Man, I'm so proud of me and my quick updates. Maybe it's because these chapters are so short... Anyway, sorry if this chapter os boring. And I know I say something along those lines a lot, but I swear I'm not fishing for compliments. I'm just insecure about certain chapter (and this story as a whole) but whatever.
Chapter Seven
Logan waited for a text from Kendall. Once Kendall texted him, he was going to meet Kendall outside and get in his car. Then they'd go off to Logan's parents' house.
Logan smiled to himself. His parents were excited to see Kendall and Mattie again. They thought Mattie was a sweet boy, and that Kendall was a good guy. They told Logan they saw Kendall looking at him in a way that showed he adored Logan. And since Mattie was well-behaved and happy, it was obvious Kendall was doing a good job raising him.
His phone vibrated. He grabbed his things and went down to meet Kendall. Once in Kendall's car, Kendall greeted him with a kiss.
"Hi, Logan," Mattie said from the backseat.
Logan buckled his seatbelt and looked back at Mattie. "Hey, Big Guy. You ready to go swimming again?"
"Yeah! Your pool's so much cooler than Emmy's. But I didn't tell her that 'cause I didn't wanna make her sad."
"Good idea. You ready to meet all my family at the Fourth of July celebration?"
Mattie nodded. "Are they nice?"
"Very. But leave Professor Bear in the car. My cousin's little girl steals toys."
Mattie gasped. "I'll keep him safe in here."
Logan looked at Kendall. "You nervous?"
"A little," Kendall said. "What if they don't like me?"
"They will. You're too amazing to hate."
"I'm not that great."
"You are." Logan wished Kendall could see it. He was so kind, sweet, and loving. He was funny and made great company. He made Logan feel special, worthy of love. Logan had only felt worthy of a fuck before. That's all people had wanted from him. Sex. Even Jett's idea of a relationship was mostly about sex. But Kendall liked Logan for who he was, and the sex was just a plus. "So," Logan went on with a whisper, "you tell Mattie you guys are sleeping at my place tonight?"
Kendall smirked. "I figured we'd surprise him. We'll have to watch a Disney princess movie before bed."
"Hmm." Logan thought. "Little Mermaid?"
Kendall nodded. "He'd like that. And it's cool if he sleeps in the bed with us?"
"Yeah. All we're doing is sleeping."
It wasn't long before they were at Logan's parents' house. The sun was setting. All of the Mitchell family's cars were parked outside the house.
The three got out of the car and went inside. Logan was immediately greeted by several of his cousins. He introduced Kendall and Mattie. Mattie said hi happily, and Kendall waved awkwardly.
Logan was pleased that Kendall's nerves went down as the party went on. His cousins talked to Kendall as they swam, making him feel welcomed. At one point, Logan saw Kendall survive being grilled by his aunt and uncle. Logan could tell Kendall would be an accepted member of the family by the end of the night.
Mattie fit right in. The first thing he did when they walked in was go see the dogs. For awhile, he followed Logan's mom around and helped her with various things. Then he played with Logan's cousins' kids.
"Fireworks time!" Logan's cousin George announced when it was dark enough.
Logan guided Kendall and Mattie to a blanket that had been set down in the backyard in anticipation for the event. Some of Logan's relatives sat on other blankets, while others got out the fireworks they had brought.
"You guys set off fireworks yourself?" Kendall asked.
"Yup," Logan answered as Mattie settled in his lap. "Someone always gets injured too. Nothing that serious, though. No lost fingers or anything. Usually it's just burns and stuff. My Uncle Mike always gets the worst of it. He's the firework king."
"Can I set off fireworks?" Mattie asked.
"No," Kendall and Logan said.
"Let those guys do it," Logan said. "They pretty much know what they're doing."
"OK..." Mattie said with defeat.
Mattie clapped happily with each firework that had gone off, forgetting his sadness about not being able to set them off himself. He gasped with everyone else when George got burned by a rogue firework.
"Like father, like son," Logan mumbled after it happened.
Logan, Kendall, and Mattie were the last to leave.
"You sure you don't want us to help clean up, Mrs. Mitchell?" Kendall asked.
Logan's mom laughed. "I'm positive, Kendall. You boys go home and sleep. It's been an exciting evening for all."
Mattie hugged both of Logan's parents before they left.
After they were in the car and started to drive, Kendall said, "Hey, Mattie, how would you like to have a sleepover at Logan's?"
"When?" Mattie asked excitedly.
Kendall shared a smile with Logan before saying, "Tonight."
Mattie squealed with joy. "It's gonna be so fun!"
Mattie went on about all the things they could do until they parked. "What do you want to do first?" he asked them as Logan unlocked his door.
"How about we put our pajamas on first?" Kendall suggested.
"OK!"
They stepped inside. Logan shut the door, locked it, and hung his keys up. He turned around and saw James sitting on the couch watching TV. "Things didn't go well with Chick-Fil-A girl?"
James looked at them and sighed. "She got annoying and I ended it. I suggested break up se-" James halted when he remembered Mattie was there. "Break up fun times. She slapped me. I've spent the evening here."
"Did the lady hurt you bad, Uncle James?" Mattie asked with worry.
James smiled. "Nah. I'm nice and tough, Little Dude. Didn't even leave a mark."
Mattie let out a relieved sigh. "Good."
"Why don't we go get changed in Logan's room," Kendall said to Mattie. They walked away, leaving Logan and James alone.
"You might've deserved that slap," Logan said to James.
James chuckled. "Maybe. But some girls are fine with break up sex." He sighed. "No more free nuggets for me."
"What a shame. You know, maybe you should consider looking for a long-term relationship."
James snorted. "Just because it works for you, doesn't mean it'll work for me." He was quiet for a moment. "Though you do seem happy."
Logan smiled. "I am."
"After graduation, I'll consider to stop playing the field. Not good for a teacher to be a slut, you know."
Logan laughed. "Good point. One more year of fun for you, I guess."
"You know it's gonna be a hell of a year," James said with a cocky grin. "Now go to your man and son."
Logan rolled his eyes and went off to his room. When he got there, Mattie was putting pajamas on Professor Bear. Logan sat on the bed next to him. "Hey. Why don't you go tell Uncle James about the party?"
Mattie's eyes lit up. "OK!" He hopped off the bed and ran to the living room.
"He's gonna go on for hours," Kendall said as he began to change.
Logan got up and went to his dresser. He got out some pajamas for himself, and started to change as well. "But he'll keep James entertained. So, you have as much fun at the party as he did?"
Logan saw Kendall smile. "I did," Kendall told him. "Your cousins and aunts and uncles were all very nice. Your grandparents too. They made me feel... part of the family."
"As long as you're with me, you and Mattie are part of the family," Logan told him as he finished changing.
Kendall was done changing himself and walked up to Logan. "And how long will I be with you?"
"A very long time, I hope."
Kendall gave Logan a kiss. "I hope so too."
Logan smiled. "I'm glad we're on the same page."
Kendall kissed Logan again. "You make me happy, Logan. So happy. And it feels so weird saying that since we've only been together a month. But no one's made me this happy. No one's been proud of me having Mattie. Most are ashamed, embarrassed. You... you're ready to defend me against any cruel thing someone may say. And Mattie. Christ. He's never liked someone I've dated this much."
Logan put a hand on Kendall's cheek. "You make me happy too, Kendall. Both of you. And... even with our first time in my car, you and I felt so right. It always feels right. Just even talking to you. It's crazy."
"I kinda like it," Kendall whispered.
"So do I."
Kendall gave Logan one more kiss. "We should go rescue James from Mattie."
Logan nodded. They went back into the living room—Logan carrying a DVD. Mattie was telling James about the Mitchell Firework Show.
"Wanna watch the Little Mermaid?" Logan asked.
Mattie nodded and looked at James. "Will you watch it with us, Uncle James?"
James looked like he wanted to say no. Instead, he sighed and said, "Sure."
Mattie sat between Kendall and Logan as they watched the movie, and James sat next to Logan. Mattie fell asleep halfway through the movie. Kendall offered to take him to bed and shut off the movie, but by then James was way into it. He said he had forgotten how awesome the Little Mermaid was. And that he was going to aim to sleep with a red head next.
Once the movie was over, Logan and Kendall went off to bed with Mattie. Mattie slept between Kendall and Logan. At some point during the night, Mattie snuggled against Logan. When Logan woke in the morning to discover that, he had no idea how to explain the emotions he was feeling.
…
On Sunday, Logan went out to dinner with his parents and James. James always came with them. He was like part of the family. Like Logan's brother. He had spent a lot of time at the Mitchell house during their youth, especially when James' parents were getting divorced. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell did the best they could to make James feel like he had a family. A true family that would never leave him. So that's why James was included in their family dinner at Marty's Diner.
"This is where I had my first date with Kendall," Logan said happily.
"Please don't talk about it again," James said. "I've heard about it enough. It's getting annoying."
Logan just stuck his tongue out at James.
Mrs. Mitchell chuckled. "My mature boys."
Logan smiled at his parents. "So you guys like Kendall, right?"
Mr. Mitchell nodded. "He seems like a responsible young man. And he makes you happy. I've never seen you so... peppy."
Logan tilted his head. "Peppy?"
"Yes."
James laughed. "Can you imagine Logan in a little cheerleading outfit?"
Logan glared at James. "You're imagining me in a girls cheerleading uniform, aren't you?"
"Oh yeah."
Logan smacked his arm. "Weirdo."
"You're the one in a skirt..."
Their waitress came with their drinks, and they ordered their food.
"LOGAN!" Logan turned his head to see Mattie running at him.
Logan got out of his booth. He caught Mattie and lifted him up. "Hey, Big Guy!" He gave Mattie a tight hug. "What are you doing here?"
Mattie pointed. "Me and Daddy are eating with Grandma and Aunt Katie. Hi, Uncle James!"
"What's up, Little Dude."
Logan saw Kendall's sister and mom sit a few tables away as Kendall walked over to him. It was the first time Logan had ever seen Kendall's mom. She looked pissed.
Kendall reached them. "How did he see you before I did?" He gave Logan a kiss. "You OK, Logan?"
"Uh... Your mom looks mad."
Kendall sighed. "She didn't expect to see you. I wanted to give her more of a warning before she met you. Wanna be introduced?"
Logan took a deep breath. "Sure." He carried Mattie over to the Knights' table, Kendall by his side. "Hi, Katie. Nice to see you again."
"Hey, Logan," Katie said. "Who's your hot friend?"
"I was wondering that too," Mrs. Knight said. "Why would an attractive young man be sitting with you and your parents on a Sunday evening? Are you dating him too?"
"No way!" Logan said. "That's James. My roommate and best friend. He's like my brother. And my parents think of him as a second son. He's always around. Ever since we were kids. His parents started to ignore him after the divorce, and my parents kinda took over on the love and attention front."
"Aw. I didn't know that," Kendall said. "That sucks. Good thing he has you and your parents."
"Is he single?" Katie asked.
Kendall and Logan both looked at her with wide eyes.
"You are not dating him," Kendall said.
Katie frowned. "Why not?"
"He's too old for you, for starters. And he's a sl-" Kendall glanced at Mattie. "He, uh, gets around."
"James isn't looking for anything serious anyway," Logan added.
Katie shrugged. "Maybe I don't want anything serious either."
"Katie!" Kendall cried.
Logan sat Mattie in the empty booth across from the women. Then he whispered to Kendall, "I'll keep him away from her."
"Thanks," Kendall said. "Anyway. Mom, this is my boyfriend Logan."
"Hello, Mrs. Knight." Logan offered his hand for her to shake. He was denied. He stepped back and cleared his throat. "Well. I should get back to my family." Logan walked back to his table.
"You alright?" James asked after Logan sat.
"Kendall's mom wasn't happy to see me."
"Why the hell not?" Mr. Mitchell asked.
Logan looked at the other table. Kendall was arguing with his mom. "Kendall had warned me. His mom doesn't like him dating other guys. She wants him to date just girls."
"That doesn't give her the right to be rude," Mrs. Mitchell said angrily.
Logan's phone vibrated in his pocket. He looked at the text. Kendall wanted to meet him in the bathroom. "I'll be right back." He got up and went to the bathroom.
"I'm sorry about my mom," Kendall said as soon as Logan walked through the door. "She was being a bitch."
"It's OK," Logan said.
"No it's not! She hurt your feelings. I... I want you to feel accepted by my family. Like I feel with yours. And you can't feel that way if my mom's snubbing you. I'm so sorry."
"It's fine."
"It's not! I want her to see how wonderful you are. I want her to give you a chance."
Logan realized Kendall had been hoping his mom would be OK with their relationship. Kendall's dreams must've been dashed when she refused to be polite to Logan.
Logan took Kendall's hand. "Maybe she'll come around. You know, once she realizes I'm not going anywhere." He kissed Kendall's hand. "Until then, you and Mattie can talk me up."
Kendall nodded. "OK. Maybe in a few weeks you can meet her properly?"
"If that's what you want."
"It is. Again. I'm so-"
"Hush," Logan interrupted. "Don't be sorry."
"Fine." Kendall brushed his lips against Logan's. "You're amazing. Go enjoy your dinner."
Logan smiled. "You too. And don't be too hard on your mom."
Kendall let out a chuckle. "I'll try."
Ugh. I did not like this chapter. :/ I'll try to do much better with the next one.
