SWNOVELS Cross-Checked Hearts: Chapter 23
The warmth of Logan’s body disappears as we abruptly break apart and step away from each other. Dread fills the pit of my stomach as my heart crawls into my throat. Logan runs a hand through his tousled hair as we both look over to my brother. A shadow passes over August’s expression, his eyes angry as he glares at the two of us.
“Would someone like to tell me what the fuck is going on here?”
Nervously shifting the weight on my feet, I wring my hands in front of me. Logan doesn’t look at me as he stares down my brother. “It’s not what you think.”
“Right,” August sneers, taking two steps closer to us. “Because I would be out of my mind to think that my best friend is trying to take advantage of my little sister while she’s drunk. That wouldn’t make any sense, would it?”
“August.” Logan’s voice is low, his tone cold, warning. “I promise you that I’m not taking advantage of her. I know how this might look to you right now, but I promise whatever you’re thinking is so far off.”
Shit.
This was not supposed to happen, he wasn’t supposed to find out like this.
“If this isn’t you taking advantage of her, then what is it?” August questions him, his feet moving him until he’s stopping directly in front of Logan. “Tell me you haven’t been fucking around with her behind my back…”
Logan doesn’t say anything, a defeated sigh slipping from his lips as he runs his hand down the front of his face. August looks past Logan, his eyes meeting mine as a wave of pain washes over them.
“Isla. Tell me it isn’t true…”
I swallow hard over the lump lodged in my throat as I stare into the look of betrayal in my brother’s eyes. “I can’t do that, August.”
His jaw clenches as his eyebrows draw closer together. “What the fuck,” he mutters, looking back at Logan. His eyes focus in on Logan’s gaze, his voice loud and cold. “What. The. Fuck.”
That’s all it takes for my brother to come apart at the seams and completely go off the rails. Logan doesn’t anticipate August’s movements as he curls his hand into a fist and drives it into Logan’s face. He takes the blow, his head jerking to the side as he stumbles backward a few steps.
I’ve seen Logan fight before and I know what he’s capable of. So, when he doesn’t react to my brother’s attack, my heart breaks for both of them. He stands up straight and instead of bothering to block his face, he stands there and takes it as August throws another fist into his head.
I’m frozen in place, rendered completely immobile. I know I need to step in, to make this stop, but how? Tensions are high and emotions are running wild. The last thing I want to see is them fighting, especially over something to do with me. Something that could have been prevented.
Logan feels like the villain, like he is completely in the wrong and this is what he deserves. He takes everything August gives him, the blows raining down on his face and the sides of his ribs before he loses his balance and falls onto the ground. Logan grunts as August follows him, mumbling obscenities as he straddles Logan’s waist and wraps his hands around his throat.
“I told you that I would fucking kill you,” he grits out through clenched teeth. “You’re my best fucking friend—like my goddamn brother. I trusted you and this is really what you do?”
“August, stop,” I yell at him, my mind finally kicking in gear as I rush over. My hands find his shoulders and I’m trying to pull him off Logan, but he doesn’t budge. “Don’t do this! Please, I’m begging you. You’re going to seriously hurt him.”
August glances over his shoulder at me, his eyes wild. “Stay out of this, Isla. This is between Logan and I.”
“No, it isn’t,” I plead, my voice cracking as I roughly pull on his shoulders. “This is all my fault.”
Logan shakes his head with August’s hands still around his throat. “No, it’s not,” he mouths, his voice barely audible.
My heart shatters into a million pieces, watching his submission as he takes the blame. He’s not the only one at fault here. I knew exactly what I was doing. I could have been the one to tell my brother, but instead I chose to stay quiet too. I can’t let Logan be the one to take the fall for this.
“August.” My grip tightens on his shoulders as my voice grows harder. “Get the fuck off him.”
Releasing his shoulders, I take a step back as I inhale deeply and dive into him. He’s too big for me to pull off, but at least I can catch him off guard and get him off Logan. My attack throws him off balance and he falls away from Logan, falling onto the ground beside him as I land on top of him.
“What the hell, Isla?” he yells at me as he attempts to shove me away from him. “He fucked up. I warned him and he betrayed me, so it’s only right that he pays.”
“This isn’t Logan’s fault. I’m the one who initiated all of this.” My eyes desperately search his, looking for the softer side of my brother. The one who can be caring and understanding instead of cold and closed off. “I love him, August.”
August freezes, his hands gripping my shoulders as his face falls. “You don’t love him, Isla. You can’t.”
I follow August’s harsh gaze to Logan, who’s sitting on the ground a few feet away from us, watching us carefully. “You don’t get to tell me who I can and can’t love,” I tell my brother, directing my eyes back to his. “I’ve loved him since we were kids.”
“Jesus Christ.” His face contorts in something resembling disgust and pain. “How could I be so blind? I knew you had a crush on him, but I didn’t think it would ever come to this.” August pauses, glancing back at Logan. “Why her, man? You could have chosen anyone, but instead you choose my fucking sister.”
Logan’s throat bobs as he swallows hard. His lips parting slightly as he lets out a ragged breath. “It wasn’t a choice for me—it was never a choice.” He pauses, his eyes finding mine through the darkness. “It was written in the stars, August. It was completely inevitable.”
“Don’t come at me with some fate bullshit,” August growls as his hands leave my shoulders and he climbs to his feet. “The two of you were never destined to be together. The only thing you’re destined for is ruining each other. And ruining our friendship.”
My shoulders sag in defeat, my breath catching in my throat as tears burn the corners of my eyes. “It doesn’t have to be like this. We never wanted to hurt you.”
August unleashes a harsh laugh as he shakes his head at me. “Too late, sis. You should have just told me from the start.”
Logan climbs onto his knees, his lips parting as he watches my brother walk away from the two of us. Tears rapidly fall down my cheeks, smearing my makeup along the way. August’s reaction is the exact reason why we were both afraid to tell him, but maybe he was right. Maybe we should have just told him from the start.
“It will be okay, baby,” Logan murmurs as he crawls over to me and wraps his arms around me. He pulls me against him, my head falling into his firm chest as I cry against his coat. “I’ll talk to him and get him to understand.”
Lifting my head, I meet Logan’s gaze, my eyes trailing over his bruised and bloodied face. “What if he doesn’t?”
Logan swallows hard. “Let me worry about it, okay? This is my problem now, not yours.”
“Can we go home?” I ask him, my voice cracking around my words as I stare into his clear blue eyes. “I don’t want to be here anymore, and your face is still bleeding.”
His lips curl upward as he climbs to his feet and offers his hand for me to take. I slide my palm against his, our fingers lacing together as he lifts me onto my feet. He slides his arm around my back, grabbing my waist as we head around the side of the house, ignoring the party raging inside.
“Let’s go home, baby.”