I cleared my throat, heat rising to my neck. “Um, we should find you a spot. Maybe with the donors?” I turned from the table, trying to pull Logan with me, but he didn’t budge.
“What’s your name, bud?” Logan asked.
“Jake.”
Logan’s brows lifted.
Damn it.
“Hey, Jake. Where are you from?” His jaw was tense, his chin lifted. I could’ve sworn he was puffing out his chest.
“Logan,” I hissed. This was not the time or place to get into a pissing match, andwhy did he even care?It was a nothing comment. There was no reason to dig into this.
“Just joined the team. Transferred from Vancouver. Too bad we never got to play together.”
Logan nodded. “Too bad.”
Jake ran a hand through his hair, somehow oblivious. “Looking forward to the invitational this year.”
I plastered a smile to my face. “I’m sure it will be great. Okay, I think?—”
“Why is that? Jake from Vancouver.” Logan smiled like there was nowhere else in the world he’d rather be.
My eyes flared. “Really? This is what we’re doing?”
“I’m just curious. Because he’s trying to flirt with you.”
Jake chuckled. “Just floating an opinion, pal.”
I had to give Jake credit. He didn’t flinch once during this aggressive confrontation.
Logan smiled, but his eyes were steely. He raised his voice just enough so the tables adjacent to us could hear. “Yeah, see, I don’t think you were. And I don’t love that you’re making a move on my girlfriend.”
That time, Rory was the one who choked, spraying muffin crumbs all over the tablecloth.
Chapter
Thirteen
By the timethe Dean finished her speech about “innovative partnerships” and “synergy between athletics and the arts,” my face hurt. People stood, clapped politely, then scraped their chairs back. Donors began migrating toward the exit in clumps, clutching their little program booklets and making comments about “very promising young talent.”
Norman hovered near the doors like a spider arranging its web. He shook hands, flattered, and steered people toward the Blizzard trio.
“Don’t stab anyone,” Maddie murmured, collecting plates. “I know the urge is strong.”
“I make no promises.” She most likely assumed I was annoyed with all the production, but the only person I truly wanted to stab was Logan. What had he been thinking? We’d discussed how I wanted to keep all of this a secret. He didn’t even know that I’d talked to Shar and Maddie, which meant he totally threw me under the bus. And for what? To prove he was better than a transfer student?
I dropped my stack of paper products in the trash just as Norman’s assistant appeared at my elbow. “Crystal, can I borrow you for a moment? We’d love a few more photos with the team.”
Of course they would. “Sure.” It was fine. I could stand beside Logan and pretend I didn’t want to rip his head off.
I squeezed through the crowd toward the front of the atrium, where the Herald photographer had staged a mini setup against a maroon-and-gold banner. Logan stood with Rourke and Haines.
“Crystal.” Norman beckoned. “Jump in.”
I stepped into place, but didn’t greet or acknowledge him. Not because I was giving him the silent treatment. Right now, I didn’t trust anything that came out of my mouth where he was concerned.
“Closer,” the photographer said. “Maybe hand half in your pocket? Logan, turn just a bit toward her—yes.”
