~Avaâs POV~I stormed down the boardwalk, the heat of the sun nothing compared to the burn inside my chest.What the hell just happened?Who just shows up like that? Ex-girlfriend or not, Serena's presence felt like a glitch in our perfect little bubble and I hated how shaken I felt. I hated that I even doubted Logan, even for a second.âAva!âHis voice.Of course.I picked up my pace, but seconds later, I heard his bare feet slapping against the wood. âAva, wait!âI spun around. âLogan, seriously, donâtâŚâHe didnât stop. He reached me in three long strides and grabbed my wrist, gently but firmly. âPlease, just stop running for one second.âI yanked my hand back, not because I didnât want him to hold me but because I wanted him to work for it. âShe said this was your spot.âHe exhaled, looking frustrated. âIt was. Years ago. Before I ever met you. We came here once. Thatâs it.ââAnd now she just magically shows up while weâre here and calls it a coincidence?ââI didnât ask her to com
~Ava's POV~The beach trip ended with more laughter than scandal, thankfully. Charlotte and Tristan gave us hell all the way back endless teasing, side-eyes, and dramatic sighs whenever Logan and I so much as held hands. But we took it in stride. After all, we had survived an awkward walk-of-shame level encounter. Everything else felt like background noise.When we pulled into the driveway of our apartment complex, Charlotte and Tristan practically jumped out of the car, muttering about never needing to see another couple naked again in their lives. I had snorted into Loganâs shoulder, half hiding my face as he pressed a kiss to my hair and whispered, "Still worth it."Instead of heading to my place, I followed Logan up to his apartment like it was the most natural thing in the world. My place was quiet and neat, but his felt more warmer. Like a place where things happened, where love happened. And maybe I wasnât ready to sleep alone just yet. Not when everything had changed betwee
~Avaâs 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.âYou two seriously need a warning label,â Charlotte huffed as she rolled down the window. âCaution: PDA ahead.âTristan snorted. âForget that. I need bleach for my eyes after walking in on...ââDo not dare to finish that sentence,â I cut in, hiding my burning face in Loganâs 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. âStill worth it,â 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.âNever again,â Charlotte muttered, slamming the door. âNext trip, weâre getting separate cabins.ââOr a new hotel! cause I don't wan
~Loganâs POV~My phone buzzed again.Blocked number.I didnât want to answer it. Every part of me wanted to toss the damn thing into the ocean and go back to cuddling Ava on the bed, pretending like nothing could touch the peace weâd just found.But something in my stomach twisted, cold and sharp.I answered.âLogan,â came a voice I hadnât heard in months, smooth and sharp as broken glass. âGlad you picked up.âMy chest tightened. âWhat the hell do you want, Vincent?âVincent. My fatherâs right-hand man. The guy who delivered threats with a smirk and cleaned up blood without blinking.âIf you donât want to work with your father, thatâs your choice. But heâs thinking about bringing Levi in. And I figured youâd want a heads up.âI froze. âWhat did you just say?ââYou heard me. Levi. Heâs almost twenty one right? Perfect age to start learning the family business.ââWhere is he?â I snapped, already reaching for my jeans. âWhereâs Levi?ââHeâs with your father. Dinner. That place on Riverv
~Ava pov~The cafeteria buzzed with a lot of noise, voices bouncing off the walls, trays clattering. I sat across from Charlotte, my fingers wrapped around a cold coffee cup, staring blankly at the swirling cream inside.I hadn't taken a single sip.Charlotte was yapping about some group project disaster, but I wasn't listening to her. I was busy lost against the storm in my head.I couldnât stop thinking about last night.What was going on with Logan? Why did he leave like that? The way heâd bolted from the apartment without even meeting my eyes. The haunted look when he returned, hours later. "Okay, you're scaring me now," Charlotte said, dragging me out of my thoughts.She leaned forward, eyebrows furrowed. "What's wrong?"I hesitated, the words sticking in my throat.Finally, I set the cup down with a soft clink and whispered, "It's Logan."Charlotte's eyes sharpened immediately. "What happened? Did he cheat on you?!" âWhat? No!" I saidShe frowned âthen what did he do to get
~Avaâs POV~We stood there for a long moment, just breathing the same air, the world outside Loganâs apartment became blurring.Finally, he pulled back, threading his fingers with mine. His touch was hesitant, almost like he was afraid I'd remove my hands if he held on too tightly."Come inside," he said.I nodded and stepped in, letting him close the door behind me. The apartment was dim, the only light coming from a small lamp in the corner. Logan led me to the couch and sat down heavily, pulling me down beside him. He stared at the floor for a long moment, his leg bouncing slightly."I don't know where to start," he muttered."Wherever you want," I said softly. "I'm here."He glanced at me,gratitude flickering in his blue eyes."I guess..." He let out a breath. "I guess I should start with my mom."I waited. He rubbed the back of his neck, the way he always did when he was nervous."My mom was the best person I ever knew," he said, voice thick with emotion. "She was...kind. Gent
~Logan's POV~The sunlight streamed through the windows of the apartment, but all I could see was her.Still sitting cross-legged on my couch, her hair a messy bun around her head, her eyes were so soft and trusting, even after everything I barely managed to tell her last night.She didn't even freak out as i was expecting. I didnât deserve her.But selfishly, I wasnât going to let her go.I pushed myself off the wall where Iâd been leaning and crossed the room toward her.She smiled up at me, the kind of smile that made the tight knot in my chest loosen just a little. The kind of smile that lit up my whole world."You doing anything later?" I asked, my voice coming out roughly from lack of sleep and too many emotions.Her head tilted slightly. "No... why?"I smirked and sat on the coffee table in front of her, close enough that our knees brushed."After football practice," I said, reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, "I'm taking you out. Proper date. Just you and me
~Loganâs POV~The first thing I became aware of was the warmth.Soft,Sweet., and Familiar.I shifted slightly, blinking against the early morning light leaking through the blinds.And there she was.Curled against my chest, her head tucked under my chin, her arm thrown lazily across my waist like she belonged there.Like she was meant to be there.My heart clenched painfully in my chest.For a long minute, I just stared at her, afraid to even breathe too loud in case it shattered the fragile peace wrapping around us.She was beautiful.More beautiful than anything I deserved.Her hair was a wild mess against the pillow, her cheeks still flushed from the night before, her lips parted slightly as she breathed in slow, even rhythms.I tightened my arm around her instinctively, pulling her even closer.Mine.She was mine!The thought echoed in my head, loud and possessive.She was mine.And nothing⌠I mean no one was going to take her from me.I pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, lettin
~Loganâs POV ~The bass in the club thumped so loud I could feel it in my chest.Flashing lights, grinding bodies, and the sharp smell of spilled drinks . Tristan was halfway through his second beer, and Miles was already flirting with a girl in red. Me? I was nursing the same drink Iâd been holding for the last hour, mind elsewhere.Avaâs face wouldnât leave my head.The way she laughed when she teased me. The way her eyes sparkled when she got fired up about law stuff. The way her voice dropped when she was tired, soft and raw and real.And the way Nate looked at her like he already knew he was falling.God, it made my blood boil.âYouâre doing that brooding thing again,â Tristan said, sliding into the booth beside me.âShut up.ââSeriously,â he said, nudging my arm. âYou look like someone just kicked your puppy.âI didnât answer. Miles dropped into the seat across from us, flanked by two girls who disappeared when he saw my face.âWhatâs with you, man?â Miles asked. âYou win the ga
I had just finished my history class and was heading toward the cafĂŠ when I spotted Charlotte waving frantically.âAVA!â she shouted, practically dragging her boyfriend Tristan by the arm.I smiled and jogged up. âWhat, is there a fire or just another TikTok recipe you want to try?ââNeither. Look who I found loitering like a lost golden retriever!â she said, grinning as Nate came into view behind her, wearing a hoodie and carrying a smoothie.âHey,â Nate said, offering me that same warm smile that always made my stomach flip. âFancy seeing you here, Professor Scary.âCharlotte raised an eyebrow. âProfessor what?ââItâs a diner thing,â I muttered.Nate chuckled. âShe trained me. Survived my fork-tray fiasco.ââShe texted me about it,â Charlotte said, giving me a mischievous look. âAlong with the dimple emoji.âI narrowed my eyes. âCharlotte.ââWhat? I just find it interesting,â she said, casually looping her arm around Tristanâs waist. âThat Fork Boy here clearly likes you.âNate cho
~Avaâs pov~Today was a bit boring. No Charlotte in sight as she was busy with Tristan. No Logan and I miss him alot Even though he's coming back today, I couldn't help myself from being lonely.The diner felt too quiet without the lunch chaos, and I was just finishing up a refill run when I heard the bell above the door jingle.I turned, expecting a customer and froze.Logan.Tall, broad, in his usual Titans hoodie and backward cap, looking like he hadnât just spent the last two days tackling people in another town. His hazel eyes locked on mine the second he spotted me.And just like that, I forgot how to hold a soda pitcher properly.Sometimes I wonder,why does he have that hold on me? Sometimes I completely forget everything around me as my eyes locked with him.âYouâre back early,â I said excitedly,my heart skipping.He shrugged like it was no big deal. âCoach cut us loose after the game. Thought Iâd surprise you.ââYou did,â I said, setting the pitcher down before I dropped it.
~Avaâs pov~ When I arrived at the diner it was already buzzing with so many people when I tied my apron and stepped behind the counter. The scent of coffee and grease welcomed me like an old friend, and the clatter of plates and cups was oddly comforting. It was a place I was already used to.Logan and Tristan had left early that morning for an out-of-town practice match. The group chat had been blowing up with dumb pictures and bad jokes, and I missed Logan more than I wanted to admit for it being less than twelve hours. Ridiculous.It was just for one day, and I already missed him like crazy.âAva!â Debra called from the kitchen window, her curly hair tucked under a cap. âI need you to train the new guy. He starts today.âI blinked. âThereâs a new guy?âShe shoved a name tag toward me. âNate. Tall. Blonde. Donât let him drop the soup. He seems clumsy for his own goodâ.I stifled a laugh and took the tag, pinning it to my apron just as the bell over the door jingled.And there he
~Ava pov~If someone in the past had told me that Iâd be going to the mall like a normal girl with a boyfriend who treated me like I hung the moon I wouldâve laughed until I cried.But here I was. Saturday afternoon. Wearing real jeans. Not Loganâs shirt. And for once, my mascara wasnât waterproof because I wasnât expecting to cry today.How life changes.âYou need new shoes,â Charlotte declared, arms crossed as we stood outside one of those fancy stores with mannequins. I blinked. âI have shoes.âShe gave me a long, questioning look.âYou have Loganâs slides and four pair of combat boots that look like they fought in two wars.âââŚExcuse you! It's fashionââTheyâre tragic.âI sighed. âFine. But Iâm not spending more thanâŚââGirl, hush. Tristanâs paying.âI stared at her. âWhat? Why would he pay for me?âShe grinned, wicked and proud. â Okay it was Logan, that said that.It was his idea. âGet Ava some proper shoes so she doesnât show up to your birthday dinner looking like an ancient
~Ava's pov~I stared at the man in front of me, my hand still clutching the doorknob like it was the only thing keeping me standing.The silence between us stretched thin. His eyes raked over me judgmental, cold, furious.I shrank back instinctively, pulling Loganâs shirt tighter around me.âReal classy, Ava,â my father sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. âThrowing yourself at the first guy with a bed.âMy stomach twisted painfully.Before I could utter a reply, heavy footsteps approached behind me.Logan.âWho the hell are you?â Loganâs voice was sharp, edged with protectiveness. He moved beside me, wrapping a strong arm around my waist without hesitation, pulling me slightly behind him.My fatherâs lip curled into a sneer.âAnd who the hell are you?â he shot back. âAnother loser sheâs using to pay her bills?âThe words hit harder than I wanted to admit.I flinched, shame flooding through me.I couldn't even believe if this was my father talking before me.Logan stiffened, hi
~Avaâs POV~I wish I couldâve stayed like that forever. Wrapped up in Loganâs arms, feeling the steady rhythm of his heart against my ear, his hand lazily drawing circles on my back.It was easy to forget the rest of the world existed when I was with him.I smiled against his bare chest, feeling a strange kind of peace settle over me the kind I hadnât felt in years.My phone buzzed somewhere on the nightstand, vibrating against the table.I groaned, not wanting to move, but Logan chuckled and gave me a playful smack on the hip."Better get that, baby," he said, his voice thick with sleep.I stretched, feeling deliciously sore, and reached over to grab it.Charlotteâs name flashed across the screen.I frowned. Why was she calling so early?Sliding off the bed ignoring Loganâs mocking whine as I stole his warmth I padded across the room. I was dressed in nothing but a pair of Loganâs loose basketball shorts and his t-shirt, which hung almost indecently off one shoulder.My neck tingle
~Loganâs POV~The first thing I became aware of was the warmth.Soft,Sweet., and Familiar.I shifted slightly, blinking against the early morning light leaking through the blinds.And there she was.Curled against my chest, her head tucked under my chin, her arm thrown lazily across my waist like she belonged there.Like she was meant to be there.My heart clenched painfully in my chest.For a long minute, I just stared at her, afraid to even breathe too loud in case it shattered the fragile peace wrapping around us.She was beautiful.More beautiful than anything I deserved.Her hair was a wild mess against the pillow, her cheeks still flushed from the night before, her lips parted slightly as she breathed in slow, even rhythms.I tightened my arm around her instinctively, pulling her even closer.Mine.She was mine!The thought echoed in my head, loud and possessive.She was mine.And nothing⌠I mean no one was going to take her from me.I pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, lettin
~Logan's POV~The sunlight streamed through the windows of the apartment, but all I could see was her.Still sitting cross-legged on my couch, her hair a messy bun around her head, her eyes were so soft and trusting, even after everything I barely managed to tell her last night.She didn't even freak out as i was expecting. I didnât deserve her.But selfishly, I wasnât going to let her go.I pushed myself off the wall where Iâd been leaning and crossed the room toward her.She smiled up at me, the kind of smile that made the tight knot in my chest loosen just a little. The kind of smile that lit up my whole world."You doing anything later?" I asked, my voice coming out roughly from lack of sleep and too many emotions.Her head tilted slightly. "No... why?"I smirked and sat on the coffee table in front of her, close enough that our knees brushed."After football practice," I said, reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, "I'm taking you out. Proper date. Just you and me