Page 14 of Overtime Goal
“Except a dozen reporters,” Packy said. “Is Logan Grayson Seriously Ill?That headline went everywhere.”
We cracked up while Logan tried to salvage his dignity. Once the laughter died down, he shot Harpy a look. “What’s got you buzzing?”
Harpy’s grin widened. “Museum of Science and Industry. The concierge got us special tickets.”
Great. There goes my afternoon with Logan.
I shook my head. “Pass. I’ve been too many times, and it’s for kids anyway.”
“I’m not up for it either,” Logan said quickly. “But you guys enjoy.”
Packy caught my arm. “Not so fast. Let him finish.”
Harpy bounced on his toes. “We’ve all been there before, but these tickets are for the temporary exhibit. The Science of Sports.”
“Shit. I heard the lines are insane. You actually got us in?” The words were out before I could stop them, and I wanted to kick myself in the ass.
“That’s where the concierge came in,” Harpy said. “He has a friend over there who agreed to open the display for us this afternoon. It’ll be ours from five to seven.”
Holky slung an arm around my shoulders. “You’re going. No backing out.”
“You too, Logan.” Packy patted him on the back. “This is not to be missed.”
Logan glanced at me, disappointment written all over his face. I must have matched, because Harpy cleared his throat. “You feeling okay?” He glanced at Logan and then back at me. “If you guys aren’t feeling well, we can tell you about it afterward.”
“Not sick, just tired,” Logan said. “We’ll go, won’t we, Riles?”
“Sure.” I forced a big grin. “Wouldn’t miss it.”
Logan and I didn’t get a second alone. The guys dragged us from a quick lunch to a couple of men’s stores, and then to the museum. I kept thinking Logan and I could peel off after that. We’d sneak back to the hotel, order room service, and have our conversation.
When we left the museum, I thought we were finally free, but Gabe and Brody started talking about dinner. Again, Logan and I exchanged glances, and I tried to beg off.
Brody gave me a playful punch on the arm. “Don’t tell me you can resist the Chop House. I’ve seen you demolish a steak there and consider ordering a second.”
He was right, but my stomach was already heavy, and it had nothing to do with food. Logan and I had been skating around each other the entire trip, and it had to stop. Desperate, I used the same last-ditch attempt I had about the museum. “I love the Chop House, but I’m not in the mood.”
Gabe looked up from his phone. “The restaurant texted, and they’ve shuffled some people so they can take us. We need to get moving, boys.”
That was that. After we ate and took care of pictures and autographs with fans, it was ten-thirty when we arrived back at the hotel.
We all had rooms on the fourteenth floor, and when we got to Logan’s door, he turned toward me.
I spoke before he could say goodnight. “I’m not tired, so I’ll come in for a while.” He hesitated, and I remembered what Harpy had said about not backing off. “That okay with you?” I asked.
A beat passed before he nodded and unlocked the door. Inside, he pointed at the bathroom. “Go ahead.”
When I went back into the room, the lights were dim, and everything was quiet except for the city hum far below. Logan nodded toward two armchairs angled by the window. I dropped into one and stretched my legs, trying to steady my nerves while he disappeared into the bathroom. When he came back, he sat in the chair beside me.
“Want to watch a movie or something?” he asked.
This was the moment of truth, and he knew it. Though he sounded friendly, I could see the tension in his shoulders.
My voice came out steadier than I expected. “Not yet. We need to talk.”
He glanced at his watch, and I thought he might say it was too late for a conversation. Instead, he rubbed his chin and sank deeper into the chair.
“Talk about what?” he asked.
