Page 32 of Unmistakably Us

“Like I said, time and place I didn’t need it, but there came a time when I did. Thanks to that traumatic childhood experience, unconventional Gus, and the love of a good woman, we’ve turned it into a sure-fire way to soothe my temper and keep Erika from bolting from an argument like she tends to do.”

Walker took another swig with certain smugness. The “I’m a fucking genius” look was lost on Logan.

“What does fucking have to do with my problem?” He directed his question to Walker, but his commentary toward the others. “Someone’s not firing on all cylinders.” Logan relaxed a little when his statement amused even Walker. It made him feel a little more a part of this group.

“You’re a thick one, and I thought the big fucker over there was bad. Naked isn’t synonymous with fucking…exactly. What I mean is, before a confrontation of any kind, get naked, both of you. It kind of levels the playing field. It’s a vulnerability thing, I guess. I don't fucking know, but it works. She can’t storm off, and I don’t feel like she is an enemy. Besides, who wouldn’t want to look at his woman all flushed and—”

“We get it already, we don’t need to hear the details,” Dax cut in.

“Like I would fucking share those with the likes of you, anyway,” Walker quipped. “Bonus, she’s already naked when you admit that you’re wrong and the apologizing can start immediately.”

“We could’ve lived without that eyebrow waggle, but that bald fucker might be on to something,”Devil Kip spoke and Devil Gene nodded in accordance. Apparently, they were best fucking friends now.

Yep, crazy as fuck.

* * *

After Gus arrived,the conversation in the kitchen turned to small talk about the weather and recipe hacks. Francis had a lot to say about both.

Something had passed between Francis and January. Something…motherly. Francis seemed to even look at her differently, the way she looked at everyone else, even Logan, who always held himself off on the fringes.

The difference was, when Francis looked at all the other people she considered her kids, there was nothing but love and concern. With Logan, there was always a bit of something else. It made January think of longing.

Boy, can I relate.Trying to get Logan to let her in had been like attempting to covertly breach Fort Knox with a bad case of vocal Tourette’s and a circus elephant in tow. It seemed Francis longed for a connection to him too.

That was a great thing in January’s book. After she left, Logan would have the family he deserved, and who knows, maybe he’ll get a girlfriend Francis can adopt, too.

As much as the thought of Logan belonging made her ecstatic, the thought of him moving on flayed her heart. She didn’t begrudge him happiness, but it was a razor sharp pill to swallow that it couldn’t be with her.

She could find help for Logan all around. Right next door and down the road. Help that would all be gathered around tomorrow for a Reid Family Feast.

She’d never wanted anything more in her life than to just go to Andy and Stacy and expose her parents and prove their contracts had zero legal power—well, all but one, that is.

It wasn’t the legal validity that terrified her; it was that invisible control that froze the blood in her veins and stopped her from asking for help. It was that control that would propel her down the aisle to marry a man she could never love. Mindlessly chopping carrots, she allowed her gaze to drift off to observe Gus and Francis.

Both were dicing and rolling and chatting. Her sister looked at peace. A look she had never witnessed growing up with Gus. Hindsight being perfect, she could identify it now, a way she never could before.

I will never be the one who erases that look from her face. It would destroy her to know they are using her contracts and personal history to gain my control. I can’t ever let her know, even if it could free—

“Fuck!” January shouted, dropping the knife as the carrot stub shot across the kitchen. Back peddling, she tripped on her own feet and wind-milled to the ground. The hand she caught her weight with radiated pain instantly.

Francis and Gus were rapid-firing questions and concerns while helping her to her feet. “Shit, my wrist,” she mumbled, but it sounded like she was underwater. The pain was pretty intense.

Francis touched it with gentle fingers. “Probably just a sprain, but let’s get you down to county for an x-ray, just to be cautious,” Francis stated as she took charge.

Once January’s initial shock wore off, it didn’t seem so bad. An ace bandage and an anti-inflammatory and she’d be good as new. She wouldn’t be gripping the pole or pulling back the clutch for a few days, but that wasn’t a big deal, either. She had already given her notice at Pole Position; she only had two more shifts to work, anyway. As far as Demon went—the sound of an engine interrupted her thoughts.

There’s the solution to that.

Stacy approached the car as January was settling in for the ten-minute ride to the ER. “Oh, Stacy, I’m glad you’re here, but I was expecting Tori and Erika by now. Not that I’m not grateful, but what brings you by?”

Gus eyed Stacy suspiciously, especially the envelope in Stacy's hands.

Not wanting to put her in the position to lie for her, January chimed in before Stacy could answer. “Oh, she’s here for me, some vehicle paperwork and whatnot.” January extended her non-injured hand to accept the papers. Those papers were her small way of giving something to Logan.

With a smirk, Stacy spoke, “I’ll just drop these in your room for you, looks like you have your hands full.” She turned toward the other two women who were opening the front doors of Gus’ crossover. “Tori and Erika are right behind me. I just came early to drop these off. What can I do to help?”

“The crust I was working on needs to go into the refrigerator and you can finish cutting the veggies this one was working on when she tripped over her own two feet. We should be back in a flash, but you know Jan, center of attention and all that,” Gus joked.

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