Fallen Crest Public (Fallen Crest High #3)(8)

Grinning, I went up to him and pressed a kiss to his cheek.

His eyes darkened again for a different reason this time. “You alright with what happened this morning?”

“Which thing are you talking about? Your comment? The Broudous at the gas station? Seeing my ex? Or just now, with whatever you said to Logan’s ex-girlfriend?” I shook my head at the morning we had. “We are not normal.”

“I guess all of it, but I was referring to your dad. I know that bothered you, seeing that he changed.”

I shook my head. “Again. Not normal.”

Hearing Heather call my name again, I was held back from answering her. Mason hooked a finger through one of my belt loops and pulled me close. “Are you okay?”

I knew he was asking about David, but I couldn’t answer. I didn’t know myself so I just shrugged. It was all I could do.

He nodded, getting the message and then his lips came down on mine, and I melted. Home. He was home. Logan was home. No matter all the changes, no matter where he was going, I was home for now.

CHAPTER FOUR

Sam headed inside with her friend. Watching them, I wasn’t sure what to think of Heather Jax. It made more sense after meeting Monroe from Roussou. The girl wasn’t a part of this school’s hierarchy. That was fine, I just wasn’t sure if that would help or hurt Sam. I’d have to wait and see.

“Heads up,” one of the guys warned. “Hoe walking.”

“Screw you, Ethan,” Kate snapped. “You’re showing off to get in Mason’s good graces, but we both know the shoe was on the other foot last night.”

Last night?

I didn’t want to turn around. I didn’t want to deal with Kate yet. She and her three friends had been the main companions for the guys, but that stopped when I found out about her agenda to destroy Sam. She went after my girlfriend so I went after her. Well, I tried. Sam was adamant about handling this battle on her own so I did what I could. The girls were no longer friends with our group. They were exiled, but I heard the anger from her and I knew she wasn’t going to lay down and take it.

I knew about Parker and Nate, but it sounded like there was more. I wondered what else Kate was up to?

Logan laughed. “So desperate, Kate. The look doesn’t fit you.”

“Keep laughing, Logan. You’re going on the list.”

He grinned now.

I laughed to myself. She stepped wrong, and judging by the quiet intake of breath, Kate knew it as well. The easygoing air surrounding the group was gone. Knowing that look, I turned now and saw my little brother getting ready to go in for the kill. There was a certain look that came over him. His head would straighten. His eyes would narrow and roam up and down the target. No one knew what was he doing, but I did. Logan was searching for weaknesses. If he couldn’t see one, he’d sense for one. It was something we learned over the years after we’d been screwed over by adults too many times. We went with our gut.

I waited for his next move like the rest.

“What list are you talking about, Kate?” Logan’s voice grew soft. He was going in for the kill.

Kate seemed frozen, and the rest of her crew had varying reactions. Parker grimaced, her eyes darting to Nate’s before looking away. Natalie took a deep breath and Jasmine moved back a step. All of them recognized the tone, they just weren’t used to being on the receiving end.

“Come on, Logan,” Kate tried to laugh it off. “I was kidding.”

A smirk came over me, but then it vanished. As I watched the scene unfold, I saw Logan decide to give her a pass.

No. That wasn’t going to happen. “No, you weren’t.”

All heads jerked in my direction. My gaze caught my brother’s in a silent mocking, and a spark flared in Logan’s. The message was received: Kate couldn’t be let off the hook, no matter what. I wasn’t surprised when I heard him add, “What list are you talking about? Come on, Kate. I’d like to know how I rate getting on some list?”

She let out a shaky laugh, glancing between us now. “Seriously, come on, guys. Mason. Logan. I was joking.”

“No, you weren’t.”

She turned to me and her eyes widened. A glimmer of fear showed. “I came over to see if you needed help.”

My eyes narrowed to slits now. “With what?”

“With Tate.”

“You think we need help with her?”

She peeked at Logan before turning back to me.

Too late. I caught the slight smugness. It mingled with her fear, but I caught it. “What was that?”

“What?” An innocent mask slipped over her.

I shook my head, pointing to her face. “That. That look you gave Logan.”

Logan’s head straightened. His interest was piqued.

“What are you talking about, Mason?” She was growing cockier now. “I’m trying to be a friend. We used to have your backs. Remember?”

One of the guys muttered, “Oh shit.”

Even Nate laughed at that. “Since when? What are you talking about, Kate?”

She turned to the rest of the guys. All of them were looking at her in disbelief. Except Logan, he was grinning widely, leaning back against his Escalade. He shook his head now. “You’re digging yourself a hole. Stop talking. It might help.”