Free (in)visible by Talie D. Hawkins Page B

My parents, my past, my future,” he slurred, waving his arms around.
    “Hey, tone it down. You’re being pretty obvious.”
    “Good, maybe they’ll kick me out.”
    “Logan, grow up. We all have crap to deal with. So deal with it. Avoiding it isn’t doing you any favors.”
    “Oh, so now I get advice from you? Queen of dysfunction? You can’t even speak because of how messed up you are! Oh, but wait- now you’re in love and normal, and everything will be just fine,” he said sarcastically through gritted teeth.
    “You’re an ass.” I turned to walk away, but ran into a chest I knew all too well. Jake wrapped a protective arm around me.
    “Are you ok,” Jake asked before he turned his attention to Logan. I nodded yes. “If you come near her again you’ll regret it,” he threatened in a tone that made me shiver.
    “How much did you hear?” I asked once we were inside.
    “Enough to know you can fend for yourself.” He pulled me into a hug.
    “He’s drunk. It’s just....sad.”
    “Well, he’s not your problem.” He kissed the top of my head and insisted he walk me to class.
     
    My little interaction with Logan nagged at the back of my mind for most of the day, but I pushed it aside and reminded myself that it was Friday. I was free from all of this for two days, and I’d probably spend both days with Jake.
    After school, I headed straight to the coffee shop. We had a lull before the onslaught of 5:00 commuters bombarded us. After that it was quiet again. I made Jake promise to stay at home. I felt bad that he spent so much time at the shop watching me work. He reluctantly agreed, but he did text me a few times to entertain me.
    Just before I was ready to close a little surprise walked in the door. Blaine and three other girls from school sauntered in. I was ready to end my shift and call it a night, and I was in no mood for the B.S. they were no doubt about to dish out.
    “Blaine, I’m closing.”
    “Oh, we’re not here for coffee. We’re here to chat,” she said in her most condescending tone.
    “And what could we possibly have to chat about?” I stayed behind the counter where the panic button was located, knowing I didn’t have good odds in a fight of four against one.
    “So you have a new boyfriend, and you’ve wrecked my old one.”
    “What the hell are you talking about?”
    “I think it’s only fair I wreck yours, right?”
    “Leave.” My patience was wearing thin.
    “When I’m done I’ll go.”
    “Look, you’re boyfriend was wrecked a long, long time ago. And for the record, you’re the only one who thinks you’re in a relationship with Logan. He’s flat-out denied that you mean anything to him.” I had just hit below the belt, but I was done with her. She didn’t respond to that comment.
    “We’ll see how loyal your new boy toy is. Funny, I never noticed him before you started going out. He’s pretty hot.”
    “Oh my God. You’re beyond gross. Go ahead and try. I’m not even a little worried. I’m sure it’ll help improve things with Logan too,” I added sarcastically.
    “We’ll see.”
    After they finally left, I closed up as fast as I could and got out of there. Blaine was clearly crazy, so I wasn’t about to put anything past her. As soon as I got home I sent Jake a text. I told him I couldn’t wait to see him and he warned me that he’d be up early. He was true to his word. I was up and ready before the sun came up and he showed up just minutes later.
     
    15
     
    Jake was back to driving his small Jeep now that the roads had been cleared a little. He opened the door for me and I hopped in. It was toasty warm inside. As soon as he was in he leaned over and pulled my lips to his. The kiss was urgent and hungry and in just moments we were both getting carried away right in front of my house.
    He pulled himself away and I gave a disappointed pout at the absence of his lips. He grinned at me and ran his thumb across my lower lip.
    “We should get