Page 33 of Life After You

“What are you—” she begins, her voice barely above a whisper.

I silence her with the press of my hands, cupping her face like she’s something breakable, something sacred. My thumbs graze her cheekbones, and she trembles beneath my touch. It undoes me. Every shred of restraint I thought I had left crumbles to ash.

My gaze drops to her lips—full, soft, perfect.A single breath separates us, and I swear I can taste her already, feel the heat of her skin radiating against mine.

She doesn’t pull away.

She tilts her chin, just a fraction, just enough.

A low sound rumbles in my chest as I lean in, the space between us vanishing, the air thick with something dangerous, something electric.

I’ve wanted this for as long as I can remember. And fuck, I don’t think I can stop myself anymore.

Just as I’m about to kiss her, her phone chirps, sharp and obnoxious, shattering the moment.

Mac jerks back, blinking like she’s waking from a dream. She pulls her phone from her pocket, her cheeks flushed a deep rose. “H-hello?” she stammers, her voice unsteady.

I lean back against the swing with a groan, throwing my arm over my eyes.Great timing, technology.

As she moves to the edge of the porch to take the call, the sun catches in her hair, illuminating the strands like spun gold. She looks like something out of a dream, framed by honeysuckle vines swaying gently in the breeze.

I try to refocus my thoughts, but my mind drifts back to the road. I don’t know how long I can stay before Phil tracks me down, ready to drag me back to the tour. My contract is clear—and I can’t just vanish, no matter how much I want to.

“That was Clay. Dean’s brother,” Mac says, interrupting my spiraling thoughts as she sits back down near my feet, “He’ll be here in about an hour to let us in.”

I nod, the weight of unspoken words heavy between us. After a moment, I pat the space beside me. “C’mon, angel. It’s not as bad as it looks.”

Her eyes narrow, a flicker of suspicion crossing her face.

“Relax,” I tease with a smirk, “I’ll be the perfect gentleman. Scout’s honor.” She huffs a laugh, but doesn’t argue, moving closer and lying down beside me. Her head rests on my arm, and I don’t care that it’ll probably go numb in a few minutes.

The swing sways gently beneath us, the vines and roof offering shade from the sun. A breeze rustles the honeysuckle, carrying its sweet scent, mingling with hers—wild orchids and vanilla.

The silence stretches, but it’s comfortable, like we’re in a bubble separate from the world.

“I didn’t want to leave you, Logan.” She finally whispers, her voice soft, but heavy with meaning. “I’m sorry.”

I press a kiss to the top of her head, the warmth of her hair grounding me.

“Te perdono, angel.” I murmur. “There’s that word again.Sorry.I think we might have to make it into a new shot tradition, what say you, angel?” She snorts and nods. I felt so peaceful in that moment so content with my pulse steadying. I was going to tell the guys I had found her soon enough, but for now, with nothing to do, I was content.

I’m not angry anymore. She’s here. She’s safe. And for now, that’s enough.

Chapter Eleven

Kayla

It’s been a couple of hours now since Clay let us in, I’m still in disbelief that Logan ishere. He made it, he found me… The boarding house is quiet, the kind of stillness that’s like we have been removed from time. I sit cross-legged on my bed, the old wooden floor cool beneath me, listening to the faint hum of the city outside. Logan’s checked into the next room, probably sprawled out on top of the blankets like he always used to do, breathing steady, unaware of the storm still raging inside me.

We need to talk. Now I’ve had a little time to myself to pull my thoughts together I know it’s inevitable.

The thought circles my mind, over and over, until it’s impossible to ignore.

We need to havetheconversation.

No matter how much it’s going to hurt.

No matter how much I want to pretend, we can’t just slip back into easy smiles and playful banter, like none of it ever happened. Because he deserves the truth. I owe him that much.

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