Page 158 of After All This Time

"Harper told me she loved me last night after the show."

"Holy shit!" The words burst out before I can stop them. "Good for her! Wait—tell me you said it back."

"Of course I did." His whole face lights up like a kid on Christmas morning. "I think I've loved that girl since the first time she called me out on my bullshit."

"Well, I'm happy for you," I say, meaning every word as I watch him practically vibrate with joy.

"It's mostly thanks to you, you know—for pushing us together."

"Then you're welcome." I laugh, shaking my head at him, but I can still feel his eyes on me. "What?"

"Are you doing okay?"

"Of course I'm okay. And, by the way, hearing that news in no way makes me sad. I love you idiots, and I'm so happy for you,"I say firmly, hoping he'll believe me. But he keeps staring, and I sigh. "We're not doing this, Logan."

"You know where I am, where we both are," he says, offering me a lifeline I'm not ready to grab.

"Usually behind me making out," I quip, and he bursts out laughing, nudging me in the ribs.

"Okay, I'm trying to be supportive here, you ass."

"I appreciate it. I do. I just… I deal with my shit inwardly, that's all."

But instead of retreating, he grabs my earbud, pops it in his ear, and hits play like he's settling in for the long haul.

"You can't do that with us,"Harper declares,appearing before us as if emotional avoidance hadpersonally summoned her. She drops into the seat ahead, turning to face us. "You know I'll be on your ass until you tell me to shut up," she adds.

"Permission to tell you to shut up in the future?"

"Absolutely not," she says, crossing her arms.

"Fine, but I don't like it," I mutter, slumping further into my seat.

"I'm okay with that," she says breezily. "So do we get to meet your parents while we're in Pennsylvania? Because they sound super nice," she adds, sarcasm dripping from every word.

"I don't even want to see them, so probably not."

My voice comes out tight enough to snap. But deep in my gut, I know the truth—if my mom has anything to say about it, she'll find a way to crawl so far up my ass I'll be tasting her disapproval for weeks.

Some things never change.

Like the way family can fuck you up without even trying or how friends can piece you back together just by refusing to let you hide.

TOBIAS

Please tell me you're there, baby.

Tobias's text lights up my phone screen as I burrow into another cold hotel bed, desperate to be wrapped in his arms instead of these stiff, unfamiliar sheets.

AMELIA

I'm here. Is everything okay?

I type back, my heart already racing. It's nearly two o'clock in the morning, and knowing he works tomorrow means this isn't a casual goodnight text.

TOBIAS

I was dreaming about you. Now I'm hard as fuck, lying here with my cock in my hand when I should be spreading those pretty thighs. Fuck, I need to be inside you.

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