Sophie
The rest of my weekend was amazing. Despite Lexie having a hungover, she killed it, making sure our day ran smoothly. We were able to have a great day, meeting so many fans, signing autographs, taking pictures and so on.
Mr. Choy was beyond content with the outcome, saying he had never seen so many people come out to see us. The only downside was a phone call from Logan after he found the video of Roxanne going off on me. Luckily, he was able to bring it down so it didn't affect my career. It was still a bit embarrassing, but my biggest concern was calming Logan down.
He can be extremely stubborn when he's upset, acting upon his emotions when it comes to personal dilemmas. But ever since he's had Nate in his life, he's been able to control himself more.
I can't wait until next weekend to do this again. I truly enjoyed the feel of signing my books, it's still so surreal to me.
After we were done, we went back to the penthouse, finished packing up, and locked up. Troy surprised me by showing me a surprise. He took Lexie and me to the parking lot of the building.
To the back of the structure were a few garage doors that can only be opened with a special remote. There were cars stored inside where they are kept for a long time. My eyes went wide when I saw Troy's old hummer that he used to drive during high school. It was as if time stood still for a few minutes.
But what hit me and placed me on an emotional roller coaster was a black car that I knew so well.
"Logan's Challenger, he still has it," I said in a whisper as I ran my hand over the dark-shinny metal.
We spent so many beautiful memories in that car. From driving to school and back home every day to his football games, and so...so much more.
My eyes gleamed with joy as noticed the door unlocked. I opened it, sat on the driver's seat, and gripped the steering wheel lightly. I averted my eyes over the dashboard and admired the whole car. I so missed this car.
"You have no idea how much he takes care of this damn thing. He had to get a whole new motor for it, changed the transmission, the radiator had to be replaced, and God... Don't get me started on the tires." I chuckled, nodding my head as I imagine Logan's face every time he had to fix this car.
"Why wouldn't he just get rid of it? I mean, he has much better and fancier cars now. Though I... I missed this one. Back when life was less complicated," I sighed, smiling and placing my head against the steering wheel.
"For the same feeling that you're having sweetheart. We told him to get rid of it so many times." Troy bent his knees to meet me at an eye-level by the door.
"He said it was a way to keep you close to him. This car meant a lot to him because it reminded him of you. Why else?" he smiled and patted my shoulder.
"Anyway, we have a long way home, we should start getting on that road before we get stuck in traffic," he says standing up and wrapping his arm around Lexie's shoulder.
"Let's go home, T. I can't wait to be in my nice comfy bed." Troy laughs as Lexie snuggles, wrapping her arms around his waist.
"I bet you do, party girl." he taunts her, cupping her head and kissing the top of her head.
I sigh one last time and look towards the side, noticing something in the cupholder. I tilt my head to the side and grab it.
There was a paper folded a few times. I extended the paper and noticed Logan's writing. It was a list of things to do or more like a list of life goals.
It went from graduating high school, getting into NYU, making the NYU football team, and so on, but the last one was the one that moved my heart. It said, marry Sophie and make her my wife.
I chuckled as I felt a tear roll down my cheek. I covered my mouth and gulped down as I felt a big knot on my throat and a surge of butterflies in my stomach.
God.. I really messed things up by running away, didn't I? I wish I could turn back time and fix things. But like dad explained to me, who knows what would have happened?
What if we did stay together and the pressure of school and a baby drove us apart instead of closer together? I question myself if he would have been as successful as he is now if I had stayed. Though I regret leaving, I don't regret everything I went through.
I had no choice but to grow up and act like a mature adult, learning to be responsible along the way and above all... It taught me to respect others. To appreciate the small things, to value everything I have, and above all... To love unconditionally.
I placed the note in my pocket and got in Troy's car. We got on the road and made our way home.
*******
Logan
I stood by my car door. Steven and everyone had already gone back home. It was only Jason, my son Nate, and I left.
I was still trying to convince Michael to come to see Amber. He was being very stubborn and didn't want to meet his daughter.
I knew he was getting depression, and he was unsure that Amber would forgive him for being away for so long. And though he longed to meet Kenzie, he was doubting that she'd ever see him as a worthy person of being her dad.
"Look, just think about it, ok? The door is always open for you. Believe me, you don't want to miss any more of your daughter's life. She's beautiful, and I'm sure Amber will understand. She still loves you, man. You have no idea how hard she's had it since you left."
"Which is why I can't go. She deserves someone else, Logan." he ran his hand over his head, placing his other hand on his hip as he sighed deeply.
"Look, I appreciate you coming down here to meet me, but I gotta think about this. It's not that I'm afraid of the commitment, but I'm broken, Logan. I'm only going to cause them more harm than good. Believe me, they're better off without me."
"You're wrong about that, Michael. They need you, Kenzie needs you. In more ways than you know. Believe me, if I had known about my son earlier, I would have done anything...ANYTHING, just to be with them."
"Yeah well, I'm not you, man. I... I just can't." he hung his head, turning away from me.
What I thought would be a piece of cake turned out to be a total thud. I just wish I could have convinced him, but I guess I was wrong. "I'm not giving up on you, man. I know you're struggling, but you can't be this selfish and take away the opportunity for that little girl to grow up knowing her dad. Be a man for fucks sake. I get it, life is hard and fucking unfair at times, but it doesn't mean you stay down when you're hurt. You're a soldier, a fucking marine for fucks sake, you of all people should know that. Grow some balls and give that little girl the chance to meet you. At least meet her once, man."
"How? ... what if... what if she doesn't like me? What if she's not what's he expected? I'm all screwed in the head, man. I'm not ok, and I know that."
"We can help you, Michael. She can help you. A family is the best therapy to help you through the darkest night, believe me. It's worth the risk." I said as I looked back into my car and see my boy in the back starting to fall asleep. I felt so proud of him.
He was such a trooper. Stubborn as fuck, but my baby boy nonetheless.
"Look, the kids are having a little party in a week at their school. All parents are invited to go chaperon. You're welcome to join us. It'll be the best opportunity to meet Kenzie, I'll leave you my card in case you need a ride, man. Just, think about it, alright?" we clashed our hands together, shaking our hands in a firm grip.
"See you later, man," I said as I turned on my heel and opened my door.
"Hey, Logan?"
"Yeah." I promptly answered, looking at him.
"I'll think about it. No promises, ok? Take care of my daughter, please."
I smiled and nodded, "Always. I'm uncle Logan after all." I said making him smirk, looking down to the ground as he kicked a small pebble on the floor.
"Later, man."
"Bye," he replied as I turned my engine on and shifted the gear to drive away. This weekend was not entirely shitty though.
I was able to have a good time with my son, driving him to the food truck festival and seeing him have so much fun. I feel like I gained twenty pounds just this weekend, but it was worth it seeing how happy he was.
Now... To go home to my girl.
********