Chapter 30 Not so subtle
Ava’s POV
Charlotte and I sat at our usual table, her phone in one hand and a fork in the other as she scrolled through something on her feed. I poked at my salad, not really paying attention, until she let out a dramatic sigh.
“You know, for someone who just got her own place, you don’t seem very excited,” she pointed out, setting her phone down.
I shrugged. “I am. It’s just… a lot.”
She studied me for a second before smirking. “Or maybe it has something to do with Logan.”
I nearly choked on my drink. “Excuse me?”
Before she could respond, a tray dropped onto the table across from us. Logan slid into the seat beside me, followed by Tristan, who took his usual place next to her.
“Talking about me again?” Logan teased, stealing one of my fries.
I glared at him. “No one was talking about you.”
Charlotte snorted. “Lies.”
Tristan laughed. “You two are exhausting to watch, you know that?”
Logan smirked, completely unfazed. “So, nerd, you coming to the game later?”
I sighed. “I have work, but I’ll try to make it.”
He leaned back, raising an eyebrow. “You’ll try?”
“Some of us have responsibilities, Logan.”
He rolled his eyes. “Some of us have priorities.”
I gave him a deadpan look. “I need money to live.”
Charlotte nudged Tristan. “See? This is what I have to deal with everyday babe”.
Tristan just laughed, taking a sip of his drink. “You guys fight like an old married couple.”
I groaned. “Can we not?”
Logan smirked. “I’ll take that as a yes. You’ll be there.”
I sighed in defeat. “Fine. I’ll be there.”
Satisfied, he turned his attention to his food while Charlotte shot me a look that very clearly said you’re so obvious.
I ignored her.
The rest of lunch passed quickly, with Logan and Tristan discussing strategies for the game while Charlotte and I half-listened,I didn't even understand how football works and their conversation was boring me to death.Eventually, they had to leave for practice.
Logan stood, stretching. “See you later, nerd.”
Tristan slapped him on the back. “Come on, man. Coach will kill us if we’re late.”
Logan hesitated for a second, his gaze turning to mine. Then, before I could ask him anything, he leaned down and pressed a quick, firm kiss to my lips.
It was barely more than a second, but it was enough to send my brain into full shutdown mode.
By the time I processed what had happened, he was already walking away like nothing happened.
I just sat there, frozen.
Charlotte, on the other hand, was not frozen.
“Oh. My. God.”
I turned slowly, feeling my face heat up.
“No.”
“Yes.” She was grinning like a lunatic. “Logan freaking Carter just kissed you in the middle of the cafeteria.”
I swallowed, still in shock. “It…he…”
“HE KISSED YOU.” She smacked the table, drawing attention from people nearby. I hissed at her to keep her voice down, but it was no use.
Charlotte wiggled her eyebrows. “So… what are you gonna do about it?”
I buried my face in my hands. “Die.”
She laughed. “Oh, babe. You are so in trouble.”
Logan’s POV
The football stadium was filled with people.
Cheers and chants echoed from the stands as I adjusted my helmet, scanning the crowd. It was our biggest game of the season, and I was supposed to be locked in. Focused.
But I wasn’t.
Because she wasn’t here yet.
Ava.
I had searched for her the second I stepped onto the field. I checked the front rows, the middle sections, hell, even the nosebleeds. But she was nowhere to be seen.
I clenched my jaw, gripping my helmet tighter.
“Dude, relax,” Tristan said, nudging me. “You look like you’re about to murder someone.”
I exhaled sharply, trying to shake it off. “I’m fine.”
“Yeah, sure.” He gave me a knowing look. “You’ll be fine when she gets here.”
I didn’t answer.
The first half was a disaster.
I was missing easy passes, hesitating too long in the pocket, and getting sacked like a damn rookie. The coach was pissed, yelling from the sidelines, but I barely heard him.
All I could think about was her.
Where the hell was she?
“Logan, focus!” Tristan barked after another incomplete pass. “You’re throwing like shit.”
“I know,” I snapped.
“Then fix it.”
I ran a hand through my hair, trying to shove my frustration down. But it wasn’t working.
And then… I saw her.
Ava, rushing through the entrance, scanning the crowd. She looked breathless, like she had ran here. Charlotte was right behind her, waving at Tristan.
The next play, I snapped the ball and everything clicked.
I moved fast, dodging a tackle, spotting an opening downfield. With precision, I launched the ball straight into my receiver’s hands.
Touchdown.
The crowd erupted.
Tristan clapped me on the helmet. “There’s the Logan I know.”
“Shut up.” But I was grinning.
Ava was here.
And now?
I was winning this damn game.
By the time the final whistle blew, we had dominated the second half.
We won.
The team exploded into cheers, helmets flying as we celebrated on the field. The student section cheered, storming the stands.
But I had only one person in mind.
Ava.
Ava Sinclair.
I spotted her near the sidelines with Charlotte, her eyes searching the field. Was she searching for me? Damn! If that doesn't make me feel good.
Without thinking, I moved.
I pushed past teammates, ignoring the victory chants, heading straight for her.
She turned just as I reached her. “Logan…”
I didn’t let her finish.
I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her into a crushing hug. She gasped in surprise, hands gripping my jersey.
And then, I kissed her.
Right there.
In front of the entire stadium.
It was reckless. Bold, something I have never done before.
But I didn’t care.
Because she was mine. And I wanted everyone to know it.
When we finally pulled away, Ava’s face was flushed, her eyes wide. “Logan, you just…”
“Yeah,” I smirked. “I did.”
Charlotte whistled. “Damn. Not so subtle, Carter.”
Tristan chuckled, shaking his head. “Took you long enough.”
I ignored them, my focus only on Ava. “You came.”
She rolled her eyes. “Of course, I did.”
“You were late.”
She huffed. “I had work!”
I grinned. “Guess I’ll have to kiss you again as punishment.”
Ava groaned, covering her face, but I caught the smile peeking through her fingers.