Chapter 34 Keep me sane
~Logan's POV~
After leaving Levi’s apartment, I drove back to my place, but my mind was still restless. Even though I had reassured Levi, the tension from our father’s sudden reappearance still didn't set with me. I knew I wouldn’t be able to sleep. And honestly, I didn’t want to. Not when there was only one person who could make me feel better.
I grabbed my phone and dialed Ava’s number. She picked up after a few rings, her voice laced with sleep.
“Logan?” she murmured.
A smile tugged at my lips. “Hey, nerd. Were you sleeping?”
“Obviously. Unlike some people, I don’t stay up all night brooding,” she teased, her voice groggy but warm.
I chuckled, leaning back on my couch. “Yeah, well… I couldn’t sleep. I missed you.”
There was a pause on the other end, and then she sighed softly. “Logan…”
“What?” I asked, closing my eyes. “Is it a crime to miss my girlfriend?”
“No, but it’s rare for you to admit it,” she said playfully. “You’re all tough and broody, remember?”
I smirked. “Maybe, but only for the rest of the world. With you… I don’t know, Ava. You make me different. You make me want to be better.”
She was quiet for a moment, and I wondered if I had said too much. But then she spoke, her voice softer than before. “I missed you too, Logan.”
A warmth spread through my chest. “Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
I sighed, rubbing my face. “I hate being apart from you. I should’ve just stayed at your place.”
She laughed. “You would’ve been kicked out, Logan. My couch isn’t big enough to fit you every night.”
“I don’t care. As long as you’re in my arms, I’d sleep anywhere.”
Ava went silent again, and I could picture her biting her lip, trying to suppress a smile. “You’re being extra sweet tonight. What happened?”
I hesitated. “Just… family stuff. Talking to Levi got me thinking about things. And I guess I just needed to hear your voice.”
“Well, I’m here,” she whispered.
“Yeah,” I murmured, my chest tightening. “You always are.”
For the rest of the night, we talked about everything and nothing. I told her about my day, about how annoying Levi could be, and she told me about the customers at the diner. Every time she laughed, I felt lighter, like the weight of the world wasn’t pressing down on me so hard.
As the hours passed, her voice started getting softer, sleep pulling at her words.
“Go to sleep, nerd,” I whispered.
“Mmm… only if you promise to call me again tomorrow.”
I chuckled. “I promise.”
“Good… night, Logan,” she murmured, her voice barely audible now.
“Good night, baby,” I said, listening to her breathing until I was sure she was asleep.
Hanging up, I lay back on the couch, feeling calmer than I had all day. Ava had a way of grounding me, of reminding me that not everything in my life was chaos. And right now, she was the only thing keeping me sane.
With that thought, I finally let sleep take over, her voice still echoing in my mind..
The morning came too quickly,too fast for my comfort. I dragged myself out of bed, the memories of last night’s conversation with Ava still lingering in my mind.
The warmth of her voice, the laughter we shared was the only thing keeping me from sinking into the usual chaos of my thoughts. But now, I had to face the day.
I dressed quickly, throwing on a Westbridge Titans hoodie and grabbing my bag, not wasting any more time. I was ready to see her. I couldn’t wait to get to campus and find Ava.
The campus was its usual crowded of activity, students walking between buildings, chatting in groups, rushing to their classes. I passed through the crowd, heading straight for her locker, knowing she’d be there with Charlotte like always.
When I turned the corner, I spotted her right away. She was standing with Charlotte, laughing at something her friend had said. Even from a distance, she stood out or maybe to me. her smile, her laugh, the way her eyes shone when she was happy. I felt that familiar tug in my chest. I missed her. I needed to be near her.
Without thinking, I strode toward her, pushing through the students who parted just enough for me to get to her. The noise around us seemed to fade away, and it was like time slowed down when I reached her.
Ava’s eyes locked onto mine, surprised but pleased to see me. Without hesitation, I reached out, cupped her face, and kissed her.
It wasn’t a soft, lingering kiss. It was full of everything I had been holding back everything I had wanted to say, but never did. I kissed her like I needed her, because I did. I kissed her like I couldn’t stand being apart another second.
The murmurs from the students around us were like background noise, but I didn’t care. I wasn’t thinking about them. It was just Ava and me at that moment, and I didn’t want to let go.
When we finally broke the kiss, I rested my forehead against hers, breathing her in. I could feel her heart racing, just like mine. I couldn’t help the grin that spread across my face.
“I’ll see you later, nerd,” I said softly, my voice teasing but with an edge of sincerity. “I've got football practice today".
Ava blinked up at me, still slightly breathless, her lips curling into that smile of hers. “You better not leave without saying goodbye again, Logan.”
I chuckled, my hand still on her cheek, my thumb brushing her skin. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”
“Good,” she said, her voice playful, yet there was a softness to it that made my heart swell. “Now, go be the star player you are.”
“Only if you promise to kick ass in whatever you’re doing,” I shot back, but it was more of a command than a joke.
“I always do,” she replied, her grin widening.
I felt the ache in my chest, the need to stay with her, but the clock was ticking. Practice wasn’t going to wait, and neither was everything else in my life.
“Alright,” I said, leaning down to give her one last quick kiss on the forehead. “Later, Ava. I’ve got football practice to get to.”
“Later, Logan,” she said, her eyes following me as I turned to walk away, but I could still feel her gaze burning into me. It gave me a sense of calm, a sense that everything was right in the world.
I couldn’t help but smile to myself. But I couldn't stop thinking about Aaron and the bet we made.
Everything was going very well between me and Ava but Aaron in the picture,this could turn out to be a disaster in the future.