I reached down to the table to grab my purse but stumbled backward, groaning when Logan swept in and caught me around the waist before I fell.
“You’re drunk, Cassandra.” He sighed, holding me in his arms. His masculine scent filled my head and I found myself unconsciously leaning into him further. His hand ran up my back and I jolted back to reality. It would be a long time until I drank this much again.
I pushed against his chest, pulling out of his grasp and fighting to straighten myself upright. “Seriously? This is none of your business!”
He grabbed my hand, steadying me. “Shall I remind you, you’re a teacher in this town and someone my son holds in high regard? I’m sure you don’t want to start rumors about the company you keep, or how you act out at the local bar. Getting wasted doesn’t seem much like you, sweetheart.”
“Again, None .Of. Your. Business.” I hissed, snatching my hand out of his. “Whether I want to take him home or not is up to me, it has nothing to do with you. I don’t tell you who you should sleep with.”
Logan froze. “Don’t.” His voice was suddenly full of more emotions than I could process in my inebriated state. His expression was hard—almost painfully so. He lowered his eyebrows and reached his hand out to touch me, but hesitantly dropped it back to his side. I watched his internal battle over his next move.
“What?” I sighed completely annoyed, my brows scrunching in confusion.
“Please, Cassandra. You can’t trust him,” he pleaded. He sounded so genuine I almost thought it was a different man in front of me. Not the narcissistic playboy I was used to dealing with.
“What are you talking about?”
“Did he tell you where he lived before moving here?”
“No, why?” I looked up and noticed Kurt heading straight back over to us, frowning.
Logan leaned into my ear and whispered, “Don’t leave with him, please.” His hot breath sent shivers down my spine when his lips brushed past my cheek. I could taste the bourbon that he had been drinking.
“Caleb said he didn’t need anything,” Kurt hissed through gritted teeth, glared at Logan, and snatched my hand. I winced at his tight grip.
“I guess he changed his mind.” Logan’s jaw clenched, his eyes glued to my hand wrapped once again in Kurt’s.
“Right, you ready, Cassandra?” Kurt asked, running his free hand through his long dark hair.
I looked to Logan, his eyes pleading with me. I sighed, too drunk to think properly. It was all too much drama for me at this point. The thrill was gone. “I…um…I’m sorry but something came up. I need to go. Another time maybe.” I pulled my hand away and without a glance at either of the men, I grabbed my purse and rushed for the door.
I gasped the moment I stepped outside, the cool air hitting me like a much needed breath. It felt good as I stood there trying to process what had just happened.
“Cassandra!” Logan’s voice rang out behind me.
I took off walking, heading down the dark sidewalk focused on crashing at my mother’s house. She lived down the block and worked nights. I figured I could have Hilary pick me up in the morning and my mother would be none the wiser. Logan followed me, his footsteps heavy against the cement. I had no idea why I listened to him tonight. I should have ignored him and gone home with Kurt as planned. The only thing I knew for sure was that I had way too much to drink and needed to sleep it off.
“Cassandra, wait!”
I turned around, stomping my foot. “Why are you doing this to me?” I yelled, throwing my hands in the air, the effects of the alcohol dominating my actions. “What could be so wrong with him? Huh? Answer me, damn it!”
Logan stood motionless, stunned by my outburst. He opened his mouth, but shut it with a look of apprehension covering his face.
I narrowed my eyes, and puffed out a breath of air as realization set in. “Right, so if you can’t screw me, no one can?” I shook my head in disgust and turned on my heel continuing down the sidewalk.
“Cassandra, it’s not like that.” He ran to catch up with me. “The reason Kurt’s not right for you is…” he sighed stopping in front of me, “is because he just got out of prison.”
I stepped back, with a sharp cynical look. “You’re lying.”
I stalked past him, bumping into his shoulder. A loud irritated sigh came from behind me, as did the stomping of his feet. I quickened my pace but was pulled up abruptly when strong arms snaked around my waist.
“Why would I lie to you about that? You can ask Caleb.”
I grunted, smacking his arms, attempting to free myself. “You expect me to believe Caleb gave a job, at his coveted bar, to an ex-con?” I hissed tugging at his hands, but his grip was tighter than my drunken strength.
“Believe whatever you like, sweetheart, I’ll make sure Caleb explains it to you once you’ve sobered up.” Logan twisted me around to face him, hands still gripping my hips.
“Why was he in prison?” I asked, my energy fading.
“Attempted murder. A fight over his girlfriend at the time or something like that. I don’t know all the details, but you understand why I couldn’t sit back and let you go home with him, especially after I watched you drink yourself into a stupor.”
“Excuse me!” I yelled. How dare he? I began thrashing in his arms, his insult spurring on the strength I needed and hit him hard against the chest. “I am not drunk! Now let me go!”
His hands flew to my forearm, pulling me closer. “Let me drive you home, Cassandra. That’s all I’m asking. I just need to make sure you get inside safely.”
My shoulders slumped, body exhausted as adrenaline evaporated into my system. “Logan, I just want to go to my mother’s and—”
“Let her go!” A voice boomed from behind us.
Seconds later Logan’s hands were ripped from my body and he was thrown back into a small shrub with a loud thud as he crashed down over it.
“Logan!” My hands flew to my mouth. I tried to run to help him, but Kurt stood in front of me blocking the path.
“You all right?” Kurt asked, his voice full of anger more than concern.
I groaned. My hands moved from my mouth to my forehead. I regretted drinking so much and suddenly felt the urge to heave with each wobbly step I took. “Yeah, he wasn’t hurting me.”
His face tightened in anger, sharpening his features. I stood there, frightened when he leaned into me. “So what is this then? You agree to go to dinner with me, but you’re screwing him on the side?”
I flinched at his harsh words. I stepped back, and tried to look over his shoulder when I heard Logan curse. I wanted to go to him. The thought of him in pain was nearly unbearable.
“I just want to go home. Logan and I weren’t doing anything,” I muttered, unsure what else to say.
Logan stood up, brushing himself off as he approached us. “I was just going to take her home,” Logan said calmly, trying to diffuse the situation, but his voice only upset Kurt further, escalating things.
Kurt turned, staring at Logan. “Right, I’ve seen what you do to the women you take home.” He snickered, and looked back at me as if I were nothing but trash. “Although, I’m surprised you weren’t planning on fucking her in the alley behind the bar. She must be real special.” Kurt narrowed his eyes at me.