Page 15 of Secret Baby With My Brother's Best Friend

Logan's confession of having never loved anything besides baseball had taken me by surprise. Until that moment, I always assumed he and I had something, even with his arrogance toward me and how I felt betrayed by his abandonment. I always believed that he somehow loved me back then- even just a little. I didn't want to consider anything otherwise, but Logan's answer last night had solidified that for me, and my heart was broken even more.

I had fallen asleep with a sting in my chest, questioning everything we had shared that one night and before that night. All those innocent stares and gentle touches, and the conversations we often had when we were together. If all of that wasn't out of love, then what was it? A game? Had Logan only slept with me to please himself that night? Did he think I was a joke? Was there really nothing special between us? I fell asleep mad at the world and hating Logan even more.

I woke up the next morning to the sound of my phone blaring up on the bedside table. My head throbbed terribly from all the troubles of last night. I grumbled, tossing around the sheets for a minute and rubbing my sleepy eyes open. I reached for the phone, flipping it over, and Amanda's name flashed on the screen. Why was she calling so early? I stole a glance at the clock. It read 11 a.m. Wow! Okay, not so early.

I pulled myself into a sitting position, clearing my throat before answering the call.

"Good morning, Ma'am."

"Morning, Amanda. How are you?" I asked, sliding out of bed and heading to the bathroom.

"I'm good, Ma'am. How are you doing over there?"

"I'm doing okay," at least, I hoped. "How's Cassie doing?" I asked, putting the phone on speaker and washing my face before the mirror. I dried my face with a towel.

"She is doing okay. She asked me to call, actually. She misses you and won't let me rest if I don't call you, even though I told her you might be busy with work."

"It's okay, Amanda. Give her the phone."

"Mommy, I’m upset," Cassie's voice blared through the phone, and I couldn't help but grin at the soothing sound of her voice, curing my headache.

"You didn't even greet me. Why are you upset?" I asked, sitting on the toilet.

"You don't call or talk to me," she asserted, and I could imagine her scrunching her nose. It's what she did whenever she was upset.

"Hey, it's not like that," I replied softly. "Mommy has just been a little distracted lately, but she is sorry, and she will make it up to you."

"How?" she asked.

"I will call you every evening from today, and if I'm too busy, I will text you. And for being absent for the past few days, Mommy will tell the nanny to get you some of those gummy treats you love so much. How do you like that?"

"Hmm," I could hear her giggling as she spoke. "Okay, I forgive you."

"Mommy is happy to hear that."

"If Mommy is happy, then Cassie is happy," my smile deepened. No matter what might have really happened in my past. Cassie was my only consolation, which was something to be happy about. "How is Chicago?"

"It's not the same without you, baby."

"It cannot be, because I am not there," she joked, and I burst out laughing. "I miss you, Mommy."

"Miss you too, love."

"I have to go now. I have to get ready for my piano lessons with my teacher," she whined, dramatic as ever.

"I hope you're taking it seriously these days."

"I am…. I have to go. I love you! Bye."

"Love you too!" The call ended.

I finished up in the bathroom, showered, and got changed before heading to the restaurant to get some brunch. Thankfully the restaurant was scanty in the afternoon, which was great considering how much I hated crowded spaces. I took my seat at the corner of the room and beckoned to the waiter, who attended to me speedily.

"What can I get you, Ma'am?"

"I'll have chicken salad, cake, and a Coke."

"Coming right up."

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