Chapter 9 — Reed

Reed was utterly exhausted by Saturday evening. His parents had gone to visit some friends overnight, leaving both Logan and Reed at the property. Reed could barely keep his eyes open at dinner. The combination of the manual labor as well as the fresh air, combined with the focus he was putting on his new collection, had him feeling drained. All he wanted to do was to soak in the bathtub and crawl into bed.

Logan was his usual non-talkative self, so when Reed told him he was going to bed, all he got was a grunt in return. Reed was too tired to tease him so he went upstairs and took his time in the scented bubble bath. As he lay in the tub, he thought about the past week. Being back in his childhood home brought back both loving and extremely painful memories. His parents were always supportive of his decisions with their unconditional love, and even when he told them that he was gay, aside from their initial shock, he was grateful that they accepted him for who he was.

Unfortunately, when word got out, Reed was subjected to severe bullying from some of the local kids. He squeezed his eyes shut as memories came flying back, the taunts and constant jabs he had to endure.

Part of him wondered where they were now—did they follow his career? Did they know that despite the odds, he had risen above the hate and had gone on to achieve so much? Reed’s lips pursed together. As far as he was concerned, if he ever saw them again, it would be too soon.

As Reed entered his bedroom, he spotted Buddy curled up on his bed, fast asleep and snoring lightly. He smiled and tightened the towel around his waist, about to select some boxers, when his cell phone began to ring. Reed looked around for it, from the top of the dresser to his bedside table. Finally, after patting down the bed, he discovered it caught up in the sheets, under Buddy. He shook his head at the dog, who repositioned himself and promptly closed his eyes. “Dude, seriously?”

Reed hit the accept button with a smile on his face when he saw that it was Marie.

“Hey, doll.”

“Hey, Farmer Joe. I’m on with Preston.”

“Ha ha, very funny. How’s it going? Hey, Pres.”

Marie sighed into the phone. “It’s okay. We’re missing you. It’s not quite the same without your sunny ass in the City. What’s going on down there?”

“Not much. Dad has insisted we pull our weight. To be fair, a couple of the guys are off sick, so we’ve got some jobs to do. They’re due back next week but honestly, Marie, I’m so exhausted. I’d kill for a Swedish massage right now.”

Marie snorted on the other end. “Poor baby. I can’t imagine you getting down and dirty anymore. How’s Logan handling it?”

Reed thought to Logan and the way everything just seemed to fall into place for him. “Ugh. Like a duck to water. Seriously, can the guy do anything bad?”

“Hmmmm. He’s certainly easy on the eye too.” She giggled on the other end. “Mind if I, you know, maybe give it a try with him when he’s back in the city? There’s something about his brooding personality, which is just so hawt.”

Reed’s entire body tensed at the thought of Logan and Marie together. He surprised himself by feeling irritated at her flippant comment and something else that he couldn’t quite put his finger on. Still, deep down, Reed knew that he was only a client and nothing more. Kellen’s warning also came to mind about not mixing business with pleasure.

“Ummm, yeah. I’m sure he’d be flattered.” Bitch.

“Uh-oh.”

“What?”

“You’re into him, aren’t you?”

Marie knew Reed like the back of her hand. He smiled through the phone. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Dammit, Reed. The good ones are always taken. You, Kellen—now Logan.”

Reed laughed, settling back on the bed and wincing at the state of his nails. “What are you talking about? Who said Logan’s taken?”

“Well, if he knows a good thing, he should be taken with you. Besides, when I think about it, from the way he was looking at you last week, I’m telling you, there may be something there, like a certain chemistry between you.”

“Puh-lease, bitch. I’m just a job to him.”

“Hmmmm, we’ll see. But here’s the deal. I get dibs next, okay? You’ve got until you come back to the City to make your moves. Otherwise, he’s mine.” She let off an evil-sounding laugh.

Reed loved Marie like the sister he never had. “You’re nuts. Where’s Pres gone?”

“I’m here.” He answered, though his voice sounded flat. “Didn’t think I’d get a word in with you two gushing about Logan.”

Reed laughed. “Sorry about that, how’re things on your end?”

“Fine,” he replied. “Just bored without your party ass in town. Anyway, be careful, okay? I know you’re messing about with Logan but seriously, you don’t know anything about him.”

Reed smiled, though he was a little confused. “He’s fine, Pres, honestly. Kellen checked him out—he’s not a murderer or anything.” Preston laughed at the other end.

“Okay, cool. Just looking out for you, man.”

“Thanks, I appreciate it.”

They caught up for a little while longer and also spoke about Reed’s ideas for the new collection, which Marie loved.

Yawning heavily, he finally ended the call, promising to call again soon.

Sometime in the middle of the night, Reed was woken up with some distinct sounds of moaning coming from next door—Logan’s room. He froze in bed, all senses alert and strained his ears for more. It sounded as if Logan was in pain. Adrenaline and fear spiked through his blood, but he made himself sit up and flick on his bedside light.

Something was very wrong.

The horrible, wailing sound came once again, this time louder.

Pushing away his fear, Reed swung off the bed to investigate what was happening next door. All he knew was that something was wrong with Logan and he couldn’t wait a second more to get to him.

He practically ran out of his room and knocked lightly on the door but no answer came from inside. Taking a chance, with his heart in this throat, Reed twisted the handle, pushed the door open and took a moment to adjust his vision to the darkened room.

The wailing came again and Reed could see Logan, twisting and thrashing on the bed, like he was having a bad nightmare. Reed panicked for a second. He didn’t know what to do—should he wake him, or would Logan be pissed off to see him in here?

Creeping inside, he made his way to the middle of the room and got closer to Logan. Reed’s heart broke at the scene. Logan’s bare chest was covered in a sheen of sweat and he was gripping the sheets, his head moving from side to side. He was mumbling something which Reed couldn’t make out, but also repeating the words, “No… no!”

Reed hated to see him like this—so tormented. At the risk of facing Logan’s anger, he lightly placed his hand on his shoulder to stop him moving so much. “It’s okay, Logan. I’ve got you… I’m here.” He spoke softly, as if he was talking to a child, repeating the words over and over, until Logan began to calm down. He expected him to wake up, but Logan must’ve been in a very deep sleep because his eyes didn’t flutter open once. Each time Reed thought he’d calmed down, and would remove his arm, Logan began to shake once again. He was clearly in need of some comfort.

Reed pulled the sheets back and got into bed beside him, wrapping his arm around his chest and holding him close. He whispered the same words of comfort repeatedly until Logan finally settled, sometime in the early hours of the morning.

Utterly exhausted, at some point Reed must have dropped off to sleep himself.

Late the next morning when he finally awoke, he was completely confused to find himself back in his bed once again. Logan must have carried him here.

Reed took his time getting out of bed. For once, there was no urgency, what with his folks being gone and no tasks set out for them to complete. He threw his arm across his forehead, still disturbed from what he witnessed last night.

He knew what it was like to have nightmares. When he was younger, his childhood bullies would also torment him in his sleep and many a time, he’d wake up screaming, drenched in sweat. Thankfully, he didn't suffer from them anymore, partly due to leaving home but also because he’d sought help from a counselor, which allowed him to finally move on.

His heart went out to Logan. The man was so closed up, it was no wonder he was suffering in silence. Reed decided to try and broach the subject today, while they were still on their own. He showered, got dressed and then went downstairs around noon.

The house was quiet and he couldn’t hear any sound—could it be possible that Logan was also asleep? He walked into the kitchen, where he saw the note on the counter:

Reed, it’s 11:30 a.m. Taking a walk, be back in approx. 30 minutes. Don’t leave the house. L.

He rolled his eyes. Logan was overly cautious out here, as far as he was concerned. They’d been here a week and nothing had happened. Kellen sent them daily updates with no news from the stalker. It appeared the stalker was spooked with Logan’s arrival, and if he was still quiet for the next week, Reed decided he’d go home. He couldn’t hide out here indefinitely—his life was back in San Francisco.

Contemplating his decision over a cup of coffee, the back door opened and Logan walked in, followed by Misty and Buddy, his gaze moving to Reed. The first thing Reed noticed were the dark circles underneath his eyes and that his cheeks looked sunken.

“Logan.”

“Hey.” He pulled out the chair and sat opposite him. “I’m sorry about last night.” His brows drew down and he looked away. “It was unprofessional and it won’t happen again.”

Reed was stunned. “Is that it?”

Logan’s eyes flashed, his voice rising. “What do you want me to say, Reed? I apologize. Again. Goddammit, I know I put our lives at risk last night.”

“Are you for real?” Reed’s jaw hung. “I’m worried about you, you big Neanderthal, I’m not looking for a goddamn apology.” His fists clenched under the table and Reed could feel heat spreading across his cheeks as he glared at the other man. “I can’t believe you think so little of me!”

Logan exhaled loudly, rubbing his hands over his face. Abruptly, he pushed his chair back and stood.

“I’m gonna take a shower.”

“Logan, wait. What happened last night? Are you okay?”

He stopped in his tracks. “Just some memories. I’m fine now.”

“You want to talk about it?” Reed’s voice was soft, hoping he’d be able to penetrate through some of Logan’s armor. “I’m a good listener.”

Logan shook his head, without turning around. “Like I said, I’m fine. It won’t happen again.”

Reed stared at his retreating back, perplexed. It was so obvious that Logan was hurting and as much as Reed wished he’d talk about it, he also knew that it wasn’t any of his business to push.

The only thing he could hope for was that their growing friendship deepened and perhaps then, Logan would be able to open up to him.

Whatever feelings Reed was developing for him would have to be put on ice.

Logan was making it clear that no one could reach his heart.