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Chapter 40

As Alyssa dug through my bag, I opened the messaging app that I had been avoiding the entire time being here. A message from Bradley explained that the entire dinner was boring and two of the seniors got into a fight over who wanted to play who in the play. I skipped my mom's texts and went on to the next unread and saw Logan's name at the top of the screen. Where did you disappear off to?

All of the mixed feelings I had tried so hard to forget started to flood back. Why did he care? I knew that Anna had talked to him about the Army and how she didn't want him to join. The way he avoided me during finals made me so sure that Anna had brought me up to him or he blamed me for his relationship problems. If this was the case why would he be asking me where I was? After receiving the message almost 24 hours earlier I decided I wasn't going to reply. As I put my phone back on the nightstand it began to vibrate. I pulled the phone back up and saw Logan had sent another message. Should I be worried?

At this moment I couldn't help but respond. Deep down I wished he would have been the one on the beach carelessly playing with me in the sand. Yeah, I'm fine. I'll see you on Monday. I don't know what Anna will do, but I know one thing for sure - I want Logan in my life. Nothing would be able to change that. Going on this date with Crew I would be able to make sure that I could just be friends with Logan. I would be able to go on a date with a nice guy and not have to think about Logan.

"What do you think?" Alyssa breaks my train of thought. She holds up my white tare off jean shorts and a black v-neck shirt. I grab my shopping bag from yesterday and pull out the unworn red bikini. She smiled in approval and threw the clothes at me. Even though he wasn't going to show up for another five hours I change into the outfit. Alyssa and I sit on the balcony overlooking the crowded beach while eating some fruit from the snack pack. "So you like this Crew guy?" she asked.

"I mean I don't know him very well. He thinks I am a college student!"

"Yeah I know! It was scary how well you played the truth."

"I honestly have no idea how tonight is going to go." I pause. "I don't even know where we are going!"

"Young lady, you better turn on your location app."

"My what?" I asked confused.

"The app I downloaded to your phone while you were changing. It lets me see where you are on a map."

I laugh. "Well, geez. Don't think I can fend for myself?"

She tilted her head and looked at me with her eyes fixed on mine. "I don't think I was the only one last night that saw him pick you up easily and run. He's strong."

"I guess you're right!" I smile as I remember the spontaneous guy who literally swept me off my feet.

***

There was a knock on the door. I walk down the stairs in my white jean shorts and V-neck black shirt with my newly bought red bikini straps showing behind my neck. Alyssa sits anxiously on the couch yelling rules as I walk towards the front door. I only smile at her and continue walking. I stop right behind the front door and unlock my phone and activate the app. I wasn't worried until Alyssa began to put possibilities into my head. I slide the phone back into my small jean pocket and turn the knob.

"Hey." I start as I see his face. He makes his large build obvious in his black short-sleeved t-shirt. His toned arms and built chest leave no room against the fabric.

"Hey." He responds as he makes it obvious that he takes a look at my freshly sun kissed body from top to bottom. "You ready?" He smiles.

"Sure am!" He holds out his hand and I place my small hand in his. He grabs gently and lightly pulls as we walk to the truck parked outside the gate. He lets go as I walk around the front of the truck and step into the passenger's seat. "Where are we going?"

"Well since neither of us are technically allowed to go into any of the bars and get alcohol, I will use my fake to run in and grab some food and drinks to go. And I thought we could sit in the bed of the truck and eat." He asks the last part as more of a question than a statement.