Page 117 of In Spades

He shrugged again. “Dunno. Figured I could get a job working construction or something.”

“Construction jobs pay well,” I said. “You ever thought about going to community college for HVAC? Those guys make bank.”

“Probably couldn’t get in.”

“You wanna bet?”

Logan snickered sarcastically. “I gave up on winning at life a while ago.”

“Do you want to go to college?” I pressed.

He looked out at the water, jaw flaring with irritation.

Good. I wanted him angry. Anger would give him the drive to fight for something.

“It’s a nice thought,” he said. “But we don’t have money for it. Not even for community college.”

His attitude was getting on my last nerve. I needed him to fuckin’ believe in himself.

“Well, how about this,” I said. “If Kris says it’s cool, let me help you with your homework. Give it your best for the rest of the school year. If you graduate and get into college, I’ll pay for it.”

Logan eyed me suspiciously. “And if I don’t graduate?”

“Then you go find a job. Sounds like you’ve already got that ending planned out.”

“What if you and Kris break up?” he asked.

It was a fair question, but it also made me think about the engagement ring I had looked at a few days ago. I considered telling Logan about my plans to propose to Kristin, but thought better of it. It had no bearing on my promise.

“I don’t see that happening,” I said. “But my word is good no matter what happens.”

Footsteps swished through the grass behind us, drawing closer and closer. I glanced over my shoulder and found Kristin coming toward us, bundled up in jeans and my old MIT sweatshirt.

“There you are,” she said with a pretty smile. Her arms crossed around her middle. “I looked everywhere for you.”

“Hey, beautiful,” I said, tilting my head up.

She leaned down and gave me a chaste kiss.

“What are you boys doing out here?”

“Just talking,” I said. “Hunter was going to hang out in his room. Did you see Kylie and Zoey inside? I thought they were coming out.”

Kristin jerked her thumb over her shoulder. “Yeah, they’re on their way down now.” She dropped her hands on top of Logan’s shoulders. “Morning, kid.”

“Hey,” he grunted.

She snorted. “Y’all are a lively bunch.”

Logan pressed his hands against the wooden armrests and pushed out of the chair. “I’m gonna go inside and work on some stuff for school.”

Kristin frowned. “Lo, I told you to just relax today. We can work on it together tomorrow night.”

He shrugged. “I wanna get a head-start on it. If Zo and Ky are out here, it’ll be quiet inside.”

Kristin raised her eyebrows. “Okay,” she said, giving his arm a squeeze. “Let me know if you need anything.”

She started for Logan’s vacant seat, but I wrapped my arms around her hips and pulled her down into my lap. Her ass wiggled against my crotch as she settled on top of me.

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