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“How glad are you that Mary loved you right off the bat after seeing her with Ali tonight?”
“Oh god. I feel bad for Marc. That’s a tough spot for him.”
“It’ll be alright. Ali will grow on her, I know it.”
“Well, they’re literally the same person.”
“That’s what I said!” he laughs.
We lie in bed for quite some time, Eli gently stroking my hair as we try to fall asleep. I’m getting close to drifting off, feeling the best I have in a while, but there’s something still weighing on me after that conversation with Jack.
“Eli?” I whisper.
“Mmm-hmm,” he hums, sedated, and clearly close to sleep.
I take a deep breath as I drape my arm across his middle. “My mom’s name was Josie, and I want to tell you about her one day, but right now, I just really miss her.”
I feel Eli’s breathing hitch beneath me. He tightens his hold around my shoulders, pulling me into him.
“I can’t wait to get to know her.” He kisses my forehead, leaving his lips lingering there against my skin as we both fall asleep.
Chapter 10
Eli
The next morning, I quickly turn off my alarm, hoping to not wake Logan. I’m not too concerned about Marc or Ali. They came stumbling in around three in the morning, being loud as fuck. So, I hope I wake their asses up, but unfortunately, I don’t. They’re both drunkenly passed out on the other bed, fully clothed from the night before.
Regardless of being woken up in the middle of the night by our wasted friends, I slept the best I have in over a month.
Logan’s back is pressed against my chest with my arm draping over her waist and my fingers laced with hers. My other bicep is trapped under her head, so I slowly and cautiously pull my arm out, needing to get to the rink across the street to check-in for our first day of five-on-five play.
I quietly put my shoes on before leaning over to my sleeping girl and placing my lips on her tattooed collarbone.
Logan surprises me by gently wrapping her arms around my neck, pulling me in for a hug. “You got this,” she whispers against my cheek.
I pull back to look at her pretty face and the sweet smile that dons her lips. She looks more like herself this morning. There’s a bit more color to her face today.
I kiss her mouth before tucking her in as she lays her head back down on the pillow.
Slipping out of her room to head back to mine, I’m completely aware of the fact that I’m shirtless and only wearing my joggers and Adidas while I wander the halls of this hotel. But I couldn’t care less. I’ll walk around this building fucking naked if it means Logan is wearing my clothes again.
I can’t even explain how much better I feel today. I know we aren’t entirely back to us, but after last night, I’m optimistic that we will be. Logan is still suffering, it’s obvious, but the fact that she wants to let me in, even if it’s just a little bit, is all I’ve been asking for.
I understand that she’s been making decisions based on what she knows and has experienced. I know that she’s used to taking care of herself on her own, but I’m hoping she’s starting to realize that there are a lot of people who love her and want to support her, myself included.
I’m still a little lost on what my role is for her right now. And I don’t mean as her boyfriend but as her partner. I’ve never gone through the kind of grief she’s experiencing, and I’m definitely out of my element. But I need to figure out the best position I can take in order to help her through it.
When I make it back to my room, I reach into my sweatpants’ pocket, pulling out my key card. But when I do, I find a piece of paper folded up too.
You always write me notes, so I figured it was time to return the gesture.
Remember how great you are today. You deserve all the recognition you’re about to get.
Thank you for being patient with me. I love you.
-L
The biggest smile creeps across my lips as I pull my phone out. I slip off my clear phone case and put Logan’s sweet note right there, where I can see her words whenever I need them.
