I can’t.
“We’ve got a few more credits on the card, so you get to pick next game. Then we can decide if we want to get more or just grab another drink.”
I nod as I reach for another handful of cheese popcorn, but I have no idea how to respond.
Logan closes the few feet of distance between us and nods down at the bucket. “Am I going to lose a hand if I try to get some of that?”
His comment jerks me out of my momentary brain fade. “Sorry. No. Go ahead.”
I shove the bucket into his hands and spin around, searching the lights and sounds for another likely game or machine. My attention lands on one I recognize from watching game shows with my parents’ housekeeper.Plinko.
“That one.” I point at the video game, which won’t be quite as awesome as dropping the Plinko chips in myself, but I’m still pretty freaking excited.
“Why am I surprised you’ve seen thePrice is Right?”
“Of course I have. I am American, after all.”
He hands me the swipe card and holds out his arm. “All right. Lead the way.”
I can feel him behind me every step, and I force myself to focus on the game ahead of me, and not the six-foot-something man behind me who I want to strip naked and drop to my knees in front of.
Not doing that. Not doing that. Not happening.
“You killed it at hoops. Did you ever play?” I ask in an effort to distract myself.
“Only in the desert while I was deployed. It was hotter than fuck, but we did the best we could to give the court some shade. I always liked football better, but when you’re in the Sandbox, you take whatever distraction you can find.”
It’s hard for me to comprehend what it must have been like to go to war. I have so many questions, but I’m hesitant to delve into the subject further.
“You sound like you didn’t hate it.”
Logan swipes the card on the game, and I start to press buttons.
“I didn’t. I liked being part of something bigger than myself. I liked the brotherhood. Outside of that world, you don’t often meet people who would throw themselves on a grenade to save your life at the expense of their own.”
“I can’t even begin to imagine.”
The look he gives me is once again serious and intense. “You shouldn’t have to. Protecting people from having to experience the things I did is a big reason I stayed in the corps as long as I did.”
Warmth floods me, and this time it’s not between my legs.
“You’re a good man, Logan Brantley. A really good man.”
He shrugs, which I’m starting to recognize as a typical Logan response.
“I don’t know about that, but I like to think I’m not a bad one.” He nods at the game. “Let’s have some fun.”
I select the slot on the screen and release the Plinko chip. It lands on some kind of bonus slot, and the lights and sounds of the machine go wild.
“Looks like you just won yourself a jackpot.”
I look Logan Brantley in the eye. “I could’ve told you that before we even started playing the game.”
Chapter 12
Banner
It’s all his fault. That’s the defense I’m going with as my limited willpower slips away a little at a time.