The Violet Hour (The Violet Hour Series) (12 page)

“Hey!” Ashleigh squealed, giving me a hug.

“Hi!” I replied, happy to see her.

“I was wondering if you left without me.  The house looked empty when we pulled up.”

“Everyone’s already gone, it’s just me here.”  That sounded sad, I thought.  “But, I’m glad we’re hanging out finally.”

“Me too!  That’s cute,” she complimented, pointing to my new outfit. 

“Thanks!  I just got it today.”

“When?  I mean, how’d you have time to go shopping?”

“Oh, it came in the mail.  I ordered it online.  Come upstairs and I’ll show you the rest.”  It felt good to have some girl time.  I could feel my mood lifting again. 

We got to my room and I enjoyed seeing the awe in her face.  Ashleigh had never actually been to my house before, so I was glad I’d finally unpacked most of the boxes while in isolation from the wolves.  Of course, since my closet was about half the size it was back in L.A., my clothes were everywhere.  Neat, but still everywhere.  She grabbed the new Hermes handbag and looked at the price tag I had yet to cut off.  Her eyes bulged.

“Here,” I said as I made my way over to the closet.  “Let’s pick out something special to wear for tonight.”

“No, Logan.  We don’t dress up for the Homecoming dance in Sheridan.  It’s just a casual thing.”

“I insist.  You’ve been really supportive to me these past couple weeks and I appreciate it.  It’s the least I can do.  Besides, look at all the clothes I have.  Now, pick something out.  Anything.  You can keep whatever you pick.”

“Logan, you don’t have to do that.”

“Spare me, Ashleigh.  Just pick something out.  You know you want to.  Besides, it’ll make me feel better,” I teased.

Ashleigh spent no time picking out a pair of Dolce & Gabbana jeans, with a matching jean button-up top and lacey undershirt that were in a neat stack on the floor.  I had gotten the outfit in the mail from Lindsey.  It was part of the new D&G summer collection, not even in stores yet.  Apparently, she still had connections even after I was gone.  There had also been a note in the box that I threw away before reading.

“Perfect!  Let’s do these boots, this belt and this bag to go with the outfit too,” I said as I handed her each item.

“Logan!  I can’t take all of these things from you.  I’ll wear them for tonight and give them back to you tomorrow.  Really, it’s too much!”

“Ashleigh… I told you to humor me just this once. Keep them as a token of my appreciation.  I’ll be upset if you refuse.” 

It worked and she bounded over to give me another hug.  While she changed, I went into the bathroom to check my makeup then exited through the hallway door.

“Ash, I’m going downstairs to get some scissors for these tags.  Do you want anything from the fridge?”

“No thanks.  Josh and I had pizza at the house before he dropped me off so I’m stuffed.  I should be ready in a minute, though.”

“I’ll be right back,” I called as I made my way downstairs. 

When I rounded the corner to the kitchen, I froze. 

Luke stood with his face buried in the refrigerator.  It was the first time I’d been alone with him in weeks.  He shut the doors and turned away from me, treading to the kitchen island with a handful of items.  I was starting to doubt whether he knew I was standing there or not until he looked up with a sheepish smile.  We locked eyes and my heart gave out, shattering into a million little pieces.  I was too vulnerable for this. 

It took a few moments of convincing, but I was finally able to move again, breaking our gaze.  Keeping my head down, I walked toward the kitchen island to get the scissors I’d come downstairs for in the first place.  Luke slowly extended his hand, catching my attention.  He opened his hand revealing a pair of scissors.  The glitter of his eyes was both comforting and torturous.  I couldn’t help but speak.

“So, I was right all along?” I questioned, taking the scissors from his hand. 

“Right about what, Logan?” he asked – his back to me as he assembled a sandwich. 

A chill fell down the length of my arms as soon as he said my name. 

“That you do have some sixth sense.  I thought all along we were just kidding around, but now it all makes sense,” I said coldly, attempting to keep an emotional distance. 

I quickly realized that was a long shot. 

“Logan,” he said, turning to face me, “I never meant to hurt you.  I said from the very beginning that I would’ve never told you a thing had you not needed to know.  And I asked you to trust me – which you said you did.”

Silence fell upon us.  I hated to admit it, but he was right. 

“Logan, please give me the chance to explain.  Just one chance to explain everything to you.  If you still feel the same afterwards, I’ll leave you alone for good.”

“I don’t think there’s anything more to explain,” I countered under my breath. 

“Hey guys!” Ashleigh interrupted, stepping into the kitchen.  I never heard her coming but was surprised Luke missed her.  Or, maybe he didn’t.  Maybe his plan was to hit me with a few thoughts to ponder for the rest of the evening – beating me at my own games.

“Sorry about that, Ash.  I ran into Luke grabbing a bite to eat.”

“Hello, Ashleigh,” he started, immediately cranking up the charm.  “I don’t think we’ve formally met.  I’m Luke… of course.” 

Even
I
was spellbound by him and he wasn’t targeting me.

“Hi!” she managed, though I could see she was struggling to speak. 

“Would you like something to eat or drink, Ashleigh?  I was just making myself a sandwich,” Luke offered.

“Sure!” she replied, brushing past me toward the table. 

I couldn’t believe my eyes as I watched Ashleigh take a seat next to Luke.  He slid half his sandwich to her and she giggled, taking a bite immediately.  What happened to her ‘being stuffed from pizza?’ I thought.

“Would you like the other half, Logan?”

I shook my head and took a seat beside them in total disbelief.

*****

I knew Ashleigh’s silence the moment we left the kitchen meant only one thing: she was going to grill me as soon as we were out of Luke’s earshot. 

“So…” Ashleigh said, with implications thick in her voice. 

“So, what?” I replied, backing out of the garage.  Just as I suspected, I thought. 

“So, what’s the deal between you and Luke?  That’s what!  You could’ve sliced the tension in the air between you two with a knife.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, every time I looked up at Luke, he was
staring
at you.  And the entire time we were there, you hardly even glanced at him.”

“Well, what about you, Ash?  I thought you already ate,” I countered.

“This isn’t about me, Logan, I
have
a boyfriend.  I think there’s something going on that you’re not sharing,” she pressed.

Warmth flushed my cheeks and gave me away, no doubt.  I couldn’t think of anything to say quickly enough before she caught on.

“You like him, don’t you?” she questioned, excitedly. 

“What makes you think that?  Just because you noticed
him
looking at
me
, doesn’t mean anything.”

“It means
something
!”

“Nothing,” I firmly stated.  “Besides, Luke’s just being polite.  It’s nothing.” 

“B.S. Logan!  He’s never even talked to me before.  Ever.  And he doesn’t look at girls the way he was looking at you.  I may not ‘know him,’ know him – but I know him well enough to know that he’s
totally
into you.”

I felt my face getting hotter.  Luckily the sun was setting on us now.  I pulled my big mirrored aviators down from my forehead hoping they’d camouflage most of my face.  The one thing I couldn’t hide from her was my smile.  Ashleigh just giggled as I tried to disguise myself.  I knew there was no use in arguing with her because I wasn’t convinced she was wrong.   

We got onto the interstate and Luke came out of nowhere from behind and blew past us in his Chevelle.  Memories overwhelmed me.  The last time I actually saw that car I was in it, we were spending time together, and I was happy.   Suddenly, I got the urge to talk to Luke again.  I wanted him to brush the little hairs out of my eyes and pull me into his warm embrace.  I wished I was in that car.  I wished we were going to the game together and the Homecoming dance afterward. 

I
was
being a fool.

I pulled into the school drive and realized there was no chance of getting a parking spot.  People had started parking on the school lawn, which would have been fine if I had a truck like the rest of the school population. 

“Where can I park on pavement?” I asked Ashleigh, while we scanned for spots.

“Probably down the street.  We’ll have to walk a ways, but I think it’s our only option unless you wanna park on the grass.”

“Muddy grass.  No thanks.”

I turned my head to check my blind spot for traffic just as Luke walked into view.  He motioned for me to roll my window down.

“Why don’t you ladies find a seat before those are all gone too,” he said, leaning into the car.  “Logan, I can park the car for you.”

My opportunity had arrived.  Do I stay in the car so I know where Luke parks it and ultimately get to restart our conversation from the kitchen?  Or do I go with Ashleigh and wait to have him walk me to the car after the game?

“Logan?” he put his hand on my shoulder, “Go with Ashleigh and find a seat.  I’ll show you where your car is after the game.”

Amazing. 

I knew Ashleigh would never pick up on the internal exchange, but there was no way she was going to let Luke’s gesture go unnoticed.  I decided I’d give her something to muse over while we walked to our seats. 

Luke opened the car door for me as Ashleigh stepped outside.  She was so quick about it that it made me wonder if she was racing around the car to stand with me or Luke.  I stood up, brushing against Luke’s rock-hard chest.  I leaned in close and took one last breath, inhaling his sweet pine scent that now made complete sense to me.

“Sixth sense,” I whispered.  I could practically feel Ashleigh’s eyes bulging, but I didn’t care.  I could hardly control myself around him.  My attraction to him was like a magnetic pull.  A
strong
magnetic pull.

Luke brushed his body against mine while he slid past me into the car, letting his hands linger on mine near the door handle, his touch sending electricity through my body.  As Ashleigh and I began walking away, she was the only one who glanced back at him. 

“You have got to be kidding me!” Ashleigh squealed.

“What?” I shrugged.

Andrea Wells – The Violet Hour

Chapter 13

I didn’t pay the slightest bit of attention to the football game.  The stands roared with people, but I was oblivious.  I was so entrenched in my own thoughts that the bleachers could’ve been empty and I wouldn’t have noticed.  The one person I wanted to see, the only person I could’ve actually seen, was nowhere in sight.  For the first time since I’d arrived in Wyoming, I wasn’t longing for my mother, I was longing for Luke. 

Before we even sat down, Ashleigh had vocally dwelled on every facet of Luke; how unbelievably charming he was, his good looks and the great couple we would make.  She was right; we
would
make a great couple.  But, she was wrong too.  Ashleigh had no idea about the complexity of such a relationship, or if there could even be one. 
I
didn’t even know that.

When the crowd erupted in screaming and shouting, I realized they’d been doing that all night long.  Their presence finally broke through my trance right as the game ended.  Ashleigh grabbed me, shaking in excitement over their big win.

“Josh and Jesse played awesome, didn’t they?” she yelled as the players jogged off the field.

“Yeah,” I yelled back, hoping she wouldn’t want to rehash the game. 

We made our way out of the stands and headed toward the parking lot.  I was fixated on finding Luke for the obvious reason of needing to find my car, but hoped my other reason wasn’t as transparent.  I stopped abruptly in my tracks when I spotted him standing next to my dad and Kate with a group of strangers. 

“Thank you again for the outfit, Logan.  Really, you didn’t have to…”

“Ah-ah-ah.  I already told you, Ash.  You’re very welcome.”

“Are you sure you don’t want to come with us to the dance?  It’ll be fun,” she begged.

“No, I think I’m heading home,” I said, my eyes locked with Luke’s.

“Oh – I see.  Have fun.  I’ll see
you
on Monday,” she said, suggestively.  Judging by her tone, she knew where my attention was.  

In the time it took me to weave my way over, Jack, Rachel and Jesse had joined the group.  Jesse was already showered and dressed for the dance, flanked by three sophomore girls.  Luke seemed pleased as I approached – eyes soft and welcoming.

“Logan, what a pleasant surprise,” my father proclaimed.  I was certain my presence was no surprise.  The sixth sense had to be a
werewolf
thing, I’d concluded.  It crossed my mind that any emotion of surprise was just an act put on to appear normal.  I wondered how many times I’d fallen victim to the same treatment and remembered with dull anger how I’d been deceived.

“Hi Dad, hi Kate,” I said quickly to get the awkwardness out of the way.  I had finally gotten used to
not
talking to them. 

“Logan, do you even know a thing about football?” Jesse asked, reaching out to fake punch me in the arm.  The three girls behind him giggled.  I peered around Jesse’s broad shoulders to get a better look.

“I know
enough
to know you played a great game tonight, Jesse,” I replied flirtatiously, staring down the girls until they looked away one-by-one. 

Luke leaned closer to me as Jesse laughed hysterically, catching on that I was no longer having the conversation with him.  The sophomores had quit smiling.   

“Thanks, I’m glad you came to see me play,” Jesse offered after catching his breath.  His willingness to be friendly after weeks of being ignored further solidified it was time for me to drop the act and start talking to everyone again.

“Are you guys going to the dance too?” Kate asked, gesturing toward Luke and me.  Of course she would ask.

“No,” I replied quickly as Luke let a smile escape the corners of his lips.  I had to force myself to catch my breath.  “I’m gonna head home.  I just came over so Luke could show me where he parked my car.”

“Did you two come together?” my dad asked.

“No, we didn’t,” Luke started.  “She and Ashleigh were in the parking lot trying to find a spot and I offered to park her car so they could find seats before the game started.”

Luke’s arm brushed mine and I had the sudden urge to hold his hand.

“Well, I should show Logan to her car.  It’s a couple blocks away,” Luke said, causing my heart to flutter when he spoke my name.  The others acted like they already knew the whole story.

“Drive careful,” Kate offered. 

“We’re going out for drinks with the coaches, so we’ll probably be home late.  Don’t wait up,” my dad joked. 

Luke put his hand on the small of my back and guided me through the crowds while I kept my head down.  The celebrity buzz of me being in town was short-lived and, for the most part, people had gone back to normal.  When we were in the clear, he pulled his hand away and walked beside me, keeping his distance.  Luke cleared his throat and slowed his pace as if testing to see how I’d respond.   

“What changed?” he asked simply.

“What do you mean?” I asked, recalling the same words coming up in a different conversation I’d had earlier.  I knew what Luke was asking, but if he was going to test me, then I could play that game.  No – I could play it better.

“Why are you talking to me again?” he clarified. 

“I’ve only spoken a few words to you, Luke.  That doesn’t mean anything’s changed.”

“Yet…” he said, stepping to the side and opening my car door.  I hadn’t realized we were at my car already.  Time was moving too fast.

“
Yet
?  You say that like you’re certain there will be more conversation.  What exactly makes you think that?” I countered as I climbed inside. 

Looking up at him standing there, waiting as I rolled down my window, made my heart race.  I’m not sure if it was because I had avoided him lately, but he was irresistible.  His eyes glistened softly with expectation and I gave in.  He leaned inside my window and I was immediately captivated by his presence and rendered speechless.  He breathed deeply as if to inhale my scent. 

It was better than any scene from a romantic movie I’d ever, or would ever, see.  I suddenly regretted the weeks we spent not speaking.  Everything had been leading to this moment.  His lips slightly parted and I closed my eyes, leaning closer.

“Sixth sense,” he whispered, answering my question. 

My eyes shot open as I snapped back into my seat.  His eyes glittered wildly and his grin grew wider before he disappeared, likely toward his car.  I pursed my lips in frustration and started the engine. 

Following Luke home in a separate vehicle was actually a good thing because it gave my thoughts time to resettle.  Ashleigh was right.  She hadn’t missed a thing, telling me before the game about Luke’s obvious fascination with me.  She claimed he deliberately looked up when I entered a room.  He watched me during lunch, even though I sat with my back to him.  She noted numerous occasions when he would wait for me to show up for school if I wasn’t early.  When I left school for the day, it was the same.  And, Ashleigh told me, he had never noticed another girl before me. 

Luke slowed down as we pulled through the trees and completely stopped in front of the barns.  I wasn’t sure if I should go around him and head to the house or get out of my car.  He answered my unspoken question by turning off his Chevelle and walking back to get me. 

“I’d like to show you something,” he said, reaching his hand out.

I didn’t say a word, just placed my hand in his and followed.  After weeks of distance, the warmth of his touch seared through me.  The entrance was hidden from view on the opposite side.  It surprised me to see a bright, glossy oak door with stained glass that seemed out of place against the metal siding of the barn.

“What is this?” I mumbled as I shuffled into a bright, open room.  Luke gave me a moment to take in the interior before answering.

“This is where Jack, Jesse and I live.”

All along, I had assumed they lived in a temporary apartment-type setup. 

“This looks more like a house than a barn,” I stated, confused.

“It used to be a barn.  When we moved in, we refinished the inside.”

“I’m amazed, I had no idea.”

The kitchen and living room area felt like a cabin.  It was rustic yet minimal and the floors, walls and ceiling were covered in the same glossy oak.  A gorgeous long, narrow rug led toward a small hallway, disappearing further inside their little home.  Luke noticed me looking and led me in that direction.

He paused at the first door and opened it to a small, simple bathroom.  The next door was Jesse’s room and across the hall was Jack’s, both of which resembled the rest of the place in rustic simplicity. 

He began to open the last door and paused, as if second-guessing himself. He turned to me and held out his other hand.

“Close your eyes,” he said softly as I slid my hand into his. 

For a brief moment, my anger at being lied to resurfaced.  But then, I shut my eyes.  It was time to rebuild trust.  He opened the door and led me into a room which felt more spacious compared to his brothers’ rooms. 

“Okay, open your eyes,” he said, letting go of my hand.

I opened my eyes and immediately felt homesick.  The four-poster bed was up against the wall, covered in shades of blue and tan.  Watercolor paintings hung on every wall depicting the beach and the ocean as a subtle autumn breeze moved the sheer curtains hanging by the patio doors.  He parted them and walked outside.  Two weathered beach chairs sat next to a small fire pit facing the mountain range. 

His room was the perfect combination of California and Wyoming.  My life before
and
my life now.  Pain swelled in my chest. 

“I’ve always loved the ocean, but can’t realistically live there,” he said, gazing around his room.

“I love the ocean too,” I replied quietly.

Luke sat down in one of the chairs next to the smoldering fire and invited me with a hand gesture to do the same.  Music faintly played through speakers in his room and neither of us spoke for a while.  My heart rate and breathing stabilized and I felt the silence building, like the calm before a storm, but wasn’t about to speak first.  I didn’t know what to say or where to begin.  Luke took a deep recognizable breath.

“Logan?”  His eyes shone a deep navy blue against the fiery light.

“Yes?”  I held my breath, dreading what he’d say next.

“Would you like to dance?” he asked.

“What?” 

“I thought we should dance to at least one song since neither of us made an appearance at Homecoming, don’t you think?”

He took a few steps toward me and put out his hand.  I placed my hand in his and my heart skipped a beat when he leaned in to kiss it.  My cheeks burst into flames as he pulled me up from the chair into his chest.  As he took the lead, I looked up into his eyes and my senses were overwhelmed.  His smell was sweet, his touch was electrifying, his eyes kind, and the slight part in his lips was breathtaking.  I was so caught up in the bubbling feelings beginning to resurface, I couldn’t think.

Luke finally looked at me as he slid his hands off my waist.  He cupped my blazing hot cheeks and pulled me in close. 

“Logan,” he said, hardly audible to a human ear.

“Yeah?” I whispered, matching his decibel.

“I’m still the same person.”

I searched deep in his eyes.  He meant what he said.  I couldn’t treat him like a monster, when I’d fallen for him before I knew his secret.

“I know,” I whispered simply, closing my eyes.

Tears began to well up in the corners of my eyes.  It was the first time I’d cried in weeks.  I put my arms around his waist, pulling him tightly against me in an effort to hide my face.  I could barely hear the music, but I recognized the piano notes when a new song began playing. 

“What does this mean?” I finally asked aloud.

“What do you
want
it to mean?”

Tears pooled in my eyes.  I didn’t know exactly why I’d become so emotional, but I knew what I thought this moment
should
mean.  It
should
mean we’d be boyfriend and girlfriend, sit next to each other at lunch, hold hands in the halls and go to football games on Friday nights.  Instead, it meant I was falling in love with a werewolf.

“There’s nothing for you to be afraid of, Logan,” he said as if reading my mind.

My eyes met his concerned stare.

“Are you sure you can’t read my mind?” I asked seriously.  Of all the questions I had, I wanted an answer to this one.

“No, I can’t read your mind.”

“Then, how do you always answer my thoughts or know exactly the right thing to say to me?”

“I can sense what you’re feeling,” he replied.

“How?”

“My sense of smell alone is thousands of times more powerful than yours.  Actually, all of my senses are heightened.”

“And what are my results?” 

He hesitated before answering.  “You do a good job of… trying to hide your emotions... but, you seem anxious and torn.”