Blind (Senses Series Book 1) (6 page)

Chapter 11

Maxx

Dragging my ass down the stairs in my cheer shorts, tank top, and sports bra, I admit to myself that I have to tell Erin and Luke. They’re gonna know something is different between Logan and I, and it’s gonna take everything I have in me not to strangle him on sight.

The smell of freshly made pancakes perks me up for a moment. Luke and Erin were both born with incredible cooking skills, meanwhile, I burn waffles in the toaster.

My mother was never a very good cook either nor my grandmother to my memory. Hell, my aunt only kept things that could be thrown in the oven for every meal. If it weren’t for Luke and Erin’s parents I would’ve never really known the definition of a home cooked meal.

“I made you smiley face pancakes,” Luke says, his back still to me as he finishes layering bacon, my favorite food next to cupcakes, beside it. Turning around he hands me a pancake with a chocolate chip face. Immediately, he gets that all too familiar, all knowing look. “What’s wrong?”

“She’s been like that since last night,” Erin says stabbing at a bite of egg from the end of the kitchen table. She’s already dressed for work.

Figuring there’s no point in beating around the bush about it, I shrug. “Logan kissed me last night.” I plop in my seat and have a bite of bacon.

Luke stalks over towards the table gripping his favorite ‘I heart sexy doctors’ coffee mug.

I know. Not clever.

Leaning against the edge of the island closest to the table, he carefully asks, “What kind of kiss? Like an ‘I’m so stoked I won’ kiss? Or like a ‘you’re my prize’ kinda kiss?”

“Like you belong in an x-rated porn novel that’s been banned in bookstores across America kinda kiss.” That description forces the memory back to the front of my mind. Not like it wasn’t there almost all night, seeping through every vein, swimming around like it was the most natural thing in the world. Like being sexual with him was as necessary, and as easy, as breathing. I take another bite of bacon.

“Wow,” is Luke’s response.

“Then when we got home last night he was making out with the tall, long, and skanky twins.” My snip causes Erin to pick up her coffee cup and snigger. “I mean, what the hell? What the hell am I supposed to do with that?”

Angrily, I start stabbing my pancake, the fork hitting the plate makes an obviously obnoxious sound that seems to echo through the house. The truth of the situation is that here I am flipping out about what Logan has done to me, once again, while he lies comfortably passed out in his bed stress free.

I think I’m starting to really hate him.

“Are you actually open to suggestions?” Erin cautiously asks, hiding behind her cup.

“Fuck it.” I shrug. “Why not?”

“Seems to me the solution here is simple. Do things Logan’s way.”

My chewing slows down and I tilt my head in confusion. “I’m sorry, the syrup that’s seeped into my pancake is apparently forcing me to hallucinate. Could you repeat that?”

“Hear me out.” She holds up a hand. “We all know Logan, right? He’s spent his whole life running to try and survive, so the thought of something permanent would mean the opposite of survival, ya know? It would mean he was in some sort of danger. Backwards, but it is what it is. He lives his life like he thinks he’s gonna die before he’s 25, like he’s James Dean or something.”

“Looks more like Jase Dean,” I grumble and then pause to picture the model in my head.

God, sometimes they could be sexy twins, even if Logan is just slightly smaller framed with a slightly sweeter face. You do know who Jase Dean is, don’t you? No? You might want to take a moment to render that.

“Focus,” Erin calls me back as Luke chortles at me.

You try picturing Jase and not getting a little distracted.

“Play his game. Have moments with him and keep being his best friend. Act like the moments mean as little to you as he is pretending they mean to him.”

My friends have officially lost their goddamn minds.

“I don’t want to be another pair of underwear that gets lost under his bed—”

“And you won’t be.” Luke steps into the conversation.

Do you smell that? Yeah. That. Smells like bullshit right?

Luke continues, “You could never be. And that’s part of what scares him. Hooking up with you would require him to make more stable choices, which we all know he needs. You’re good for him, perfect in fact, but he’s just gotta learn to see it.”

Perfect? I’ve never been perfect for anything in my life aside from cupcake testing.

“So, play his game.” Erin waves her hand at me. She instructs sternly, “Flirt with him, make out with him, fool around with him, but do not sleep with him. I repeat. Do. Not. Sleep. With. Him.”

Why is she saying that like it should be my new mantra?

Confused I lean back in my chair. Erin continues, “That’s the only rule. Don’t screw him until he’s proven that once it happens he’s not just gonna walk away. That he’s not just gonna wake up and sneak out of bed like a one night stand. Make him commit first.”

Logan can’t even fucking spell commit. Not sure he believes it’s a real word.

Luke jumps on the bandwagon of nonsense. “Doing things this way, one of two things is gonna happen. He’s either gonna finally come to his senses and go balls to the wall with you, or he’s gonna realize the only reason he thought he wanted you was because you were off limits like some sort of forbidden fruit and let you go. Either way, it puts an end to the cat and mouse bullshit you’ve had to deal with for years.”

“Years,” Erin emphasizes and I pick my fork back up.

Her echo there wasn’t necessary right?

“I don’t know guys. That sounds…sticky. Like this could end badly. Like really badly. Like we won’t make it out kind of badly.”

“Please,” Erin jeers. “There’s nothing that could tear the two of you apart. Any of us really. We’re all we’ve got, ya know? Worse comes to worst you might have a Ross and Rachel situation for a little while, but we’ll cope.”

Pleased, I smile. “Did you just make a Friends reference? You hate that show.”

“You rub off on everyone,” she grumbles.

True.

With another bite ready on my fork I ask, “And what about Tony?”

“Keep him.” Luke nods. “A little competition is good for the soul. Ask Erin. She’s always got at least four guys competing for her attention.”

She glares at her brother. “You better have meant that in a baby sister is desirable sort of way and not my baby sister is a slut kinda way.”

“There’s a difference?” Luke starts laughing and she chunks a piece of egg at him across the room making him laugh even more.

Before I can object again, Erin turns her attention back to me. “Look Maxx, you’ve done it your way. Do it our way now. Maybe the change will work. It’s gonna take some major acting skills on your part, but I know you’re more than capable.”

  Her confidence in me makes me smile.

What if they’re right? What if trying this route with Logan will spark a change between us to either shit or get off the pot? To get out of this horny limbo we’ve wedged ourselves into? In a way, I’d be having my cake and finally screwing it too. Wait. No screwing. That’s the only rule. Could be fun. Could be exciting. It could also be the biggest mistake I’ve ever made in my life. Aren’t some mistakes worth making?

Suddenly the sound of feet on the stairs causes us to turn our attention towards the stretched out Mary Kate and Ashley twins who are adjusting their matching brown dresses, both missing their tails and ears from last night. Probably their underwear too.

I swear Logan doesn’t have a weird underwear fetish or anything. It’s just that girls have a tendency to leave them behind after screwing him. I feel like they leave them because they hope he’ll call them again. It obviously goes to show you your panties are no place to keep your hope.

“Ooo pancakes,” one says and heads towards the kitchen.

“We’re not allowed feed the animals at the zoo. It’s against the rules,” I sneer pulling my legs underneath me to sit on them.

For a second she looks hurt, but then her sister, or friend, not sure if they are actually twins or not, jabs her with her elbow. “Cause we were dressed like monkeys last night! Duh!”

“Sure,” Erin says pushing her plate away before shooting me a look.

The first one speaks again. “Could you guys do us a favor and tell Unbreakable to call us?”

“He’s illiterate you know,” I speak again making Luke shake his head slowly as he shuts his eyes. “So that’s gonna be hard for him.” They stare at me blankly like they don’t understand.

You know, if I don’t fool around with Logan for any reason other than to remind him there are women who can count higher than 12, it would still be worth it.

“It means he can’t read.”

“But they’re numbers…” the second girl sighs, looping her arm through the first girl’s.

“Oh dear God,” Erin mumbles as I speak over her.

“He can’t read those either.”

“Oh…” says the first one making a pout face. “Sad…”

Do you have a headache now too?

“Don’t worry girls, I’ll make sure Unbreakable finds a way to get in touch with you,” Luke speaks up. “Have a nice day.”

They giggle at Luke like they could come after him next. Well that’s going to be a disappointment when they find out he’s gay.

That’s the thing I love and hate about him. Girls fawn over him and he disappoints them. It’s funny to watch until he points out that the dude you’re fawning over in a restaurant is on his team. Apparently I have no gaydar and Erin’s is Sherlock Holmes level. And yes, I watched a marathon while I couldn’t sleep last night.

Once the front door shuts Luke says, “Am I the only one here who feels that their IQ plummeted after being in the room with those two?”

“I feel like they should come with instructions on how to not pop them.” Erin stands clearing her plate. “Anyway, I have to get to work.”

“I thought you were off today.”

“I
was
until my boss called and asked if I could cover for a couple hours.”

“You know, you could always say no.” Luke puts on his father face before taking another sip of his coffee.

She doesn’t really need to work. The money their parents left behind is enough money for her and Luke to live comfortably until they’re at least 60. Hint: That’s why he hates that she works so hard all the time.

“I could, but I need the overtime.”

Calling her out on her bullshit, I take a bite of my pancake. “No you don’t.”

“Fine, I don’t
need
the overtime, but I like it.” The two of us continue staring at her as she rinses her plate. Finally she caves. “Fine! I get free makeup every time I come in when I’m not scheduled. And I like free makeup! Don’t judge me.”

You heard her. Don’t judge her.

We giggle while she loads her plate into the dishwasher. My attention turns to Luke. “And what about you? What are you doing today?”

“Golf,” he grunts refilling his cup.

Erin grabs her keys from the bar part of the island. “You hate golf.”

“I do hate golf.” His grumble is followed with a long sip of coffee. “But it’s either golf or being locked up in my room again on my day off. Besides, I may hate golfing, but some of the caddies are to die for.”

The jingle of Erin’s keys is interrupted by the sound of heavy steps hitting the stairs. I suck in a deep breath.

It’s sink or swim time. If I play the game I can get a little of what I want and the power back in my life, or I can not play and keep being the toy he only wants to play with when he’s bored. What do you say? You behind me for turning the tables on him? Yeah. Thought so.

“I thought you were off today?” Logan asks Erin, tying the string to his basketball shorts that are riding right at his hips letting the world know he is indeed going commando. 

That V of his is fucking perfect.

“I
was
,” she emphasizes again. “But…I like free makeup.”

And with that she bounces out of the front door, the sound of her heels like a war cry to the world that she’s coming and she means business. Logan’s eyes fall on me as I pry them off of his white tank top covered chest. They’re nothing like they were last night when I didn’t see anything but a cold wall. In fact, he looks relaxed, and back to the sweet yet simple look I’m accustomed too.

God that look could more than mend a bruised heart. In fact, it’s that look that I’ve spent so many nights of my life lying next to, dreaming about, nurturing… There’s trust in this look. More importantly, love. I don’t wanna loose that again, even if it means doing things his way for a bit. Ugh! Damn it! I want Logan Kellar and I’m gonna get him, even if it is in pieces. Please just bear with me.

“Bite?” I hold my fork out with a slice of pancake on it.

Cautiously he walks over, places both of his large hands on the table, which causes my breath to jump, and lowers his jaw so that his mouth is open for receiving.

Son of a bitch. If I didn’t know any better I’d say he’s fucking with me. Testing me.

I slide the fork into his mouth with a wide smile that shows I’m unaffected. He looks slightly relieved.

Makes me wonder if Luke’s prediction of the situation is gonna be the latter.

His tongue swipes away the syrup, re-instilling the thoughts of just how soft yet forceful it was last night, before he turns to face Luke and gives him a nod. “You got home late last night.”

Deflecting the attention he snaps, “And you were loud late last night.”

“What can I say? There was a rumble in my jungle.”

“Not even clever,” Luke scolds as I stand up to clear my plate.

It really wasn’t.

Luke hums out, “Don’t worry. We sent the orangutan twins on their merry way.”

“Please don’t insult the orangutans by having them associated with bananas for brains.” I dump the few pieces of food that were left on my plate in the garbage. Turning to look at Logan, I snap, “How the hell do they not just fall over?”

“Or float away,” Luke snickers as Logan props himself up against the counter right beside the dishwasher and sink. Right where I’m going to be doing the remainder of the dishes. Right in my space.

Obviously he’s better at this game than I am.

“Anyway, I’m going to change.” Luke says.

Gripping the counter so that his muscles flex in my face, like some sort of test from the Muscle Gods that I swear I am going to fail, he calls out, “Where are you headed?”

“Golf.”

“But you hate golf.”

“But I like caddies,” Luke calls to him as he shoots up the stairs and into his room leaving just me, Logan, and the three plates I have to put in the dishwasher.

“And what about you Maximus? Our usual?”

Shutting the dishwasher closed, I position myself right in front of him, giving him a chance to look down my tank top. He takes it.

Point. Me.

I slide my hands on the back part of my hips and smirk. “Tonight. We can do pizza and a movie then. I have a date this afternoon.”

“Oh. Right.” The lack of emotion on his face is an act. Based on the fact that he gripped the counter tighter and his shoulders are tensing, I’d say the idea of me not being all his when he’d hoped bothers him. “With Tony?”

“Yup.” I nod slowly. “But don’t worry. I promise I’ll be home this evening and we can do movies and pizza. I’m sure Luke and Erin won’t be in the mood to cook, so it should be perfect for everyone.”

“Sounds good.”

I turn to walk away when an idea hits me. It’s like Erin is there poking me in the back with one of her stiletto heels.

By the way. That shirt hurts.

My body twists around. “Oh yeah, and Logan?”

“Hm?”

Smoothly I slide my boobs against his chest, reach up on my tip toes, and hear his breath stop. “I won’t be wearing any underwear today either.” I let my tongue slip out of my mouth and lightly touch his earlobe.