Page 102 of Frozen Hearts
Shaking his head, he thankfully does as I say and turns his back to me as he stares at the bathroom wall.
“I’m not the repugnant human who lied about being raped and got an innocent man sent to prison.”
Oh, so we’re going there.
My laugh is insolent and caustic, and it’s with sharp, angry movements that I loosen the towel and allow it to drop to the floor before yanking on the undergarments. “I’m guessing that’s what changed your mind about us? Why you switched from Doctor Jekyll to Mr. Hyde? Because Grayson found out who I was?”
The muscles in his back flex and bulge as his hands clench at his sides. “He was with me that night, at Lux.”
Just fucking perfect.Seeing me on campus would have been bad enough, but to see me at the club. No wonder he thinks a sex slave is appropriate.
“And it’s just as well he was,” Logan continues in a harsh tone, unaware of the grave he’s digging for himself. “Saved me from what would probably have been the biggest mistake of my life.”
Ouch.
He shakes his head but doesn’t turn around, even though I’m now dressed in the bra, thong, and oversized T-shirt that falls to nearly my knees and smells of Logan.
Pushing past the hurt, I focus instead on the issue at hand. “Grayson’s father was proven guilty. He embezzled money. That is hardly on me.”
“The police wouldn’t have even been looking if you hadn’t directed their attention his way,” he half yells, spinning to glower at me.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” I’m now absolutely furious as I glare at him from across the room. “He committed the crime he was accused of. And got away with a far more serious one.” I sigh as my anger gives way to a desperate sort of plea. “We spent weeks getting to know one another while in the library. Do you truly believe I’m capable of falsely accusing someone of something so heinous?”
Logan comes at me so fast that I stumble back. “I don’t even know if that Riley exists,” he snaps. His eyes are glowing with a fire, raging flames of anger, but as I stare harder, I can see the hurt, the confusion that they’re hiding. “It could all have been a ruse.”
“A ruse?” I parrot, confused. “A ruse for what?”
Throwing up his hands, he growls, “I don’t know, Riley. For all I know, you planned on doing the same thing to me that you did to him.”
It would have hurt less if he’d slapped me. I physically cringe at his harsh words, gaping at him for a full minute before my rage rises like a tidal wave. Locking away the hurt, I advance toward him. “You’re the one who approached me, you dipshit. The one who asked formyhelp. The one whokissedme. Who asked that I go on a date and to your game. And you have the fucking gall to say that to me.”
I shake my head, thoroughly disappointed and disgusted with him.
“I’m on my way to the pros,” Logan continues to argue, but he doesn’t sound as incensed as before. “If everything goes well, I’d be a prime target. It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve known a girl to pull such a stunt.”
“And I’m not arguing that, but you were never a target to me, Logan.” I sigh in exasperation. “I don’t know how many times I have to tell you, I liked you foryou.Not the number on your jersey, the money in your bank account, or your potential future in hockey.”
“Liked?” Logan queries. Creases form deep crevices across his forehead.Seriously, did he hear anything I said after that point?“As in, past tense?”
“Yeah, Logan. Past tense, ‘cause I won’t let myself fall for a man who thinks I’m capable of what you’ve accused me of and who believes I’m out to destroy him when I’ve only ever wanted the best for you.”
Uncaring that I’m supposed to behiscaptive, I shove past him and out of the bathroom door. I’d rather be chained to that stupid pole than forced to spend another moment in there with Logan.
Storming down the hall, I re-enter the room they’re keeping me in and drop onto the couch. I bring my legs up, stretching the t-shirt over my knees and wrapping my arms around them before resting my cheek on top.
It hurts to be thought so little of. It’s one thing for Grayson to side with his father. It’s his dad. Of course, he’s going to believe him over me. But Logan? We’d spent weeks getting to know one another before he flipped the switch. Shouldn’t that have accounted for some doubt? Warranted me at least the opportunity to defend myself?
I tense as I hear him approach, only relaxing when he walks on by, moving down the stairs.
I’m not sure how long I’m lost in my thoughts, but I don’t even hear him returning until he shoves a plate of food under my nose. “Here.”
My stomach growls at the smell of bacon and scrambled eggs, and I’m not stubborn enough to refuse food when offered, so I take the plate from him.
He hovers in front of me, but I stare steadfastly down at the plate in my lap as I wait for him to leave. After a moment, he sighs and turns to leave. Unable to help myself, I lift my gaze, watching him through my lashes as he strides out of the room and disappears. I stare at the empty doorway for another minute, contemplating how different things could be between us if Grayson hadn’t been at Lux that night before my growling stomach reminds me of its presence.
* * *
I must drift off on the sofa at some point, my lack of sleep from the night before catching up with me. Wriggling on the couch, I huff out a breath when I can’t find a comfortable position, not yet ready to open my eyes and face the reality of my shitty situation.
