Page 83 of C*cky Best Friend

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Logan

Monday

With the travel and time-zone difference, jet lag owns me. I brushed my teeth on the plane, and called for a car the moment I got off of it, grateful the driver is the quiet type.

Johan said he’d ship my things. I’ve got the leather bag I left the theater with, and that’s it.

If this driver was rattling away it would sap what’s left of my energy. How the fuck am I going to talk my best friend out of the relationship she’s in?

It’s probably not appropriate, but I’m ready to fight the guy if I need to. I’m going to proclaim my love for her right in his living room if that’s what it takes.

I texted her to say that we landed, asked where I can find her.

Rubbing my temple, with my elbow rested on the window frame, I close my eyes. There’s no way that Samantha would hurt this guy by leaving him for me right in front of his face, in his own home. I know her better than that.

What the fuck am I doing?

This will be a disaster.

I can’t go through with it.

Do I have a death wish?

Have I forgotten how painful it was the last time she shot me down? No. I still remember. It’s the underlying fuel to all of my choices for more than two years.

A text comes through from her:

I’m at my parents house.

I reply:

Is it too late to come by?

Within seconds I receive the answer:

No, I’ve been waiting for you.

Another text bubble appears:

Just like you asked me to.

My foot starts tapping as I tell my driver their familiar address. He nods and turns the wheel for the next exit off 75.

Virginia Highlands, here I come.

It feels funky to revisit this place after I’ve been gone for so long, bouncing around city to city in countries where English was their second language. Or third, fourth, fifth. My passport was stamped to where I needed a replacement.

Yet here I am driving up Ponce and there’s Krispy Kreme doughnuts where it’s always has been, on my right. The Library Bar, on my left. And not five minutes from here is my beautiful best friend waiting to hear me out just because I asked her to.

I’m risking that friendship.

There’s no getting around it.

One of us is going to be left standing at the end of this.

Steven…or me.