For Hating Me You Sure Are Possessive

56: Lost and Found

When my phone rang I was honestly startled to see COACH in big bold letters displayed across my screen. After the hallway incident I couldn’t imagine what it was he’d have to talk about with me. The only time he spoke to me was during basketball, and then it was only related to the game. Though. . . I hesitated, with my finger over the answer key, I was curious what he had to say.

"Hello?" I answered, the phone already at my ear by the time I made my decision. If I didn’t like what he had to say I could just hang up. It was that simple. Nonetheless I swallowed when he responded.

"Kara," he paused, "It’s Lucas."

"I know." My reply was short and to the point. I had no reason to say anymore. It wasn’t up to me to initiate a conversation. He was the one calling me, not the other way around.

He seemed to realize that too. "Do you have a minute?"

"Would I have answered the phone if I didn’t?" The dry, sarcastic response rolled off my tongue. At the same time it did I realized it was a very Logan-ish thing to say. I couldn,’t help but smile at the thought. Lucas had said he wanted me to stop being such an easy target, but I don’t think he knew those words would come to bite him in the ass. I was standing up for myself; to him.

"This isn’t about us." His voice came, almost rushed as though he expected me to hang up at any moment. "It’s about something else."

I waited for more, but nothing came. Just dead air across the line. "Okay?"

"Will you meet me at the park, the one I play ball at?" Lucas’s question made my brow furrow as his voice entered my ear. "If you don’t like what I have to say you can leave whenever you want."

His question only added another log to the fire of curiosity that burned in my chest. First he calls me out of the blue, and now this? Everything that needed to be said had been in that hallway, long ago. There was nothing more to talk about. Even if there was, I don’t think I would have talked about it to begin with. But. . . he had said this was about something else. What else was there?

"Can’t you just tell me over the phone?"

"If I could, I would. This is something you have to be here for," he assured me. After a period of silence on my end he felt the need to add, "I know I lost your trust, but just give me a chance."

I swallowed mulling over his question. Lucas wanted me to meet him, and the reason behind it was still a mystery to me. As much as I didn’t want to see him, part of me yearned to know just what this ‘something’ was. My mind blanked, unable to think of any possibilities. We’d established that there was no us, as he so boldly declared this impromptu visit was not about.

They say curiosity killed the cat. Maybe it did, I wasn’t sure. Maybe that was why it had nine lives; because satisfaction brought it back.

Or at least I hoped so as I forced out a, "Fine. When?"

"As soon as you can get here. I can come get y-"

"No," I cut him short. "I’ll get there when I get there."

And with that I hung up, staring at the phone in my hand. What had I done?! Agreeing to meet with Lucas. . .

There was no reason not to. I had to force the thought into my mind, calmly lowering my phone back onto Maver’s futon beside me. We were both somewhat-mature adults; we could have a civilized conversation. If I didn’t like what he had to say I could walk away just like he said. Or, perhaps I could stay and listen until he was done.

The idea surprised me, and I mulled it over a bit. What was the harm in talking to him? After that kiss in the hallway I was no longer wound up on him. He was back to Coach Matthers, albeit a very awkward to be around Coach Matthers. If it turns out poorly I’ll know for next time so it’ll never happen again, I silently reassured myself.

The decision made, I walked to the door, pausing to slip my sneakers on. No high-tops this time, thank god. I could walk in comfort. As I pulled it open the sound of the tv met my ears, and my feet came to a stop. Holding my breath I tried to listen for the sound of talking. There was nothing but the show that was on which surprised me. It was a sunday afternoon, but that had never stopped Logan from having a party before. And, with Maver having left for work , it was only Logan and I in the house. Things had been surprisingly good after the kiss fiasco, and he seemed to be sticking with being my friend.

It’s why I was so worried to see him at all. Every time things were okay we wound up getting into a stupid fight again. This time I desperately didn’t want for that to happen. I’d hidden away in Maver’s room on his laptop all day just for that reason. I wasn’t even sure if Logan even knew I was still there. He hadn’t tried to barge in on me once.

Shaking my head I stepped into the hall and marched into the livingroom. Stupid, I was being stupid. Walking on eggshells around him was just pointless. If he wanted to mess with me he would; no matter how much I tried to avoid him.

A little smile slipped onto my face before I could stop it. It was kind of nice to have someone who stuck around no matter what, even if it wasn’t always all gumdrops and rainbows.

Logan blinked a surprised blink at my smile before I even realised I was. By the time I noticed my feet had carried me into the livingroom I found myself staring straight at Logan who was lounging in his chair. He’d already turned that surprised millisecond into a sly smile as he asked, "Tell me Kara, did it hurt?"

A "What?" slipped out before I could stop it.

He leaned forward, cocking his head as he gave a boyish smile. "When you fell from heaven."

My heart nearly stopped, only one of my eyebrows managing to make it up in surprise. The look had been so- dare I say it so much as think it- Maver’esqe that I was stunned. First Maver was acting like his handsy older brother, and now Logan was giving me a playful smile that had always only belonged to Maver? What in the world was going on?!

"No go?" he asked, giving me an amused look.

Composing myself I shook my head, happily surprised that instead of looking shocked I’d only looked confused with my lone eyebrow raised.

Logan shrugged, relaxing back in the seat. In a second a smirk was on his lips, his blue eyes sparkling. "Well if you’re not an angel than can I at least get my two other wishes?"

I ran my hand through my hair, wishing I had something to tie it up with. I wasn’t sure why having to down made me feel so exposed. Probably because people could then play with my hair and trick me into kissing them. Totally a random example, nothing to do with the man I was about to go meet with. Alone. What was I crazy?

Logan seemed to be thinking the same thing because he asked, "Hey are you all right? Normally you would have had some little sassy little comeback by now."

It was my turn to shrug, and I again shook my head. This time to clear it. "No, you’re pick up lines were just that lame," I muttered. It should have been sassy, just like he’d ordered, but it came out distracted.

"Going somewhere?" he asked, adding in, "I thought you’d left with Maver."

"Yeah, I’m actually on my way out," I said, having to remind myself to get my feet moving.

"Want a ride?"

The next shake of my head caused one of my curls to fall over my shoulder and I quickly tucked it back. "That’s all right, I’m not going too far."

Someone must have replaced Logan with a double because he shrugged, getting to his feet. "Doesn’t mater to me." Seemingly oblivious to my mouth that hung open in surprise, Logan started towards the door.

"You won’t like where I’m going!" I blurted out. Everything was happening so fast! Only moments ago I’d decided I’d so much as answer Lucas’ call, and now I was about to go see him via the Logan express? I think not.

A fight was exactly what I’d been trying to avoid by staying hidden in the room.

He came to a stop, looking over his shoulder to me. "Where are you going?"

I gritted my teeth, half wishing he’d just been in one of his moods and started a fight instead of asking questions. At least then I could have stormed out. Well, if he moved from blocking my only exit I could have. But there he stood between the way to freedom and me. "Does it really matter?"

"Do you think it does?"

"No," I responded without hesitation.

A smug smile spread across his face, his deep blue eyes sparkling. "Then your carriage awaits," he said playfully, opening the door. As he did he swept his arm as though ushering me through the open door.

I groan, rolling my eyes. "Can you just let me go?"

He quirked an eyebrow, his smile shifting to a smirk. "So you’re my captive then?"

I found myself pursing my lips at him, my gaze narrowing. Logan wasn’t trying to start a fight. No, he was just being downright weird. "Why are you acting so weird?"

"You’re the one acting like you’ve got something to hide," he pointed out. "You say it’s not a big deal, yet you still won’t tell me. That seems contradictory don’t you think?" Logan’s eyes darted over my face as he took in my exasperated look. "Why wouldn’t I like where you’re going?"

"It’s none of your business," I groaned.

"Why can’t you just tell me?"

"Because," I snapped, my hands finding their way to my hips, "you wouldn’t like my answer and I don’t want to have to explain myself to you."

My words may as well have been a slap. The taken aback on Logan’s face lasted only a second, before turning into a glare. "And you say I’m the one who jumps to conclusions."

"I-" I faltered, caught by the tone of his voice. It sounded almost hurt. Whatever I had been about to say fled from my mind. I had just established a friendship with him and already I wasn’t so much as giving him a chance. "I’m going to meet with Lucas."

For a moment he just stared at me. I would have done a handstand to know what was going on behind his eyes as they held mine. He didn’t say a word until his back was to me. "Do you know the way?"

I nodded before realising he couldn’t see me. "Yeah."

"Then I’ll give you a ride."

And with that he was striding out the door. I stood there a moment before hurrying after him, pausing to close the door behind me. I watched his broad back as he walked down the hall without so much as a glance back at me. What was going on? I’d expected him to ask more questions, maybe even start the fight I’d been dreading. But this?

I stumbled as I followed him, trying to catch up with his retreating form. By the time I finally caught to him we were already at his car. Just as quickly as he’d disappeared from the apartment he disappeared from sight again, this time as he climbed into his car. I shook my head, climbing in after him.

Logan pretended not to see me as he started the car, ignoring my stare. I took in his long dark hair as it touched the top of his eyes which were focused on the cigarette he was lighting. When he blew out a cloud of smoke through the open window I looked away. Try as I might I couldn’t help but ask, "You’re really not going to ask why?"

"It’s none of my business."

I looked back at him, surprised by his bored tone. His cold blue eyes gave no answer. "Then why are you taking me?" I hadn’t even meant to ask it aloud.

This time he looked at me like I was stupid as he scoffed. "I’m sure as hell not letting you go see him on your own."

"Why not?’

"You’re too vulnerable on your own."

It was my turn to scoff, a frustrated look crossing my face. My brows furrowed angrily. "And I’m any safer with you?"

Logan flashed me a dark smirk. "He won’t get close enough to kiss you if you’re with me."

My cheeks reddened the slightest bit, remembering the last time I’d been caught alone with Lucas. I didn’t doubt that if Logan had been there it never would have happened. He’d already shown he was more than happy to punch someone for me. "I’m not vulnerable," I muttered weakly, looking away from his smirk. Damn him.

"Then why are you bothering to talk to Lukey boy?"

I kept my eyes trained on the glovebox in front of me as I shrugged. "He said it wasn’t about us."

"So you’re an ‘us’ now?" he asked accusingly.

"You know what I mean," I snapped, turning my eyes to the window instead. We still sat in the parking lot, the car idling loudly. For a moment I wondered how it even managed to run at all.

"Not vulnerable my ass," Logan scoffed.

My eyes shot to him, giving him a warning look. "Look if you don’t want to take me-"

"I can’t very well drive when I don’t know where I’m going," he cut me off with a smirk.

I felt the familiar heat of a blush come to my cheeks. "Oh. Do you know where the basketball courts are?"

"You’re meeting him for a practice?" he asked incredulously. "Are you out of your fu-"

"He just said he wanted to talk," I cut him off, rolling my eyes. "This is exactly why I didn’t want to tell you in the first place."

Logan went silent a moment, his eyes scanning over my face. After what seemed like forever he asked, "Which basketball courts?"

It took me a moment to realize that I only knew the way by foot. . . kind of. I’d only run that way once, and though I knew the general direction I wasn’t sure of an exact location. Instead of admitting that to Logan I shrugged. "You know, the one that’s fenced in? By the," I paused, trying to think of what else I knew about the place, "trees?" I finished lamely.

"Big green things?" he asked teasingly, his eyes sparkling teasingly when I nodded dumbly. "You so would have gotten lost."

I would have come back with some witty retort, but he chose that moment to step on the gas. The car jerked forward and I was pushed back against the street as he barreled out of the parking lot. It wasn’t until we got halfway down the street that I managed to mumble, "So you know the one then?"

"Yeah," he laughed, blowing out a puff of smoke. "I know it."

I nodded numbly, turning my eyes out the window to watch the passing street signs. None of them looked familiar and I suddenly realized he was right. I would have gotten lost.

Damn him.

By the time I did recognize our surroundings we were pulling up to the basketball courts, coach’s bright yellow hummer a telling sign. Logan pulled his rustbucket car to a stop, the car idling loudly just as it’d done in the parking lot. I sat there, staring out the window towards the courts. Sure enough Lucas was there. He stood, staring towards the car I sat in with Logan. He’d undoubtedly heard us pull up. Everyone in a twelve block radius must have.

"Can I come with?"

Logan’s smooth voice cut through the sound of his car’s engine and I looked over towards him, surprised by the question. I was even more surprised to see he was genuinely waiting for my answer. "You want to?"

He nodded, my question causing a smirk to slide across his lips. "Wouldn’t miss it for the world," he quipped, shutting off the car and pulling the keys from the ignition.

I would have asked why if he hadn’t already started to climb from the car. Once more I found myself hustling to match his pace as I pulled open the door and scuttled onto the sidewalk. To my surprise he was waiting on the sidewalk for me, looking over his shoulder towards me. I strode to his side, swallowing despite how dry my mouth had gotten. The nervous feeling that flooded me came as I realized what I was about to do.

"Let’s get this over with," I mumbled, more to myself than Logan as I started towards the open door in the chain link fence that surrounded the courts.

Logan followed a step behind me, humming a tune under his breath. I quickly recognized it as Jaws themesong. I couldn’t stop a little giddy smile from slipping to my face as I glanced back at him. He met my eyes, the mischievous twinkle unmistakable.

"Kara," Lucas’s voice called my attention and I found myself looking towards him instead. "I didn’t think you’d come."

I came to a stop a few feet from him, giving a little shrug. Pretending I was calm about the entire situation was unusually easy with Logan standing slightly behind me. "Well I’m here."

"With Logan," he added, his eyes sliding past me to look at the man behind me.

"Is that a problem?" Logan asked, his voice sounding almost smug. I would have fallen for it, if it wasn’t for the fact a familiar undertone laced it; defensiveness.

Lucas either didn’t care, or was just bad at hiding his cold tone as he shot back, "That’s up to Kara."

The little stand off going on between the two caused my lips to purse. "If I didn’t want him here, I wouldn’t have brought him."

Well, technically Logan had brought me, but he seemed to dismiss that fact as he scoffed. "For someone who had to lie to get her here you sure are cocky."

For the first time since I’d known Lucas he appeared to get angry. His lips tightened, his gaze hardening as he stared down Logan like he wished that he would disappear. Forever. "I didn’t lie," he said curtly, before turning his eyes to mine. The moment they did his gaze softened, looking almost pleading. "I really do have something to talk to you about," he insisted.

"Well," I asked, raising an eyebrow curiously. "What is it?"

His eyes flickered to Logan then back to me. "It would be better if he wasn’t here for this." All this staring over my shoulder felt weird, and I wished Logan wasn’t positioned behind me anymore. Without turning to look over my shoulder I couldn’t see his expression, and if I did I was worried what I’d see.

I was even more worried what would happen if he left.

"He’s not going anywhere," I said firmly.

Lucas looked taken aback, his eyes dancing over my face. Finally the came to rest on my eyes, a defeated look falling over him. "Fine, I’ll be right back."

"Where are you going?" I asked, dumbfounded as he started to walk towards me and I found myself tempted to take a step back to put some distance between us once more. The only reason I didn’t was to avoid falling over Logan. I wasn’t sure where he was positioned behind me, but I didn’t want to chance it. I was already clumsy enough as it was.

"You’ll see," he responded, flashing a sudden smile as he passed me. I couldn’t help but turn and watch his broad muscular back as he proceeded towards the exit.

Logan fell into place beside me, shooting a dark look over at me. "See, aren’t you glad I came?"

I was so busy trying to figure out what Lucas was doing as he approached his yellow hummer that I nodded numbly. "Yeah."

He sensed my distraction, and instead of the cocky response I anticipated when I realized what I’d just said , he set his hand on my shoulder, drawing my attention to him. "Hey, if you want to get out of here just say the word."

The almost thoughtful sheen to his gaze shocked me to my core. "Who are you and what have you done with Logan?" I asked, my eyes widening as I gave him a look that was as surprised as I felt.

He chuckled as though my question pleased him in some twisted way. "If I told you I’d have to kill you."

A little smile passed between us, and it would have been a picture perfect moment if not for the circumstances.

"Caroline."

My head snapped forward, my attention tearing from Logan in a heartbeat. I knew that voice.

A grimace crossed my face before I’d even met his eyes. "For the millionth time that’s not my name!" I hissed at my brother.

It wasn’t until I noticed Lucas at his side that I realized where he’d materialized from. It wasn’t some sort of dark magic that had conjured him up. No, it’d been coach Lucas and his yellow hummer of doom.

"At least it’s a real name," he shot back, his green eyes bore into mine.

"If it’s not a real name, then why’s it on my birth certificate?"

Beside me Logan cleared his throat, a very uncharacteristic thing for him to do. He wasn’t to care about butting into people’s conversations. Maybe he really had been replaced? As if to double check, I found myself looking at him with a scrutinizing gaze. Who was this creature with his hand on my shoulder, and his blue eyes shining into mine?

Brent seemed to wondering the same thing for he asked, "Who’s this supposed to be?"

"He can hear you," I pointed out, my eyes snapping back towards my brother, "and his name is Logan."

Instead of replying to my flat comment he turned to look angrily at Lucas. "You told me she didn’t have a boyfriend," he hissed accusingly.

"He’s not," Lucas growled back, his eyes darting to me. He failed to mention that I did have a boyfriend. Well, kind of. I needed to have a talk with Dylan. I’d just been putting it off until I knew what to say. The ten missed calls from him a pressing reminder of that.

"Then why is he here?"

This time, Logan didn’t feel the need to clear his throat. He snapped back into the good old Logan I’d come to know so well. "Better question is why are you here?" he smarted back.

Realizing that he’d lost control of the situation before he’d ever had a chance to gain it, Lucas stepped forward. "You’re here to talk to Kara," he reminded Brent roughly.

But Brent was already in a death glare with Logan. I knew the look on his face better than I knew backs of my own hands, and I found myself stepping forward and in between the two facing off men. Logan’s hand fell from my shoulder. "What is going on here Lucas?" I asked, my stoney eyes never leaving my brother’s. His attention had shifted to me when I got in the way of the daggers he was trying to shoot with his eyes.

"I brought him here to talk to you," he explained, pulling my eyes to him with his soft voice. "You two need to talk."

"No we don’t," Brent snapped.

In a heartbeat Lucas’s eyes left me. "You lost the game, remember?" he asked gruffly of my brother.

It was my turn to snap. "That clears up everything," I scoffed, rolling my eyes. "Look, if you’re not going to tell me what this is all about I’m leaving."

"Remember how I told you we played against each other?" Lucas asked, his smooth voice drawing my attention. Our eyes met and a tiny smile formed on his lips. "I used my win to get him here to talk to you."

"Which was a stupid idea," Brent growled, "I have nothing to say to her."

To my surprise it was Logan who spoke next. "Oh I think you do," he commented with a rough tone to his voice. "Like for starters explaining why you had this motherfucker keep an eye on her."

"Hey," Lucas cut in, "for the record I told him no." His eyes locked onto Logan’s, an angry glint to them. "I didn’t go along with it."

"Then why the sudden interest in her?" Logan demanded to know, a deathly expression I was all too familiar with crossing his face. "From what I’ve heard you haven’t always been so attentive of Kara, have you coach?"

He spat the last word, the venom in his voice hanging in the air even in the silence that followed. It only lasted for a second before Lucas growled, his voice low and throaty. "You don’t know what you’re talking about."

"I know more than you think," Logan accepted his challenge, stepping forward until he was eye to eye with Lucas. The two glared at each other in a staredown that caused the hair on my arms to prickle uncomfortably.

"So do I," Lucas responded, taking on an almost smug tone. His gaze shifted to me and I felt like a deer caught in the headlights as I blinked into his gaze. "Did you know he knows Dylan?"

The words sunk in and I suddenly realized what it was that he’d been trying to tell me in the hallway when we’d been interrupted. Of course he knew Dylan and Logan, he too was a part of the racing scene. Suddenly the hostility towards Logan, and Dylan’s name, made sense.

"Yes, I do," I replied cooly. "Logan already told me they talked."

"Did he also tell you he set the whole thing up? The two of you meeting?"

Before I could take his words to heart Logan cut in. "I did not," he spat, the rage in his voice sending a chill down my spine. "You’re the one who doesn’t know what you’re talking about here."

"What the fuck is going on?" Brent asked, sounding frustrated beyond words. "Who’s Dylan?" his eyes flashed from Lucas to Dylan, "I still don’t know who the fuck you even are." His eyes flickered to me a second before going back to Lucas’s face which was red with anger.

"Dylan is Kara’s boyfriend," Lucas supplied the answer without hesitation. "And Logan is-"

"-Maver’s older brother," I cut him short, not wanting to hear his version of Logan’s place in all this, "and my friend."

I could feel both Logan’s and Lucas’ eyes snap to me in surprise. Brent followed suit, only for a different reason. "Your little puppydog?" he asked in surprise. "I think I’d remember if he had a brother."

"I guess ours isn’t the only family with secrets," I replied coldly.

Our eyes held, and for the first time since everything happened I found myself in the position to talk to Brent about what had happened. The moment they’d found out he wasn’t related to me in the hospital we’d been separated. With everything that was being revealed no one had thought to so much as allow us in the same room together. Not that he wouldn’t have just walked out on me to begin with.

"You mean your family," he deadpanned. "I’ve got nothing to do with you."

His words shot towards me like bullets, but I found them deflected by Logan’s voice. "Then why would you have someone watch over her?"

It was Logan’s turn to be center of attention now, for we all looked to him in surprise. The question had undoubtedly been on both mine and Lucas’ mind, but we’d been caught up in the petty squabbles at hand instead of the entire reason I’d shown up with Logan in the first place.

Lucas had called me here to talk to Brent.

Logan’s gaze stayed intently locked on my brother. "I think she has a right to know."

"You want to know?" he hissed, his eyes darting to mine. "Fine. You’re a walking disaster who can’t take care of yourself for shit." With pulsing green eyes he held mine captive.

"Watch yourself," Logan warned, his voice holding an unspoken threat.

Brent’s eyes slide over to Logan. Once more a death glare was being sent through the air. If looks could kill it would be a wonder if I made it out of this confrontation alive. "If she can’t handle the truth then she can leave anytime."

"I’m not going anywhere," I answered for myself. I was glad I was quick enough to distract Logan from whatever it was he had started to open his mouth to say.

Brent’s darting eyes scanned my face before he finally said, "I wanted to know how bad you had it after the shit shit the fan. I was tired of waiting for your suicide to make headlines."

In a heartbeat Logan moved from squaring off with Lucas, to instead shield me from my brother. With one hand behind him resting on my forearm he faced my brother toe to toe. "You’re right; Kara isn’t your family. If she was you’d know she’s a lot stronger than you give her credit for."

I don’t know who was shocked more by his announcement; Brent or me. I know who rebounded quicker though, for Brent growled, "You think you know her? She’s-"

"I’d choose your next words carefully," Logan cut him short with a growl.

"Or you’ll do what exactly?"

I could feel the deadly smirk radiating from him even though I couldn’t see it for myself. "Why don’t you ask Luke?"

I watched as Brent’s green eyes changed targets. "You caught me by surprise," Lucas responded flatly, a muscle in his neck twitching. "Try it again if you dare."

Logan gave a sardonic chuckle. "I wasn’t talking about me, but thanks for the offer, I’ll keep it in mind."

"Then-"

"If I remember correctly the black eye was already there," he cut Lucas short, "all I did was help it along."

"I’m getting really tired of having to ask what the fuck you are talking about," Brent almost hissed.

"I’m talking about Kara, who you say can’t take care of herself, giving your watchdog here a punch he won’t soon forget," then, directing the next part at Lucas he added, "if he knows what’s good for him."

I watched as Brent’s agitated gaze turned to the man at his side. "What the fu-"

"It won’t happen again," Lucas ignored the question being aimed at him as he talked over my brother.

"She punched you?" Brent asked, obviously nonplussed. I was surprised by the anger that was suddenly being directed at Lucas when he nodded. "What did you do?"

More surprising yet was his reply as he kept his gaze locked on Logan’s undoubtedly piercing blue eyes. "I kissed her." I wasn’t sure what part surprised me more, the fact that he said it, or the fact that he wasn’t even really recalling the events correctly. I had kissed him, not the other way around. It was a stupid mistake I’d never forget, even though it seemed as though the memory was already jumbled for him. I’d kissed him and he’d rejected me, saying it had to do with my brother. Then I’d punched him.

But apparently he wasn’t finished, for his eyes flickered to mine as if he could read my mind. "I abandoned my patience and got closer than I told myself I would. Instead of owning up to it I backed away like a coward. If I get the chance to do it over-"

"You won’t," Brent and Logan said in perfect unison.

The air came to an eerie silence around us as the three of them looked to me, as though waiting for my input. In my chest my heart beat on, carrying out a surprisingly steady tune. I met Logan’s eyes, finding that the familiar blue made me feel secure in my next words. "Take me home, will you?"

He didn’t need to be told twice and in the matter of a second he had my hand in his, and had pushed straight through Brent and Lucas’ stunned forms. The power behind his shove was enough to leave room for me to fit through behind him as he started towards his car with me in tow.

"Kara!" Lucas called, and I felt his hand touch on my shoulder.

Before he could pull me to a stop the touch was gone. I looked over my shoulder just in time to see Brent ripping Lucas away from me. "Don’t you fucking touch her."

Logan hadn’t even bothered to slow, and it was a miracle I didn’t stumble over my feet as I gawked back at the pair. Lucas was shooting a glare at my brother like I’d never seen him wear before. "You’re going to let her leave with him?!"

I didn’t get to hear the reply, because Logan grabbed my attention. "Let them fight it out, it’s not your problem anymore." His eyes met mine as I looked back to him, taken aback by his comment. "You get to choose when you walk away, always remember that."

His words hit their mark, and I realized he was right. I’d been afraid I was running when I realized the pair weren’t done with whatever they were now angrily growling at each other behind us. But with his words everything cleared. I wasn’t running away, I’d merely chosen to walk away. The difference was I wasn’t fleeing a situation. I was removing myself from it. Maybe fight or flight weren’t my only options after all.

I was still mulling over this revelation as I climbed into his car and let the sound of the loud engine starting wash over me. Though he didn’t say a word as he drove, I felt perfectly content with the silence as I gazed out the window. I still didn’t know the streets we were passing, but regardless of that fact I knew in my heart where we were going.

Not to my aunt’s home. No, because that wasn’t my home. I couldn’t call what I did there living.

We were on the road to Logan’s dirty, smoke scented apartment. And you know what, I didn’t mind. Because suddenly I realized the only time I’d done any real living lately was when he was at my side.