Page 140 of Red Zone
The drive back to the football house is quiet, just the steady hum of the heater and the faint sound of Logan tapping out a rhythm on the dashboard. I can tell he’s already half-checked out, probably running through the weekend in his head.
When we turn onto our street, there’s already a car idling in the driveway. A sleek black sedan, headlights cutting through the dark, exhaust curling in the chill air.
Logan lets out a low whistle. “Damn. He’s early.”
I pull in beside them and throw the Jeep in park.
The passenger door of the sedan cracks open before we’re even out, and a girl leans out just far enough for me to catch the look she’s giving me.
Daggers.
Absolute daggers.
Not subtle either—like she’s got something to prove.
I raise an eyebrow but don’t say anything, slamming the door shut and grabbing my keys.
The driver’s door opens a second later, and Logan’s friend climbs out—all easy confidence and tailored flannel, walking like he owns the place.
“Yo, Logan!” he calls, spreading his arms. “You ready to hit the road or what?”
Logan grins and grabs his duffel from the back of my Jeep. “Hell yeah. Thanks for coming to get me, man.”
They meet halfway in the driveway, clapping each other on the shoulder and trading that kind of bro handshake only lifelong best friends can pull off.
Logan gestures between the two of us. “Cameron, this is Carter Hayes.”
Cameron holds out his hand for me to shake, so I return the gesture. “Nice to meet you. Impressive stats this season, even if you’re wearing the wrong colors.”
I smirk at that, “Ah, that’s right. You’re on the basketball team up at Ashwood.”
“That’s right.” Cameron smacks Logan on the shoulder before heading back toward his vehicle. “Y’all stole my guy away from me, and now he’s all kinds of confused.”
“Too bad we continue to smoke your guys’ football team, huh?” Logan laughs as he dodges a fake punch as they both walk toward the idling sedan.
Logan glances back at me after throwing his bag in the trunk, his grin faltering just a hair. “You good, Hayes?”
I force a smirk, flashing him a thumbs-up. “Golden. Don’t worry about me. Go enjoy your break.”
“Don’t mind Miss Perfect. She’s all bark, no bite.”
“Get fucked, Brooks.” The girl in the front seat flips him the bird over her shoulder, not even looking his way.
“Wouldn’t you love to.”
“Dude, that’s my sister. Fucking hell, you two are already giving me a headache and we haven’t even left yet,” Cameron grumbles, putting the car in reverse and sending a small wave before pulling out onto the street.
I just stand there for a second, watching the taillights fade, and mutter to myself:
“What the hell was that about?”
Because whatever that was…it sure as hell didn’t look like just a little harmless trash talk.
And knowing Logan?
It probably won’t end quietly. Or well.
The house is quiet when I walk back in.
