NATHAN
The bar’s loud as hell. Everyone’s high off the win, and to be fair, we earned it. We wiped the ice with the other team tonight.
Westbrook’s up in a few days, and we’ll have to lock in for that one. But for now, we're riding the high.
I barely hear the conversation around me, though, because my eyes keep drifting to the booth where Logan’s grinning wide. He hasn’t stopped smiling since the final whistle. His second-period goal was a beauty, and even though he acted like it was no big deal, I saw the flicker of pride in his eyes when he skated back into position.
He leans back against the booth, his Henley shirt a little unbuttoned and his mouth curved in that addictive smile of his.
I take a sip of my drink, trying to play it cool, but I can feel the heat crawling up my neck. I’ve had my mouth on him. I’ve had him gasping my name. And now he’s sitting there looking like that.
God help me.
Across from me, Austin lets out a laugh, staring down at his phone.
“You’re texting Maisie again?” Ryan guesses with a chuckle. We all know the guy can’t spend a single day without talking to her or about her. He’s downright obsessed.
Austin's grin widens, but he doesn't take his eyes off the screen. “She sent me a picture.”
Ryan lifts an eyebrow. “Of?”
Austin smirks, finally glancing up. “You sure you want to know?”
Ryan grimaces. “Actually… you know what? I’m good.”
Austin snorts. “Relax. I was just kidding, cap. It’s a picture of her cuddling Waddles.”
“Waddles?” I ask, furrowing my brows.
“Yeah,” he replies with a shrug. “Her penguin.”
I lift my eyes toward my sister, even more confused. She rolls her eyes and lets out a laugh. “Her stuffed penguin. Her room is covered in stuffed toys. She names them all.”
“Yeah,” Austin replies with a lovesick smile on his face. “It’s so fucking adorable.”
Ryan leans across the booth, letting out a whistle. “You’re whipped, my guy. Never thought I’d see the day.”
“Says the guy who was making out with his girlfriend a few minutes ago,” Austin shoots back, flicking his bottle cap across the table. “Get a room, Reed.”
Ryan doesn’t bother replying. He just presses a slow, obnoxious kiss on my sister's lips—gross—and grins at the middle finger Austin throws in response.
Before either of them can reply, a blonde girl slides into the booth next to Austin, her hand already creeping toward his thigh. “Hey,” she says with a smile. “Me and my friends were watching the game and thought we’d come say hi?—”
“Nope,” Austin cuts her off immediately, peeling her hand away. “I’m taken.” He jerks his chin toward Logan. “My buddy here is single, though.”
I go still.
Logan glances up, surprised. “I’m—” He stops, his eyes catching on mine for a second too long. “I’m not feeling it tonight.”
Austin scoffs. “Wait. Seriously?” His brows shoot up. “Are you seeing someone?”
It’s not the first time Austin’s pawned off attention his way, and he usually always takes the chance, which is why it might seem surprising to everyone… including me.
Logan doesn’t look away from me and blows out a breath. “Something like that.”
We haven’t exactly talked about being exclusive, and while I can’t stand the thought of even looking at anyone who’s not him, I didn’t expect him to be the same.
I thought he’d have fun helping me explore, helping me figure shit out, but would want to see other people on the side, too.