Page 15 of Final Goodbye
Following closely behind her, I looked to my right, spotting someone in the back corner leaning against the wall. He was by himself, which wasn’t necessarily weird for someone to isolate themselves at a funeral. But something about him was mysterious and struck me as odd.
It took me a moment before I could make out who the guy was. He looked around my age, maybe a few years older. Dark hair and eyes and dressed appropriately, in a button-up and slacks. He started to head in the same direction as Paige, and I couldn’t shake my gut feeling that he was trouble.
Everyone else was still seated when the three of us headed in the same direction. I didn’t like the feeling I had that this guysomehow knew Paige. Especially once I got a better look at the guy, realizing it was none other than Logan Brooks.
How the hell was Paige or her family involved withLogan Brooks? The guy was bad fucking news, and it had my blood boiling that they could have ever been involved with each other.
I approachedthe double doors that led out to the lobby before Logan could get there. I wasn’t certain if he was after Paige, but I needed to make sure I got to her first. She hadn’t been back in town for much time at all, but an overwhelming need to protect her washed over me.
Hearing the doors close behind me, I called out to her.
“Paige…”?
She had tears in her eyes when I gently reached for her arm to turn her toward me. I pulled her body into mine, holding her there for a moment. Breathing in the fresh scent of lavender, I rubbed my thumb back and forth on the nape of her neck, hoping I was the comfort she needed.?
Both of us stood still, speechless, until we heard the doors open again. In an instant, our time together had been interrupted by who I could only assume was Logan since he wasn’t far behind me.
Her body flew back from mine, slipping out of my grip so fast that you’d think we were two teenagers getting caught making out by their parents.?
It wasn’t just any guest of the funeral walking our way; it was Logan fuckface Brooks. That didn’t settle well with me whatsoever. Why would she react that way when he walked into the room? What was wrong with me showing her some comfort in a time of need?
“L-L-Logan, what are you doing here?” she stuttered, confusion in her voice.
“I heard you were back in town. I wish it was under better circumstances, but I heard about the funeral and wanted to pay my respects to your family and father.”
Bullshit.
Logan was talking directly to Paige, completely ignoring the fact I was standing right next to her. Just another reason why this didn’t feel right. He thought he was being respectful by coming to the funeral, but he was being a disrespectful asshole to me right now.
That unexpectedly fired me up.
Paige inched a little closer to me, and I took the opportunity to show her my protective side when I reached my hand out, placing it on her back.
She stood there looking uncomfortable and unsure of what to say. Wiping the tear streaks from her face, she spoke up. “Umm, thanks for coming. I was actually just headed to the bathroom…” She was trying to find a way out of this awkward interaction with him, and I saw it as my opening. Before I knew it, the words were slipping out of my mouth.
“Lucas, was it? Declan. Nice to meet you.” I stuck my hand out to try to be respectful and introduce myself, even though I was calling him by the wrong name on purpose.
“It’s Logan, actually. And you’re… Paige’s friend?” he questioned with a smug smirk across his face. “I’ve never heard your name come up before.” The condescending prick. He spitoutfriendlike he was laying claim to her. Like I had to be a friend, right? Nothing more. I may regret this later, but fuck it…
“Boyfriend,” I blurted out before I could think twice. Clearing my throat, I added with confidence, “I’m Paige’s boyfriend.”
Looking to my left, Paige glanced up at me with a confused look on her face. I leaned over, and gave her a kiss on the cheek and whispered quietly in her ear.?
“Just go with it.”
His eyes found Paige, turning a bit darker. “Interesting. Kind of odd that you just got back into town a week ago, from what I’ve heard, and you already landed yourself a boyfriend. Some things never change. You always were one to run away from your problems.” Logan’s stare refused to break contact with Paige. From what I could tell, it seemed like he was trying to read her expression. Attempting to catch her in a lie.
“How nice of you to continue to keep tabs on me and my whereabouts. Seems like not much has changed with you either, Logan.” Her eyes rolled in frustration as she glanced up at me and grabbed my hand. It was the sign I needed to take control of this conversation.?
Logan scoffed in response. I glared at him, fucking fuming, and gave him a piece of my mind. At least as much as I could in the lobby of a church during her father’s funeral.
“Hey, man, all due respect, but it’s been a hard day. Maybe read the room and just get the fuck out of here,” I growled.?
Before he could say anything, I turned around, still hand in hand with Paige, and took her into the family restroom around the corner. Locking the door behind us, I didn’t care how it looked that we were in the bathroom alone together. She began to shake, and small sobs escaped her little body.
There was a small bench in the corner where I took her to sit. Kneeling beside her, I looked at her pink, tear-stained cheeks, still as gorgeous as ever, and grabbed some Kleenex to wipeaway what I could without ruining her makeup. Noticing a loose strand of hair that had fallen in front of her face, I tucked it gently behind her ear and tried my best to calm her down.
“Shhh… it’s going to be okay.” I just wanted to console her.
