Irreplaceable

Chapter Twenty

Sister Act

Logan made his point that night, and I fell asleep with a cool washcloth between my legs and tears in my eyes as I accepted what I’d been denying for too long. His absence hurt worse than ever before. At the end of the day, I wanted him there with me, and it was getting harder and harder to deny it.

He was in my bedroom, washing the makeup gently from my face. He saw me, the real me, and that crumbled the walls around my heart. I couldn’t describe the final blow. I knew what was happening, and I couldn’t stop it. I was plowing straight into the massive train called Logan, hoping he would detour before we crashed.

“Hey, what are you doing out here?”

I turned to see Julia walking over from Logan’s yard, wearing a light smile.

“Relaxing. The sun feels good.” It really did. I’d been enjoying my back porch lazily for over an hour, sipping hot cocoa.

“Yeah, hopefully it melts some of this snow. I hate driving in it.” She sat in the empty chair beside me. “Mind if I join you? I’m waiting for Oliver.”

“Sure. You guy going out somewhere?”

“The movies. Natasha wanted to take him, but Logan insisted I chaperone.”

“Fun,” I replied, not bothering to hide the sarcasm in my voice as I grinned at her. It sounded like hell.

“Not really the word I’d use to describe it,” Julia said, making a face, “but Logan made it worthwhile.” She pulled a wad of cash from her coat pocket, fanning it in her hand. “I’ll be going shopping as soon as the movie’s over and Oliver is back home with Jax. You want to come?”

“Shopping or to the movies?” I asked sarcastically.

“Either,” she replied, chuckling as she stuffed the cash back in her pocket.

“I’ll pass. Why doesn’t Logan just go and chaperone?”

She shrugged, crossing her leg over her knee. “He said he had a meeting, but I think it’s more about not wanting to be alone in a dark theatre with a skanky bitch who can’t keep her hands to herself.”

I recoiled. “Oh.” The mere thought of Natasha touching Logan sent my stomach lurching.

She must’ve noticed, because she added quickly, “Not that Logan encourages it. You should see how he’s able to tune the chick out. This morning, he came down for breakfast after his shower and was leaning against the counter drinking his coffee when she pranced in the back door, wearing an outdated black nightie. She went right up to kiss him, but he side-stepped her and strolled across the room to sit with me and ask about my plans for the day, as if it never happened. Natasha was fuming.” Julia giggled at the memory.

Did I really want to hear this?

“Sorry, it’s just hilarious to watch. My brother has more tolerance than I do. He’s over there now, helping Oliver get dressed.”

“So they don’t get along then?” I spoke more quickly than I’d meant to, the words flying out, my mind desperate for the full picture.

“They don’t fight, if that’s what you mean. I’ve seen her try to bait him in an argument, but he doesn’t care enough to get into it. He just lets her do her thing while he plots.”

“Plots?” That perked me up.

“Oh, yeah. You didn’t think he would really let her stay in his home and not use it to his advantage, did you?” Her eyes glistened with delight. “Logan was pissed when he called me back over after his birthday party to watch Oliver that night, yet the next morning he came back and explained that he was allowing Natasha to stay in the guest room and seemed okay about it. Said it might be for the best, you know—keep your enemies closer and all.”

It made sense, but was still unnerving. I didn’t say a word—only listened, digesting it all.

“Logan’s determined to find out why she’s back. He has his buddy keeping an eye on her at Haven, and even has Katie sucking up to her so she can try to get some info out of her.”

“Your sister-in-law?”

“Yeah. Katie and Natasha used to be close, at least until Oliver was born and Katie realized she was friends with a selfish whore.”

Natasha really had been part of his family at one time. The fact that she was back and living with him had to be affecting him in ways he wasn’t admitting. The thought was ruining my mood.

“I see,” I said softly and sipped my cocoa.

Julia turned in her chair, eyeing me. “Have you met Katie?”

“No, I saw her though. I guess she was picking up Oliver a few weeks back. She’s pretty.” I hated that I added that last comment, allowing my insecurity to shine through.

“I used to tell her she should model. She and my older brother Lawrence are amazing parents, and they adore Oliver. They know how hard Logan works raising him on his own.”

I smiled. “I didn’t know who she was when I saw her, so I thought…” Why did I just say that!?

Julia’s head fell back from the burst of laughter thrust out of her mouth. “Shut up!” Her body flew forward, hands covering her mouth as she tried to calm her laughter. “Katie and Logan!? Oh my God, I can’t wait to tell her that.” She wiped a tear away. Was it that funny?

It took a minute or two, but Julia finally regained her composure.

“Katie’s been dying to meet you. Oliver and I told her all about his new neighbor that has his daddy smiling whenever she’s around. You guys will get along great. Think Martha Stewart meets Gisele Bündchen. Lawrence couldn’t be happier, and I promise, Logan has never showed any interest, so you’re safe from worry.”

“I’m not worried.”

“Whatever you say.” Her grin was all perfect white teeth. “I should call her to come down this weekend and we could go out. A girls’ night.”

Being friends with Logan’s sister was one thing, but adding in his sister-in-law was a little too close for comfort. It was getting hard enough resisting him.

“I don’t know,” I mumbled. What was I supposed to say—“Sorry, I can’t because I’m afraid I’ll have a good time and end up liking Katie”? Or maybe, “I don’t want to go and get close to yet another person that will remind me how great Logan is”? I decided on a lie instead.

“I have plans this weekend. Maybe another time.”

Her eyebrow arched, a stunned smile breaking over her face. “Wow, you really are a horrible liar, you know that?”

“I’m not lying. I have plans.” I couldn’t even look her in the eye. I was such a bad liar.

“With who?” she pressed, amused.

“Hilary.” There. That sounded realistic.

“Tell her to come along. She is a girl, and we’re having a girls’ night.” She laughed, watching me squirm in my chair.

“I don’t know. I mean—”

“Cassie, I want to get to know you better, and Katie keeps asking to meet you. It will be a lot of fun. I mean, soon enough we’ll be sisters, and—”

“What!?” I gasped, my jaw dropping open.

“Okay, now that’s just insulting!” She feigned a pout and reached over to smack my chin up, closing my mouth.

“Sorry, it’s just…what are you talking about, sisters?”