Page 50 of Rhythm Of Redemption

“What? Why?” Lou was completely surprised.

Steve shrugged, his lack of remorse apparent. “Are you sure there's no more beer?”

“Absolutely sure,” Lou replied firmly, his admission only fuelling her misgivings. “She kicked you out, didn't she?” she probed, the realisation dawning on her.

“No,” he response was defensive and sharp.

“What did you do?” Lou pressed, her patience wearing thin.

“Nothing,” he claimed, causing Lou to roll her eyes. Whenever he said he had done nothing, it usually meant just that. Truda must be well into her pregnancy now, and dealing with a perpetual man-child like Steve was the last thing she needed. “She said I was lazy and that I should take care of her, not the other way around,” Steve confessed, his tone filled with self-pity.

Lou sighed, weariness seeping into her voice. “So, what are you doing here?” she asked, hoping for a straightforward answer.

“I've already told you,” he replied, his conviction wavering.

“No, I mean here, here. In my house,” Lou clarified, her tone filled with frustration.

“Don't you mean our house?” he replied, a smugness in his voice. “Which, by the way, is looking pretty good now. I noticed the pool terrace had been finished when I arrived, and there were quite a few rental cars out front. Business must be booming.”

Lou clenched her jaw, resisting the urge to snap back at him. “Business is not booming,” she replied curtly, snatching up his plate and rinsing it in the sink. “We're just managing to turn a small profit. And no, I do not mean our house. When you walked out on Dani and me, the bank was this close.” She held her forefinger and thumb with barely a slither of light between them to emphasise her point. “To evicting us because you hadn't paid the mortgage for six months.”

“We were broke. What was I supposed to pay it with?” he defended himself, his exasperation edging into his tone.

“But you always had money to go out drinking with your friends, though, didn't you?” Her voice carried a mixture of anger and accusation. “Splashing the cash around like Mr Big, buying drinks for everyone, even when you didn't have money for electricity or to put food on the table. You've always been the same. All flash and no substance.” She paused, shocked by her own outburst.

“Fine!” Steve abruptly stood up. “If that's the way you feel, I'll find somewhere else to stay. You can explain to Dani why you kicked me out.”

Lou felt a pang of guilt as Steve struck at her Achilles’ heel. Dani was already stressed about her exhibition, and after everything that had happened lately, she didn't want to add more pressure by involving her in their quarrel. “Okay, you can stay,” she relented, her voice resigned. “But only for a few nights.”

“Only if it's not too much trouble,” Steve retorted sarcastically.

“No,” Lou replied, releasing a defeated sigh. “It's no trouble. You can stay in the spare room.”

“Great, I'm glad that's settled,” he remarked, checking his watch. “Because I'm already …”

“Late? For what?” Lou followed him into the hallway. “Don’t tell me. Drinks with your friends?”

“Well, you know how it is,” Steve replied dismissively, taking the stairs two at a time. “Once the guys found out I was coming back, they arranged a little welcome home party for me.”

Lou's anger surged through her. It wasn't just a spur-of-the-moment visit, but a planned gathering with his friends. He had time to make plans with them, yet he couldn't spare a moment to contact her or Dani to let them know about his visit. Once again, his priorities became glaringly obvious. Rage boiled within her. Logan had selflessly protected Dani, while her own father couldn't even pick up the phone to wish her a happy birthday.

The words echoed in Lou's mind, and a sudden realisation struck her. Logan had risked his life to shield Dani from harm, without a thought for his own safety. But Lou had been too consumed by anger to see it.

What had she done?

Chapter twenty-four

Logan's pulse quickened as he neared the cafe, anxiety coiling around his chest like a vice. It was just a low-key event for local artists, he told himself, trying to downplay the significance. But deep down, he knew the real reason behind his nerves—Lou would be there, and they hadn't seen or spoken since that day at the hospital.

The unsent flowers and unfinished cards weighed heavily on his mind. He had composed countless apologies, pouring his heart into every word, only to falter at the last moment. Fear had swallowed him whole, leaving him paralysed with doubt.

He’d lost count of the times he called her number, only to hang up before she could answer. The fear of rejection, intertwined with the suffocating weight of his own regrets, threatened to consume him entirely some days. How had he allowed himself to be so reckless, so utterly oblivious to the far-reaching consequences of his actions that day? The pursuit of reclaiming his own life, once driven by an overwhelming need, now seemed futile and hollow.

Yet, deep within his conflicted heart, a flicker of hope lingered. If he could just see Lou, explain to her he’d never meant to endanger Dani, perhaps there was a chance for understanding, for forgiveness even. But doubt crept in, poisoning his thoughts, and making him question whether he deserved it.

Pausing outside the café, he stole a moment to gather himself. His reflection in the windowpane revealed traces of worry etched across his face. He ran a trembling hand through his hair, attempting to tame the tangled thoughts racing through his mind. Taking a deep breath, he steeled his resolve and stepped through the door, determined to confront the consequences of his actions.

His gaze swept across the room, searching for a familiar face, but among the sea of strangers, he found no one he recognised apart from the journalist he‘d paid to cover the event. Undeterred by the unfamiliarity, he pressed on, weaving his way through the crowd, his neck craning as he desperately sought a glimpse of Lou or Dani.

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