The Trouble With Quarterbacks(67)

“Is that Logan Matthews?”

“Dude, I think it is. And that has to be Jay Cruthers with him.”

“Didn’t he win the Heisman at LSU?”

Curiosity morphs into courage.

“Hey! Logan! Can I get a picture?!”

“Marcus! Jay!”

It’s definitely time we abandon the main floor and make for higher ground. Logan reaches out to gather me close, and then he pushes me ahead of him, his hand on the small of my back. I don’t make out what he tells the others, but when I glance over my shoulder, they’re following near us. We round the dance floor then head toward a roped-off staircase. The huge bouncer blocking it steps aside immediately once he sees Logan approaching. We start to go up and then once we’re on the second-floor landing, Logan points to a door at the end of the hall.

It turns out he’s somehow reserved a VIP suite that’s totally separated from the rest of the club. We walk in and the room sprawls out in front of us. There’s a main seating area with drinks and food already set out for us to enjoy. The vibe is even cooler in here than it is down in the rest of the club, not all black leather and tacky plastic lights. It’s got paneled walls and lovely deep library chairs. A heavy chandelier hangs from the ceiling, casting a warm glow that competes with the moody club lighting seeping in from the far wall. Over there, the VIP suite has a sunken balcony that overlooks the first floor. I walk over to the edge and look over, and people start to go wild, thinking I’m someone cool. I sort of wave then immediately step back, nervous about all the attention. It’s quite nice the way they’ve designed the space. Unless I’m right at the edge, no one from the first floor can see us. It’s totally private up here.

The music from below drifts up, but it’s muted so I can actually hear myself think for the first time all night. I turn back around to survey the group. Kat has convinced Jay to crack open a bottle of champagne, and the two of them don’t even bother splitting it with the rest of us poor souls. They just take turns passing it back and forth between them while they sit on the couch, all locked eyes and pervy expressions. I swear Kat will pounce on him at any moment and then we’ll all need therapy from having to see it. She’s like a wildebeest sometimes, but from the look on Jay’s face, he’s not scared in the least.

Yasmine and Marcus are huddled together in another corner, talking low. He’s twisting his arm, showing her one of his tattoos, and she reaches out to touch it, skimming her finger along his skin. Well, I suppose they’ve hit it off as well.

Lucky how that’s happened.

I gird my loins when I scan the area to look for Logan. He’s in the middle of the room, sitting in a leather chair, watching me take everything in. It’s like he’s got it all figured out, like he’s somehow in control of everything I do even though he’s over there and I’m over here. I don’t like it, the way my body seems to be on high alert, the way I’ve lost my grip on myself. I know if I go near him, it’ll be game over. We’ll be as bad as Kat and Jay…so instead, I distract myself.

I peruse my food options over at the buffet. They’ve got some shrimpy things on toasted flatbread, some chocolate cake bites, nuts, and loads of other finger foods. I don’t eat anything; my stomach couldn’t bear it. Instead, I move down the line to the drinks. There’s quite a lot of liquor bottles up here. We could probably make any drink we wanted, but I’ve already reached my limit for the night so I move right along.

I tip back on my heels and turn around. Logan’s still in his spot, making my knees go weak, so I turn away quickly. Well, right. Now that the food and drinks have been covered, guess I should take in the artwork on the walls. I get to one of the framed pieces and am having a good look at it when Logan’s presence becomes painfully obvious behind me.

He’s apparently had enough of waiting.

“What are you doing?”

“Appreciating art. I mean look at those colors! The movement! The subject matter!”

“Right. I think that’s just the fire code information they have to post.”

Oh. Well that does explain all the words.

“I wouldn’t expect a brute like you to understand art.”

He laughs and grabs my hand when I try to make a break for it.

“What are you doing?”

“Avoiding you. I thought that was obvious.”

He frowns, and even that is cute. Ugh! Lord help me!

“Why?”

“Because, well…you…” I frown, trying to come up with some way to get my feelings across without totally scaring him off. “It’s just a bit much, y’know. Do you feel it?”

I quirk a brow, trying for lighthearted, fun mate rather than girl falling hopelessly in love.

He steps closer and grasps my waist with both hands. My body gets hijacked right away. It’s just the size of him, his huge grip on my middle. With him hovering over me, I’m cast in shadow, but so is he. I can only make out half his features, and it sends a little panicked thrill down my spine.

“Why do you think I’m here?” he asks, sincerely.

“Oh, for a laugh?”

“Candace.”

“All right, fine. You wanted your lads to have a bit of fun. I’ll bet Kat and Jay are ripping each other’s clothes off as we speak.”