Cheating jackass. The statement lands in the forefront of my mind just in time. Sliding sideways, I wiggle out from underneath him, and he face plants on the ground with a low growl. Climbing to my feet, I smooth my hair back off my face and beg my trembling lips to cooperate.
Logan jumps up effortlessly and moves in front of me.
“Don’t touch me,” I warn, taking a step back.
“I was wrong.” The words fly from his lips. He glides a hand through his hair, and my eyes follow his movement possessively. I need to get out of here. “It was beyond foolish to think I could stay away from you, because I can’t. I’m drawn to you in a way I’ve never felt before, and I know you feel it too. I know I’m weak, and selfish, but I want you too much. Anyway, you need me, more so now than ever. That means it is okay. It’s okay to do this. So, we’ll start over.”
It’s borderline mumbling and I’m wondering whom he’s trying to convince. Himself or me?
Snagging my wrist, he laces his fingers in mine and reels me in close to his body. My mouth hangs open in a most unattractive manner. It takes very little effort to retaliate this time.
Removing my hand from his, I step back, putting some distance between us. I narrow my eyes. “I’ve never met anyone so self-centered and arrogant before. I want nothing to do with you, Logan. Not now, not ever.” I glare at him.
His brows knit together and he looks totally confused. “You’re … refusing me?”
“Damn right.” I stand my ground and I’m oh so proud of myself.
“Hmm,” he harrumphs. “Well, that’s a first.” He looks torn between amusement and frustration.
My hackles are raised and off come the gloves. “Well, I hate to break the news to you, buddy. But you’re not such a special cookie after all. Now that I know who you are, you disgust me. Yeah, you may look hot on the outside, but it’s what’s inside that matters most to me. And inside, you are downright ugly. What you’re trying to do here”—I gesture between us—“is despicable. I hate your kind and what you represent, and I will never let you touch me in that way.”
His face pales and he staggers back. Did I go too far? A wave of remorse sweeps over me. I think that’s probably the nastiest thing I’ve ever said to another person, and while he deserves it, I’m awash with guilt.
“You know?” He sounds mildly skeptical.
“Yes.” My voice resonates with clear condescension.
“How?” He looks like I’ve taken his favorite toy and smashed it against the wall.
“Neve told me.”
“What?” He yells and I jump in alarm. Before I know it, he’s in front of me, his hands gripping my upper arms. “What did she say? Tell me now.”
Unnamed emotion burns brightly in his enlarged eyes as his grip tightens on my arms. “How much did she tell you? What do you know? I can’t believe she’s been so foolish. Sadie?”
My mouth feels like it’s coated in sand and I lick my dry lips.
“Tell me.” His eyes flutter and my heart leaps into my mouth. His body trembles against mine. When his grip tightens further, I’m sure he’s restricting the blood flow in my arms.
“You’re hurting me.”
A sudden scorching heat burns me from the inside, and a heavy pounding takes up residence in my head, hammering darts of sharp pain all over my skull. I wince. The pressure of Logan’s hands on my arms loosens. I’m stifling hot. It’s unbearable. Swaying on my feet, I vaguely hear him call out to me. I’m too hot, my arms throb, my head hurts; I can’t breathe.
My head lolls back and forth. Slumping forward, my whole world goes black.
***
Cool air drifts over me and I murmur in relief. Twisting onto my side, I moan as damp, bristly strands of odorless fake grass graze the skin at my waist. Slowly opening my eyes, I struggle to make sense of my whereabouts. Bursts of dazzling color swim in front of my eyes. As my vision clears, I detect the side of the tall apartment building. I try to lift my head but it feels like a dead weight on my shoulders.
“Let me help you,” Logan says. I flinch at his close proximity. “I shouldn’t have lost my temper before. I promise I won’t hurt you.” His hand slips underneath my upper back. I want to push him away but I can’t summon the energy.
With measured gentleness, he helps me into a seated position. My legs feel boneless stretched out in front of me. If I didn’t know better, I’d swear a ten-ton load of bricks fell out of the sky on top of me.
“Can you walk?” I shake my head because I don’t have the energy to form words. “I’m going to carry you, okay?” I don’t acknowledge him in any way. Logan’s strong arms slide underneath my thighs and I’m hoisted into the air. My head drops to his chest, and tiny goose bumps appear on my bare arms, but I can’t rouse a hint of embarrassment at the fact he’s clearly stripped my hoodie away meaning I’m only in a flimsy camisole.
He moves so fluidly that it barely feels like we’re walking. Opening my eyes briefly, I immediately notice the dark night sky encroaching on all sides. How long was I out of it for? My eyelids are heavy and they flutter closed again. Logan’s citrusy scent invades my nostrils and crowds out all other senses. The barely there jostling movements of his walk send me to sleep.
When I wake again, I’m tucked in my bed, the comforter pulled right up to my chin. A yawn escapes my mouth. A rustling noise in close proximity stalls my beating heart. Clamping my eyes shut, I pray it isn’t Dante.
A delicate hand smooths my hair back behind my ear, and I cry out in alarm. My eyes flit open, and I stare into beautiful blue eyes that are starting to look all too familiar. Logan’s face shows his concern. “Get out,” I slur. My tongue feels like it’s glued to the top of my mouth, and the words feel foreign as they slip out. I lose the battle with consciousness again and drift back into slumber.
The sounds of scuffling wake me the next time. The room is pitch-black and I’ve lost all concept of time. Loud bangs, quiet grunts, and moving footsteps prick my ears. Jenna pleads with unnamed voices before I black out again.
Yellow beams of sunlight flood my bedroom in a haphazard sequence. Squinting, I rub my eyes and slowly allow my eyesight to adjust to the brightness of the early morning sun. I pull myself up in the bed and scan my room. I’m alone. Flashes of hazy memories swamp my mind, and I struggle to piece together the events of last night.
A barrage of puzzling questions slaps me in the face.
Was Logan in my bedroom? And did he really carry me all the way here from the garden? How did I black out? And what was going on in the middle of the night? And what about Jarod? He was waiting for me and I stood him up.
Groaning, I swing my legs off the bed and test them on the ground. My limbs ache as if I’ve been in the worst girl-fight in history, and my head pounds as if I was partying twenty-four-seven. Having never had as much as a cold in my life, I’m ill-equipped to deal with these gross feelings. Standing on shaky legs in my panties and camisole, I squirm at the possibility Logan put me to bed.
Miraculously, I make it into the bathroom without collapsing. I perch on the edge of the tub while I wait for it to fill. I’d love someone to explain to me what the hell is going on. But first things first. I need to make myself presentable for school, get some food into me, and then start seeking out the answers I need.
I soak in the tub for longer than necessary, but I still barely feel human.
Aches and pains torment me, so I knock back a couple of painkillers and then dress and eat quickly.
I stand anxiously outside Jenna’s room, debating how to play this. Wiping my clammy hands down the front of my pants, I knock on her door. After a minute’s silence, I knock again, louder this time. “Jen. It’s me. Can we talk, please?”
Still nothing and now I’m starting to get annoyed. It’s not as if I’m the one who needs to apologize, and there’s no way I’m groveling. “If you don’t answer me right now, I’m coming in there.”
I wait two minutes before bounding into the room.
Her bed is neatly made, and it looks like it hasn’t been slept in. Strange. I was so sure I’d heard her during the night. A heavy layer of apprehension builds on top of my achy bones.
Finding my digipad, I tap out a quick message to Jenna. Then I type a note to Jarod, apologizing for standing him up last night.
I’m stuffing items into my book bag when there’s a knock on the apartment door the same moment my D-pad pings. Racing across the living space, I open the door and let Haydn in. “Give me a minute.”
Dashing back into my room, I click on the message icon. It’s from Jarod.
JW: What you talking about?
SO: Me standing you up last night.
JW: Girl, what have you been drinking?
SO: ???
JW: I said goodbye to you in the garden and went back to my apartment. You stayed behind to talk to the douche, remember?
SO: We agreed you’d wait for me out front. Remember?
JW: Nuh-uh. That’s not how it went down.
SO: This is ridiculous. Meet me after work so we can talk.
JW: No problemo. I’ll collect you from campus at 5.
SO: Sorted. Later.
A second message pings and I open it up.
LC: How are you feeling?
SO: What did you do to me last night?
LC: Are you taking the day off? I’ll play truant with you.
SO: Stop changing the subject. And I’m going to school.
LC: I don’t think that’s wise. You need to rest.
SO: Like I said, you don’t get to tell me what to do.
LC: We need to talk.
SO: We already tried that. It didn’t work out so well for me.
LC: There is stuff you need to understand.
SO: Are you going to tell me what happened last night?
LC: Yes, but only if you agree to meet with me face to face.
“Ughh!” I slump back in my chair, pummeling my fists against my temples.
“Hey.” Haydn pops his head in the room. “You okay?”
I bark out a strangled laugh. “No, Haydn. I’m not okay, but don’t ask me about it, because everyone talks in riddles!” He stares at me as if I’m deranged. Perhaps I am. “Give me thirty seconds and I’ll be right there,” I mutter.
I type a quick reply to Logan.
SO: Fine. Meet me at the campus entrance at lunchtime. But I’m doing this under sufferance. And you better give me answers.
LC: Or else?
SO: You are intolerable. I’ll meet you at one.
CHAPTER 15
Haydn and I scarcely talk the whole trip to campus, but it’s not uncomfortable. I’m too engrossed in my own mind, and feeling far too ill, to focus on conversing with anyone. I’m grateful he accepts the situation and doesn’t pry or try to coax me into discussion. He taps away on his D-pad the whole time we are on the train, and I stare out the window, trying to un-jumble my jumbled thoughts.
Fern is waiting for me at the campus entrance. She pulls a face when she spots Haydn by my side. Winding her arm through mine, she whispers, “Didn’t you get rid of him?”
“Seems he’s not that easy to get rid of. Besides, he’s harmless enough.”
Haydn’s head whips up and he looks hyper-vigilant. “I’ll catch you later, Sadie, Fern.” He tips his head to the side and bends slightly. It’s a weird gesture and we both acknowledge it.
“You sure about that?” Fern tightens her grip on my arm as we walk the length of the corridor. “I think he’s a bit strange.”
Oh the irony. “Who the hell isn’t?” I snort.
***
“I’ll have to skip lunch,” I advise Fern after our morning classes have concluded.
“How come?”
“I’m meeting Logan.” I purposely avoid her gaze.
“Whattttt?” She all but shrieks. “Are you insane?”
“It’s not what you’re thinking, and I haven’t changed my mind about him. But I need some answers, and he agreed to tell me over lunch.” It’s as much as I’m prepared to divulge. I’m certain if I attempt to explain it, I’ll definitely come off looking cuckoo.
“Well then.” She eyes me suspiciously. “You’ll just have to give me a full report later.”
“Deal. My friends, Jarod and Neve, are meeting me here this evening. Why don’t you join us? We can all grab something to eat.”
“Cool. I’m up for that. I’ll catch you in Business at two.” She leans in for a quick hug and I oblige.
Logan is slouched against the wall as I approach. Today he’s wearing a plain white T-shirt, denim jeans, and a dark green sweater that is currently tied low around his waist. He wears the same red and black sneakers from last night. It’s a totally understated look, but he rocks it. Ripped taut muscles peek out underneath the sleeves of his shirt, and every girl who walks by gives him the once over; however, he appears oblivious to the attention.
Butterflies swarm my belly, and I silently beg them to go away. I’m still feeling poorly, and I don’t need, or want, the additional nausea.
“Hi.” I stop beside him.
Pushing off the door, he stretches his arms out over his head, and I catch a glimpse of his washboard stomach as the edge of his shirt climbs up. Holey moley. He’s distracting as hell.
“Spot something you like?” He winks at me.
Two red splotches land on my cheeks. I can’t believe I’ve been caught drooling over him! Unable to form any type of witty response, I choose to ignore his statement instead. “Where can we talk?”
“I know a place. Walk with me?” He extends his hand and it hovers invitingly in the air. His knuckle is pinkish-red and the skin looks slightly torn.
“I’m not holding your hand.” Not if I want to keep my wits about me.
“Suit yourself. But just so you know,” he says, leaning in close, “I won’t offer again.”
“You won’t?” I plant my poker face on. “I’m devastated. How will I ever survive?” I roll my eyes mockingly.
He barks out a short laugh. I start walking and he falls in step beside me. “Funny thing is, Sadie, you will be.” There’s a definite mischievous glint in his eye, and I fear I’ve thrown out some form of silent challenge.
He leads me around the back of the main campus building to a small outdoor café. Finding a table nestled into an unobtrusive spot by the corner, he holds out a chair for me. I sit down and he pushes my chair in.
“Thank you.” What can I say? The boy has manners.
“What can I get you?”
“A coffee, please.” I drape my book bag over the edge of my chair and place my hands on the top of the table.
“What about something to eat?” He rests his elbows on the top of the chair, propping his chin in his hands. Once again, I’m having a hard time not drooling. “You’re staring, again.”
“You know, a gentleman wouldn’t keep calling a girl out like that.” I avoid looking anywhere in his vicinity.
“Who said I was a gentleman?” His breath is warm on my ear and I jump. I hate that I’m so skittish around him, so affected by his mere presence.
“You’re right. I forgot you’re a cheating jackass.” As soon as the words leave my mouth, I wish to reclaim them. Holy hell. Way to put it out there.
“What?” He takes a step back. I can’t decide if he’s amused, angry, confused, or a mix of all three.
“Never mind,” I stutter. “Are you getting coffee or what?”
“Yes, but when I come back, you’ll explain yourself.”
Oh, here we go. I purse my lips. “You’re being bossy again.”
This time he rolls his eyes. “How do ya take it? Black? Couple cubes of kiss my ass?”
“Excuse me?” I stare at him open-mouthed. “Now you’re just being rude.” I rise, swiping my bag off the chair.
Now he does look confused. “It was a joke, Sadie. Didn’t you think it was funny?”
“Honestly?” I arch a brow. “I think you’re bossy and weird and rude
and arrogant and—”
“Okay,” he interrupts, eyes wide, holding up his hands. “Looks like I haven’t made the best first impression. What do you say we try that again?”
I’m not going to hold my breath, but I don’t tell him that. “If you want to start off on the right foot, how about getting me that coffee now? And I’ll take mine with cream and one kiss-my-ass cube.”
He wets his lips as he smirks and it’s hot as hell.
God, I have to stop this. It’s like “hot” and “Logan” have become synonymous with one another in my brain, and that’s not helping with the whole plan to maintain my distance and keep my virtue intact.
I tap my fingers idly on the tabletop while I wait for Logan to return. Ten minutes later, I’m wondering whether he’s harvesting the coffee beans himself. Squinting over my shoulder, I locate him at the side of the counter, chatting to a tall, stunning brunette. Holding a cup in each hand, he smiles at something she says. As he moves aside, she grabs his arm and pulls him in closer. He gestures to the cups and tilts his head in my direction, but she refuses to let go. Her hands soar up and down his arms, and out of nowhere, I get all territorial.
Pushing back my chair, I’m on the verge of marching over there when common sense comes a-knocking. He’s not my boyfriend, and I’m not the one being cheated on. Let his actual girlfriend deal with his flirtatious behavior. I’m giving him five more minutes, and if he’s not back, I’m out of here.
Naturally curious, I continue to watch their interaction. Logan tries again to break away, but the girl flattens a hand over his butt and squeezes. My jaw slackens. I cannot believe she’s being so visibly forward. Logan looks uncomfortable, and I take pity on him.
Keeping calm, I walk up to them with a sickly sweet smile on my face. “There you are. I thought you’d gotten lost.”
Saven Deception Page 17
