"Hmm... no. I don't think so. But even if I had, it wouldn't cover any exes. Especially not one you cheated on with the whole campus." I nod in agreement while Johnny looks from me to Logan with fury.
"The slut's sitting on both of you, is she? I should have guessed," he says, and I lose the last bit of patience I still had. I reach an arm over the stall divider and grab his neck. Logan appears behind him in a second and holds his arms back.
"I told you to be careful what you say, Jonathan," I say through my teeth, and he thrashes against the two of us, but I only squeeze harder.
"Or you might end up tripping over your own tongue out there and losing a few teeth," Logan adds, and the fool growls.
Maddox bursts in, already half-dressed, to where we are.
"Let him go. You've made your point," the captain asks, but I shake my head.
"Just one more detail: never talk about Charlotte again. Never say her name again."
"Never think about her again!" Logan adds once more.
"Ethan... Charlie... Let go. Now," Maddox asks again, his hand on my shoulder.
"As soon as he says he got the message. Did you get it, Johnny?" I repeat, and the man is almost foaming with rage, but with no way to escape, he finally stammers a "yes."
I smile diabolically and finally let him go, as does Logan. But not before giving the kicker a little shove.
"Glad we talked," I say with sarcasm dripping from my voice, and I watch the player, red and with clenched fists, he's so angry. Good thing he knows that if he tried to hit me, things would get a lot worse.
I look at the rest of my teammates in the locker room.
"Show's over, everyone. Get back to your stuff."
It takes a few seconds, but the gossips finally return to their spots.
"I want the three of you out there in five minutes," Maddox announces, and I shrug, not too worried. I trade a look with Logan before we answer together:
"Yes, captain."
Trey Maddox gave us a lecture for what felt like an eternity, but I couldn't care less and I'd do it again. At least we'd gotten the message across to Jonathan that Charlie wasn't alone.
I leave with Logan through the parking lot and we walk in silence, but I decide to say something before we head to our classes.
"Thanks for having my back earlier."
My friend gives a small sideways smile, tucking his hands into the pockets of his jeans.
"Always, man. I'll always be here for you and Charlie," he assures, and I nod.
"I know. And the same goes for you, you know that, right?" I return, wrapping an arm affectionately around his shoulders. Logan laughs and pretends to elbow me, but only leaves the hug after a few moments.
"It'd better," is his answer, almost... shy. Which makes me even more curious, and I decide to use this moment to settle the question right now.
"Can I ask you something?"
Logan frowns, confused.
"Sure, Tanny."
"I won't get mad at whatever you answer, okay? It's just so I understand."
"Okay..." he answers, sounding wary.
"Are you still into Charlie?" I toss out, and for the first time in my life I watch my best friend blush. He takes a step away from me while stammering:
