Logan.
I'd been back for three months.
Three months of trying to figure out what the hell to do next. Three months of readjusting to civilian life, dodging questions from old neighbors, and pretending like I gave a damn about small talk.
Three months of Cindy not letting it go. Man… do I wish she would let go.
I wasn't mad anymore. Not really. Not sure I ever really was.
Finding out she'd been cheating had sucked, but it hadn't destroyed me or anything. I had been with Cindy off and on for like five years, and before I left on deployment, I wanted a stronger commitment, so I was like, *fine.*
Apparently, that desire for commitment—at least for me—didn't last that long.
Like I said, though, ultimately, it's not that big of a deal. It wasn't like we were engaged or anything. I am a little baffled at how I didn't see it coming. I came to the conclusion that I sort of knew and just didn't care enough to address it. But by the time I walked in and saw her curled up with Derrick Owens like he was the love of her life, I'd felt more *annoyed* than anything.
It was part of the reason I didn't sign the lease at the beginning of this year. Even back then, I think I had an inkling.
I walked into the apartment that day. "Hey, Derrick. Hey, Cindy."
They both panicked.
"Logan," Cindy said. "This isn't what it looks like. Let me explain—"
I simply put a hand up. "It's okay, Cindy. We all know *exactly* what it looks like. Just let me grab my stuff, and I'll be out of your hair."
I grabbed a duffel, threw in some clothes and other items, and left with my sister, Emily.
Honestly, I'm not sure what they were expecting. Maybe they wanted the drama of a scene—a fight, maybe even an arrest. But I guess I just didn't care that much.
Strange, I know.
So now, it's three months later, and I'm trying to move on.
Cindy, though? She wanted… well, I'm not sure what she wanted. I think she wanted me to be upset. She wanted me to *see* her with Derrick.
I don't know if she thought I'd be heartbroken by her actions or if she was surprised at the fact that I really wasn't that broken up about her. Honestly, I'm not sure how I feel. But I'm not going to get all bent out of shape about it.
What I *don't* understand is her behavior since that night I came home. Maybe she just liked the idea of me watching her play house with Derrick, but whatever the reason, she made sure she was *everywhere* I was.
The coffee shop. The grocery store. The gym.
If I was there, she'd show up within the hour, hanging all over Derrick like they were in some low-budget romance movie.
It was pathetic.
And Emily was ready to kill her.
The second my sister walked into the bar and saw me, she was already scowling.
"I swear to God, Logan, if you don't let me, I'm going to beat the hell out of her."
I sighed, taking a slow sip of my whiskey. "Nice to see you too, Em."
"I mean it." She dropped her purse onto the bar and slid onto the stool next to me, crossing her arms like she'd been preparing this rant all day. "The way she flaunts Derrick is disgusting. *How* does she do this to my loving older brother? Who does she *think* she is? She shall not get away with this! I will have my revenge."
Did I mention my sister is a drama major? Go figure.
"Emily."
"No, because seriously! Who does that? Who spends three years with someone and then parades their new boyfriend around like they need a damn trophy ceremony?"
I shook my head, but I couldn't help the small smirk forming. Emily takes my breakups way too personally if you haven't noticed. She often gets more upset than I do.
"Cindy… is looking for something," I said simply. "She thinks attention, or validation, or *whatever* is going to help her find it. I'm pretty sure me not reacting the way she thought I would is driving her crazy. She thinks she'll find whatever it is she's looking for by making me react."
Emily leaned forward, eyes blazing. "Then why don't we give her something to react to? You know, *fire with fire.*"
I raised an eyebrow. "Nothing you just said made any sense. And what exactly does that mean?"
She grinned. "You need a date."
I groaned and took another sip of whiskey. "No."
"Yes."
"No."
"Logan."
I exhaled. "Emily."
She rolled her eyes. "Listen, I'm not saying fall in love. I'm saying go out, have fun, dance, or fish, or get laid—do *something.* Remind everyone in this town that Cindy wasn't the best thing to ever happen to you."
I shook my head. "I don't need to prove anything to Cindy."
Emily stared at me for a long moment, then grabbed her phone and started scrolling.
I frowned. "What are you doing?"
"Looking up single women in Ellensburg."
I groaned. "Emily—"
"Would you rather I check Yakima? What about Mo Town? Oh! You could take a girl out on the lake!" She flicked through her contacts. "I have a friend who works at Samaritan Hospital. She says the new nurses are cute."
I shook my head, laughing under my breath. "I don't need a damn setup."
She leaned on the bar, grinning. "Then do it yourself."
I rolled my eyes, but for the first time in weeks, I felt a little lighter.
Emily nudged my arm. "Come on. One date. What's the worst that could happen?"
I glanced down at my glass, turning it in my hands.
She wasn't wrong.
And honestly?
Maybe it's time.
"Okay. I'll think about it."
Emily's face lit up like a Christmas tree. She smiled, then grimaced like she'd just remembered something. "Oh, I have a message for you. It's that facilities guy from the corporation that bought the Gorge."
I nodded. "Mr. Otto? I wonder why he's reaching out."
Emily shrugged. "Hopefully to give you a job."
I snorted. One could only hope.