Logan Kade (Fallen Crest #5.5)

He snorted a laugh. “That’s your problem. Whatever you did and whoever it was with, I hope it was worth it. Nate is pissed.” He walked backward toward his room. “And lucky for you, you sleep next door to him.”

I hadn’t left him to have sex. I knew that even when Taylor texted back. She wasn’t that type of girl. But hearing it from my brother, I couldn’t tell Nate the truth. It’d be even worse that I’d left him to not have sex. He wouldn’t understand. I’d dropped the ball. Nate was my brother’s best friend, but because all three of us grew up together, we were family. We all lived in the same house, along with Samantha, my future stepsister and Mason’s “wife.”

“’Night, little bro. You’ll make it up to him. Don’t stress about it.” Mason paused before going into his bedroom. “Hey.” His voice had softened.

“Yeah?”

“Did you have fun?”

“What?”

“With the girl. If you didn’t have sex with her, did you have fun, at least?”

I scratched behind my ear. Did I have fun? “I thought you didn’t want to know.”

Mason lifted a shoulder. “You’re a little different tonight.”

I scowled. “I am?” I didn’t want to hear crap like that. I was the same. “I was leaving to get food anyway. I forgot Nate was there because he was the one off with some girl. Not me. I’ve had a very asexual night.”

“Logan.”

“What?” My scowl didn’t go away. That bothered me.

“I was joking. You’re the same sarcastic jackass you always are.”

“Oh thank God.” I pressed a hand to my chest, giving him a watery grin. “That scared the living shit out of me. Don’t do that.” Sam called to him from inside the bedroom, and I waved him off. “Go back to Sam. Sleep tight, big brother. You’ve got a day full of twofers tomorrow.” Which reminded me… “Oh hey,” I added as he opened his door. He glanced back at me. “The coaches had a rough night. All four of them spent the night at the head coach’s house tonight.”

He cursed. “Are you sure?”

“Yep.”

A second, third, and fourth curse. “That means we’ll be doing sprints all practice.”

I laughed. “Have a good night.” I yelled past him, “You, too, Sam.”

“Stop talking so we can go to bed!” she yelled back.

Mason closed the door behind him, and I went to the kitchen.





MINDF*CKING PARTNER IN CRIME





TAYLOR


“What did you say to him?”

The sight of Jason waiting outside my classroom building hadn’t registered before he saw me and pounced. Well, he didn’t pounce, but it was almost the same thing. He straightened from the building, crushed out his cigarette, and flung a hand in the air as he rushed over to meet me. His hair stuck up all over, like he’d been running his hand through it.

“Uh…” Wait a minute. I frowned. “What are you doing here? You don’t go to school here.”

“I’m waiting for you.” He glared and crossed his arms over his scrawny chest. “Kade turned me down. He asked for my competitor’s number instead.”

My mouth twitched. I wouldn’t laugh. “He did?” I could feel myself smiling. I couldn’t stop it.

“It’s not funny. Do you know how much money I lost out on?”

I shrugged. “Look, I told him you’d do it. That was my job. I didn’t say anything else about it.”

“Then why’d he change his mind?”

“I don’t know.” A swarm of students headed inside—even the smokers were going in. “I have to go to class. Why don’t you ask him yourself?”

“Because I can’t.”

I started for the door, but turned around to walk backward. “What do you mean?”

“He called me from a disposable phone. It’s not in use anymore.” I could see the wheels start to turn as he spoke. His gaze went to my hands, which were empty, then shifted to my book bag.

“No.” I shook my head, stopping before I hit the door.

“You have his real number. He doesn’t give that out.”

I reached behind me, finding the door handle. “Apparently with good reason.” My hand tightened around the handle. “And no, you can’t use mine.”

“Come on…”

I gave him a look.

He trailed off, his shoulders dropping in a sigh. “Fine. Okay.”

“I have class. If you want, I’ll brainstorm new jobs with you.”

“New jobs?” He lifted a hand to scratch his head.

“You know, so you’ll stop with the gambling stuff. Because you know I hate it.”

“Uh…” He bit his lip and glanced around. “I think you’re going to be late for class.” He gestured behind me. “You should get going. We’ll talk later, maybe this weekend.” He began backing away.

I waited, watching him go. No matter which side he was on—taking the bets or making the bets—it was all the same to me. Same world. A dangerous world. I repressed a sigh. Jason would never stop. He’d just stop being honest with me about it.