“You gonna snap a pic of that?” Caleb whispered from beside me.
I swatted him. “Be nice. She’s genuinely hurt.”
“Right,” was all he said as he took Hilary’s hand and moved back to where they’d been sitting a few feet behind us, talking amongst themselves. Turned out sledding and morning sickness didn’t mix, and luckily, telling Caleb her stomach was upset was enough to get Hilary off the hook.
Logan remained stoically quiet beside Oliver, watching his son who stared up at Natasha. Logan looked lost in his head. Not upset or happy—just thoughtful.
“You ready?” Logan finally called out, moving behind them. “Three—”
“No, get on with Mommy too!”
My stomach roiled and my head dropped as an unexpected gasp of air flew from my lungs. No, I wouldn’t be jealous. As a child, I would’ve wanted the same thing Oliver did. But that thought didn’t seem to help soothe the ache inside my heart.
“Better not make him wait,” I laughed, hoping it’d come out more smoothly than it felt. I peered over to find Logan regarding me with a creased brow.
His lips curled up, as did mine when he lifted Oliver and sat behind him on the sled.
“How about I ride with you and we race boys against girl?” Logan told him.
Oliver nodded eagerly, gripping the rope.
“Cassie, count down!” Oliver called out to me.
“All right: three, two...” My smile grew as I watched Oliver bopping from side to side, unable to still his excitement and taunting his mother about boys being faster.
“ONE!”
In a flash, they were off.
Once they hit the bottom, I watched with a tight gut as Logan and Oliver helped Natasha up. Out of nowhere, I was suddenly hit with sadness. Part of me compared Oliver’s situation to mine as a child. My father had left and never come back…but if he would have…
I shook it from my head. I hated that I knew I’d have welcomed him back as easily as Oliver did Natasha. Seeing what appeared to be a happy family sledding together consumed me with jealously. Did that make me a bad person? I wanted Oliver and Logan to be happy, but I knew I was being selfish considering I was a part of that happiness already. I felt like crap for even going there in my own head.
When they came back up—Oliver on Logan’s shoulders, the sleds dragging behind them—I bit the inside of my cheek at the picture of Natasha at his side, laughing. They looked like a picture-perfect family. For Oliver and Oliver only, I pulled out my camera and, with shaky hands, snapped a photo. They didn’t seem to notice through their laughter and talk about how good it felt to be out there in the fresh country air.
Logan stopped in front of me, smiling.
“Nat, hey baby!” Josh appeared, running up the hill behind them.
They all turned, and I watched Logan’s expression darken when Natasha flung herself into Josh’s arms.
“There you are! Always so late,” she said, then kissed him. It was quick, but definitely involved a bit too much tongue.
“How the hell do you know him, Nat?” Logan all but growled the nickname.
Caleb moved beside me.
“Hello Logan,” Josh said, then looked past him. “Caleb. How you guys been? Haven sure looks like a success.”
“Answer my question, Natasha—now!” Logan demanded, ignoring Josh’s words. His tone was hard and fierce—so much so that Caleb took Oliver’s hand and helped him onto a sled.
“Don’t you dare talk to my girl like that,” Josh seethed, stepping closer to Logan until they were almost toe to toe.
What the hell was going on?
“Logan, let’s sled,” I said softly, attempting to ease the tension that had materialized in his jaw and everywhere else.
“Ride Oliver down, babe,” Caleb said to Hilary, who was just as focused on Josh and Logan’s standoff as I was. He tugged Hilary’s hand, and she went over to climb behind Oliver.
As they flew down the hill, I slid my hand into Logan’s, prying his fingers open to weave mine through. “Whatever is going on, this isn’t the place,” I whispered.
I wasn’t even sure he’d heard me. He just stared at Josh, who was more relaxed then he should’ve been considering both Logan and Caleb were now in front of him. Josh placed his arm around Natasha and pulled her into him.
“What’s the problem here, guys, huh? You got my restaurant, you both had your way with a friend of mine right outside my own door, but still I hold no grudges. So unless you want to start something in front of half the town, I say we move on.”
“Logan, Josh is a sweet guy,” Natasha offered.
Did she really like him? I mean, he was cute and had been popular in school, but he was more of a jock that never grew up rather than the man in front of her wearing a frown so deep I wondered if it would ever disappear.
“Sweet? You think this putz is sweet? He’s a fucking kid, Natasha!” Logan growled.
And then it hit me: He was jealous.
Those three little words knocked the wind from my chest and the warmth from my soul. It wasn’t possible. He despised her.
Caleb spoke at the same time Hilary and Oliver appeared. “Not here, Logan.”
Logan finally took notice. “You’re right. I came here to have some fun,” he said, picking Oliver up and plopping him back on the sled.
I was going to be sick—of that, I was certain—and after watching the satisfaction on Natasha’s expression as she pulled Josh flush against her for a full display of their lust, I knew I needed to take a walk.
“I’m going to get us some hot chocolate. I’ll be right back,” I said, avoiding eye contact with anyone as I headed for the vendor in the parking lot. I wasn’t sure why I felt the way I did, but I needed a second to clear my head before my entire mood was ruined.
“Don’t f’get marshmallows!” Oliver called out to me, and I smiled to myself at how happy he sounded. “Come on, Daddy, let’s go again.”
“You go with Hilary again. I’ll help Cassandra,” I heard Logan say, and I quickened my pace.
What was my problem? Did I really think he was jealous? I wasn’t sure of anything right then, and it wasn’t the time to ask him. But I would soon.
“No—again, Daddy, again!”
“Cassandra?” Hilary was beside me out of nowhere. “You okay?”
“Perfect. You guys want marshmallows in yours, too?” I asked, a forced smile in place.
“No, I want to watch Natasha on her ass pillow again!” She laughed, and I knew she was only trying to lift the sour mood.
“Don’t. It’s my fault she even got hurt.”
“Seriously? She wants your man—it’s so obvious—and I get the evil eye for laughing at the bitch?”
I sighed. “I’m just trying to play nice.”
“Well, let’s play then. We should get to know her a little better, don’t you think?” Hilary stopped and turned back. “Hey, Natasha!” she yelled.
“Wait, what are you doing?” I whispered, my anxiety spiking.
The smile on Hilary’s face was overly wide.
“Yeah?” Natasha called back, still attached to Josh. I dropped my gaze, shifting uncomfortably.