Logan

96. Stand And Deliver

I was applying my makeup when I heard a knock at the door. Logan's eyes glittered gold, with a slight smokey smudge against his eyelids.

"I thought I'd find you in here," He sat next to me, picking up my eyeshadow brush and twirling it between his fingers, "I never could get this stuff right," he mumbled.

I reached out and tilted his chin forward, lightly brushing some hot pink blush against his cheeks, "Here, you'll glint."

Logan smiled at me before looking in the mirror, he seemed really happy.

"Wow, I feel like Bowie." He laughed, "Thanks."

I nodded. Things between us since our kiss that night had been weird, the air felt strange, and I think he knew that.

"Hey, so... what happened between us," he started.

I took in a deep breath, "Logan, before you say anything-"

A knock interrupted us, and we both jumped as we looked over at the door. Canyon was slumped in the doorway, his face serious.

"Logan do you mind if I talk to Natalie alone for a moment?"

Logan looked at me and I nodded my approval, he patted my knee before walking out.

A silence fell in the room as Canyon closed the door behind him. He sat by me and let the quiet waft between us. His hand was cupped against his face while he looked at me, his elbow resting against the vanity.

"Natalie...I-" his voice dropped to a whisper, his hair falling with his head. "I'm so sorry, I never meant to hurt you-"

Seeing Canyon turn into a puddle before me brought me back to the moment we sang together in that room at Lakeside. I fumbled my hands, grabbing the back of his neck and bringing him to me gently, "Shh, I know." His arms wrapped around me, the mist of his tears pressed against my neck as he sobbed against my body.

I took in a shaky breath, my fingers entangled in his hair, and I rubbed his back. We stayed that way for a few moments until he pulled away, sniffling and wiping his eyes.

"Are we okay?" He sniffled again, "I'm really sorry. Really."

I nodded, "Just, please don't beat anyone up again, okay?"

Canyon smiled from the corner of his mouth, "I won't." He paused a moment, "So, Aeron."

I sighed, "Aeron and I aren't getting back together. I-I can't be with him. Not anymore. Sometimes I think I can, I've been wondering for days as he slept beside me and I just-"

Canyon nodded, "You keep thinking about it."

I agreed, "He left me at my most vulnerable, and I just can't. No matter how much I think I might be able to trust him again, no matter how much part of me still loves him, I think about him leaving and I just panic. I can't do that again, it's not worth the heartache."

"Does he know this?"

I shook my head, "I'm telling him after the show."

"Natalie."

"Don't tell me I shouldn't, don't tell me I should stay with him."

"I wasn't going to. I'm here for you no matter what. Aeron and I are mates, but I just don't see eye to eye with the way he's hurt you in the past. I'm here for the long haul, I'm not going anywhere. I can't lose you, Natalie. I won't."

"You won't lose me." I smiled, and he leaned in and kissed my cheek.

"Are you ready?" I nodded and we embraced before walking out into the hallway and behind the stage. Logan's hand clutched mine before we reached the curtain, fully visible to the crowd. He squeezed before AB walked up to the microphone.