Home Sweet Mess

by Allison Ashley

  Jeni processed that for a moment. She tilted her head to one side. “What does that mean? What do you want most?”

  It was a good question. Logan’s thoughts felt a little cloudy, like he’d just woken up from a deep sleep and was trying to orient himself.

  “I’m not sure I know.” A small frown formed between his brows. “I just have a feeling. And until I know for sure what it means, I’m not sleeping with you.” He walked around the table and sat beside her. He lifted one hand and brushed her hair away from her face.

  Jeni jerked back, her expression shuttering. “Sorry, no deal. I thought we were set on being friends with benefits. If you’re throwing dating into it, I can’t agree to that.”

  Logan lowered his hand. “Then I guess we’re at an impasse.”

  She shot to her feet. “No, we’re not. I don’t accept that. Someone wins, and the other loses. I don’t do ties.”

  He shrugged. “Go on a date with me then.”

  “No. That means you win.”

  “You didn’t specify who won, just that someone had to.”

  She pressed a hand to her chest. “Obviously it has to be me. Now take me to your room, and let’s get started.”

  “I’ll consider your proposition if you put on the Chiefs shirt.”

  Jeni snorted. “Never.”

  “Sex with me isn’t worth that? I’m a little offended.”

  “If you knew me, you wouldn’t be.”

  “Knowing you is exactly what I’m trying to do.”

  She made some sort of noise in the back of her throat, and the memory of her moans of pleasure slammed into him. Maybe they could do it just one more time…

  Her angry voice pulled him out of the haze of desire. “Fine. You want a competition? Sex versus dating? You’ve got yourself a competition.” She grabbed her phone and keys and stormed to the door. “Brace yourself, Logan Davis. You’re going down.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  The following night, Jeni received her third invitation of the day.

  Logan: What are you doing tonight?

  Jeni: My mom’s making enchiladas. It’s the one thing worth hanging around for.

  Logan: I guess asking you to dinner is out.

  Jeni: My answer would be no. Just like it was when you asked me to breakfast. And at lunch.

  Logan: Friends eat together all the time.

  Jeni: Would you let me pay?

  Logan: No.

  Jeni: = date. No.

  Logan: Is Andrew there?

  Jeni: No, he needed to study.

  Logan: Fine. Guess I’ll find someone else to go out with.

  Jeni: Of the female variety?

  Logan: Maybe. Jealous?

  Jeni: Not in the least.

  Logan: I’d rather it be you.

  Jeni: Have fun.

  Jeni settled back into the armchair and turned her attention to the reality show Rhonda was watching. She had to admit, she’d begun to see why these shows were so addictive. It was like a bad habit she desperately wanted to avoid, but she got sucked in against her will. Tonight in particular, she was glad for the distraction.

  Did she want to spend time with Logan? Yes.

  Was she jealous that he might go out with another woman tonight? Also yes.

  Enough to go back on the promise she’d made herself almost three years ago? Unfortunately, no.

  Ten minutes later, the doorbell rang, and Jeni jumped up to get it, assuming it was another Amazon Prime package being delivered for Valerie.

  It wasn’t.

  “Logan?”

  He stood there smiling, hands in his pockets, looking irritatingly sexy in well-worn jeans and a black fleece pullover. His blond hair was wind-blown, and the dimple in his cheek teased her like someone handing out samples at the supermarket. Just one little taste. What a bunch of bull. They know you’re gonna buy the whole damn box.

  “Hey. I just wanted to stop by and see if anyone checked on Andrew today—what smells so good?” He took a step forward and snuck his head inside the door.

  “Logan! Is that you?” Valerie called from the couch.

  “Logan’s here?” Jeni’s mother yelled from the kitchen. She appeared in the living room, one hand holding a spatula and the other encased in an oven mitt. “Jeni, invite the poor man inside! I’m making enchiladas, would you like some?”

  “I’m starving. That sounds incredible, Mrs. Bishop.” He slipped inside.

  Jeni closed the door, quickly catching up to him. “Stopping by to ask about Andrew?” she asked, voice laced with sarcasm.

  He ignored her as he headed for the kitchen. “Need help with anything, Mrs. Bishop?”

  “Please, call me Susan.”

  Jeni slumped down into her chair. Just stopping by, my ass. He would have just called Andrew himself if he wanted to check on him. She trained her eyes on the television, determined to ignore Logan’s presence.

  It wasn’t long before the five of them were seated around the table in her yellow kitchen, Logan to her left with a smile brighter than the walls. He’d taken off his fleece, and his corded forearm lightly dusted with hair caught her eye. His chair was closer to hers than necessary, and she scooted in the opposite direction.

  She could still smell him though. That nice, masculine scent she wished she didn’t find so pleasant.

  Her mother set a plate of delicious-looking enchiladas down. “These are cheese and spinach.” She turned to Logan. “The rest are chicken. You’re not a vegetarian too, are you?”

  “No, ma’am,” Logan said. “I’ll eat just about anything.”

  Jeni’s mom nodded with a smile of approval and set the large dish of enchiladas in the center of the table. “Dig in.”

  “I still remember the day you decided you weren’t going to eat meat anymore,” Valerie said to Jeni.

  Jeni’s mother laughed. “Me too. What were you, seven?”

  “Six.” Jeni waited for everyone to dish out helpings of the meal before she began eating.

  “That’s right. You marched in from the field one evening, stood on a chair, and made your declaration. I was sure you wouldn’t last a day.”

  “You’ve been a vegetarian since you were six?” Logan asked.

  “Yep.”

  “What made you want to do it?” he asked.

  “She broke one of the basic rules of being a farmer,” Rhonda said. “She saw our animals as pets.”

  Jeni picked up her fork. “We had this cow named Daisy, and I loved her. I was brushing her in the barn that day, and Andrew decided that was the moment to enlighten me about where steak and ground beef came from. I’d never really made that connection before—that these living, breathing animals were the same thing I was chewing at the dinner table. He didn’t stop there either. Told me about chicken and bacon and anything else he could think of, though how he knew all this was beyond me. We were the same age.”

  “He spent more time with Dad than you did. That’s how.” Valerie sat on Logan’s other side and leaned closer to him. “Our dad doesn’t know the meaning of sugar-coating.”

  Logan cut his eyes to Jeni’s and said in a low tone, “Now I know where you get it.”

  “It wasn’t just that she stopped eating meat either,” Rhonda continued. “She became a full-blown animal activist for years.”

  “Can we not talk about this?” Jeni took a bite of the cheesy tortilla, savoring the creamy flavors. She’d tried going vegan for a while but…cheese.

  “Please, keep going.” Logan’s eyes were cheerful, and he took a drink of water.

  Jeni shot him a scowl, and he grinned.

  “When she was in seventh grade, she joined some sort of online group for PETA. One of their projects was to send letters of encouragement to activists who had been arrested for the cause—”

  “Like breaking into a lab and releasing hundreds of test mice,” Jeni put in. She smiled at the memory, despite the fact she hated being the center of conversation.

  “One day
our dad found a dozen letters going out from our mailbox addressed from Jeni to a bunch of inmates in the state prison system,” Valerie said. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen him so mad.”

  “Not even the time Andrew snuck out and took Dad’s old Corvette out for a joy ride in the middle of the night and wrecked it?” Jeni asked, hoping to divert attention from her.

  “Not even then.”

  “It was close.” Her mom put her fingers to her temple. “You and Andrew are the reason I went gray.”

  “Andrew hasn’t told me that one. This is great,” Logan said between bites. “I need to have dinner with you ladies more often. What else do I need to know about these two?”

  “Absolutely not.” Jeni put her fork down. “Let’s not talk about me anymo—”

  “Did you know she used to be obsessed with Twilight?”

  “I sure didn’t,” Logan said, eyes twinkling.

  “Every girl my age had a thing for Twilight,” Jeni grumbled.

  “But did they all write fan fiction about it?” Rhonda asked.

  Jeni stared at her, willing her older sister to read her mind. She felt a sense of relief when Rhonda gave her a small nod and focused on her dinner.

  Unfortunately, Valerie didn’t catch on. “Oh my gosh, I completely forgot about that! You shut yourself in your room for weeks to write that story. You only came out to eat and play softball then went right back to it.”

  Logan raised a hand. “Sorry, but what is fan fiction?”

  “It’s…” Valerie stopped and squinted one eye.

  Rhonda shrugged.

  “I’m not going to pretend I ever had any idea what that was about,” her mother said.

  Jeni sighed. “Fan fiction is when people write their own stories using characters from another book or TV show.”

  “Do you still have it? Can I read it?”

  Jeni’s face heated. “Definitely not.”

  “I can send it to you,” Valerie offered.

  “You will do no such thing,” Jeni said firmly.

  “We’ll talk later,” Logan said to Valerie.

  “I should have stuck to softball.” Jeni had the urge to bang her forehead against the table.

  “You’ve mentioned that a few times before,” Logan said. “Do you still play?”

  Jeni perked up. “Yes. I’d love to find a rec league around here, actually.” She’d started looking into it, but Andrew’s diagnosis and her family’s arrival had distracted her. “Do you know of any? After the accident, I’m not as good as I once was, but I hold my own.”

  Logan leaned back in his chair. “I play in a coed league. You could play in the spring for sure. The fall season’s already underway, but we’re always looking for fill-ins. You’d be welcome to come, and if we’re short, we’d love to have you.”

  “Really?” Excitement filled her at the prospect of playing again. It had been almost a year since she’d had the time and a team to play with. “That would be awesome.”

  “So long as they don’t have games in the morning,” her mother said before raising her fork to her mouth.

  Valerie laughed, and Rhonda nodded.

  Logan twisted his lips to the side. “What’s that about?”

  “Jeni’s not a morning person,” Valerie answered for her.

  “At all.” This from Rhonda. “Don’t talk to her for at least two hours after she wakes up, or you’ll regret it.”

  Jeni turned her head and found Logan looking at her, his blue gaze roaming her face.

  Was he thinking about the day they met? Judging by his contemplative expression he was thinking about something. She wished she could ask him, but she didn’t dare. Not in present company.

  “Note taken,” Logan said quietly. He broke eye contact and cut another piece of enchilada. “Susan, this is one of the best meals I’ve ever had.”

  Jeni’s mom smiled sheepishly. “Thank you. You’re welcome for dinner anytime.”

  “How long will you be in town?” Logan asked.

  “We plan to stay until after Andrew’s first chemotherapy treatment. Valerie needs to go home soon after that, regardless. She’s got two young kids, you know. Rhonda is able to work remotely, and I’ll stay as long as I’m needed.”

  Jeni bit back a snort. Jeni and Andrew and their mother had different definitions of what it meant to be needed.

  “He’s lucky to have all of you.” The sincerity in Logan’s voice was unmistakable.

  “Tell us about your family,” Valerie prompted. “You’re from Kansas City, right?”

  The muscles in Logan’s forearm flexed, like he’d tensed up. “Yes, I was born in Kansas City. Lived here my whole life except for the four years in Lawrence at KU and one year in San Francisco for an internship. It’s hard to imagine living anywhere else.”

  “What do your parents do?” Jeni’s mom asked.

  He cleared his throat. “My mom’s a teacher. And my dad was an accountant.”

  It wasn’t the first time Jeni had caught him referring to his dad in the past tense. He hadn’t readily offered much about his family, and she’d refrained from commenting. Not everyone was as open as she tended to be, and while she was curious, she figured he had reasons to keep that information to himself.

  “Is he retired?” Valerie asked, and Jeni mentally slapped her.

  “Um, no.” He shifted in his seat. “He passed away. When I was in college.”

  Valerie grimaced. “I’m so sorry.”

  All the women around the table regarded him with sympathy, and Jeni had the urge to touch him. If he died when Logan was in college, it had been several years, but still, from the few times he’d mentioned his dad, she’d gotten the impression they were close.

  Jeni’s mom broke the silence. “Well, the next time you come for dinner, bring your mother too. The more the merrier.”

  Logan smiled. “Thank you. I think she’d like that.” He adopted a grave expression. “But you should know she’s a loyal Chiefs fan. My dad had season tickets, and before I came along and started stealing her seat, she used to go to all the games. She’ll probably wear red just to be contrary.”

  Rhonda leaned forward to put her elbow on the table and said nothing. Her competitive nature rivaled Jeni’s, and she’d probably make sure she was wearing a Broncos jersey the next time Logan came over.

  “Red’s fine. We’ll pretend she’s a Huskers fan,” Valerie said.

  Logan laughed.

  The conversation flowed easily through the rest of the meal, though somehow it kept coming back to Jeni in some form or another. An embarrassing moment or an achievement of hers or something she and Andrew had gotten into. She was apt to blame Logan, as it seemed he kept steering things in that direction.

  She leaned toward the latter and thought back to their conversation at his house last night, when they’d come to a standstill in their relationship. She hadn’t come up with a plan of attack yet but figured seducing a man wasn’t so difficult and had assumed she’d slide into a pretty easy win.

  Jeni knew better than to underestimate the competition, but she hadn’t expected him to show up and charm his way into her house and use her family to further his agenda.

  He wasn’t playing fair.

  If he thought he’d get away with it, he had another thing coming.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Logan was in over his head.

  He sat on his couch, head in his hands. Last night he’d spent the evening at Jeni’s with the entire female side of her family. Even though they weren’t dating, he’d kind of felt like he was a new boyfriend she’d brought home for dinner.

  The fact that she hadn’t invited him was beside the point.

  The point was he’d liked the feeling. A lot.

  He’d thought about her all damn day, to the point he’d had difficulty concentrating at work. Again. His desire to spend time with her only grew, and this was problematic for several reasons.

  First, she didn’t feel the same way.

>   Second, he hadn’t mentioned this to Andrew, whose good opinion was important to him.

  Third, he wanted to approach this—whatever ‘this’ was—from a different angle than ever before. He wanted it to stick, but he had no clue how to do that. All he knew was he wanted to do the opposite of every relationship before he’d met Jeni. Because all of those relationships ended. Most barely even started, and it chipped a piece of his heart away every time someone walked away from him. Contrary to how it looked on the outside, he wanted a relationship that would last forever. He was just shit at going about it.

  He frowned when a knock sounded at his door. Standing, he made his way across the room, wishing he had a peephole. It was almost ten o’clock.

  Logan opened the door a fraction but swung it open fully when he saw who stood on his porch. “Jeni, what the hell are you doing?”

  She shoved a bouquet of flowers in his hands. “I don’t want these.”

  He clutched them to his chest, inhaling the sweet smell. “Why not?”

  “Don’t send me flowers. I’m not your girlfriend.”

  Damn, he wanted to kiss her. “Okay.”

  “It’s cold. Can I come in?”

  He stepped aside, and she passed by, an unfamiliar scent following her. He set the flowers on a nearby table. “Are you wearing perfume?”

  “Maybe.”

  Why would she think she needed it? He liked the way she usually smelled.

  Logan closed the door and narrowed his eyes. She wore a long, black, wool coat, and his eyes continued to track downward. Her lower calves and ankles were bare, a pair of tennis shoes on her feet. She put a toe to the heel of each shoe and pushed them off.

  His pulse quickened, and he immediately shook his head. “Jeni—”

  Her hands went to the buttons on the coat, and she spoke over him as she worked each one through. “Did you enjoy yourself last night? Asking my family all sorts of questions about me?” Her fingers slowed a fraction, but kept moving. A sliver of tanned flesh appeared at her collarbone, and Logan’s mouth went dry. “Some people would call that cheating, Logan. I’m disappointed in you. But not so disappointed that I won’t stoop to your level. Two can play at this game.”