I glanced over with a welcoming smile. Logan was returning from the woods. He held hands with a skinny blonde, who staggered away to her friends. She had long golden tan legs and wore a very small miniskirt over a tube top. Her hair was swept over one shoulder. It was messy as some grass stuck out from it.
He didn’t give her another look but took the seat beside me. “What are you doing over here?”
“My friend is here.” I gestured to Becky, who waved with an eager smile.
Logan’s grin slipped a bit. “Hey there.”
“I’ve never officially met you.” She thrust her hand out in front of me.
Logan took it but was cautious at the exchange. “Nice to meet you.”
“Becky.”
Understanding flared within him. “I’m Logan.”
“I know.” She giggled into her drink and continued to sip some more beer.
A grin teased the corners of his lips as he nodded slowly. “I see.” He met my gaze with amusement. “Mason took off?”
I rolled my eyes. He was well aware of Mason’s dislike for Becky. Some of the common phrases used to describe Becky were weak, pathetic, stupid, and dork. Those were the nicer ones. He’d never been quiet in front of Logan as he cursed the friend who had abandoned me for the last three months.
“You know it.” Then my grin renewed itself. “Nate’s here.”
Logan shot upright. “Really?” He was on his feet the next second. “Where?”
“The woods.” I laughed at his eagerness. “A girl named Parker.”
“Oh.” He slumped back down. His shoulders dropped with him. “Figures.”
I patted him on the back. “I’m pretty sure he likes you better.”
He grunted a laugh and nudged me with his knee. “Shut up.”
“Hey, Logan!” Mark bellowed out as he waved from across the lawn. He tugged a girl with him as he hurried to us. A bright smile was lit on his face as he plopped down on a log across from us. He pulled the girl to his lap. “Hey, man. How’s it going? I was thinking we wouldn’t get to see you, except for the Sam-over-the-shoulder thing.” He gestured to me with his beer.
“Yeah. Hey, man.” Logan returned his easy grin. “Shells.”
The girl plastered herself against Mark but gave him a sloppy smile. “Hey, Logan. Saw you with Macey.”
He gave her a small nod. “I was excited.”
“Hey, so, I heard you guys got something planned against Roussou tomorrow night.” Mark leaned forward in eager anticipation. “Could I help? I’d love to help.”
Logan stared at him a moment. “Why?”
“Because.” He glanced around with a frown. “Because…I don’t know. I’d love to help.”
“Remember, Logan.” I tapped his leg softly. “I am a member of the Academy Elite now.”
Logan cursed out of the corner of his mouth. “Yeah. Mason told me that. That’s the stupidest piece of crap I’ve heard all week—”
“But it’s done anyway, and you like Mark.”
He shook my hand off and scowled. “Doesn’t mean I’m going to let him come with us. I don’t even want you there.”
I scowled back at him. “Didn’t stop me the last time.”
He rolled his eyes. “You shouldn’t have been there and you know it. But, whatever, it’s done.” His eyes shot to Mark. “You can’t help. Sorry. My friends only.”
Mark’s smile never slipped. He bobbed his head some more. “Yeah, man. That’s cool. But if you ever need help, I’m more than willing.”
Logan sighed.
I couldn’t hold back my smile. He was starting to like Mark. He already liked him from before, but I could tell he was starting to like him more. Oh, the dilemmas of being a Kade. They were taught only to like those that proved worthy enough. Mark hadn’t proved himself at all, but Logan still liked him.
When some curse words left him, I wasn’t surprised.
“Hey!” Another shout came from behind us.
There was a smile on Adam’s face, but when Logan turned, it vanished. He stopped in his tracks and the girl who came with him bumped into his back from the abrupt halt. She mumbled out an apology and stepped around.
Logan burst out laughing.
Tanya blinked in confusion. She swooned against Adam. He caught her before she fell and she gurgled out, “Toodrunk.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
“Tanya.” Logan stood and shook his head.
“Whad?” She fell against Adam again.
The laughter had vanished and a seriousness took over him. “Don’t do this.”
“Huh?” Her head popped up. “Do what?”
“Don’t screw him.”
Adam twisted around. “Hey!”
“Why?”
Logan’s voice dipped low. It was almost kind. “Because he’s not going to be your boyfriend.”
“Why not?” She struggled to push herself up but staggered away from Adam and crossed her arms over her chest. “What do you know about it?”
“Because I’m the reason he’s never going to date you.”
Pain flared before she masked it. A tear trickled down, and she never brushed it away. Her chin trembled as she lifted it. “You don’t know that. You don’t know what he said to me.”
“I do know.” Logan stepped towards her. “Because he was laying the groundwork before. He was doing all the right things. He was taking you places. He had you hang out with his friends, but I stepped in. I got you. He never did and what he’s doing right now is a typical guy move.”