Page 40 of Logan

I nodded along, happy that Clay had found something to enjoy, but then I read the titles of the books he was showing me.

Goosebumps.

Anamorphs.

A Wrinkle in Time.

They were all books I’d read in middle school, and while there was nothing wrong with adults enjoying books meant for a younger audience, the fact that Clay had exclusively picked out those titles worried me.

Clay must have noticed my expression, because he pulled the books back to his chest and laughed nervously. “Yeah. I haven’t attended school since I was thirteen and didn’t really have the chance to keep up with my education. Turns out, I’m a bit behind when it comes to reading skills. Patrick had me take some sort of online test to figure out where I’m at, and he said that these books would be better for me. He also said that I just needpractice, and even mentioned that I could get a tutor if I wanted, and maybe take the GED someday.”

I wanted to kick myself.

How had I not considered the greater impact that being kidnapped at the age of fourteen would have on his life?

Of course he was reading kid’s books. He’d missed the opportunity to read them as an actual kid. In a way, it was like his entire life had been put on pause almost a decade ago, and now he was trying to pick it back up from where he left off.

My silence lasted too long as I struggled through my self-criticizing thoughts and Clay began to grow visibly uncomfortable. He laughed again, rubbing at the back of his head as blue eyes peeked at me from under his bangs.

“Is, um... is Patrick right? Do I just need to practice? These books are a lot easier to read than the adult books, but I’d like to read adult books too someday.”

Snapping out of my own thoughts, I scoffed and waved a dismissive hand. “Psh. A lot of adult books are boring. Don’t get too hung up on them. You should read what you like.”

My reaction was a little too over the top to be natural, but Clay seemed to appreciate it, nonetheless.

Casting my memories back to my middle school days, I recalled the few Goosebumps books that I had read and told Clay about my favorites. One of them turned out to be the same that he bought, and he ended up reading the first chapter to me over the video call.

We both pretended that it was for the sake of helping him practice, but in reality, it was just an excuse. Neither of uswanted to end the call yet, and we ended up talking into the early hours of the morning.

I was going to be dead tired at work tomorrow, but it was worth it as I watched Clay focusing on the page in front of him, reading to me with a small smile on his face.

CHAPTER 16

Logan

“You go around lookinglike that, people are going to think you lost a fight.”

Sebastian’s voice greeted me with far too much enthusiasm when I stepped through the door of Alias Investigations.

I wanted to flip him off and tell him to shove his laughter up his ass, but I was too tired and just slumped into the chair on the other side of his desk.

“Shut up. I just didn’t get enough sleep last night.”

“You sure it was only one night?” Sebastian eyed me up and down, laughter still evident in his voice, though his expression conveyed legitimate worry. “I’ve seen raccoons with smaller dark circles around their eyes than you have right now. I think you’re missing more than a single night’s sleep.”

“I’ll be fine. It’s just been a busy couple of weeks. Now, what did you want to talk to me about?”

As I’d predicted, work had been hell when I was practically falling asleep on my feet. I’d been banned from any fieldwork that day and spent the time catching up on paperwork. When it was done, I’d been looking forward to falling into my bed and not moving for the next twelve hours, but a last-minute call from Sebastian had derailed that plan.

A file sat on the desk, obviously waiting for me, but when I reached for it, Sebastian pulled it away.

“Hey, Logan, maybe you should just go home and rest. We can discuss this later.”

“Sebastian.” I slammed my fist against the top of the desk, though my display of anger lost its impact when I was also slumped over that same desk. “I’m already here. Just give it to me.”

Sebastian—the annoying bastard—chuckled as he opened the file. “Didn’t know you were so forward, Logan. Usually, I have to buy someone dinner before they’ll beg me like that.”

I glared at the other man, wishing I had the energy to throw something at his stupid, smug face.

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