Logan turns off the engine and twists his torso to star at me more easily. “Just go slow. There’s a lot going on—for both of you right now. And when it comes to the tough stuff, you both have a go-to defense system that shuts other people out. And there’s gonna be tough stuff in the next few weeks, not just regarding the kidney situation.”
“Yeah, I’m sure the whole town knowing our business won’t make it easier. Thank you Nellie Green,” I frown. “Sometimes I hate this fucking town.”
I dig in my coat pocket for my keys and act like it’s really hard to find them. “I should get going. I have to pack for the hospital and get my stuff in order.”
“See you tomorrow,” Logan says and reaches out to squeeze my hand. I squeeze back and then twist to blow an air kiss to the perfect giant fur ball in the back who is whining in his crate.
I jump out of the SUV and into my building. As I climb the stairs to my apartment, my phone pings in my pocket and I pull it out to see a text from Jake. It’s a picture of my bra and the words:Found this behind the couch. If you left this as a reminder, I don’t need one. You’re all I can think about.
I open my front door and kick it closed behind me as I type back.
I’m going to sleep in your hoodie… and nothing else.
And then I lean against my door grinning like a complete idiot.
16
Jake
I showup at the restaurant at a little after nine in the morning like Logan’s text demanded. And it was a demand. He wasn’t ‘Hey buddy, come see River meet Chewie.’ It was ‘Be at the Shack at nine.’ So I know as I get out of my Jeep and walk toward the building, this is about more than the new dog. Logan and Finn are both out in the parking lot playing with Chewie, who is zooming back and forth between the two of them while they toss a stuffed toy back and forth. Finally Logan sees me and waves. At least I think it’s Logan but can’t be a hundred percent sure from this distance. He tosses the toy up in the air and Chewie jumps for it but it hits his snout and bounces off. He picks it up off the ground and does a victory lap through the empty lot. Finn jogs after him, to make sure he doesn’t escape.
“Thanks for coming,” Logan says rubbing the back of his neck, which is a horrible sign. He does that when he’s stressed.
Finn scoops up Chewie and walks right over. “I’m gonna step in here, because my twin didn’t get the confrontation gene and we don’t have time for all his roundabout blabbering. Dad’s boat will be back soon and Mom and Nova will be here in a sec to open up, and Terra is already inside making coffee for everyone.”
I stiffen, but Finn gives me a smile. It’s probably supposed to ease my worries, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “Terra has had a crush on you since middle school and although we’re so happy to have you home and beyond grateful you’re giving her a kidney, it’s made that crush start up again, and we’re worried you don’t see it.”
“I see it and I welcome it,” I admit and reach out to give Chewie a scratch under his chin. “I saw it when we were kids too. I’m not a moron.”
“Okay….” Logan swallows hard. “So I guess this is the part where we warn you that she’s obviously really vulnerable right now and you probably have a lot of your own shit you’re dealing with, coming back to town and everything, so maybe boundaries are a good idea for now.”
Oh boy. Here we go… “You guys really don’t give your sister enough credit. She’s a smart girl. Emotionally and intellectually. Smarter than you two put together. And you must not think much of me if you think I would ever hurt her.”
“You dated her best friend.” Leave it to Finn to state the obvious. “And hooked up with her. Recently.”
Logan’s eyes lock with mine. Finn doesn’t look nearly as intense as his twin so I know Logan has kept my secret.
“If you two are against this, I’m sorry to say, I don’t care,” I counter. “She’s an adult. I’m an adult. I’ve been nothing but a loyal friend to you two and if she can get over the Aspen thing and give me a shot, it’s not your place to hold it against me.”
“Can she?” Logan challenges. His gaze darkens like a storm cloud. “Handle the Aspen thing?Allthe Aspen things?”
“Look, forget the Aspen thing. That’s in the past, but right now you guys are both about to go through a lot physically and it will likely bring you closer, but that might make you both … I don’t know, like, get confused,” Finn says and his smile is less forced and more honest. “I’m not the fucking Brainiac and empath in the family, obviously, and I would be thrilled if she ended up with you one day, Jake. Truly. I just worry about things starting right now. I know she kissed you and I know she’s vulnerable. I worry.”
Chewie drops the toy and barks impatiently for someone to pick it up. Finn reaches for it and Chewie snatches it and runs. Finn runs after him leaving me alone with Logan. Logan rubs the back of his neck again. “Does Terra know everything?”
“No. Aspen promised to do the paternity test after my operation, though,” I swear and I hope he can see how serious I am. “I didn’t plan for things to progress with Terra before I found out, but it kind of did.”
He is fighting a grimace. Typical guy shit. He doesn’t want to think about what progressing means when his only sister is involved. “Yeah, okay. I’ve been there, but Jake, if this kid is yours and you don’t tell her … she won’t be the only one not talking to you.”
“If there’s a reason to tell her,” I explain and inhale deeply. The air is thick with the salty smell of the ocean just behind the restaurant. He looks skeptical, which hurts, but he nods. Finn walks back over to us, holding Chewie. Logan pulls a leash out of the pocket of his jacket and hooks it to Chewie’s collar. “You said Tink is inside?”
They nod simultaneously and without another word, I head inside. Terra has her back to me, facing the coffeemaker, filling several mugs on a tray. They don’t open the actual restaurant until eleven, so I figure she’s the only one here. I walk behind the counter and she turns because the bell on the door announced my presence. But there’s a moment of shock on her face followed by a big smile. “Hey.”
I glance out the window. Logan and Finn aren’t paying attention to us because Nova and Lucy have arrived and are out there fawning all over the new furry family member. “Hey yourself.”
I bend and give her a kiss, short, sweet, and not at all what I need. What I need is to throw her up on the counter, wedge myself between her legs and kiss her breathless, but that’s out of the question right now. In fact, I guess the little kiss is too because she steps back as soon as it’s over. “I think we need to wait until after the op to tell everyone this is a thing.”
“Finn and Logan kind of already figured it out,” I say. “They just had a talk with me.”
