Just a Bit Wrecked (Straight Guys #11) - Alessandra Hazard Page 0,48

contest they had going, their biting remarks becoming progressively less subtle and progressively unprofessional the longer the meal lasted.

Even Derek was frowning now, his dark eyes flicking from Andrew to Colin in a sharp, assessing manner.

Logan was sipping his coffee and trying to pretend Andrew wasn’t half in his lap. The more heated the discussion became, the closer to him Andrew seemed to gravitate. Their chairs had been a good few inches apart at the beginning of the meal, but now they were so close their thighs were pressed together. When Andrew got particularly nervous or angry, he hooked their ankles together, almost painfully so—all the while not looking at Logan at all.

Talk about mixed messages.

“…No, going public with this would be a bad move,” Andrew was saying, glaring at Colin. “Are you an idiot? Caldwell did nothing wrong, technically, and even if we argue that Derek signed the contract under false pretenses, Derek did publicly dump Caldwell’s sister, causing her to attempt suicide, so reminding of it will be bad publicity for us. Not to mention that Caldwell is a man who just woke up from a coma. You don’t start a media war with a sick man! That’s a bad look.”

Colin didn’t even bother hiding his condescending sneer. “We don’t have to make it public. We can talk to him and pressure him into withdrawing. I’m sure he cares about his business reputation. He wouldn’t want to be known as someone who makes underhanded deals.”

Andrew laughed. “So you’re suggesting we threaten him? That’s your professional advice? And you call yourself a lawyer? Ian Caldwell isn’t exactly a man you threaten.”

Colin flushed and opened his mouth, but whatever he was going to say was cut off by a cold, “Enough.”

Everyone’s gaze turned to their host.

Derek Rutledge’s expression was rather sour as he pinned Andrew with a hard look. “What are you suggesting, then?”

Andrew’s hand gripped Logan’s knee under the table, but outwardly, his face was calm and confident. “I’m suggesting you talk to him.”

“Talk to him,” Derek repeated flatly.

Andrew let out a laugh. “I know: a wild concept, isn’t it? Talk to him and apologize. Have you even tried?”

Derek’s jaw clenched. “I have nothing to apologize for. If my actions caused harm, it wasn’t intentional. The engagement wasn’t my idea.”

“Then tell him that,” Andrew said. “Explain to him what really happened. What do you have to lose? Caldwell has something of a temper, but he isn’t unreasonable. All of this seems like a case of a misunderstanding.”

“I agree,” Shawn said. “Maybe it’s worth a try, Derek. If Miles is in love with the guy, surely he can’t be that bad.”

Derek’s expression was rather pinched, but he didn’t outright refuse. “I’ll think about it,” he said tersely, getting to his feet. Everyone followed suit.

Andrew’s goodbyes to the Rutledges were rather stiff. He said nothing to Colin and strode out of the house without waiting for Logan to finish thanking the Rutledges for their hospitality.

But the moment Logan shut the front door behind him, he was yanked to the side, shoved against the wall, and suddenly had Andrew trying to tuck himself under his chin, breathing oddly. Hyperventilating.

It took Logan a moment to recover from his surprise.

Then, he wrapped his arms around him, and Andrew made a small sound—something pained but relieved too. Lips pressed against the hollow of Logan’s throat. “Sorry,” Andrew murmured into his neck. “It was just—it was hard for me to be around them, especially Colin. I know they all wish Vivian were here instead of me.”

Logan frowned. “I’m sure they don’t.”

Andrew let out a humorless laugh. “Right. Did you see the way Colin looked at me? I’m sure he blames me for not saving her.”

“Colin… What’s the story there?” Logan said, threading his fingers through Andrew’s curls.

Andrew sighed, stroking Logan’s chest absentmindedly. “He was basically Vivian’s childhood sweetheart. They were apparently on something of a break when I first met him. He made a move on me at a corporate party—he’s bi—and I might have been… a little rude when I said I wasn’t interested in men.”

Logan could imagine it all too well. “And then what?”

“Well, he didn’t take it well.” Andrew pulled back a little, running a hand over his eyes. “A month later, Vivian and I started seeing each other, and imagine my surprise when she introduced me to her best friend-slash-ex. It was a little awkward, to say the least. For multiple reasons.”

Logan knew he probably shouldn’t have laughed, but it was funny,