No wonder Logan has always been careful not to give anyone the wrong idea.
LOL. Well, maybe, but he’s also just always been an emotionally stunted douche-canoe. At least until you.
This time I’m able to muffle my laughter.
Lexi
I’ll keep an eye on it and let you know if things pop off. But I wouldn’t worry.
Unfortunately, I’m not sure that’s possible. For the last five years, I’ve worried about everything. It sort of goes with the territory.
Me
Thanks, Lex. We need to have a girls’ night soon.
Lexi
Hell yeah, we do.
Once it’s clear I’m done texting, Bryson moseys over. He plops his ass on the corner of my desk and levels me with a smirk. “So, what’s so funny over here, huh?”
“Oh, uh, nothing, really. Just texting with Lexi and she said something funny.”
Bryse nods like that’s completely expected. “Seems like you ladies are becoming good friends. That’s awesome.”
“Yeah, I think we are. It’s nice.” I hold my breath, debating saying more, but I decide Bryse is my friend, too, and it’s okay to be a little real with him. “It’s been a really long time since I’ve had good friends.”
His face softens at that. “Just don’t forget about me and Ade. We like you and Reed, too, and we saw you first.”
Warmth fills me at his words, then bubbles out of me in a laugh. “Don’t worry, we won’t. We love you guys.”
“Good. Then you won’t say no when I invite the two of you to Christmas dinner. I know we’re not as exciting as your”—he narrows his eyes at me and grins—“boyfriend, but Eddie will be there, and so will a few of the other of the Velasquez cousins, so Reed will have fun.”
There’s a moment where my breath catches, and I debate telling Bryson that I need to check with Logan about his plans first. Because that’s what people do when they’re in a relationship, right? But then my mind replays Logan’s words to his dad. About how he feels about relationships and kids.
Somehow, I doubt Logan’s planning to ask us to spend Christmas together.
“Yeah, you know what? Count us in. That sounds really fun, and I miss Adrienne.”
“She misses you too. I think she’ll be at the next football game, so you two can hang out there.”
“I’m not looking forward to sitting outside in the cold for the rest of the season,” I whine. I’m definitely not used to the Minnesota winters. Not sure I ever will be. In a lot of ways, leaving LA was a relief. Too many memories and too many ghosts. Too many losses. But the weather? I miss the warmth.
“At least you got yourself that nice warm coat.”
“Yeah.” At least there’s that.
“What in theworld are you all doing here?” I stand from the ice-cold bench the next day, mouth open, as five massive hockey players and their wives and girlfriend fill in the seats beside and behind where I’m sitting with Adrienne and Bryson.
“Hey, angel.” Logan wraps me in a hug that warms me from the inside and presses a lingering kiss on my lips.
“Hi. I didn’t know you were coming.”
“Wanted to surprise you. These idiots begged me to come.” He hooks a thumb toward his teammates, who are drawing quite a bit of attention. So far, Logan has been able to skate by without anyone recognizing him, but I think our lucky streak has just run out.
One big hockey player in a hat and puffy coat is relatively inconspicuous. Five? Not so much.
“Hey, Blair. Hope you don’t mind us crashing the game with Logie.” Griffin offers me one of his signature smiles as Mira leans over and hugs me.
