Free Logan's Story: A Sand & Clay Prequel by Sarah Robinson

slightly.
    “Aw, we made the baby cry.” Rock teased with a small jab to his shoulder. Dylan burst out laughing and patted Logan on the shoulder.
    “Buck up, man. You can’t be puffy eyed for your big audition tomorrow.”  Charlie jumped in on the banter.
    “I didn’t call them, man. I swear. Fucking small ass town, can’t keep nobody’s business quiet.” Dylan said putting his hands up.  
    “See these boys all showing up for you and you’re not going to go to New York?”  Mickey had suddenly appeared and gestured to Logan.  
    “What the fuck did he just say?” Dylan cocked one eyebrow and looked at Logan, while pointing at Mickey.
    “Hell, if he isn’t going, I will drag his ass there myself!” Rock chimed in.
    “Have you lost your damn mind?” Now it was Charlie’s turn for a jaw dropping expression. All his friends were suddenly talking over one another, pushing and shoving quickly ensuing.  
    “Guys, guys! Damn! I’m going. Okay? I’m going. Dad, I’m going to go. You’re right, I need to do this.” Logan looked his father square in the face, thanking him silently.  Mickey grinned brightly at him.
    “Have fun, boy. Get out of here.” Mickey nodded toward the door and then walked back up the hallway toward Laura’s room. Logan turned back to look at his friends, all smiling at him with any problems from last week clearly behind them.
    “Guess I’m going to New York?” Logan said, teasing them but also bursting with excitement.
    “Hell yeah, New York watch the fuck out!” Dylan said, heading toward the exit with the rest of the men following him.
    “Logan Clay is going to be in lights, man!” Charlie said, eagerly.
    “You better get me fucking front row tickets when you play Madison fucking Square Garden!” Rock trumpeted, pumping his fist in the air.
    Holy shit, I’m going to New York . Logan smiled.

CHAPTER TEN
     
     
     
    “I came here once on a field trip in school, but all I remember is the zoo and Central Park. This place is insane.” Logan said, wide-eyed, as he and Gina walked down the New York City sidewalk together early the next morning.  
    “It’s wonderful, isn’t it?” Gina smiled, dreamily.  
    “You’ve been here before?” He asked, grabbing her hand in his and squeezing it gently as he smiled at her. He was absolutely intoxicated with the look of pure love on her face right now, he had never seen her look at anything the way she was looking at New York.
    “Oh yeah, I lived here for a long time.  Grew up here.  I only moved out by you for graduate school, but I always planned on coming back. This place is in my blood.” She hugged herself, pulling his arm along with her, as they stepped off the busy sidewalk and entered Strawberry Fields.
    Logan stopped walking for a moment and swiftly drew her into him, pressing her tightly against his chest as his arms wrapped around her. He leaned down and kissed her softly, but only for a moment. The taste of her lips and the feeling of her pressed against him built a hunger that almost overtook him and he deepened their kiss, crushing himself against her as she eagerly wrapped her arms around his neck. When Logan finally pulled away he had no idea how much time had just passed.
    “What was that for?” Gina grinned and winked at him as they started walking again, still holding hands.
    “That look on your face just then, you love this city.” Logan smiled at her.
    “Mmhm, I really do.” She sighed, the look crawling onto her face again.  
    “And I love you and one day, you’re going to look at me like that.” Logan said nonchalantly, as he continued to walk even though Gina had suddenly slowed down.
    “What?” She stared up at him, looking into his sparkling blue eyes to see if she had just heard what she thought she heard.
    “Do I need to repeat myself?” He turned to her and grinned.
    “Fuck yes, you need to repeat yourself.” She exclaimed, stomping her foot and pretending to look annoyed even