“No! I swear I’m not. I’m sorry. Jeez, this is messed up.” He tugged at his tie as if he couldn’t breathe.
Jenna sighed. “It was all me. Spur of the moment thing. We found out Angela was here, and she’s going to be choosing new directors in the company. Seth so deserves a director role, but he’s single, and Angela has this thing about families. Nine times out of ten she always promotes someone married with kids.”
“That’s fucking weird,” Logan said.
“It is, but it’s her company, and thanks to even more deregulation lately, she can hire, fire, and promote however she wants. Anyway, I framed that pic I took of you and Connor at Thanksgiving. You know, after we put up the tree?”
“Uh-huh.” Logan remembered Connor’s bony, rigid shoulder beneath his palm, Jenna trying to get them to smile, her cheeks rosy from a glass of wine. He’d been surprised Connor had even agreed to pose, but Jenna had that way with people.
“Well…” She grimaced. “I put the picture on Seth’s desk at the last second and told Angela you’re Seth’s fiancé. It was all me. Seth had no choice but to go along with it or it would have been awkward and bizarre.”
Logan said flatly, “Good thing we avoided that.”
“I didn’t expect you to show up!” Jenna actually looked indignant.
“So it’s my fault?”
“Let’s not argue.” Seth looked between them, holding up his hands. “It’s definitely Jenna’s fault.”
Logan tensed, his protective instinct kicking in even though Seth was on his side. It was one thing for Logan to say his sister was wrong…
But Jenna huffed out a laugh and lightly slapped Seth’s arm. “Okay, yes. It’s my fault. Obviously I didn’t have time to think through all the ramifications. I thought it could just be a little white lie to help Seth get the promotion.”
“And I went along with it,” Seth said. “I’m sorry. It was wrong to involve you and your son.”
“Stepson.” Connor’s voice echoed in Logan’s head. “You’re not my father! I hate you!” That had been after Mike had said he didn’t want custody, giving Connor a load of excuses and empty promises about how Mike would be in a better position “soon.”
Jenna frowned. “Not that that matters. He’s part of the family.”
Logan snorted. “For now. He’d never see me again if he had his way.” People might act like Logan was his dad now, but Connor sure wasn’t fooled.
“He’s thirteen.” She shook her head. “Connor doesn’t know what he wants. Don’t be butt-hurt over a teenager acting out.”
“I’m not.” Fine, maybe he was. He wished like hell it didn’t bother him. For so many years he’d avoided big emotional commitments, and this bullshit was why. He’d been better off alone. “Speaking of family, what’s this retreat Angela mentioned? It sounded like she expected me there?”
Jenna and Seth shared a glance, frowning. Jenna said, “We actually don’t have the details yet. Let me just… I’ll be right back.” She jerked her thumb toward the door, leaving and closing it behind her.
Logan and Seth stared at each other. Seth dropped his eyes to his fingernails and leaned against the edge of a white board that had bullet points on it about meeting goals or some shit.
Aim high!
But be realistic
Ask for help when needed
Work as a team
Manage stress
We’re all in this together!
What a load of crap.
Seth cleared his throat. “Are you back at work on the railway? Jenna never said. I remember when you were in that terrible accident. I’m glad you’re better now.”
His cheeks going hot with shame, Logan stared at the ugly beige carpet. “Nah. Never going back. I’m looking for something else, but it’s a pain in the ass explaining it all to strangers.”
“Ah. I understand. I’m sure you’ll find something soon.”
Logan only shrugged, still unable to meet Seth’s gaze. Seconds ticked by in awkward silence, and thank Christ, Jenna returned quickly. She leaned back against the door and bit her lip.
“Well, the good news is that the company is paying for us to have a weekend in Lake Placid. Staying at a lodge, winter activities, etc.” She grimaced, and Logan braced and waited for the rest. She said, “The bad news is that they want our spouses and kids to come.”
Seth frowned. “When is it? Not this weekend but next? The weekend of the twenty-second?” When Jenna nodded, he half-laughed disbelievingly. “On such short notice? That’s ridiculous. People have plans—especially at the holidays. They have lives.”
Jenna gave Seth a wry smile. “Yes, some of us do.”
“I have a life!” Seth insisted. “Regardless, I’ll just say we can’t make it. Surely not everyone is going to drop everything and attend because Angela Barker wants us to jump when she snaps her fingers. Obviously we’re not going to ask Logan and his stepson to come on this retreat and play fake family for a weekend.”
Logan said, “Good. Can I go? If you want to tell the boss lady I’m your boyfriend, feel free. Just leave me out of this. I have enough crap on my plate right now.” He made a move toward the door, but Jenna blocked his path, her forehead creasing.
“Wait, what happened?”
He tried to laugh it off. “Nothing. Just stressed about the job situation. You know.” He had to figure out a plan before he dumped the latest disasters from his garbage life on her.
But Jenna didn’t budge. “I know that tone. Something’s wrong.”
There was a knock at the door, and she turned to open it, ushering in a shaggy-haired guy who whispered, “What’s going on? Becky said you guys were talking to Angela by the elevators and now you’re hiding in here.” He nodded to Logan and stuck out his hand. “Hey, man. I’m Matt. You’re Jenna’s brother, right?”
Logan shook his hand. “Right. I was just leaving.”
Matt gave him a quizzical look. “The weird thing is that Becky thought she heard that you and Seth are getting married?”
Seth groaned. “That means everyone will know in the next ten minutes.”
“No, it’s okay,” Matt said. “Becky’s holding it in for now. I figured I should buy you some time. So how exactly did you two end up engaged? I mean, mazel tov, but this is a surprise.”
Jenna quickly filled him in, then added, “We can just make up an excuse about why Logan and Connor can’t attend the family retreat.”
Matt winced. “Word is that when Angela springs these retreats on people, you’d better go unless there’s a life-or-death excuse. It’s completely unreasonable, but basically it’s a test. She’s paying for everything, which is generous, but the catch is that we only get 10 days’ notice, and we have to prove we’re BRK team players whether we’re single or married or whatever. And if you have kids, you should definitely bring them. I guess it’s not such a big deal when it doesn’t fall near the holidays. But it’s happening, and if she thinks Logan and Seth are together…”
“Which we aren’t,” Logan said. “Can I go now?” He needed to find another place to live before the landlord locked him out, and definitely before the kid got off school for the holidays. Had to find some way to put down a deposit. Crashing at Jenna’s would be the last resort.
Jenna groaned, ignoring him. To Matt, she said, “Angela also invited herself over to Seth and Logan’s for dinner.”
“Whoa. This is…” Matt grinned, which was bizarre. “This is awesome. It’s, like, a caper. Who doesn’t love a caper?”
Logan stared at him, wondering what planet Matt was from, as Seth said, “Me. And I can’t have Angela over for dinner regardless. My kitchen’s not finished. I don’t have a dining table. There’s so much to do. I don’t even know where to start.”
“But the demo’s done and the drywall’s up,” Jenna said. “Don’t you have all the cabinets and stuff sitting in the garage? It would only take a couple days to fix it up. You know, our dad was a contractor. If you can find t
he muscle, Pop could supervise. Would give him something to do other than watch TV all day—and get him moving at least a little. He still refuses to do his exercises.”
Seth shook his head. “This is crazy, Jenna. Even if I could fix up the house in time, why would Logan want to pretend to be my fiancé?”
An idea popped into Logan’s head, accompanied by a flash of unfamiliar emotion that left him a little breathless. Was it…hope? This whole situation was batshit, but maybe there was a way to temporarily solve his problem and Seth’s.
What the fuck do I have to lose?
Jenna was saying, “Logan, I know it’s so much to ask, but…”
He spoke before he could talk himself out of it, a twist of acid in his gut reminding him he and Connor were about to be homeless. “I could do the renovation stuff. Would need a hand to carry things and get it all in place, but I worked with Pop when I was a teenager. I can do it. The thing is…”
He hesitated. The itchy heat of Jenna, Seth, and Matt staring at him, waiting, made him sweat. Humiliation prickled the back of his neck, and he considered just shutting up and telling them to forget it.
Jenna stepped closer, concern softening her face. “What’s going on?”
Logan spit it out, afraid he might puke at the same time. “I was evicted. Connor and I need a place to stay. Not for long—just over the holidays until he goes back to school. I’ll find a job in January for sure.” Had to. There was no other option.
“What?” Jenna grabbed hold of his arm, awful sympathy shining from her eyes. Logan was so sick of his baby sister feeling sorry for him. Being worried about him all the time since he was a mess. She said, “Why didn’t you tell me?”
He scowled. “You have enough going on with the kids and Pop. You don’t need me on the couch, and what about Connor? There isn’t enough room. Besides, it just happened this morning. I have to be out by Friday, and I did hear from the factory. I didn’t get the job.” He shrugged, dislodging Jenna’s hand and pretending he didn’t care. “It’s fine.”
There were a few beats of awkward silence before Matt exclaimed, “Guys, this is perfect.” He quickly added, “Not that you’re getting evicted, man. That sucks. But Seth needs a fake boyfriend, and you need a place to stay. Two birds, one stone.” He made a motion like he was dunking a basketball. “Nothing but net.”
As Seth and Logan looked at each other dubiously, Jenna bounced on her toes. “Yes! You guys can finish the kitchen with Pop this weekend. Have Angela over for dinner, and then play happy family next weekend on the retreat. Seth’s been alone out there in that house too long anyway.”
Seth shot her a glare. “I have not.”
Jenna gave him an impatient, disbelieving look Logan had seen many, many times. She said, “Seth, I know you’d prefer to make an extensive pro and con list and examine it for a week before committing, but there’s no time. You deserve this promotion. What do you have to lose?”
“My job if she finds out this was all a lie?”
“Oh, right.” Jenna made a face. “Valid point. But she won’t. Think of how many employees Angela Barker has. BRK has offices around the world. We won’t see her again for years.”
“What about everyone else you work with?” Logan asked.
Jenna shrugged. “We’ll just say I set up you and Seth, and it’s been a whirlwind romance.”
“Everyone will definitely believe Jenna played matchmaker,” Matt said. “Less believable that you didn’t tell every last person here about it, including the janitor.”
Logan wanted to defend her, but, well… Jenna huffed. “I can keep a secret! I knew for months you and Becky were hooking up before you went public.”
“Fair enough.” To Seth and Logan, Matt said, “Well? You two ready to make a deal?” He grinned.
Seth fidgeted, cracking his knuckles. “It does seem like it would be a mutually beneficial arrangement?” He looked to Logan, his expression creasing. “But I know you’re grieving, and if it feels inappropriate, I’d completely understand.”
Logan shifted uncomfortably, aware of being watched by everyone in the room. “It’s fine.”
Yes, Logan did grieve Veronica’s death, but he missed the awesome, caring nurse he’d known before it had all gone to crap. And that probably made him a complete shit-brick to not miss her as his wife, but he couldn’t make himself feel something he didn’t. Maybe he was just broken.
Seth said, “You’d be welcome to stay through the holidays and until you can figure out something in the new year.”
“I’d earn my keep.” The thought of taking any charity had Logan defensive.
“Of course!” Seth agreed. “Trust me, there’s plenty of work for you.” He laughed incredulously. “This is completely insane, but maybe it could work?”
“Caper, caper, caper!” Matt chanted, raising a fist in the air.
Jenna bit her lip. “Might take some convincing to get Connor on board.”
Logan grunted. “We’ll deal with that. Things aren’t great at school. I’ll fill you in later.”
“And you know you’re both always welcome at my house,” Jenna insisted. “We’d make it work. It’s not even a question.”
Warm, familiar affection for her flowed through Logan. “I know. But if we could pull this off, maybe it’s not the worst idea ever.”
“Caper, caper, caper,” Matt whispered, pumping his fist again.
Logan looked at Seth, and they shared a laugh. Logan hadn’t imagined smiling on this crappy day, let alone laughing. That little flare of hope burned brighter. The plan was nuts, but it was all he had.
With a rueful smile, Seth asked, “It’s a deal, then? Think you can pretend to be in love with me for a couple weeks?” He held out his hand.
Logan sure as hell didn’t do love with men, but it had to be easy enough to fake. He grasped Seth’s palm firmly. “Deal.”
Chapter Four
The next day after work, Seth made the drive over to the suburb where Logan lived. Apparently neither of them had regained their right minds, and they were actually going to stick with the crazy deal they’d made. Granted, Logan was being evicted and didn’t have much choice. Seth couldn’t exactly back out and leave the guy out in the cold.
Light snow fell in the early darkness after five p.m., and he shivered, turning up the heater. He wasn’t sure he’d ever get used to northern winters. Where he’d grown up in Georgia, if there was even a hint of a flurry everything ground to a halt. Of course, they didn’t have snow tires down south, and now his SUV was fully equipped for the worst Mother Nature could—and would—throw at him.
So far there was just a dusting of snow over everything, and as Seth turned off the main road and into a residential area, colored Christmas lights gleamed on houses and wrapped around trees, the snow making everything magical. “I’ll be Home for Christmas” played on the radio, and though Seth braced for the pang of longing, it still stole his breath when it hit.
Christmas had always been his favorite time of year, with the lights and music, the smell of fresh cookies baking, and presents under the tree. Friends and family gathered together to celebrate that holy holiday. He’d actually liked going to church around Christmas, singing carols joyfully until his voice was hoarse, no one minding that he couldn’t carry a tune to save his life.
He snapped off the radio. It would definitely be only in his foolish dreams that he would ever be home for Christmas again. He didn’t even own decorations. Brandon had never been keen on celebrating, and after the terrible holiday twelve years ago, it had all seemed poisoned to Seth. Christmas wasn’t for him now.
Following his phone’s directions, Seth turned down a few streets, the houses getting a little more rundown and ramshackle. Number eighty-two was a small bungalow and didn’t have any holiday lights or decorations. He recognized Jenna’s SUV outside and parked behind it, his headlights illuminating the boxes already packed high inside.
Snow crunched under Seth’s boots as he got ou
t and walked up the driveway, keeping his bare hands in his coat pockets. The wind was calm, fat snow drifting down peacefully. However, that peace was broken by the shouts exploding out of the house like the rat-tat-tat of gunfire even though the front door was closed. Seth stood on the stoop, debating whether to knock.
“That’s my shit! Don’t touch anything else!”
Logan’s rough voice rumbled. “I’m only trying to help.”
“You had no right to touch anything of mine!” a young voice screeched. That had to be Connor, the stepson.
“For fuck’s sake, I only packed the clothes hanging in the closet. I could have just moved all your stuff without telling you, but I didn’t want to invade your privacy. Now hurry up, because whatever you don’t get into these boxes in the next half hour is staying behind. You’ve wasted enough time arguing.”
“Fuck you! I’m not going anywhere.”
Logan’s voice rose. “Yes, you damn well are. We’re moving our shit over to Seth’s, and then I’m taking you back to school before curfew. So get a move on.”
Listening to the foul language in shock, Seth decided he’d better knock instead of eavesdrop, so he rapped his knuckles against the door. He knew he was laughably repressed when it came to cursing, but Logan and Connor just sounded so horribly angry towards each other.
When the door opened, Connor was still complaining loudly, but Seth blocked it out and focused on Logan, who ushered him in with a grimace. He wore a black T-shirt and jeans, the cotton hugging the firm, broad muscles of his chest and back. And jeez, his arms were nothing to sneeze at either. Seth had always thought Logan looked handsome in Jenna’s pictures, but in person he really was…wow.
“Hi. Sorry, it’s a bit…” As Connor screamed more curses, Logan winced, rubbing a hand over the scruff on his face with an audible rasp. Seth wondered what that would feel like against his own face.
“Chaotic?” Seth offered. “Moving always is.” He peered into the living room, which was still furnished with a plaid couch and a wooden coffee table. “You said the furniture isn’t yours?”
The Christmas Deal Page 4