Logan

98. What's Wrong?

*Natalie's POV*

For some people, the beginning of winter is magical and exciting. For me, it was just another month.

Logan and I were still coming down from the high of that night in the club, and we were meeting secretly behind the Iris whenever he had a spare minute. Once the performances with Canyon, Logan and I set to the internet, crowds came from states over to see Canyon.

The record store gained some fanatics, causing the owner to buy more collections. Logan would be gone a few days at a time, and once AB's club started gaining popularity, I offered my assistance with things. But the more I saw AB, the less I saw my brother- and everyone else.

Thanksgiving was going to be lonely. Damien and Kellan went to Boston to meet his family, Logan went to Scarlet's place in California, and Frankie and Micah were a new couple at the fanciest banquet known to man in Boise. Canyon and Kat offered for me to come over, so I did.

I'd parked on the shoulder, just in case I needed to move. I knocked on the door, trying to warm my hands. The chilly air seemed to affect me more this time around...

The door opened, and I had to double take for a moment.

Aeron stood before me, dressed in a flannel shirt and blue jeans, no doubt Canyon's clothes. I suddenly felt naked in the new dress I'd bought, and pulled my coat closer.

"Natalie," he stammered, stepping forward and kissing my cheek, "it's so nice to see you."

Speechless, I shakily placed my hand against the spot he had kissed, "um, I... that was a mistake."

I turned to leave, taking only a few steps before he stood in front of me, "Natalie, please, don't go. I...I-can we please just have dinner? As friends?" I looked down to see his hand on my wrist, and he looked down too, before pulling away. "I'm sorry, I, um, it's thanksgiving. I don't want you to be alone."

"We said goodbye to each other, Aeron. How can we ever be friends?" I felt a tear run down my cheek, and pulled away, running to my car, praying he didn't follow me.

I didn't bother looking back as I drove away, leaving the cabin in my rear-view mirror.

When I got home, I didn't even realise my hands were shaking until I was trying to pour the cereal. 'Breathe, Natalie, breathe' I thought to myself, and as I poured the milk I felt my body calming down. The tingling feeling in my body went away, and I felt better.

I only took a few bites when Alex came through the door. His face was gaunt, and droopy, like he'd been crying.

"Alex, what's wrong?" I put down my spoon and stood up, moving towards him. He stood there at the door, still open, the fall air still biting at the frame.

"I..I don't want to talk about it." He sniffled, I pulled the door closed, then unzipped his coat. He put his hand on mine, "No, I'm not staying. Can we, can we go somewhere? Mom's flight was delayed, but she sent me some money on my venmo."

I nodded, "Beats the grand feast of cereal."

He looked up, "Wait, I thought you were going to Canyon's."

I shook my head, "Guess who opened the door."

"Who?"

"Aeron." I pulled my coat back on as his eyebrows went up.

"Wow, so Canyon didn't even tell you he was coming? Rough."

"From the looks of it, he never left."

"Are you going to-"

I shook my head, "Absolutely not. I'm with Logan again, and I don't want to mess that up."

Alex nodded, "Me either, but there's somewhere we need to stop before we go eat."

-

-

-

*Alex's POV*

I remember waking up so happy, gathering the thanksgiving-for-two and putting it in my car. I drove to AB's apartment, and parked on the street. I felt happy walking up the steps to AB's apartment. I remember walking through and smelling some good smells. I unlocked the door to AB's place, then I heard noises. At first I thought it was the tv, but when I neared his bedroom, I realized it wasn't the tv. It wasn't the tv at all. It was him, and some other guy, in our bed. At first I couldn't believe it, so I took a step back. Tears stung at my eyes but I refused to cry now.

I stood in the door frame for only a few moments, until the guy saw me and freaked out. "What the fuck?"

AB turned around, saw me and struggled to cover up his naked frame. "Alex, I can explain."

I laughed, "Really? To me it looks like you're fucking someone in our bed, and I'm sorry, but there's no way you can explain yourself out of that one."

I looked at the guy next to him, "I hope you two are happy together."

AB tried to talk to me again, "Alex-

"Fuck you, Alberto." I laughed, and slammed the door to his apartment as I left. I only remember driving as far as the end of the street before I pulled over and swung my door open. First I threw up, tears then falling down my face. "Goddamnit." I whispered, pulling some napkins out of the bag and cleaning up.

I heard my phone buzz with texts and calls but I turned off my phone when I saw AB's name. I didn't need that, I didn't ask to be betrayed.

When I walked into the house, I saw Natalie talking to me, trying to tug at my coat. I don't remember what I said. I was thinking about my food, that we could eat it, but it wouldn't taste good. It would be as if I'd eaten sand...and I didn't want that. I remembered when I was little, my mom and I would take food to the police station. I remember mumbling that to Natalie, and heading to my room to change. I'd stripped down to nothing, taking the clothes I'd worn and throwing them into the trash. I wanted nothing to do with anything that had been in his apartment, and I found myself throwing multiple shirts onto the floor. I would donate them, too many to throw away. Just that outfit...

When I came down the stairs, Natalie was saying something again, I don't know. We drove to the police station, and I took the food into the building.

Some guy around my age was there, and I sat the basket onto the counter.

"Hey," I murmured, "I'm here to drop off some food for those who can't go home today."

His hair was combed slightly back, the dark navy of his blues shirt catching my eye. "I'm gonna be here all day, so I can take those for ya."

"Great, um, don't worry about the packaging or anything," I smiled. "Uh, I'm Alex. Koughlin."

He lifted the lid off the first one, "Hmm, cranberry sauce, my favorite. My mouth is watering just thinking about it." The way he licked his bottom lip, while still maintaining eye contact made me blush. He reached for a pen, "Alex, thanks so much for your charitable donation, I'll try to share with the others. Have a happy thanksgiving." He smiled again, and handed me the card. I nodded and walked out the door.

I tossed the card into my center console and started the car, while Natalie took a look at the card.

"Ooh, a card from the police department and wait- Alex, he gave you his number!"

"It's probably just for kindness."

"No, he put his personal number on here, on the back. Deputy E. Landry. Naughty naughty, what would AB think?"

"I don't give a shit what he thinks," I felt myself tense up, and my hands on the steering wheel tighten.

"What does that mean?" She asked, her words a bit quieter.

"Exactly what I said." I sighed, pushing the thoughts of that cute cop out of my mind.