One of the Guys

by Dawn Doyle

  Quickly heading to Logan’s bathroom, I collected a couple of Advil from the cabinet and a glass of water, for the hangover he’d most certainly have the next day.

  Leaving them on his nightstand, I reached to open the door.

  “Chase.” Logan whispered, almost dreamlike.

  “Yeah?” I whispered in reply.

  “I love you.”

  I clamped my hands over my mouth as hot tears flowed down my cheeks.

  He’s drunk. He doesn’t mean it. I thought.

  I choked back the tears, wiping my cheeks with the backs of my hands. Taking a deep breath, I opened the door, and walked out.

  Matt was standing outside the room, waiting for me.

  “We need to talk.” He said, his arms and ankles crossed as he leant his back against the wall.

  “I’m listening.” I crossed my own arms, defensively. I’d never had a normal conversation with Matt, and I felt uncomfortable.

  “You’re the best thing that’s happened to him.”

  “Excuse me?” I asked, unsure I’d heard him correctly.

  “I let my own feelings hurt you both.”

  “Go on.”

  “I had a…friend… like you. She was amazing, and I was in love with her. I didn’t do anything about it, and she ended up with somebody else. I felt as though I’d wasted my time being just friends so… I thought Logan was wasting his time with you, and I wanted to save him the heartache.”

  I dropped my arms, clenching my fists, and jaw. My anger rising.

  Matt held up his hand, letting me know he had more to say.

  “When I saw how you looked at him the last time you were here… I didn’t realize. I’m sorry.”

  That was two people who thought I was a problem hanging out with Logan. Two people who were dead wrong. They didn’t know anything.

  “Don’t tell Logan any of this.” I said, releasing my fists.

  “He’s going to know you brought him home. If he doesn’t remember, which I doubt he will, he’ll find out.”

  “I meant what you just told me.”

  “Sure.” Matt said, looking a little more relaxed.

  “Bye Matt.”

  I walked down the stairs and out to my car.

  If Logan doesn’t remember what he told me… If he had meant everything he said…

  Oh this is going to be so much fun. I thought, a devious plan forming.

  I couldn’t help but giggle to myself, happily, all the way home.

  After homeroom I sat down in my usual space after swapping with Sam… again. I waited for Logan to arrive, not actually knowing whether he’d turned up for school.

  After a couple of minutes, a hungover Logan walked slowly into the room, sitting down in his seat.

  I turned to look at him, his eyes red rimmed, and I tried not to laugh. He looked awful, yet still drop dead gorgeous at the same time.

  “Chase, I’m sorry about last night. Thanks for taking me home.” He whispered.

  “No problem.” I replied. Keeping my tone level so he didn’t suspect I knew anything.

  “Um… did I say…anything?”

  Oh this is too easy!

  “Like what? You were so drunk I couldn’t understand you.”

  “Oh, ok.” He looked relieved.

  You’re not getting away with it that easy.

  Logan didn’t make any attempt to talk to me, nor I, him.

  I just let him stew as I twirled my hair round my fingers. Letting my leg swing back and forth over my knee. Knowing he would see the movement.

  I saw his eyes glance back and forth from his work, to my leg. Either I was annoying him and he wanted me to stop, or he wanted to touch me, so he needed me to stop.

  His eyes flicked to me, and I kept looking down at my work. Flicking my hair over my shoulder. Giving him a view of the fitted tight/loose vest combo I was wearing. Instead of black over red, this one was a hot pink over white. Also, more of the white could be seen because of the slashes.

  I knew he’d noticed. He was fidgeting in his seat as always, but now I knew the reason he’d done that.

  God I’d been so naive!

  Lifting my pencil, I ran it over my bottom lip, almost laughing when Logan ran his hands through his hair and over his face.

  It was cruel, I know, but I was getting him back for all those times he’d unknowingly teased me until I was a total mess.

  I wasn’t going to relax, though, and think he wouldn’t start up again. This was just the first class, and I wondered if he would corner me again.

  I kinda wanted him to…

  I met Poppy after class, and she looked at me like something had happened.

  “Oh my God! I heard, from Charlotte, that you had to rescue Logan last night.”

  “Sort of. He was drunk and making a scene. I took him home. Matt helped me in.”

  “So… Did anything happen? Did he say anything?” She beamed.

  I couldn’t stop the smile across my face.

  “He never went with Cassie.” I said. “She’d been with Matt.”

  Poppy did a silent scream when I’d told her, without spilling too many details, why Logan had ‘forgotten’ about me.

  “That’s kinda romantic, in a weird way.” She said.

  “Yeah.”

  “So. What are you gonna do?”

  I smiled again, before filling her in on my plan, knowing she wouldn’t tell.

  “Oh, Chase. What’s happened to you?” She asked, shaking her head.

  “Logan’s gonna find out.” I replied, raising an eyebrow.

  During lunch the girls, and I, sat our usual table. The table I was now part of. I still couldn’t believe how much things had changed over the summer.

  “Chase.” Poppy whispered, and turned just her eyes to point me in the direction she wanted me to look.

  Logan, and the guys, were walking to their table -my old table-, and I watched as he sat, turning away so they didn’t notice us looking at them. There was something different. Liam was sitting with them, and I’m pretty sure that they all thought he was just a new friend joining them.

  I smiled, knowing the truth.

  I let my eyes wander back to the table, and Stu was looking in my direction. He gave me wink, and I smiled back. He was happy, and I was happy to have helped.

  Turning my attention to Logan, he was looking down at his lunch. Listening to something Lex was saying; he nodded intermittently.

  Just when I thought he wasn’t going to look up, his eyes lifted. It seemed as if he were only going to glance, but when he saw me looking, his eyes snapped back to mine.

  I tried to keep my face neutral, like I was still mad, but I let a slow smile creep across my face. The kind that said ‘I know something you did.

  His eyes widened, and I swear I saw him blush before he looked back to his lunch.

  After the way he’d gotten up close, and in my space, touching me and teasing me with his sexy voice all through the week, this wasn’t what I’d expected.

  No.

  He thought he hadn’t said anything, so I’d expected him to either glare at me, letting me know he was going to do something or look away and make me paranoid that he might do something.

  This was better.

  Now, I had the upper hand, and I was just getting started.

  Charlotte and I took our usual seats in chem class, after I kindly asked the other two kids to switch back.

  They were happy to. They hadn’t liked being at the front.

  I also made sure I sat in the seat nearest Logan.

  Sam walked in, and took his seat, smiling broadly at us.

  Then, Logan walked in. All six-feet two inches of hot, sexy guy.

  I watched his wide back as he approached his table, next to ours. Sneaking a peak at his ass as he bent to sit in his seat.

  My feelings for him had returned, and then some, and right at that moment I wanted to tear off his shirt and lick him like a popsicle.

  I felt my che
eks heat just thinking about it.

  “Chase, are you ok?” Charlotte whispered beside me.

  “Huh? Oh yeah, I’m fine.” I said, blinking rapidly.

  “You look flushed.” She said, a frown on her face which smoothed out to a huge smile. “You were checking him out!” She whispered, opening her mouth in a silent scream.

  I snorted a laugh, completely by accident, which drew attention to us.

  “What’s funny?” Logan asked. His voice sounded paranoid.

  “Nothing that concerns you.” Charlotte answered, her expression annoyed, completely masking anything that gave away what had just happened.

  She’s so awesome! I thought, laughing internally.

  I blanked my expression, and glanced in Logan’s direction.

  He was looking down at his table, fidgeting as usual.

  I placed my hand on the table, and stroked up and down my upper arm with my fingertips, in my feeble attempt to tease him. Hoping that he would wish they were his fingertips instead.

  The corners of my mouth twitched triumphantly when out of the corner of my eye, I saw Logan clenching his fists on his table.

  I couldn’t do much more, other than running my fingers through my hair, or gently caressing my hands down my thighs, after Miss. Ebbs had entered the class. She kept looking to me, probably wondering why I’d decided to move back to our original place.

  The bell sounded for the end of class, and I stood, blocking Logan’s path.

  “What? No intimidation tactics today?” I asked, cocking my head to the side.

  “I wasn’t intimidating you.” He replied, his eyes looking directly into my own. I wanted to sigh and just stare at him all day.

  I couldn’t. I wasn’t about to let him off that easy.

  “Whatever you say.” I said, turning and walking out of class.

  “Oh my God that was amazing!” Giggled Charlotte. “Just one thing though, when you finally let him off the hook, you’re still going to hang out with us, right?”

  “Definitely. We’ll join our tables together and everything.” I said, exaggerating my enthusiasm.

  Luckily, Charlotte got it and burst out laughing.

  “Could you imagine us hanging with the guys?” She asked, meaning the other girls.

  “Actually, I could. We all maybe different, but look at us… We get along just fine.”

  “You’re right. Maybe I could find out what’s up with Pike.”

  “Oooh Charlie and Pike!” I teased. “He’s actually kinda sweet. Sucks at video games though.” I laughed.

  Chapter 17

  Logan

  After I’d gotten up that morning, with the road works having moved to the inside of my skull, I found Matt had left a note for me on my door.

  It read:

  Logan.

  In case you didn’t know, Chase brought you home.

  She knows about Cassie.

  I picked up your car.

  You’re a douche.

  Matt.

  I didn’t know what to make of his note.

  Either I, or he, had told her about Cassie; I couldn’t remember, and why was I a douche? Had I been an ass when I got home? Had I tried it on with Chase?

  I didn’t have any bruises, and my jewels were still intact -most definitely- so I didn’t think that was true.

  I’d been wracking my brains all day.

  Why couldn’t I remember what I’d said? Oh yeah, the five bottles of beer, four shots of vodka, followed by a whisky chaser.

  Ugh! My stomach rolled just thinking about how much I’d drunk the night before.

  Even though Chase told me I hadn’t, I knew I’d said something.

  That was part of my plan after all, but I never intended on telling her everything, and I didn’t know whether I had or not.

  What I hadn’t planned on was the alcohol having such an effect on me. I’d only ever had a couple of beers before; so the spirits I’d drunk had hit me hard.

  In homeroom, the guys had taken great pleasure reminding me about the embarrassing display I’d put on at Lex’s. The way I’d thrown my arms around Chase, asking her why she wasn’t my friend, then saying that she was going to leave me again when she told me it was time to go.

  I cringed, whilst they laughed, but I was secretly happy that she hadn’t pushed me away, or left me after all. I was eager to see Chase, just to gauge her reaction to me after what I’d done.

  Seeing her in Math class Chase was back in her original place, and she’d behaved in a way that made me think that she was purposely teasing me.

  If she had, then it had worked.

  I wanted to touch her so bad.

  Especially in Chem class.

  I grew hard just thinking about it.

  Grinning, I mentally patted myself on the back for my calm demeanor when Chem class was over.

  Chase had thought I’d given up on my tactics.

  Not a chance.

  I just wanted to let her think I had. I’d only given up for now, because I couldn’t remember what had happened.

  I was going to start up again real soon, and the next time she teased me… It was so on.

  Going to my last class of the day, I wondered how I was going to ‘accidentally’ run into her before she left the building.

  Incidentally, I didn’t need to do anything.

  Coming out of the room, Chase was waiting.

  For me.

  Surprised to see her there, I stopped in my tracks, causing a couple of others to crash into my back.

  “Whoa! Jeez Logan!” They whined, before moving around me.

  “Oh, sorry.” I apologized, looking back to Chase.

  My Chase.

  Standing there, her back leaning against the wall opposite the classroom. Her long, silky hair cascading down her back with some over her right shoulder. The strands laying on top of her hot pink slashed vest that was covering a tight white vest underneath.

  I looked down, once again, at her toned legs that were covered in tight black denim.

  I met her eyes, and her eyebrow raised at me.

  I was so busted.

  That wasn’t going to deter me though. I took a step forward, ready to get in her space, when her full pink lips parted to speak.

  “Don’t forget your books.” She said, catching me off guard.

  “What books?” I asked, confused.

  “Math. You need to bring up your grade if you still want to get your scholarship.”

  I stood there, looking like a fish with my mouth hanging open.

  “Huh? You’re going to help me?” I asked in disbelief.

  If Chase was playing a trick on me, for revenge, I wasn’t going to fall for it. I was about to ask her what she was doing when she spoke again.

  “You’ve got a few minutes before I change my mind.” She said, straightening up and walking away.

  I couldn’t help but watch her ass as she went. Neither could the others who were staring, but that didn’t concern me right then.

  The only thing on my mind, was getting Chase alone.

  Chase got into her car by herself, and started it.

  Signaling for me to follow, I got into my own.

  Driving behind Chase, I could feel the nervous tension coursing through my body. Especially in certain areas that were incredibly excited.

  My heart beat faster, the hairs on my neck standing up, and butterflies dancing about inside me. I had to take controlling breaths as I drove. Not just to calm my nerves, but in an attempt to keep myself from showing up with a hard on. I didn’t think that would be wise if her parents were home.

  Making the familiar journey to her house, I parked next to the curb once Chase had parked in her driveway.

  It was strange seeing Chase in her own car. I’d missed her being in mine.

  I knew I’d been in her car, but I didn’t remember. I had a few flashes of her sitting next to me, but that was it.

  Chase got out of her car, and walked up the path to open
the front door. Like a lost puppy, I followed her inside, freezing in the hallway when she began to climb the stairs.

  “Are you coming?” She asked, turning as she was halfway up.

  I will be soon if I keep watching your ass. I thought. My mind going to the gutter.

  I began to climb the stairs, getting myself ready to continue where I’d left off.

  I really hope her parents don’t come back too soon.

  In her room I sat on her bed, like I always had, and Ruffles lifted her head to look at me.

  I reached out to stroke her head only for her to get up, jump down, and walk out of the room.

  Of course, I had to win her over too.

  I watched when Chase sat down and began to remove her black biker style boots. Staring at her whilst she pulled down the zippers, kicking them off with her heels.

  I swallowed when she began to pull off her pink slashed vest.

  Holy fucking shit! I thought. Her white vest clung to absolutely everything, and I had the only ticket to the show.

  Saliva pooled in my mouth when Chase shook her hair back, her round breasts bouncing as she did.

  “What?” She asked, raising her perfect eyebrow at me.

  Suddenly, I had lost my ability to speak. Instead, I sat gawking at her.

  “Math it is then.” She said, blowing out a breath, and I wondered what she meant by that. As if that wasn’t her intention.

  Fuck!

  I realized that maybe, there was a chance she got me alone for something else, and the thoughts of continuing my plan flew out the window because I was in agony. The pain radiating from the pressure building behind the zipper of my jeans.