Love at 16 Degrees F

Logan stepped out of the locker room with his phone in hand. While walking to his car he sent a quick text to Ashley. “LoCo: I won't be home till later. Eat whatever. I'll call your mom. Love you.” He opened the door to his truck and sent the message before throwing his phone into the passenger seat. He grabbed his bluetooth from in the glove compartment and put it in one ear. He buckled his seat belt. He picked up his phone and dialed Ashley's mom's number. While it rung he pulled out of the parking lot. Mrs. Brooks picked up on the 4th ring. “Hello?” “Hi, mom.” Logan heard Ashley and Nick's mom, Renee, laugh on the other end. “Hi Logan. Where's the twins?” “Both of them are back at my apartment. I just got out practice.” Renee sounded confused, “I don't mean to be blunt, but what are you calling me for?” Logan laughed. He really didn't want to continue, “I wanted to apologize for the kids not getting home yesterday. Things got a little crazy. Which was kind of my fault. Friday night, after the game, Nick and Ashley introduced me to their friend Amanda. And eventually we all got separated. Somehow Amanda and I got on a spontaneous trip to San Francisco. ..” Renee was quiet for a second, “Oh...” Logan sighed, “Yes, luckily. Ashley and Nick were in great hands. Tomas took the back to his place and we met up to go find Amanda.” Renee sounded confused, “And that was when we found Amanda at a night club. She was drunk, and to make the story short, she punched Ashley a few good times.” Logan cringed when Renee gasped, “What?! Is she okay?!” Logan nodded, but remembered she couldn't see him. “Yes, she's okay. I've seen her get worst concussions by tripping. She's okay. Nick, Tomas, and I have been taking turns getting her to take her meds.” Renee sighed, “Why would Amanda do that... I don't get it. When will she be able to come home do you think?” Logan got on the freeway towards San Francisco. “Yes, I assume she'll be wanting to go to home tomorrow. It'll be Christmas though. I also don't feel comfortable with her driving.” Renee was quiet; Logan heard papers rustling. “Well, why don't you come up too?” Logan tried to think of a reason not to, but found none. “Sure, and I'm pretty sure Tomas would love you meet you guys. Considering your his girlfriend's parents. Is that okay?” Renee frowned, “Girlfriend? I feel like this story is longer than you are leading on.” Logan sighed. “It really is.” “If Tomas come to the house I have to go fix Ashley's room. I don't think she would want him to see all the posters she has of the two of you. Oh, and that penguin guy.” Logan frowned, “She has posters of me?” Renee got quiet, “I never said a word. Got it?” Logan smiled, “Alright, Mrs. Brooks. We will see you tomorrow. And just so you know, Tomas speaks the worst English you will ever hear. So I wouldn't be expecting to learn anything about him. I think he know like 10 words.” He heard Renee and another voice laugh. “Oh yes. John and I have heard all about him before Ashley left. We feel like she's been dating him forever. We will see you guys tomorrow. And thank you for taking care of her, Logan. You are really a great best friend.” Logan's felt a sharp pain in his chest, “Yeah... friend. Thank you. See you tomorrow.” Logan disconnected his ear piece and threw it down onto the passenger seat.

~

Kelcie and Tommy drove back to Tommy's house quietly. Kelcie absentmindedly turned the ring on her finger. She was still smiling even thinking about how her week had gone. Tommy noticed her smile, “Someone had a good day?” He asked her while putting a smile on his own face. “Actually, I'm pretty sure I've had a close to perfect week.” Tommy took on of his hands off of the wheel and held Kelcie's. “I know exactly what you mean.” Tommy took his eyes off the road and flashed her the same smile that always made her knees feel weak. He focused his attention back to the road and squeezed her hand gently. “So I take it the girls day went well?” Kelcie nodded, “Yes, we went through a lot of wedding stuff.” She watched Tommy smirk again, “Kelcie Lea Wingels.” Kelcie laughed, “Hey, not yet, Mister. We don't even have a date.” Tommy made a hmm sound. “Right now. Let's get married right now. I don't want to wait.” Kelcie laughed again. She felt airy and carefree. “Well what about my dress? Or the guests?” Tommy pretended to be in thought, “We can take the blanket I have in the back, make it a dress. And as far as guest go... We can call Ashley and Tomas and we can go get married instead of having dinner.” Kelcie smiled, “Okay, where?” Tommy drummed his fingers. “There is a pretty hill up near Logan's house. It has a good view.” Kelcie smiled and nodded. “Alright. But can we bring food? I'm still wanting dinner.” Tommy lifted their intertwined hands and kissed the back of hers. “Of course. Now send them a text of the changed plans.” Kelcie smiled and grabbed her phone, “You such a goof. I love it.”

~

Logan pulled into the parking lot of the hotel from the previous night. For a moment he collected himself, then made his way up to the familiar room 244. He opened the hotel door to the room he had been keeping Amanda in. As he expected, Amanda was sitting on the couch with the tv on. She looked up as he entered, but turned her attention back to the tv when she realized who it was. Logan closed the door and leaned against it. “Are you ready to go home?” He asked her blatantly. Amanda sighed and turned the tv down with the remote. “Not really.” She confessed in a small voice. Logan chuckled lightly, “To be completely honest, I don't want you go either.” Amanda looked over at him in surprise. Logan pressed his tongue to the roof of his mouth in effort to lie convincingly. “We need to talk about Monday, Amanda.” He watched Amanda slump back into the couch; quickly loosing interest. “There's nothing to talk about, Logan.” The comment agitated him, but he faked sympathy. He remembered the note he had left her when he ditched her in San Francisco. He sat in the recliner to the left of her. He leaned forward with his elbows on his knees and his hands rested on his fists. “I'm an idiot.” Amanda kept her eyes on the tv but smirked slightly. Logan paused and tried to figure out what to say. “I say that... because it's the reason I don't believe I'm good enough for you. I left you... In an unfamiliar town... Alone. For that, I am so sorry. I needed you to hate me. I wanted you to give up on me, because you can do so much better.” Amanda was now looking directly at him. Her mouth was slightly open, “I can't. I can't move on like that.” Logan nodded. In his head he thought about how much happier he would be if she could. “I know. And I can't move on from you. So I want to make you an offer. Come home. Tomorrow is Christmas. Ashley, Tomas, Nick and I are heading to the Brooks' house for dinner. Nobody is mad at you. They understand why the fight happened. Ashley is worried about you more so than angry. This has been one hell of a week. I want you to go to dinner with me, and in return I will do everything to be a better guy for you.” He finished his lie and focused on her response. She was still for a moment, then she reached forward and pressed her lips against his. It was forceful kiss. Not one he would enjoy. Logan felt confused, but rolled with it. “So, does this mean you'll go as my girlfriend?” Amanda smiled and nodded. Logan felt his stomach turn. He knew he was doing this for Ashley. He tried to think about any of the loose ends of the deal. “Also,” He thought aloud, “There will be no fighting with Ashley. She made it very clear she only has eyes for Tomas. And I, hopefully, made it very clear that I want you.” Logan smiled, more out of relief than from happiness. “Alright. Now let's get you out of here. It's reunion and announcement time.” Logan grabbed her hand and pulled her up off of the couch and into his arms.

~

Ashley sat at the island in Tomas's kitchen while she waited for him to finish his post practice shower. She opened her phone and went to her messaging app. She had an unread message from Kelcie. “Kelcie: Change of plans. Let's have a picnic dinner. The hill over where Logan lives.” Ashley furrowed her brow, but agreed. “Ashley: Okay. Any particular reason?” Kelcie replied back quickly. “Kelcie: Just go with it. You'll see. Bring your man ;)” Ashley chuckled as she heard Tomas's distant shower whistling. “Ashley: Oh yeah. Totally my man. You and I are already planning the wedding.” She imagined Kelcie planning out their future children's play dates. “Kelcie: It's bound to happen. Are you official yet?” Ashley sighed. She had been wondering the same thing, but knew how quickly things were happening for him. “Ashley: No. I don't know what we are.” “Kelcie: Of course you are “dating”. You have been on a few dates now. He just hasn't officially told you you are his girlfriend.” Ashley drummed her fingers and heard the water turn off from upstairs. “Ashley: Yeah. Exactly. I hate this limbo zone. I don't want to seem eger, but I don't want to seem uninterested.” “Kelcie: Ha, never do I have to worry about that again. I got my man right next to me!” Ashley smirked, “Ashley: Mine's naked up stairs. Who's winning?” “Kelcie: Still me. I got's a ring.” Ashley laughed and looked at the clock on the wall. It was only around 2. “Ashley: Haha, very true! Can we eat and early dinner and then maybe go on a walk or something? I'm hungry, like, now.” “Kelcie: Hahaha, maybe at like 3? We should go get sandwiches. Do we really need a picnic basket?” Ashley smirked, “Ashley: No, I don't think we need to worry about that. Haha. Sandwiches sound nice though. I think we'll pick them up from Subway and meet you gusy there at three. Now I know you guys want to go do the dirty, but don't be late!” “Kelcie: OMG! Stop it! Hahaha.” Ashley laughed hysterically at Kelcie's guilty answer. At the same time Tomas walked into the kitchen wearing only his draw string sweats. Ashley's laugh died down slowly as she tried to focus her attention on texting and not on how low the sweats were riding. She could feel her blush coming on, but she fought it. Tomas went to the fridge and pulled out the gallon of orange juice. He lifted the container in her direction to ask her if she wanted any. She nodded her head and kept her eyes on the orange juice. Casually she snapped a picture of him pouring the orange juice and sent it to Kelcie. “Ashley: Can we agree it should be illegal for the guys to wear their sweats low and without a shirt? Because I'm thirsty and I think I want something a little more than the orange juice...” Kelcie replied almost instantly, “Kelcie: Are you sure you aren't going to be the one late? He seems pretty content to be half naked and exposing his “v” for you.” Tomas slid the glass over to her and took a seat to her right. He sipped his orange juice and casually glanced and her ever so often. Ashley blushed as she reread Kelcie's message. “Ashley: So... Now we both know he shaves...” Ashley downed half of the orange juice. “Kelcie: Tommy does as well ;)” Mid sip, Ashley almost had the orange juice come out her nose. She set the glass down and coughed slightly. Tomas quickly leaned forward and patted her back; fearing that she was choking to death. Through laughs she tried to stop him. “Tomas. I am. Okay!” He sighed in relief and slid the glass away from her. “No more for you. What is so funny?” Ashley went red again and locked her phone. “Just hearing some interesting things about Tommy. You know...” Tomas frowned. “No. I don't know. Why are you so interested?” Ashley smiled when she sensed the slight jealous protectiveness. Ashley reached her hand out to his. “Yes Tomas. I secretly have the hots for Wingels.” Tomas looked shocked and pulled back a little. Ashley laughed lightly and leaned closer to him. She dropped her voice to a low volume and mumbled, “I'm kidding. I happen to like someone else.” Tomas seemed to catch her drift. He leaned a little closer. Their mouths almost touching, but not quite. “Really? Who?” Ashley winked and sat back up straight. “Dan Boyle.” She got out of her stool and headed towards the living room. She was well aware of how confused she had made him. “Oh no. You are not getting off that easy.” She smiled and sat down on the couch. “Oh yeah? What if I was telling the truth, Mr!” He walked into the living room with a smirk on his face. “Then I'm just going to have to change your mind.” Ashley's smile dropped and her face paled. She fought the urge. “Oh, really?” She continued flirting even though she was aware of where it was heading. He pulled her up off the couch and pressed her against him. “Yep.” She smirked seductively, “Convince me.” She whispered. She could feel his chuckle resonate in his chest. With one movement he swept her up bridal style and carried her towards the stairs. “Be calm. Be calm. It's not like it's his first time... or yours for that matter... oh my god what If I'm not as good as Aneta?” Ashley mentally panicked and thought about backing out. She let herself listen to his breathing. Slowly she felt her confidence regaining and her attraction to him growing. He opened the door to the room she assumed was his bedroom by pushing it open with his foot. Gently he laid her back on the bed and kissed her. Through heated kisses she ran her hands over his bare back and stomach. Somewhere in the room Ashley could here her phone, which was in her pants, buzzing. She figured they were messages from Kelcie, but she was far too busy to reply...

~

Notes