Fallen Crest Alternative Version (Fallen Crest High #2.1)(21)

“Remember, Logan.” I tapped his leg softly. “I am a member of the Academy Elite now.”

Logan cursed out of the corner of his mouth. “Yeah. Mason told me that. That’s the stupidest piece of crap I’ve heard all week—”

“But it’s done anyway, and you like Mark.”

He shook my hand off and scowled. “Doesn’t mean I’m going to let him come with us. I don’t even want you there.”

I scowled back at him. “Didn’t stop me the last time.”

He rolled his eyes. “You shouldn’t have been there and you know it. But, whatever, it’s done.” His eyes shot to Mark. “You can’t help. Sorry. My friends only.”

Mark’s smile never slipped. He bobbed his head some more. “Yeah, man. That’s cool. But if you ever need help, I’m more than willing.”

Logan sighed.

I couldn’t hold back my smile. He was starting to like Mark. He already liked him from before, but I could tell he was starting to like him more. Oh, the dilemmas of being a Kade. They were taught only to like those that proved worthy enough. Mark hadn’t proved himself at all, but Logan still liked him.

When some curse words left him, I wasn’t surprised.

“Hey!” Another shout came from behind us.

There was a smile on Adam’s face, but when Logan turned, it vanished. He stopped in his tracks and the girl who came with him bumped into his back from the abrupt halt. She mumbled out an apology and stepped around.

Logan burst out laughing.

Tanya blinked in confusion. She swooned against Adam. He caught her before she fell and she gurgled out, “Toodrunk.”

CHAPTER EIGHT

“Tanya.” Logan stood and shook his head.

“Whad?” She fell against Adam again.

The laughter had vanished and a seriousness took over him. “Don’t do this.”

“Huh?” Her head popped up. “Do what?”

“Don’t screw him.”

Adam twisted around. “Hey!”

“Why?”

Logan’s voice dipped low. It was almost kind. “Because he’s not going to be your boyfriend.”

“Why not?” She struggled to push herself up but staggered away from Adam and crossed her arms over her chest. “What do you know about it?”

“Because I’m the reason he’s never going to date you.”

Pain flared before she masked it. A tear trickled down, and she never brushed it away. Her chin trembled as she lifted it. “You don’t know that. You don’t know what he said to me.”

“I do know.” Logan stepped towards her. “Because he was laying the groundwork before. He was doing all the right things. He was taking you places. He had you hang out with his friends, but I stepped in. I got you. He never did and what he’s doing right now is a typical guy move.”

She brushed a tear away. “What are you talking about?”

“He wants to screw you and then he wants to be the one who walks away. Not you. He’s playing you, Tanya. That’s all this is.”

As she looked around, searching for something, Adam had turned away. I expected anger. There was only irritation, and I choked out my own shock. I couldn’t believe it, but… I should’ve.

“Sam?” Logan was the one who heard me.

I couldn’t take it. “This is because of your ego?”

All eyes turned to Adam, who seemed reluctant to meet my gaze. When he did, the acknowledgment was there, along with the shame.

“I can’t believe you.”

“Of all people, you should.” The corner of his lip curved up in a sneer. There was a mocking tone to him. “You’ve been after me since the beginning to leave her alone. You know, out of everyone, why I would do this. Yes, I want to screw her. Yes, I want to humiliate her. She humiliated me. Your boy there humiliated me, but I can’t touch him. No one can touch the Kades. They’re goddamn protected by everyone.”

“Adam,” Becky whimpered as her lip quivered. “Stop it.”

He closed his eyes with a snap and turned to her. “I’m sorry, Becky. I am.”

She gulped for air. “You—you don’t know what you’re saying right now. This makes you seem…”

“What?” He taunted her. “Like a jerk? I am one. I’m a first class ass**le, and I’ve made everyone think I’m prince charming. I’m not your prince charming, Becky. Let it go. I’ve been an ass to you time and time again. You keep coming back. Stop it. It’s pathetic.”

“Adam—”

He turned to me and threw his arms wide. “This is what you wanted, Sam.”

“Sam?”

I gritted my teeth. “I wanted you to stop playing with her emotions, not—”

“He is stopping.”

I faltered in my step. Surprise flared in me. “Logan?”

He nodded and took a beer from Mark. He was calm as he took a drink. “He’s being himself. He’s not lying about what he’s doing. He’s being honest. Give him a break. He’s not playing with your friend. This is who he is. He’s showing her. It’s all up front and in her face.”

“Sam?”

My heart broke. Becky was a little girl again. I reached for her and hugged her close. “It’s okay.”