He’d heard somewhere once that music was a good way to reach those who were unconscious, even bring back memories to those who had lost theirs—so hell, why not try everything.
As Logan scrolled through his music list on his phone, searching for the song he was after, he noticed a piece of paper that had fallen onto the floor. He bent down and picked it up, opening it.
Across the top, scrawled in Tate’s handwriting, was: Possible Bar Locations
There were several listings underneath with check marks beside them or crosses through them, but what caught Logan’s attention was the final listing. It was circled several times, check marked, and beside it, Tate had written: Perfect location. Decent price. Show Logan.
That wouldn’t have been overly significant except for what was beside that—three simple words. The same words he’d been told earlier by Tate’s father. Tell him yes.
For the first time in days, Logan felt his lips twitch, wanting to grin as he refolded the piece of paper and slipped it back in the jacket pocket.
Of course, he thought as he pressed play on his phone. Even when you’re finally ready to give me what I want, you’re going to tease me a little first.
As Peter Gabriel’s “Solsbury Hill” filled the room, Logan stood, placed the jacket on the chair, and then leaned down until he was close enough to press his lips to Tate’s forehead. “Come on, Tate. It’s time to wake up and tell me yes.”
* * *
Logan couldn’t remember how he’d ended up in Cole’s car, but when his eyes opened and he realized where he was, he sat up like someone had jolted him with electricity.
How the…“What the fuck, Cole?” he demanded as he glowered at his brother.
Cole took his eyes off the road and looked over to him with a frown of concern on his face. “You need a shower, brother. A shower, some food, and maybe, oh I don’t know, ten minutes of uninterrupted shut-eye.”
“Fuck you. Take me back.”
“No,” Cole told him, and Logan had the urge to punch him square in the jaw.
“Take. Me. Back.”
“No.”
That answer was really pissing him off, and as Logan unbuckled his seatbelt, Cole reached across and stilled his hand.
“Think about what you’re doing. Do you really think you’ll be any good for Tate if you can’t function? If you yourself get sick?”
Logan wanted to tell him to go to hell, but the smart fucker had a point. Cole released his hold and brought his hand back to the steering wheel as he wove them through the quiet streets.
“I won’t pretend to understand what you’re going through, but I will tell you this: If that were Rachel in there and you were pulling this shit…I’d want to fucking kill you. But think for just a minute and you’ll realize we’re trying to help you.”
Choosing to bite his angry words back, Logan glared out the front window and remained silent. Cole was right. He did want to kill him. He was furious that he’d taken him away from Tate. What if something happens and I’m not there?
“Shelly promised that, if anything changed… Hey?” Cole stopped talking and snapped his fingers.
Logan turned his head to look at him.
Then he continued. “If anything changes, she will call.”
Logan didn’t bother responding. He went back to staring out the window as Cole continued to talk.
“Rachel went home with Lena so she could watch her, and you are stuck with me.”
“How wonderful,” Logan muttered.
“What was that?”
“I said, ‘How fucking wonderful.’”
“Logan…” Cole sighed.
“What?”
“You were like a fucking zombie when you came out of his room. You were barely coherent. You need to refuel.”
Rolling his eyes, Logan shook his head and spat out, “How do you know what I need? I need to be there. With him.”
Cole turned into the parking garage of Logan’s condo, and as he punched the code in and drove into the visitor’s area, he remained silent. It wasn’t until he drew the car to a stop and pulled the keys from the ignition that Cole really let him have it.
“Listen to me for a second. I know you want to be there. But there’s no fucking way I’m going to sit there and let your health go to shit. I have three people I’m currently worried about, and if I can get you remotely off the ‘is he going to fall the fuck apart’ list, that would be pretty damn awesome. You got it?”
Logan shoved the car door open and managed to get himself out, which was a feat in itself considering how shaky his legs were. Gripping the side of the car, he held on to it for a moment as everything started to spin around him. He felt like shit, and before he knew that it was going to happen, Logan grabbed his stomach, and threw up all over the concrete floor.