The Fine Line by Alicia Kobishop Page A

breaking the stare.  His shoulders lifted up from a small chuckle as he shook his head, snapping himself out of it…Whatever it was.  Turning to Chloe, he brought his face close to her ear and whispered something.  Her eyes widened, and she nodded with a smile.  The corner of Logan’s mouth turned up as he looked at her and raised one eyebrow. 
    Oh no.
    He took her by the hand and led her to the back room.  A knot tightened in my throat.  What typically happened in the back room was no secret.
    "Logan," Matt called from the couch area, where Hailey, Jess, Isaac, and Gavin were also sitting.  Their heads all turned toward Logan.  Logan turned to look at him.
    "Just think, man.  Think about it."
    Giving Matt an expression that said "whatever," Logan lifted his middle finger at him and turned back around, stumbling into the back room with his arm around Chloe’s neck, closing the door with a bang.  Matt looked down and shook his head. 
    Mel and I looked at each other simultaneously. 
    “We should go,” Mel said. “Let’s go.  We could go get something to eat.”
    We stopped for food on the way here. I knew she wasn’t hungry.  “Mel, don’t worry, it’s fine.  Do you wanna break or should I?”
    “Are you sure?”
    “Yes!” I replied.  “Of course.  There’s no reason for us to leave.” 
    Mel nodded.  “Okay.  I can break.  Lord knows I need the practice.” 
    That’s when I noticed the stares.  It seemed like everyone in the room had their heads turned in my direction, all trying to gauge my reaction.  What is everyone’s problem?
    Logan was allowed to have fun, and they all knew I was not his girlfriend.  I was here with another guy for God’s sake.  My mind told me that Logan was doing what needed to be done—to confirm our friendship.  What I didn’t understand was why my heart was suddenly in my stomach and why tears where begging to escape my eyes.
    As Mel took her shot, giggling noises came out of the back room.  Gavin went to the stereo and turned the music up, looking in my direction just before returning to the couch.  I got the feeling he felt the need to protect me.  As Gavin sat down, Matt stood up from the couch and walked toward me.
    “Liv, I’m going outside for a smoke.  Do you want to come with me?”  Matt asked.
    “I don’t smoke.  It’s nasty,” I replied.
    “Okay, then will you just come out for a minute?  To talk?”
    Not that I needed permission, but I turned to Melody who was staring intently at me, as was everyone else. 
    I sighed.  “Fine.  Hey, Jess, would you want to step in for me?”
    “You got it, hon.” Jess replied.
    I turned to Evan.  “I’ll be right back.”
    “Yeah.  No problem,” he shrugged.
    Once we were outside, Matt lit up his cigarette.  I waited patiently as he seemed to be finding the right words.  After a few moments, he finally spoke.
    “Don’t take this the wrong way, but you know Logan is doing what he’s doing to prove a point, right?”
    All the muscles in my body tensed. “Sex to prove a point, huh?  That’s always a good idea.”  I thought for a moment.  I didn’t want to ask why, but I had to know.  “Exactly what is he trying to prove?”
    After a long pause, he turned to face me.  “That he’s not into you.”
    I felt as though the wind had been knocked out of me.  My mind imagined all the things Logan and Chloe might be doing in the back room.  I wanted to stop thinking in graphic detail about the acts that were taking place back there.  It was making my stomach turn. Why was my mind so focused on it?  I hated that I had become so affected by another person.  I hated it so much that I wasn’t ready to admit it.
    “Well then, that’s where you’re wrong,” I replied, trying to keep my cool.  “Because he’s not ‘into me’ in that way.  So there’s nothing to prove.”
    Matt took a drag from his cigarette.  “I’ve known Logan for over ten years.  He’s like