AUTHOR'S NOTE: Yay, new story finally continues months after the first chapter! And to celebrate, today you're getting TWO new chapters!

EXPRESSING MY LOVE

- 2 -

We Meet Again

The week following Kendall's first meeting with the intriguing stranger - Logan, he kept reminding himself, his name is Logan - was a long and discouraging one. He went back to work on Friday, and, as much as he wanted to consider what could happen between himself and this spiffy-looking Logan Mitchell, he found himself unwillingly going back to his normal, everyday life. He did his part in getting Autumn's wheat through the milling process, and his focus on work soon left him without a spare thought to devote to this new guy.

Saturday went by as it normally did. Some of his friends and co-workers from the mill, all of whom he'd known since childhood, came over with beer and playing cards, and they bothered the shit out of him all day long. Stupid tall tales about all "that sweet pussy" they were getting and how they were gonna make "the big time" and build a Playboy mansion just outside of town. Sometimes, he just wanted to shoot himself, but this was his life, and he knew he had to make the best of it. Really, they were okay guys. Saturday night, he and the same lunkheads stalked The Wild Cherry, the town's premiere honky tonk and karaoke bar, where they tried to make love connections with the girls they'd graduated from high school with. "It's always the same people here," one of the guys had commented, but Kendall could think of someone new who wouldn't leave his mind.

Sundays in Autumn had their own normal routine. Everyone - or, just about everyone - had their butt parked on a pew at the First Baptist Church. Anyone who wasn't there would most definitely have their name scandalized under the breath of all the church ladies, and their whereabouts would be gossiped about for the following week. On this Sunday, when Kendall stepped into the church, a part of him wondered and hoped that he'd find Logan seated somewhere amongst the churchgoers, but when he found no such thing, he hung his head low all through service.

Sunday afternoon was family time with Hazel, her husband, and their kids, who were slightly younger than Kendall, and, therefore, not really his contemporaries. Still, this was nice, and it was always good to feel as if he was part of a family, if only for one day out of the week. He went home after this weekly ritual and watched ESPN until it was time to prepare for the work week. After shutting off the lights that Sunday night, though, he found himself on his knees beside his bed, issuing a silent prayer to whomever was listening. He took a deep breath, got into bed, and was soon off to sleep.

To Kendall's delight, his prayer was answered, for as the week unfolded, he caught glimpses of Logan every now and then while either on his way to work or on his way home. He eagerly honked his horn whenever they passed each other on the road, but Logan only waved back in the most awkward way. Kendall slowly started to realize that maybe he'd gotten his hopes up for nothing, and every night, he'd make himself accept the cold, hard truth.

You're wasting your time, idiot. Get over it and move on.

Logan was proud of himself, though. He'd fought his childish urges to latch onto any nice guy with a cute smile, so now he could continue on the path he'd set for himself. Stay here in Autumn until grandma's pain ended, then go back to Dallas, where he'd get serious about finishing up his pre-med degree. There was absolutely no room for complications.

But, as he pushed his shopping cart down an aisle at the grocery store on Thursday, he could feel that things were going to get just the tiniest bit more complicated.

Fuck...he's here, he thought to himself. From the corner of his eye, he could see Kendall on the opposite end of the aisle. Okay, whatever. I'll say "Hi," smile and nod, and then we'll both go on about our business.

"Hey, man," Kendall greeted masculinely when Logan got closer. He dropped a box of snack cakes into his cart and extended a hand for Logan to shake. He seemed cool and collected, but inside he was shaking like a leaf.

"Hey," Logan replied, trying to keep his frustration from becoming evident. He shook Kendall's hand, and its roughness shocked him. It felt so strong and hard in contrast to his own soft, warm hands.

"Doin' a lil shoppin'?" Kendall asked quickly. He was going to say whatever he had to say to make this conversation more than just a semi-friendly greeting.

"Uh...yeah," Logan answered. "We were starting to starve, so I figured I should probably stop by and pick up a few things."

Kendall nodded.

"Yep," Logan said, awkwardly glancing at the items on the shelf, none of which he had any interest in buying.

Just as he was about to use the tired "Let me let you get back to what you were doing" line that people used whenever they really wanted to cut and run, Kendall asked, "So...how are things goin'?"

"Uhh?"

"With your grandma, I mean," Kendall clarified. "Has there been any change or..."

"Uhh, well..."

"I am so sorry," Kendall said. "I don't quite know where my manners are. You don't have to answer that if it's too personal."

"No, no," Logan said, not wanting him to feel bad. "It's okay. She's...uh...well, there really hasn't been much change. Some days are good, some days are bad...it just is what it is. Thank you for asking."

Kendall nodded and looked down, his lips pressed together. He didn't want this to end, but he didn't want it to be so freaking awkward either. What else was there for the two of them to discuss, though?

"How's that tire?" he fired. Good Lord, is that the best I can do? Keep cool, though.

"It's fine," Logan answered. "No problems yet. Knock on wood."

There were nervous chuckles, but Kendall could feel this getting more and more uncomfortable. Once again, he had to accept the fact that this wasn't going to turn out the way he thought it could have, so he turned away in defeat. "Well, I guess I'll see you-"

"What is all of this junk?" Logan suddenly asked, starting to paw through the items in Kendall's cart. It was box after box of processed garbage and sugary trash, not to mention several two-liters of soda.

"Uh...it's my food for the week," Kendall answered with a dopey smile. Okay, so maybe he wasn't the healthiest eater. He didn't have anyone living with him to show him any better.

"This...is not food," Logan pointed out rather condescendingly. "Is this really what you eat?" he asked in disbelief.

"Yeah. I mean..."

Logan shook his head in awe of the "food." "And somehow you manage to stay in perfect shape," he said just loud enough for Kendall to hear him. Oooooh, fuck. I should not have said that. He kept looking through the cart like what he'd said was no big deal.

Kendall's face turned red, and he simpered. Did he really just say that? "I work out."

Logan exhaled and tried to put his slip-of-the-tongue behind them. "I can't watch someone fill up on this trash," he continued in his crusade, still picking through Kendall's cart.

Kendall just watched, grin still on his face. He couldn't deny that this was kind of cute. "What are you, some kinda doctor or something?"

"No," Logan answered, "but I'll be one in a couple of years."

"Hmm..." Kendall nodded in understanding.

Logan knew it was totally against his better judgment to spend any more time with this guy, but the nutrition freak inside him wouldn't let it go. "Look," he began, feeling a big mistake coming on, "if you're not in a rush, how about we put all of this back, and I'll show you a better way of eating?"

Kendall's eyebrows stretched high into his forehead as he smirked in reply. "Well, you are the fancy city doctor," he said smugly, doing a pretty good job of hiding the absolute giddiness that was brewing inside.

They put all of Kendall's prospective purchases back on their proper shelves. Once they had an empty cart, Logan launched into geek mode, pushing the cart around and filling it up with fruits, vegetables, raw poultry and fish, two cases of bottled water, and other "essentials." All the while, he kept himself from caring too much about this guy by hiding behind nutrition and dietetics lectures.

"There are so many things you can do with a chicken breast," he said as he put a package of two in the cart. "People think eating healthy is all about having the same thing over and over again, but it doesn't have to be. Why, you can eat something completely different every single night without having to feel a drop of guilt!"

"I already do that," Kendall told him. "Mondays, I have fish sticks and French fries, then on Tuesdays I'll do the lil chicken wings that you put in the microwave, then on Wednesday, I like to get a little fancy and have a TV dinner. You know, the one with the lil brownie on the side."

Logan shook his head disapprovingly as Kendall laughed. "Your sense of humor is about as healthy as your diet."

They pushed their carts to the checkout area. There were several other customers milling around, mostly older ladies who were doing their own weekly shopping. Most of them had nice, friendly faces, and, for a second, Logan felt...good?

"So," Kendall began hesitantly, "you still itchin' to get outta this town?"

"Heh," Logan replied as he started to stack his items on the conveyor belt. "It's not so bad."

He paid for his groceries first, and then Kendall started with his. "My, my," the cashier said. "If I didn't know any better, I'd think something was wrong with you, Kendall Knight."

"Oh?" Kendall asked, noting Logan's teasing glare. "And what exactly is that supposed to mean?"

"Well, you don't normally buy anything that you can't just zap in the microwave for five minutes," she said, checking the last of his things and ringing up his total. "And you definitely don't buy anything green...except for maybe 7-Up."

"Eh," he shrugged, matching eyes with Logan. "There ain't nothin' wrong with tryin' somethin' new." Logan's breath got short at the sound of Kendall's country drawl making such a confident statement, and he looked out the storefront window as Kendall paid his total.

They rolled their carts out to the parking lot. Kendall was parked two aisles away from Logan, but the lot was empty enough for them to steal glances at each other as each packed their groceries away.

He sure is a cute lil thing, Kendall kept thinking. He stealthily eyed Logan up through his side mirror. And pretty and smart and nice.

Logan's side mirror was also getting good use. Would it really be horrible to have a friend while I'm here? Logan asked his conscience. I swear, I'll keep myself in check, and I won't even think about that smile anymore...or those eyes. Or those big, strong arms. Or that little butt. He sighed and slammed the trunk down. I'm too old for this schoolgirl shit.

He walked around the car, but just as he opened the door to get in, he sensed Kendall approaching him.

"Hey, I just wanted to say thanks," Kendall said when he got to the car.

"It's nothing," Logan replied. "Just looking out for your heart and other vital organs."

Kendall flashed that smile, and his green eyes twinkled. Fuuuuck, Logan thought.

"I gotta say, though," Kendall went on, "there's gonna be a bit of a problem when I get back home."

"Oh?"

"Yeah. It's nice to have all this healthy stuff, but...whose gonna cook it? As sure as you're standin' there, I don't think I've ever really cooked anything a day in my life."

Logan couldn't help but be amused. "It's chicken and fish. I promise, it's hard to screw it up. You can go online and find tons of recipes that are simple, easy, and quick."

"Oh," Kendall nodded. He was seemingly satisfied with that solution, but then, "There's gonna be a problem with that, too. I don't have internet at the house."

Logan was surprised, but then he wasn't. "Right," he said.

"Um, actually," Kendall attempted, "I was thinkin'...maybe you could come over, maybe show me a thing or two on how to do it."

The shorter, more sharply-dressed guy immediately withdrew into himself. He clung to the car door, and his eyes jetted all over the place. "Uh...I don't know...you know, with my grandmother and everything. That might not be such a good idea."

Kendall almost gave up, but he got a little push from nowhere and resolved to try harder. "Come on," he coaxed. "You got me real interested in all this healthy stuff, and I wanna do it right. Besides," he said, "you owe me, remember? You don't want word to get 'round that you don't pay off your debts, do you?"

"All right," Logan finally said. A part of him only gave in because he couldn't stand to be eye-to-eye with this ruggedly handsome man for another moment, but another part of him needed to see him again.

"Good," Kendall said victoriously.

"I swear I can't today, though," Logan said truthfully. "My parents are driving out to Palmerville as soon as I get home, and I'll need to stay with my grandma until they get back."

"What time are they gettin' back?" Kendall asked, only a little bit discouraged.

"I don't know...like six o'clock or so."

"All right, then," Kendall decided with a smile. "You can come over tonight at seven."

Logan was all set to launch another protest, but he didn't stand a chance. "All right. Sure. I'll see you then." He was sure to smile so that he didn't come across like an ass. Really, though, was it this guy's fault that he got stupid little crushes on every nice guy he met?

"You remember how to get to my place?"

"I think I can manage it," Logan replied, getting into his car before he completely lost control of himself. "You just be ready for some good eating. I'm already brainstorming some ideas."

"All right," Kendall said. "My mouth is all yours." Wait. "I mean...well, you know what I mean!"

"Haha...yeah," Logan stammered. My whole body is yours if you want it, fucker.

"Seven o'clock," Kendall repeated once the engine started. "See you then."

"At seven."

Kendall started the extremely short trek back to his truck as Logan sped away. He drives fast. He's probably trying to get away from me. But nope, he wouldn't let himself think like that. He secured the bags in the back of the truck and got in behind the wheel. He creaked out of the parking lot with a big grin on his face. For the first time in a long time, he truly had something new and exciting to look forward to.