Logan

81. You Have A Good Heart

*Natalie's POV*

August was finally here, Damien and I had done a few weddings to gain some extra cash and I felt envious of some of the brides, but they were so sweet. Getting all dressed up for their big day, big hair, big emotions, I was jealous.

Damien loved it, he was in awe over some of the decorations and flowers, and I knew it was because he was planning to propose to Kellan. He just didn't know when he wanted to do it.

Spending less time at The Iris meant less awkward moments between Logan and I, hearing Whitney's incessant giggles with Kellan, and feeling alone.

I was happy for them...really.

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"Natalie, look at this." Canyon showed me the likes and comments from his instagram posts, a few I'd been tagged in. The feedback was amazing, and Canyon had made me his opener, my set usually containing two to three songs. It was wonderful, singing on stage and feeling at home with the music beneath my fingertips.

"Wow, that's great," I smiled, seeing the joy and the sound of Canyon's voice again gave me hope for my own future.

I stepped out of the studio into the hallway and took a deep breath, and my notifications chirped. I looked down and it was a call from an international phone number. But I didn't answer once I saw a name flash across the screen...

Aeron.

My hands shook as I listened to the voicemail, "Natalie. I..." I could hear the sigh in the background. "I'm sorry. My daughter, she needed me. She called me that night asking me to come to her ballet recital...and how could I say no? I knew...you'd be taken care of. I knew you'd be okay, or I wouldn't have left. But..." I heard a sniffle in the background, "I'm, I'm not coming back...not now, or soon. I'm sorry, but I wanted you to know this sooner rather than later. Okay, bye now."

Click.

I stood in the hallway, and I wanted so much to feel something, but instead I found myself calling the number back.

"Natalie." Hearing his voice again shook me, breathing a sigh and trying to come up with something to say. "Did you... hear my voicemail?"

I choked out a sob, instantly reeling it in, "Yeah-"

"I'm so sorry." He cut me off, but his words had been quiet...

I swallowed, a huge lump forming in my throat, "Do you regret anything?"

"Never."

"Was it... was it just the sex for you?"

I could hear him sniffle in the background, "Absolutely not. I truly felt something between us, something more than just physical, and... and I'm always going to hold my feelings for you but... I can't leave them again."

I nodded, holding back a sob, and leaning against the wall next to the studio, "I get it."

"You have a good heart, Natalie. I just... I wanted to say something before I go. Logan, he still loves you."

"He's with Whitney, you know that."

"He might be with her, but he's not in love with her."

"What do you mean?"

"Look at the way he looks at her, that's all. Then look at how he looks at you, you'll see."

"Okay."

"I really am sorry, for leaving, ending things like this. I hope that someday I can visit you... and see you again."

"Yeah, me too, I'm going to hang up now." I cleared my throat, waiting for his goodbye.