"So," he said, his voice low. "You hate being hugged?"

Not the question I was expecting. I couldn't help but smile as my eyes moved up to meet his. I nodded once.

His arms went around my waist. Mine moved on their own until they rest on his shoulders. His smile matched mine. He pulled me closer.

"I would have never guessed," he whispered in my ear. Then he rubbed his nose along my jaw until his mouth was aligned with mine. "I must be special," he said into my mouth, right before he kissed me.

And I lose myself.

In his hold.

In his kiss.

I completely lose myself in Logan Matthews.

He started to pull away, but came back in for a few more chaste kisses. I giggled into his mouth.

He rubbed his palms up and down my bare legs. "What are we doing tonight?" he asked.

"We are doing nothing. I am going to work."

He threw his head back, frustrated.

"But," I continued. "I have tomorrow day and the next day completely free, but I have to work tomorrow night."

"I have practice in the morning, and then I'm free the rest of the day." He paused, thinking. "And the next day too."

He backed away and left the kitchen.

I knew he was lying, but I didn't care. Right now, I couldn't think of anything I wanted more than him.

Logan

Clearly whoever the fuck that Tyson asshole was—he wasn't holding her right.

TWENTY

Logan

Amanda got a ride to work from a friend. A non-Tony friend.

The guys ended up leaving as soon as the game was done and some girl came over, I didn't see her, I just heard her heels as she walked into the house. They went straight to Ethan's room without saying a word. I stayed on the sofa and studied.

I don't know how much time passed before Ethan came out, with a brunette in tow. If you had asked me a few months ago, I would've told you she was hot. She just wasn't Amanda.

It was close to eleven, and I was still on the sofa surrounded by books. It was a sight not many people saw. The brunette with him stopped suddenly when she saw me. I hope I hadn't screwed her because this could get real awkward.

"Kellie, this is Logan." Ethan had his hand on the small of her back as he introduced us. I motioned a small wave.

She smiled, throwing her hand out for me to take. "Kellie, with an I E, just so you know," she cooed, stepping closer to me. I looked from her hand, to her face. She was checking me out. I looked behind her, to Ethan, who was yawning.

I shook her hand once, firmly, and said to Ethan, "What are you guys doing?"

He finished his yawn with a grunt, "Kellie's going home. I was about to pick up Amanda."

"I don't know why you need to pick her up all the time. Surely Tony could bring her home." She turned to face him. "I wanted to sleep over tonight," she whined.

His shoulders lifted with a carefree attitude. "I don't want her riding with guys I don't know. Just leave it alone okay?" I picked up on his angry tone straight away. I'd have to ask him what he meant later.

"Whatevs," she sang, making her way to the front door. "I guess I'll see you tomorrow." She kissed him on the cheek before he lazily shut the door behind her.

He made his way back to the living room and sat on the recliner opposite me.

He looked at the books surrounding me. "I thought you were a dumbass."

My gaze shifted from my book to him. I lifted an eyebrow in question.

"You study. A lot. More than anyone I know. When you're not in class or practice your head's in a book. What's the deal? What's your major?"

"Pre-med."

"No shit?" His shock didn't surprise me. I'd gotten used to it.

"Shit," I replied, sighing and closing the book. I threw it to the side. "So. Kellie?" I contained my smirk.

"No dude. Kellie with an I E." His voice rose to a mockingly girly tone.

Then we both laughed.

"Fuck," he moaned, rubbing his eyes. "I need to save up and buy Dimmy a car, I'm sick of driving her around all the fucking time. I’m tired as hell right now, and I can't be fucked." He threw his head back against his chair.

"I'll pick her up tonight, we could share the workload."

He didn't answer, just looked at me curiously. "So, I think we need to talk about this."

I lifted my chin. "About what?"

"You know what."

"I really don't." I tried to act bored.

"You've lived here a few days. There still isn't shit in your room. Where do you sleep?"

I kept my mouth shut.

"Dude," he continued. "I'm not an idiot, and I'm not an asshole. I'm not going to sit here and give you some speech about how you can't be with her or whatever, not that you'd listen. I see you guys together, you know? I hear you guys laughing at night. I know you sleep in her room. And I hope that's all you do—sleep. Because she's not ready for much else."

I opened my mouth to interrupt him. He raised his hand to stop me. "Look, if you guys are going to do whatever you're doing, just be careful with her, okay? I'm not going to give you a reason or tell you why...but it's more than just a brother looking out for his sister, you know?"

I was confused. I had no idea what the fuck he saying.

"She's changed with you."

That got my attention. "What do you mean?"