Page 59 of Somewhere Without You
Thirty Four
Before
Thefirstpebblepingedharmlessly against the window, followed by another—a little harder this time. I drew back the lace curtains and smiled when I saw Logan standing below, his face half-lit by the moon, the rest of it swallowed by the night. Carefully, I opened the window, wincing as it gave a soft groan.
“Hey,” he called up.
“Shhh!” I hissed, glancing over my shoulder at Katherine, who was fast asleep in the bed behind me. “Are you trying to get caught or what?”
Even in the dim light, I could see Logan roll his eyes. “A bear could tear through your room and your sister wouldn’t flinch.”
He wasn’t wrong. But Gran was still awake—I could hear the low hum of her TV through the bedroom door. She liked Logan well enough during the day, but a midnight visit might be pushing it.
Quietly, I eased myself through the window and onto the roof. Logan was already scaling the thick, vine-covered lattice running up the side of the house. A moment later, he hoisted himself up beside me.
“You’re getting good at that,” I grinned.
“Practice makes perfect.” He flopped down next to me, and we both leaned back on our elbows, gazing up at the stars.
“Why weren’t you at school today?” He asked after a few quiet minutes had passed.
“I wasn’t feeling well,” I said, tugging at a loose thread on my pajamas. It was a lie. A weak one, and he knew it.
“Weird. You don’t look sick to me.”
I rolled my eyes. “Why are you always so pushy?”
“Why are you such a bad liar?”he teased.
I laughed. “Would you rather I wasn’t?”
“It would make things easier,” he smirked, nudging me with his elbow.
I drew in a deep breath, catching the sweet scent of wildflowers drifting up from Gran’s garden. “I didn’t feel like dealing with Maddie and her entourage today.”
“Ah,” Logan murmured. “Have you ever tried ignoring her?”
I sat up, fixing him with a sharp glare. “Gee, Logan, what a great idea. Why didn’t I think of that? I’ll be sure to keep it in mind next time she shrink-wraps my locker or dumps water on my chair.”
“I know she can be difficult—”
“Difficult?” I cut him off. “Madeline McBride isn’tdifficult. She’s a full-blown menace. A tyrant. A sociopath. A—”
“And very very lonely,” he interrupted gently.
I stared at him, heat rushing to my cheeks. “Are youseriouslydefending her right now?”
Logan shook his head. “I’m not defending her, I just. . . see things a little differently, that’s all. Thatentourageof hers? They’re notreallyher friends. They’re just looking to get something out of her. Her parents are never home, and when they do show up, they’re too busy curating their perfect image to notice her. Honestly, I think she goes after you because she’s jealous. She probably sees something in you that she wishes she had.”
I snorted. Maddie McBride, queen bee and social royalty—jealous of me? The idea was laughable.
“Jealous of what?” I pushed back. “She has a house the size of a hotel and actual parents. My dad bailed before I was born, my mom’s gone, and everyone in town thinks Gran’s one séance away from a padded room. You’re the only friend I have. Maddie’s not jealous—she’s cruel.”
“Perspective,” Logan said, tapping the side of his head. “You’re brilliant, Emily. Funny. Strong. Kind.” He paused, his gaze locking with mine. “Sometimes I wish you could see yourself the way I do.”
The look he was giving me made my stomach flutter. Suddenly the rooftop felt too small.
“How do you see me?” I whispered, inching closer. His breath ghosted over my skin and I could smell the subtle scent of his cologne as the overwhelming pull of his gaze dragged me in.
