“It’s really the least I can do,” I said.
“Thank you. It feels amazing,” he told me.
“And you look cute in my hoodie,” I said, giving him a once over.
“Quit it, you’re going to make me blush again like an idiot.”
“Unfortunately for you, I love making you blush,” I said.
The conversation lapsed into silence for a moment. I could hear the sound of a bunch of roaring football players from inside the house, and I knew somebody must have won a game of beer pong. Logan looked more comfortable now, for sure, but there was still a faraway look in his eyes as he looked out onto the street.
“What happened with Charlie?” I asked softly. “I’m sorry. I’ve been trying to avoid asking since the moment I came out here, but I’m so curious. I don’t want to pry, but it seemed like you both felt weird about it.”
Logan’s eyes snapped up to meet mine. “You don’t have to feel bad about that. It’s… nothing, really.”
I hummed. “It didn’t seem like nothing.”
Logan looked at the ground. “Charlie used to hang out with the people who were shitty to me in high school. That’s all.”
Anger flared within me, as sudden as a lit match. “Holy shit. Did Charlie fucking bully you back in high school?”
“Not exactly—”
“I’ll go kick his ass right now,” I said, something tightening in my chest. “Or at least have very strong words with him.”
“That’s exactly what I don’t want,” Logan said, a pleading look on his face. “I just want to leave that stuff in the past. Which is probably why I acted so weird seeing him again, honestly.”
I clenched my teeth. “What did he do to you?”
Logan shook his head. “Nothing terrible. He just joined in laughing at me when the other guys would make their stupid jokes,” he said. “Charlie was never the worst. He probably barely remembers it now.”
“What kind of jokes?”
He twisted his face like he’d just tasted something sour. “One time another friend of his asked me who I was taking to prom. I said I wasn’t going, and he made some typical, casual response. ‘Oh, can’t find any girls?’ And Charlie said he didn’t think a ‘guy like me’ would want to bring a girl to prom anyway.”
I bit the inside of my cheek. I desperately wanted to rush back into the party and give Charlie a piece of my mind, but I knew Logan was right. There was no reason to dredge up years-old drama, especially not at this point. Not if it would make Logan uncomfortable.
“That pisses me off so badly, Logan,” I said softly, running my fingers through my hair. “But I’m not going to say anything to him. Not if you don’t want me to.”
“And I greatly appreciate that,” Logan said. “I mean it.”
“Man. I had no idea Charlie, of all people, is homophobic. He’s always been so nice to my face.”
Logan shrugged a shoulder. “He probably isn’t homophobic. At least, not anymore. A lot of kids do dumb stuff when they’re in high school, you know? It’s totally possible that Charlie has grown and learned and is a better guy now.”
“I know you’re right,” I said. “He’s only ever been supportive to me.”
He nodded. “When people meet gay guys like you, they tend to have a lot more respect. As fucked up as that is.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked.
Logan sighed. “Look at you. You’re perfect. You could kick any dude’s ass inside that party, but instead, you’re the nicest guy on Earth. People respect that, Brody. Hell, even I do. You have something I can never have.”
I rolled my eyes. “Logan, anybody can get strong if they want to—”
“I don’t just mean that,” he said. “I mean your personality. You’re so charming anybody could talk to you. That’s why I feel so shitty that you had to come out here and worry about my sorry ass when you could be enjoying the party—”
I leaned in, pressing my lips to his before he could even think about finishing the sentence.
I could taste the whiskey and coke on his lips, faintly sweet with the bite of alcohol behind it. He let out a little gasp of surprise as I kissed him, firm but slow.
His lips were so soft. So, so fucking soft, and the warmest thing in the cold night air. I reached one hand out to cup the side of his face, letting my fingers trace over the soft lock of hair just above his ear.
I finally broke off, hovering just an inch from his face.
“There’s nowhere I’d rather be right now than right here,” I said. “I’m not missing out on anything by not being in there for this party. And besides, I need to be out here to prove you wrong, anyway.”
“Prove me wrong?” he asked.