Logan and Cecile

  Logan and Cecile by Ryleigh Rhodes

  Copyright © Ryleigh Rhodes 2014

  Copyright Ryleigh Rhodes 2014

  First Ebook Edition October 2014

  First Print Edition October 2014

  Cover Design by: Louisa at LM Creations

  http://lmbookcreations.wordpress.com/

  Cover Background Image by: Jessica Stalder

  Cover Image from iStockphoto.com

  Literary Editor: Anna Gorman Coy of AGC Editing

  ISBN-13: 978-1500736453

  ISBN-10: 1500736457

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead is coincidental. This is a work of fiction please do not take offense to the content. This book is licensed for personal enjoyment only. Ryleigh Rhodes is in no way affiliated with musicians, songs, artists, or brands that are mentioned in this book.

  All rights reserved. In accordance with the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, the scanning, uploading, and electronic or mechanical sharing of any part of this book without permission in writing of the author is unlawful piracy and theft of the author's intellectual property. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review.

  Special Thanks to Natasha Liggett and Traci Tesch for beta reading. And reading so quickly, y'all rock! Anna for squeezing me in for edits. I'd also like to thank members of my street team for helping me with the naming debacle. I'd also like to thank PJ MacLayne, TL Smith, and Lila Rose for offering support and advice along the way.

  "Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." ~ Bernard Baruch

  Table of Contents

  Prologue

  The Soul Crusher

  Chapter One

  Denver to New York

  Chapter Two

  Half a Decade Later

  Chapter Three

  A time to give Thanks

  Chapter Four

  Wine and Dine

  Chapter Five

  The Unthinkable

  Chapter Six

  Attention Whore

  Chapter Seven

  Deck the Halls

  Chapter Eight

  There's veggies in my fridge

  Chapter Nine

  Back to the Grind

  Chapter Ten

  Have a Cup of Cheer

  Chapter Eleven

  New Years Eve

  Chapter Twelve

  Valentine's Day

  Epilogue

  October Wedding

  About the Author

  Prologue

  The Soul Crusher

  Until now, I'd been surviving this thing called puberty fairly well. Besides my mom being pushy about my wardrobe and hair choices, and always telling me to plaster a smile on, I had it relatively easy. I was the lucky little girl who actually received a horse for her eighth birthday.

  If I wasn't in school, I was on the back of my horse running barrels or checking fences. My older brother, Nathan, and his best friend, Logan, normally let me tag along, sometimes without hassle and sometimes with a few mumbled curses.

  My dad was generally a quiet man, and was the polar opposite to my very animated, loud, nonstop talker mom. They met in Panama City, it was a spring break whirlwind romance. I didn’t know the full story of their courtship, but the tidbits I have heard are strange (bordering on gross); enough to turn me off learning more.

  Anyways, about a year ago, my dad made it perfectly clear I was to shadow Nathan, and as my older brother, Nathan was to look out for me. Nathan took this in stride and I became the third wheel and not just around the ranch. They were in high school whereas I was still stuck in middle school. It's a small town and everyone knows everyone and they also never forget. By never forget I mean people still ask me 'remember when you got sick at your birthday party and threw up everywhere'. That happened six years ago. I was now twelve.

  A few months ago, Nathan experienced a growth spurt. He grew five inches and put on thirty pounds of muscle in a matter of months. Suddenly, as the sister of a sexy guy,I became popular. While all of my 'friends' were noticing Nathan, I started noticing Logan.

  I'd fallen prey to the bandwagon of boy crushes.

  Stupid puberty.

  I had been perfectly happy not being attracted to boys. Life was much easier when boys had cooties. And now all I could think about…were boys. Those same boys who used to have cooties.

  Logan Adams had known me since I was born, which automatically puts me in 'honorary' sister status; unfortunately meant I was a pain in his ass. My family's ranch was around seven thousand acres whereas Logan's family's was closer to twelve thousand acres. Logan was our neighbor (obviously not by city standards, his family's ranch bordered ours). Not only did my crush hang out with my brother, but a number of my 'friends' also crushed on my brother.

  This, for some strange reason, made me popular at school, which made my mother over-the-moon happy. My mom was a vain model, she traveled often. She cared more about appearances than feelings. Meaning I received more input from her over an outfit than my hormones and changing body.

  Oh, I almost forgot, my name's Cecile Cooke, but everyone called me CiCi. Well, everyone except my mother who insisted on calling me Cecile. I'd quickly learned who was around me for the right reasons and who was just following me to get to their crush—my gross brother, also known as the hottie by pretty much everyone who had grown boobs (real or fake).

  My only true best friend was Annie, and the object of her affection was Justin Timberlake. Annie was obsessed with Justin Timberlake, and who could blame her? He's hot, even hotter post NSYNC era. Annie wasn't boy crazy. She did talk about JT, a lot, but we had other conversations that didn't involve make-up, boys, or what to do with our hair.

  I kept my crush a secret, or tried to, but Annie was one sharp cookie. For the most part, she kept quiet (not around me of course) and observed. It didn't take long for her to figure out my weakness towards Logan.

  ######

  Things were fairly boring and slow moving until my freshman year of high school. In three short years, I had developed some curves. And boys, well, they started to notice.

  Once I officially became a freshman, to keep my virtue safe, Nathan drove me to school. Sometimes, Logan would pick up the slack if Nathan was busy. Annie and I were still close and we hung out when I needed a break from the testosterone filled duo. Frequently, I found myself needing a lot of distance. There were mostly small misunderstandings between the 'testosterone duo' and myself, but there were some huge ones as well.

  Incident number one happened at homecoming, my first ever high school dance. A junior named Jared asked me to go. I, of course, said yes. Annie attended with Jared's best friend, Matt, and we danced our asses off all night. Jared and I got caught making out in the parking lot by Nathan. That was when things turned ugly.

  Nathan pried me away from Jared and simultaneously punched him in the nose. Jared didn't take too kindly to this and punched Nathan in the eye. Logan miraculously appeared attempting to defend Nathan. Annie and Matt surfaced at the commotion causing Matt to jump in to defend Jared by punching Logan. A few more fists flew. Like an idiot, I stepped in between Nathan and Jared. Annie took on Logan and Matt. Being the proficient chess player, Annie had them talked down in a hot minute. I was not so lucky.

  I kept trying to push Nathan away from Jared. Jared was getting upset Nathan was pushing me back. I was not really sure how it happened, but I was punched in the eye by Jared. Hindsight and all, I know it was probably an accident, but I reacted. By reacted I mean I turned and belted Jared. I hi
t him so hard he lost his balance tumbling backwards into his truck. Surprisingly that ended the fight.

  Yes, it was fucking embarrassing, and the worst first kiss ever. After I landed the last punch, Logan herded us to his truck and drove us home. Annie stayed with me that night and Nathan didn't speak a word to me for two weeks.

  Two whole weeks.

  During those two weeks, Logan checked on me. By checking on me, he drove me to school and back, and after school I'd hang out with his mom and she'd teach me how to bake something. Honestly, I'd like to think Logan doted on me because he cared, but I really think he just wanted to give Nathan the time he needed to get over it.

  Jared and I exchanged apologies and that was the end of our short lived 'relationship'. All the boys at my school got the message and stayed away from me the rest of freshman year.

  This brings us to Incident number two which happened end of my sophomore year. Somehow I managed to snag an invite to prom from a new kid who was a year ahead of me. Either he didn't believe the rumors or he thought since Nathan and Logan were away at college he wouldn't have to worry. He was wrong. So very wrong.

  Nathan and Logan, and a few other boys they graduated with, held a rowdy powwow in the parking lot. They had a mini high school reunion going on when my date and I walked out to go home. Once my date cottoned onto the fact that it was my brother and his posse waiting for me, he started stuttering and left at breakneck speed. No fighting this time but still equally embarrassing even without a black eye.

  Junior year, Annie and I swore off boys, and we went together to dances. This pleased Nathan. I'd eavesdropped on one of my mom's many phone conversations. My boy moratorium made her worry Annie and I were lesbians. Which lead my mother repeatedly asking me to try more 'girly' activities like prom committee and cheerleading. I have nothing against cheerleaders, some of them were nice, just wasn't my thing. My saving grace that particular year was that I was now 'allowed' to drive. I often found myself at Logan's house confiding to his mom. Usually we baked. I'd spill my guts and she'd offer advice or just let me rant. I found it comforting.

  Incident number three happened the summer between junior and senior year. I was seventeen and making out with JJ Kinney. I was still a virgin and I wasn't in a rush to change that. I enjoyed making out. Some might label me a tease since I never went past second base.

  JJ graduated with Nathan and Logan, but he was trying his luck on the rodeo circuit after he dropped out of college.

  My bad luck concerning boys continued when Logan happened to catch us under the bleachers. To say he wasn't thrilled would be an understatement. Logan knocked JJ on his ass and JJ was smart enough to stay down.

  Logan took me home without speaking a word to me. Not one single word. This caused me to lose the fun, joking, care-free Logan. I thought the two weeks Nathan froze me out were hard. That was nothing compared to Logan's freeze out. He didn't speak to me until after Christmas break.

  That was the longest six months of my life. Annie had a boyfriend, so this time I swore off boys alone. I kept my nose down found a job as a waitress/barista and worked as many hours as possible. My end goal was to leave Montana, find myself. I wanted to find a career that I loved. If possible, I wanted to live a life where my mom respected me. In general, I wanted to be happy.

  Chapter One

  Denver to New York

  Escaping home as quickly as possible had been my childhood goal. I was finally eighteen. Soon I'd be on my way to the East Coast. But I was free. Free of Montana. Mostly free of my mother's drama. Free from my brother’s domineering, but protective, shadow.

  Free!

  I was headed to the CIA. That would be the Culinary Institute of America, not the Intelligence Agency. I do love the various reactions from people when I told them I was headed to the CIA to study. Half the time I didn’t bother to correct their assumptions. If people wanted to assume I was a badass, I let them.

  Nathan and Logan lived together while attending college in Fort Collins. When Nathan wasn't studying and preparing to get into veterinary school, he had his head up his girlfriend's, Ashlee, ass. Ashlee was a bottle blonde, and we did not get along at all, mainly because she was attached to Nathan's wallet. Which meant if I wanted to see him before I left for New York, I had to make the time. Thus, my third night in Fort Collins and I'd spent a total of two, maybe three hours with him.

  My brother and I looked nothing alike. Nathan took after our mom in the looks department; pale skin, blue eyes, and brown hair. Whereas I took after our dad; dark brown hair, brown eyes, olive skin that let me hold a nice tan. Nathan was the prodigal child. He could do no wrong. I, on the other hand, could do nothing right in the eyes of my parents. My mother wanted me to follow in her footsteps and be a model.

  Obviously heading to CIA, I liked to eat. I was not a skinny girl. I was not fat either, but I had curves and I liked them. No amount of 'healthy' eating and avoiding food would make me rail thin model material. I knew and accepted this. However, my mother did not.

  After blowing me off the past few days, Nathan promised to hang out with me tonight. I had no definite plans for my next trip home. Spending time with my one and only brother was something I wanted to do before leaving.

  Logan was kind enough to give me a ride from our hometown to Fort Collins. Being a childhood friend and neighbor, I think he felt obligated. Or his mom enticed him in some way to make a trip home to help me out. I wasn't going to argue the how or why, just accept the offer.

  His offer saved me money, since flying out of Denver was a hell of a lot cheaper than flying out of Montana. Logan's mom knew some of my money woes (my parents weren't helping with the costs for me to attend college) and convinced him to make a trip home to help me out. Logan's mom and I were close, really close. I went to her when I needed advice, which happened a lot, and Logan didn't seem to mind my relationship with her.

  I harbored a crush on him since I was twelve and he was fifteen. The man viewed me as the little sister he never had, and I'd finally come to accept the fact that that would never change. I'd always be little CiCi to him. But as a thank you for the ride and previous days of having me as his shadow, I baked a German chocolate cake, Logan's favorite.

  Yes. I was a kiss ass and a glutton for punishment. Logan was out of my league and would forever be the unobtainable. Nathan was on his way home with pizza and, I hoped, more beer, considering I was currently drinking the last one. Logan was in the shower. After cleaning the kitchen, I settled into the couch and put on Doctor Who.

  Logan plopped down next to me and I jumped.

  "What the hell, Cecile. You're drinking my beer."

  It was cheap beer that was almost gross, but beggars couldn't be choosy. Maybe I was being choosy. Ashlee had a stash of wine coolers in the fridge. But, one, they were Ashlee's and we weren't friendly with each other. Two, I didn't drink that crap. Three, I may not like Ashlee, but I wasn't going to do something to cause heat between her and Nathan.

  "Sure wasn't going to drink Ashlee's bitch water," I mumbled, taking a sip from the can.

  "Not coverin' for you if Nathan figures out you were drinkin'," he threatened.

  Logan never covered for me, never. Last summer when he caught me making out with JJ Kinney behind the bleachers at the rodeo and he embarrassed the hell out of me. He didn't even wait for Nathan, just punched JJ in the nose grabbed my elbow and hauled me—my face red as a fire truck—out to the parking lot and took me straight home. No talking. No eye contact. He pulled in our drive, said 'Out,' and promptly left. Nathan told my parents and I was grounded for three weeks.

  He was a protective asshole with double standards.

  "Both of you got drunk before you ever turned eighteen, and I'm not trying to go out on the town. You can save the lecture buddy, a few beers won't hurt me."

  He chuckled, then stole the can from me and finished it in one fell swoop. The front door swung open and Nathan walked through it holding pizza and a two six packs of bee
r.

  Perfect timing.

  I leapt from the couch. "Yay, more beer!" I exclaimed.

  Nathan barely put the beer and pizza box on the table before I flipped the lid open, grabbing a slice. Holding onto my confidence, I dove for a longneck. Nathan quickly grabbed my wrist before I could pop the top.

  Damn, he was quick.

  "I'll let you have beer this once. Only ‘cause I'm gonna have to leave after dinner. I'll still drive you to the airport tomorrow though."

  He'll 'let me' have a beer. Let me. Pfft, please.

  Wait. Bail after dinner?

  "You're bailing after dinner? Why?" Logan brushed past me to get to the pizza.

  "Ashlee needs help studying."

  He might as well put help studying in air quotations. Ashlee was not the brightest crayon in the box; it was amazing she made it through two years of college. Cosmetology was more her speed. Although she wasn't majoring in something hard, like physics. No, she was majoring in Liberal Arts.

  I rolled my eyes. "Bullshit. She threatened to cut you off, so you're running over there to smooth things over and get laid. Logan's been babysitting me since I've been here. Can't you spare one night and stay in? This is my last night here." Logan keeping me company was not a hardship in the least.

  A loud bark of laughter came from Logan, and he grabbed a beer and wisely retreated into the kitchen. It would be months before I would see Nathan again. Why couldn't he spend one night in?

  "Jesus, Cecile. If you're going to guilt trip me, I'll leave now."

  I knew that look well. He wanted to throttle me. Was it too much to ask to drink a beer and maybe play a game of Monopoly before I moved on to my next big adventure?

  "Just go. I can catch a cab to the airport tomorrow. I don't want to disrupt your precious time with Ashlee." I couldn't wait to get to New York. My brother was a great guy when he didn't have his penis in a vice being led around by a dumb blonde. The couch and Doctor Who were calling my name, and at least that drama didn't involve me personally.