~Avaâs POV~We stood there for a long moment, just breathing the same air, the world outside Loganâs apartment became blurring.Finally, he pulled back, threading his fingers with mine. His touch was hesitant, almost like he was afraid I'd remove my hands if he held on too tightly."Come inside," he said.I nodded and stepped in, letting him close the door behind me. The apartment was dim, the only light coming from a small lamp in the corner. Logan led me to the couch and sat down heavily, pulling me down beside him. He stared at the floor for a long moment, his leg bouncing slightly."I don't know where to start," he muttered."Wherever you want," I said softly. "I'm here."He glanced at me,gratitude flickering in his blue eyes."I guess..." He let out a breath. "I guess I should start with my mom."I waited. He rubbed the back of his neck, the way he always did when he was nervous."My mom was the best person I ever knew," he said, voice thick with emotion. "She was...kind. Gent
~Logan's POV~The sunlight streamed through the windows of the apartment, but all I could see was her.Still sitting cross-legged on my couch, her hair a messy bun around her head, her eyes were so soft and trusting, even after everything I barely managed to tell her last night.She didn't even freak out as i was expecting. I didnât deserve her.But selfishly, I wasnât going to let her go.I pushed myself off the wall where Iâd been leaning and crossed the room toward her.She smiled up at me, the kind of smile that made the tight knot in my chest loosen just a little. The kind of smile that lit up my whole world."You doing anything later?" I asked, my voice coming out roughly from lack of sleep and too many emotions.Her head tilted slightly. "No... why?"I smirked and sat on the coffee table in front of her, close enough that our knees brushed."After football practice," I said, reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, "I'm taking you out. Proper date. Just you and me
Avaâs POV There were only a few rules I lived by in college. Rule number one? Never fall for a jock. It wasnât just a personal preference. It was survival, I had to avoid them inorder to do well. I had seen too many smart girls throw away their GPA for a 6'0 something guy with biceps , a quarterback playboy and a bad attendance record. Not me, No way, I'll never do that that how I survived my first year in Westbridge university and I'm not going to break that rule in my second year. Thatâs why, when Logan Carter walked into my History class fifteen minutes late, I didnât even bother looking up from my laptop. I already knew who he was. everyone knew him, star quarterback, campus heartthrob, a playboy, and the guy who had probably never studied a day in his life. Professor Ambrose mills barely looked at him as he walked to the only empty seat right next to me. I stiffened. Just my luck, I didn't want to sit closer with him. jocks never supposed to be with nerds,not that I'm a n
Avaâs POV I woke up this morning early, I took a shower and decided to go for something casual. I put my jeans and black top with a cardigan. I made myself a simple breakfast just tea and bread, in my situation I could not afford anymore fancy breakfast. I got used to it after my mom died and my dad chased me out of his house because I talked back to his precious wife. She always hated me but the feeling was mutual!. after I was done with my breakfast I exited my one room apartment and started walking to university. the West bridge university was huge it literally took me 30 minutes just to reach the library. Today I have to tutor Logan and now it's 8 am and he's nowhere to be seen. then about fifteen minutes later he strolled in the library like it was some changing locker room. everyone was looking at him in shock. because the famous Logan doesn't do studies. there was something about Logan Carter that screamed trouble or is it because of his confident smirk that he has all th
Avaâs POV I wasnât sure how I ended up here. One minute, I was closing my laptop, ending another exhausting tutoring session with Logan Carter. The next, I was shaking hands on a deal I wasnât even sure I wanted to make. I was going against my rules again. "Come to the game, and Iâll help you find a part-time job," he had said, flashing that cocky grin like he already knew Iâd say yes. And somehow, against all logic, I had said yes! stupid!! Now, I was packed into the freezing bleachers of Westbridge Stadium, surrounded by screaming fans, girls with too much make up , and everything I was not a customized regretting every life decision that had led to this moment. "Come on, Ava, at least try to look excited!" my neighbor, Sophie, yelled over the deafening cheers. I forced a tight smile. "Super excited," I deadpanned, gripping my coat tighter around me. I don't know what came over me to accept the dealguess you can call it desperation!! Sophie rolled her eyes. "Youâre impossi
Loganâs POV This was a bad idea. No,scratch that. This was a dangerous idea. And yet, here I was, walking into a house party with Ava Sinclair, the one girl on this damn whole campus who wasnât wrapped around my finger. She wasnât supposed to be here. and she didn't want to be here. But after our little negotiation in the library, after watching her hesitate before ultimately caving to my offer, I knew sheâd show up. And damn, if she didnât look completely out of place. She wasnât dressed like the other girls,tight dresses, sky high heels, looking for attention. No, Ava wore ripped jeans and a fitted sweater, her hair in a ponytail, like she hadnât even thought twice about what to wear. And yet, as I walked beside her, my eyes kept drifting to her. Dangerous. "Youâre sure about this?" she asked, arms crossed as she surveyed the party like she was searching for an emergency exit. "Relax, nerd," I said, throwing an arm around her shoulder, grinning when she immediately stiffe
Avaâs POV I stared at the eviction notice in my hands, my stomach twisting into knots. my landlord said I had a week but here I am .... on the streets!. Rent issues. A âmiscalculation,â my landlord had called it. But all I heard was: you have to leave. I didnât even have a place to go. It wasnât like I could call anyone. Iâd already strained things with my dad, and my so-called friends were more interested in their own drama than helping me out. I could get a cheap motel, but what the hell was I supposed to do after that? I just wanted to disappear. But as I stood outside the dorm, gripping my duffel bag like it could somehow shield me from everything, a ping from my phone broke the silence. Logan Carter: Whatâs up, nerd? I almost didnât want to reply. I didnât even know why I had his number in the first place, but here it was, glowing on the screen. I bit my lip, thinking of all the options none of them great before I did the dumbest thing possible. Ava: âŚGot a couch I ca
Ava's pov The last thing I remember after reaching Logan's place is that he told me he was going out tonight, so why the hell is he still here? I was lost in my thoughts when I felt something nudging me. I turned to face Logan who had a smirk on his face. "hey nerd, what are you daydreaming now? I know I'm hot but you can just tone it out sunshine". I scoffed "who told you I'm thinking about you? didn't you say you are going out tonight? or is no one willing to open their legs for you?" I remarked. Logan smirk widened "and why do you care nerd? I don't think me whoring around is any of your concern or are you jealous " he said . I became aware of the small space we were in. After the kiss we shared earlier, Everytime Logan is close to me keeps making me feeling conscious. " No I'm not jealous but can you move your body away, you're in my space " I said, tryin
~Logan's POV~The sunlight streamed through the windows of the apartment, but all I could see was her.Still sitting cross-legged on my couch, her hair a messy bun around her head, her eyes were so soft and trusting, even after everything I barely managed to tell her last night.She didn't even freak out as i was expecting. I didnât deserve her.But selfishly, I wasnât going to let her go.I pushed myself off the wall where Iâd been leaning and crossed the room toward her.She smiled up at me, the kind of smile that made the tight knot in my chest loosen just a little. The kind of smile that lit up my whole world."You doing anything later?" I asked, my voice coming out roughly from lack of sleep and too many emotions.Her head tilted slightly. "No... why?"I smirked and sat on the coffee table in front of her, close enough that our knees brushed."After football practice," I said, reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, "I'm taking you out. Proper date. Just you and me
~Avaâs POV~We stood there for a long moment, just breathing the same air, the world outside Loganâs apartment became blurring.Finally, he pulled back, threading his fingers with mine. His touch was hesitant, almost like he was afraid I'd remove my hands if he held on too tightly."Come inside," he said.I nodded and stepped in, letting him close the door behind me. The apartment was dim, the only light coming from a small lamp in the corner. Logan led me to the couch and sat down heavily, pulling me down beside him. He stared at the floor for a long moment, his leg bouncing slightly."I don't know where to start," he muttered."Wherever you want," I said softly. "I'm here."He glanced at me,gratitude flickering in his blue eyes."I guess..." He let out a breath. "I guess I should start with my mom."I waited. He rubbed the back of his neck, the way he always did when he was nervous."My mom was the best person I ever knew," he said, voice thick with emotion. "She was...kind. Gent
~Ava pov~The cafeteria buzzed with a lot of noise, voices bouncing off the walls, trays clattering. I sat across from Charlotte, my fingers wrapped around a cold coffee cup, staring blankly at the swirling cream inside.I hadn't taken a single sip.Charlotte was yapping about some group project disaster, but I wasn't listening to her. I was busy lost against the storm in my head.I couldnât stop thinking about last night.What was going on with Logan? Why did he leave like that? The way heâd bolted from the apartment without even meeting my eyes. The haunted look when he returned, hours later. "Okay, you're scaring me now," Charlotte said, dragging me out of my thoughts.She leaned forward, eyebrows furrowed. "What's wrong?"I hesitated, the words sticking in my throat.Finally, I set the cup down with a soft clink and whispered, "It's Logan."Charlotte's eyes sharpened immediately. "What happened? Did he cheat on you?!" âWhat? No!" I saidShe frowned âthen what did he do to get
~Loganâs POV~My phone buzzed again.Blocked number.I didnât want to answer it. Every part of me wanted to toss the damn thing into the ocean and go back to cuddling Ava on the bed, pretending like nothing could touch the peace weâd just found.But something in my stomach twisted, cold and sharp.I answered.âLogan,â came a voice I hadnât heard in months, smooth and sharp as broken glass. âGlad you picked up.âMy chest tightened. âWhat the hell do you want, Vincent?âVincent. My fatherâs right-hand man. The guy who delivered threats with a smirk and cleaned up blood without blinking.âIf you donât want to work with your father, thatâs your choice. But heâs thinking about bringing Levi in. And I figured youâd want a heads up.âI froze. âWhat did you just say?ââYou heard me. Levi. Heâs almost twenty one right? Perfect age to start learning the family business.ââWhere is he?â I snapped, already reaching for my jeans. âWhereâs Levi?ââHeâs with your father. Dinner. That place on Riverv
~Avaâs POV~The beach trip ended with more laughter than scandal, thank God. Charlotte and Tristan gave us hell all the way back endless teasing, exaggerated side-eyes, and dramatic sighs every time Logan and I so much as breathed in sync.âYou two seriously need a warning label,â Charlotte huffed as she rolled down the window. âCaution: PDA ahead.âTristan snorted. âForget that. I need bleach for my eyes after walking in on...ââDo not dare to finish that sentence,â I cut in, hiding my burning face in Loganâs shoulder.How can someone be so dramatic? I bet they do more indoors than us,but the way they're overreacting, make them seem like saints.He laughed, rubbing my arm. âStill worth it,â he whispered, pressing a kiss to my hair.When we pulled into the driveway, Charlotte and Tristan practically launched themselves out of the car like it was on fire.âNever again,â Charlotte muttered, slamming the door. âNext trip, weâre getting separate cabins.ââOr a new hotel! cause I don't wan
~Ava's POV~The beach trip ended with more laughter than scandal, thankfully. Charlotte and Tristan gave us hell all the way back endless teasing, side-eyes, and dramatic sighs whenever Logan and I so much as held hands. But we took it in stride. After all, we had survived an awkward walk-of-shame level encounter. Everything else felt like background noise.When we pulled into the driveway of our apartment complex, Charlotte and Tristan practically jumped out of the car, muttering about never needing to see another couple naked again in their lives. I had snorted into Loganâs shoulder, half hiding my face as he pressed a kiss to my hair and whispered, "Still worth it."Instead of heading to my place, I followed Logan up to his apartment like it was the most natural thing in the world. My place was quiet and neat, but his felt more warmer. Like a place where things happened, where love happened. And maybe I wasnât ready to sleep alone just yet. Not when everything had changed betwee
~Avaâs POV~I stormed down the boardwalk, the heat of the sun nothing compared to the burn inside my chest.What the hell just happened?Who just shows up like that? Ex-girlfriend or not, Serena's presence felt like a glitch in our perfect little bubble and I hated how shaken I felt. I hated that I even doubted Logan, even for a second.âAva!âHis voice.Of course.I picked up my pace, but seconds later, I heard his bare feet slapping against the wood. âAva, wait!âI spun around. âLogan, seriously, donâtâŚâHe didnât stop. He reached me in three long strides and grabbed my wrist, gently but firmly. âPlease, just stop running for one second.âI yanked my hand back, not because I didnât want him to hold me but because I wanted him to work for it. âShe said this was your spot.âHe exhaled, looking frustrated. âIt was. Years ago. Before I ever met you. We came here once. Thatâs it.ââAnd now she just magically shows up while weâre here and calls it a coincidence?ââI didnât ask her to com
~Avaâs POV~Charlotte's words still echoed in my head.âSo was it makeup sex?!âI blinked at her like sheâd grown two heads. âWhat is wrong with you?!âShe just laughed, tossing her hair over her shoulder like she'd asked whether the weather was nice. âDonât act like youâre shocked. You know me.ââYouâre a menace.ââIâm a best friend,â she corrected with a smug little smirk. âAnd best friends ask.âI sighed, sinking back into the lounge chair, my skin warm from the sun and my nerves still buzzing from... well, everything. âIt wasnât makeup sex, okay?âCharlotte gave me a suspicious side-eye. âBut you said you had an argument last night.âI chewed on my lip, my voice quieter now. âWe did. But thatâs not why it happened. It wasnât about fixing something or distracting ourselves. It was... real.âCharlotteâs teasing expression softened instantly. âOkay, that I can respect.âI glanced out at the pool where Logan was being tackled into the water by Tristan for the fifth time in a row. He w
Ava's povI woke up to the rays of sunlight streaming through the balcony doors and the even warmer feeling of Logan's arms wrapped tightly around me. His chest rose and fell against my back, he was sleeping soundly without any worries. I couldâve stayed like that forever.But then before I could dwell on his warmth again I heard a knock.And thenâŚ"Rise and shine, lovebirds!" Charlotteâs obnoxiously chipper voice rang through the door. I almost forgot that we were here with Charlotte and Tristan.I froze. Logan groaned behind me and buried his face into the crook of my neck. âTell me Iâm dreaming,â he mumbled.Another knock followed. âHope you two got enough sleep last night... though judging by the thumping and oh-my-gods, Iâm gonna guess not.â Tristan's deep voice rang through the door.My entire body went hot. âOh my God,â I whispered. Now I was going to experience the walk of shame!âTristan!â I shouted back, grabbing the closest pillow and chucking it toward the door as if it wo