Chapter 28

"Night, Frank," I said. "I'll see you when I see you?"
He laughed. "Yes; you will."
I smiled. "Thanks, again."
"You just sing your ass off on stage and we'll call it even," Frank said, standing up to see me off.
I laughed. "That's a deal."
"You ready?" Craig asked, already at the door.
"Sure," I said as I grabbed my guitar case and followed Craig out.
As we walked into the foyer, Bobbie Jo had already left. Craig held the front door open for me as we walked out.
Craig followed me out to the parking lot, carrying his briefcase in one hand and holding his suit coat over his shoulder with the other. "So, how does it feel to be a recording star?"
I laughed. "I haven't had enough time to see how I feel yet. But, yes. It feels great." I carried my guitar with one hand and then held my purse over my shoulder with the other. "Thanks, Craig, for everything. It was really nice to meet you."
He smiled. "Yeah. It was nice to meet you, too." Then, he looked into my eyes. "I'm sure we'll be seeing a lot of each other, since I'm your manager."
I nodded, feeling a bit uncomfortable, but then remembered that he was just being a nice guy. A moment later, we were at my VW Bug. "Well, this is it," I said as I pulled out my key. "I'll see you later."
He nodded. "Okay. Be careful driving home."
I smiled. "I will, and thanks for walking me out."
He gave me a mock bow and a flourish. "'Twas my pleasure, my lady."
I laughed.
"Go ahead," Craig said, his voice suddenly serious. "I'll wait until you get in. And make sure to lock your doors."
"Will do," I said, smiling. "Man! You and Frank are overprotective!"
Craig laughed. "No; just cautious. See you later."
I nodded as I slid into the driver's side of my car. I waved as I started the car and drove off. His car was on the other side of the parking lot, and I hoped that he would be safe after I left. But I quickly pushed the thought aside and convinced myself that he would be.
I turned on the radio and Freefalling came on again. But this time, I was too tired to sing along, so I just listened. I thought about everything I wanted to do with the money when I got it: pay off my parents' house and pay for Greer's college education. But then I remembered what Craig had said about holding on to the money for a bit. After all, I wasn't going to get any more until I'd earned enough to cover my advance. And hard telling how long that may be.
Soon, I pulled into my apartment complex and my heart leapt in my chest. Between my apartment being there and the thought of maybe seeing Logan, I suddenly got my second wind when I parked in front of my apartment. I left my guitar in the car and hurried up the stairs, hoping that Logan was there, but there was a note taped to my door instead.

Dear Alyssa:
Come over when you get home. I'll have a Diet Coke for you!
Love, Logan

I tore the note off the door and ran down the stairs to my car. A few minutes later, I pulled up outside of Logan's apartment. I left my guitar in the car and locked it up, not sure what the guys were up to tonight.
When I climbed the stairs to Logan's apartment, music was blaring from inside. I wasn't sure if I was up for a party, but I could definitely get into listening to them jam. It was the kind of atmosphere that I'd always wanted.
The music was so loud that I tried the door instead. I laughed to myself. It was a good thing that the apartment manager understood that musicians played all night and slept all day. I was soon getting on that schedule myself.
To my surprise, the door wasn't locked. "Hey! It's Alyssa! Is anyone home?" I asked as I slowly walked in, not wanting to get shot.
Strong arms came around the corner, wrapped around my waist, and swung me around. A moment later, Logan set me on my feet and planted a big kiss on my lips.
"Hey, Alyssa!" Lathe yelled.
"It's about time you got here!" Mason said.
"Get your guitar!" Kyle interjected as he played a rift on his bass.
"Welcome home," Logan whispered in my ear as he wrapped his arms around me from behind, moving me back and forth slightly as he propped his chin on my shoulder.
My heart leapt in my chest at his words. With Logan, I was home, no matter where that was.
"Hey. I got your note! What's going on?"
Logan gestured around the room. "We're jamming. Wanna join us?"
"I think I'll sit this one out, but we can hang for a while, if you like. I'm kind of tired." And as if to punctuate the point, I covered my mouth as I yawned involuntarily.
Logan scooped me into his arms. "We'll be back in a few minutes, guys."
They all laughed, and then went back to playing. It felt great, because they had accepted me as one of them.
"You'll have to open the door," Logan said, smiling as he held me effortlessly. "My arms are a little full."
I laughed, and he lowered me so I could open the front door and then swung me around so I could shut it behind us. Outside on the landing, I wrapped my arms around his neck again. "You're not going to carry me down the stairs, are you? I'm too heavy."
He laughed. "I bench press and curl more than you weigh!" Then, without another word, he headed down the stairs, carrying me with ease, and sat me down on the hood of my car. It was a small hood, so I propped my feet on the front bumper.
I laughed. "I stand corrected."
Logan stood between my legs and slid his arms around my waist. Then, his lips descended upon mine, immediately igniting a fire within me. His lips moved with mine in already familiar ways, and his tongue entered my mouth, exploring and dancing with mine, arousing passion within me.
He pulled back a moment later, and pushed back my hair on the side of my face. "I missed you, Allie."
I smiled as my heart fluttered. That was the first time that anyone had ever called me that, but I liked it. "I've missed you, too."
He smiled as his blue eyes danced. "Did you bring your guitar?"
I chuckled. "It's still in the car. I just got back from the studio when I saw the note on my door."
"Good! Let's get it."
I smiled as I shook my head. "I'm pretty tired, but I'll listen to you play." Then, I gave him a light peck on the nose. "Someone kept me up last night."
He laughed. "Oh? And who was that? I'll have to have a talk with him."
I laughed. "I think you should."
"Are you complaining?"
"Not in the least."
He gave me one last peck on the lips. "Come on. Let's get your guitar, just in case you change your mind."