Page 65 of Attractive Forces

“What?” Mum’s gaze swivels to her.

“Yeah, this is Logan…Jake tutors him for chemistry. I met him the other day, and we’ve been messaging each other, and I told him to come over tonight.”

Oh my god, my sister should be an actress. Because even though I know she’s only saying these words to save my ass, a flicker of jealousy ignites in me at the thought of Logan and her together.

“Annaliese! Are you crazy?”

“I thought it would be romantic.”

Good Samaritan neighbor gives a snort that may be disguising a chuckle.

“It’s not romantic to make our neighbors think someone is breaking into our house,” Mum says.

“Sorry.”

Mum gives Annaliese a long stare before turning to the Good Samaritan. “I’m sorry for disturbing you. I really appreciate you looking out for us.”

“No worries. I just looked out my window and saw this guy in the tree. I didn’t realize I was interrupting a Romeo and Juliet moment.” He looks at Logan with a smirk that suddenly turns into a look of surprise. “Wait, I know you. You’re the Madison kid, right?”

“Yeah.” That might be the most reluctant syllable ever uttered in the history of humanity. Logan shuffles from foot to foot, looking like he thinks now would be a good time for a previously unknown sinkhole to open up on the lawn. Or for aliens to invade and take over the earth.

The Good Samaritan chuckles outright now. “I’m guessing your dad will have something to say about you sneaking into a girl’s bedroom, right?” His voice is jovial like this is the most entertainment he’s had in months. Nothing on Netflix can beat this.

Mum raises her eyebrows like she doesn’t quite share our neighbor’s enthusiasm for the situation.

“Thanks again for all your help,” she says coolly. Good Samaritan blinks at her but seems to realize he’s been dismissed.

“Just being a good neighbor,” he says as he turns to go.

Mum waits until he’s retreated out of earshot before turning her gaze on Logan.

“Logan, I suggest you go home. Annaliese and I need to have a discussion about what standards I expect when she’s at home.” Her gaze swivels to Annaliese and her nostrils flare. “You might be a university student now, but you need to remember you have impressionable younger brothers at home. Inviting boys to sneak in your window is not what I expect from you.”

Shit. I’m fully expecting Annaliese to inform my mother it was actually one of her impressionable younger brothers who was trying to sneak a boy into his room, but instead, she just hangs her head.

“Uh…I’ll go now,” Logan mumbles.

“Bye, Logan,” Mum says firmly.

Logan throws a look in my direction, then turns on his heel and starts to walk away.

“Bye,” Annaliese calls after him. She’s really playing this role to perfection.

Logan doesn’t respond.

I watch his retreating back, trying to take deep breaths and calm my heart rate back into the normal range.

Mum heads back inside, and I’ve got no choice but to follow her. Once we’re there, Annaliese sits at the breakfast bar. Mum takes up position opposite her in the kitchen, arms crossed over her chest.

“Go back to bed, Jake. It’s a school night,” Mum says to me when she sees me hovering by the door. “Annaliese and I need to have a chat.”

Annaliese raises an eyebrow at me, and I know she’s asking me if she needs to continue this charade.

Should I tell Mum the truth? I honestly can’t imagine her having an issue with me having a boyfriend.

But I promised Logan complete secrecy. He’s not out to anyone. I can’t say anything without his permission.

I’m sorry,I try using my eyes to communicate with Annaliese.