Fallen Crest University (Fallen Crest High #5)(23)

As the night wore on, Logan charmed the majority of people at the party. We took up residence in the basement near the pool table, and I recognized the near-worshipful looks from Kitty and Nina, too.

Even them.

Even Kitty, who had been hesitant and latched on to Nate, had the stirring of lust as she watched Logan bend over the pool table and lined up a shot.

Summer had gone to get a new pitcher of beer, and she came back, placing it next to me. “Man.” She propped her elbows on the counter behind where we were sitting and maneuvered her chair so that her back was to it.

We were both watching Logan and Nate at the table.

“The stories were not exaggerated. I don’t know if half these girls could keep their load in if Mason were here, too. Your boyfriend and your stepbrother?” There was a question attached with the last word before she added, “They’re something else. I don’t think Cain University realized who they were getting when they accepted both of their applications.”

“Technically, they only accepted Logan’s application. They knew Mason and me ahead of time. We both got full scholarships.”

“You did?”

“In track.”

Her perfectly trimmed and outlined eyebrow lifted up. “You’re a runner?”

I nodded. I had gone earlier this morning, but I was feeling the itch to de-stress with an hour-long jog already.

Logan caught my eye. He’d been watching the conversation and holding his pool stick, as he waited for Nate to miss his shot. He lifted his own eyebrow now in a silent question to me. I shook my head, tucking my hands under my legs. I was fine. He didn’t need to save me.

Logan didn’t care. He came over anyway and wedged himself between Summer and me so Summer had to scoot her chair down a bit. It was a subtle move and one that others wouldn’t register, but her eyes narrowed a little bit. Summer got it.

That told me she was smart or at least knowledgeable about the different tactics people could use, like how Logan had her move over but not me. I was protected behind him, as he was half-turned to her. His head swung my way, so I was still included in the conversation, but he put a safe amount of distance between Summer and me.

It was nicely done.

He asked, intently watching her, “Roommate of Sam’s, tell us about yourself.”

She swallowed before replying, “Uh…what do you want to know?”

I poked Logan’s side. “I told you she modeled.”

“Aha, and the intrigue builds.” He grinned, his teasing tone evident. “Seriously though, you’re Sam’s roommate. I know I was a dog before, but I love Sam. She’s family, so that means a few things.”

Summer glanced at me. I was watching Logan.

He added, giving her a smirk, “You need to tell us more of your deepest, darkest secrets.”

Her eyes moved back to him, now glued to his face. She didn’t look like she was breathing.

Logan grinned. “For real, be honest. I know you’re a Mason superfan. The thing we really need to know is if he boned Sam in your dorm room, would you pretend it was you instead?”

“Logan!” I hit his chest.

He was undeterred, still studying my roommate.

Her cheeks flooded with color. “The * part of your reputation is true.”

“You didn’t answer the question.”

“Logan.” That was enough. I started to get off my chair.

He grabbed the chair and blocked me from sliding off it. I had to stay or be forced into brushing against him in an awkward position. I loved Logan but not like that. I sat there, captive by my almost-stepbrother, as he interrogated my roommate.

“Yes,” she croaked out. “I’m a fan of Mason’s because he’s a god in football, and I’ll continue to be a fan when he goes pro. But will I daydream that he’s screwing me when he screws my new friend and roommate? Hell no.” Her eyes sparked at him, heated. “And how dare you even insinuate that of me. Who are you to ask a question like that?”

Logan moved in closer to her, his face impassive. “I’m her family, and I have every right to make sure she’s not getting screwed over.”

“Logan.” It was time. I tapped his arm. “Move.”

He didn’t.

“Logan!”

He relented and slowly stepped back. He was still holding her gaze, an unspoken threat going between the two.

Well, if my roommate hadn’t already hated him before, she did now.

I stood from my chair and tried to give her a reassuring smile, as I latched on to Logan’s arm. “Excuse us for a bit. I have to go and chew my family member out.” I turned and shoved him forward. I added over my shoulder, “In private.”

Logan motioned at Nate, pointing to Summer. Nate frowned but went over and took my empty chair.

Once we were outside, I whirled on him. “What are you doing? She’s my roommate.”

“I want to establish the boundaries early on.” He climbed on top of a table, his feet resting where people would normally sit. His elbows went to his knees, and he clasped his hands together, watching me with an unrelenting intensity.

He didn’t care. That stopped me. Whatever lecture I had stored up, ready to deliver, would fall on deaf ears. I’d be wasting our time. I sighed instead, sitting down next to him. “Did you have to be such an ass to her?”