Page 68 of Overtime Goal
“You didn’t say that, and you seemed pretty done to me.” I planted both hands on the table, half-bent over, with my heart still slamming in my chest. “You all but said you were going to sleep withhim.” I jerked my head toward Weaver the Weasel.
Weaver scoffed. “Jesus.”
“Shut up,” I snapped. “This has nothing to do with you.”
He sat back and folded his arms, wearing a shit-eating grin I wanted to punch off his face. And I would, but first things first. I turned back to Logan, who hadn’t moved. He was wide-eyed, so handsome with his blond hair almost glowing in the sun. I wanted to grab his hand, but resisted the urge.
“I was a fucking fool, Logan. In LA, I got scared. Ever since then, I’ve been trying to show you that wasn’t how I really felt. It’s taken me a while to think everything through. Too long, maybe. But I told you about what I searched on the web, and what it made me think.”
His smile was small but encouraging, so I went on. “I wish I was better with words and had some fancy, beautiful way to say this, but I don’t. I hope it’s enough.” I took a deep breath and said, “I love you, Logan. I’m so fucking in love with you.”
His lips parted, but he didn’t speak. The surrounding noise continued as if what I’d said wasn’t important enough to stop the clocks.
“I love you.” My voice came out hoarse, torn from my heart. “This isn’t a game, and it’s not a phase. It’s not some fucking detour on my way back to women. You’re not a fling, Logan. You’re my first thought in the morning and my last at night. You’re where I want to land.”
Weaver made a sound like he was spitting on the floor. I kept my eyes on Logan, willing him to hear me.
But he said nothing, so I went on. “I’m not curious, and I’m not confused anymore. I’m in love with you, and I want to be together.”
Logan stood, his eyes wider than ever. “Riles?—”
I shook my head. “You don’t have to say it back. You don’t even have to believe me yet. I… I had to say it because pretending I didn’t feel this way and waiting for it to magically make sense was the dumbest fucking thing I’ve ever done.”
Logan’s eyes locked on mine. “Do you?—”
“I can’t stop you if you want to go with Weaver,” I said, the words raw in my throat. “But please don’t. Don’t walk out of here with him when I’m right here begging you to stay. Give me a chance.” I moved my hand into the space between us, hoping I could pull him closer by sheer will. “Giveusa chance.”
Quinn huffed out a loud breath. “Okay, what the fuck is happening here?”
“Seriously?” I shot death rays with my eyes. “Read the fucking room and get the hell out of it.”
Logan’s hand found the small of my back. “Don’t.”
“Don’t what?” My chest heaved. “Don’t lose it? I’ve almost lost you, and I can’t—” My insides felt like they were about to explode, and my voice fell to a whisper. “I love you, Logan. I don’t want to mess this up again.”
He smiled. “You didn’t mess it up the first time. I did.”
“I thought it was me, everything I said…”
Quinn muttered a curse, but Logan kept his eyes on me and said, “We have a lot to figure out, but I love you too. I’ve been in love with you for so long I can’t remember when it started.” His voice cracked. “We can work this out.”
“Did you say…?”
His lips curved into a shy grin. “I love you, Ade. More than I’ve ever loved anyone. Are you serious about us?”
“Never been more serious about anything. I’m scared because I don’t know how to do this. But I love you enough to figure it out.”
The moment stretched between us, quiet and full of heat. I wanted to kiss him, but we were in public. We didn’t need more complications until we talked about things.
His smile widened into a grin bright enough to light the entire town. “Want to go back to the house? We’ll have all the privacy we need there.”
Weaver let out an irritated grunt. “Lo, does this mean you’re not coming with me?”
I glared at him, tempted to punch him for being there.
Logan put a hand on my arm and said, “Let’s go.”
We walked out, shoulder to shoulder, with no kissing and no fireworks. We were just us, and that was enough because we’d finally said the words that mattered most.
