AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You’re welcome, Eric. Your son is quite the sous chef.”
My dad beams at that praise. “That was one of the first things we bonded over when he first came to live with me: cooking together. I’m glad we still have that experience together, and I’m happy he now has it with you.”
I smile contentedly. This has been a perfect Thanksgiving. All that’s missing is Logan. He texted Lake and I that something came up and he’s not sure what time he’ll be here. Of course Luke already put two full plates aside for him, not including the leftover containers, but still, I’d love to spend our first holiday together as partners and lovers with him. But we’ll have more.
At some point, Luke gets up to start getting dessert on the table. I go to help, but he waves me away since Lake has now fallen asleep. Ok, maybe he is starting to have symptoms. He’s definitely been overtired lately. River and Essie are busy with the baby, so my dad and Cooper get up to go help him.
They’re in the kitchen getting everything ready when my phone rings. It’s Logan. I answer. “Hey, babe, do you think you’re going to be here soon? Luke’s just getting dessert out.”
Logan is quiet for a moment before answering, his voice serious. “I’m actually outside. Can you and Lake meet me out here, please?”
I sit up so abruptly, I wake up Lake who nearly falls off the couch. I distractedly steady him with an apologizing glance. “Logan, what happened? What’s the matter?”
“I’ll explain when you come out here. I don’t want to discuss this in front of everyone. Please.”
Fuck. There’s a sense of dread forming like a ball in my stomach. “Um, of course. We’ll be right there.”
Everyone is watching me when I hang up. I ignore the gazes from River and his sister and focus on Lake, who’s staring at me with concern. “Logan wants to talk to us outside. I don’t know why.”
I watch as Lake’s expression completely closes off, and he nods once. I’m not sure what he thinks is about to happen, but he just stands up and starts to walk toward the front door. His reaction is almost more concerning than whatever is going on with Logan. Does he think Logan’s breaking up with us? I know deep in my heart that whatever is happening, that’s not the case, but I have no way to prove that, so I stop Lake at the door as he’s shoving his boots on.
I kneel in front of him where he’s sitting on the bench by the front door and cup both his cheeks in my hands. “Whatever is about to happen, I just want you to know I love you and you’re not losing me, ok?” I want to say the same for Logan, but I know he won’t believe me. His eyes widen, and I realize I said I love him for the first time. But it’s true, and he needed to hear it.
“But, if Logan makes you choose, you’re going to choose him,” he says as if it’s fact, and it breaks my heart. I don’t know where to go with this, because I am so sure that whatever this is, it’s not Logan leaving us.
“I can understand why you would believe that, but it’s not true. I am confident that Logan will never make me choose, and if he does, he’s not the man I always thought he was. I’m not going anywhere, Lake, ok?”
Lake nods solemnly. I know he doesn’t believe me, but we quickly get dressed in our shoes and coats and head outside before we attract an audience. I’m actually surprised we don’t already have one. Right before I open the door, Lake stops me. “This feeling is new to me, but I’m pretty sure I love you too.” I kiss his forehead, and for just one second, we stay there like that. Reluctantly, I pull us apart. Logan’s waiting for us.
When we walk outside, I see Logan pacing the sidewalk in front of Luke’s house. I can’t see his expression from here, but he’s clearly on edge. Lake grabs my hand desperately, like it’s the only thing he has left to cling to, and I kind of know how he feels.
Logan spots us and freezes. His eyes are focused on Lake, and oh fuck? Is he breaking up with us? I swallow down the lump of nerves in my throat. No, there’s no way. I can’t think of anything that could possibly happen that would make Logan do that. We may be be early in our relationship, but we’re fucking solid.
It feels like I’m descending to the gates of hell as we make our way to Logan. He’s standing completely still, not moving a muscle. I’ve never seen him like this. He always acts like nothing gets to him, and even though I know that’s not true, it’s not always so apparent.
I’m practically dragging Lake the last few steps to meet him. “Logan, what’s going on?”
His eyes flash behind him to the house. “Let’s take a walk.” I look behind me, and sure enough, I see auburn curls peeking through the small opening in the curtain.
Logan starts walking, so reluctantly, the two of us follow. He doesn’t say anything until we’re about a block away. It’s freezing out, but I don’t feel the cold. All I feel is absolute dread.
Finally, Logan turns around and looks at us. Some of that intensity has leaked out of his eyes, but he’s still on edge. He looks at Lake. “I have a few things I need to ask you. I know we said we’d give you time, but that time has come. I’m going to need some answers, Lake, and I kind of need them now. I bought some time and put myself on the line, but I can only do so much without knowing the truth.”
What the fuck is he talking about? Lake swallows hard enough that I can hear him. He has a death grip on my hand. “What answers do you need?” His voice is shaky.
“I need to know what you really do for a living. Seth McIntyre got arrested again today for some really serious charges, and with his past, he’s going away for a long time. He’s throwing some heavy allegations your way about your job. Allegations my boss is believing. I bought some time, but I need to know what you really do before the full force of the SWAT team comes to your dad’s house and tears down his door on Thanksgiving.”
“What is he saying that can cause this kind of reaction?” I ask.
Logan rolls his eyes, and I relax slightly. That’s the first reaction that looks like the Logan I know since he called me. It’s clear whatever the problem, he’s on Lake’s side. I just hope Lake trusts Logan enough to see that.
“He’s saying he’s a spy. That he’s working for the highest bidder as a hacker and giving out top secret information in exchange for a paycheck, including information on national security and biological weapons.”
And then tension is back as I swallow down bile. I’m terrified to look at Lake, but he’s actually laughing. “Oh, that’s all? Thank gods, I thought for sure you were breaking up with me and going to make Evander choose between us.”
Oh, ok, then.
TWENTY-EIGHT
