Page 101 of Attractive Forces

It’s empty, which is good because I need some space to lose my shit. My tears fall freely. Logan pulls me into a hug as I cry all over his shoulder. The cotton of his hoodie quickly turns damp. His arms stay wrapped tight around me

Eventually, my breathing calms and I pull away from him, swiping at my cheeks. “Thanks,” I mutter.

When I'm brave enough to look up, Logan’s eyes contain only concern. “How was he?”

“Okay. Covered in bandages and surrounded by machines.”

“The fact he’s made it through surgery is positive.”

“Yeah.” I scrape my hand over my face. “We talked to my dad.”

Logan's eyebrows fly up. “How did that go?”

“Good.” My voice comes out choked. “It was good.”

So much throbs unsaid between us.

“Thanks for being here,” I say.

“Always.”

I meet his eyes. “I can’t believe you blew off the game.”

His gaze doesn’t waver from mine. “You’re more important than a thousand rugby games.”

My heart thuds in my ears. I can’t handle the hope that’s rising inside of me, so I decide to take the lighthearted route.

“A thousand? But when you reach the thousandth and one, that’s the tipping point?”

Logan rolls his eyes. “I’m trying to be serious here.”

“Sorry.”

He blows out a deep breath, those blue-green eyes finding mine. “No. I’m sorry. You were right. I was trying to have everything on my terms. You deserve better than that.”

The hope continues to rise and expand until I’m completely full of it.

“I am sorry your dad reacted like he did,” I say.

Logan’s face twists, his shoulders tightening. He blows out a breath before speaking. “It was always going to happen. It’s weird, but it’s like there’s this big weight lifted off me, you know? I’ve spent so long worrying about him finding out and imagining all the different ways it could go, and now at least I know what I’m dealing with.” He runs his hands through his hair. “And my mum has been pretty amazing.”

“Your mum has been completely amazing,” I agree.

“She might manage to talk Dad around. Who knows?” Logan shrugs again, looking down at his feet, scraping one of his sneakers along the concrete floor. “But it’s actually his problem, not mine. Because I’m who he’s got as a son, whether he likes it or not.” He meets my gaze. “And his son wants to be in a relationship with a guy.”

My heart beats rapidly. I stare down the utilitarian staircase, trying to steady my breathing. This has to be one of the world’s least romantic settings.

But I really don’t care right now.

“Do you have any particular guy in mind?” I manage to ask.

A smile tugs at the corner of Logan’s lips. “I might have someone in mind.”

He reaches out and puts a hand on my waist, tugging gently. I step forward into his embrace, pressing my forehead against his.

For a second, we just stand there, breathing each other in. His hand moves from my waist to under my shirt. His thumb lightly skims my skin, sending shivers down my spine.

And then his lips are on mine, and we’re kissing.