I swallowed back the bile in my throat. Before my brain could fire up my muscles to move or react, the office door swung open. Logan stood there and blinked at me.

  “…Uh… Hi?” I mumbled.

  “…Uh… Hi… Shall we go house hunting?” He raised an eyebrow at me.

  Very unsure how to process what I’d eavesdropped on, I just nodded.

  “Great!” Logan wrapped an arm around my shoulders and led me down the hall. I tried to ignore the unease that still churned in my stomach.

  Logan didn’t say anything, and neither did I, as we left the bar and climbed into my car. I settled into the passenger seat and let him drive. Logan fiddled with the GPS on his phone, and I turned my head to stare out the window. After a moment, a computer voice told us where to go. After 20 or so minutes, we pulled into a lush suburb outside of town.

  Your destination is on the right!

  My eyes went wide as Logan pulled into the driveway of a massive house. A tall bald man in a gray suit walked down the front stairs and waved at us.

  “That’s Marc, our agent.” Logan said as he parked.

  I swallowed. So, we were ignoring things? Okay then.

  “Nice to see ya again, Logan!” Marc and Logan shook hands.

  “Marc, this is Elle.” Logan tilted his head in my direction.

  “Nice to meet you, Elle!” Marc grinned at me and extended his hand.

  We shook hands and Marc clasped his hands together in front of him as glee threatened to overwhelm him. “Shall we get to it?!”

  Logan gave a nod of approval, giving Marc the go ahead. The house was a new build, with an open floor plan in the main area, vaulted ceilings, 6 bedrooms with en suite bathrooms, and a finished basement. As we walked through the front door, I frowned. The marble floors rubbed me the wrong way. And the impersonal feeling quickly overwhelmed me. The kitchen was lovely, big with an island and a farmhouse sink. The house sat on an acre of land.

  “Enough room for a swing set!” Marc reasoned as he showed off the backyard.

  “Several swing sets!” Logan laughed.

  The place was impressive, but I couldn’t see it being a home for me and baby girl. Too big, too cold. Although I had already made up my mind, I held my tongue and left Marc finish the tour.

  “So, what do you two think?” He asked as he led us back to the living area.

  Logan looked at me expectantly.

  I shrugged, “It’s nice …but I don’t think it’s right for us. It’s not my style at all.”

  “Fair enough. You have to like it enough to live in it.” Marc said as he rubbed his jaw.

  He asked me what things I liked about the house, and I ran off my list of things I would cherry pick and Frankenstein into my dream home. Marc noted my wish list in the notes app on his phone.

  “…Okay, that gives me a better picture. I’d thought we’d go big and flashy first just to feel out your style. Logan already told me some things he’d thought you like, but your list finishes the puzzle in my mind. I’ve got something in mind I’d like you two to look at.” Marc smiled warmly at me before leading us outside.

  We followed Marc across town to check out another house. We passed several cute little stores, a park with kids playing, and a Tiny Free Library in the shape of a birdhouse. A mom in leggings and a baseball cap stopped her stroller in front of the free library to browse the books.

  That could be me and baby.

  As we pulled into the driveway, it could already tell this second house was much more of a home than the first one. The yard was large but not too large as neighbor’s houses were still visible.

  “Lots of families in this neighborhood. A much more chill and easy-going vibe!” Marc exclaimed as we climbed out of our cars.

  The house was a cozy looking two story with sunny yellow paint and large windows. Several tiny shrubs surround the porch.

  “Here we’ve got a cute little porch. Elle, you could throw some rocking chairs out here and enjoy the summer evenings. After the baby grows some, you can sit here and relax. Logan and baby can run around and play.” Marc smiled at me.

  Could I see baby girl playing here?

  I rubbed a hand over my stomach as my brain tried to compute that image. Marc unlocked the door and ushered us inside.

  “Like the last place, this area is open concept. But there are more personal touches. I’m fond of the unfinished wood beams in the ceiling.” Marc pointed up at the dark brown beams off set by the cream paint.

  A rock fireplace accented a wall across from the kitchen. It was the perfect spot for hanging a TV. I could invasion a large comfortable couch in the middle of the room. Maybe a colorful rug to add some spice to it all.

  Baby toys everywhere.

  I smiled. The kitchen was enormous, with a window overlooking the backyard. A lack of counter space might become a concern, but the island separating the kitchen from the living room made up for that.

  Morning coffees will continue.

  Ugh. I squashed that thought under my foot. I didn’t know how to feel about Logan right now, house buying aside.

  “There’s a bathroom and bonus room back here.” Marc pointed beyond the kitchen.

  Two glass paneled doors opened to a room with build in bookshelves and large wall length window. All the air fled my lungs and my heart exploded.

  Built-ins! Oh my god!

  I couldn’t help the squeak that escaped my lips as I walked into the room. Logan’s quiet chuckle was anything but. I shot him a glare over my shoulder before returning my attention back to the glorious bookshelves.

  “Amazing…” I muttered as my hand grazed the smooth paneling.

  “Logan told me you work from home, so this could be a great office. Put a desk right here, maybe a reading nook right there under the window.” Marc said.

  An amazing home office filled with books and a place to hide away to read those books was a dream. I almost wanted to buy the house right then and there, but I exercised restraint and looked at the rest of the house. Glass doors opened to a brick patio. Up three steps, the yard opened to a nice green space. A large oak tree near the fence made me think of comforting thoughts and Winnie the Pooh.

  “Just one swing set here…” I mumbled.

  The guys were too busy talking about fitting in a grill to be concerned about me.

  A sandbox, a tire swing. We can put so many things out here for you baby girl.

  Upstairs, there were three bedrooms and two bathrooms. As the far end was a fair-sized guest bedroom. Across from that was a standard full bathroom with a clawfoot tub. The black and white subway tile adorning the floor made me smile. Renee and I watched tons of home renovation shows together. She would have pitched a fit over the cliché of it all, but I liked it.

  A smaller room was across from the master. It was a perfect room for baby girl. Both my hands cradled my bump as I stepped inside. The sole window in the room let in the perfect amount of light. A perfect spot for a rocking chair to soothe the baby before bed. The gray walls and cream carpet felt like a hug. This was the clencher. Built-in bookshelves were amazing and everything but picturing my child here won me over. I turned to Logan, hoping he felt what I did. The magic and the security. He and Marc were still standing in the hall. I pushed away my disappointment as Marc gushed about the master. His pregame speech fizzled in my ears. I had already made my decision. I didn’t need him to hype it up anymore.

  That’s not fair Elle! He’s just doing his job!

  Marc held open the bedroom door and beckoned us inside. The master was massive, and it was clear the previous owners had made it a focus. The master suite had a large floor to ceiling window on the far wall. I looked up and spotted where the curtains would hang.

  “Do they make blackout curtains that big?” Logan asked.

  “I’m sure they do, if not maybe a custom order?” Marc shrugged.

  The en suite bathroom opened behind with sliding farmhouse doors. The novelty of it all made me squeal. His and Her’s sinks on the far wall were offset by gold and copper finishes. Low reset lighting gave the room a calming feeling. An open shower with a massive showerhead sat beside a jetted tub. Logan ran his hand along the edge of the tub and glared at it suspiciously. This time I laughed.

  “It’s just a tub.” I mentioned.

  “Nope. There is no ‘just a tub’. I get my ass kicked for a living. My body has needs. Being able to relax in my tub is one. Marc, do you think it would cost too much to get this piece of shit out and my tub in?” Logan asked.

  “I mean, there will be some work needed for sizing and such, but with the right people, it shouldn’t be a problem.” Marc said.

  “Awesome!” Logan turned to me and wiggled his eyebrows as if he’d won some sort of moral argument.

  A stinging burn settled in my chest. It wasn’t like he hadn’t stood up for me, but why did it feel like he was more adamant about a stupid tub than me and baby girl. I stomached that thought. Back in the bedroom, I checked out the walk-in closet that was larger than my old studio apartment. Logan and I together didn’t have enough clothes to fill the damn thing. But that was a challenge I was willing to take on.

  Marc led us down to the finished basement. Like so many other basements, it had white walls and carpets paired with those weird tile ceilings that were also in schools and doctor’s offices.

  “What do you think, Logan? Gaming room and gym?” Marc asked.

  “I can see it. I can see it…” Logan muttered as he walked the space.

  The gears in his head turned. It would be interesting to see how he would lay the space out.

  “… Marc, can we have a moment?” Logan asked out of the blue.

  “Of course! Of course! I’ll be on the porch when you two are ready!” Marc smiled and shuffled upstairs.

  After the faint sound of the front door closing, Logan put a hand on my shoulder and asked, “What’s wrong, sweetheart?”

  Damnit! Why can’t I hide my emotions better?!?!

  “Nothing,” I mumbled.

  Logan rolled his eyes, “Please talk to me.”

  I sighed. “…Why does Davis hate me?”

  Logan’s eyebrows bunched together. “…He doesn’t hate you, sweetheart. He just a dumbass.”

  “I heard what he said. He hates me.” I huffed.

  Logan rubbed his forehead with his free hand. Try as he might, the worry lines that had bunched up weren’t going away.

  “…I think in his own weird way he’s trying to be protective of me. We’ve known each other since we were little and although I’m bigger and stronger than him, he thinks he must protect me. He doesn’t want to see me hurt, so he thinks he has to explain all the reasons the things I do are wrong.”

  “He said some pretty shitty, hurtful things.”

  Logan pulled me close and wrapped his arms around me.

  “I’m so sorry Elle. You weren’t meant to hear those things, and I’m sorry you did. I know that’s not the point. Davis was being an asshole. I never want to hurt you. Never. I-I…” Logan stammered.

  My heart revved up.

  I love you too…

  That word. That stupid confession was right there. On the tip of his tongue. I could almost reach out and grab it. I could almost hold it in my hands and savor it. But neither one of us were going to give.

  “Can I ask you something?” I asked.

  “Shoot?”

  “How do you feel about the house?” I swerved the subject.

  “It’s very cute and cozy. I think it has the perfect amount of space for us. That gray room would be an amazing nursery.”

  I grinned like a loon.

  We’re on the same page.

  “Let’s make an offer.”

  Logan

  Fatherhood, daughter, responsibility, house buying, Elle, wrestling, championship.

  All those thoughts clouded my head in an impenetrable fog. Every so often I’d catch myself with a slightly slacked jaw and a million-yard stare on my face. I probably looked insane to the people sitting at the bar. Tonight was Davis’ ‘drink and wrestling chat’ bullshit. The bar was busier than usual for a Sunday night, and as the centerpiece, I was bartending. Nick and Zeke were tucked away in the kitchen. They didn’t have to deal with the fanboys. Elle would have had a ball talking shop and holding her own with the most grizzled neckbeard. But the stick up Davis’ ass had scared her off hanging around the bar. Them not being around each other for now was for the best. I still hung onto hope that whatever his problem was would sort itself out.

  “Hey Logan! Can I get another rum and coke? Also, what are your thoughts on The Bulldozer Boys?”

  The shouted request from down the bar grabbed my attention. I shot a quick glance at the TV as I grabbed a glass off the shelf. The 1988 GJPW Hitlist Honors event played. Bad guys, The Bulldozer Boys, a pair of husky hillbilly looking dudes with long hair, thick beards, dressed in grubby black singlets, stomped to the ring. The Japanese crowd was too polite to boo, but the team were the best of the best at being assholes.

  “Top tier heel work. Amazing character work, promo skills I wish I had!” I said as I added coke on top of the rum.

  “Don’t sell yourself short! You’re amazing! We love you, Logan!” a female voice shouted.

  A chorus of laughter filled the room. I swallowed back my unease and slide into my more confident persona.

  “Thank you! Thank you! I love me too!” I winked at no one and passed off the mixed drink.

  The Bulldozer Boys were poised to take the wrestling world by storm, but that was cut short in 1990 when they both died in a car crash. Late night driving to a show on no sleep. I grimaced at the thought. As wrestlers, we put ourselves through hell. Our senseless wear and tear on our bodies was all for a love of the squared circle. People died for less, but in the grand scheme of things, it was all kind of stupid. Drug use and weeklong benders weren’t the norm in wrestling anymore, but I’d had mentors, friends, and people I’d looked up to literally drop dead. Davis was a dumbass to think I wouldn’t want to make sure my child was provided for if something happened to me. I let out a deep breath, leaned against the bar, and watched the match. One of the boys ran across the ring and dived through the ropes at his opponent.

  “I can do a better suicide dive in my fucking sleep!” I scoffed loudly.

  My smarmy retort provoked hoots and hollers from the bar. My confident wrestling persona was on full display. That was why they were here, that was the Logan they wanted. The show was well received, an unappreciated gem of wrestling that I was happy to share. After I answered questions, shook hands, signed autographs, and posed for photos. Davis mingled through the bar, checking in on tables, and doing more floor work than he ever had. Occasionally his eyes would meet mine and he’d flash me a thumbs up. The whole thing went way better than I thought it would.

  I grabbed a stack of dirty glasses off the bar and passed them to Tommy, one of our waiters. Although Nick, Matt, and I were devoted to Save Point, wrestling made it so we couldn’t always be here. So, Davis hired part-time staff. A handful of college kids picked up on jobs we couldn’t do, like collecting dirty dishes, rebooting and troubleshooting the video games, and waiting tables.

  “Logan!”

  I looked up to Davis approaching the bar with two young women in toe. I suppressed a groan and plastered on a smile.

  “This is Lindy and Gail. They’re big wrestling fans and would you guess, they’re big fans of yours!” Davis grinned.

  At his side, the two women held on to each other as nervousness threatened to consume them. They had nothing to be nervous about. Tonight, was nothing more than an extravagant meet and greet. The majority of the time I enjoyed meeting fans. The nice ones, at least. Elle had explained to me the benefits of being kind to those who keep me employed.

  “Very nice to meet you, ladies.” I tilted my head slightly and smirked.

  Once of the girls squealed at the flash of my teeth. Davis wiggled his eyebrows at me, and it took an enormous amount of self-restraint not to punch him in the fucking face. He wasn’t bringing some nervous fans to me out of the kindness of this heart, he was stirring the pot.

  Fucking low. Super fucking low.

  I kept my smile on and the girls and I exchanged small talk. They were extremely excited to talk to me and looking forward to my upcoming championship match. I posed for photos and signed a few autographs. The girls both hugged me as they went to leave.

  “You smell so good!” Lindy muttered into my shirt.

  Gail giggled as her hand brushed across my torso. I laughed and kept my arms and hands on their upper backs.

  “Looking cute!” Davis shouted as he pulled out his phone and snapped a picture.

  Momentarily blinded by the flash, I blinked several times. My body went rigid as a hand slipped into my back pocket.

  “Call us if you wanna have a good time!” Lindy whispered.

  Both girls left the bar in a fit of giggles.

  “Cuties, right?” Davis said as he watched them go.

  Dazed, I reached into my pocket and pulled out a folded-up piece of paper with a phone number on it. Alarm bells rang and red flag flew.

  Nope! So much nope!

  “You call em then.” I passed Davis the number and turned my attention back to cleaning the bar. I had a pregnant girlfriend to get home to.

  Elle

  The End!

  My fingers finished hitting the keys and I let out a slow, long, deep breath. The first round in my ongoing saga with ‘The Fury and The Flood’ was over. Baby girl kicked and punched my insides. She was excited too. Through all the self-doubt and questioning, I’d finished the pilot script. I stretched my arms overhead and climbed off the couch. I grimaced and rubbed my butt. Logan really needed to buy a new couch. Still rubbing my butt, I wandered into the kitchen in search of a writing accomplishment treat. I grabbed some string cheese and a fistful of chocolate chips out of the fridge. I stood there peeling off pieces of cheese, then stuffing them into my mouth with a few chocolate chips. Something about the savory sharpness of the cheese mixed with the richness of the chocolate really hit the spot. Treat devoured I pulled my phone out of my pocket and texted Amber. Weeks ago, she offered to read when I finished writing. I could the extra pair of eyes on it before I sent it to Dani.