.” Hilary sighed falling back into the chair, looking relieved I was finally talking. “I was so worried. Caleb came over at midnight banging on my door to tell me what happened. He feels horrible. He thinks it’s all his fault and I—”

“It is his fault!” I interrupted loudly, furrowing my brows.

“He never meant for—”

“Stop defending him, Hilary!” I yelled standing up unable to sit still reliving it. “Caleb screwed up, and Logan was attacked because of it!”

“Caleb thought the guy just had a run of bad luck in his past. He was trying to help him out by giving him a job.”

“I get that, I do, but that doesn’t mean he should keep the guy’s past hidden from potential dates. What if I would have brought Kurt back here like I was planning?” I asked, raising my brows.

“I know. I feel terrible.” Her hand slid listlessly across her forehead and down her long hair. “How did Logan get involved last night by the way?”

“He showed up at the bar. He wanted to protect me unlike everyone else.”

“That’s not true, Caleb just didn’t know everything. He wanted to see the good in Kurt. Is Logan all right?” Hilary asked, genuinely concerned. “Caleb said it was a pretty nasty fight. Rumor has it Kurt is still in the hospital.”

“Yeah, Logan sent me a text earlier. And as far as Kurt is concerned, I hope he rots in prison!” I frowned, walking back over to Hilary. “I know this was not your fault. And I also know that Caleb would never put anyone in harm’s way. I’ll talk to him, all right, but not today.”

Hilary nodded, and stood up pulling me in for a hug. “I’m just glad you’re all right.”

Hilary and I spent the rest of the morning and afternoon hanging out like a couple of teens. Buried under a heaping pile of pillows and sheets, snuggled on the couch, and watching reruns of our favorite shows.

“Seriously? Dan and Blair? Ugh!” I scowled, fast-forwarding through their scenes on screen together.

Hilary popped an Oreo in her mouth, giggling at the look of loathing covering my face.

“I agree Chuck and Blair all the way. Although, he really needs to stop sleeping with everything in heels.” Hilary giggled before taking a giant swig of milk and maneuvering to face me. “Speaking of rich playboys, what is going on with you and Logan, anyway? I thought you were completely done with him after interrupting his night.”

“I was, I mean…I am,” I didn’t know how I felt anymore so instead of dwelling on it, I snatched the bag of Oreos from Hilary’s lap. I shot her a fierce look when I realized the bag was empty. “Okay, you are so going jogging every morning this week.”

“Don’t try to change the subject,” Hilary scolded. “I think its sweet he was looking out for you. From what Caleb tells me, the guy really isn’t so bad.”

“Logan showing up last night was anything but a romantic gesture,” I scowled. “But if he hadn’t, I hate to think of what might have happened. I drank way too much to help me relax, but a part of me wonders if I really would have been able to go through with anything if Kurt and I were alone. It’s not like hooking up with guy on a first date is something I’ve experienced before. And if I tried to stop things with Kurt once we were back here…” I stopped myself, closing my eyes, trying not to think the worst.

“I never should have pushed you to go out,” Hilary muttered, her voice full of shame.

“Looking back on last night, I’m grateful Logan was there,” I said, a small smile tugging at my lips. “I saw a side to him that was so different than what he lets everyone else see. He’s a good guy, it’s just hidden under many,
many
layers of head games and irresponsible behavior. He helped clean me up and even refused to leave until I was tucked into my bed.” I chuckled, remembering how stubborn he could be.

“That doesn’t sound like the Logan Caleb normally talks about,” Hilary said, raising her brows.

“I know, completely caught me off guard that he may actually have a heart buried in that chest of his.”

“His gorgeous, perfectly chiseled chest, you mean to say,” Hilary teased in a sing-song voice.

“Yeah, he definitely has the sexy part down, but we decided to be friends. Start over and try out a real friendship.” After the texts this morning, I was painfully aware of how hard being friends with him was going to be. My body craved his. It was strange and unnerving and I just hoped my brain was able to outweigh the natural urges I felt around him.

“Can you do that? I mean you said you’ve had how many naughty dreams about the guy?” Hilary giggled when I cocked my head to the side, narrowing my eyes at her.

I chucked a pillow across the couch at her, laughing. “I know,” I blew out a breath, “but it’s complicated. Between not wanting to hurt Oliver, and Logan’s reputation for sleeping with most single women in town, a friendship is all it will ever be.”

“Well, I think he likes you, so if starting over as friends is what you guys want to call it, then I’ll support you. Just be careful,” Hilary said, before turning the volume back up on the television.

I awoke to loud banging on my front door. I peeled open my eyes and looked over to see Hilary passed out on the other end of the couch. The television sang the theme song from
Gossip Girl
.

With a soft yawn, I threw back the blankets, and sauntered sleepily over to the door, my hands rubbing my eyes. I glanced over at the clock on the wall, shocked to see it was after eight in the evening.

I knew who it was so I didn’t bother with the peephole. The moment I opened the door, my mother brushed furiously in past me.

“What the hell is the matter with you?” she yelled. “I have been trying to call you all day!”

Hilary sat up, her eyes groggy and quickly slipped on her shoes, shooting me a sympathetic smile. “I should go. I’ll see you at school in the morning.” She walked quickly to the door.

I nodded, turning my gaze back at my fuming mother. Her tense expression caused me to step back. She looked livid, and it took a moment to realize she was staring not at me, but at my lip.

“I’m sorry I didn’t answer my cell or call, but I just needed to unwind today,” I explained hoping to draw her attention away.

It didn’t work. She reached out and gently cupped my cheeks, inspecting my injuries.

“That piece of shit,” she mumbled and dropped her hands. I could see the pain crossing her face.

I shifted my weight and then headed back to the living room and began picking up the empty food wrappers. After flicking the television off, I asked, “Shouldn’t you be at work?”

My mother always worked nights, so I was surprised to see her at this hour.

“I’ve been working double shifts for the past week. I just left the station, but have to be back in four hours.” She sighed heavily, leaning against the wall. “Don’t avoid the subject, Cassie. What happened?”

“I’m sure you already read the police report,” I muttered.

“Damn right, I did! What the hell were you be thinking going out with that man?” She pushed off the wall and began pacing the room.

“Mom, I know you worry about me, but I’m fine, all right.” I left the room, throwing the last of the empty water bottles in the trash and came back out waiting for her rant to continue.

Watching me, her eyes softened. “Why don’t you come home for a few days? You can sleep in your old bed.”

“And have my mommy in the next room with a pistol waiting to protect me?” I laughed folding the blankets on the couch.

“Exactly.” She grinned, falling into the small chair across from me. “I know you’re all grown up, but I’m still your mother. It’s my job to protect you.”

“I know, now go home, and get some sleep. You look exhausted.”

“Of course I am. I spent my entire shift trying to get a hold of you.”

“Well, as you can see, I survived and will live another day to keep you on your toes.” I smiled.

She sighed, accepting defeat on the subject. “Fine, but keep ice on that lip and don’t forget you still need to come down and give your full statement. Don’t think I’m letting that son of a bitch get away with hurting my baby girl! Logan West was there earlier.”

I stilled, surprised to hear that since he said he wasn’t pressing charges.

“By the way, that Kurt guy was just released from the hospital. They’re transporting him back to prison as we speak.”

“I just want to forget it ever happened.”

“I know, honey.” She hugged me. “I love you.”

I squeezed her tightly. She was always the best at giving hugs that melted away my problems.

“I love you too, Mom.”

I opened the door and watched her reluctantly walk out to the squad car parked in my driveway.

Closing the door behind me, I walked over to the bathroom to get ready for bed. I had work in the morning and the more I thought about it, the more against going in I felt. What would the kids think if they saw me like this? I looked absolutely frightening. There was no possible way to cover it up.

I snatched my phone from my bedside table and sent an email to the principal letting him know I would need a substitute for the next day. For some reason I also sent a text message to Logan.

Hope your day was as relaxing as mine.

I hit send to Logan and he replied less than a minute later.

Spent it with Oliver and my mother. He talked us into taking him to the zoo.

I smiled.

Where did u find that much energy after last night?

Not much of a choice with a 4-yr-old. For the record, my energy level has never been an issue ;)

I rolled my eyes, but chose to ignore that last part of his text.

Hope u had fun. I’m guessing u did all that after stopping at sheriff’s?

Your mother got a hold of u I take it? She was a wreck trying to call u when I went in. And yes, I’m pressing charges.

Why go through all the trouble. They got him for violating parole. That alone will lock him back up.

One thing you’ll quickly learn about me, sweetheart, is that I don’t allow people I consider a close friend to get hurt. I’ll do everything in my power to make him suffer for hitting u.

I sat there, gnawing on my bottom lip as I typed. Now we were close friends? We’d only been anything other than neighbors for less than a day.

Well, his fist was meant for u not me.

He could have stopped it if he had any self-control. I’ve never hit a woman nor have I ever come close, even during bar fights.