Chapter Nine
Logan
I bet
You think I either moved on or hate you
'Cause each time you reach out there's no reply
I bet
It never ever occurred to you
That I can't say "Hello" to you
And risk another goodbye
- ‘I Almost Do’ Taylor Swift
My phone buzzes in my pocket, the vibration sharp enough to cut through the dull noise of the clubhouse. The number flashing on the screen is unfamiliar, but I answer anyway, putting it to my ear. Before I can get a word out, a voice I don’t recognize comes through the line.
“Goddamn, I was hoping this was a real number. Let me know when your sexy ass gets off work.”
The words hit my ear like a slap. My jaw clenches. “The fuck did you just say to me, dickhead?” My voice comes out hard and cold, every bit of me shifting into that edge where irritation turns to something darker.
There’s a pause, then a lazy drawl. “Who is this? I thought this was the new hot bartender’s number.”
The heat in my blood spikes, an unwelcome, molten rush. “Wrong fucking number. Don’t call again.” I hang up, my thumb pressing harder than it needs to on the screen.
Shoving the phone into my pocket, I stalk out of the clubhouse, the scent of stale beer and engine oil clinging to my clothes. The night air is cool but it does nothing to settle the burn in my chest. My boots hit the pavement with more force than necessary, each step feeding my decision.
Kenzie is not going to fuck with me. She needs to understand that coming back here was a bad move for her. I tell myself it’s not about punishing her, that I just want to save us both from the fallout, but deep down I know part of me wants to get under her skin as much as she just got under mine.
I fire up my bike, the rumble filling the quiet street, and ride toward Ambrosia. The wind in my face should clear my head, but my grip on the handlebars only tightens. By the time I pull into the lot, my pulse hasn’t dropped a single beat.
Inside, the place is already busy. The bass from the stage vibrates faintly in my chest, the air thick with the mix of perfume, spilled liquor, and the faint tang of smoke. My eyes find her instantly, like they’re wired to. Shaina and Kenzie are behind the bar.
Kenzie’s eyes lock on mine as soon as I walk in.
She’s leaning forward, her elbows on the bar, tank top pulling low enough that it’s impossible not to notice. The asshole in front of her is staring exactly where I knew he’d be. She pops the top off a beer, slides it toward him with a wink, and something inside me snaps.
I push behind the bar, my hand closing around hers before she can react, pulling her with me.
“Logan!” Shaina’s voice cuts through the noise.
“She’s taking a five!” I fire back without looking, my tone making it clear I’m not asking permission. Kenzie protests behind me, her voice sharp, but I’m past the point of listening.
I lead her into one of the back offices, the door clicking shut behind us.
She jerks her hand out of mine. “You have no right to come in here and pull me like I’m some kind of goddamn dog on a leash!
” she yells, planting herself in front of the door like she’s ready to fight her way out if she has to.
I plant my palms on either side of her head, caging her in without touching her. “You will never give my number to some asshole from here that’s flirting with you again.”
Her lips part in surprise, forming a small O.
“I’m not fucking kidding, Kenzie. You want to be here, that’s your choice. I won’t stop living my life or have you drag me into yours.”
The flicker in her expression tells me my words land deeper than I want them to. But then her eyes narrow, sharp enough to cut. “Like how you decided to kiss me last night? I didn’t ask for your help then. You chose to step in and get involved.”
Her words dig under my skin. I push back from her because if I stay that close, I’ll do something I’ve been telling myself I can’t.
“Go the fuck back to work,” I mutter, turning my back to her.
“Go fuck yourself, Logan.” She storms past me, slamming the door so hard it rattles the frame.
Every part of me wants to go after her. To pull her back in and make her listen. But my father’s voice echoes in my head, that same old mantra about control, about never letting anyone see weakness. So I stay put for a beat, forcing my breathing to even out.
When I finally walk back out into the club, the noise hits me again. Kenzie is behind the bar, moving like she didn’t just throw me out, serving drinks while sending me a glare sharp enough to be felt across the room.
A hand touches my arm, pulling my focus. Darcy stands next to me, smiling in a way that does nothing but grate on me. I glance back toward the bar, catching Kenzie still watching me. The idea sparks before I even think it through.
“What’s up, darlin’?” I ask Darcy, keeping my eyes on Kenzie as I say it.
“You rethinking my offer from the other day?” Darcy’s smile tilts.
I hope this is enough to make Kenzie run. To make her put distance between us again. I lean down, kiss Darcy, my hand on her ass in plain view of the bar, then head toward the private rooms with her in tow.
Inside, Darcy starts to undress, but I hold up a hand. “Mmhm, you wanna do it, huh?” she teases, trailing a long nail down my chest.
“No. Sit the fuck down. We are not having sex. If anyone asks, we did.” I start pacing the small room, the thought of Kenzie still burning in the back of my skull.
Darcy pouts, confusion creasing her forehead. “Logan, I don’t understand.”
“Let me make it simple. I wouldn’t touch you with a ten-foot pole, but as far as anyone else is concerned, I did and you had a good fucking time. Now shut the fuck up until it’s time to go.”
We stay in that room for ten minutes before I take her hand and lead her out. At the bar, Kenzie walks over without looking at me directly.
“I’ll take a coke. What do you want, babe?” I ask, hating the word even as I say it.
“Yeah, I’ll take a vodka and Red Bull,” Darcy answers.
Kenzie lifts an eyebrow. “No can do. Dancers don’t drink.” She sets a coke in front of me. “Three dollars.”
“Don’t be a bitch. Get her a drink.” I toss a twenty on the bar.
Kenzie’s smile is all teeth. “Nope. Club rules. She doesn’t drink when she should be working.”
Shaina appears beside me. “Darcy, get your ass back on the floor and away from this goddamn bar before I call Alison.”
Darcy throws us both a look and walks off. Kenzie heads to the far end of the bar.
Shaina’s stare is pointed enough to feel. “What?” I ask.
“You need to stay the fuck out of here if all you’re gonna do is act like an asshole. I like Mac. We were really good friends before everything got fucked up.”
I glance at Kenzie again, still moving behind the bar, still avoiding me. “I don’t know what to do, Shay. I can’t be around her without wanting her, but I know I need to stay far away from her.”
“Why is that, Logan?” She leans in, her eyes searching mine.
“I can’t get into that right now. Let me ask you something, though. What’s with everyone calling her Mac?”
Shaina shrugs. “It’s what she asked us to call her.
Unlike some people, I respect her enough to do what she wants.
” She watches me like she’s trying to pull the truth out without me saying it.
“If you’d just talk to someone about whatever’s going on, maybe we could help you.
It’s pretty clear you still love her, and her feelings are still there too.
None of this shit makes any sense to me. ”
“Sorry, sis. I’ll stay away and make it easier on both of you.”
I walk toward the door, but not before taking one last look at her.