Logan

131. Not Like That

*Alex POV*

I thumbed my phone nervously as I checked for any response from Natalie. I only saw a text from Everett saying she hadn't come home yet.

I stood at the counter of Dixies overlooking Monday's pies. Blueberry, lemon meringue, cherry, pecan, I let out a sigh of frustration. Why do they always bake cherry? No one actually likes it.

My eyes scanned the cookies and muffins, then I noticed the paper beside me. I noticed my sister in the front photo when I heard voices. I glanced over to see a few old men sitting together looking over the paper.

"Newton Fire Department Captain Thomas Ripley, and local starlet Natalie Koughlin. Hey, isn't that Betty's kid?"

"Poor girl was shot last year, almost died from what I heard."

"Huh... you know, Betty used to hang around Thomas in high school... you think she's his too?"

"I mean, can't be, she got married to that fancy business man she met in college. Besides, Natalie looks like she's in her early 20s."

"They certainly look alike."

"Just because they both have brown hair it doesn't make them related, Bob."

"Well, you never know?"

A voice called my name, "Alex Koughlin?"

I took the bag and paper with me, ignoring the voices whispering behind me. My phone buzzed as soon as I sat inside my car.

Mom: zoom call later.

*Natalie's POV*

My eyes felt heavy as I heard a thud against the door. FedEx? UPS? I moved my neck and felt my entire body protest as I moved around. I sat up a little too fast and felt the nausea bubbling inside me.

I took a couple breaths and took a few sips of water, relaxing back on the cushions. I looked at the 12 texts from Alex, and a barrage of other texts and notifications of condolances I still haven't responded to. I didn't want to respond just yet. I looked down to see a pair of keys, on a barbie keychain with a pompom. Where did he get these? First with the disney princess toothbrush, and now a barbie keychain, probably liked to collect random items from thrift and antique stores. It would probably explain some of the things in his kitchen.

I then saw a note and a ten dollar bill. "Use however you want, ANYTIME, TR (with two underlines viciously darkened and a wonky heart added underneath.)"

I tucked the key into my pocket, still in the sweats and sweater. A few steps in the hallway and I noticed my clothes sitting on top of the dryer, as well as some slippers and socks. A yellow post it note said, "I found your shoes and coat outside, but they were frozen. Use this sweater instead. Call me when you wake up so I can give you a ride. TR"

Thomas was right, if I was going to get my life together I had to get my priorities straight.

-

-

-

Ten minutes later I was in Wren's vehicle, listening to him rant about last night's shift. I listened for a good ten minutes, about all the patients he attended to, a drunken brawl, someone got stabbed with a fork.

"I think we should stop seeing each other for a while," I blurted.

Wren swerved to the side of the road a little, "Shit, um...oh um, okay. Did something happen? Did I do something wrong?"

I sighed, steadying myself, "Canyon kissed me."

Wren pulled into the cul-de-sac, stopping outside my house. "Kissed you, like on the cheek?"