Page 107 of Best Kept Secret
His jaw clenches, and I see a flash of resignation in his eyes.
“It’s why we invited you guys here tonight. To tell you. Together. But then…” I trail off, waving a hand in the direction of my bedroom.
With a huff, Dallas folds his arms across his chest, jutting his chin in the direction of where Logan is hopefully still sleeping through our shouting match. “What’s wrong with him, anyway?”
I bite back a smile because despite the steely look in his eye and the tightness of his jaw, I can tell he’s coming around. I know it’s not my place to tell Dallas and Emily any of Logan’s business, but I also know they deserve some sort of explanation since they witnessed it firsthand.
“Logan suffers from panic attacks,” I say carefully.
Dallas’s eyebrows bunch together. “I didn’t know.”
“He hasn’t told anyone on the team.” I shrug. “Not even Happy.”
“What brings them on?”
I hesitate, but then I shake my head. “I-I can’t?—”
“Hey, guys.”
Gasping, I spin around at the sound of the low, rasped voicecoming from behind me, my eyes widening at the sight of Logan leaning against the wall. He steps into the light of the great room, walking slow, a hand held to his chest, and I rush to him, wrapping my arm around his waist to help him.
“I’m okay, baby,” he assures me with a gravelly whisper, kaleidoscope eyes meeting mine through his glasses, the hint of a smile ghosting his lips as he leans in and places a tender kiss to my forehead.
I hear Dallas groan from across the way, but I ignore him, seeing Emily slap him in his chest from my periphery.
“Do you want something to drink?” I ask, helping him to take a seat on the couch. “Water? Moon Milk?”
“A water, please?”
I squeeze his shoulder, turning and hurrying to the kitchen.
Emily sits down on the opposite side of the U-shaped sofa, and as I fill a glass with chilled water, I watch her peer up at Dallas, offering him a threatening look before pointing to the space next to her on the couch. With a muttered curse, my brother sits down, huffing an exasperated breath.
I rush back over to Logan, handing him the glass of water before taking a seat next to him, and I don’t miss the way my brother’s gaze dips to where my hand rests against Logan’s thigh before lifting and meeting my eyes. I arch a brow, silently daring him to say something and, clearing his throat, he looks away, jaw clenched tight, like it’s taking all he has to keep his big, fat mouth shut.
“I know this is wrong, Tex,” Logan says. “I know you probably wanna punch me in the dick right now.”
“Don’t fuckin’ tempt me,” Dallas quips.
“I love Millie.” Logan looks at me then, talking to my brother while staring into my eyes as he says, “I love her more than I ever thought it was possible to love someone, and I’ve been in love with her since the first night I met her.” He winks at me before turning back to Dallas. “So… kick my ass if you need to, but it’s not gonna stop me from loving her. I’m sorry.”
Silence settles, and it’s awkward as hell.
Emily glances at Dallas, touching his thigh, clearing her throat obviously.
“I don’t really give a shit,” Dallas finally says. “I mean, yes, she’s my sister, and if you hurt her I’m gonna tie you to the cross bar, naked, and have Mason practice his slapshots at your skinny ass.”
I roll my eyes.
“But just… promise me one thing.” Dallas looks between Logan and me. “When it ends?—”
“Hey!” Emily holds up a warning finger at her fiancé, and he shifts in his seat, holding his hands up in surrender.
“I mean… if itwereto… end… or, I don’t know, if you guys were to fight or shit—” He rolls his eyes, continuing, “Please just don’t let it come between us. Or the team. That’s all I ask.”
Logan shakes his head, glancing at me as he says, “It’s not gonna end.” He turns back to my brother, continuing, “But you have my word.”
There’s a sudden unspoken truce that passes between my brother and Logan, snuffing out the tension in the air. I feel Logan relax some, and I flash my brother a small smile that he returns with a curt nod.
