Alpha Logan

FOUR: fire

Todd continued staring at me, not even bothering to turn around and see who it was. "That's okay, they can wait. I'm just here about to catch up with Little Bella-" Todd was cut off.

Logan's rough hands firmly grasped Todd's shoulders. I couldn't help but notice it was sort of like a warning. The grasp caused Todd to swing his head around and come face to face with Logan.

I was wondering if they knew each other and that's why Logan was so comfortable grabbing his shoulders.

I intently watched the two have a brief stare-down. Todd broke the silence first, "I'm going to go see who it was." He snuck a small glance at me and strolled inside.

I felt a weight lift off my shoulders, thank god I didn't have to suffer through a whole conversation with him.

I kept my eyes on Logan, who appeared to be taking deep breaths. In, out.

He smoothly slumped in the lawn chair next to me, and I turned to look away. I would much rather talk to Logan than Todd. I just wasn't even sure where to start a conversation.

I indistinctly reached for the bracelet on my wrist, staring down at the dying fire. I glanced back up to look at him, only to see him staring at me so intensely. My whole body began to heat up just by his gaze on me.

"Uh, thanks for that." I pointed over to the door, where Todd just walked through. "He usually never leaves me alone."

"Noted." Logan hummed. It was a simple two-syllable word, but it buzzed through my skin. He could've said anything and I could've melted into the ground. "Do you want some water?" Logan held out a red cup that he was sipping out of.

I contemplated taking the red cup from a stranger, but my whole mouth was like the Sahara desert; incredibly dry. I desperately needed water.

I nodded and took the cup from his hands, "thanks." I took a sip of the cold water and placed it on the armrest next to me.

We were quiet for a few minutes, and I stared back at the fire. He must have thought I was so weird, and that he didn't want to hear my ramblings anymore.

"Are you from Michigan?" Logan interrupted my thoughts once more, and I pursed my lips together.

I quickly shook my head no, "No, I moved here two years ago. I finished college down here, but I'm actually from Rhode Island."

"Rhode Island?" Logan shot me a lazy smile, "Does anyone even live there?"

I couldn't help but smile at the question. "I know I know...smallest state in the country, but it's actually bigger than you think." I tilted my head and tried my hardest not to make a 'that's what she said' comment.

"I'm sure it is, but I've never been. What do they have there?" Logan asked me.

I pulled my arms closer to my stomach, trying to savor the warmth. "Uhh, a lot of seafood, and beaches. That's pretty much the only exciting thing there, but we do have a small city in Providence." I shrugged.

He nodded, "Maybe I'll have to go visit the beach there one day."

I bit my lip at the thought of Logan on the beach in Newport. Shirtless, and muscular...I felt my cheeks quickly turn crisp red. I prayed he couldn't see the blush on my cheeks in the low light outside. "Maybe," I said calmly. "What about you? Are you from Michigan?"

He nodded his head once more, "Yeah I grew up in this area, but I went to boarding school in Washington."

I couldn't help but scrunch my nose a bit, "Boarding school?"

Logan gave me a soft smile, "Yeah, it basically was a military academy. My whole family has attended there for generations... it's not really ideal."

I blinked a few times and was reminded how rich he was. I could only dream about being shipped away to a different state when I was younger to avoid... "I understand. I just went to a boring public school." I trailed off. "Oh, did you end up reading your Scott Fitzgerald book? This Side of Paradise?" I quickly asked before I could forget.

"I haven't had the chance to start it yet, I've been backed up on work so heavily. Have you read it?" Logan asked.

"Only like a million times... it's so good, it's my favorite. Scott Fitzgerald is actually one of my favorite authors, which I know is controversial because of his wife Zelda. But there's just something about his novels that has always encapsulated me..." I began to ramble on again.

"You've definitely just convinced me to start reading it as soon as I can. I'll let you know once I finish it." Logan's deep voice told me. It sent a big smile straight to my face.

I felt a cold breeze, and once again wrapped my arms around my chest in an attempt to warm myself.

"Are you cold? Do you want to head inside-" Logan started to ask but was interrupted.

"Logan!! My man, I'm so happy you came tonight." I heard Jason's drunk voice heading over to us, "Oh look you're sitting with Bella." He began to laugh as he stood in front of us.

His hollering got the attention of Madison who quickly rushed over to us, "Baby, you really overdid it tonight with the drinking." Madison scowled at him.

"Yeah but it's okay because it's Friday." Jason drunkenly proclaimed. He leaned over in Madison's ear and said something I couldn't hear.

"No, I have to take Bella home. I can't stay, she has to go feed Clementine." Madison sadly shook her head no.

I perked up at the sound of my orange cat's name, Clementine. She was spoiled, and both Madison and I knew it.

Logan cleared his throat, "I can give her a ride, I was just heading out anyways."

My eyes popped open, and I felt my blood pressure rise. As handsome as he was, he was a stranger nonetheless.

"Oh, would you?! That'd be so helpful, thank you so much, Logan. You're so generous." Madison all but clapped.

"It's no problem, let me just go grab my paperwork from earlier. I'll be right back, Bella." Logan glanced towards me before making his way inside.

"Madison!! I can't get a ride from a stranger, what if he kidnaps me??" I whispered harshly at her.

"Bella, he's Jason's boss there's no way he'd risk kidnapping you. Plus oh my god, he's so hot and he definitely has his eyes on you. I swear he's been looking at you all night." Madison gave me a sweet, pleading smile. "If anything, you should be thanking me that such a fine man is giving you a lift. Who knows, he might even show you his six-pack abs-"

I quickly cut her off, "Shhh. You're insane..." I rolled my eyes at her. "You really saw him looking at me?" I felt the blush rush to my cheeks once more. I felt like a schoolgirl hiding her crush.

She gave me a quick wink, "You should've seen him, trust me."

From the corner of my eye, I watched Logan appear back with a folder of papers in his hands. "Ready to go?" He breathed out.

I nodded, "Yeah I am, thank you for offering the ride home..." I catch Madison giving me a beaming smile.

"Text me when you get home, and give Clementine a kiss for me!!" Madison told me before getting whisked away by Jason.

I rolled my eyes and began to follow Logan to his car.

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Whew!! This chapter is a long one, but nonetheless, I hope you all enjoyed it. What do you think of Todd vs. Logan's moment? Let me know your thoughts, I love to hear what you guys think especially on these newer chapters!

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Lots of love, Morgan.