Logan Kade (Fallen Crest #5.5)(90)

Heather knew Logan. She cared about him. He told me about her, and about their time together. I heard the fondness in his voice when he did, so this girl wasn’t just important to Sam, she was important to Logan, too.

I cleared my throat, feeling like I needed to say something.

Heather was in the middle of saying something, but quieted. Both turned to me once more.

I gave them a small smile. “Logan cares about you.” I held her gaze. I didn’t want her to question if I knew or not. I just wanted her to know. “You’re different than the others.”

“The others?”

I nodded. I saw the knowing look in her eye. She was strong. She came in here and let me know how much she cared for him. She wanted to protect him. I respected that, and I wanted her to know that too. “Logan’s slept with a lot of girls. I’m not stupid. I’m aware. Trust me, I heard all the stories from on campus and I know that was only the time he was at college, but he told me about you.”

She’d been leaning against a counter and her arms had folded up over her chest, but they fell down slowly back to her side. She straightened, her head righting itself. “Yeah?” Her eyebrows pinched together. “What’d he say?”

What he said didn’t matter. It was how he said it. “I heard how much he cares about you. It was in his voice, and meeting you today, I can tell you care about him too.” That was it. There was really nothing more to say, except, “Thank you for caring about him and wanting to protect him. I love Logan, and that means a lot to me.”

I felt a little bit like a blubbering idiot, but I felt it was necessary to say something, and I meant what I said. I respected her. This was the rare incidence where it wasn’t earned. I gave it freely. I wanted her to see that too so I let it show. I let her see it, and it was that moment when the door opened and male voices were heard. The guys were back. They were coming toward us, and then they quieted.

Logan stepped next to me. “Taylor?”

I ignored him. This wasn’t for him to be a participant. I raised my chin up, my eyes still locked with Heather’s, and I gave her a small nod.

She continued to study me, looking me up and down. Then a slight grin lifted the side of her mouth up. “I think I just got a new girl crush. Kade, if I turn lesbian, you need to worry.”

Logan laughed, throwing his arm around my shoulders. He pulled me against him, nodding toward Sam. “I thought you’d hit on Strattan first.”

“No way.”

“Hey!”

Heather added, “Sam’s too skinny. Plus, who wants to deal with Analise now that she’s back? I’ll take my chances with Taylor.”

Another “Hey!” came from Sam, but she didn’t mean it. She was grinning from ear to ear. “Well, whatever. Nate and Logan have their bromance. I think I might compete with you for a womance with Taylor, too. Her dad will get us good tickets for the Cain U football games long after Mason graduates.”

“Hey.” Mason’s eyebrows bunched together, standing behind Logan. He came forward, holding a bag of liquor. “Should I be pissed about that?”

“No way, big bro.” Logan’s hand fell to my waist as he moved around me, hopping onto the table, and pulled me back so I stood between his legs. His other hand fell to my left hip, and I leaned back, feeling his arms slide over, anchoring me more firmly in front of him. His chin rested on my shoulder. “Sam’s right. We need to start thinking long-term about tickets once you’re gone. You only have one more year. And we can’t always depend on Nate. His parents might be famous in the movie biz, but he’s not always on good terms with them.”

“The f*ck?” Nate moved from behind Mason and folded his arms over his chest. He glowered at Logan. “Is that why you asked last week if my parents knew any football coaches? To see if they could get tickets?”

Logan shrugged, his arm brushing up and down from the motion. “They know celebrities. They’re kind of celebrities themselves. It doesn’t hurt to see our options once Mason graduates, but you guys are right. The Broozer will hook me up.” He tightened his hold over me, and I felt his attention, his voice grew huskier.

I looked up, looking right into those warm, smiling, and mischievous eyes of his. As my heart skipped a beat, I remarked, “Is that why we’re dating? You were using me to get to my dad?”

“Uh-huh. Me and the Broozer. We’ve got the ultimate bromance going. Nate’s been replaced.” He continued to watch me, and I couldn’t look away either. Nate said something. The others laughed. Sam or Heather made a comment, and the conversation soon continued without us, because in that moment, the world melted away. I was standing there, held in his arms, and I saw the love shining down on me.

My body sparked alive, tingling, and warmth swirled all around inside of me. This was the effect he had on me. Always had, and I knew he always would. I let him see what he was doing to me, I let him see the love I had back for him, and as his eyes darkened, he lowered his lips to mine.

I kissed him back, turning and winding my arms around his neck. He pulled me even tighter, taking control of the kiss. The others would leave. They’d grown accustomed to our spontaneous make-out sessions, or Logan would tug me away, leading me to his bedroom. Either way, I’d go with him. No matter the future, I was never leaving.