Page 54 of Accepting Fate

I tug on the badge, and she releases. Clipping it onto my scrub top.

“Nice try. But I’m not telling you shit, you little mountain man hater,” I say then walk through the sliding glass doors into the hospital.

Behind me, I hear Harper mutter, “Brat.” I don’t look back, but I smile thinking about how lucky I am to have found her.

The night goes by surprisingly uneventful. It’s busy but it’s mainly minor cuts and a few older folks battling with a virus or other ailment. It also helps that Laura was able to find enough people for us to be fully staffed.

It’s slow enough that I am able to take a break and check my phone. Realization smacks me right in the face when I see Grayson’s name on my screen.

I never texted him when I got here. I got so lost in thought then Harper happened.

I have a missed call and three texts.

Grayson: Did you make it work?

Grayson: I see you are already breaking the one thing I asked. I will be seeing you sooner than I thought.

Grayson: Drove by the ER. Saw your Jeep. Looks like you made it safe.

I know he’s pissed. And I know for sure not to take his words lightly. When that man says something, he means it. But I need time and space to get my head on straight if I want this to be successful. I can’t just abandon all my fears overnight.

Logan: Sorry. Got caught up with Harper. Please Grayson. I need some space. I promise I will stay on top of the check ins. I deserve one free pass. Also, it's a little creepy that you drove all the way to Seattle just to see if my car was here.

He texts back almost immediately.

Grayson: I will respect your space as long as you check in. I don’t fuck around where my girl is concerned.

My girl? If that doesn’t instantly make my heart want to beat out of my chest.

Stay strong, Logan. Show him you won’t just fall at his feet.

Choosing to ignore the “my girl” comment, because I secretly want him to always refer to me as that all the damn time, I respond before tucking my phone away and getting back to work.

Logan: I promise I will check in but don’t freak out one night if I don’t text you at 12 am. I have to stay late sometimes, and I don’t need to drive home tired as fuck and see a dark vehicle in my driveway. I’m not responsible if I run you over in defense/tiredness.

The quietness quickly went out the window after my break. Multiple car wrecks came in back-to-back.

I’m surprised I’m walking out on time.

Waving bye to Harper, I get in my car and lock the doors. Before driving away, I pull my phone out of my pocket to text Grayson.

I see he responded to my texts from earlier.

Grayson: You need more lighting out there. When time is up I will be installing some more.

So, the bossy caveman returns.

Logan: I can handle it on my own. Leaving work now.

He’s right but I’ve made it this far on my own. I can do it myself.

Yeah, it would be nice to have someone around to do stuff like that, but I’ve become so accustomed to doing things on my own.

Guilt hits me out of nowhere. He’s just trying to be nice and add a level of security and I smashed the gesture to pieces.

Dammit Logan, why do you do that?

Picking up my phone, I go to apologize but stop myself. I hate that everything with Grayson has to be met with so many obstacles brought on by my own fucked up brain.