"I agree, completely. The most important thing is to never stop having fun," I say. "I learned that the hard way … as you can see."
"Well, I'm glad I prevented you two from starting WW3," Lana laughs. "I like you both much better this way … peaceful … and fun."
We all laugh at that comment.
But she's right. Just a few weeks ago, I could've never predicted this.
Us three. Together. Here. And all of this.
The collaboration. The creative energy.
The harmony of it all, you know?
We work so much better as a team, than we ever did a part. As separates, we are competitive, and closed off, and paranoid.
And the bottom line is this: None of it matters if you're not having fun.
That's the honest fucking truth.
Just as that thought materializes, Logan pulls his vibrating cell phone from his pocket, and I watch as he reads a text message.
He shakes his head. "Sorry, guys, but I've gotta go," he says.
/>
"What?" Lana replies, looking surprised. "Right now? But the day is young. We've just met up"
"I know. I'll make it up to you, I promise. It's just—uh—a business matter I have to attend to," he replies.
"What's so urgent?" I ask. I've known Logan for a long time, and this seems so uncharacteristic.
"I—uh—I'll tell you guys about it later. Just a—uh—project," he says.
And with that, Lana and I watch Logan leave.
Logan's acting odd. I recognize that, but I don't say anything to Lana.
As soon as he read that text, his entire facial expression changed, from a carefree and fun glow, to something stern and serious. And did he look worried? Or was that just my imagination?
I wonder what's really going on.
20
Logan
I can’t believe Grady just summoned me as if I were one of his minions. But that’s exactly what he did, and that over a fucking text message. And I have no choice but meet him.
He opens a door that leads to a service stairwell, and I follow him down until we’re both out of earshot. He’s lucky I’m not a fucking sociopath murderer, or else I’d be tempted to just push him down the stairs.
“What is it?” I ask him, already fed up with being here. I already know what he’s going to ask me about.
“How are things going with Lana, Logan?” he asks me, turning around to face me, and narrowing his eyes. I ball one hand into a fist, but then I just sigh and allow myself to relax. Right now, I want nothing more than to punch this fucking prick in the face, but my hands are tied. There’s nothing I can do that won’t make everything worse.
“I’m working on it, I’ve already told you that fucking much, haven’t I?” I tell him with a shrug, trying to act as if everything’s under control. Of course, as you know, there’s nothing under fucking control. Right now, my life is like a fucking train wreck. On one hand, I can’t stop thinking about Lana, and on the other… Well, on the other hand this fucking bastard wants me to manipulate her. “What else do you need from me?”
“I need to see some fucking results, Logan. That’s what I need from you!” he replies, raising his voice. His words echo through the empty stairwell, and I just sigh again. “I need that manuscript,” he continues, now lowering his voice until it becomes almost a whisper. He takes one step toward me, trying to act all threatening and shit, but he’s much shorter than I am. If I wanted to head butt him, I’d have to bend down.
“I heard you the first time, you know?” I reply, sighing and running my fingers through my hair.