Page 53 of An Unexpected Home

That was new.

But now wasn’t the time to comment.

“Melanie,” she said from just inside the doorway, “you just can’t stay out of trouble, can you?”

She smiled and that had been Leah’s goal. “You know how I like to be the center of attention.”

“You okay?”

“Yeah, it’s just a little bump on the head.”

“It’s not a little bump on the head,” Logan said. “You have a concussion.”

“Remember when the paramedic said that if something gave me a headache I shouldn’t do it? Well you are giving me a headache.”

“Fine.” He dropped her hand and stood up. “But I’m not leaving.”

The three of them watched him leave the room and walk outside. “What the fuck is up with him?” Carly asked.

“Yeah and why were you two holding hands?” Leah asked and sat down in the spot that Logan had just vacated.

Melanie closed her eyes and leaned her head back on the couch. “I don’t want to think about Logan Graham right now.”

Leah and Carly both looked at each other and made identical ‘what the fuck’ faces.

“Why were you here, at the house?” Leah asked to change the subject.

“I came to get the DVD for the slide show. I told Brandon I was leaving and to let you guys know.”

“He must have forgotten because I was looking for you when I spotted Logan and asked where you were. We both tried calling, only you weren’t answering.”

“Yeah, Logan said he ran into Brandon outside talking to their mom and that’s when he found out that I had come here. So he decided to come and make sure I was okay.”

“Thank God he did,” Carly said looking around. “They really trashed this place. I wonder if they took anything?”

“It looks like all the money items are here,” Mel said. “TV, computer.”

“You don’t have to pretend that we don’t all know that this was Will,” Leah said. She hated that she had put her friends in danger.

“We don’t know that,” Mel said. “I didn’t see anyone and neither did Logan.”

“How many break-ins has Cedarville had in the last year?” She asked. “And you don’t have to lie. I already know the answer. It’s two. And both have been since I’ve been in town.”

“It’s not your fault some asshole is breaking into places,” Carly said.

“You say that now but how long are you going to be on my side? Who does he have to hurt before you all turn on me?” She stood and wiped her eyes. “I shouldn’t have come here.”

She turned to leave.

“OH MY GOD!” Mel shouted. “Can you please stop being a martyr. It’s giving me a fucking headache.”

“Mel –”

“Don’t ‘Mel’ me. You didn’t do this. Get it through your thick skull. And if that douche nozzle hurts anyone else, it still won't be your fault.” Her voice got softer. “This is where you belong, Leah, so stop trying to leave.”

“Why do you guys want me here so much?” she cried.

Carly stood and came to her, taking her hand in one of her own and grabbing Melanie’s with her other one. “Cause this is home.”

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