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“You haven’t,” Logan said, glancing at the others as if to confirm. They nodded. “The babies are safe, and you’re okay too. Everything is going to be fine.”
She wanted to believe him, but she wasn’t sure she did.
26
Gabby’s head thumped,her heart ached, and her stomach was once again unsettled. She opened her eyes. Logan hovered above her, as he had every time he’d woken her during the night. Now, though, the gray light of dawn filtered through the curtains. At least they were home, rather than at the hospital. He’d brought her back late last night.
“What’s your name?” he asked.
She rolled her eyes, then flinched when that hurt too. “Gabrielle Walker.”
“What’s my name?”
“The sleep police.” She knew she shouldn’t be annoyed. He was doing his best to look after her. But she was exhausted and it felt like every time she drifted off, he disturbed her again.
“Seriously, Gabs.” His tone brooked no argument.
She sighed. “Logan Pride. The father of my twins. We’re in Haven Bay. I’m thirty-one years old. The prime minister is Wesley Briggston. Can I sleep again now?”
He smiled and kissed her cheek. “I’m worried about you, that’s all.”
“I know.” She felt like a bitch for being snarky. “Thank you for taking care of me.”
Something throbbed behind her eyes. He may be taking care of her now, but he hadn’t been there yesterday. A memory flickered through her mind. Corinne telling Shane to call Peach. An ache formed in her heart. She considered pretending she hadn’t heard anything—she certainly wasn’t in any shape for a confrontation—but she couldn’t handle the idea of finding out later that, as with Henry, she wasn’t his number one priority. Burying her head in the sand would get her nowhere. She loved Logan Pride, but if he was only with her because of the babies, she wasn’t going to stand by and let herself get hurt again.
“Where were you yesterday?” she asked. “You weren’t at The Den.”
Guilt flashed across his face, and her stomach twisted in response. She’d wanted to believe she’d gotten it wrong, but maybe she hadn’t.
“I was surfing,” he said, stroking her hair back from her face. “I wish I’d come straight home. I’m sorry I wasn’t here for you.”
Surfing. That was plausible. But she needed to know for sure. She couldn’t buy an excuse just because it was plausible. She shuddered to think how many times that must have happened with Henry in the past, and she’d had no idea what a load of bullshit he’d been selling her.
“Are you sure you were surfing and not with Peach? I overheard your mum say she saw the two of you in the storeroom together, and that you left and then she followed a few minutes later.”
Logan’s expression darkened and he stopped touching her. Gabby’s stomach knotted even tighter. He looked furious—and worse, hurt. “Do you honestly believe I’m capable of betraying you?”
She rubbed her lips together. She hated seeing him in pain, but she needed to know for sure. He had to say the words. Her hesitation cost her.
“Huh.” He stood and backed away from the bed. “Right.” He tucked his hands into his pockets. The muscles of his neck tightened and his jaw worked. “You want to know what Mum saw?”
She nodded, even though she was starting to wish she’d never opened her mouth.
“Peach came onto me. I told her that if she did it again, I’d have to fire her.” Anger was etched into his features. “I tried to explain that to Mum but she wasn’t interested in listening, so I went surfing to clear my mind. If Peach left The Den after that then it’s news to me because I didn’t see her.”
“Okay,” Gabby whispered. Everything he said had the ring of truth, and shame descended over her. Even if he was with her because of the babies, she should have known he’d never do that to her. She’d just been emotional and in pain, and she’d let the insecurities Henry had created get the better of her. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked. I just started thinking about how you wouldn’t be with me if not for the babies, and it all spiraled.”
He shook his head. “I can’t believe you think I’d hurt you like that. If you don’t believe me, Kyle can back me up. He found me at the beach. Do you want me to call him?”
“No, I believe you.”
“For now. But how long until you wonder again?” He closed his eyes and took a breath. “Damn, Gabby.” When he opened his eyes again, the fury had faded and been replaced by something worse: defeat. “I can’t make you trust me. I know your ex burned you, but I’m not him. Yeah, maybe I slept around in the past, but those days are behind me. I care for you.You, you stubborn woman. Whether or not you’re pregnant. And now I’m going out for some air before I say something I regret.”
With that, he turned to leave.
“Wait!” Gabby called, guilt churning inside her.
He looked over his shoulder and raised an eyebrow.
