Logan Kade (Fallen Crest #5.5)

I thought he was going to remove his arm then, and I waited for it, knowing I would miss it, but he didn’t. He just turned so we could walk beside each other. I followed his lead as we left the kitchen and went to the basement. When we reached the bottom of the stairs, Nate stood at the pool table, aiming to take a shot.

Logan stopped, watching in silence until Nate’s pool cue connected with the white ball. It shot forward, hitting a red ball that bounced off the side of the table and hit a blue striped ball. That ball sank into the pocket, and the red ball ricocheted to a far corner of the table.

“Hey!” Nate’s opponent protested. “Thanks, asshole. That was going to be my next shot.”

Nate straightened and gave the guy a smirk. “Why do you think I used it? I had a straight shot if I wanted.”

The guy grumbled, stepping back as Nate circled the table for another shot. The guy muttered something, but it was lost as Logan’s arm left my shoulders. He caught my hand and led me around a group of girls to a table in the corner where Samantha, her two friends, and a few guys had gathered. All were watching the game, but as we approached, their focus shifted to Logan and me.

Particularly to our joined hands.

I pulled away, and Logan moved forward, a smirk already on his face. He went over to where Nate stood.

“Taylor?” Sam gestured to the empty seat across from her. As I slid into it, she leaned forward so I could hear her. The music and conversation in the basement were loud. “Logan’s talked about you.”

“He has?”

She nodded. “Just to say that he likes you. That’s high praise from him. He acts like he’s everyone’s good friend, but he doesn’t actually like a lot of people.”

Her two friends groaned.

Sam shot them a look. “This is Katie and Nina. They lived on my floor last year,” Sam added. “When we were freshmen.”

I nodded to both. “Hello.”

Each gave me a polite, forced smile.

Sam laughed and leaned in. “Don’t take that personally. They’re both a little in love with Logan, even though I’ve told them not to be.” She gave them a pointed look, her eyebrows arching up.

Katie, the redhead, wrinkled her nose and turned away to watch the pool game. Nina, the petite one, didn’t react. She didn’t scowl and pointedly look away.

Sam sighed, shaking her head. “They’ll warm up to you. Don’t worry. They’re actually really great and loyal friends.” She threw that last word toward them with another pointed look.

Katie didn’t look at her, but the scowl lessened on her face. Nina met my eyes for a moment, and I caught the slightest glimmer of a smile before it vanished.

Sam gave me one more reassuring smile before turning toward the pool table. “Logan, you and Taylor want something to drink?”

Logan was saying something to Nate, but he turned to see the empty space in front of me. “I was going to grab something upstairs. Taylor, you want something?”

Sam stood, waving for him to stay. “Taylor and I will go grab something for both of you. What do you want?”

He shrugged. “A beer is fine.” He met my gaze again. “You want me to come with you?”

Sam blocked his view of me. “She’s fine. I got her.” She started toward the stairs and Logan opened his mouth, but she waved at him again. “I swear, Logan. She’s fine. I’ll take care of her.”

I didn’t know what was going on, but they seemed to be having a more involved conversation with their looks and words.

I gave Logan a smile as I passed by. He shifted so our arms grazed each other and I could feel his eyes following me all the way upstairs. It felt good. I couldn’t deny that. It felt damn good, and then Sam was there, waiting for me when I stepped through the door.

“Sorry to strong-arm you away from Logan. I wanted to give him some time with Nate before he got distracted and remembered you were here.”

I nodded. “Oh, yeah. No problem.”

She spoke over her shoulder. “Those two really do bicker like a married couple, but there’s more to it.”

“Did something happen?”

“Uh…” She hesitated as she gestured toward the kitchen. “Let’s get something to drink.”

She glanced over her shoulder with another smile, but I got the message. It wasn’t for me to know. When I saw this group at the first party, I’d been on the outside. Everyone looked tight, but now I could sense the layers. Logan was closest to Sam, then Nate, and then—I had no idea. Suddenly and so completely, I wanted in.

I wanted to be on the other side of whatever wall he kept between him and most people. I wanted it almost desperately.

I followed Sam as she waded through the crowd to the booze. Hers wasn’t exactly like Logan’s reception, but a lot of the same guys moved aside and greeted her. They called out hellos. A few offered to get drinks for her.

With her hands full of vodka, beer, and some other bottles, she smiled as she took in the look on my face. “It’s because of Logan.”

“I’m gathering that.”

“They like him.”

They respected him.

Sam glanced around as the guys took the drinks from her arms and headed downstairs. She ran a hand through her hair, a rueful expression on her face. “I’d forgotten what it’s like.”