Page 106 of Attractive Forces

“Hi, Mr. Madison,” I manage to reply.

I’m not sure if it’s my imagination, but it feels like disapproval radiates from every pore of him as he stares at me.

“How’s your brother?” he asks.

“Improving, thanks,” I say.

“We’re just going to hang out in my room so I can finish my history assignment, then I’m taking Jake to Dunedin to see Aaron,” Logan says.

His father gives a sharp nod. “Make sure you get your assignment completed before you go.”

“I will.” Logan heads towards the stairs, and I follow, trying not to look like I'm fleeing.

“Oh, and Logan,” his father calls after us.

Logan pauses at the bottom of the stairs, turning back to face his father.

His father stands there holding the mail. He looks almost awkward, but he gives Logan a parental stare down. “Remember the rules. Your bedroom door needs to remain open,” he says.

Heat overtakes my face. Like, I’m fairly sure I could be substituted in as another radiant energy source if the sun suddenly decided to fail.

“Okay, Dad,” Logan says.

As I head up the stairs, I try to cool my face down so it's back in the normal temperature spectrum.

“It’s probably good my father doesn’t know about the stuff that’s already happened in this bedroom,” Logan murmurs when we reach his room.

I huff a laugh.“Yeah, I’m not sure that should be high on your list to tell him about in your next father-son bonding time,” I say.

Logan flashes me a grin as he settles into his desk chair. I take a position on his bed and grab my textbook out of my bag. As Logan works on his assignment and I study for my calculus test, I can't help my gaze drifting to him, watching his forehead crease with that concentrating expression that I know so well.

How incredible is it that we get to hang out together without hiding anymore? It’s almost as incredible as the fact that he’s mine.

Finally, Logan emails his assignment to his history teacher.

He flicks a look at his phone to check the time. “If we leave now, we’ve got time to go somewhere nice for dinner in Dunedin and still make it to the hospital in plenty of time before visiting hours are over.”

I blink at him. “You want to go somewhere nice for dinner?”

Logan’s cheeks turn slightly pink. “I like the idea of taking you out on a date.”

I grin. “I think that idea is mildly acceptable.”

“I’m so glad I make the grade to be your date.”

I so want to kiss him right now.

Instead, we head down the stairs, and Logan pokes his head into his dad’s study, where his dad sits at a desk surrounded by scary-looking theological books.

“We’re heading to Dunedin now,” Logan says.

“Okay.”

“Bye,” I say awkwardly.

His dad gives me a tight smile. “Bye, Jake.”

I guess it’s a start.