The Revenge Games Duet

“Alaska, right? Emmy was telling me. You must think it’s crazy out here. I know I do.”

Logan tells me about Emerson and him growing up back East. How simple their lives were and how family means everything to them. Emerson’s brother, Ashley, was Logan’s best friend. He was also a soccer player and the three of them being in the limelight was a far cry from their simple upbringing.

He’s so proud of her, that much is obvious. When he speaks about her, his eyes lit up. The contours of his face change, and he speaks with adoration. Though, in her presence, he plays the ignorant card and purposely riles her up to goad some sort of reaction.

“Sounds like she was the one all along.” I smile softly, admiring their love story.

“Yeah.” He grins. “Just don’t tell her that. She gets a big head.”

“I won’t, though, I’m sure she knows it. So, you guys have been together for how long?”

He raises an eye, thinking for a moment before answering, “Almost two years.”

“Oh, I somehow thought it was longer.”

“Depends on what you consider together. She was with someone, but the circumstances were complicated. I’m sure you know all about it anyway. The whole world does.”

My expression freezes on a smile, another moment where my lack of celebrity knowledge makes me look like a dumbass.

“You look confused.” He belts out a laugh. “C’mon, you’re her assistant. You don’t need to pretend you don’t know.”

I raise my hands in defeat. “I’m confused because I have no clue. I don’t really watch television or keep up with this stuff. I had no clue who Emerson was or you. I’m sorry. Life back home is different.”

“Really? But you must have Googled her and all this shit would have come up?”

My head swings left to right. “Nope. I prefer not to let that get in the way of our working relationship. I’m here to help her. I don’t need her life story to do that.”

“I like you. Every assistant she’s employed has had an ulterior motive. You’re different.”

“I hear that a lot.” I sigh, still unsure whether ‘different’ is a good thing.

“It’s not a bad thing. Look, you’re young. Just keep your head strong. You seem to come from a stable family background, so don’t let people out here sway you into a different lifestyle. Emmy changed when she moved out here. She became one of them, but things changed one day. The moment she withdrew herself from that life.”

“I’m assuming you mean the reality show?”

“So, you do know.”

“Only that much. Not the details of it,” I tell him.

Logan places his cell down, resting his elbows on the table and rubbing his temple. This topic appears to be a sore point. His body language immediately shifts, on guard and strained with anger.

“Wesley needs to not to be around her.”

That name. Anytime it comes up, it’s bad news. But here is my chance. Without typing his name in a search engine, I will get the truth about Wesley.

“It’s none of my business, so please, tell me to butt out. I understand why Emerson is attached to the business, but why on earth would she choose a business partner like Wesley?”

There’s an unopened bottle of water in the middle of the table. He grabs it with force, screwing the cap off and drinking the water, stopping mid-way.

“Wesley’s her ex-fiancé. He’s being a dickhead and holding on just to stay close to her. That’s why I need you to keep an eye on him. I mean, you have to deal with him now. That’s what I told Emmy.”

The other day both of us were supposed to meet with him. I didn’t know whether he knew that she was meant to be there. The last thing I want to do is cause an argument between them, so I keep that information to myself.

Then, the penny drops loud and clear. Did he say ex-fiancé?

Emerson steps outside, singing Baa Baa Black Sheep to baby Lola. She hands her over to Logan, and he throws her into the air, laughing at her small giggles.

I’m confused, dazed, and the vibration of my cell doesn’t register until moments later.