Logan Kade (Fallen Crest #5.5)(15)
I flushed, then scowled, regretting it. I ignored the fluttering in my stomach. “I have to run an errand.”
A smooth chuckle came as he reversed the car. “Whatever you say. For real. Where we going? I didn’t figure you really had to give me the answer in person.” He started down the street, but slowed as we drew to the first intersection.
I pulled up my dad’s GPS coordinates. “Turn right.”
He nodded. “On it.”
Thirty minutes later, we stopped outside Coach Mike’s house. With one arm resting on the steering wheel, Logan faced me. “Want to tell me why we’re outside my brother’s head coach’s house?”
“You know who lives here?”
His eyes seemed to be laughing at me. They always looked like that. “I do. I’ve spent time here with my brother. Been to your house, too, by the way. That’s how I knew where to go tonight.”
Oh, yeah. He never asked for my address. “You have?”
“There was a thing for your dad once, after your mom died. We all showed up with food. Sam made us make it ourselves. She wouldn’t let us buy something, and she wouldn’t listen to me when I said your dad wouldn’t care.”
He knew about my mom, but that shouldn’t have surprised me. Of course, everyone on campus would know one of their beloved coaches had lost his wife. The corner of my mouth twitched. “That’s funny.”
“What is?”
I glanced up, holding his gaze. “Hearing that you knew about her. Usually it feels like having my insides ripped out with a spoon. This was…nice...” That was an odd sensation to me.
“Well, hey there, Hot Girl.” His voice dropped low and sensual. He laughed under his breath. “If you’re all about feeling nice, I’m chock-full of ideas.” He waved his fingers at me. “You have my phone digits now, so anytime you want the use of my other digits, I’m just a button away.” He lifted an eyebrow.
“I feel cheated, though,” I told him, the edges of my mouth curving up. “I got the finger offer. I mean, seriously. Come on. If I’m going to take you up on this, I want the full deal. I want to be tied up, stuffed from behind, and throw in a butt plug for you. How about that instead? I don’t want a finger job. Not from the legendary Logan Kade.”
I could have sworn I was joking, but as I sat back, a part of me was serious. Well, not about the butt plug. That was a joke...I think.
Logan flashed me a smirk. “Only if I’m the submissive. I like to be dominant outside the sheets, but every guy likes to have his softer side nursed.” He winked. “Or whipped.” He was damn near charming. “When do we start?”
I shook my head. It felt good to laugh. I sighed. “Thank you for that.”
“For what? I was serious.”
I gave him a look.
He cracked a grin. “I’m kidding, but I’m kinda serious about my first question. What are we doing here?”
“Oh.” Craning my neck, I counted the cars. Four cars. Four coaches. And I lingered on the last Civic. “My dad.”
“Your dad?”
“He’s here.” I pointed to the last car. “I just wanted to make sure.”
“Ah, the old, ‘I’m at my buddy’s, but I’m really with my secret mistress’—or something worse…” Logan trailed off, watching me. “For what it’s worth, Mason’s never mentioned your dad having a proclivity for hookers or strippers, if that’s where you thought we’d end up tonight.”
The humor was gone, and I chewed the inside of my lip. What he didn’t know… “Yeah, well, since my mom died, he’s not really the same guy.” My voice softened as I looked back at his car. “She wouldn’t want him somewhere like that.”
I expected Logan to defend him, but nothing came. I glanced over and saw him watching me, only watching me. No judgment. Nothing except mild curiosity.
“What? No comeback there?” I asked.
“I thought we were being serious.” He lifted a shoulder. “Didn’t seem in good taste.” A wicked grin curled over his lips. “But if you want a comeback, speaking of good taste—”
“Stop.” I held my hand up. “I already got the finger offer. I don’t want to hear the next one.”
“Okay, but I have to ask you something.”
“Shoot.”
“Why’d you want me for this? I asked around. You’ve been friends with that girl and Delray since high school, right? That means you must be tight with them.”
“I am…or I was.”
“Which is it?”
“I am.” One breath. Take one breath. “A lot happened last year, but I’m still tight with them. They’ve been there for me.”
He nodded. “So, why not them tonight? Why me? I know this wasn’t about Delray’s response.”
“I—” I was going to lie, but no. He deserved the truth. “I didn’t want to deal with their pity. It’s worse than stranger pity.” I gestured to him. My gut shifted, thinking about the other reason, which I shoved aside. “I didn’t want to deal with their questions.”
“Then you got the right guy. No pity here. Trust me. I get screwed-up parents.”