A/N—Hey, it's another chapter already! I decided to post in celebration of the fact that I finished this story today. I still have the epilogue to write, but it's basically done and I'm excited about that. When I first started this story, I imagined it wouldn't be more than about a hundred pages long. Four hundred pages later...

So you guys still have a lot to read. Thanks for coming along with me on this journey! I hope you enjoy and that everyone is safe and well. :)

The following afternoon, Logan's work was interrupted yet again by a phone call. He was tempted to ignore it, thinking Kendall and James could handle things on their own for one day, but the person calling was a surprise. He moved over to his desk chair and answered the phone. "Carlos?"

"Hey. I know you're probably working, since you're one of those guys, but I can't stop thinking about last night and I'm worried I screwed things up and you know Kendall so you can tell me, right?"

He started out slow, but by the time Carlos finished speaking it had become a ramble. How had he screwed it up already? "What are you talking about, Carlos? I thought it went well last night."

"So did I! I drove home and I was on cloud nine, dude. I thought it went great!"

"Okay, so what's the problem? Have you talked to him since then?"

"No."

Logan was lost. "So then...what changed?"

"I don't know. I just started thinking, you know?"

"No, I don't know. What were you thinking about?"

"Well...you know Kendall, right?"

"Yes. I know Kendall." Hadn't they already established this? Logan was caught halfway between annoyance and amusement.

"So...what does it mean that he didn't take me home? He said he wanted to."

"He did," Logan confirmed. "He told me that last night."

"Yeah? So you talked to him after?"

"Yes, he called me and he couldn't stop talking about you. He really likes you, Carlos."

"Yeah?"

"Yes! Where is this self-doubt coming from?"

"I don't know, man. When I want to take someone home, I do. I don't worry about the future or how it might change things. I just...you know. Do what I want."

"Okay, you have to understand that Kendall isn't like that. He and I are more cautious when it comes to romance." Unless it's with James, apparently. Kendall had proved that with James, there was no caution at all—no hesitation. "If we date someone we like, we don't want to move too fast and ruin it."

"But how can following your heart ruin something?"

Logan bit his lip. How to explain that to someone like Carlos, who was the opposite in terms of spontaneity? "Because sometimes your heart takes over and you don't think."

"Isn't that a good thing?"

"I...I guess it depends on who you ask. But people don't always make the best decisions when their heart is in charge. They rush into things that are bad for them."

"So you're saying I'm bad for Kendall?"

"Carlos, no! You just have to trust me on this. Kendall really did want to take you home. He's extremely attracted to you."

"That's what I wasn't sure about. I mean, he kissed me like he was. You're sure?"

"Positive. He said it himself. He likes you a lot, and he loves how much he laughs with you."

"Really?! He said that?!"

"He did," Logan chuckled. Carlos' excitement was adorable. "Just don't assume the worst. He's looking forward to tomorrow and can't wait for your date. He was just afraid if he took you home the first night and moved too fast, that it might ruin things."

Carlos quietly considered that. "I don't really understand that logic, but if you say so, I believe you."

"I promise, it's true. And I'm really glad you two hit it off last night. I had a feeling you would."

"Why? What made you think that?"

Logan shrugged, not that Carlos could see. "It was just a feeling when I sat down and talked to you. I knew you'd be good for him. He needs some fun in his life."

"Well, fun is my middle name. Okay not really, but you know what I mean."

"I do," Logan laughed. "Try not to overthink everything, okay? It will drive you crazy."

"See, thinking is bad! I don't get why you guys would rather do that than follow your heart. That's probably why you can't hug people. You think too much about it."

"I hug people!"

"Who, your mom?"

Logan scoffed. "I hug Kendall and James plenty."

"Uh huh. And who's James, your brother?"

Shit. Shit shit shit. "Nobody. James is nobody. Just some guy at work."

"Yet you hug him." Carlos' voice took on a teasing tone. "Logan, is there some secret man in your life we need to know about?"

"Carlos, shut up. There is nobody in my life. I have work, I have Kendall, and I have no brothers."

"Or sisters? Are you an only child?"

"Yes. So what?"

"That explains a lot. They say only children grow up fast and don't know how to have fun."

"I know how to have fun. And that theory is incorrect. Kendall is proof of that; he has a sister."

"Right, and he also knows how to have fun. You're the one sitting in some...what is it, a lab? On a Saturday?"

Logan's jaw dropped at the audacity of Carlos' judgment. "Shouldn't you be at work or something?"

"I start in two hours. It's my long shift today. But I have enough time to run down to wherever you are for some hugging practice, if you—"

"Oh my god, I am hanging up this phone right now. I don't need hugging practice!"

"I'm gonna test that next time I see you. Be ready, dude. Be ready. Have fun with your test tubes and your...whatever you science guys play with."

"Goodbye, Carlos."

"See ya!"

Logan hung up, so miffed he couldn't even remain sitting. A walk to the vending machine would be good. He muttered to himself the entire way, things like "What a jerk!" and "Hugging practice, who the hell does he think he is?" and "He's lucky Kendall likes him so much." It took an entire package of mini chocolate donuts to calm him down. As he returned his focus to the current project he was working on, he said, "It's a good thing I won't have to see him often. He can keeps his hugs to himself. Little jerk."

With James, there hadn't been the push from Kendall for them all to hang out together very often. He'd known it was dangerous. He hoped it would be the same with Carlos, because the guy was already driving him insane.

Kendall thought their day at the amusement center had gone well. They'd gone on rides together, played miniature golf (which had been a close call, as Carlos was as talented at it as Kendall), hit up the batting cages (that time Carlos was victorious), and even enjoyed the small water park attached to the property—all while holding hands every chance they got. Kendall had treated Carlos to hot dogs and fries for lunch, ice cream for dessert, and popcorn as a snack between activities. Now they were seated across from each other at a booth in the pizza parlor while Carlos brought up for the fourth time that he'd beat Kendall at the cage. Kendall couldn't even be annoyed by it; he was a competitive person in his own right and might have mentioned once (or three times) that he kicked Carlos' ass on mini golf. This seemed like a great time to do it again.

"Oh come on, you beat me by one point!" Carlos exclaimed when Kendall did. "One point! It's not this huge landslide."

"Neither is your two hits at the cage."

"Two is better than one."

"Not by much, beautiful."

"Still, it counts for—" Carlos clamped his mouth shut, then asked, "Did you just call me beautiful?"

"Uh. I..." Kendall's heart was racing. Had he pushed it too far? Maybe Carlos did actually just want something casual.

"You think I'm beautiful?"

"Is that...if it bothers you, I won't—"

"Kendall, why would that bother me? No one's ever said that before."

"Oh. Well...someone should have. Because it's true."

Carlos smiled and reached out a hand to cover Kendall's. "You're like this weird mixture of fire and romance."

"Too weird?"

"No way. Just right. I like that we can challenge each other when it comes to contests and games, but then you kiss me after to congratulate me for winning."

"You mean the one time you won."

"Oh, way to deflect my compliment and make me hate you again."

They both laughed, knowing there was no actual hate between them. Kendall squeezed Carlos' hand. "So this is going well? We should plan another date?"

"Are you kidding? I'm gonna be going crazy until we can hang out again."

"Good." Kendall let out a breath of relief. "I always worry that I might like someone a lot and they won't feel the same about me."

"Yeah, I know that feeling. Trust me, this is not that."

"Okay, cool." More relaxed now, Kendall leaned back against the booth. "I work Monday through Friday obviously, but I'm free in the evenings. School will be out next month, and over the summer I do some training at the rink for the youth program. That's usually out by noon, though."

"You coach little kids?"

"Not an actual team or anything. It's more for kids who are just getting into hockey. I teach them the basics and help get them ready to join a team."

Carlos shook his head. "You are really an amazing person."

"It's not as noble as it sounds. I do it mostly to keep myself from going crazy."

"Bullshit, you love working with kids. I can tell."

"It's...not a hardship." Uncomfortable with the praise, Kendall squirmed. "I'm just letting you know what my schedule looks like."

"Cool. You know that I work mostly evenings."

"Right. Which is when I'm free," Kendall sighed.

"I don't work every night. I always have at least two nights off. Sometimes three."

"What do you do during the day?"

"Sleep in," Carlos chuckled. "Sometimes I wake up and go to my grandma's house for lunch. She yells at me if I don't visit a few times a week. And she feeds me until I'm stuffed."

"That's awesome."

"Yeah, I'm her favorite. She'd never say that out loud, but I can tell. Oh, is that our pizza?"

Kendall spun around and listened for the number again. "Yep. I'll be right back."

"Don't eat it all before it gets here!" Carlos warned.

Kendall rolled his eyes. "Who would ever do that?"

"You obviously don't have brothers."

After making it back to the table with the pizza (which was untouched, of course), Kendall set it on the table and picked up their nearly-empty cups. "I'll get us refills."

"Such a gentleman."

"I try," Kendall winked. "Gotta impress my date, right?"

"Oh dude, you went way past 'impressed' the first time you held my hand."

Kendall grinned. "Good to know."

Between the two of them, they devoured most of the pizza. "Still got room for cotton candy?" Kendall asked.

"You know, you'd think since it's got no substance, I'd say yes. But...no way. I can't eat anymore."

"Same. I'm ready for a nap."

"I could sleep right here in this booth, dude."

Kendall bit his lip, again hoping he wasn't pushing things. "My bed is a lot more comfortable. If you're looking for a place to sleep tonight."

All hints of drowsiness fled from Carlos' gaze. He sat up straighter. "Yeah?"

Kendall nodded.

Carlos said, "If you feel it's too soon, I understand."

"Do you?"

"I wanted to Friday night."

"I know. I did, too. I just..."

"It's okay, you don't have to explain it. I know you want to take things slow."

Kendall reached for Carlos' hand. "I really like you. I don't want this to be a thing where we rush it and it doesn't last. You're worth more to me than sex a few times a week."

Carlos slowly smiled. "I want more than that, too."

"Okay. Good. So we're both looking for something long-term?"

"Like I'd let you go without a fight?"

Kendall giggled. "I could definitely see myself settling down with you. Not to pressure you or anything, I'm just saying that—"

"Kendall, stop worrying so much about scaring me away. It would take a lot for that to happen. Sleeping with me isn't going to ruin anything."

"What if I suck in bed?"

"I've always considered that a good thing."

Kendall cracked up and let go of Carlos' hand to smack it. "I'm being serious here! What if we're not compatible in bed? Then I'd lose you before we even get to see where we could take this."

"I don't think it's gonna be a problem, Kendall."

"I don't either, I just..."

Carlos licked his lips. "Okay, look. Why don't we make a pact?"

"What sort of pact?" Kendall asked suspiciously.

"We don't sleep together for...a month."

"A month? An entire month?"

"Yeah, the thought is killing me, too. But I want to prove to you that we can work without sex. Because I think that's really important to you."

"It is. I've had relationships where sex became the focal point, and I think that's probably why I didn't date for so many years. It must have turned me off to the idea."

"I get that. I'm not gonna lie, I love sex."

"From what I remember of it, I do, too. I really wanted to take you home the other night."

"I know you did. And you want to do it tonight."

Kendall nodded.

"But let's wait on that. Let's hang out at least two or three times a week over the next month and just see how it goes. Make sure it isn't just sex we're after."

"Carlos, I already know the answer to that. I like you for you, not what you might do for me in bed. And that's what my concern is here. That's why I don't want to rush it."

"So, thirty days." Carlos held out his hand over the table. "Deal?"

Kendall hesitated. "Can we still kiss?"

"Oh, I intend to make out with you as much as possible over the next month."

"Good, because being around you without touching you at all would make me crazy." He grasped Carlos' hand and shook. "Thirty days."

Carlos let go to dig out his phone and tap the screen.

"What are you doing?"

"Setting a timer. Or...more like a reminder, I guess. When I get that alert that the wait is over, I'm dropping everything. I don't care where I am or what I'm doing, everything stops until we spend the night together."

"All right." Kendall called up the calendar app on his phone. "I'm blocking out that night so that I don't make plans. Not that I do a lot outside of work, anyway, but with my luck that would be the night Mom invites me over for dinner."

"Right? Okay, so it's a Friday. I'll request the night off."

"I'll plan on you spending the night. Cook you a nice dinner, maybe we celebrate with a little champagne..."

"Oh, I'm already excited about this. You won't have to work the next morning, right?"

"Um, I don't have the schedule yet for the summer sessions, but Saturdays are usually free."

"See? We're so gonna make this work. We can do this, Kendall. Thirty days."

"I've waited over six years for sex already. Thirty days won't kill me, right?"

"Say that again when I'm kissing you goodnight," Carlos smirked.

Kendall laughed. He knew it wouldn't be easy to resist Carlos, but the chance to find out if they were meant to be was worth it.

The following evening, Logan left work on time for a change. Kendall had said he wanted to treat Logan to dinner as a thank you for his part in bringing Carlos into his life. Though Logan knew there was truth in that, he thought Kendall also just wanted to share the details of his first successful date in almost six years.

Or at least in his mind, it had been that long. Logan knew better. The guilt sometimes ate away at him when he thought of his enormous betrayal in that regard. But as he'd told James many times, Kendall was happy and safe—nothing else mattered.

Kendall had chosen his favorite cafe for the meeting, and Logan wasn't bothered by that at all; at least it hadn't been Fuego, which would have added another hour of driving. He knew James was on a job this evening as well and would stay away. By the time they'd been served drinks (nothing more exciting than coffee for him, as it was a weeknight), Logan was relaxed and ready for a delicious meal.

He happily let Kendall share the details from his day with Carlos. If nothing else, the two of them knew how to have fun together. Logan rolled his eyes upon hearing of their continued putdowns and teasing of each other, but Kendall smiled enough as he talked about it that Logan wasn't concerned; he was just glad Carlos was someone Kendall felt comfortable around.

"Did he ever get his cotton candy?" Logan eventually asked when Kendall was winding down the story. "You mentioned you were going to buy that for him."

"No, we were both too full after the pizza. But it's nice to date someone who can put away as much food as I can. I feel like a pig sometimes when you and I eat together."

"I'm just finicky," Logan shrugged, proving it by picking shredded carrots out of his salad. "I forgot they put these in here. Anyway, the point is that you're not a pig. I'm the weird one when it comes to food, not you."

"True. What's so wrong with carrots? Aren't they good for you?"

"They are, but they wreak havoc on my digestion. Luckily, there weren't too many this time." Satisfied now, Logan dumped the dressing he'd ordered on the side over his salad. "So what happened after pizza? You took him home with you?"

"Uh, no. We said goodnight and went home."

Logan glanced up in surprise. "Alone?"

"Yeah. We met up there, so I didn't have to drive him home or anything." Kendall popped the last mozzarella stick into his mouth, oblivious to Logan's shock.

"Hold on. I thought you wanted to sleep with him."

After raising an eyebrow at Logan, Kendall said, "I do. But we agreed it's not time yet."

Logan pursed his lips. "We? He agreed with that, too?"

"Yes. We had an entire discussion about it."

"Really." Had Carlos just gone along with Kendall's wishes? Logan knew for a fact he'd been worried that Kendall didn't want him. "Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why isn't it time yet? Are you not attracted to him?"

"Of course I'm attracted to him, Logan. You've seen him."

"Well, we agreed he's not my type."

"You don't have a type. Dating scares you."

"Dating doesn't—what? You think it scares me?"

"I think that's why you focus so much on work. If you stopped, you'd have to take a look at your life and realize you're lonely. You said that when we found someone for me, we'd worry about you. Well, I have someone. Let's talk about you, Logan."

"Okay wait a minute, back up everything you just said." Logan set down his fork. "First of all, I am not lonely. I enjoy my work. I work so much because I like it." The server set down their meals, taking Logan's mostly-full plate of salad with her, which was fine; he was rapidly losing his appetite.

"I know, Logan, I'm just saying that—"

"Second, this isn't about me. We're talking about you, and if you won't even sleep with the guy, then obviously you don't have someone."

"All right, will you just calm down? You're all worked up."

"You're insulting me."

"I'm not. Relax. I'm actually trying to work up to something that I know is going to set you off and now I'm afraid to even mention it because you're already pissed." Kendall picked up his burger and bit into it.

Logan was too concerned with Kendall's comment to pay attention to his sandwich and fries. "What are you talking about? Is this another push to get me dating?"

"Hey, you spent long enough pushing me to do it. I didn't get mad, did I?"

"Uh, sometimes you did, yes. I did it because I care and you are lonely. I'm not."

"No?"

"No!" Logan finally lifted a sandwich half to his mouth.

"Is that because of James?"

Logan stopped chewing, almost choking on bread and turkey while his eyes widened in shock. He managed to swallow and said, "What?! Did you just say...? What?!"

Kendall had the decency to look ashamed. "We were talking about you, okay? Yesterday. Carlos thinks you need someone, too. He said you mentioned a guy named James on the phone. Which...why didn't you tell me he called you?"

Panic was setting in. This was too much all at once. Cold sweat broke out across Logan's brow. One thing at a time, Logan. One thing at a time. "He called me worried that he'd messed up with you."

"How did he even get your number?"

"I...that's a good question. Next time I see him, I'll ask. Forget about him for a second. What did he say about James? What do you know about James?"

"Nothing, and that hurts. Is there someone in your life that you haven't told me about, Logan? I thought we were best friends."

Deep breaths. "No, Kendall. Carlos took that comment completely out of context. James is just someone I work with."

"Really? He said you admitted to hugging the guy, and we both know you don't hug people."

Carlos was so going to get it the next time they spoke. Logan ignored that it had been his own mistake in mentioning James that precipitated this. "Look, the guy was having a rough time. We talked a little about it. He needed a hug. That's all it was, Kendall. James is nobody. Drop it."

"But still, for you to actually hug the guy...that tells me he's someone you care about. Is he hot?"

"Kendall, we are not discussing this. It's nothing. Eat your fucking burger."

"Wow, such language. You never cuss unless you're really worked up. Are you sure there's nothing there, Logan? I mean, if he's single, maybe you should—"

Logan stood up and threw down his napkin. "I'm going to the bathroom and when I come back, there will be no more talk about James or I'm leaving." He held Kendall's gaze. "I'm serious. Let it go."

Perhaps because he'd never seen Logan so angry, Kendall nodded. Logan stormed across the patio and toward the restroom, needing time alone to calm down.

That was too close. Holy shit, that was way too close. What if they kept pushing this? What if Kendall and Carlos, apparently the kings of getting Logan a boyfriend, somehow found James and tried to set them up the same way he'd interfered to get Carlos and Kendall together?

They won't find James. They can't. He knows to stay away, and neither of them know where you work. It's fine, Logan. It's fine. Kendall won't bring it up again.

It took deep breathing exercises to get Logan to a place of calm. Eventually he returned to the table, where Kendall had finished his burger and was still working on his fries. "I'm sorry," Kendall mumbled. "I didn't mean to upset you."

Logan took his seat. "I know. You're just trying to help."

"I really am, dude. And...I'm sensing there are things you're not telling me about this guy, like maybe you do have a thing for him and were shut down, or something did happen between you and it ended badly."

"Kendall—"

"I'm not gonna bring it up again, okay? If you ever need to talk about him, or about anything, you know I'm here. But I'll back off. Okay?"

Logan took a deep breath. "Okay. Thank you." He picked up his sandwich for a second try at it. "Can we discuss your issues with Carlos?"

"I don't have issues with Carlos. He's great."

"Then tell me why you won't sleep with him. I know you want to. Or...did."

"I do. What I'm worried about is that we'll sleep together and that will become the entire focus of our relationship. That happened to me twice in college, because I rushed into sex too fast. The relationships fell apart because we had nothing else sustaining us. I don't want that to happen with Carlos."

"When did you actually go to college? I thought you went straight from hockey to coaching."

"I had to get a teaching certificate to work there. So I spent two years getting an accelerated degree first. It was hell, I barely slept for two years."

"Oh. That makes sense. And you dated a lot there?"

"No, I only had two boyfriends. That's what happened with both of them. Then I dated a teacher at work for a while, and...same thing."

Then you met James and slept with him the night you met. I'm seeing a pattern here. "So, you sleeping with guys on the first date...was that the issue?"

"No. I've never slept with a guy on the first date."

You have, you just don't remember it. "But you rushed into sex soon after."

"Exactly. Once I knew it was going somewhere, like within the first week. I don't want to make the same mistake with Carlos. I want him to last."

Logan nodded slowly. "That actually makes a lot of sense."

"Thank you. It wasn't easy, though. I was fully prepared to take him home last night in order to keep him around."

"Kendall, you shouldn't need sex to 'keep someone around'. If you do, that's a sign he's not the one."

"Right. And Carlos was the one who suggested the thirty-day wait, so—"

"Wait, thirty days? Thirty days?"

Kendall chuckled. "That was my exact reaction."

Logan chewed while he ruminated over that. "Why so long?"

"I don't know, but it feels right. We're gonna see each other a few times a week, hang out together. Meet the families...that sort of thing. If we can make it work for that long without sex, we know it's meant to be."

Logan couldn't wait thirty days. That was too many opportunities for Kendall and James to run into each other. Kendall needed to be committed now. "So...you're not worried he'll get bored?"

Kendall halted with his beer halfway to his mouth. "Bored?"

"Yeah. If he's used to sex on a regular basis...I mean, are you two exclusive?"

"Well...I mean...we never actually said we were, but..."

"But nothing. You can't assume that, Kendall. Sure, you two are waiting thirty days, but there's no rule stating he can't hook up with someone else in the meantime. Not unless you make that rule."

Kendall set down the mug, slightly panicked now. "I think it was pretty much implied, Logan."

"Was it?"

"Okay, look. Just because we didn't say the words out loud or anything...I know Carlos. He's not the kind of guy to sleep around."

"Maybe when he has a boyfriend. But are you officially that? And I'm sorry, but you've had two dates with him. You don't know him."

"Yes, I do."

"Kendall—"

"No, Logan. I'm not going to pressure him. If he wants to sleep around before we become official, that's his thing."

Logan sat back to study Kendall. "Really. And it doesn't bother you at all." He knew that it did, because Kendall needed complete devotion in a partner.

But does he, Logan? Think about how often James had to cheat on him. And he allowed that. Even if he didn't know about it, deep down he did.

Kendall bit his lip. "Yes. It bothers me. But...I don't have the right to make demands. Not yet."

"I think you should discuss that with him. Make it clear you expect him to be faithful and that you'll do the same."

"We agreed that we both want long-term. Isn't that enough?"

"Is it? It sounds to me like this thirty-day period leaves things open to interpretation. You should call him, Kendall. Commit yourself fully to this relationship."

"I am."

"You can't truly until you know it's two-sided. You'll always wonder."

Logan watched the doubt seep into Kendall's heart. He hated that it was necessary, but Kendall had to be one hundred percent committed in order to keep from pursuing James should they meet again. And he knew they would, because they always did.

Kendall finally shook his head. "No. I'm not gonna pressure him. If I have to wait thirty days for that, I'll wait. The whole point of this is to see if we have what it takes. If we don't, then..." The idea of that clearly pained Kendall. "It's better we know now."

Damn Kendall's stubbornness. He wasn't going to give on this. At this rate, he'd see James and convince himself that he and Carlos weren't meant to be, because if they were, fate wouldn't have brought someone so "perfect" into his path before they were committed to each other.

I'll have to work on Carlos instead. He'll be easy.

The rest of the meal passed pleasantly, with Kendall updating Logan on work and the latest with his family. They left the heavy conversation behind. By the time they said goodnight, Logan had already worked out a plan to get Carlos moving toward commitment. It would be much easier to manipulate Carlos, who already had doubts about his ability to keep a guy like Kendall interested.

Was this what it felt like to be James? To use people's fears and feelings against them in order to get what you wanted? If so, no wonder he felt like a monster. But at least James worked with strangers on each mission; Logan was learning that it was much harder to live with yourself when you were manipulating people you actually cared about.