Their next stretch was a very long three-hour drive through nothing but nature, and while it was gorgeous to look at, it made staying awake difficult after the first two hours. James sacked out an hour into the trek, the ever-present jacket like a blanket over him, and Logan lasted another forty-five minutes before fatigue crept up. He managed fifteen minutes more, but when his eyes grew heavy, he reached out to shake James.
There was another gasp as James came awake, but no tortured cry this time. "What? Are we there?" he asked groggily.
"No, I'm tired. Help me stay awake."
"Oh. Sure." James sat up straighter and braced himself with the seat, rubbing his eyes. "Sorry, the sushi filled me up."
"It's fine, and I'm glad you enjoyed it."
"Yours would've been better with the sauce, if you'd just used it."
"I didn't want it."
"Booooooring," James teased.
"You said the same thing about my taste in ice cream."
"It was true."
"I like things plain, okay? There's nothing wrong with that."
"No. But definitely boring. I bet your first girlfriend will be boring, too."
"Don't judge my future wife."
"Wife?" James echoed in disbelief. "Your first girlfriend is going to be your wife? How can you possibly know that?"
"Because I'm not going to kiss anyone that I can't imagine spending the rest of my life with. Who's got time for that?"
"You kissed me," James pointed out.
"That was different. You know why I did that."
"Yes, but that doesn't mean you can't practice with other people, too. And that's a lot of pressure to put on someone. 'I'd love to kiss you, but I have to make sure you're someone I want to marry first.' How does that make someone feel? And they might get tired of waiting in the meantime."
"If they think I'm worth it, they won't have a problem waiting."
"How is that fair to them? Trust me, Logan, anyone who dates you is going to have a hard time keeping their hands off you."
"Not everyone is a sex fiend, James. I intend to marry someone who isn't obsessed with it."
"Boooooring," James sang out again.
"Okay, then you tell me what a perfect mate is like. In your eyes. Someone who craves sex all the time?"
"No, just craves me all the time. I don't want someone totally sex-crazed, because then they'll get it anywhere they can. And if I'm shooting on location for months, I want to know they can live without it while I'm gone and not go straying. I demand loyalty."
"Really?" Logan questioned.
"Yeah. Why do you sound so surprised?"
"I guess loyalty doesn't seem like something you care too much about, considering you're with a different person every night."
"Not every night, don't make me out to be a whore."
"Okay, sorry," Logan apologized. "But you know what I mean. It's all hook-ups."
"So I'm not allowed to fall in love? Not allowed to be so attracted to one person that nobody else even gets me hot anymore?"
"I didn't say that, James. I'm basing all of this off of your past."
"But you're asking about my future. And that's what I want—someone who completely blows everyone else away so much that I can't even look at anyone anymore. And I want that person to feel the same way about me."
"That's...a lot to ask."
"Well, so is your idea of waiting to kiss someone until you know it's gonna last forever. Not a lot of guys will put up with that."
"Pretty sure I'm going to marry a girl."
"You sure as hell don't seem to mind kissing guys," James reminded him. "And what about Todd? You were into him, and he was a guy."
"I don't know," Logan growled, frustrated with the conversation. "Why are we even talking about this?"
"Because you asked what I want in a soulmate. I'm just telling you."
"Fine. Someone who can't stop thinking about sex with you. Is that it, or is there more?"
"There's more," James admitted. "You already know I want someone who cares."
"Most significant others do care, James; it's a given."
"Just like most moms wish their kids happy birthday instead of yelling at them? And say how much they miss them when they move across the country?"
Sorry for making James think about that, Logan said, "It's different with a mate. We choose that. If someone chooses to date you, I would assume that person cares about you."
"True, but you also assumed you would never kiss anyone you didn't love. Look how that turned out."
Logan groaned quietly, hating it when James managed to prove him wrong. "You know why I did it."
"I do, but it only proves my point, Logan. Not everyone who hooks up is in love. And not everyone who ends up dating me will care the way I want them to. I just want to be happy, you know? And I know you think I'm high maintenance and that I'll have all these demands on whoever I end up with, but the truth is I'm not asking much. Just...someone who loves me. Really loves me. Because if I have that, everything else will fall in line. When you love someone, you take care of them. You worry about them. You miss them when they're gone. You see them when you close your eyes at night and wonder what they're doing, wonder if they're thinking about you, too. And that's all I want-someone to love who loves me back."
Logan was quiet as he absorbed that, reminded of his mother's words the night before he'd left home. When James offered nothing else, he said, "I think that's what everyone wants—to feel loved and special, like somebody out there sees something in you that they can't find anywhere else."
"Yeah. But I want that passion, too. I've had so much sex in my life, and it always feels good. There has never been a time that it didn't, once I got past the pain of my first anal fuck." James gave Logan a few seconds to get past the embarrassed, shocked reaction that resulted from the words, then continued. "Sex always feels good, but I want something that lasts, something that consumes me so much that I can't think about anything else." When Logan remained quiet for the next few miles, James said, "Go ahead, I know you're dying to ask."
"What?"
"You want to ask about sex, because now you're curious."
"Actually, no. I know all about it."
"From books."
"No, Kendall has...shared a lot with me. He's been around the block a few times."
"Oh, right. Yeah, Shelly said he was good in the sack."
"He'd be pleased to hear that," Logan replied. "So thanks for the offer, but Kendall has shared enough details with me that I have a good understanding of what sex is like."
"Fine," James pouted, attempting to hide his disappointment by turning to stare out the window.
"Why are you so sad about this? Because you enjoy bringing up subjects that make me squirm?"
"Partly, yeah. It's fun to watch you react."
"You're an asshole."
"See, you've got gay sex on the brain," James teased.
"What? What are you even..."
"Talking about assholes," James grinned. "Get it?"
"That's just gross."
"Come on, don't act like you're not curious about it all. I saw your face when I talked about the pain."
"There's no curiosity. I'm sure it hurts, and I probably understand more about why that is than you do."
"It doesn't always hurt. If you do it enough, your body gets used to it and then it just feels good."
"I can't even imagine that," Logan said honestly. "What that would feel like."
"It's better than you think. I was scared my first time, but the guy was experienced and knew how to break me in. By the time it was over, I was begging for more."
"Yes, but you're a sex fiend."
"Don't judge me until you've had sex. If you go as crazy about that as you do over kissing, I bet you'll be thinking about it all the time."
"I didn't go crazy over the kissing," Logan argued.
"Yeah, you did. I'm not complaining, you're a natural. Kissing you is..."
"What?" Logan wanted to know. "It's what?"
"Not horrible," was all James said.
"Gee, thanks."
"Look, I already gave you a nickname that should tell you what I thought of it, okay?"
Logan's lips curved up on one side as he remembered "Mr. My-Kisses-Are-Hotter-Than-The-Sun." "Yeah, you did. So that's true?"
"I wouldn't say it if it wasn't."
Logan grinned, extremely proud of himself.
"Oh god, now you're gonna be full of yourself all the way to L.A."
"Let me have my five seconds of pride."
"No, because it's annoying. I'm gonna talk about anal sex again."
"James, please, for the love of...why must you do that?"
"I told you," James smirked. "It's fun watching you squirm. And Kendall can talk to you for days about sex, but he can't tell you a thing about that, now can he?"
"It's not something I want to hear about."
"But why? It's incredible. There's nothing like the feeling of someone moving inside you."
"James, enough! You've ruined my moment, so you can stop now!"
"Aww, that wasn't really my goal. You should be proud of yourself for what you did, I know how hard it was for you."
"Don't patronize me."
"No idea what that means."
"Forget it, just...stop talking for awhile."
"Fine," James replied, pulling the jacket over himself again and tipping the seat back. "Wake me when we stop in Deer Creek."
"There's not a lot there; it's a state park so there won't be much in the way of stores."
"I just need a toilet and a snack. There'll be a gas station, right?"
"Yes."
"Fine."
It was about ten minutes before the silence began to get to Logan. All he'd wanted was for James to shut up, but once James did it was too quiet and Logan missed the noise. He glanced down to see if James was asleep, and while he appeared to be, Logan sensed that he wasn't. As James had predicted, Logan's mind kept drifting to sex; he knew from Kendall what it felt like to engage in sex with a girl (or at least what Kendall had been able to put into words), but James' comment about "someone moving inside you" kept running through his head.
Bracing himself and already suffering the flush of embarrassment in his neck and cheeks, Logan asked, "What does it feel like?"
There was only a two-second delay before James answered. "Someone moving inside you?" He kept his eyes closed and remained in his semi-prone position, but Logan knew he was wide awake.
"Yeah."
"It's...hard to put into words. Like something alive. I've used toys before and it's nothing like-"
"Oh god, James," Logan interrupted, face now scarlet as he was almost sorry he'd asked the question.
"Sorry, you wanted to know. It stretches you and it should hurt, but instead it just feels amazing. I like that better than topping, to tell you the truth."
"Do you um..." Clearing his throat, Logan forced the words out in a rush. "Do you come when someone's...you know."
"Usually. It takes some help with my hand, or with his, but yeah. It turns me on enough that it's never a problem."
"But Kendall talked about how good it feels to be the one...you know."
"Penetrating?" James prodded, eyes still closed as if he knew Logan wouldn't be able to speak at all otherwise; he probably did know.
"Yeah. And it makes sense, I understand how the nerve endings are set up and why stimulation of the penis results in ejaculation. But-"
"You sound like a textbook sometimes."
"Well, I can't help it. This is hard for me, okay?"
"I know." His eyelids parted finally, hazel gazing up and across. "But you don't have to be embarrassed. It's natural to be curious."
Taking time to center himself, Logan moved forward. "I'm just saying that I understand why being the...you know. The one doing the actual..."
"Fucking?"
"Yes," Logan sighed. "I get why that feels good. What I don't get is how it feels good the other way."
"Girls come from being fucked."
"Yes, but they also have nerve endings in place that facilitate that. It's how they're built. We are not built to be penetrated in other orifices."
"What do you think a blow job is? That's another orifice, as you so nerdily put it."
"I know, but women don't come from giving blow jobs. And that's my point. How does-"
"I'm sure there are women that do, Logan. Men, too. Because it's all in the brain, right? Isn't your brain in charge of pleasure in the first place? I heard that once, that if you're turned on enough, you don't have to be touched at all. You can just...let it go."
"I don't believe that."
"What, there haven't been scientific tests done about it?"
"How would I know?" Logan countered irritably. "That's not something I do research on."
"Maybe you should. If you have all these questions-"
"I never had them before I met you!"
James grinned. "I'll take that as a compliment."
"Why are you so aggravating?"
"Why do you keep asking questions if you don't want to know?"
"Just tell me, James. What does it feel like to have someone move inside you?"
"There's not an easy answer to that, Logan. I'm sure it's different for everyone. You probably wouldn't like it, but that's because you wouldn't know how to relax long enough to enjoy it. If you're tense, it just hurts."
"Fine. That's all I needed to know. Thank you."
"Logan?"
"What?!" he snapped, at the end of his rope.
"If you really want to know and are too embarrassed to ask, I'll show you."
Logan's face once again turned scarlet, the hyperventilation returning and his throat closing up.
"We can find a place to do it in private, nobody has to-"
"Absolutely not!"
"Okay. Fine. I was just saying that if you really want to know, I'm offering. Just like with the kiss, you can satisfy that curiosity and then we'll forget it ever happened."
"Thank you, but this time I'm really not at all curious."
"Okay."
"Good."
"Fine."
James closed his eyes for the rest of the drive to Deer Creek, Logan angry with both James and himself because the issue wasn't James offering—it was that even hours after their last kiss, Logan still wasn't able to forget it ever happened.
They were returning from the tiny convenience store in Deer Creek when James asked, "Didn't you get anything?"
"No, I'm good. We're stopping for dinner in two hours."
"Best news I've heard all day." James opened his door when Logan popped the locks. "No offense, dude, but I'm starting to get sick of this car."
"You're not alone."
"Want me to dump the trash? I have a new bag now."
"That would be great, thanks."
Logan pumped gas while James did that, then after stretching for another minute they both settled into the car again.
"Have you seen any deer?" James asked suddenly.
"Not yet, why?"
"Well, the place is called Deer Creek. I think I saw the creek when we drove in, but I looked for deer and saw nothing."
Logan shrugged. "Hopefully one doesn't charge in front of the car while I'm driving. Don't jinx me, buddy."
James snacked on chips and candy as Logan drove the park's main road, which was also the highway. "It really is pretty out here," James commented. "You should pull over for a little to appreciate it."
"I just want to get there. Maybe I'll take another drive someday and enjoy it more."
"That would be fun. Bring along that girl you're gonna marry. Or would she be too boring to appreciate nature?"
"I hope not." Fearing the current conversation would steer them back to another argument, Logan changed the subject. "I've been wondering about something you told me yesterday."
"That you're gorgeous?" James asked while chomping on a candy bar.
"No, why do you have to keep bringing that up? You know it makes me uncomfortable," Logan complained. "Just like the kissing, you have to keep shoving that in my face, and I only did it because I wanted to be ready but you-"
"Okay, okay. I'm sorry. Forget I said anything. What do you want to ask me?"
Logan sighed and gathered his thoughts. "You said you're a Scorpio."
"Yeah."
"I don't see how that's possible if your birthday is today."
James stopped chewing long enough to stare at Logan as if he was being pranked. "You're...kidding, right?"
"No. Is today really your birthday?"
"Yes! Why in the hell would I lie about that?"
"I don't know. I don't understand why you do half the things you do. But if you were a Scorpio, your birthday would be in November. Or late October."
"Says who?"
"What?"
"Says who?" James repeated. "Who says there's a rule that you can't have a birthday on any day of the year and still be a Scorpio?"
Logan was dumbfounded long enough that James began to munch again before he spoke. "Uh...the constellations? You do know what those are, right?"
"The stars in the sky, right?"
"Yes, James. The zodiac reflects the constellations in the sky, and the order of astrological signs is determined by Earth's orbit through those constellations."
"Which means what? I'm starting to feel like I'm back in school."
"Which means," Logan explained, "that the signs go in order depending on when you were born. If you believe all that stuff, anyway."
"I do."
"If your birthday is today, that would make you a Leo. Did someone tell you you're a Scorpio?"
"No. But I flipped through a book once that talked about all the signs. When I got to Scorpio, it sounded exactly like me."
"I see. So...you decided you must be a Scorpio?"
"Yeah. But you're saying it depends on when you were born?"
"Yes," Logan nodded, grasping for patience. "Your zodiac sign is determined by your birthdate."
"Oh. Then how come Scorpios are just like me?"
"I honestly don't know too much about astrology; I tend to stay away from that because I don't believe in any of it. But the fact that you're so like a sign that isn't yours only proves my point that it's unreliable and not an exact science."
"So what's a Leo like?"
"Couldn't tell you. I know it's symbolized by a lion, so maybe they have lion-like qualities?"
"What are you?"
"I'm a Taurus. I was born in May."
"What do they say about those?"
Logan shrugged, obviously not putting any stock in anything he'd read. "Everything I've read says we're stubborn-" James busted up, and Logan cleared his throat before continuing. "We're said to be stubborn, and like art and music, and enjoy beautiful things."
"That explains your attraction to me," James grinned.
"You are so conceited!" Logan exclaimed. "Do you ever stop?"
"Sometimes. Go on. What else?"
"I don't know. We like classy things. We're not fans of sleaze or filth. We're also said to be dependable and hard-working."
"You know, for someone who doesn't believe in any of that stuff, you sure know a lot."
"I read it all growing up, before I knew it was crap."
"Mm-hm. What about in love? How are you in love?"
"I don't remember."
"Don't lie to me."
Logan sighed heavily, sorry he'd brought the topic up. "Loyal. We're said to be loyal and caring and protective, and to be very passionate."
James' eyes narrowed. "What's your animal?"
"A bull."
After blinking a few times while absorbing that, James groaned and slammed his head back against the seat.
"What? What's wrong?"
"I bet you're an amazing fuck."
It wasn't because Logan was surprised by comments like that that the car swerved slightly, but more that the comment was so sudden and unexpected in the moment. "Seriously, why do you say things like that?"
"Because! A bull? That's like the hottest thing ever!"
"How is that hot? What makes a bull-"
"Think about it, Logan. Well, no; you wouldn't get it, because you have no concept of what it's like to be pounded so hard that-"
"La la la la la la!"
"Oh my god, did you really just do that? And you say I'm a child?"
"I don't want to hear about that!"
"You asked!"
"I did not! I asked about your birth sign, what does that have to do with-"
"You asked about Scorpios, and they're all about sex."
"Of course," Logan replied with a roll of his eyes. "No wonder you thought that was your sign. I can't believe you just chose it, that you had no idea it's not something you can-"
"Don't make fun of me."
"Okay, I'm sorry. I just...you flustered me. You always do, and you take joy in it."
"Sometimes. This time I wasn't saying that to make you squirm. I seriously think you'd be incredible in bed, once you let go. I mean, your kisses are insane; when you stopped fighting it last night I felt like-"
"I don't want to talk about it."
"It's nothing to be ashamed of!"
"I don't care! Why do you always have to bring sex into everything?"
"Well, ten minutes ago I would've said it's because I'm a Scorpio. But you ruined that for me."
"I'm not sorry. You were misinformed."
"Whatever. All I was saying is that once you understand sex and learn to enjoy it, you're gonna make a girl very happy. Or a guy, if that's the direction you go in."
When Logan said nothing in response to that, his lips pressed together tightly as if annoyed, James said, "At the risk of pissing you off further, can I ask you a question?"
"No."
"I just don't understand how you're not curious at all. I admit I got a really early start with sex, but even regular teenagers can't help wondering about it and being curious by the time they're fifteen or so."
"Thanks for once again pointing out that I'm a freak."
"Logan, come on. Stop being so defensive."
"Then stop attacking me."
"I'm not attacking you!" Realizing this wasn't working, James tried again. "I just don't get why you don't have questions."
"I did," Logan admitted, surprising James.
"You did?"
"Yeah. Kendall answered a lot of them for me."
"Oh. Right. I forgot about him."
"He shared everything with me and answered any questions I had, so...there's no real need to be curious."
As gently as possible, James said, "But Logan, hearing about it isn't the same as experiencing it. That's all I'm saying."
"It's good enough for me."
"Remember when we talked about tools?"
"What?"
"Yesterday. We talked about my hair and face being my tools, and your scalpel being yours?"
"Yes," Logan replied hesitantly, wondering where James was going with this.
"Do you know how to perform surgery?"
"Not exactly, I haven't gone to medical school yet. That comes later."
"Right. And I'm sure you'll read all about it in books, and maybe even see movies about it in class, right?"
"I would assume. What's your point?"
"I saw some T.V. show once where the students were cutting up dead people. Like...for practice. Is that what happens?"
"Well, in med school I'm sure I'll dissect a cadaver, if that's what you're referring to."
"Yeah, that. And why do you do that?"
"James, what does this have to do with anything?"
"Why do you cut up a dead body?"
"All medical students do it, to prepare ourselves and to understand the human body better."
"But can't you learn the same thing from reading a book?"
"No, because when you actually see it and feel it and—oh. You're a jerk."
"Because I proved my point?"
"Because you used my career against me."
"I just explained it to you on your own terms, in words you'll understand. It's the same thing with sex, Logan. You can read about it in a thousand books, and even watch porn until you pass out from jacking off so many times, but you can't know what it's really like until you experience it with someone else."
"How are you only eighteen and already so familiar with sex and toys and...whatever else you're into?"
"Like I said, got an early start. I liked it, so I kept doing it."
"Are you aware there's such a thing as sex addiction?" James rolled his eyes, but Logan continued. "I'm serious. It's a real addiction, like drugs and alcohol. Or gambling. You crave it constantly. I'm starting to wonder if you have a problem."
"My only problem right now is that I'm out of chips and we're not stopping for another..." James glanced at the clock. "Hour and a half?"
"About that. Don't avoid the issue."
"I'm not. But I'll say again that until you've had sex yourself, you don't get to judge me. Call me after your first time and we'll debate this when you know what you're talking about."
"Good. Does that mean we won't talk about it anymore?"
"Have you at least jacked off?"
Expression more irritated than embarrassed, Logan answered his own question. "Of course it doesn't; that would be too easy."
"You have, right? I mean, every guy has by the time he's eighteen."
"We've already established I'm a freak."
"So you haven't? Come on, you're naturally curious about everything! You love to learn."
"Isn't that a little personal, James?"
"Logan, you spent an hour kissing me like you never wanted to stop. My tongue was down your throat. I think we can get a little personal."
"And I told you I didn't want to talk about it again but you keep throwing it in my face."
"Just answer the question."
"Yes."
"Yes? You have?"
"Did I stutter?"
"Okay." Excited, James shifted in the seat to face Logan. "So then you know about orgasms, right? That happened?"
Logan swallowed hard, body tense the way it had been for so much of the previous day as the panic returned.
"No," James moaned, "why are you doing that? Don't do that, don't freeze up on me."
"I can't talk about it," Logan whispered.
"Why? I promise I won't make fun of you. If anyone understands that sort of thing, it's me."
Logan shook his head.
"Please? Just open up to me, Logan. I talked to you for a long time about my mom. I let you in. Let me help you the same way."
"This isn't something I need help with. It's not a problem."
"It is when talking about it sends you into a panic attack. What happened? Was it just once?"
Face white, Logan managed a half-nod.
"Oh my god, did you get caught? Did your mom walk in? That would be enough to-"
"No," Logan interrupted. "I was home alone."
"Okay. And?"
"And...it was...I just couldn't relax."
James bit his tongue against the sarcastic words that almost broke free.
"Go ahead, I know you want to laugh."
"I'm not laughing," James promised. "You tried and couldn't finish?"
"Yeah," Logan admitted quietly. "It felt good, but...I couldn't enjoy it. I don't really know why."
"Because you couldn't relax," James said, his voice not mocking but gentle. "You thought about it too much instead of just feeling. I don't know what it is inside you that keeps you wound up so tight, but it holds you back. Maybe it's the Taurus thing."
"Taurans are supposed to like sex a lot."
"Really? What about Leos?"
"Told you, I haven't read up on those. But since you do, they probably love it."
"Except you don't believe in any of that," James smirked.
"Well, lions are most certainly proud of their manes. That definitely sounds like you."
James fluffed his hair with a grin. "It does. But let's not get too far away from the subject."
"Oh please, can we? I don't want to discuss this anymore, James."
"Our time is limited, Logan. Tonight's the last chance we have to get everything out in the open."
"I've gotten too much out as it is. Whoa, did you see that?" Logan slowed the car to a crawl after making sure no one was behind them.
"Oh no, don't you try to change the subject."
"No, James, look! You wanted to see a deer."
James followed Logan's pointing finger with his gaze, gasping when it settled on a deer grazing behind a tree. "Look! I haven't seen one of those since I was a kid!" Digging frantically for his phone, James managed to slip it out from a pocket. "Stop the car!" he hissed.
"Don't get out, you'll scare it."
"I'm not, just..." Once Logan pulled over as quietly as he was able, James rolled down the window halfway and lifted the phone. "It's so pretty!" he whispered, his face lit up with joy.
"Take your picture so we can go; I don't want to hold up traffic."
"There's no one behind us, relax." James aimed, though, and snapped at least five pictures before Logan got the car moving again. "Hey! I wasn't done!"
"Sorry, there are cars coming now. Did you get it, though?"
"I did! Look, it even lifted its head in this one!"
"I'm driving," Logan reminded him. "I'll look later."
"Okay, cool. That was so awesome! Thanks, Logan!"
"Glad I could make your day."
James turned sideways in the seat again to face Logan, leaning his head against the rest. "You did, you know."
"Did what?"
"You've totally made my day. Starting last night with actually saying the words, then-"
"Which words?" Logan frowned.
"Happy birthday. I mean, Shelly said them, too, but hearing it in person is better. Then you let me kiss you, and then we made out for a while, and I'll pretend I don't see you blushing over there, and then this morning with the candle and the cake and the singing...oh, and sushi. Can't forget sushi. Now you got me a deer and-"
"I really didn't have much to do with the deer, James. It was just there."
"But you showed it to me. I know we're not what anyone would call friends, but today you treated me like one. I won't ever forget it, Logan. You made me believe in myself again. That's the best gift anyone's ever given me."
Extremely glad he was focused on driving because it gave him an excuse to avoid James' gaze, Logan nodded. "You deserve all that."
"Even though I'm annoying and a jerk and full of myself?"
"Yes," Logan laughed. "Even though. Everyone has their good qualities to go with the bad."
"Some of us just need a little push to bring them to the surface," James teased.
"Please don't start complimenting my kissing again. I can't handle that."
"You know, there is one guaranteed way to shut me up."
"Leave you stranded at the side of the road?"
"Shut up," James chuckled, reaching out to shove Logan.
"Ow, I'm driving here!"
"You're also laughing, which means you don't really mind it. But anytime you need me to quit talking, just kiss me. I promise that'll work. You owe me one anyway."
"Since when?"
"Since this morning, when you promised me one more before dropping me off."
"Oh, right. But I kissed you earlier, when you were upset. Remember that?"
"Ah, damn."
"Sorry, buddy. I keep my promises, and I already fulfilled that one."
"Damn," James said again, shaking his head. "Way to kill my joy, Mr. Dreamslasher."
"Now I'm just picturing that guy with the knives on his hands who kills people in their dreams."
"Well, I could've called you Mr. Probably-Fucks-Like-a-Jackhammer, but you'd yell at me for that."
Refusing to rise to the bait, Logan kept his lips sealed, but had to turn away so James wouldn't suspect the visions now in his head.
