Chapter Forty Eight - "What's up, buttercup?"

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Avery's P.O.V

"I'm so glad we are doing this." Claire says with a smile as she brings me into a hug. I nod, hugging my best friend back.

"It's been way too long." I say as we begin to make our way to the bar, sitting down on the chairs provided. The bartender makes eye contact with us and walks over, taking his time. Once he reaches us, Claire is keen to get right to the point.

"Can we start with a round of six?" Claire asks and the bartender nods, turning around to prepare for what she asked for. I laugh, trying to understand what the hell she just ordered.

"And what is a 'round of six'?" I ask and Claire rolls her eyes, placing her hand on my thigh as she gives me a light chuckle.

"Darling, you clearly haven't stopped being a mother for a while." I can't help but laugh at her comment. "I ordered six shots of tequila, dumb-ass."

My eyes widen. "It's only eight."

"Exactly! We should've started two hours ago."

***

"He is clearly interested." I nod towards the guy who is sitting three stools away from me. Claire looks past my shoulder, making easy eye-contact with the brunette.

"I wouldn't blame the guy. I mean, have you seen me?" Claire directs her attention back to me as she flips her blonde hair over her shoulder. I giggle at her, sipping my drink that clearly isn't the water that I asked for, but I'm not complaining. I'm already falling off my seat anyway.

Suddenly, my phone starts ringing and Claire and I groan. "If that's Logan, he is ruining ladies night." Claire snaps as she takes a shot of vodka. Her nose scrunches up but she shakes her head to try and not think about the taste.

I grab my phone off the counter and look at my screen. "Yep, it's Logan." I accept the call and put it to my ear. "What's up, buttercup?"

The sound of Logan's laugh on the other side of the phone makes me smile in awe. He has the most beautiful laugh ever. "Hey, baby. How's your night going? I hope no guys are hitting on you."

"Clearly not. I'm a mess right now." I laugh, watching as Claire signals that she is going to the bathroom. I send her a nod as she begins her journey to the bathroom that seems a bit far away from where I am sitting. Hopefully she makes it over there without falling on her ass.

"You only look like a mess when I'm done with you. I know you can't see but I just winked if you get my drift." Logan says and I feel my face heat up. "Anyway, the reason I called was to just check up on you. I love you."

I smile. "Wow, you really aren't the bad boy I once knew. Look at you going all soft."

Logan chuckles. "What can I say, I've matured beautifully, sunshine. Enjoy your night and get home safe."

"I will. See you later." Just after a second of saying that, I call his name.

"Yeah?"

"I love you, too."

***

"Holy shit." Claire laughs, grabbing her purse. "I think I need glasses. My vision is so blurry."

I laugh back at my best friend, taking another sip of my bottle of water. "This is why you should've stopped drinking when I told you that you won't feel good later."

"But who would I be to ruin my own buzz?"

It's about half-past twelve and I'm definitely done with the alcohol. Claire obviously tried her luck by drinking what looked like the bar's back-up supply of alcohol. I can say that we enjoyed the night dancing and having fun though. I was good to just relax with my best friend on a Friday night. I can't even remember the last time I wasn't looking after River and just enjoying myself.

I did receive a message from my father referring to Jade and Katie. I haven't opened it though because I would rather like to process everything when I'm not drunk.

Claire waves the bartender goodbye as she swings her purse over her shoulder. He smiles back at her and I roll my eyes. I should've known Claire would've caught the attention of someone tonight. I wonder if she ended up getting his number?

"We definitely have to do this again. I miss us hanging out like this." Claire slurs as her arm brushes against mine. We make our way to the exit of the bar, the lights on the side of the street giving us a view of outside, and let me just say, it isn't much.

Once we reach outside, the cold air hits us and I chuckle. "I can't believe we didn't bring jackets." I say and Claire rolls her eyes.

"Who needs jackets when we have hair on our skin!" Claire shouts into the night, making me laugh loudly. I grab my phone out and get ready to call a cab.

"We aren't bears, Claire."

"I feel like I could eat something the size of one though. Do you reckon anything is open at this time?"

"I can only think of McDonald's." I answer and Claire nods.

"Late-night adventures to McDonald's, it is!"

Okay, I guess we aren't getting a cab home just yet.

***

"Wow, this is comfy!" Claire says loudly as she lays on the spare mattress that I had underneath my bed. Logan gives Claire a look and I can only laugh at the two.

"My daughter is sleeping and I suggest if you don't want to sleep outside that you turn down the volume." Logan says sternly and Claire rolls her eyes.

"Who are you? My father?"

"Just lay down."

Claire gives Logan one last look before lying down, getting underneath the blankets and pulling them over her body. "Just so you know, I'm keeping these pj's." Claire looks at me and I chuckle.

"Go ahead." I say and Claire smiles at me.

"Thanks for hanging out with me tonight, Avery." Claire says and I nod, shoving my hands in the pockets of my pj's.

"Anytime. Anyway, I'm gonna pass out now." I laugh and Claire nods, rolling over as she keeps her blankets close to her. I begin walking away and I feel Logan poking at my back. I pick up my pace as I reach the stairs and run, quickly making my way to our bedroom. Once we both enter, I turn around and watch as Logan strips from his clothes.

I watch him, thinking to myself about how good-looking he is. Logan walks to me in only his boxers and places his hands on my face, tilting it up to look at him. I can't help but smile. "What?"

Logan moves his lips close to mine, barely brushing against my lips. "How did I get so lucky? You have given me a beautiful baby girl and after everything I put you through, I can still call you mine."

"Stop living in the past. Just think about right now."

"Okay." Logan smirks and I feel my stomach go insane. His hands move down to my waist slowly and he grips it, making me squirm at his touch. But all of a sudden, that feeling inside of my stomach isn't the butterflies and I find myself running out of the room into the bathroom with Logan's laugh following me shamelessly.

***

A/N - Yep, I'm still alive. I literally lost all inspo for this book but I'm back. This is the last chapter and the next one will be the epilogue. Thank you all for sticking with me on this insane journey.

Lofd - "Taking it back, back to where it's clear..."

-XmysterysmileX