Chasing Ava: A Bachelor of Shell Cove Novel (The Bachelors of Shell Cove) (35 page)

“Logan listen to me, please. I didn’t want to stress you while...” His roar halted her words.

 
“The only thing I want to hear is that you are on your way back to me. I don’t need to hear you. I understand you perfectly. You would rather traipse all over God’s green earth uprooting your life every three years for the Navy than be with me. You chose a job over me!” The truth nearly crumbled him.

“Calm down. Let me explain.” He could hear her sobs. But he would not allow himself to care.
 

“Your leaving me is explanation enough. I don’t have to tolerate this from another woman. You are a heartless, selfish coward. I don’t know who you are.”

“You don’t get to call me selfish. I sacrificed myself for you. I maybe a coward, but not for the reason you think. You are so busy dictating your wants you can’t hear me. You are the sole decision maker in our relationship. You’re not committed to me, Logan. You’re committed to keeping me. There’s a difference.”
 

Then the line went dead.
 

Logan’s cell phone buzzed signaling Darwin’s ringtone. Darwin’s face came into view as he pressed the release on his belt loop. Logan touched the talk icon.
 

“I know your plane only landed an hour ago, but how are you doing without Ava?”

“How did you know she was gone? I just discovered it.”

“What are you talking about? Ava’s been updating her Facebook page since she left two weeks ago.”

“Two weeks!” That explained the scarce phone calls. She had played him for a fool. “You knew she left me and you didn’t tell me.”
 

“When did that happen?” Logan growled into the phone. Frustrated with Darwin tranquil disposition at Ava’s blatant abandonment.
 

“You tell me.”
 

“I didn’t know she left you. Ava had to report for officer development school in Newport, Rhode Island. I knew she wanted to join the Navy, her entire Facebook page is a tribute to naval history and the Nurse Corps.”

“She left me, Darwin.”

“You got a Dear John letter. Man that’s ballsy considering everything Dad did.” Logan could not hear anything beyond the resounding gong of anger and betrayal playing in his head.
 

“I didn’t get anything.”

“How do you know she left you?”

“Are you listening to me? I came back and she’s not here.”

“Wait. I didn’t get the impression that Ava was leaving you. She updates her Facebook page to stay connected with everyone in Shell Cove.”

“She packed her clothes and left town without telling me. The keys to our house, I am looking at them.”
 

“I never saw that one coming.”

“That goes for the both of us,” Logan lamented. “I’ll call you back.” Disconnecting the call, Logan punched the Facebook icon on his smartphone. There was the answer to his question on social media for all to see.
The post read:

Hello all my Facebook family and friends!

Great news everybody, I survived the 1,000+ mile road trip from Shell Cove to Newport, RI with my car and sanity intact. It was the longest road trip in memory and one I wish not to repeat. I am so glad to be out of the car and into my rack. Yeah, I am already using military lingo. Beds are for civilians. I arrived last night and checked in at King Hall. Woke this morning to a frigid, but beautiful winter day. Snow flurries are expected later today. Go figure, this Florida girl marching in the snow.

Met my company division officer yesterday who informed me the days start at 0430. Early mornings are nothing new to a unit nurse.
 

I have an amazing view of the ocean from four decks up (no floors in the Navy). Love the location.

Everything is within walking distance, which is a plus because we are not allowed to operate our cars during the first two weeks of officer training. The only bad thing is the fire station is located directly across the street from my quarters. I had to evacuate at least twice in the past three days for fire drills. That gets annoying, but that is the only downside so far.
 

All kidding aside, I’m really excited (and nervous) to start my Navy career. If I fall off the radar over the next five weeks I’ll resurface again after my graduation.
 

Love you and GO Navy,

Ensign Ava Walters

United States Navy

Chapter 17

Logan sat across from Graham at the bar staring into his Seven and Seven drink.
 

“You are the only doctor I know who cannot keep a woman,” Graham said jokingly.
 

 
Logan glared at his closest friend with a scowl in place.
 

“You are the only doctor I know that is surrounded by women all day, and can’t get one to stick around long enough to meet your friends.” Graham, unlike Logan was able to keep his private life just that. Outside of the mystery woman from weeks back, Graham never mentioned his love life to him. They were at O’Brien’s Pub, a dim drinking hole, with scuffed tables, scarred wood floors and limited conversation. The only women in sight were serving the drinks. Darwin had introduced them both to this mostly male sanctuary.
 

“I have a woman.” His thoughts refused to release Ava.

“Tell me more.”

“I have not lost Ava. This commission is a dream come true for her. The career she always wanted.” Logan repeated what he’d read on her Facebook page. He refused to call. His only connection to her the images on social media and the ones etched in his memories. Idiot. Wanting a woman that had run out on him. How many times could he chase her? Let go, his brain told him. But his heart would not accept the logical choice.
 

“Pull your head out of the Florida sand, every woman gets her career started,” Graham gestured invisible quotation marks, “by quitting her job, packing up her entire house, and joining the military.” Graham offered a grunt in disbelief. “Let’s not leave out the best part, she tells you after she’s been gone for two weeks.”
 

“She needs to come home.” Graham looked at him with pity. And Logan downed the rest of his drink, drowning the feelings of inadequacy. He had not been enough for either of the women in his life. Ava left, and Brooke would have left.
 

“Logan, before you pursue this relationship to any end. What exactly do you want from her?”

“The next words I am about to say go no further than this space. I feel foolish saying this, especially to you. I am undone without her. Nothing else matters.”
 

“You look the same.”
 

“My life was fine before her, but now that I have had a taste of what it can be like, I will not be without her.” Graham stared at him in dawning horror. His friend thought him the worst kind of limp noodle because of a woman.
 

“Stop gawking at me.”
 

“Sorry, I didn’t realize until now that you’re in love with her. This is worse than I imagined one man could get tangled up in. What can you do? Ava is gone.”
 

“It’s obvious I don’t know what love looks like, but I will not stop until I have her.” But he wasn’t ready to talk to her. Afraid he would say something stupid like
I love you
.
 

“Don’t look to my life, but you’re not denying you love her.”

“I need a plan. First, I have to get Rebecca off my scent. Recently, she’s been calling more than the auto warranty telemarketers. I think my mother or Sam got to her.” What else could he do? Graham’s brows were knit together. His pathetic moron face again.
 

“But Ava has to take the first step. Show some sign of wanting me back. I could wring her beautiful neck until she comes to her senses. If that doesn’t work, I could handcuff her to my bed, and convince her she belongs to me.”
 

“Sounds more on par with wishful thinking. If that’s your best plan you’d better ask Darwin to flesh out the details. He’s the strategist.”

“On the other hand, true love finds a way. You can’t stop love unless...” Graham stopped short, taking a deep draw to empty his bottle.
 

“Unless what?”

“There’s a restraining order.” He laughed at his own joke, signaled the bartender for another round. The anguish that Logan had tethered on a short leash was reaching for an outlet as he took in his friend’s sullen expression. Graham hid it well, but some woman had him twisted by the hairs.
 

“I am angry with Ava, but I can’t stop what I feel. She is the one woman for me, but she can’t see it.”

“She had me fooled. I was already updating my schedule with the delivery of your firstborn.” Logan scowled then.

“You will not be delivering our babies.” He would only see Ava’s body. Graham was smiling at him over a now full bottle of beer. No doubt, following Logan’s train of thought.
 

“You are not helping.”

“I’m getting drunk with you and paying the bill. I’ll put you in a cab to ensure you get home safely.” Graham threw his hands in the air in mock frustration. “What more do you want from your best friend?”

Logan raised his glass in acknowledgment, “point taken.”

“Have you considered the challenges you both will face if you do make a go of it? Florida’s a vacation paradise for people from around the globe, but it’s still the south.”
 

“Ava and I don’t have color issues.”

 
“True. Your problem is far more insidious, you and Ava can’t communicate because neither one of you is willing to trust the other.” Graham downed half of his drink.
 

“Not this again.” Memories of Brooke sparked in his mind. He pushed them back into the abyss where they belonged. “I trusted Ava.” He wanted to scream. He had committed to her, asked her to move into his home. He had plans for their life together.
 

“Does Ava know you were engaged to be married? That your fiancée slept with one of your best friends, including the morning she died? You both brought big ass elephants into the relationship.”

“It did not make a difference. Ava left regardless of my past.”
 

“Your past controlled how you treated her. You tried to rule over her. You could not listen to her without superimposing your demands. It’s been more than ten years Logan and you haven’t dealt with your feelings about Brooke’s betrayal.” Brooke’s betrayal paled in comparison to the pain Ava had awoken in him.

“Do yourself a favor and pick someone else.” Graham said bluntly.

“I want Ava.” Logan grounded out.
 

“You don’t trust her enough to be honest. Not a good foundation for a lasting relationship. Your past is directing your future. If you’re not going to learn from it, to change your future, then take my advice. Find yourself a status crazed socialite that’s easy on the eyes and is freaky like a porn star. Take her to five-star restaurants and buy a few baubles every couple of months. You can keep your secrets and control the relationship. If she leaves you, nothing’s lost.” Ava’s food rivaled a five-star restaurant. And she didn’t want anything money could buy.

“I’m going to get her back.” Logan said with determination in his voice.

“The woman quit her job, sold her house, and left town under the cover of night. Talk about an exit strategy. Heck, she’s perfect for the military.”

“She did not sell her house. It’s for rent.”

“Either way, it sends the same message, she’s not coming back any time soon. If that doesn’t say it’s over, what else do you need?”

“She’s running from herself, not me.”
 

“She could have fooled me. She could have told you something about her plans. I get that she made you happy for a time. After the stuff that went down all those years ago with Brooke, you deserve it. But, Ava is gone and it’s probably for the best.”
 

Had he pushed her too hard to give everything, while he remained emotionally safe? He, like Ava, had brought another person into their relationship. His failure with Brooke, the fear of not being enough drove him to not trust Ava with his love for her. I want you back sweetheart. Give me a sign you want me, too. He prayed as the last of his drink slid down his throat.