Page 33 of Cross the Line

I said nothing, leaning against the counter and crossing my arms over my chest.

She continued speaking, undeterred. “I know you don’t want to talk about it, and I hate to even ask again. But maybe if I understood… maybe I could…”

“Maybe you could what?” I balked. “Fix it?”

It had been five years, and I still hadn’t figured out a way to repair the rift between Levi and me. I wasn’t sure I ever would.

“I mean, yes. It seems inconceivable to me that you can both be so important to me yet despise each other.”

“I don’t—” I hung my head, ashamed of my actions both then and now.

Logan had just admitted that I was important to her. She had no idea what that meant to me—to hear her say those words. And to want her to keep feeling that way while knowing it was impossible.

“I don’t despise him,” I finally said. “I also don’t want to put you in an awkward position with Levi or jeopardize your relationship with your brother.” Because you’re important to me too.

“My relationship with my brother is not your responsibility,” she said, adamant.

Part of me knew that Logan believed that, but she didn’t understand. Not really. Part of me hoped she never would.

“I should go. I need to go,” I said in a quieter voice. Maybe if I repeated the words enough, I’d believe them. I’d act on them.

Instead, I gripped the edge of the counter to keep myself from going to her. From doing something reckless like crossing the room, taking her in my arms, and kissing her like I’d wanted to since we’d crossed paths at Cece’s party last summer.

“Or…” Logan trailed off, surprisingly hesitant for someone who was usually so confident.

“Or…?” I asked, not sure what she was thinking.

“You could stay here tonight. I have a guest bedroom. It would give you a break from feeling like you’re living in a hotel.”

I couldn’t believe she’d recalled my words from last summer on the boat, though I didn’t know why I was surprised. Logan’s memory for hockey stats was incredible. I’d tried not to laugh when she’d run circles around Boone at dinner. He had a good head for numbers, but he was no match for her.

“What about your brother?” I asked, so damn tempted to say yes. To give in.

Her eyes sparked with fire, a challenge. “Let me worry about my brother.”

CHAPTER SEVEN

“Icouldn’t…” Carson glanced away. “I can’t impose on you like that.”

“It’s not an imposition. I’d let any of my friends crash here.” I would’ve made the same offer to Frasier, though this felt different, bigger somehow. Not that I was going to tell Carson that.

“I don’t know,” Carson hedged, and I wondered if his hesitation had more to do with my brother or me. “I don’t have any clothes or even a toothbrush.”

“I can help with that,” I said, rising from the couch.

“Even the clothes?” He chuckled. “Because I’m pretty sure your clothes won’t fit.”

“No.” I laughed, imagining how ridiculous he would look wearing my things. “You’ve got a good six inches on me, so no, not my clothes. Levi left some of his things here the last time he stayed with me. You’re about the same size. Let me grab that. Do you have your glasses?”

I’d yet to see him wear them, but I knew he needed them. He shook his head with a rueful look.

“Anything else you need, besides a toothbrush and toothpaste? Maybe some contact solution and a fresh case?”

He hesitated a moment, and I thought he was going to fight me on it again. But then he said, “Yeah. That would be good. Thanks.”

I headed down the hall to the bedrooms, grabbing the items. When I returned, I set them all on the coffee table. “Here you go.”

He regarded the pile and then me. “You really don’t have to put me up for the night.”