Page 20

A voiding my presence is becoming a well-known habit of his. Apparently, when you upset Logan, be prepared to never see him again until he gets over himself. I’m not happy at the thought of hurting him or offending him, but the man doesn’t have to run away and hide.

Pot meet kettle.

The question was personal, improper for me to ask. He respects my privacy. Never asking what skeletons hang out in my closet. However, it’s an honest, genuine question about his dad, but perhaps I should have thought more about how it would make him feel.

My paranoia takes over again. Thinking he’s trying hard to avoid me, because I fear the timing of never running into each other is too coincidental. Especially for two people living next door to one another.

I strum my fingers on the patio chair’s arm in contemplation.

I never thought out my ideas well. But that’s me.

Sora. I never carefully plan anything before spontaneously doing it.

Well, except for the time I ran from my life, leaving it far behind.

With that, I did at least I have an escape mapped out.

Damn, reflecting on my choices feels good. No longer living that life. It's like freeing a caged animal. I still have the weight on my shoulders, but it’s lighter somehow, and I just want to let loose.

The sun will set soon. So, if I want to do this, I need to do it now.

Screw it.

The distance, which I presumed to be much closer, isn’t as I jog toward the open water.

It feels like the length of the duplex to the lake is growing.

That won’t stop me, no. My jog turns into a run and before I know it, my legs are burning, my heart is pounding inside my chest. Despite the discomfort, I push through, doing so with a smile on my face.

No, it’s a full-blown laugh. I am laughing hysterically like I’ve lost all connection to my brain.

But with the wind brushing against my face, I am free.

The grass is scratchy yet soft under my bare feet as I keep moving, the scent of summer warming me over.

When I reach the small pier jetting out into the water, I stop, but only to undress.

Although jumping into the lake with my clothes on does cross my mind, my tank top is first to go, then my shorts.

Here I stand in nothing but my bra and panties as I view my surroundings.

There is no one. The duplex sits secluded, and I’m alone.

Lana’s pulling a late night at the studio and Logan is, well, I’m not sure where Logan is. It’s just me and the water.

Excitement dances over me before I throw my bra and underwear onto the wooden pier to meet the rest of my clothes. Then, without another thought, I jump in.

Jason had a pool. Of course he did. We lived in a mansion. With not much else to do, I taught myself to swim. To really swim. But those were endless laps that made me feel like a hamster on a wheel. This is different. This is freedom and feels fucking amazing.

The water is cool against my skin but soothing for such a humid night.

I swim from one end of the lake to the other doing front strokes. I’m good. Not great. But good. I can’t run to save my life, but swimming, I’m decent at.

The world goes quiet as I hold my breath underwater, drowning out my past. When my lungs burn, I finally swim to the top to breathe.

It’s dark. The moon hides behind the clouds, and suddenly I am aware of how much night has grown around me.

I hoist myself up on the pier and gather my clothes. My skin crawls with unease as I quickly pull on my shorts, stuffing my underwear inside the pocket. Next, I pull my tank top over my head, struggling to get it down my wet skin. I then snatch my bra that lies on the pier.

Next time, Sora, bring a towel for your spontaneous adventures. My once dry clothes now stick to me like glue.

The water from my body drips onto the wood below me as I slowly close the distance to the grass, following the small light coming from the duplex.

The suspicion of being watched is always showing up in situations like these. Maybe because I’m alone, and it’s dark, or maybe because somebody is watching.

A noise somewhere in the distance causes me to stop dead in my tracks. There’s movement of some kind, but nothing visible except the trees surrounding me. My heart races and the hairs on the back of my neck stand straight up.

Suppressing my nerves, I whirl around to see if a crazed killer lurks behind me or, worse, Jason.

My feet press deeply into the grass, wishing I could somehow teleport back.

I have officially checked skinny dipping off my bucket list.

Never again.

When I twist back around, deciding to sprint the rest of the way, I smack straight into a hard body. The scream leaving me is loud enough to wake the neighbors. If we had any.

“Sora?” The deep voice behind my name is one I’m not afraid of, and my mouth finally catches up to my brain, telling me to stop screaming for my life. “It’s okay. It’s me.”

I’m able to relax as Logan softly rests his hands on my elbows to steady me.

“Logan!” The involuntary soft slap to his bare chest will forever be etched into my memory. The way his warm skin feels under my palm.

With only the glow from the moonlight, I’m still able to make out his handsome features, and his obvious large frame which obscures the entire view ahead of me.

“You scared me half to death.”

He removes one hand, resting it to his side, but keeping the other on my elbow. “What the hell are you doing?” His voice is deadly and bold.

“I was trying to make a run for it, but your wall of a body seems to be blocking my path.” His eyes glimmer faintly. Except, no, they burn angry. Is this about the day at his shop?

“Running from what?” His eyes grow dark, scanning the area like a lion hunting for prey.

“Nothing in particular. I just got spooked, is all.”

“What are you doing out here? By yourself.”

“I went for a swim.”

His teeth grind. “Alone?” He clicks on the flashlight that looks miniature in his hand, and it illuminates our space. His eyes travel down my soaked body as his stare turns menacing. A quick, faint, and fiery gleam flashes before disappearing. “You shouldn’t be out here by yourself.”

“ You were out here by yourself.” I distinctly recall the exact moment Logan was swimming all God like and his eyes narrow at me with a touch of surprise. And that’s because I just tattled on myself.

I cross my arms over my chest, hoping to cover my hardened nipples. It’s getting chilly, and I am now mindful of my bra being gripped between my fingers. “Wait. Are you about to turn this into a sexist thing? I shouldn’t be out here because I’m a woman.”

“Yes.” There is zero hesitation in his answer.

I scoff. “Fine. But I can take care of myself. Now if you’ll excuse me.” I brush past him, our arms touching, and a shiver runs through me. My body being wet is surely the reason for the goosebumps rising on my arms, not his touch.

The grass crunches beneath his giant footsteps, and I know he’s trailing behind because the light from the flashlight still surrounds us.

“It’s dark and dangerous.”

I continue onward while Logan falls into a step beside me. “There’s no one out here except us. We’re the only house for like a mile. I wouldn’t call that dangerous.” I’m not sure if I’m trying to convince him or me because before Logan showed up, I, in fact, was terrified.

“That’s exactly why it’s dangerous, Sora.

” Logan takes hold of my arm, stopping me and pulling me close to his body.

The sudden gesture makes me unable to speak and the warmth from him invades me like the summer sun.

“Any creep can be in these woods. You were attacked not that long ago, or did you forget?”

I jerk back. “No, Logan. I didn’t forget. In fact, I replay that scene unwillingly in my mind over and over every day.” The words are harsh as they leave my tongue, but he deserves it. He’s acting like an ass.

I yank my arm out of his grip and trudge toward the duplex, hearing him curse under his breath as I leave him behind.

I am not a fan of his right now and I’m just letting him know.

The lid to the trash can jiggles and I unlatch it, freeing Fred. “This is the last time I’m helping you. You gotta be smarter, friend,” I scold my furry companion as he scurries off.

After, I climb the stairs and slip inside the unlocked back door, which I’m sure Logan will eventually yell at me for.

Stripping out of my wet clothes, I start the shower, letting it get as hot as my body is willing to take before stepping in.

“ Yes ,” I moan when the scolding hot water runs over me.

Forget Logan. Forget the monsters that lurk in the night. I am Sora freakin’ Turnbuckle. In my mind I am, and I am a fighter. I’m not Jason’s wife. Or a puppet on a string. I am only me. Finally finding out who that me is.

When my skin turns red, I decide to get out and throw on an oversized shirt that comes mid-thigh, heading back downstairs.

A knock sounds at the door, and I’d bet any money who’s behind it. Logan trying to finish the argument, he won’t win.

Sure enough, he stands on the opposite side, wearing nothing but sweatpants and the straps of my lace bra dangle from his two fingers mid-air. He also takes one glance at me and shakes his head with a harsh swallow. “You dropped this.”

With the heat rising on my face, I snatch my bra and toss it inside behind me. “Thanks. Bye.”

My luck is really testing me.

Logan palms the door, stopping it. “Did you even bother to check who I was?”

I throw a hand on my waist. “What?”

Logan runs his big hand down his face. “Did you ever set up that app I told you about? For the camera.”

I did. But tonight, I’m too baffled, and I didn't think to use it because I figured it was him. “Yes,” I answer with apprehension.

The muscle in his jaw moves. I’ve visibly irritated him and even though it’s satisfying, I can’t fathom why he’s acting this way. “Well then, why?”

“Why what?” I ask in an annoyed tone.

“Why didn’t you check it before opening the door?”

“I don’t know. I was distracted and forgot. Thanks for returning my personal undergarments. Now if you’ll excuse me.”

He palms the door again before I can shut it. “I’m serious, Sora. The camera’s not a decoration. It’s for your protection.”

“Yes, Logan. If it was for decoration, I’d have chosen a more feminine look. Perhaps a floral pattern. Goodnight.”

This time he doesn’t stop the door from slamming in his face. I click on the security app on my phone and watch as he grips the hand railing with a heavy sigh.

I follow him on screen as he leaves for next door, and then I close the app, huffing out a tense breath.

A night once full of carefree freedom turned into a heated, lust filled argument with my ridiculous sexy neighbor.

I need a drink.