Page 30 of Bloom: Part 2

He let out a shuddering breath. “Okay, you asked. I hate how close he is to you because I’m jealous of the experiences you’ve shared. It’s completely selfish because I don’t want you to care about anyone else but me. I liked it better when I thought I was the center of your universe—before I met him.”

No sound came out of my parted lips. I needed a minute to process his words. Logan was jealous of Crowe, but why? I didn’t love Crowe. Not romantically. Hadn’t I already told him Crowe and I never had that kind of relationship?

Tingles spread through my chest. I wanted Logan to get along with Crowe, but a part of me liked the possessiveness in his tone. Liked that he didn’t want to share me. He wanted me all to himself. My feelings for him were the same.

“Crowe, Bay, and Winter took care of me when I was younger, Logan,” I said softly. “But I’ve never thought of them as anything but brothers. I’ve never thought about loving anyone else until I met you. Do you want me to cut them out of my life?”

“Good, god, no, I’m sorry if you think that. Bloom, no, they care about you. Isn’t that the reason I suggested we stay at the clubhouse for a while?”

“So what do you want me to do? I don’t want you to doubt me and my feelings for you.”

“Just don’t change the way you act around me when you’re with them.”

I’d never heard Logan sound so uncertain and vulnerable. He was my big, frowny Logan who didn’t resort to violence but could inflict a thousand wounds with his tongue.

“I won’t.” I squeezed his hand. “Don’t worry, Logan. I won’t let you down.”

In fifteen minutes, we arrived at the clubhouse. Several motorcycles belonging to the Blood Hounds and Grimm Reapers were lined up outside, their chrome glistening under the sunlight. My brothers rode up behind us. It had been a while since I’d been here. A sense of homecoming wrapped around me.

“Why are so many people here?” I asked.

“Because ofyou, Bloom. People care about you.”

Logan parked the car and unbuckled his seat belt. He looked over at me, his gaze softer, the hard edges from before gone.

“I’m sorry about earlier. I was being a jackass.” He leaned forward and kissed my cheek. As if they realized we needed a moment together, the bikers walked into the clubhouse, not waiting for us. “It’s been a long time—actually, make that never—that I’ve been so crazy about someone, and I don’t want to lose you. I’ll do whatever it takes to ensure you’re safe, and I need you to understand that, okay?”

“Of course, Logan.”

“He says while already thinking about riding his motorcycle.” Logan sighed.

“How did you know?” I laughed.

“You’re an open book, but no motorcycle for a while. She’s back at my place in the garage anyway.”

“She is?”

“Yeah, you left it there the day of the incident. Remember? You drove with me to the hospital.”

“Now I do.”

“She’ll be there waiting for you until you’re feeling better. The last thing I need is for you to fall off and further aggravate your injuries.”

“Yes, Dr. Collier.”

“Smart mouth.” But he was smiling.

We entered the clubhouse together, and I slipped my hand into his. We followed the loud chatter coming from the rec hall. A banner mounted on the opposite wall read, “Welcome home, dickhead.”

A roar went up, along with beer bottles in salute.

“Really?” Logan asked loudly. “That’s not the banner I asked you to pick out, Bay.”

The tattooed giant grinned, a baby on his hip as he approached with Gerald. “I thought I had creative control. You don’t like it?”

“It’s perfect,” I said.

“Ba-ba!” The baby lunged toward me, but Logan intercepted her, catching her by the arms.

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