“Lexi said the ladies are going to plan a girls’ night this weekend. I told her we could hang with Reed so Blair doesn’t have to worry.” Ryder smiles at the mention of his fiancée’s name. He’s been on cloud nine since she agreed to marry him up at their cabin over Christmas.
“Thanks, guys. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“Probably still be alone and miserable,” Griffin offers with a smirk and a shrug.
“Probably,” I concede. “Listen, I have a favor to ask of you guys. I could use help with something.”
“Whatever it is, you know we’re in,” Sebastian says.
“It’ll be a lot of work. Are you sure you want to volunteer before I’ve even explained?”
Griffin rolls his eyes. “How many times do we have to say it, Logie? We’ve got your back. No matter what. Of course we’re in.”
“All right. Enough of this mushy shit,” Maddox barks. “Finish getting dressed and get out on the ice.”
“Yes, sir,” I say with a cheeky salute.
He rolls his eyes, but he can’t hide his smile.
Neither can I.
forty-eight
BLAIR
The next twoweeks pass so peacefully, I almost allow myself to forget aboutibyrne4u27. Almost. She’s still posting in fan forums, but they’re the kind of posts that read like so many other parasocial self-inserts.
She’s in love with Logan. Did we see the outfit he wore to arrive at the game against the Scorpions? He looked so good, all she could think about was taking each article of clothing off him. Did he look upset before the latest home game? He’d never look upset if he was withher. Does anyone else have their copy of the Rogues’ puppy calendar set to July, even though it’s the first week of February because Logan’s photo is the only one worth looking at?
Weird, invasive stuff, but we’ve been very careful about Reed and me being seen in public, so she hasn’t had anything to post featuring the two of us. When we go to the games—which has become a fairly regular thing since our conversation in my apartment—Reed and I spend it in the family box where we’re surrounded by extra security. Logan has also hired security to follow Reed and me around when we’re outside of ourapartment, which I hate but accepted because I refuse to put my brother in danger.
Kai and Travis drive us to and from school and work in their big black SUVs with darkly tinted windows, and they’ve even been picking up our grocery orders to avoid public outings as much as possible. It all feels a bit like overkill, but Reed’s been enjoying the extra attention it’s gotten him with his team and classmates.
Reed
Me and a couple guys were hoping to hang out today after school. Kai said he doesn’t mind driving us around, and he promises to shadow our every move. The guys think it’s badass that I have a bodyguard. Can we go to the mall?
Poor Kai. I shoot off a text to the thirty-year-old man who has been volunteered for babysitting duty just to make sure Reed isn’t pulling a fast one on me.
Me
Reed said you were okay taking him and a few friends to the mall? You really don’t have to do that.
Kai
Not a problem, Miss Sherman. They’re good kids, and they’re good for my ego.
LOL. Okay. If you’re sure. Thanks.
Shaking my head, a big smile making my face hurt, I text Reed back.
Me
Checked with Kai, and that’s fine. Don’t torture the poor guy. He’s doing you a favor, and I expect you not to forget it.
Reed
I know, I know.
