Page 24 of Attractive Forces

He sits on a log and grins at me. His hair is still wet, and there’s a droplet of water on his neck. I have a stupid urge to swipe it away.

I should take the opportunity to put some distance between us.

Instead, I take a seat next to him like before, sitting on my hands so I don’t give in to the urge to touch him.

It’s like I’m a compass needle, and he’s true magnetic North.

No matter how hard I spin, I keep turning back to him.

8

Logan

Wednesday’s practice is hard, and I’m sweaty and exhausted at the end. Which is what I need. I need to burn off some of the tension inside me. Jake and I have been hanging out lots, which is insanely cool but also leaves me with a deep unsatisfied feeling. Like when you’ve gone for a run on a hot summer day, and afterward, you think you’ll never be able to drink enough to get rid of your thirst.

“Good practice,” Brewer says as we leave the locker room together.

“Yeah.”

My hair is still wet from the showers. Stepping into the cold wind, I shiver and pull up the collar of my jacket.

“So, I’ve been meaning to ask you, what the hell is going on with you and Stenton?” Brewer asks as we head over to the parking lot.

Despite his casual tone, my heart stops.

It takes effort to keep my voice neutral. “What do you mean? We’ve just been hanging out. He’s a good guy.”

“I don’t know. There’s a weird vibe between you guys,” Brewer says.

“Weird vibe?” I shoot my eyebrow up as far as I can to show Brewer what I think about his weird-vibe theory. My stomach churns. Fuck.

“Yeah, at the lake he was staring at you all the time,” Brewer says.

I blink. What?

Brewer mistakes my startled silence for skepticism. “It’s a possibility, okay? I think Jake Stenton might have a crush on you.”

I almost trip over my feet. Me, the coordinated athlete, stumbling over nothing. I catch my balance at the last moment but still do an impressive stagger.

Brewer smirks at me. “Nice one.”

“Thanks.” My mind is spinning too fast to think of a retort.

Because Brewer’s not calling me out on my obvious obsession with Jake. He’s warning me that Jake might have feelings toward me.

Does Jake like me? Like that?

I have never seriously considered the possibility my crush might be reciprocated.

“Just give it some thought, dude. I’d hate for him to jump you and for you to have to fend him off.” Brewer cracks himself up at that, and I make myself laugh along like he hasn’t just suggested my most private fantasy come to life. Well, without the fending-off part.

After our laughter fades, silence pools in the space between us.

“So, who are you taking to the ball?” Brewer asks finally.

“I haven’t decided.” As soon as the words are out of my mouth, I regret them. Because Brewer’s just been talking about Jake potentially liking me. If there’s any time I should double down on heterosexual behavior, it’s now. And I’m guessing most guys are probably plotting how to get laid on ball night.

“You know Jen is hanging out for you to ask her, right?” Brewer says.