Page 33 of Now You See Him
Logan’s mother had done some of his laundry, since Logan had avoided the basement for weeks, and she’d managed one measly load for him. But this shirt wasn’t Cynthia’s style, so it couldn’t be hers. When Tina checked the tag, she realizedthat the size wasn’t Cynthia’s, either. Logan also had a laundry service in New York City, so it wasn’t something he’d picked up from a public laundromat. Which meant there was only one reason why he would have a women’s white V-neck shirt in his drawer.
Tina’s heart pounded so hard, it echoed in her ears. Her blood roared in her ears as all of the details over the last few months, hell the last year, came into focus. She didn’t want to jump to conclusions, but with what she learned about Logan, it was hard not to think the worst of him. Even if she didn’t consider Derrick’s story about her fiancé, sheknewthis man and what he was capable of doing.
“Tina, are you almost done?” Logan called out.
She had to work at keeping her voice even, her tone bland. “Yeah,” she called out. Then she separated the women’s shirt from Logan’s and quickly stuffed it back in the drawer. “Ah, you want shorts or pants?”
“It doesn’t matter,” he called back.
“I’m going to pack some button-downs for you in case you get tired of trying to put shirts over your head,” she called out, surprised at how cool her voice sounded. She proceeded to finish with his clothes, then his toiletries and the rest.
When she stepped out of his closet pushing his suitcase bulging with belongings, he had a smile on his face. “See?” he said, almost cheerful now. “Youdopack my things for me when I leave on trips.”
She thought about the T-shirt she’d just found and had to bite back the vicious retort. “I guess I do. I’ll take this downstairs. Let me know when you’re ready, and I’ll drop you off.”
He waved his good hand. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll text my mother to come and pick me up. She and Dad have been itching to see me since they found out I was in the hospital.”
Tina wondered if he planned to see the woman he had obviously been sleeping with. Was he really going away on business trips this whole time, or was he with her? How long had he cheated? How many times had he cheated? They hadn’t slept together in so long, and he always wore a condom. Hopefully it was just one person, but she had to get tested now. Was this why he stopped asking to get married? More importantly, was his infidelity the reason Damien put Logan through mental torture? If he already hated Logan, that made him the perfect target for a pissed off poltergeist.
“Tina?” He cocked his head to the left.
“I’ll take this downstairs,” she repeated as she pointed to the suitcase, then left the room.
Chapter
Thirteen
TINA:
I don’t want to be in the house alone today. Maybe even tonight. Are you free?
DERRICK:
Alone? Yes, I’m free. Want me to come over?
TINA:
I was actually wondering if I could meet you somewhere.
DERRICK:
Sure. I’ll drop a pin.
Tina pulled in front of a small ranch cabin at the edge of the woods on the outskirt of town. There was a Cat machine out in the yard and two sawhorses with a plank of wood and a handheld table saw resting on top of the makeshift bench. There was also a stack of wood, windows with new plastic wrap, a roof that was half-covered in tarp.
When he’d given her his location, Tina didn’t register that he was at work or at home. She’d assumed they were going to meet somewhere in public.
She killed the engine just as Derrick stepped out onto the front stoop with his hands tucked in the back pockets of his jeans and his flannel shirt open to reveal a white tee. Tina got out of her car and crossed the gravel drive as she clocked how hot he looked. That’s when she realized that his hair was wet. He must’ve just taken a shower.
The first words out of his mouth were ones of concern. “What’s wrong?”
The furrowed brow and hard line of his jaw was endearing. Tina made her way up the stairs and wrapped her arms around his waist for a hug. She could just use the contact. Even though a part of her knew she should be giddy at the thought that she no longer had anything to be guilty for when it came to her infidelity, she was still looking at a relationship that was no longer as strong as she’d once assumed. Their memories were tainted.
She buried her face in Derrick’s shoulder and relaxed against his chest. He held her and ran a hand over her back.
“Logan is cheating on me.”
Derrick froze. “What?”
