Page 27 of Shattered
"I can feel those pretty eyes of yours on me, Sugar." He spared me a quick glance before returning his focus to the road. "What's on your mind?"
"You," I answered softly but honestly.
"Mmm, I like that."
A minute later we were pulling into Chase's driveway. I'd barely hopped out of the truck when the warmth of Logan's palm seared into the small of my back, leading me up the cobblestone path.
I felt slightly uncomfortable when his hand never left my back as he brought the other up to ring the doorbell. We weren't even one hundred percent sure what was happening between us and I was afraid if his brother were to see us in such an intimate position, he'd make assumptions. He wouldn't be wrong; I just wasn't ready for the whole world to know.
As fast as I could I took two steps to my right earning me a hard look from my left. Just as Logan's mouth started to move the door in front of us swung open. Greeting us wasn't Chase though, it was Eli.
The discomfort I'd felt moments ago increased tenfold. Whatever smart-ass comment Chase was to make, I could handle. But Eli's distrusting eyes scanning me with nothing but suspicion was a bit too much.
After giving me a thorough once over Eli turned his attention to Logan. "I didn't expect to see you so soon, brother. I thought for sure it'd take a bit longer to…gether out of your system."
"What the-"
Before Logan even had a chance to finish his sentence I stepped between the brothers and bravely glared at Eli. "Where's my son?"
Over my head, the two Jackson men were locked in a testosterone battle, staring daggers at each other. For a moment I thought I was going to have to come up with a way to defuse the situation but then Eli broke eye contact with Logan and addressed me.
"He's watching a movie with Chase and Molly in the TV room."
I gave him a tight nod before pushing past him. As I ventured deeper into the house, I could hear angry whispering behind me. I had no doubt that I was the subject of their heated argument. Trying to shake the guilty feeling that had suddenly overcome me I made my way to the back of the house where I found Flynn, Molly, and Chase fast asleep.
When I bent down to scoop up my boy Molly's dark head caught my eye. I honestly didn't understand how a man with such a beautiful little princess could be so angry all the time. But I guess everyone had their secrets, I just wished that Eli would stop being so damn interested in mine.
By the time I stepped back outside, there was no sign of Sheriff Jackson, just Logan leaning against his truck with his arms folded and his legs spread. The earlier ordeal almost disappeared from my mind when he spotted me and his lips curved into a wide smile.
An excited bark reminded me of Dozer's presence. I didn't even have to wonder how I missed him sitting next to Logan. Whether I wanted to admit it or not, that man always had my full attention whenever he was in the vicinity.
"I'm sorry my brother was an ass," Logan said to me once we were on the road again. "It's not an excuse, but life has dealt him a pretty shitty hand and he likes to think that entitles him to be a jerk."
I started to nod in understanding when Logan took hold of my hand resting on the seat. "And just in case you were wondering, Sugar, this...attraction—or whatever the hell is brewing between us—isn't something that I want togetout of my system."
"Okay," I sounded like an idiot but the sincerity in his voice scared me. For once I allowed myself to think back to those early days with Drew. He'd been charming and convincing but I couldn't remember him ever sounding sincere.
Because I couldn't voice that we were on the same page I squeezed Logan's hand. He seemed to understand the meaning behind it. It might have been dark, but I didn't miss it when his eyes darted to mine or when he graced me with a smile.
We pulled to a stop in my driveway and before I even had a chance to get Flynn from the back seat Logan was already cradling my boy to his chest. The image held my heart in a vice grip and showed no chance of letting up as Logan purposefully strode through my house to place Flynn in his bed.
Not for the first time that night I felt out of my element. What was to happen next? Was I supposed to invite him for coffee or walk him to the door? As I stood in my hallway trying to figure out how to proceed, Logan appeared in front of me looking a lot more troubled than he had a few moments ago. The sadness I'd spotted in his eyes a couple of times before seemed to be back.
"I…uh," his hand came up to rub his neck as he studied the floor. "I'm gonna go. Lock up when I'm gone." Reaching into his pocket he pulled out the keys to the truck and dropped them on the coffee table on his way to my front door.
"Logan?" I took one step toward him but the storm brewing in his eyes had me stopping in my tracks.
"Sweet dreams, Sugar."
And just like that he was gone, leaving me a hell of a lot confused. What on earth could have changed in the little time it took him to tuck Flynn in? Again I was reminded of the fact that everyone carries their own secrets, some are just better at hiding them than others. And Logan, it would seem, was the best.
When I woke up the following morning I was feeling more than a little ticked off. I'd spent most of the night tossing and turning over Logan's abrupt departure. After the intensity of the evening, I wasn't expecting it to end likethat.
That was why when I heard a knock at the door I stomped over and pulled it open with a lot more force than necessary without even checking the peephole. On the other side stood an amused looking Lizzy, holding up two coffees.
"So I guess you didn't get laid then?" My veryfunnyfriend handed me one of the cups before pushing past me to plonk down on my couch. "So?"
I closed the door and turned to her. Pulling up my shoulders I asked, "So what?"
