“Yes…harder.” She moaned, glancing back at him.
Logan’s cock filled her to the hilt as he pounded her.
“Oh!” Another moan escaped Bree’s lips. The orgasm swirled in her stomach, bursting like tiny fireworks when she released it. “Yes…yes…yes!” she cried, her climax reaching its peak.
Logan’s motions grew frantic, his moans louder and more animalistic. His cock twitched. With one last stroke, he buried himself deep inside her, his hot semen filling her.
Breathless and giggling, Bree brushed her hair from her face. Her heartbeat soon settled down.
Logan continued to spasm inside her until he pulled out of her and licked his lips. “That was…hot,” he remarked, giving her ass a playful slap.
Bree squealed before, grabbing her panties off the floor. She put them on, saying, “You’re a beast!” then planted a kiss on his cheek.
“Well, I’ve got urges, just like you, baby,” he replied, pulling her toward him, kissing her softly.
“Hungry?”
Logan grinned and replied, “Always!”
They put on the rest of their clothes and left the room. They walked hand in hand down the corridor and the stairs. As they stepped out into the late evening sun, the chaos waited.
* * * *
“Fuck!” Logan groaned when he saw the faces of those who’d obviously seen the news. “Great, I’d almost forgotten!”
Bree held on to him, giving him a reassuring smile. “Just ignore them.”
“Kinda hard when everyone will be looking and thinking the same thing,” he replied.
“Then, you just smile, say ‘no comment’ and move on,” Bree said.
By the time they reached the dining hall, people looked and whispered, while some continued about their business.
Bree noticed that the bedlam was hard for Logan to ignore. She knew things had now changed for him. She tried to convince him to pretend he didn’t notice, but she saw that he couldn’t. He grabbed a tray and headed to the food counter, keeping his focus on the ground.
The assistants beamed at him as if they’d never noticed him before, and were more than happy to make sure he was well catered for.
“Would you like some more chicken?” someone asked.
“Would you like an extra slice of pie?” another inquired.
He shook his head and remained polite. “No thank you.”
He followed Bree down to a table nestled in a corner. With his back to many of the onlookers and gossipers, Logan ate his food, never once taking his eyes off his plate.
“Don’t look so miserable,” Bree remarked in between mouthfuls of rice.
“It’s hard when I know they’re looking.”
Bree peered past him, glancing the around the hall while shrugging her shoulders. “To be honest, the only ones staring are the ones who probably just heard the news or the gossip.” She touched his arm, giving him a gentle squeeze.
“I think my dad needs to educate me on all this stuff, otherwise I’ll fall to pieces.”
“Well, I bet your father will be making sure you’re a little more prepared for the big, wide world from now on,” Bree said. “And besides, it’s not like you’re the first kid of a president to attend college.”
“That’s true,” Logan replied, and nodded. “But I am the first secret love child of a president to attend here.”
“Yes, that’s true, but this gives you bragging rights.” Bree giggled. “Stop with the worry, baby. Let nature take its course.”
Logan’s serious face went from sour to amused in less than a second. Bree had managed to calm him down.
They spent the remainder of the evening hiding out in his room. They stocked up on some snacks, healthy ones for Logan, and snuggled into the small bed.
Logan wrapped an arm around Bree and held her close as they watched several episodes of The Big Bang Theory before drifting off to sleep. By the time Logan’s alarm went off, it felt like they’d just closed his eyes.
“Do you have to?” Bree asked sleepily.
Logan sighed and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. He kissed Bree’s forehead and hugged her. “Yes,” he said, and let go of her before slipping out of the bed. “Training doesn’t stop just because the world becomes interested in your parentage.”
Bree rolled onto her side and tugged the blanket up around her neck. Her tired eyes worked extra hard to stay open. “I’ll miss you,” she whispered.
“I always miss you, especially when my body aches doing drills,” he said, bending down to tie the laces of his sneakers. “But I’ll be back before class. We can grab breakfast together, okay?”
“It’s a date,” Bree mumbled, drifting off to sleep again.
Logan bent and kissed her cheek before he left for his five a.m. training session.
* * * *
Bree awoke shortly before nine a.m. She panicked and looked around Logan’s room, trying to find where she’d thrown her shoes. Immersed in what she was doing, she didn’t hear the door open.
Drake peered inside. “Hey,” he said. “Can we talk?”
Bree nodded and sat down on Logan’s bed. “What’s wrong?”
“Listen, I know I’ve been a bit off, especially since that night with Chris. I want to clear the air before things get out of hand.” Drake’s cheeks were slightly flushed.
“Wait, why isn’t Logan with you?” she asked.
“That’s why I’m here,” he said. “He got a little held up. The press has gone nuts. Campus security hasn’t been able to contain it.”
“Why? What?” Bree looked confused.
“You haven’t seen the paper yet, have you?”
Bree shook her head and got up. She stepped over to the window, glancing at Drake.
“The shit just got real, didn’t it?”
“Like I said, we need to clear the air, because the way I see it, we’re both on the same team. Logan is going to need us now more than ever before,” Drake said, holding out his hand to Bree.
“You’ve never been my enemy, Drake. I just didn’t want you to feel so alone. No one deserves to go through anything alone.” Bree embraced him.
Drake hugged her back and smiled. “Yeah, good job our friend has a little posse to protect him. The way he reacted after practice, he’s going to need all the help he can get.”
Bree could tell that Drake’s best intentions were sincere. The world was a big, old, crazy place. They needed to rely on one another if they were going to get through things unscathed. She didn’t want to let anyone down, especially Logan.
Chapter Twenty-Three
“Logan, you need to calm down,” Coach said.
The world closed in around me and I began to hyperventilate. I couldn’t sit there a moment longer. I wanted to get out of the small office, get into my car and drive as far away from campus as possible. A quick getaway was the best option.
Coach refused to let me leave, however.
“So, I’m to sit in here all day, hiding?” I asked, sweat building up on the back of my neck.
Tommy folded his arms across his chest, while Ethan and two of my teammates waited outside the office. Ethan’s beady eyes peered at me every so often.
“Why didn’t you tell us?” Tommy asked. A disappointed look spread across his face.
The tension rose inside me. “Because it’s my business and no one else’s.”
“Logan, your father made a public announcement. Now, the press is running stories. This isn’t going to bode well for the team, not in the slightest,” Tommy remarked.
“So, what are you trying to say, Tommy?”
“Logan,” Coach said. “You need to take some personal time to gather your thoughts, possibly work out a contingency plan so you won’t be hounded. It will only work if you make the effort to change.”
“But I don’t want change. I want to carry on like normal, train, study and live my life.” I sounded naïve.
“I don’t know how to break this to you, son, but life ha
s changed for you,” Coach replied.
The door to the office swung open. Campus security came in with two men. It was obvious that they’d been sent here at my father’s request.
“Mr. Belanger, we are here to escort you back to your accommodations,” one of the men said.
I rolled my eyes. My head hurt. This wasn’t how I’d expected things to be. My life had become a public awareness scheme. My every move would now be accounted for, with a security detail thrown in as a side measure. I got to my feet and grabbed my bag, knowing this was just the beginning.
“Forget practice this afternoon. Gather your thoughts, discuss things with the director, and we’ll take it from there,” Coach said.
There would be no way of convincing him otherwise.
Tommy followed me out of the office. “Can we talk for a minute?”
I nodded.
He moved closer to me, making sure no one heard what he said. “Listen, things might end up getting ugly at the house now that this news has hit. If you want to back out from pledging, I will understand one hundred percent,” he said with a serious look on his face. “I’m not telling you what to do, but I think you need to be aware that some of the guys might be a bit weirded out with who you are. Of course, the majority will love it. You’ll be the first of that kind of caliber in the GAP house, so it’s good for morale, but ultimately, the choice is yours.”
“I’m not backing out now,” I replied in an earnest tone. “Just because something becomes public knowledge doesn’t mean I have to stop living my life.”
“I get it. I really do, but you need to be more proactive about things now. People are going to be interested in you.” Tommy looked at me and nodded. “If you’re still pledging, make sure you’re at the house by eight p.m. tonight.”
“Deal,” I replied. I joined my little security detail, who were intent on making a scene.
Campus security led the way out of the pavilion, where a nice ensemble of flashing cameras awaited. Keeping my head down, I focused on stepping forward, making sure I didn’t keel over. The door of a waiting car opened, and I was more or less pushed inside. It closed behind me.
My father smiled when he saw me. “I thought it best I come and see you, so we’re both on the same page,” he said.
“This is all like some bad, fucked-up dream,” I complained.
“Less of the language, Logan. I’ve requested a meeting with the director. It’s funny how my position can make those things happen a lot faster than if I were just another businessman.”
I’d never witnessed my father being smug before. I was used to the composed, stilted and emotionally distant man the world seemed to love. Though, I was growing accustomed to being a spare part in a game I was losing. “So what’s happening, other than the obvious?” My sarcasm was met with a pointed look.
“Son, this is not how a Belanger handles troubled water,” he said, holding his fingers together.
“I’m sorry. I kind of missed the Belanger master class,” I replied. I behaved like a spoiled brat. For the first time, I wasn’t in control. The only things they couldn’t touch were my thoughts and emotions. It was good to let loose, but it would only last so long.
“Logan, you don’t need to be on the defense all the time. Then again, your offense is all wrong. Your life here won’t be changing. There will be measures put in place to make sure you remain safe. As for your classes, training and girls—you can carry on.”
I stared at him for a while, wondering what was going through his mind. Was he truly willing to allow me to carry on doing what I was good at, as well as my extracurricular activities? “Have you spoken to Mom?”
“We had a conversation during the night. She’s more concerned with you and your wellbeing. She asked me to come and see you, which I believe has been the right choice.”
“How are the girls?” I asked, my temper simmering.
“They’re as would be expected, worried about how this will affect them. I’ve assured your mother that the wellbeing of the whole family is paramount. I won’t allow anything to affect their schooling or life.”
“But you’re one man, Dad. You can’t control what people do when we go to class or out for a meal. You can’t do it all,” I replied.
“That is correct,” he said, and nodded. “But I do have enough power when it comes to the kind of people I hire to defend those who need protecting. I’m not saying I can stop a playground bully, but I can step in when someone oversteps the boundaries.”
“What about the press? You can’t shut them up,” I remarked.
“No, unfortunately I can’t, but again, I’m in a position where I am told before something hits the headlines. I have a whole team who can counteract anything that comes firing in my direction.” He held my gaze. “For now, let’s focus on you. Work something out with the team here to make sure you can go to and from campus without the worry of being subjected to any media hounding.”
I nodded and looked down at my own hands before focusing on him. “Okay, I can meet you halfway on this.”
“Good,” he said, and smiled. “You’re a lot like me in some ways. I can also see your mother in you.”
That was the first time I’d heard my father comparing the two of us. I enjoyed the moment. “She is an amazing woman,” I agreed.
“Your mother has always been an incredible woman, Logan. She’s done a good job of raising a fine young man.”
I smiled when he spoke of my mother like that. He was right, of course. And though I was angry about the disclosure of who he was, my mother was the fundamental foundation of everything I stood for. He may have been the president of the United States, but my mother was the queen of my universe.
We pulled up outside the director’s building and were escorted inside. People looked at me as I walked beside my father.
“Mr. President,” the director said, taking my father’s hand in his once we were ensconced in his office.
The two exchanged a firm but friendly handshake.
“Richard.” My father greeted him, and they sat down on the large leather sofa.
“It’s always a pleasure, John.”
I took a seat beside my father, unsure of what I was meant to be doing or saying. I followed his previous advice and sat in silence, observing the proceedings.
“Things have certainly changed quite drastically, haven’t they?” the director asked.
“You know what it’s like when a reporter gets a whiff of something. They don’t leave a stone unturned, not until they’ve unearthed the story of their career.” My father sounded as if he was making light of the situation.
“And let’s not forget that Logan’s safety and education are at the forefront of the university’s policies, just as they are with every other student who attends.” The director nodded. “How are you doing, Logan?”
“I suppose I’m a little freaked out, if I’m being honest,” I replied, the heat rising across the back of my neck.
“Which is completely understandable. When your father discussed you attending here last year, I did raise my concerns. But we came to an agreement that if anything were to arise, we’d be sufficiently prepared. Granted, the news over the past twenty-four hours caught us off guard. We can safely say that the security detail has, in fact, been increased. You will be safe here, Logan.”
My father smiled and listened to the director talk, nodding in agreement. “Like the director said, you will be safe here, Logan. I will have a team who will watch over you around the clock. They won’t interfere with your life. They’ll be there to ensure you are safe at all times. Because let’s face it, times have changed in the United States, and given a chance, you would be a perfect target, as any of my children would.”
“Great, so they will be with me everywhere?” I asked, assuming the worst.
“Well, come on, let’s think about it,” my father said, smirking. “They won’t be everywhere.”
My father understood what I was getting at.
I cringed at the idea of having two men following me around. There was no getting away from this one, however. “So will I be able to resume classes and training?”
“From tomorrow, yes,” my father said. “Today should be taken as a personal day. I’d prefer it if you were to introduce me to your friends, possibly debrief them on the kind of things that may or may not come their way.”
“Like what?”
“Who knows?” He smiled. “The world is full of some crazy people.”
“That I can agree on,” the director remarked.
“Logan, if you would be kind enough to step out for a while, I’d like to talk to Richard on my own,” my father said.
It was clear to me that this was where the business side of things took place. “Sure,” I replied, and got up.
“I’ll be seeing you, Logan,” the director said, standing to shake my hand. “Have a good day.”
“Thank you, sir,” I replied, and left the room.
It was odd sitting out in the main waiting area of the director’s office. His secretary peered over the rim of her glasses at me a few times before she went about her business in answering calls and taking messages.
I sat there, feeling as if I were on parade. On either side of me were two men dressed in suits, who looked like they were extras from the movie Men in Black. I couldn’t help but snigger.
Fifteen minutes later, my father came out of the office. He and the director exchanged another firm and friendly handshake. It was soon time to round up the herd and introduce my pops to them. Fun times!
* * * *
We all sat together in the living room of my father’s newly purchased house. I was thankful that my friends had agreed to meet my father.
Drake and Spence sat on the sofa across from Bree. They kept looking at me as if I was the golden child, but all that was going to change.
I stood by the fireplace. My stomach spun in knots.
My father stepped into the room, dressed in casual attire, though he was too overdressed for such an informal gathering.
Bree, Spence, and Drake got up, as though they were standing to attention. Each looked star-struck. It was weird and certainly one of the most uncomfortable moments of my life.
A Cross to Bear Page 22
