27. Logan
27
LOGAN
Hazel is now officially on my shit list. Over the last few weeks, I’ve questioned what exactly has been going on between Rya and her roommate. The text messages from Hazel to her supposed friend after the drugging had been obnoxious at best. I get that she didn’t know what was happening, but even if Rya had just been overly intoxicated, they were in poor taste. I don’t think there’s any denying there’s an undercurrent here that none of us really paid too much attention to before. I always figured Hazel was just being Hazel. Only now, I’m not quite seeing it that way. Her behavior has been disturbing.
According to the description Rya gave us of what happened in class today, Hazel went too far this time, and that’s what finally sent Rya over the edge. It’s one thing to be concerned for a friend and talk to them privately about a perceived issue. But when the potential problem is a delicate matter—which food and body image are for Rya—anything in that vein should have been handled with the utmost care in private. Instead, Hazel opened her big mouth and just let shit fly, not only embarrassing the hell out of Rya, but doing it in front of their entire ballet class and, worse, the head of the dance department. No wonder Rya is freaking out. It’s merited, and I feel awful that Jaxon and I weren’t right there to catch her.
When we got off the phone with her, she’d promised she was okay. She wasn’t. I could tell by the shake in her voice and the way she’d gotten quiet. I never should have let her hang up with us. She internalizes so damn much and is way, way too damn hard on herself. I hate to think this whole time as she’s waited for us to get back that she’s been going over everything in her head. I know her. And I know she’s bound to be beating herself up over something that was a mistake.
But what Hazel did? I have the distinct impression based on everything else I’ve seen out of her lately that she was coldly calculating when she let knowledge of Rya’s demons loose for the entire class.
So, fuck yeah, I’m pissed. And so is Jaxon, though as I peer at him from my peripheral vision, he’s almost unnaturally calm.
“I’m gonna strangle Hazel if we run into her,” Jaxon growls under his breath as the bus pulls into the parking lot.
I internally laugh. Okay, so he simply hasn’t fully uncorked his patented rage yet. And for once, it’s not aimed at me. I nod. “Same.”
“Did Rya say where she was?”
“Actually, no.” My brow furrows as everyone begins to unload from the bus. Our eyes meet, and I exhale hard. “With it being her roommate causing trouble, it’s gotta be a fucking uncomfortable situation to be stuck in.” I wet my lips. “Thoughts on what we do once we find her? As far as how to handle Hazel, I mean?”
“I say we leave it up to her, but we have options, I guess. I don’t know that they work long term, though.” Jaxon shakes his head, motioning that we should exit, but before we can, Coach Kimball pauses in front of our row, blocking our way.
“You two. You’re giving me hives with all this congenial behavior toward each other.” My lips twitch, and I glance at Jaxon, whose expression is as innocent as can be as he focuses on the big guy giving us the hairy eyeball. He gives him a wry smile with a shrug. “You might say we’ve decided to set aside our differences.”
Coach’s eyes narrow, shifting from Jaxon to me. “Is that right?”
“Correct. We recognize that our bad attitudes toward each other weren’t helping anyone—least of all ourselves.” I give him a tight smile and wait as he squints at us. I can practically see what we’ve said rolling around in his head, as if he can’t quite connect the dots.
But… who would ever guess the truth?
He clears his throat and nods, stepping out of our way. “See to it that it remains like this.”
The second those words come out of Coach’s mouth, I grab a handful of Jaxon’s ass and squeeze.
He makes a strangled noise that he disguises under a cough as he glances back at me with wide eyes. Snapping his head back around, he grinds out, “Yessir,” with a nod. “You’ve got our word on that.”
I shoot Coach a smile, but don’t dare say a damn word because I’m ready to bust a gut.
“It’s nice to see you’ve got each other’s backs.”
I smirk as Jaxon glances at me. “Or something like that,” I murmur as I hook my arm around my stepbrother’s neck as we quickly head for the dorm.
He laughs, shaking his head and shoving me away from him. “Dick.”
“You don’t wanna even know what I almost said about us having each other’s backs.”
“Yeah, I figured as much.” He rolls his eyes, then gestures toward the building. “Not to break up our decent mood, but where do you think we should look first for Rya?”
“Her room. But I’m betting she’s not there. And there’s a chance Hazel will be. And I kinda don’t wanna commit murder tonight, but I don’t know what we do about that.”
Jaxon leads the way to the elevator, and we’re quiet while the thing shakes and shudders its way to the third floor. Moving quickly now, almost as if we sense the urgency the closer we get, we turn left off the elevator and proceed down the hallway and past my room. At Rya and Hazel’s door, I rap lightly, but there’s no response. Jax gives me a perturbed look, then slams his fist against it three times.
Nothing.
A moment later, though, the sound of a door opening makes both of us turn. Levi sticks his head out of our room. His gaze drifts over me, then Jaxon, a quizzical expression sliding over his face, but he shrugs, scrubbing a hand through his messy hair. “She’s in here,” he says quietly as he jerks a thumb over his shoulder. Immediately after, he holds a finger against his lips and mouths, “She’s asleep.”
Warily, I lead Jaxon down the hall, ducking into the room as Levi steps aside to let us pass. I exhale swiftly, seeing Rya curled up on my bed, still in her dance tights and leotard. She looks serene in sleep, but the evidence of her earlier upset is there—smudged makeup under her eyes and a blotchy face give her away. “She must have come here right after she was on the phone with us.”
“I found her downstairs pacing. She said she didn’t want to go back to her room.” Levi shrugs. “I didn’t ask questions, just told her she could hang in here. She got something to eat out of your stash of snacks, then was out cold a minute after she laid down. I don’t know what happened.” He eyes the two of us, then almost as if it’s registering for the first time that Jaxon and I are in the same room and not throwing insults at each other, his shrewd gaze pings everywhere at once, then over to Rya and back. Finally, he focuses on me, his brows raising. “I see how it is. You boys have finally figured out how to share your toy.”
Jaxon’s jaw twitches as he stares at Levi. His words come out rough as hell. “She’s not a toy.”
“But sharing is caring,” Levi quips, “and it seems like you all might be sharing a lot .” He bites down on his lip, waiting to see if he can get another rise out of Jaxon, no doubt.
A huff of awkward laughter escapes me as I shake my head at Levi, then nudge Jax’s shoulder with mine. “Let’s get her outta here before you punch my roommate.”
Levi’s eyes dance, the fucker, but he simply enjoys messing with people, it’s what he does. I press my lips together, knowing he means no real harm. I’ll have to make sure Jaxon isn’t truly pissed about his antics later. I jut my chin toward Levi, and as if he senses my next question, he gestures toward my desk. “Her lanyard with her keys and bag are there.”
With an exaggerated exhale, Jaxon tosses his keys to me before turning and scooping her things into his arms. “I’m gonna grab some of her stuff. Go ahead down to my room with her. We aren’t dealing with more of Hazel’s bullshit tonight.” He spins on his heel and yanks open the door, heading back to Rya’s room.
At Levi’s grimace, I shake my head, holding up a hand as I move toward a still-sleeping Rya. “Don’t ask, man. And do us a favor. Not a fucking word to Hazel about how much she upset Rya. Let us deal with her later.”
Letting out a low whistle, Levi nods. “Got it. Being totally serious now. I didn’t like the look on Rya’s face earlier, so if you’re telling me Hazel put it there, I’m with you.”
“Thanks.” I turn, gently sweeping the backs of my fingers over Rya’s cheek. “Baby, time to wake up. Jax and I are here.”
“Mm?” Her eyelids flutter open. Staring into my eyes, she exhales hard. “Hi.”
“Hi.” I plant a kiss on her forehead, then scoop her into my arms, cradling her against my chest. “Tough day, huh?”
She nods, hooking one arm around my neck as I make my way out of the room. I use my foot to boot the door at the end of the hall open and am halfway through when Hazel appears on the other side.
I pause for a split second, then as her mouth opens, I can only find it in myself to utter one word. “Don’t.” Hurrying by, I feel her eyes on us all the way down the hall. It’s pretty obvious where we’re headed. When we get to Jaxon’s room, I swing Rya to her feet, then grab his keys from my pocket, let us in, and push the door open for her. Thank goodness she doesn’t look back because Jaxon and Hazel seem to be having words. Great.
I enter Jaxon’s suite, passing the bathroom, and come to a stop. Rya stands unmoving at the end of the bed. She’s facing me, but not really seeing me, and looks absolutely forlorn. “Hey,” I murmur softly, stepping into her line of sight.
She blinks, shakes her head, then lifts a hand to cover part of her face.
“Nope. We’re not doing this. Tell me what’s in your head.” I gently tug her hand down before tucking my knuckle under her chin. Steering her gaze to mine, I bring my other hand up to cup her cheek. “I know what Hazel did has thrown you, and it was an especially awful time for her to have done that. Believe me, Jaxon and I are both fucking pissed.”
“I don’t want to talk about her right now. It’s not that.”
My heart tugs viciously in my chest. It worries me that whatever’s in her head has her in his state of distress.
“What’s going on?”
I release Rya and turn around to find Jaxon with an armful of toiletries and clothing and a pink bag slung over his shoulder.
Rya lets out an odd little noise, tilting her head to the side. “You brought my things?” She’s near tears, like a breeze in the wrong direction could set her off.
He nods. “Thought it was a good idea. Brought a bunch of stuff I hope you can use. And this.” Something is hooked over his shoulder, hanging off his fingers behind his back. He brings it around for her to see. “I’m guessing you’ll need this for Saturday?”
Her tear-laced eyes lock on the fancy-looking leotard and flouncy long tutu, and she smiles widely at him. “Oh my god, thank you. I was worried about going to get it.”
He shrugs. “No big deal. I told Logan I’d fetch some of your things while he brought you here.” He shoots me a cheeky wink. “Teamwork,” he boasts as he hangs up her costume in his wardrobe and sets everything else on a chair before turning and pulling her in for a hug.
I haven’t forgotten that there’s obviously something on Rya’s mind… and neither has Jaxon.
“Talk to us, pretty girl,” Jaxon rasps. “I heard you say Hazel’s antics aren’t why you’re still upset. So what is it?”
“I mean, I’m not happy with her. There have been too many times lately where she’s been rude AF, then is like, ‘Oops, did I say that?’ Well, you did, girlfriend. And it’s not anything I’d expect from anyone with half a heart, much less my friend. She can go fuck herself, honestly. But…” She eases out of Jaxon’s embrace, turning to study us with wide eyes. Catching a tear with her finger as it falls, she wipes it away in frustration, then casts her gaze downward as she whispers, “I guess I was worried what you would think about me once you heard what happened.” She sucks in a wet-sounding breath. “But I hope you give me a chance to prove myself. I’m going to deal with my issues. I don’t want you to think I’m weak or pathetic or that I can’t handle my own shit. Because I can.” Her eyes crash shut for a moment before they reopen with a flash. “I fucked up. It was scary. And I don’t want it to happen again.”
I rake my hand through my hair, staring at her, dumbfounded. “Jesus, Rya. The things you get into your head.” I pause, simply staring into her eyes. “I don’t know where it comes from sometimes. You have my support. Always have. Always will.”
“You’ve been honest with me from the start that you felt like you had issues. I—” Jaxon’s mouth snaps shut for a second as his eyes travel her face. “I hope you don’t feel like me offering you food or a bite of my dessert or whatever was me passing judgment or trying to force anything on you.”
She blinks heavily once, then stares at him. “No. I didn’t take it that way.” Turning to me, she steps into my arms, burying her face against my chest. “And I love how you’ve always cared and tried to help me. I just—” Shaking her head, she sighs. “It was bad timing for me to fall apart today. And even worse with what Hazel did.”
I prop my chin on top of her head. “Let’s forget her for tonight, like you said. Not worth your mental energy.” Rya’s body is practically glued to mine, every inch of her molded to me. And suddenly, all I want to do is show her how much I love her. Make her forget anything ever transpired today that got her all caught up in her head.
Jaxon moves in behind her, then runs his hands over her shoulders before bending to plant a kiss at the crook of her neck. He looks straight at me as he murmurs, “Baby, let us show you how much you mean to us and why these worries aren’t necessary.”
I ease back, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “That’s exactly what I was thinking.” Tipping her face up, I plant a soft kiss on her lips. Her chest rises sharply, then drops dramatically as she exhales… and I breathe in her breath. Those pillowy soft lips of hers part as she stares up at me, green eyes so fucking trusting I hope what I’m doing won’t be taken the wrong way. But I can no longer resist temptation, and I lick into her mouth, feeling the need deep in my soul to take away all the upset she’s endured over the past few hours and leave her with nothing but heated blood and an ache that only Jaxon and I can cure.
I open my eyes to find him watching us and give him a bare nod that I can only hope he understands. He dips down, kissing the side of her neck and making her squirm in my arms as he tugs the top of her leotard over her shoulders and down her arms.
Rya sucks in a breath, her eyes wide as I begin to help him by pulling the sports bra over her head. On a groan, I lower until I can suck her nipple into my mouth. Jaxon snakes his hand between us to take the other. Our girl lets out a little whimper of satisfaction, her back arching. Jaxon is partially supporting her while I suck and tease until her nipple is a taut peak of aching flesh.
I groan at the taste of her, laving the soft skin with my tongue. Looking up at her, our eyes connect with an intensity that nearly knocks me off my feet.
“You both make me feel so good. So desired.” She lifts one arm, curling it around Jaxon’s neck, and tugs his face to hers. “Need your lips on mine.”
I never expected him to do anything but oblige her request, but goddamn, the heat that pours off the two of them is practically my undoing. I want so much more. With both of them. A surge of erotic mental images flick through my head.
I know where I want to take this. The only question is if we’re ready for it… if Rya can handle it. Because I want it some kind of bad.