Page 12

It’s quiet for a few seconds, before CJ’s voice booms through the door. “Don’t be too long, Liam Cole. I need my lunch made.”
I’m laughing when Cole mutters, “Dickhead,” under his breath, his lips twitching.
“Aw, you’re the housewife,” I say, teasing him. Then the best thing happens. He laughs. His whole face lights up, his eyes crinkling in the corners. Two small dimples reveal themselves as he smiles, and I’m lost for breath. I stare up at him in awe, never having seen anything so beautiful in my entire life.
I’m still staring, my face a picture of wonder, when he straightens, his face turning serious as his blue eyes capture mine, scrutinising my face.
“What?” I ask, touching my face to see if I have something stuck on it.
“Is he your boyfriend?” he asks quietly, his jaw tight. I move my hand from my face.
“Excuse me?” I stammer, my nose scrunched up.
“Logan Williams.”
Ah. That’s what this is about. “No. He’s been my best friend since I can remember,” I explain, wondering why everyone keeps implying shit when it comes to Logan. I’m also intrigued to know where he’s going with this.
“Best friends,” he says, looking like the words leave a bad taste in his mouth.
Shifting on my feet, I look up at him, trying to ignore his extremely good looks and powerful frame but failing.
“What is this about?” I ask softly, not wanting to poke the bear.
His eyes soften a touch, though only for a second, before they turn blank within a flash. “He’s not a good person,” he states firmly.
“Funny.” I force a smile. “He said the same thing about you.”
I watch worriedly as his fists clench, his eyes hardening and turning a darker shade of blue.
“Watch yourself around him. He’s not who you think he is,” he bites out, looking like he wants to shake some sense into me. “Stay safe, Low,” he whispers, taking one last look at me before turning around, heading inside his flat, and shutting the door softly behind him.
I’m still in shock, too stunned over his warning to even move. I feel like I’ve been in a parallel universe from the second we arrived here at the university. Everything is changing drastically, and nothing is adding up anymore. It’s making me question everything I’ve ever believed in.
Everyone’s hatred towards Logan must be coming from somewhere, but I don’t see it. I stare into space, wondering if I’m being blind to his behaviour. Flashbacks of my childhood moments with Logan flicker behind my eyes, and I shove any bad thoughts aside.
Still stunned from my encounter with Cole, I take a step back, letting the door fall shut. Allie must hear the door clicking shut because she comes barrelling out of her bedroom, nearly tripping over her own feet, a stormy look on her face.
“Can you believe that jerk? Build my stamina.” She scoffs. “I’ll have you know I’m fit as a fiddle,” she tells me heatedly, causing a small smile to reach my face.
“The nerve,” I scoff teasingly.
“I know. I should go over there and give him a piece of my mind. He can’t stand there looking all hot and tellmeI need to build up my stamina. And what is up with him calling me Cupcake?”
Her rant is amusing. “You should. You should march right over there and give him what for,” I tell her, playing along with her argument like a good friend would. I also like provoking her.
“Maybe I will.” She stands up straighter, a stubborn look on her face.
“But you won’t,” I tease, knowing she doesn’t have the balls to do something so bold. When her face crumbles miserably like she’s admitted defeat, I burst out laughing, bending over and clutching my stomach.
“No.” She pouts, narrowing her eyes at me as I continue to laugh.
“They are something though,” I admit once I’ve calmed down, a scowl reaching my eyes.
“What do you mean? What did that hot jerk say to you?” she demands, looking ready to fight on my behalf.
I smile sadly and walk into the kitchen to start unpacking the shopping.
“It wasn’t CJ,” I tell her, grinning when a blush rises in her cheeks. Oh, Allie-Belle has it bad. “It was Cole. He warned me to stay away from Logan,” I say, my voice disbelieving. Now that I’ve said it out loud, I feel angry. He doesn’t know me or Logan, not the way I do, to make judgements. What makes him think he has the right to tell me what to do anyway? And why does he even care?