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"Jackson, you’re fine You don’t have to worry about Logan"

"Yeah?"

"Yeah" I didn’t knohat I meant when I said that, but Jackson was like me If he had pursued me, I would’ve dated his would’ve been different, maybe I would’ve been with him instead of Jeff when my mom left David for James Kade For a split second, I envisioned that year if I had been dating Jackson, then thean had no clue The day he made me a sandwich and never said a word about it All the tension I felt around hian went to a party, and Mason stayed ho with his for him

No It wouldn’t have been different I just would’ve cheated on Jackson

Jackson atching ?"

I stood and spoke softly, "When you told me last week that you were interested, a part of me had wished that you had pursued it I was miserable with your cousin, and I hope that you would’ve treated ain I was so sad with Jeff You would’ve been a break, just a brief one to take away sohtest shake "It wouldn’t have lasted I remember that year, when I moved in with Mason, and even if I had been with you, I would still have ended up with hian’s right I’ would’ve changed No matter what path I’m on, all roads lead to him They alill"

Jackson nodded and ot with you"

The corners of rin "He does I think I’m the one who doesn’t realize it sometimes"

He lifted his beer and tipped it towardsconsidered a an Making things right I groaned That was the real reason I was there "He’s outside?"

"Logan?"

I nodded

He gestured to the backyard "He and his friends are by the cao and see for yourself You’ll understand"

I turned for the last screen door Pausing, as I was about to push it open, I said, "It was nice to talk to you It was nice seeing you again"

"You too"

I pushed open the screen door, and as it shut behind ain, "You too, Sa tossed on one side Another group was hitting a volleyball over a badarage had its doors lifted Light flooded out froe A basketball hoop was attached to the top and a couple of guys were holding beers in one hand, shooting a basketball with the other People stood in groups all around, laughing, drinking, flirting, telling stories I walked around, looking for a campfire, but it wasn’t until I circled to the other side of the garage that I saw the flame It was set back in the farthest corner of the backyard and a ring of people had for sideways so they could talk to their friends, but the closer I got, I saw they were sneaking looks at the ca benches were set around the fire, lined with guys, but there was no laughter co intense expressions were on all of theroups standing away fro over at them every few minutes An exclusive feel filled the air It intensified the closer I got, until I was standing at the edge of the groups I, too, couldn’t look away frouys around the ca court I understood Even if I didn’t know Logan and saw hiuys were the top of the hierarchy Confidence filled their shoulders, and as they spoke, it was heard in their voices as well Even though they weren’t doing anything, they co theirls casted lustful looks to the on the outskirts shifted on their feet and glanced around Their hands gripped their beer cans tight before shoving a hand into their pocket They shifted again, finally striking a cocky pose to cover any insecurity they had shown

"You want another, Kade?" A guy stood fro as he said so else to his cauy Both lifted their legs, stepping over their benches andtheh As they passed by, they didn’t notice me

In that moment, I felt like Jackson I felt like I was in the shadows, not being seen, like I had before Mason and Logan came into my life I felt the old loneliness settle back on irls turned toso they could scanto hide a sone It had been there for a split second, but I was recognized again I let out a sigh Being invisible and visible had pros and cons to it, but it didn’tforward, I rolled ht was how Mason and Logan lived That meant that’s where I would be with the was said to each other They all stood and left, leaving Logan alone As I got there, he glanced up He had been sitting with his back to everyone He said, "I figured it was you" He gestured to the empty benches "They wouldn’t have left for anyone else"