HIDDEN (FIGHT OR FLIGHT)

Chapter 24

FELIX'S P.O.V.

We drove into this town Logan called Bluefield, and I had to admit—Logan wasn’t kidding. This place looked like something straight out of a postcard. Mountains, trees, and those cute little houses that seemed like they were plucked from a cozy movie. I should’ve been admiring the view, but my nerves? They were doing Olympic-level gymnastics in my stomach.

Logan, sitting calmly beside me, was as relaxed as ever behind the wheel, like this was just another casual drive through paradise. He kept sneaking little side-glances at me with that stupidly charming smile of his, which, to be honest, only made things worse. What do you even say to a guy who’s been looking at you like that for hours? My hand brushed his on the center console, and I felt an electric zap. I yanked it away so fast you’d think I’d touched a hot stove. Real smooth, Felix. Real smooth.

Finally, we pulled up in front of this picture-perfect house, warm and cozy, with a garden that looked like it belonged in a gardening magazine. I don’t know much about flowers, but someone here was definitely giving them some serious love.

A slender woman, with long black hair tied in a ponytail, came rushing out of the front door, a smile lighting up her face. “That’s my mom,” Logan said, his voice casual, though there was a softness there that made me smile.

Before I even managed to close the car door, his mom had run down the steps, waving like she was in a parade. Before I could react, I was pulled into a hug that could rival a bear’s.

“You must be Felix!” she said, practically bouncing as she squeezed me. “I’m Ave George, but you can call me Ave or Mom, whatever you’re comfy with.”

I blinked, caught off guard by her warmth. “Uh, nice to meet you, Ave... Mom?” I mumbled awkwardly. She beamed at me like I’d passed some kind of test. Meanwhile, Logan was next to me, chuckling under his breath. Traitor.

A tall guy with dark hair strolled out next, clearly Logan’s dad—they shared the same "hey, I’m good-looking and I know it" vibe. He gave me a warm smile and extended his hand. “Welcome, Felix. I’m George, Logan’s father. We’re glad you’re here.”

I shook his hand, but my mind was stuck on how normal they all seemed. Painfully normal. Happy. Kind. I tried not to think about what my family might have been like if things hadn’t gone to hell. If mom hadn’t gotten sick. If dad hadn’t… well, disappeared. I swallowed the lump in my throat and forced a smile. Focus, Felix. You’re in the present.

As we walked inside, Ave was already talking about Logan’s brother. “Andrew will be arriving tomorrow with his boyfriend,” she said casually, and I almost tripped over my own feet. “You’ll love him. He’s such a sweetheart.”

Boyfriend? Great. Another perfect couple to remind me I was a third wheel. But at least it was nice to know they were open-minded.

Dinner turned into a bit of a comedy show, with Logan kicking his mom out of the kitchen like she was a safety hazard. Apparently, Ave had a reputation for being... let’s just say, creatively challenged when it came to cooking. At one point, Logan leaned over and whispered, “It’s for everyone’s safety, trust me.” The look on his face was so serious, I had to stifle a laugh.

When we finally sat down to eat, I was hit by this wave of warmth. Not just from the food—which, by the way, was delicious, thanks to Logan—but from the way his family laughed and joked together. It was like watching a scene from a sitcom, except it was real. And I was a part of it. Sort of. I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was just some stray cat they’d let inside.

After dinner, we headed to Logan’s room. The bed was soft, but I was tense, lying there with my hands stiff at my sides. Logan, of course, was already lounging like he owned the place, one arm behind his head, the picture of relaxation.