Chapter 3: Game Night

A few weeks had gone by since Logan's parents had come by to see the newborn. Carlos eventually cooled off from the incident. From then on, everyone else knew never to bring it up again. After a strongly-worded lecture from Logan, the two parties apologized but both had their fingers crossed behind their backs.

Logan received the call to return to work and was to report in the coming week. Since his stitches were removed, he can do light tasks. He and Jeff had seen each other more often in passing, like when going to the mailbox or when Logan would go jogging past his house.

Once, Logan was jogging by and saw that Jeff's window was open, allowing him vision into the house. So, he decided to do the "neighborly" thing: peer in furtively. He spotted Jeff working out. Jeff was completely shirtless, muscles flexing, drenched in sweat. It would be a complete understatement to say Logan was turned on. The short brunette wanted to jump his neighbor's bones at the very sight. He had an Adonis-like physique that made Logan quiver in the knees. His rippling abs were enough to rival James, who often flashed his "Washboard Abs".

This act soon became a routine part of his jog. Ducking behind bushes and making sure fellow neighbors didn't see him wasn't an easy task but he managed. Until today.

Logan marched up the stairs to the porch to knock on the door when once again, he went to go look through the window. While trying to peer in, he lost his footing, knocking over all the plants. Having alerted Jeff of his presence, the tall brunette gentleman opened the door, still shirtless, to see what the commotion was.

"Logan, what are you doing here?"

"I'm sorry about all the gravity...and your plants." Jeff smiled. "I, uh, was going to knock when I lost my footing."

"Oh, okay! Don't worry about the plants they're just there for decoration." Jeff grinned.

"Oh, good! Anyway, I was wondering if you wanted to come to our family game night. It's just me, my stepbrother and his husband. It's pretty fun. We play a few fun rounds of different games, have a few drinks, and uh...chicken wings!" Logan knew he was rambling at that point.

"Sounds fun! I'll just have to check my schedule. My boyfriend and I were gonna get together sometime this week." Something inside Logan stung. It felt like a tiny shot to his heart. He couldn't be jealous of a man he just recently met. Finally processing the slightly disheartening information, he mustered up a smile.

"Oh, okay. Well, you know where to find me if you're free." Logan smiled and began walking down the porch steps. He wrapped his arms around himself, not necessarily because he was cold but as if to protect his heart in a weird sort of way.

"Hey, Logan!" Jeff called from his doorway. The short brunette turned in response.

"Count me in for Friday!" Jeff said, causing Logan to grin brightly.

"Alright, but you better bring your A-game. I'm pretty badass at Pictionary."

"Definitely! Good night, Logan."

"Goodnight, Jeff." The taller man smiled and retreated into his home. Once back in his house with the door secured, Logan began jumping up and down screaming with joy. James heard the noise from the kitchen and came out, Andy in tow, to see what the racket was about.

"Geez Logan, would you keep it down? I'm trying to put Andy to sleep." The tall brunette scolded. Logan gasped and strolled over to James.

"I'm sorry. How's my Pooh Bear?" Logan cooed as he stroked the baby's soft brown hair. James stroked Andy's back and patted lightly to help him burp.

"Was he fussy?"

"No, he's a really quiet baby," James said carefully passing the baby to Logan. Logan held the infant close to him and kissed him. "So, what were you hootin' and hollering about earlier?" James asked.

"Oh,nothing! Just the fact I think I scored a "date" with my hunky neighbor. but he's got a boyfriend." Logan replied with a despondent look.

"So, it's not a date." James retorted.

"In my head it is!" Logan shot back.

"You're going to try dating again?"

"No, I don't think I'm ready for full-on dating yet. I'm just testing the water for now."

"What's his name?"

"It's the Jeff-guy that came over when your mom and Carlos were fighting. Remember?" Logan sat down on the sofa to rock Andy to sleep.

"Oh, you mean the guy you stalk every day when you say you're going for a run when you're actually ducking behind bushes to see him work out?"

"I don't stalk him! I intensively...study him."

"Yeah, so you stalk him?" James deadpanned. Logan huffed and continued to tend to his baby. Logan never really noticed before that Andy really looked like Kendall. Logan felt a tear fall from his eye as he thought of his late boyfriend. Andy must've known he was about to cry so he smiled at Logan which made Logan smile and cuddles his baby closer.

"-and that's why it's wrong to stalk a guy you don't know."

"What?" The short brunette wasn't aware he'd completely tuned James out.

"Have you not been listening to this whole time?"

"I'm sorry. I zoned out." Logan said in somewhat of a daze, gazing downward.

"Are you ok?" James asked stepping closer to Logan. He noticed the small tear stain on Logan's cheek.

"What's wrong?" James asked perching on the armrest. Logan chuckled lightly.

"I just looked at Andy and realized how much he looks Kendall. That, unfortunately, reminds me of how he's not here."

"Hey! Chin up, kid. Be thankful for the time you did have with him. Well, the times that were good."

"Yeah. I guess you're right."

"I'm James Diamond. I'm always right."

"Nuh-uh, remember when you were so sure that fat lady was pregnant until you asked her?"

"Ok, that was a minor flub in the record! Geez, one time and you get labeled."

"Speaking of pregnant, how are things with you and 'Los ?"

"Things are okay. We've been kinda off lately. I feel like he doesn't wanna be around me anymore. We even stopped having "Naked Saturdays", for fuck's sake!" Logan's eyes widened.

"You've stopped having 'Naked Saturdays'?"

"That's what I just said."

"Oh, this is bad. Like really bad."

"I know. I don't know what to do, though." James moved and plopped down on the couch beside Logan. "I tried cuddling with him last night hoping to get a little action last night and you know what he said?"

"I'm guessing something bad," Logan said in a matter-of-fact tone.

"Yeah. He said, "I'm not in the mood." Then turned over and went to sleep." Logan held Andy up to his shoulder and rubbed his back.

"Dude, you need to fix it."

"I don't know how, that's the problem!" James threw his hands up in surrender and slumped back into the couch.

"Just look in your heart. That's where the answer lies."

"You got that from a fortune cookie, didn't you?" James asked with his eyebrow raised.

"Yep!" Logan said standing up carefully and walking towards the kitchen. "You want something to drink?"

"Nah, I'm good. I actually think I'm gonna head home and catch some shut-eye. Big mission tomorrow." James said stretching then rising from his chair.

"Oh yeah, what's Buchanan got you guys doing?"

"No Buchanan anymore. We've got a new guy with a creepy mustache."

"What?! What happened to Director?"

"He got promoted. It was an offer he couldn't refuse."

"Aww. You go on paternity leave for a few months and you miss so much."

"Yeah. I think the new guy's name is Reid or something."

"Oh, cool!" Logan yelled from the kitchen. "Is he good?"

"I don't know. I've only talked to him a few times. He irks me for some odd reason."

"Well, maybe you irk him."

"I'm serious Loges! Maybe it's because of that damn mustache he has."

"What's the mustache like?"

"I can't describe it. It's so creepy yet enthralling." James said putting on his brown leather jacket and walking to the door.

"You're weird. Get out of my house." Logan said coming back into the living room with his drink.

"I was already leaving. Here let me give my nephew a kiss." James walked over and kissed the infant on the forehead making him smile. He ruffled Logan's hair and headed for the door.

"Hey, when are you coming back to work?" James asked as he opened the door.

"I don't know. I got the call to come back this week. However, right now I'm more concerned with focusing on this little guy." Logan hugged Andy closer hearing the baby coo.

"Alright well, I'm heading out. I'll see you later."

"Say bye-bye, Uncle James," Logan said, putting his drink down on the table to wave the baby's hand for him since the infant had no clue of how to use it.

James flashed his dazzling smile once more as he exited the house. Logan locked the door and laid down on the couch to watch his DVD of Alias, season 3. He stroked the top of Andy's hair as the baby slept on his chest. Pressing play on the DVD player, the stressful thoughts that clouded his mind faded away as he allowed the drama of the show to take him in.

The week went by pretty fast and soon enough it was Friday evening in the Mitchell home. Logan was preparing the snacks he made for the game night. He hummed as he stirred the pot full of spaghetti. He was truly excited, mainly because Jeff was coming over and he secretly thought of it as a date even though Jeff had a boyfriend.

He picked up his son from his bassinet by the dinner table and held him close to his chest as he hummed a small lullaby. There was a knock at the door, effectively making Logan jump. He brushed himself over and jogged to the door, careful not to jostle the baby much.

He finished his primping and sat Andy upright in his carrier on the sofa. Logan straightened his black button-up shirt and denim jeans before unlocking the door and swinging it open.

"Welcome to my- oh it's you."

"Wow. Really feeling the hospitality there." James quipped. Carlos only smiled at Logan.

"He's only grouchy because I bitched at him on the way here."

"Ahh, what did he do this time?"

"Tried to throw the cat-like a football," Carlos said as they entered the house, placing the games they brought on the coffee table.

"You guys have a cat now?"

"Yes, unfortunately, we do. Carlos found a stray outside of the house a couple of nights ago and didn't want it to be cold."

"He's the cutest thing ever." Carlos gushed scrolling through his pictures on his iPhone. Finally stopping on a picture. It showed a gray cat shamelessly sitting on top of James' hair with James looking up rather pissed off.

"Aww James, he likes your hair." Logan teased pulling at a lock of James' hair. The taller brunette swatted his hand away.

"Ughh! I washed my hair eight times to make sure it was clean. What time should we expect your hunky neighbor? Cuz' your bro is hungry." James asked plopping himself on the couch and turning the TV to ESPN.

"I don't know. He's supposed to be here by now." On cue, there was a knock on the door. Logan jumped and smiled and began grooming again.

"Logan, you look fine stop primping and open the door." Carlos patted his shoulders. James smirked.

"Ok. Can you go check on Andy? He's in his carrier over there." Carlos nodded and proceeded to follow his request. Carlos picked up the carrier and took it into the kitchen, away from the noise.

Logan scurried to open the door. He unlocked and threw it open, revealing the gorgeous man on the other side.

"I heard there was a party goin' on, so I just had to crash it," Jeff said in a sexy-dork-type of way.

"Well, you'd better leave before I call the cops." Logan flirted coyly.

"Will you consider letting me in if I told you I brought brownies?"

"Ooh, what kind?"

"Double. Fudge." Jeff accentuated.

"Get. In. My. House. Now." Logan chuckled, standing aside, allowing Jeff into his home. Jeff smiled, walking into the house. He inhaled, taking in the smell of a home-cooked meal and the sweet scent of the apple cinnamon air freshener.

"Fine place you got here, Logan!"

"Thank you! I certainly enjoy it. Andy does too."

"Speaking of, where's the little guy?"

"Carlos is tending to him in the kitchen." Logan paused actually thinking about his sentence." Which is probably not a good idea. So, let me take the brownies in there and I'll be right back. Make yourself at home." Logan took the Tupperware with brownies in it from the tall brunette and headed for the kitchen.

Jeff went and sat on the couch next to James who sat up and introduced himself. "Hey dude, I'm James, Logan's stepbrother." James offered his hand to which Jeff accepted and shook with confidence.

"Jeff Hughes." He smiled flashing a smile that rivaled that of James' million dollar smile.

"So, Jeff what do you for a living?" James asked rather bluntly.

"I'm a business manager. And yourself?" James went wide-eyed. He can't exactly tell people he works for the CIA and he had forgotten what his cover story was, so he made up something on the spot.

"I coach...water... polo?"James said with uncertainty.

"Oh, cool. Does that pay well?" Jeff asked, skeptical of the response.

"It's decent pay, not the best."

"So, how are we doing in here guys? Ready for some Pictionary and Taboo?" Logan said entering the room holding Andy.

"There's the little guy!" Jeff said fawning over Andy. Logan sat down next to Jeff on the couch.

"I'm gonna go check on 'Los."

"He's finishing the spaghetti for me."

"Say hi," Logan said to Andy. The baby smiled and gurgled when Jeff puffed his cheeks at him.

"He's taken to you, I see."

"I've noticed. That's a good thing, right?"

"Yeah, it should be."

"Heh. Thanks for coming over and hanging out. God knows I couldn't sit through another game night with just James and Carlos again."

"Haha, what happened?" Jeff asked turning to face Logan more.

"James and Carlos got into a heated debate about who would get the car piece in monopoly and soon enough it ended up with them ferociously making out on my couch and me having to leave my apartment at the time." Logan chuckled.

"Wow, well, let's hope that doesn't happen again." Jeff chuckled. Andy began to fuss and squirm, so, Logan turned him around to give him his bottle. The baby gladly accepted the bottle when it was put to his lips.

"You're really good with him," Jeff commented watching Logan tenderly care for his son.

"Thanks. Sometimes, I feel like I don't deserve Andy. I just don't wanna disappoint him, you know?"

"You could never disappoint him. You're gonna be a great parent. When I've seen you in passing and Andy is with you, he's always seemed happy. Then again, I'm pretty sure he isn't aware of the majority of what's going on. He's gonna be proud to say he's your son, one day." Jeff said leaning forward, getting closer to Logan.

"You really think so?" Logan said leaning forward as well.

"I know so." Jeff placed his hand on top of Logan's and looked deep into his eyes. As his piercing blue eyes stared deep into Logan's brown eyes, he leaned forward about to close the distance between their lips. Logan closed his eyes and was ready to accept the kiss when a knock on the door interrupted them. The two men pulled away and sat in an awkward silence.

"I'm going to, erm, use the bathroom," Jeff said standing up and stretching.

"I'll see who's at the door. The bathroom's right around there." Logan pointed once he placed Andy in the bassinet. Jeff followed the instruction and disappeared into the bathroom. The person at the door knocked again.

"I'm coming!" Logan unlocked and opened the door. That was the moment his heart seemingly stopped beating.

"Hey, babe."

"Kendall..."

Then, everything went black.

Hey Y'all first of all happy new year, April fools, spring break and other such holidays. I'm so sorry for not updating soon enough. Senior year and theatre got in the way and I've been super busy. But I've managed to update and give a good one, I think. I promise to update sooner.:) REVIEW/PM tell me what you think.

Until next time,

~TheaterKid