Before she could finish, he dashed up the stairs, a thrill pulsing through him with each hurried step. A small, reckless part of him dared to hope—foolishly, hopelessly hoping—that maybe, just maybe…
“Logan,” he heard, but disappointment hit him like a wave.
Never mind that Adrian had no idea where he lived, or that they were worlds apart, or that he’d severed every last thread connecting them—still, somewhere deep down, he clung to the foolish, fragile hope that Adrian might be waiting there, against all reason.
“It’s just you,” he muttered, his voice deflated as he faced his older sister, Jane.
“Wow… you’re not happy to see me,” she pouted, feigning offense.
“No, no! Of course I’m happy to see you! It’s just… Mom told me I had a surprise,” he replied, forcing a smile. “Heard you’re pregnant.”
“Yeah,” she beamed. “I wanted to surprise you, but Mom told me you went out with… what’s her name? Sally?”
“Her name is Sandy,” he corrected, “and you know it.”
“Yeah, whatever. I don’t like her,” Jane declared, plopping onto his bed. “I wanted to hear how your trip was.”
“That explains why Mom is making a cake in the middle of the night,” he quipped, kicking off his shoes. “My trip was fine. Boy or girl?” he asked, glancing at her belly.
“Don’t know yet,” she replied, smiling. “I want to hear stories.”
Logan rummaged through his closet, shedding his tie and shirt as he spoke. “Nothing to tell.”
“I’m not buying it,” she insisted, appearing at the entrance of his closet.
“Privacy, sis!”
“That’s some good tanning you’ve got there,” she teased, looking him over. “Oh, and someone’s been working on their hot body.”
“Shut up,” he laughed, tossing his shirt at her.
Jane let out a laugh, flopping back onto his bed. “So, you didn’t meet any nice girls out there… maybe someone who isn’t slutty?”
“What’s your problem with Sandy?” he sighed, now dressed down in sweatpants and a worn T-shirt.
Jane softened. “I’m sorry,” she said, sounding more serious. “I shouldn’t have called her that. It’s just… I don’t think she’s with you for the right reasons.”
The irony bit at him; Jane had it all wrong.Hewasn’t with Sandy for the right reasons. He was the one using her—a pawn in his carefully crafted image, just a role in the play he hated most. It was laughable that Sandy got pegged as the gold-digger when her family was plenty well off.
“She’s just… not for you,” Jane said, gentler this time, patting the spot beside her.
Logan joined her, heart heavy.
“Logan…” she said, her voice softening. He met her gaze, and she continued, “You look like shit.”
“I’m just tired,” he replied, shaking his head and looking away. How many times had he used this excuse already?
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Jane asked, studying him with that big-sister gaze he could never quite dodge. “You graduated, packed a bag, and handed the rest of your stuff to Mom and Dad at graduation like it was nothing. Then you left without a word and disappeared off the map. And now… you’re back just as suddenly. I’m just worried about you.”
“I’m fine, Jane. Just tired. I cut my trip short because I felt like it. Nothing more.” He lied, so easily now. He had studied this role his whole life after all.
“Okay. But please talk to me if you need to,” she urged, hugging him tightly.
Logan nodded, biting his tongue to keep from spilling the truth.
“Now, let’s go eat that cake,” she teased, pulling him up with a grin. “I won’t have you looking all hot while I’m over here, blowing up like a balloon.” She linked her arm through his, leading him toward the door. “And you better eat at least three pieces, so you can tell me where you’ve been and keep up with me for once.”
“Mostly Hawaii.”
