To Make You Feel My Love (12 page)

“If I can tear her away from these cowboys,” she laughed. Becky was having a blast, Alana hadn’t seen her this happy in so long.

“Hey, these cowpokes have invited us to an after party, what do you think?”

“I think the guys are waiting for us by the car, and by the way Dusty was looking at those
cowpokes
, we probably better get him as far away as possible.”

Alana could see the war going on in her friend’s eyes. Surprising, she had thought Becky only had eyes for Dusty? Maybe she was wrong.

“Hey, if you want to stay, stay.” Becky just looked at Alana indecisively. “You’re not married to the guy, Becks, you’re just having fun,
right
?”

Becky just whimpered and stomped her foot. “Dammit, I hate making decisions.” She took one last look at the
cowpokes
, waved goodbye, and pushed Alana toward the door, “Let’s go before I change my mind.”

“Okay, but only if you’re sure,” Alana chuckled.

“Just go!” Becky barked.

They met the guys by the car. Dusty looked like he was ready to explode. He was leaning up against the car, his arms were crossed over his heaving chest, and his eyes were blood shot. He never took his eyes off Becky as she walked toward him. Logan stood there looking amused. His smile took Alana’s breath away.

“What bug crawled up your ass?” Becky asked Dusty when they finally reached the car. She leaned back, mimicking his stance.

“What the fuck, Beck?” he asked, lowering his arms to his sides with clenched fists.

“What?” she asked innocently.

“What the fuck ever, I’m outta here!!” he threw up his hands and started walking away.

“Dusty, wait up!” Logan called after his friend. “Let me calm his dumb ass down, and I’ll meet you at your room, okay?” he said to Alana.

“Okay,” she raised up on her tiptoes and kissed him quickly. Logan jogged off after Dusty leaving the girls standing there alone.

“What is his problem?” Becky asked Alana.

“
Really
?” Alana just rolled her eyes. “I just had to drag you away from a room full of male strippers. Maybe he’s a little hurt and pissed?”

Becky just shook her head. “Unbelievable,” she said.

“Yeah,
unbelievable
,” Alana said, looking at her friend judgingly.

“What!” Becky said, raising her arms and shrugging her shoulders. “Like you said, we’re not married! I was just having fun, I thought he was too.”

“You provoked him and you know it,” Alana said, pointing her finger at her friend. Just then her phone rang.

“Hold on, we’re not finished,” she said, fishing her phone out of the back pocket of her jeans. “Hello.”

It was Matt Gentry. “Hey gorgeous, you ready for some news?”

“No way, she got a heart?”

“Hell yes, she got a heart!” Matt sounded so happy. “Mom said you wanted to know and to call you.”

“I’m on my way now. This is such great news Matt.”

“I know,” he said, she could hear the smile on his face.

“What was that about?” Becky asked.

“Sheila’s heart came, they’re prepping her for surgery.

“So lover boy called you?”

“Sheila had him call. I told her to call me no matter what time it was. And he’s not
lover boy
!” she shook her head. “What is wrong with you?”

“Hell, I don’t know. Dusty has me tore up. I know this isn’t supposed to mean anything, we’ve both made it clear that we’re just having fun, but hell, he can’t go getting tore up because I was having fun.” She dropped her head, digging for her keys. “I mean, hell, I paid to have some chick rub her ass all over him.” Clicking the fob on the remote, they climbed into the car.

“Maybe it’s more than fun to him?” she rubbed Becky’s arm. “Maybe it’s more than fun for you too?”

Becky looked suddenly startled “I don’t know about that my friend. But, damn can that man dance in the sheets. I’m not ready to give that up,” she chuckled.

“Well, you need to stop pissing him off then! Come on, let’s get to the hospital.”

They climbed into the car, and headed toward the hospital.

CHAPTER TWELVE

On the way to the hospital, Alana sent Logan a text to the number he had entered in to her phone, just before the battery alarm sounded:

HAVE TO RUN TO THE HOSPITAL, A FRIEND NEEDS ME. KEEP THE BED WARM, A

“My phone’s going dead dammit,” Alana said, slipping it back into her jean’s pocket.

“You’ll survive,” Becky laughed.

The drive to the hospital was short. They parked in the nurses parking area, and ran to the family waiting area on the surgery floor. It was a large room, with teal and mauve colored couches and recliners set up to face a flat screen television hanging on the wall. A coffee maker with cups, creamer and sugar were on a cabinet at the back of the room. That’s where they found Matt huddled with an older couple.

“Hey Matt,” Alana called.

“Hey!” he said, striding toward her. He pulled her in for an embrace, and kissed her cheek. “I’m so glad you could make it.”

“I’m so glad you called. This is so exciting!” she said.

“Come and meet my grandparents,” he guided her toward the older couple. “Grandma, Grandpa, this is Alana Hatfield, she’s Mom’s favorite nurse,” he smiled proudly. “Alana, these are my grandparents, Bud and Mary Gentry.” They were a sweet looking couple. Mary had grey hair and beautiful green eyes. She looked very sophisticated. Bud was an impressive looking man himself, tall, with dark skin and grey hair. He wore gold framed reading glasses that emphasized his blue eyes. It was easy to see where Matt had gotten his looks from. Although Bud was using oxygen to help him breathe, he didn’t look like he was in bad health.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you both,” Alana said, shaking both their hands.

“Oh dear, Matt has spoken so highly of you and the care you’ve taken of our sweet Sheila.” She squeezed Alana’s hand.

“Sheila is very dear to me as well. We’ve grown quite close while she’s been here.” Alana stepped back, and Matt put his arm around her shoulder. Feeling awkward, she stepped away from him to introduce Becky. “This is my close friend Becky Harris.”

They all stood around shaking hands and retelling stories of Sheila. Every now and then someone would come and give an update on her status.

The room was quiet. Becky had left to get something to snack on and chat with some of the night nurses on the ICU floor. Alana was sitting on one of the couches alone after Mary went to check on Bud, when Matt came and sit down next to her.

“Hey,” he said quietly, “you holding up okay? I know it’s late and you’re probably tired. You can lay your head on my shoulder if you’d like.”

Alana yawned. “Aw, that’s nice of you Matt, but,” she yawned again.

“Come on, Alana, I’m not going to bite you. I thought maybe you’d like to grab a bite to eat or some coffee, but I see you’re exhausted.” He leaned back into the couch. “Maybe tomorrow?”

“I’m not sure, Matt. I have plans for the next few days. I’m going to shut my eyes for just a minute though.” She leaned in the opposite direction of Matt, and dozed off. “Wake me if you hear any news,” she mumbled.

“Alana! Alana!” She heard Becky’s voice and felt her shaking her.

“What, what’s wrong?” she slowly opened her eyes. She looked around and realized she was lying in Matt’s arms. He must’ve pulled her over to him and wrapped his arms around her while she slept.

“Logan just called me looking for you. He’ll be here any second.”

“Logan’s already here.” The deep sound of his voice vibrated through her. She looked up and saw his eyes pinned on Matt, who had a very pleased smile on his face as he stretched and tried pulling her closer to him.

“Matt, stop,” she said, pulling away from him and rising to her feet.

“Logan, what are you doing here?” she asked, confused.

“I’m not sure. I
thought
I was coming to see if you needed anything after I spoke to Becky and found out what was going on. You didn’t answer my calls or texts. I got worried.” He took a deep breath, “Now I see why you didn’t answer. I’ll see you later.” He turned to walk away, but Alana caught him by the elbow.

“What exactly is it that you think you see, Logan?”

“
You
, lying in another man’s arms.”

“Well, she wasn’t exactly lying, dude, more like snuggling.” Matt’s smug voice rolled over Logan’s skin.

“I’ll wipe that arrogant smile right off your fucking face little boy.” Logan lunged toward Matt. Alana jumped in front of him pushing on his massive chest to stop him. “If I ever see you touch her again, I’ll beat that punk ass of yours!”

“Matt!” she snapped. “What the hell is wrong with you?”

“What?” he shrugged innocently.

“Tell your grandparents and your mom I’ll check in on her tomorrow.”

“You’re not going to stay and tell her yourself?”

“Hell no she’s not!” Logan ground out.

“I’ve got this, Logan,” she spat.

“Yeah, it looked like it.” He spun around, shoved the doors open and stomped out of the room.

“Matt, I don’t know what your plan was here, but this,” she pointed between herself and him, “isn’t going to happen.”

“I’m sorry, Alana. I thought over the last couple of weeks you and I had some chemistry. Was I wrong?”

“I don’t know, Matt, but right now, I have to leave.” She turned to Becky who had been watching the show from the back of the room. “You ready?”

“I didn’t even have time to grab popcorn,” Becky chuckled.

“Shut up!” Alana pushed her through the doors.

Logan was fuming, and he wanted to punch something, or
someone
, like that smug ass frat boy who had his fucking hands on Alana. He had to get away before he hurt someone. His mind flashed with thoughts of beating the guy’s head against the floor. What was he thinking? He didn’t know Alana at all. Amazing sex or not, he wasn’t going to be made a fool of.

“Logan!” Alana called.

He stopped to allow her to catch up. He should’ve kept on walking, but something drew him to her by some magnetic force he couldn’t seem to break free of.

“I know that looked bad, but it’s not what it seemed.”

He ran his hand through his light brown hair. “I told you, Alana, when you’re with me, it’s only me. I’m not going to share you. If frat boy is who you want, then,” Alana cut him off.

“He’s not who I want! But I don’t want someone who doesn’t trust me either.”

“Alana, I don’t know what will happen once I’m gone, but while I’m here, you’re mine. Do you understand and accept that?” His possessiveness should have scared her, but instead it sent tingles coursing through her body, right to that spot between her thighs. She nodded her head. “That’s twice that little prick has put his hands on you. I won’t be held accountable for my actions if he does it again.”

“You won’t have to worry, Logan. It won’t happen again. I don’t know what he was thinking.”

“Well,
I know
what he was thinking, and that’s why he better keep his fucking hands off you.” Logan put his arms around her waist and pulled her to him for a kiss.

“Well, now that that’s settled, can we get the hell outta here?” Becky said, sauntering by them.

Logan tucked Alana in under his arm, kissed the top of her head and led her out the door. He had never let a woman get to him so hard, so fast. He knew he was in over his head, but he didn’t have the will to leave her.

Alana felt confused. Her mind kept telling her to run, while her heart told her feet to stay put. She didn’t want to think about when he left, she knew her heart would be broken. She could only hope that she would be able to put the pieces of her shattered heart back together some day. And she knew that’s exactly where it was headed.

* * * * * * * *

“How’d you get here?” Alana asked once they were in the parking lot.

“Dusty’s truck.”

“Oh,” she wondered if he would want her to ride with him after everything that had taken place. “Well, I need to head home and take a shower.”

“That’s fine,” he said, turning to Becky, “you want to meet us back at the hotel or ride with us?”

“Nah, I can’t leave my baby here,” she winked, “I’ll meet up with you guys there. How about we just chill out and relax today? My cousin is having a bonfire at his house later tonight out in the country, by his lake. I’m going to see if Dusty wants to go.”

“Yeah, good luck with that,” Logan said.

Becky looked puzzled, “what’s that supposed to mean?”

“I think his pride was hurt last night, between the cowboy scene and Alana having to drag you away.” He looked between the two women, “I’ve known him a long time, but I’ve never seen him this torn up over a woman.”

“Oh hell, stubborn, confusing ass, damn man,” she muttered as she climbed in the car.

Logan walked Alana to the passenger side of Dusty’s mud truck, and kissed her head before lifting her up into the seat. Walking around, he climbed into the driver’s side. She was relieved that he wanted her to ride with him. The tension was lifting, but still hung in the air.

Logan sighed a long breath before turning to her. “Come over here,” he said, putting his arm around her shoulders and pulling her closer.

She slid to the seat next to him and laid her head on his shoulder. “I’m sorry,” she said quietly.

“Don’t be. I know that wasn’t your fault. I told you he had feelings for you. He saw his chance and took it.” He traced her cheeks with his finger. “I can’t blame the guy. You’re a beautiful angel.”

She blushed, “I keep telling you, I’m no angel.”

“You’re my angel,” he said, leaning in to kiss her lips. He covered her mouth with his, soft and gentle, slipping his tongue between her lips as he caressed her face with both his hands. She responded with tiny little moans that went straight to his groin. He deepened the kiss, moving his hands to her long hair, pulling her close to him. He suddenly pulled back from her sucking in a deep breath.

“God is going to punish me for the sinful things I want to do to you.”

She giggled, rubbing his jaw line feeling the stubble growing on his face. “Did you get any sleep last night?”