Page 1 of Logan
Prologue
Mackenzie
Everything is 'f'ed' up straight from the heart
Tell me what do you do, when it all falls apart
Gotta pick myself up where do I start
'Cause I can't turn to you when it all falls apart
- ‘When it all falls apart’ The Veronicas
10 years ago
The chill in the night has me rubbing my arms as I walk quicker to meet Logan. The air is damp, carrying the scent of rain-soaked pavement even though the storm hasn’t broken yet, and it makes goosebumps rise along my skin. My sneakers scuff against the cracked sidewalk, the rhythm of my footsteps syncing with the fast, uneven beat of my heart.
School is starting next week so I know that we won’t get to see each other as often and I want to be able to spend as much time with him as I can. These past couple months have been the best of my life and I can’t wait to see what the next few have in store.
Last night we made love and as scared as I was it couldn’t have been more perfect. Every moment is burned into me the brush of his lips over mine, the way his hand trembled when he held my face, the quiet way he said my name like it wassomething precious. I never cared about someone the way I do Logan. When he’s around it’s like I’m drawn to him, and nothing feels right unless I’m by his side.
My blonde hair blows in the breeze, a few strands tangling across my lips, and I tuck them behind my ear as I glance up. The sky is heavy, thick with clouds, bruised shades of gray and blue pressing down like a warning. It looks like it’s about to storm. The air feels charged, like the world is holding its breath.
Walking up to the park, I spot Logan standing by one of the benches. Even from here, his tall, solid frame seems to command the space, his broad shoulders and strong stance unmistakable against the softer, swaying outline of the trees. He turns toward me as I approach, and instinctively, my lips curve into a smile. But his face… it’s unreadable. He doesn’t offer one in return.
When I reach him, I wrap my arms around his waist, pressing myself into the familiar warmth of him, trying to close whatever distance I suddenly feel. “How was work?” My voice is light, hopeful, searching for normal.
Logan has been helping out at his family’s garage during the days, sometimes when he starts talking about cars he gets lost in it. I love hearing him talk about it even if I don’t understand most of what he is saying. It’s one of those quirks I’ve learned to adore just watching his eyes light up, the way his hands move when he explains something.
But now… his hands take mine and remove them from his waist, slow but firm. The rejection is subtle but sharp, like a blade just beneath the skin. I look up at him, confused, searching for his gaze, but his brown eyes are restless and darting anywhere but my face.
“What’s wrong?” My voice softens. I lift my hand to cup his cheek, needing to touch him, needing reassurance that this is still him. But he takes a step back.
His hands go up in front of him and a pit forms deep in my stomach. “This is over.”
The words hit like a physical blow, knocking the breath from my lungs. It’s all he says before turning around and walking toward the street. For a moment, I’m rooted to the spot, my body refusing to obey my mind. I just saw him last night, and he told me he loved me. We talked about school this year, about our plans for after graduation. We dreamed together, and I believed him.
I snap out of it, my feet moving before my mind catches up, pounding against the damp grass as I run after him. I catch his hand, my voice breaking. “Logan, stop!” The sound comes out high-pitched, almost desperate. This can’t be real. “What happened?”
He pulls his hand from mine but still refuses to meet my gaze. “It doesn’t matter, I meant what I said. Don’t make this harder than it needs to be.”
I try again to take his hand, clinging to some part of him, but he steps back from me.
“Don’t touch me. It’s over. The sooner you accept it the better. Let me go.” The finality in his tone slices through me. With that, he turns away from me and walks down the block.
I stand there until he’s out of sight, frozen in place, my ears ringing. The first crack of thunder shatters the stillness, echoing through the night like the earth itself is breaking apart. My knees give out and I sink onto the damp grass as a wave of dizziness sets in. I can’t make sense of this. We were happy. Iknowwe were. You can’t fake something like that, not when it’s in every kiss, every look, every touch.
The first raindrops hit my face, cold and sharp, mixing with the heat of my tears and jolting me back into motion.
I need answers.
I can’t just walk away from this without them.
I walk toward his house, my shoes slapping against the wet pavement, each step heavier than the last. The rain quickens, soaking through my clothes until they cling to me like a second skin. By the time I’m standing at his front door, I am drenched, my hair plastered to my cheeks, but it doesn’t matter. I’m numb, a gaping hollow in my chest that throbs with every breath.
When I knock, the door swings open and Shaina answers. Her brows knit together, her eyes wide. “Kenzie! What the hell happened to you?!” She opens the door farther to let me in until Logan steps into the doorway, cutting her off.
“What are you doing here?” His voice is colder than my shivering body.
