Page 35 of All Bets are Off

“Jase said she’s been having issues with dementia. I feel for Logan. My grandma had dementia for several years before she passed. It was hard on everyone. Hey, speak of the devil.”

I look up to see Logan walking toward the beach from the house. He wears a pair of white shorts and an open button-down shirt, revealing his sculpted, hairy chest, and I can’t help grinning. I’ve missed him. As he gets closer, I notice how absolutely wiped out he looks. Getting to my feet, I jog toward him, wrapping him in my arms before even saying hello.

Clutching my back, Logan takes a deep breath and lets it out. “Hey.”

“You okay?” I ask into his hair.

“Not really, but I’m better now that I’m with you.”

I give him another squeeze before letting him go and wrapping my arm around his shoulders to walk with him toward the group. I notice Dex staring at us, but I don’t care enough to move away from Logan when he needs me.

“We’ve got a big meal in the making. Is your mom settled? I was going to text you, but I didn’t want to bother you. I wish you’d let me help out.”

“She was a little freaked out yesterday, and I was afraid—I don’t know.”

I stop walking and turn to look at him. “What?”

Logan’s gaze is pinned on something in the distance, his face drawn and pale.

“Lo.” I rest my palm on his cheek. “Look at me.”

Blue irises turn to meet my eyes.

“What were you afraid of?”

“She’s been acting so off. I was afraid she’d say something to hurt your feelings.”

I frown, unable to imagine Gloria ever saying anything to hurt me.

He swallows. “She’s not herself. It’s bad.”

Pulling him into another hug, I ask into his ear, “Why didn’t you tell me?”

We’re close to the group, but the wind makes it impossible for them to pick up our conversation. Still, I feel eyes on us.

He shakes his head and steps away, wiping at his face. “I keep hoping it will all go away.”

Jase jogs over, looking worried. “Everything okay, Logan?”

Logan nods.

“He’s just had a hard time with the move,” I say. When Logan seems reluctant to go any farther toward our teammates, I offer, “You wanna go inside and lie down? I can bring you some food when it’s ready.”

“I think I will.” Head bowed, Logan walks back toward the house.

“Is he really okay?” Jase asks me.

“Yeah. At least, he will be. I think he’s exhausted, and, evidently, his mother’s getting worse. I should have just gone over there yesterday even though he told me not to.”

Eager to get back to Logan, I ask Kasey if the food’s almost ready.

“About five more minutes,” she tells me. “Logan doing okay?”

“He’s just wiped out. I’m going to feed him and make sure he gets some rest.”

“You’re such a good boyfriend,” Kasey says, eyes twinkling. I’m not sure if she’s kidding or not and don’t say anything. Taking the plate of foil-wrapped packages she extends to me, I mutter my thanks and head toward the house, cheeks hot.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

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