"Kristen, I know you’re there. Aren't you going to answer me?" His voice had taken on a superior tone now, as if he were talking to a child. It was very obvious his agitation was escalating.
Seething with anger she was on the verge of exploding. "I was sick!" I hate when he speaks to me in this condescending manner.
"Aww. Poor baby. What's wrong?" He was taunting her now, feigning concern.
"What do you care?" she hissed, trying to keep her voice low, aware her temper was flaring.
"Well that shows how much you know me, doesn't it? Actually, I do care, so much so that I just bought an awesome condo that you are going to love!"
It was strange to hear him so animated and excited. Kristen's jaw dropped in shock. She squeezed her eyes tightly shut, willing back the tears. Why was this happening to her? When he tried so hard to be nice it made it so difficult for her. Unable to speak without him calling her out, she stood silent.
"Did you hear me, honey? I've been thinking about you a lot. I know I've been a dick, but I want to make it up to you...”
The asshole never even said he was sorry! "And you think that's going to help? You owe me more than that after what you did!" Fuming now, her voice harshened, but she remembered to keep it low.
Jake was behind her just as she hung up on Logan. Startled by his presence, and inflamed by Logan, she couldn't stop shaking.
In an instant, he knew who it was and his spirits sank. The fantasy was over.
"What did he want?" He fidgeted, not knowing if he should touch her or not.
"He was spying on me at work.” She was expressionless.
"And..."
She whipped around, feeling like she was under attack. "I told him I was sick and asked him why he gave a shit!" She lashed out at him, her face ablaze.
Jake jerked back, astonished... "Whoa! Chill out, baby! I'm not the one you should be fighting here!" His eyes swam with distress.
Noticing the hurt in his eyes, her rage rapidly diffused. "I know. I do... I'm sorry.” On impulse, she advanced towards him, reaching for his hands. He was the last person that she wanted to hurt.
Despite his mental efforts to resist, the softness of her hands on his melted him. Without thinking, he drew her to him, holding her in a tight embrace. This whole thing was toxic, he could smell it. Then why aren’t I running as fast as I can?
"He just pisses me off so much, I just want him to disappear," she cried, her muffled words lost in his skin.
"I know.” He stroked her head, fighting to dispel the image of his mother's battered face that haunted him. There was no way he would go through that again. "He will," he said under his breath.
LOGAN
Well that really backfired! Kristen was hot headed, but Logan had really expected his latest purchase to thrill her. Taking a long hit of his joint, he leaned back in the car, waiting for Gina. It had been an anxiety-ridden few days. Not being able to reach Kristen, searching for the right "fix" for their latest conflict, dealing with Gina. Actually, Gina was the easy part! He cranked the ignition to get some cool air rotating. Too wasted to think straight, he burst out laughing.
"What's so funny?" The police officer was tapping on the window of his car.
Logan eyed him with a nonchalant air. "Hey, officer.” He flashed an innocent smile, kicking the bag of weed back under the seat, and opened the window.
"License and registration.” The cop, a tall, rugged Latino, wasn't buying it; he was all business.
"No problem, officer.” Logan was struggling to focus. Between the weed buzz and the coke he and Gina blew before he left the condo, his head was spinning. He fumbled around for his wallet that was laying right next to him, as the cop motioned for his partner to head over. Glancing in the rearview mirror, he noticed the police car parked behind him. Damn it! How the hell did I miss it? Kristen always screws up my head!
The second cop was outside the passenger door as he finally handed his documents to the Latino officer. Feeling the perspiration trickling down his face, he lifted his hand up to wipe it.
"Hands on the wheel, NOW!" The Latino cop commanded. It appeared his hand was on his pistol, but Logan couldn't tell for sure. He quickly complied, glancing at the second officer, a huge, muscular black man.
Shit! I'm fucked now! Growing paranoid, Logan refused to lift his eyes to him, hoping by some miracle, they would just back off.
The first officer went back to the patrol car to run a computer check, the second officer proceeded to the driver's side.
"Been smoking marijuana today?" It was more of an accusation than a question. His hawk-like eyes were scanning the front seat with careful precision.
Disregarding the perspiration bubbling all over his body, Logan responded without hesitation. "No, officer."
The Latino officer returned, handing him his license back. Whew, that was close! Logan began to calm down, allowing himself to sneak a peek.
"Step out of the vehicle, please!"
A look of disbelief appeared on Logan's face. The butterflies were going mad in his stomach as he cracked the door open. Trying to steady himself, he stumbled out, almost hitting the ground. The sun was scorching his skin. Unable to breathe, he began hyperventilating, the sweat now pouring down his face.
"Turn around slowly. Hands on the car... boy!" The Latino officer grinned, instantly starting his pat down.
"It's not that hot! What you sweating so much for?” the black cop challenged.
Logan couldn't respond. The Latino cop crept in closer.
"Excuse me! Is there a problem here, officers?" The two officers, irritated by the interruption, were surprised when they saw Gina rooted to the ground in front of them, hands on her hips, legs apart in defiance.
The Latino officer dropped his hand from the door handle while his eyes slid along her impressive chest, then spanned the lean muscular design of her tanned legs.
Smiling with seductive ease, she disregarded them. "Papi, are you okay?" she called out to get Logan’s attention, shaking her long hair out of her face. He glanced up, bewildered.
"We didn't know he was with you, Ms. Maldonado.” The Latino officer was facing her now. The black officer shifted his weight uneasily from one foot to the other while they exchanged knowing looks.
"It appears your boyfriend here has some marijuana right under the front seat there," the Latino cop continued in a slight southern drawl, pointing to the bag of weed. His partner leaned into the car, then popped back out with a triumphant smile as he displayed it to them. "Which I believe he was trying to hide, and we do think he's under the influence of marijuana and most likely cocaine also.”
At that point the black officer took out his handcuffs, pulled Logan's hands behind his back, and with a slow and dramatic gesture, proceeded to shackle his wrists.
"No!" Logan yelled out, his face bright red. "Gina!” Alarmed and beyond the point of no return, he was screaming at the top of his lungs.