A Mate For Christmas

Chapter 4.

Chapter 4: Moment of Truth

The rest of the school day drags on like molasses. Logan’s words echo in my mind, bouncing off the walls of my thoughts: We’re not playing games here. I keep trying to focus on the lessons, but the words refuse to leave me. You’re not like anyone else we know. What does that even mean?

I replay the conversation in my head over and over again, trying to decipher what he meant. Did he mean that he liked me? Or was he just being polite? I can’t tell. It’s not like I have experience with this kind of thing.

Mia keeps giving me sidelong glances throughout the day, and I know she’s dying to ask about Logan, but she doesn’t. I can feel the tension in the air between us, like we both know something we’re not saying.

After school, I head to the local coffee shop, hoping for some peace and quiet. I’ve been feeling a little overwhelmed lately—between the triplets’ unexpected attention and the pressure of school. I just need some time to think.

I order a latte and find a seat by the window, pulling out my phone to distract myself. But before I can even unlock it, I hear a voice.

“Ava.”

I look up, startled, and there he is—Logan, standing just a few feet away, his hands in his pockets.

“Logan,” I say, my heart racing in my chest. “What are you doing here?”

“I could ask you the same thing,” he says with a grin, moving to sit across from me. “I’m just here for a coffee.”

I raise an eyebrow. “A coffee? Really?”

He shrugs. “Yeah. Sometimes I like to get away from the chaos. You should try it sometime.”

I laugh softly, not quite sure how to react to his sudden appearance. It feels like we’re both trying to figure out how to act around each other.

“You don’t seem like the type to need quiet,” I say, taking a sip of my latte.

Logan leans back in his chair, studying me with that intense gaze of his. “You’d be surprised. I need quiet more than you’d think.”

We sit in silence for a few moments, neither of us knowing quite what to say next. I try to ignore the way my heart seems to be beating faster whenever he’s near.

Finally, Logan breaks the silence. “I didn’t mean to make things weird yesterday, you know.”

I look up at him, surprised. “Weird?”

“Yeah,” he says, his smile fading a little. “I know it was a lot. The kiss, the mistletoe, all of it.”

I feel my face heat up. “It wasn’t that weird.”

He raises an eyebrow. “You sure about that? Because it seemed like it was a lot to take in.”

I bite my lip, trying to think of something to say. “I guess I wasn’t expecting it. You and your brothers… I don’t know. I’ve never been the kind of girl who gets attention like that.”

Logan nods, his eyes softening. “I get it. But you’re not just any girl, Ava. You’re different. I can tell.”

My stomach flips at the way he says that, but I push the feeling down. “I don’t know what to do with that.”

“You don’t have to do anything with it right now,” he says, his voice gentle. “But I just wanted to make sure you knew I wasn’t playing games.”

I nod, feeling a little more at ease. “I believe you.”

Logan smiles at that, and I swear there’s a little spark of something between us, something I can’t quite name.

“So,” I say, breaking the silence, “what about your brothers? Are they… involved in all of this too?”

Logan leans forward, his expression becoming more serious. “They’re not just involved, Ava. They’re just as confused as I am.”

“Confused?”

He nods. “We don’t do this kind of thing. We’re not used to feeling like this about anyone. But there’s something about you…” He trails off, as if trying to find the right words. “It’s like we’ve all been pulled in by you, but none of us really know what it means.”

I stare at him, unsure how to respond. Part of me wants to run away from the situation, but another part of me is intrigued. I’ve never had someone speak to me like this before.

“And what does it mean?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

Logan’s eyes meet mine, and for a moment, it feels like time stands still. “I don’t know yet. But I want to find out.”

I feel my heart race, but I quickly shove the feeling down. I can’t let myself get swept up in this. This is too much, too fast.

“I don’t know if I’m ready for that,” I say softly. “I’ve never been good at this… relationship stuff.”

Logan nods in understanding. “I get that. And I’m not asking for anything right now. Just… don’t shut us out. Don’t push us away.”

“I won’t,” I say, though I’m not sure I believe it.

We sit in silence again, but this time, it’s comfortable. Logan’s presence doesn’t feel as overwhelming anymore.

After a few moments, Logan stands up, sliding his jacket on. “I’ll let you get back to your coffee. But I’ll see you around, okay?”

I nod, not trusting myself to speak. He gives me one last smile before walking out of the coffee shop, leaving me to sit there, lost in thought.

I don’t know what I’m supposed to do with all of this. I don’t know if I should give in to the pull I feel towards Logan and his brothers or if I should walk away before things get too complicated.

But no matter what I choose, I know one thing for sure—things are never going to be the same.

That night, I can’t sleep. I toss and turn, my mind racing with thoughts of Logan, Derek, and Seth. I try to push the thoughts away, but they keep coming back. I can’t shake the feeling that something is happening, something I can’t quite understand yet.

I pull my phone off the nightstand and scroll through my messages. Nothing from Mia. Nothing from anyone, really.

I sigh, turning over to face the ceiling. Maybe I’m overthinking things. Maybe I just need to breathe and take it one day at a time.

The next morning, I get to school early. I need to clear my head before the day starts. As I walk through the front doors, I’m greeted by the usual hustle and bustle of students. But there’s something different today. The air feels charged, like something is about to happen.

I walk to my locker, trying to ignore the way my heart skips every time I pass by the Silver triplets’ usual hangout spot. But today, they’re not there.

Instead, I see them walking toward me, and I freeze. Logan, Derek, and Seth—together, looking as striking as ever.

My heart pounds in my chest as they approach, and I try to act casual, but it’s hard.

“Hey, Ava,” Logan says, his voice warm as he steps forward. “We were hoping to talk to you before class.”

I glance at Derek and Seth, both of them smiling at me, their eyes filled with something that feels like promise.

“What about?” I ask, trying to keep my voice steady.

“Well,” Derek says, his grin playful, “we were wondering if you’d be interested in joining us for lunch today.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Lunch?”

“Yeah,” Seth adds, “We figured it’s about time we spent some more time together. Don’t you think?”

I hesitate, my mind spinning. I don’t know if I’m ready for this. But then again, maybe it’s time I stop pretending I’m not intrigued by them.

I nod slowly. “Okay. I’ll join you.”

Logan’s smile widens, and there’s a glint of satisfaction in his eyes. “Great. We’ll see you then.”

As they walk away, I can’t help but feel a little bit of excitement bubble up inside me. Maybe, just maybe, I’m starting to figure out what this all means. But one thing is certain—I’m not in control anymore.