Page 40 of Just Say Yes

He must’ve noticed the shift in my expression, because his brow furrowed slightly, his eyes searching mine. “Are you okay?”

I forced a laugh, but it came out hollow. “Yeah. It’s just ...” I blew out a breath. “I knew someone who used to talk about a best friend with that name.”

“Huh. Someone I know?” He leaned in, curious but oblivious, like he couldn’t see the cracks forming in front of him.

“Yeah,” I murmured, feeling my stomach drop. My mouth went dry as I searched his face for a trace of recognition, a glimmer that he’d know exactly who I was talking about. But his expression stayed open and unguarded, completely unaware.

“Trent Fischer,” I said finally, my voice nearly cracking. “You’re friends, right?”

For a split second, Logan’s face lit up, the mention of Trent sparking a warm smile that twisted something deep inside me. “Hell yeah, we’re friends. Trent’s my best friend. I’ve known him since we were kids. Why?” He chuckled, clearly happy to share a story that, to him, was harmless.

But to me, his words landed like ice water doused over my head. The weight of it all hit me then, crashing over me like a wave. “Because I know him too.”

I took a step back, the ground beneath me tilting, my throat tightening painfully. I suddenly felt the need to leave, to escape the reminder of everything Trent had taken from me. But Logan reached out, his hand brushing my arm, and the warmth of his touch rooted me in place.

“MJ?” he asked, concern flickering in his eyes. “What’s wrong?”

I swallowed, my voice barely holding. “I ... I don’t know. I’ve known you were friends for a while. It felt wrong not to tell you.”

Logan’s brow furrowed deeper, his confusion turning to worry. “How do you know Trent?”

The irony was almost laughable.

His best friend didn’t even know I had existed because Trent had been careful to keep me a secret even though we’d dated formonths.

“Oh, I knew him,” I managed, struggling to keep my voice steady. “He mentioned his friends, but apparently he left out a lot of details.”

Like the fact that his beloved friend Maverick was Logan Brown, famous Olympic rugby player.

“Did he say something about me?” Logan’s expression softened, a hint of protectiveness there that nearly broke my resolve. “I know Trent can be a little jealous, but he means well.”

I didn’t know if Trent was secretive about Logan’s true identity because he was hidingmeor if it was because Trent always liked to be the most amazing person in the room.

Logan’s words tore through me, each one stinging more than the last. I could barely bring myself to look at him, but when I did, his face was open, honest—like he was still that guy I’d spent all this time with, getting to know.

The reality I had tried to ignore came crashing down. Now everything felt tainted, wrapped in the shadow of Trent’s betrayal.

“I don’t think you knew him like I did.” I lifted my chin. I was less than an hour into trying to be a new person—the kind of woman who didn’t let an asshole ex ruin a potential good time.

Still, the memories of what he’d done poked at my ribs.

Logan’s face fell, realization dawning slowly. “MJ ... did something happen between you two?”

My laugh was bitter, empty. I looked away, the words spilling out before I could stop them. “We dated. And he ... he wasn’t exactly honest with me.”

Logan’s jaw tightened, a storm gathering in his eyes as he tried to process what I was saying. The warmth in his eyes was replaced with something harder—something that looked a lot like regret. “MJ ... I’m sorry, but I have no idea what’s going on. I swear. Trent never ... Look, I travel a lot with the team and he never said anything to me.”

The concern in his voice was real, but it didn’t change the hurt twisting inside me.

The truth came tumbling out. “We dated formonths. He didn’t say anything because, to him, I was nothing. And now here I am, standing in front of his best friend, who didn’t know who I was either.” My voice cracked, the embarrassment of it all crashing down on me.

“I ... I think I need some air.” My voice was barely steady, and I took a step back, feeling like I was unraveling at the seams. I pulled away from him, every part of me screaming to get out of this place, away from him, away from the reminder of everything Trent had done. “You’re his best friend. You’ve probably heard all about his conquests, his games, his lies.”

Logan looked stricken, his face pale as he shook his head. “No, MJ, that’s not ... he’s never told me anything like that. I swear, I didn’t know he was like that with you.”

The sincerity in his voice made me falter, my anger and hurt warring with the part of me that wanted to believe him. But the memories were too strong, the wounds too deep.

“This was a mistake. I’ll see you around, Logan.”

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