Page 31 of In Too Deep

“Did you threaten to rat us out if she didn’t fuck you?” Oli rounds the back of the couch to half the distance between them, his energy pulsing with barely restrained rage.

I glance away as Logan growls, his eyes narrowing as his spine curls defensively. “No. I would never stoop that low, and if you want to keep your teeth where they are, you better watch how you talk about Tori,” he snaps.

I look back at Tori. She’s bright pink as her mismatched blue eyes meet mine, but she nods in confirmation. That soothes a little of my concern. If Logan had forced Tori to do anything she didn’t want to do, I’m not sure if anyone could stop me from laying Logan out.

“What the fuck are you doing here, then?” Spencer asks, more of a demand than a question. He hasn’t moved from his chair, but he’s still glaring daggers at our coach.

“We need to have a talk,” Logan says simply. “Sit down, Ace. You aren’t in any condition to throw hands.”

I turn back and jump as I realize Oli is nearly chest to chest with the older alpha—not that Logan looks bothered. Tori lets out an irritated sigh, which draws all our attention.

“You’re not a coach in here, and you’re going to show some respect to my partners in my house,” she says, most of her regular fire back in her voice.

My chest flares white hot as I realize she’s claimed us as her partners, something I’m not sure I would have imagined happening only a few short weeks ago. I expect Logan to push back, or attempt some lame dominance challenge, but to myamazement, he holds up his hands in surrender. Oli lifts his chin with a smug smirk.

“And you’re going to respect him, too, Ace,” Tori adds with a quirked eyebrow.

Oli whips his head around, mouth parting in shock. But Tori doesn’t back down, and he’s eventually forced to give in and return to the living room. He takes a seat on the couch this time, and I look back at Tori for what she wants to do next. She sighs and her strong front drops for a moment before she notices I’m watching her. When our eyes connect again, I can see the swirl of guilt and trepidation, but I give her a reassuring smile before holding out my hand for her to take, which she does without hesitation. She lets me guide her back to the living room, Logan moving with us. Tori breaks off and takes the remaining armchair, curling up in it until her legs disappear under the folds of her skirt.

“How long have you wanted her?” Spencer asks, nearly an octave lower than usual.

Logan looks at him, confused and, frankly, so am I. I know I’m the outlier here, being so okay with Tori getting involved with our coach, but there seems to be something else that’s pissing Spencer off.

“We met at the beginning of the season, BlackJack. Remember, I was a student, too,” Tori answers before Logan can speak.

I let out a noise of understanding, though it doesn’t seem to register with Logan right away.

“I told you Spencer and I have history. We... were together briefly at U of M,” Tori explains.

Logan turns a bemused smirk onto Spencer. “Is that why you were playing shit in the fall?” he asks with a chuckle.

Spencer rolls his eyes, but some of the tension eases from his shoulders.

“No, Tori and I have been... circling the drain, so to speak, since pre-season. I thought it would have been inappropriate to approach her more seriously. But then I find out she’s been with you three chuckleheads this whole time,” Logan starts, turning a teasing smirk on each of us.

“It’s still inappropriate, as far as I’m concerned. You’re old enough to be her dad,” Oli fires off.

Logan and Tori share a look, and judging by the shade of red she turns, Logan might be more of a father figure than we know. But that’s a discussion for another day.

“I’m not that much older than yous guys, you know that, right? Coaching has just made me go gray prematurely.” Logan’s definitely joking this time, his expression showing only amusement.

“So what now? I’m pretty sure I speak for all of us when I say we’re not breaking up with Tori, not if she doesn’t want to.” I change the subject while looking between Tori and Logan.

Tori shakes her head. “I don’t. But I... I can’t deny the way I feel about Logan anymore…” Tori replies, starting off strong before trailing off.

I nod. “You shouldn’t have to. Coach—”

Logan grimaces. “No, not Coach. Not when we’re off the clock,” he interjects.

I swallow and nod my agreement. “Logan, I don’t know what Tori’s told you, but this thing”—I motion between everyone seated— “is serious. We’re talking about forming a pack.”

Logan grunts and shoves his hands in his pockets, looking at each of his players in turn. But his gaze lingers on Tori’s face for the longest, searching her expression for something. I’m not sure what it is, but he must find it, judging by the silent nod he gives her. “Okay,” he says after a long, tense moment, turning his head to look at me again.

I blink, stunned into silence.

“That’s it? ‘Okay’?” Spencer asks, his voice mirroring my astonishment.

“You’re all adults, and if that’s how you feel, then there’s no point in me trying to talk you out of it,” Logan says.

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