Page 9

Chapter Nine

At the beginning of their shift Tuesday morning, Logan walked out of the station beside Will and Zara.

Zara swatted his arm. “I’m so mad at you for not telling me about AJ being your wife.”

She’d let it slide last night, even after they left AJ on the couch at her grandmother’s house. But he’d known it was coming.

“I’m not a fan of talking about it.”

“But your wife ? When did that happen? And what on earth came between you?”

“Zara.” Logan stopped walking. “I can’t. Not right now.”

“I’m sorry.” She and Will stopped too.

“I get your questions, but … I just can’t.” It was too much to even think about. He needed his head clear while on duty. “Later.”

“Okay.” She nodded.

He squeezed her arm. “Thank you.” After a bid to stay safe, he went to his car and began his patrols. Hopefully, it would be a busy day. He needed to not get stuck in his head. He’d rather chase down some criminals. Maybe Daryl would do something loathsome, and Logan could arrest him. That would feel good.

Stop.

He switched the radio on to the Christian station. A song about forgiveness played. He let out a “humph.” Ain’t gonna happen.

Relieved that the song was over quickly, he let the music continue to play even though he didn’t really listen to the words.

An hour into his shift, a call came in that a trash can had been lit on fire. Logan was close, so he responded.

He arrived at the home of Caleb and Amelia Johnson. Caleb was a paramedic, and Amelia a city detective.

Caleb stood outside, fire extinguisher in his hand. He waved to Logan. “Hey. It was a couple of kids. They ran that way. Amelia pursued.”

Logan nodded and took off down the street in the direction Caleb had indicated.

He ran half a block before Amelia, a petite woman with short dark hair, came out from around another house shoving a teenage boy in cuffs.

She smiled at Logan. “I caught one of them. The other one is long gone. Perhaps this dude will give up his counterpart.”

Logan took a hard look at the kid. “Are you the one who ran out of my carport the other day?”

The kid just snarled at him.

Logan took him from Amelia, and they read the kid his Miranda rights and walked back to Logan’s squad. They came around to the side of the Johnson’s house, and Logan pointed at the melted mess that was once a trash can. It was a good thing Caleb caught it when he did and was able to put it out. There was a small section where it was clear the flames had licked the garage. “What were you thinking?”

The kid growled.

“Dude, grow up. You are in deep trouble here. This isn’t just any house; it’s a cop’s home. And we don’t take kindly to people messing with our own.”

The teen pressed his lips together.

“Fine, don’t talk. It’s your right, but the truth will come out. It always does.”

Amelia said, “I’m going to check on my kids, then I’ll meet you at the station. Is that okay?”

“Absolutely.” Logan put the teen in the back of his squad car.

He had the kid booked and passed off by the time Amelia arrived.

“Thanks, Logan.”

“Of course. Any idea why they would set your trash can on fire?”

She shook her head. “I’m really not sure. I don’t think I’ve seen either of them before.”

“Weird.”

“But you’ve seen him?”

“Some kid about the same height and build was poking around my house the other day. Didn’t seem to have taken or messed with anything, but maybe I got home in time.”

“Hmm … worth noting, especially if something else happens.”

“Let me know if you need more from me.”

“Will do. Stay safe, Logan.”

He went back to his patrols. At least that had distracted him for a moment, but as he drove, his mind wandered back to AJ and wondering how she felt today. He did hope she was fine, but he couldn’t afford to let his heart worry about her. She’d made her choices.

AJ took her dinner dishes to the sink and rinsed them. She reached for Granny’s plate.

“Are you sure you’re up to dishes?”

“Yes, ma’am. It’s the least I can do. One day, and I’m already stir-crazy.” AJ took the plate from her grandmother.

“Seems like the perfect opportunity to pray.”

“I’m not to tax myself, but I have prayed every moment my head will let me.”

“Good thing the good Lord knows our hearts.”

AJ scrubbed the frying pan while Granny wiped the counters.

“Granny, how do I do it? How do I love a man who won’t even talk to me? How do I build that bridge? I’m the one who took an ax to it in the first place.”

Granny stopped her cleaning and stood quietly for a moment. “Your grandfather and I didn’t always have the happiest of marriages. But by God’s grace, we made it the sixty-five years we did. Most people don’t know this, but when we’d been married about twenty years, he had an affair.”

“Oh, Granny.”

She turned to AJ and leaned back against the counter. “It was a very brief thing. But I struggled to forgive him for a long time. The one thing he did that helped win me back was he stayed around. He didn’t say anything, but even though we weren’t sleeping in the same room any more, he’d be sure to eat meals near me or sit in the same room while I read or sewed. He wouldn’t talk, wouldn’t push, but eventually, I started talking to him again.”

“How can I be around him? We don’t even live in the same house. He avoids me at all costs.”

“Have you tried the quiet part while around him?”

AJ turned off the water and slumped against the sink. “No.”

“Your friends are dating. Get them on board.”

AJ nodded. “I have the sneaky suspicion they expect us to be in their wedding party, so I bet they want us to at least be amicable.”

Granny smiled.

They finished cleaning up the kitchen, and AJ went and rested on the couch. She sent Zara a text letting her in on the plan. She’d conspire with Will; AJ could count on it.

Her phone binged. But it wasn’t Zara.

You are so beautiful. Like the flowers in the field. Text me back. Let’s chat.

A shudder pulsed down her spine.

What on earth? She started to delete it and then thought better. If this person was going to continue to harass her, maybe she should have a record. But she also didn’t want it sitting on her phone. They’d be able to pull it up on phone records if necessary, right?

It didn’t matter. It wouldn’t continue because she’d block them. She blocked and deleted the text. She didn’t need to worry about it.

A few minutes later another text came through, but this one was Zara.

I’m down. Maybe Will can convince him to watch a movie at our apartment.

That might not be the best place. I could come to Will’s house. That’d be neutral ground.

I like it. I’ll let you know. And I’ll drive—you are not to drive.

Fine.

A friend. AJ actually had a female friend. Who knew that could happen?

Saturday night Logan poured the salsa into a bowl at Will’s house. His friend had invited Logan and a bunch of friends over to hang out and play some board games, card games, something like that.

He couldn’t believe Eric was there. Will didn’t know what Eric had seen the night that got him kicked out of school. Will knew a lot, but not that.

Zara came into the room. “Hey, partner. I brought the chips to go with that salsa.”

“Good. Guac too?”

“Of course.” She removed them from the grocery sack and opened the bag and container.

Logan took a chip and dipped it in the guac before popping it in his mouth. Around the food he said, “You got the right one this time.”

“I had help.”

Logan looked over his shoulder. AJ stood in the doorway between the dining room and kitchen.

She waved. “Hi.”

“How’s your head?” Was he actually talking to her? But he had to know she was okay.

“Getting better.”

“Good.” He diverted his eyes and went back to fussing with the food. He returned the giant container of salsa to the fridge and arranged the dips and chips.

Zara and AJ left the room, and he let himself breathe.

“Hey, man.”

Logan turned around at the only slightly familiar voice. “Miles. What’s up?”

They shook hands.

Miles leaned back against the counter, propping his hands on either side of him. “So how’s AJ doing? I was surprised to see you together at the hospital.”

“She said she’s feeling a bit better. But you’d have to ask her for more.”

“Did I catch the tech call you Mr. and Mrs.? Why didn’t you tell me the other day? I would never have suggested what I did if I had known.”

“We … we are, but we’re separated. Have been for quite a while.”

“Then why haven’t you divorced her?”

Logan shook his head. Miles wouldn’t understand. Divorce wasn’t an option in Logan’s book—sure he’d thought about it, even talked to a lawyer, but that’s as far as he got. It wasn’t like he would remarry. AJ was his one and only. If that was over completely, he was done.

“No need for a ball and chain without all the benefits.”

Logan let out a dry chuckle. “You wouldn’t understand.”

“Try me.”

Logan shook his head.

“No worries.” Miles held up his hands. “I will not get in the way there. She’s off limits; I get it.” He closed the space and slapped Logan on the shoulder. “I’m excited to reconnect. Glad Will invited me.”

“Me too.” Even if that conversation had been awkward … and Logan would rather just hang out with AJ.

No, no he wouldn’t.

Logan followed Miles back to the living room. Megan, Jenna, and Brennan also joined and the nine of them played a round of Apples to Apples that left everyone in stitches.

Logan struggled to keep his eyes off AJ. It had been so long since they actually both came to the same thing. More often in the last five years their friend group had been split. And if both of them happened to be invited to something, one of them would bow out. With Will and Zara not only dating but talking about marriage, it was going to be impossible not to be in the same place occasionally.

After that game concluded, they split into two groups to play board games that required smaller numbers. Logan waited to see which game AJ would pick and then chose the opposite. Although he found having her in the room didn’t bother him as much as he would have expected.

“Logan.” Will’s voice snapped Logan out of his thoughts. “Pick your color.”

The four other people at the table were staring at him.

He snatched the bag of black items and dumped them in front of him. He’d simply pretend AJ wasn’t sitting across the room.

Yeah, that didn’t work. He lost the game miserably because he kept making stupid blunders for lack of focus.

Will barely contained his laughter, but Logan caught it. He shot a dagger of a look at his friend. Will feigned innocence, mouthing, what?

Logan shook his head and helped clean up the game. Everyone stood around chatting, but AJ sat to the side and listened. Eric tried to engage her in conversation. She didn’t seem interested in talking to him, though she was polite.

Why was Logan paying attention to what she was doing?

He re-engaged with the story Jenna was telling.

Eventually, everyone called it a night. Logan cut out as soon as the first person was ready to leave. He felt bad. He was Will’s closest friend, helping clean up would be the appropriate thing to do. And maybe he would have if AJ had left quickly, but she didn’t.

Logan revved his motorcycle and zoomed home. All he could think about was pouring a glass or three of whiskey and washing down the mixed emotions he didn’t want to process.

And that’s exactly what he did. Once inside his lonely house, he emptied his pockets on the table and laid his Glock, holster and all, beside his keys and wallet.

A glass from the dishwasher. The whiskey bottle from where he’d hidden it behind the flour so judgy eyes like Will’s wouldn’t see it.

He poured it, sank into the chair, and downed the entire thing.

And another.

It didn’t act fast enough. AJ consumed his mind. He wanted to push her as far away as possible, but he couldn’t. This was supposed to be their house, yet he was here by himself. How’d they gotten to where they were? He’d lost her. She was gone. It didn’t matter how much he missed her. It was over.

One more glass of whiskey.