Free Fallen Crest Alternative Version by Tijan Page B

Adam. He caught her before she fell and she gurgled out, “Toodrunk.”

CHAPTER EIGHT
    “Tanya.” Logan stood and shook his head.
    “Whad?” She fell against Adam again.
    The laughter had vanished and a seriousness took over him. “Don’t do this.”
    “Huh?” Her head popped up. “Do what?”
    “Don’t screw him.”
    Adam twisted around. “Hey!”
    “Why?”
    Logan’s voice dipped low. It was almost kind. “Because he’s not going to be your boyfriend.”
    “Why not?” She struggled to push herself up but staggered away from Adam and crossed her arms over her chest. “What do you know about it?”
    “Because I’m the reason he’s never going to date you.”
    Pain flared before she masked it. A tear trickled down, and she never brushed it away. Her chin trembled as she lifted it. “You don’t know that. You don’t know what he said to me.”
    “I do know.” Logan stepped towards her. “Because he was laying the groundwork before. He was doing all the right things. He was taking you places. He had you hang out with his friends, but I stepped in. I got you. He never did and what he’s doing right now is a typical guy move.”
    She brushed a tear away. “What are you talking about?”
    “He wants to screw you and then he wants to be the one who walks away. Not you. He’s playing you, Tanya. That’s all this is.”
    As she looked around, searching for something, Adam had turned away. I expected anger. There was only irritation, and I choked out my own shock. I couldn’t believe it, but… I should’ve.
    “Sam?” Logan was the one who heard me.
    I couldn’t take it. “This is because of your ego?”
    All eyes turned to Adam, who seemed reluctant to meet my gaze. When he did, the acknowledgment was there, along with the shame.
    “I can’t believe you.”
    “Of all people, you should.” The corner of his lip curved up in a sneer. There was a mocking tone to him. “You’ve been after me since the beginning to leave her alone. You know, out of everyone, why I would do this.  Yes, I want to screw her. Yes, I want to humiliate her. She humiliated me. Your boy there humiliated me, but I can’t touch him. No one can touch the Kades. They’re goddamn protected by everyone.”
    “Adam,” Becky whimpered as her lip quivered. “Stop it.”
    He closed his eyes with a snap and turned to her. “I’m sorry, Becky. I am.”
    She gulped for air. “You—you don’t know what you’re saying right now. This makes you seem…”
    “What?” He taunted her. “Like a jerk? I am one. I’m a first class asshole, and I’ve made everyone think I’m prince charming. I’m not your prince charming, Becky. Let it go. I’ve been an ass to you time and time again. You keep coming back. Stop it. It’s pathetic.”
    “Adam—”
    He turned to me and threw his arms wide. “This is what you wanted, Sam.”
    “Sam?”
    I gritted my teeth. “I wanted you to stop playing with her emotions, not—”
    “He is stopping.”
    I faltered in my step. Surprise flared in me. “Logan?”
    He nodded and took a beer from Mark. He was calm as he took a drink. “He’s being himself. He’s not lying about what he’s doing. He’s being honest. Give him a break. He’s not playing with your friend. This is who he is. He’s showing her. It’s all up front and in her face.”
    “Sam?”
    My heart broke. Becky was a little girl again. I reached for her and hugged her close. “It’s okay.”
    She clung to me and buried her head in my arms. “He’s never going to like me, is he? He’s never—I’m not good enough for him.”
    I patted the back of her head as Adam and Logan watched. Tanya had teetered off somewhere and Mark yawned before he held a cup of beer to his girl. She curled in his lap, and he stroked her back. Everyone was waiting.
    I sighed. “I’m taking her home. Adam, give me your keys.”
    “What?” His mouth fell open. “I have no ride.”
    “Logan will give you a ride.”
    “I’ll