Chapter 50 Trust me
~Ava’s POV~
The beach trip ended with more laughter than scandal, thank God. Charlotte and Tristan gave us hell all the way back endless teasing, exaggerated side-eyes, and dramatic sighs every time Logan and I so much as breathed in sync.
“You two seriously need a warning label,” Charlotte huffed as she rolled down the window. “Caution: PDA ahead.”
Tristan snorted. “Forget that. I need bleach for my eyes after walking in on...”
“Do not dare to finish that sentence,” I cut in, hiding my burning face in Logan’s shoulder.
How can someone be so dramatic? I bet they do more indoors than us,but the way they're overreacting, make them seem like saints.
He laughed, rubbing my arm. “Still worth it,” he whispered, pressing a kiss to my hair.
When we pulled into the driveway, Charlotte and Tristan practically launched themselves out of the car like it was on fire.
“Never again,” Charlotte muttered, slamming the door. “Next trip, we’re getting separate cabins.”
“Or a new hotel! cause I don't want to experience this ever again!” Tristan added, grinning as he followed her.
I couldn’t stop laughing as Logan grabbed our bags. “So dramatic.”
“They love us,” he said, winking. “They’re just bad at expressing it.”
Instead of going to my place, I followed Logan upstairs like it was second nature. His apartment felt warm, lived in like someone actually lived there. Mine always felt too neat. Too silent. and I didn't want to stay alone now.
might as well as,move here again!.
“You sure you don’t want to stop by yours first?” he asked, unlocking the door.
I shook my head. “Why? I’ve got a toothbrush here.”
He grinned as he stepped inside. “You have a drawer now, Ava. A toothbrush is the least of it. I can even get you a new closet if you want, though I love Sharing my things with you!"
He tossed his keys into the bowl by the door, and I watched him for a moment, smiling to myself. I liked this version of us. No games. No doubts. Just… us.
I plopped onto the couch, tucking my legs under me. “So, cuddle marathon part two?”
“Only if snacks are involved,” he called from the kitchen.
“Snacks are always involved. What am I, a savage?”
He returned with a bowl of popcorn and two sodas. “You're lucky I love you,” he said, flopping down beside me.
I leaned into his side, feeling his arm wrap around me. “You do?”
He blinked, then smiled slowly. “Yeah. I do.”
My heart stuttered, but before I could reply, his phone buzzed.
Once.
Twice.
I glanced down. It was face-up on the coffee table, and before he could grab it, I saw the screen.
Unknown Number. who could be calling him now?
His whole body tensed as he stared at the screen. Whatever it said, it wasn’t nothing. It hit him.
“Logan?”
He stood up like he forgot I was there. “Uh… I need to take this. I’ll be right back.”
“Wait...what? Who is it?”
“Just… something I have to handle. Won’t be long, okay?” He bent down, kissed my forehead, and slipped his shoes back on.
“Logan, seriously...”
“I’ll explain later,” he mumbled and walked out, the door clicking behind him like a full stop.
I sat frozen for a second, the popcorn in my lap forgotten. What the hell just happened?
Maybe it was work. Maybe family. But something about the look on his face screamed personal.
I waited.
Twenty minutes.
Then thirty.
I chewed at my thumbnail, opened my phone, stared at our beach selfie Logan’s sun kissed grin, my windswept hair, both of us laughing like nothing could touch us.
I sent him a text.
Ava: Everything okay?
Nothing.
Ten more minutes. Still silence.
My stomach twisted. I stood, pulled my hoodie over my head, and stared at the door. Just as I debated going after him, the door unlocked and opened.
“Logan,” I breathed.
He looked startled, like he didn’t expect me to still be here. “Hey.”
“Hey,” I echoed, my voice sharper than I intended. “You okay?”
He nodded a little too fast. “Yeah. It was nothing big.”
“Really?” I crossed my arms. “Because you looked like your phone just cursed your whole bloodline.”
He ran a hand through his hair. “It wasn’t like that.”
“Then what was it?” I asked. “Who was that?”
He looked away. “Just someone from before.”
“Before what?”
He sighed. “Before you and me.”
I took a step forward. “You mean Serena?”
“No. Not her. I swear.”
“Then who, Logan?” I pressed. “You can’t expect me to sit here and pretend nothing happened.”
He dropped onto the couch with a frustrated exhale. “Can we just… not talk about it tonight?”
“Why not?” I asked softly.
“Because it’s complicated. And it’s not something I’m ready to explain.”
I swallowed. “But it affects us. Doesn’t it?”
He looked up at me, eyes full of something like guilt. “No. It doesn’t. It has nothing to do with you, Ava.”
I stared. “If it makes you bolt out the door without a word, it has everything to do with me.”
“I’m not shutting you out,” he insisted. “I just… need time.”
My heart ached. “I can give you time, Logan. But not if it means walking on eggshells around you.”
He reached for my hand. “I don’t want that either. I’m sorry. I really am. Just… trust me a little longer.”
I hesitated, then sat beside him. “I do trust you. That’s why this scares me.”
He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into his chest. “I’m not going anywhere.”
But even as I curled into his embrace, the unease clung to me.
Whatever had shaken him it, I knew it was bad enough but I didn't want to press him into telling me the truth.
I'll wait!
whenever he feel like talking, I'll be there for him, though it didn't ease my worries.