by Janie Marie
Janie twisted around to face her. “We’re taking you to Logan.”
Kylie’s mouth fell open. “You know him?”
A severe frown transformed Janie’s face. She didn’t answer. No, she simply scrutinized every inch of Kylie’s appearance before shaking her head and turning forward to stare out the window.
Kylie shifted her attention to Ryder.
He was already watching her through the rearview mirror. The way he stared might’ve been exciting if it wasn’t for the unemotional expression on his face. She felt utterly exposed on the receiving end of his attention and lowered her eyes to escape.
Only the low hum of what Kylie realized must be classical music filled the silence.
After what felt like an hour but judging by the clock was only fifteen minutes, Ryder said, “Logan is Janie’s ex.”
Thirteen
HIS PAST
“Babe?” Ryder reached out with the back of his hand to caress Janie’s cheek. “We can just drop her off—you don’t have to talk to him.”
Kylie stared down at her lap as she tried not to become visibly upset. They were in the gym parking lot, still in the car, and Ryder was pampering Janie while Kylie was trying not to have a damn meltdown because, of course, it had to be Janie Mortaime who had some claim on the only guy to ever notice her. She was obviously the brunette Chris had warned her about. How could he have meant anyone else?
Hell, even Philip had tried to warn her. He had started to say Logan dated Janie, but fear of Ryder had shut him up.
“I’ll be fine,” Janie said as she rubbed her chest. “I want to see him. You know I just . . .” She didn’t finish whatever else she meant to say. She climbed out of the car, leaving the door open for Kylie.
Ryder muttered out a few curse words and jerked his chin toward the open passenger door. “Out.”
She jumped when he got out, slamming his door. Janie was already out of sight, walking into the gym, and Ryder was marching after her.
Every bone in her body hurt as she climbed out and shut the door. She saw Ryder glance behind him before the car alarm sounded.
“Hurry the fuck up,” he hollered at Kylie as he shoved the gym door open.
She didn’t move. All she kept hearing in her mind was that Logan was Janie’s ex. It made her want to vomit all over the place—all over the car Ryder bought for her.
Her whole stomach cramped as even her fingers went numb. She needed to run. She was going to run. Hell would freeze over before she followed them because she knew what she’d see—Janie would be all over Logan like she was with Ryder’s brothers.
“You better do as he says.”
Kylie stumbled back. The rest of the Godson brothers and their girlfriends had arrived.
It was Monica who had spoken, and they were all slamming doors to each of their vehicles. Monica and Savaş got out of a red Hummer as Archer exited a classic white mustang, and Tercero locked his gorgeous matte black Audi r8. It always boggled Kylie’s mind that Ryder didn’t drive a crazy car like his brothers, but she didn’t give a damn about any of that right now.
“It’s not a secret Logan wants Janie back,” Monica told her, bringing back the swirl of fire in Kylie’s gut. “That’s why he doesn’t date,” the girl added. “You better get in there if you want him to remember you.”
“Mon.” Savaş gave Kylie a quick once-over. “I think she’s just finding out about them.”
Archer chuckled. “Monica, darling, you have an even bigger mouth than I do.”
“Whoops.” Monica snickered, hanging onto Savaş’s massive arm. “Well, she’s about to see how he gets when he sees the only girl he’s ever loved. Even I feel jealous with the way he looks at her.”
“Hurry up,” Tercero muttered, walking ahead of the others. “Savaş, Archer.”
“Yeah.” Archer threw down a cigarette and ran toward the door.
“What’s happening?” Kylie whispered as the girls all sighed.
Tonia answered, “Oh, they’re just here to make sure Ryder and Logan don’t fight.”
“What?” Kylie darted her gaze over to the gym. Ryder was no longer at the door.
Monica shrugged. “They fight over Janie sometimes because Logan wants her back, and Janie wants to keep their friendship. Seems like a lot of drama, if you ask me, but who can really blame Janie for not giving up Logan Grimm?”
“Yep, they all love Janie,” Elise commented dryly.
Tonia and Monica shrugged like that wasn’t a big issue.
But Kylie’s heart fell to the floor. The fight Ryder had lost had been to Logan. To win Janie somehow.
Monica grinned again. “He’s completely hard up for her. You should be careful with him—they’re not what they seem.”
“Monica,” Tonia said, pushing her friend toward the building, but Monica’s voice still carried to her.
“What? I would want to know what I’m about to see between them.”
Elise was still standing by her. “They’re just really old friends.”
Kylie stared down at the pavement. “He told me he never had a girlfriend.”
“He lied,” Elise said bluntly. “Come on. It’s not like this means Logan doesn’t like you now. I think you’re prettier than her anyway.”
Kylie tried to smile at this, but she was feeling way too many things to be happy about the compliment.
When they made it inside, loud yells and sweaty men greeted them, but there didn’t appear to be a massive fight between Logan and Ryder.
“Oh, bummer,” Elise said, coming to a stop by the others. “I was hungry for a sexy guy fight. At least Logan is shirtless.”
Ryder grunted, crossing his arms as he stared ahead.
Kylie followed his line of sight and sighed. There he was. Logan Grimm. He was indeed shirtless, and he was beating the crap out of a punching bag on the ground. She bit her lip as she watched him, his muscles flexing and glistening with sweat as Mark coached him and a few other guys who were all doing the same thing.
“Grimm,” Janie yelled from where she stood at the gate of the octagon Logan was working out in.
He snapped his head up, eyes locking with his ex-girlfriend. And he smiled that heartbreakingly beautiful smile of his. For Janie.
“Hey, honey.” Mark opened the gate and pulled Janie into a quick hug. “I was wondering when you were ever going to come back.”
Janie beamed up at the man. “Missed me?”
Mark laughed, inclining his head toward Logan. “I’m not the only one. He never shuts up about you when you’re gone for too long. Put him out of his misery so I can have my fighter in top shape, please.”
Kylie had enough of this; she took a step forward.
Ryder made a growling sort of noise, halting her. “Uh-uh, stay put. They have some shit to talk about first.”
She fumed while the blood in her veins sang with rage. Janie shouldn’t have anything to talk about alone with Logan. Kylie’s eyes were damn near about to spill over with angry tears because Logan was smiling at Janie the same way Ryder did.
“Baby doll,” Logan said loud enough for them to hear. He tugged her to him, hugging her tightly. “Fuck, I’ve missed you.”
Janie didn’t shy away. She squeezed him just as tightly as he was her, allowing him to lift her off her feet. “You’re sweaty.”
“You always liked it when we got sweaty together.” Logan chuckled, kissing her cheek as he lowered her to her feet. “You staying with me a while?”
Janie’s reply was too soft to hear, but it was like a blow to the chest as the truth became clear; Logan wasn’t going to keep away from any woman while he was with her. She was a damn joke.
She bit her cheek and watched Logan settle his hands on Janie’s hips as they talked softly to each other, Kylie’s mind replaying his words. What the hell did he mean ‘when they got sweaty’? Why was he touching her to begin with? Why wasn’t she pushing him away? Why would he ask her if she was staying for a while? Why wasn’t
Ryder stopping this?
Finally, Janie moved his hands down, and Logan actually looked disappointed.
“Fucker still can’t help himself,” Ryder muttered, shaking Tercero’s hand off his shoulder.
“Brother,” Tercero said in a warning tone.
Ryder shook his head. “I’m in control.”
Archer chuckled. “At least he didn’t grab her ass this time.”
Kylie balled her hands and shoved them into her pockets. Why was she watching this?
Logan’s sudden anger regained her attention, but she realized it was only because he noticed Janie’s injuries. Janie seemed to be explaining how she got hurt, and that’s when he turned toward them.
At first, he glared at Ryder, but soon dropped his eyes down to where Kylie stood. His expression went from shock to guilt, but he didn’t come over. No, he returned his focus to Janie, and his words to his ex were easy to make out: What is she doing here?
“Don’t worry about them, Red.” . . . Archer, Kylie realized.
She jerked her head around and gave him the nastiest look she could manage. “I’m not worried.”
He smirked and continued in a teasing sort of tone. “It’s all right to be jealous. We all get a little jealous of them.”
“I’m not jealous.” She wanted to scream; why were any of them jealous of Janie and Logan? This was freaking insane.
Archer gestured to her hands. “Your fingernails digging into your palms say otherwise.”
“Leave her alone,” Ryder said, not looking at any of them.
“Why?” Archer grinned at his brother’s glare. “Are you jealous as well, brother?”
Ryder cut him a dark look. “Shut the fuck up.”
Archer laughed, ignoring the worried look his girlfriend wore. “Don’t be pissy. You’re the one she picked.”
Ryder didn’t say anything, but he punched Archer on the shoulder. Hard.
“Ow.” Archer chuckled off the attack but still moved so that Savaş was between them.
“I’m hungry.” Savaş gave Ryder a bored look. “If you’re not going to fight him, I’m leaving.”
“She just left me feeling fucking happy earlier.” Ryder smirked mischievously, adding, “If he grabs her again, give me ten seconds before you stop me.”
Savaş simply nodded and pulled out his phone.
Kylie looked down and stared at her feet when Janie and Logan laughed together.
“Aw, don’t be sad, Kylie,” Tonia told her. “They’re just friends. He’s known her since she was born.”
They were making it worse.
“Janie’s head over heels for Ryder,” Tonia went on. “Totally in love. And, well, Logan is just the guy she loves.”
What? Kylie glared at the girl. “Isn’t that the same thing?”
“No,” said Monica in a duh tone. “Being in love is completely different from only loving someone.”
“They were in love,” Elise said, covering her mouth when Ryder glared at her. “Sorry.”
Monica kept talking. “Anyone can love another person—or thing. Like I love Ryder’s ass, but no way in hell am I in love with him.”
Savaş glanced down at his girlfriend. “Mon, shut the fuck up about my brother’s ass.”
Monica grinned wickedly at him. “Would you like me to talk about his dick?”
Archer and Tercero laughed. Ryder ignored them.
Savaş smiled. “If you’re going to enlighten everyone that you think mine’s bigger than his, don’t bother. We already know it is.”
Ryder slid his eyes over. “I’m bigger. And better.”
Savaş glared at him. “We measured, bitch.”
A superior smirk formed on Ryder’s face. “And we did the math. Dick to body ratio with our heights, my dick is ten percent bigger than yours. And you’re not that much taller than me.”
Monica didn’t comfort her boyfriend. She was staring at Ryder’s crotch. “I wish I was good at math.”
Kylie looked away from them. All she could wonder was if Janie knew the difference between Ryder’s dick and Logan’s.
“How long have you been fucking Logan?” Monica asked.
Archer snorted. “She doesn’t look like someone he’s been fucking. No offense, honey. That’s a compliment.”
Kylie snapped her mouth shut. She didn’t know how anything he said was a compliment.
“Are you guys actually dating? Or . . .” It was Monica again.
“We’re dating,” she said defensively. “He said girls are never just friends.”
“At least he’s being honest for once,” Archer said. “It’s true that girls are never just friends, but Logan and Janie are best friends. Therefore, not just friends.”
“What?” She stared at him, shocked and furious. “You said they were exes. Exes are not best friends.”
Ryder chuckled, moving a step closer to the ring. “You have no idea what you’ve got involved in.”
“They were best friends,” Tercero said, “before he decided to make her his girlfriend when she was, what?”
“I think she was fourteen,” Tonia said, smiling sadly. “First for both.”
“First?” Kylie was panicking. “She was his first girlfriend? How many has he had?”
Archer frowned, eyeing Logan and Janie for a moment. “She’s been his only girlfriend. Do you know anything about him?”
She wanted to cry and scream. They were looking at her like she was a moron.
Elise patted her arm. “Don’t stress out. They were together, but after Logan fought Ryder, and well, a lot of other things, they broke up.”
Kylie stared at the side of Ryder’s face. “You fought him for her?”
He chuckled. It was dark, like the laugh of an ax-murderer in a movie. “You don’t want to know the truth. But, yeah, we got in a fight because Logan’s a bitch, and he felt threatened because he knew I was better than him.”
“You’re not better than him.” She glowered, feeling stupid because Logan was making her look like an even bigger fool.
“Like I care what you think.” Ryder’s gaze was so cold she wanted to hide. “You didn’t even know they were a couple—and I’m assuming by the way you were about to break down in tears when you found out, he lied. Surprise, Logan lies all the damn time.”
Logan was not a liar. He was blunt and honest, and she hated them for trying to make Logan look bad. “So Logan beat you up and she what . . . cheated on him?”
While the others gaped at her, Ryder wore a cruel smile and said, “She’s not a cheater. I stopped fighting back because he’s a dumb fuck, and I didn’t want her hurt because I would’ve destroyed him. And, no, she didn’t feel sorry for me. She felt like shit for watching me take a beating because Logan was a jealous, insecure fuck.”
Kylie flinched at his harsh tone.
“He lost her on his own,” he continued. “I was just lucky enough to find her after everything.”
Tercero shoved Ryder forward, muttering things to him as his body seemed to shake.
Archer shook his head. “Do you really not know anything about them, or what happened after they broke up? Fuck, even the teachers still gossip about it.”
Kylie stared at Ryder. He looked ready to go over and pummel Logan, but Tercero was holding his shoulder. She glanced at Logan and Janie. Logan wasn’t smiling as much, but he was still looking at Janie in a way he hadn’t looked at her.
Monica scooted closer and whispered, “He means did you not know she was raped after they broke up?”
“Raped?” Kylie asked, disbelief coating her voice.
“Damn, clueless as fuck.” Archer walked to Ryder’s other side.
Tonia sighed. “They don’t talk about it with us, but almost everyone in town knows, so I’ll tell you what we know. After Logan graduated—and the breakup—Janie was struggling. She and Ryder weren’t together yet. And, well, she got in trouble at school one day, and when she left after-school detention, two boys grabbed her.” Tonia ge
stured to Ryder. “That’s why he’s so protective all the time. So is Logan—he blames himself. All our guys felt bad for it happening right under their noses. We weren’t close with her then, but I know it messed her up.”
“Of course it did,” Monica said, almost protectively.
Kylie whipped her head around to Ryder. He was glaring at Logan, and Logan was cupping Janie’s cheeks as he spoke to her.
“What?” Janie yelled.
They all looked up to see Janie push Logan’s hands off her cheeks and slap him across the face. It wasn’t a light slap either, it was a full-on bitch slap.
How dare she hit him!
Logan’s head turned to the side, and he kept his face turned as Janie began to verbally attack him.
“Logan,” her next word was whispered in a hissing voice so that no one else could hear, then with her initial angry voice, she yelled, “Grimm.”
“Ooh, full name,” said Archer.
“What’s his full name?” Kylie asked, not sure what to do. She felt nothing. She felt empty.
“I think only Janie and his family knows,” Monica answered. “It’s a Grimm thing. They’re . . . secretive.”
Kylie frowned, noticing the others nodding. “Is Trevor the same?”
“Why do you care about Trevor?” Ryder asked, peering over his shoulder.
Kylie swallowed, darting her eyes away from his fierce gaze.
“I don’t care,” she whispered.
Savaş snorted. “Do you think we’re idiots?”
She looked at all of them. “I just don’t care about Trevor.”
“Then why do people think he’s into you?” Monica asked. “You know that’s why people were talking about you today, right? Everyone’s talking about how lovesick you looked when he walked you to class. They think you’re fucking both Grimms.”
Ryder turned, facing Kylie. “You pretended to like Trevor to get closer to Logan.”
Archer laughed. “I’m pretty sure Logan’s looking to smash.”
Tercero shook his head at Archer. “Have some manners.”
Ryder kept watching her, and a dangerous smirk formed on his lips. “Do you love him?”