riptide- outer banks

ten | lightweight

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Morning light shone through the drapes in Logan's room, only filling him with dread. He'd hardly slept last night, unable to expel the negative thoughts that had crept their way into his congested mind.

It'd all been a ploy— Rafe asking him about the party. Bringing him there. Hanging out with him. Getting him high. It had all been a ruse in his masterplan to finally force some of the weight of being a disappointment onto Logan.

Rafe had failed though. For some odd, inequitable reason, Ward hadn't even batted an eye at Logan's confession. He hadn't cared that it wasn't actually Rafe's fault, even if it had been a game to him. Ward had simply made his eldest feel like more of a disappointment, while also forcing him into the perception that Logan would always be favored over him.

And that only further splintered the two brothers' already tarnished relationship.

As Logan stepped out of his room, anger settled in the back of his throat. His eyes flicked past his older brother's open door, no trace of him inside. Good. After what he'd done, Logan didn't think he could stomach seeing him this morning. Rafe had broken his trust— something he did not easily give out. And when he thought of him, only anger replaced the feelings of amusement and admiration felt last night.

He came around the corner of the staircase and entered the kitchen a few steps later. His eyes instantly fell on his dad, shifting down to the orange juice he was pouring into a glass. Ward's gaze lifted at the sound of his arrival, zeroing in on his son.

"Hey, good morn—"

"Why am I not in trouble? Huh?" Logan interjected, taking the remaining steps to the counter separating him and his father. "I literally did drugs last night, so why didn't you take my phone or–or ground me? I don't get it."

Ward's lips parted, his eyebrows raising as shock crossed his face. Logan was never one to question his father or even confront him, but enough was enough. He needed to know and he needed honesty.

"Because it wasn't your fault." Ward expressed, setting the glass of juice in front of him. "I told you; you have—"

"It wasn't Rafe's either. He didn't force me to do anything!" Logan pointed out. "Why am I never punished? I screwed up, dad. Where are the repercussions?"

Ward gradually nodded his head, acknowledging what had been said. "I'm not gonna punish you for something you were pressured into doing. I already told you and I'm going to tell you again." Ward repeated, leaning forward. "This wasn't your fault. I know you and I know that Rafe was the one behind it. So don't take the blame for him. You need to stop doing that." He wavered, setting a hand on his son's shoulder. "Don't worry. I'm gonna take care of it. I already talked to him."

Logan's brow snapped together as his dad left the room with a smile, nothing but confusion washing over him. What the hell?

He exhaled, shaking his head. Once again, he was seen as the perfect little son. And that's not who he was. Actually, if he was being brutally truthful, he didn't know who he was. If anything, he was still trying to figure that out.