Page 45 of Secret Baby With My Brother's Best Friend

"If I didn't know any better, I'd say you sound pleased."

Chapter Twenty-Three

Harper

This can't be happening. Three days at least? You've got to be kidding me.

First, it was the storm, and now the roadblock. It felt like no matter how much I was trying to get away from Logan, something kept stopping me from leaving, and it was driving me crazy. I needed to leave so badly. The longer I stayed with him, the more conflicted I felt inside.

"You're welcome. Have a safe drive," The officer said, stepping away from the car, and Logan reversed. As he did, I heard him mumble something to me, and my stomach clenched at the sound of his voice and the supposed joy etched in his words.

I jerked my head in his direction as his words settled in my stomach. Logan sounded almost pleased to know I wasn't leaving today. Was he glad? Or was it just my imagination? I wondered as I watched him turn the car around. I had to admit a huge part of me was glad to have an excuse to still be here with him, but I was also very worried about Cassie.

I hadn't spoken to her in two days, which was the longest time I had gone without any virtual contact with her. I had never gone an entire day without reaching her, so you can imagine why I panicked. I was sure she would be sad and probably mad at me, wondering why I hadn't called her all this time after telling her I was coming home. She must have waited for me all day.

The entire conversation with Cassie replayed in my head. The excitement in her voice when I called to tell her I would be coming home on the video call yesterday morning. Cassie was overjoyed, and it made me happy to see her so excited.

"Really? You're coming home?" she beamed, her smile reaching her eyes. Her face lit up, mine too.

I nodded. "Yes, baby. Mommy has missed you, and I can't wait to see you."

"Me too," her grin faded slowly. "But, wait. I thought you said this trip was going to take a few weeks. Why are you coming home so soon? She raised a brow, her tone serious.

“Well we got what we needed, so I can go early,” I said with conviction.

"So, I'll see you soon."

"Alright. Bye, Mom. I have to go to school now," she waved.

"Have fun at school," I waved back before ending the call.

Soon? I sighed, that was almost 48 hours ago, and I was still here. I can only imagine how she feels right now. How disappointed she must be and hurt.

The mere thought of Cassie being sad and angry at me caused a sharp pang in my chest. I didn't like to disappoint or let her down at all. Cassie was my world. She was everything that made San Francisco home to me. I reached for my phone, hoping for a signal, but no cellular network was available. I let out a sigh of frustration, feeling the urge to thrash my phone against the floor. I dropped it on the dashboard instead, leaning my head against the window.

This was hell. How was I supposed to stay nearly a week with Logan?

The entire ride back to the motel, I was lost in thoughts, thinking of Cassie and wondering how she was doing without me and when I would be able to talk to her again. I couldn't stop thinking of her. I knew by now she must have called me a million times already, getting mad at every call I missed. I couldn't wait to talk to her. I imagined her laughs, how the sound of her voice always managed to light up my mood, and how we often played around the house. I found a deep joy in the memories. I missed her so much.

"We are here," Logan announced the second we arrived at the motel. As he parked the car, I caught sight of Haley hurrying out of the motel to meet him in the parking lot. She had changed out of the clothes she had on earlier and now wore a skimpy dress with more makeup than she had on before. All this for Logan. The sight of her made my blood boil with so much intensity.

I unfastened my seatbelt briskly, and before Logan could step out of the vehicle, I beat him to it. Haley slowed down her pace at the sight of me, the confusion evident in her gaze as she approached us.

"You're still here?" she arched her brow, her voice laced with disappointment. Her smile faltered a bit, and she tried to conceal it but failed. "What happened? I thought you were going to the airport?" She asked, acting concerned and sticking her nose in my business.

The nerve.

I didn't need anyone to tell me she wasn't glad to see me. It was written all over her face, and the feeling was mutual.

"It didn't work out. Looks like I can't leave just yet," I grinned, taking a long look at her. "You're all decked up. Are you going somewhere?"

"Not exactly," she mumbled, tucking her hair behind her ear and glancing at Logan.

"I see. Well, I should go. I'm tired. I'll go ahead," I brushed past her, heading for the motel. "What happened?" I heard her inquire from Logan as I made my way inside the motel and went to our room. The minute I walked through the door, I tossed myself on the bed and began worrying about Cassie. I needed to talk to my little girl so badly. I attempted the very outdated wifi, but just as the previous times, it just kept freezing. My facetime and whatsapp call attempts just kept failing.

A few minutes later, the door swung open, and Logan walked in, dropping my luggage by the couch before settling down himself, shooting me a piercing glare. Our eyes locked, and we engaged in a silent standoff before I looked away.

"Did I do something wrong?" he finally asked, breaking the tension.

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