Logan mouths,oh, fuck.
“Uhh, yeah!” I call out to my brother. “Just a sec!”
I shove at Logan’s chest, pushing lightly. “Get in the shower!”
His voice is barely a whisper. “You’re kidding.”
“Do I look like I’m kidding?”
“This is insane.”
“Go!” I hiss, practically herding him behind the curtain. He mutters something that sounds likethis is how I die, but he goes.
I smooth my hair, take one steadying breath, and crack the door open. “Hey.”
Eli’s standing there, expression sheepish. “Can I come in for a sec?”
“Uh—sure.” I edge the door open, praying Logan’s holding his breath.
Eli lurches in and leans against the counter, hands shoved into his pockets.“I didn’t mean to go nuclear out there. I’m sorry, you didn’t deserve me snapping.”
“It’s fine,” I say softly. “Really.”
“That’s generous.” He huffs out a quiet laugh. “I know I can be a bit over protective, but you’re my little sister, Lu. You’ve got the biggest heart of anyone I know, and every idiot you’ve dated’s taken advantage of it.”
“Yeah,” I sigh, nibbling my thumbnail. “I know.”
“It just pisses me off. You’ve had too many guys who didn’t deserve you. Guys who wanted a pretty face on their arm, or bragging rights, or worse. None of them ever stuck around long enough to know how damn lucky they were. None of them ever sawyou.”
My throat tightens, because he’s right.
Eli shrugs, looking down. “I just think you deserve someone who loves you loudly. Proudly. No games or hiding.”
From behind the shower curtain, I hear the faintest shift—the sound of Logan’s breath catching.
I force a smile. “You’re a sap, Eli.”
“Yeah, well. Don’t tell the guys.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.”
As he walks past me, he squeezes my shoulder. “Come back out soon, Meadow wants to marry the dogs.”
“Can’t wait,” I say dryly.
He grins, then heads down the hall. The moment the door clicks shut again, I sag against the counter and Logan exhales from behind the curtain.
I turn just as he steps out slowly, guilt written across his face. “He’s not wrong,” he says quietly. “You deserve all of that.”
Something inside me twists. “He’s out there defending me, and I’m in here…” I trail off, the words caught in my throat, but Logan finishes them for me.
“Hiding with his teammate.” He lets out a hollow laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. “We’re kinda assholes.”
“Yeah,” I whisper. “But I love you anyway.”
His laugh fades, replaced by something softer. “You shouldn’t have to hide that.”
“Neither should you… You sure you can give me all that, Pookie?”
