Page 111 of The Way We Touch

I know from watching my brother Zane, the men think they have to be strong all the time and never show their emotions, but I’m hopeful.

Logan and I started our relationship sharing our hurts and dreams and disappointments. It’s how we grew close in the early days. I’ll be here when he’s ready to talk.

I hate that I have to go home tomorrow. I took an extra week off school to be here for him until the doctors released him, but Christmas is coming. I have the school show, Mia and Austin have been working hard, and I can’t abandon them as much as I want to be here for Logan.

Cheers and clapping break out, and I know it means Garrett is bringing him out of the hospital in the wheelchair.

The look on Logan’s face tells me all I need to know about how he feels about being wheeled out in front of all these onlookers. He hates it.

“Easy…” Garrett locks the brakes as he tries to stand.

Logan’s not as big as my brother, but at six-foot-two, two hundred pounds, he’s not easy to manage.

I get on my knees inside the vehicle holding out my hand. “Can I help?”

“It’s okay.” Logan’s face is red from exertion.

He’s not as strong as he’s used to being, and I see the anger rising in his chest. I move back to my seat to give him space.

I hear my name yelled, but I block it out. This isn’t about me. It’s about him and making his transition as easy as possible.

Finally, the door slams and Garrett falls hard into his seat. “I’m going to pop one of those motherfuckers if I hear another word about Dylan.”

The muscle in Logan’s jaw moves, and my heart hurts. I feel like I’m causing him even more stress than he needs.

“It’s okay.” I lean forward in my chair. “I don’t care about them.”

“I do,” Garrett grouses, shifting in his seat. “Assholes.”

I place my hand lightly on Logan’s shoulder. “The team hired a nurse to check on you. I know Garrett will be there, but if you need something, you can give her a call.”

Blue eyes flash to mine, and he frowns. “Where will you be?”

“I have to get back to Newhope.” I blink rapidly. “I have my classes, the restaurant…”

“Right. Of course.” He looks down, and guilt floods my chest.

My cheeks grow hot, and I look at Garrett in a panic. He gives me a subtle wink and nods like it’ll be okay. Only, I know what’s coming for Logan, and the last thing I want is to leave him alone—even if he’ll eventually recover. He’s lost the best season of his career.

“Maybe you can come for Christmas? We’d love to have you.”

He doesn’t speak, and I swallow the knot in my throat. I’d drop everything and stay here with him if I could, but people are counting on me. I can’t let Mia down.

Back at his apartment, he watches quietly as I pack my clothes into my suitcase. Outside it’s gray and rainy, and I wish I could think of something encouraging to say.

“I’m sorry I asked you to come here.” His voice is quiet, and my heart falls.

I do my best to keep my voice even. “You are?”

I imagine him doing what Zane did, building a wall and shutting us out. Don’t push me away, Logan…

“I watched the replay. It was pretty bad.” His tone is grave. “It was everything you told me you never wanted to see, and I asked you to come and have a front-row seat to your worst nightmare.”

Dropping the dress I’m holding, I rush over to where he’s sitting. I kneel beside him, taking both of his hands in mine.

“Yes, it was horrifying to see you hurt. It was my worst fear realized, and I almost broke when you didn’t get up…” My heart races in my chest, and my thoughts jam together in my mind. I take a slow breath to calm myself before continuing. “But it would’ve been a million times worse if I’d been at home. Here, I could hold your hand and be by your side. Being here for you is the most important thing to me.”

Reaching out, he puts his hands on my shoulders, pulling me to him. I rise onto my knees to hug him, and I’m surrounded by citrus and cedar and his warm, hard body.

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