Toxic: Logan's Story (Torn #4)(10)

“I know you didn’t, baby girl, but you did. What’s in the past is exactly where it needs to be—behind us. From this point on, we’ll start over, no more looking back at our mistakes. We’ll only look to the future. I’m not about to lose you again.” I’m willing to let you go even if that means he’ll have you. I love you that much, Chloe.

She hugged me tightly as a smile spread across her face. “I’m never going to let you go again. We’re Logan and Chloe—partners in crime until the end.”



It was well after midnight when I finally left Chloe’s room and went back to mine. I dropped down onto my bed and closed my eyes. I felt relieved now that I’d told Chloe that things were okay between us, but it still hurt like hell to think of everything. I didn’t want to be alone. Without really thinking about it, I texted Jade.

Me: Hey. What are you up to?

She replied a few minutes later.

Jade: Just finished practicing with the guys. You?

Me: Just got back from talking with Chloe.

Jade: How did that go?

Me: As expected.

Jade: I’ll be over in a few. I’ll bring our good friend Jack.

I smiled at her text. Jade was good for me. She made me smile. It was nice to have a friend who wouldn’t judge me for what had happened. She wouldn’t react, unlike Amber had. Jade was just…there.

Twenty minutes later, Jade knocked on my door. As soon as I opened it, she walked in and dropped down onto my roommate’s bed. He’d stayed in the room once, maybe twice, since the beginning of school. I wasn’t complaining though. It was like having a room to myself.

She poured two shots and handed one to me.

I grinned as I took it. “You know, I feel like we’re on the verge of becoming alcoholics with the way we drink when we’re together.”

She laughed before taking her shot. “Don’t be a *. I could drink Jack every day if I wanted to.”

I rolled my eyes as I dropped down onto my bed. “So, I talked to Chloe.”

“How did it go? Did you go at it like animals?”

It was my turn to laugh. I wish. “Not quite. We talked.”

“And?” She pushed for more.

“And we’re okay. I told her that I forgive her for what happened.”

“Do you?”

I sighed. “Yes and no. I don’t know if I’ll ever really forgive her. I loved her completely, Jade, and she threw it back in my face. How the hell am I supposed to have a relationship after this? I mean, when I’m with someone in the future, I’m going to wonder if she’s sneaking around behind my back with someone better.”

“Better?” Jade asked, sounding half-confused and half-pissed.

“Yeah, better. It’s obvious that Drake is better than I am, or she never would have gone to him.”

“You’re an idiot, Logan. Drake isn’t better than you. It’s just that…sometimes, people are just drawn to each other. I know you don’t want to hear this, but I’ve seen the way Drake and Chloe look at each other. They love each other.”

I winced.

“I know it hurts to hear that, but I won’t lie to you. They love each other. Sometimes, people are just meant to be. It doesn’t mean that Drake is a better guy than you. It just means that he’s the one she’s supposed to be with.”

“So, where does that leave me?” I asked sadly.

“In your dorm room, drinking Jack with an awesome drummer chick.”

I laughed. Leave it to Jade to make me smile. “So, what about you?”

“What about me?”

“You know all of my nasty history. How’s your love life?”

She rolled her eyes. “I have no love life. I haven’t had one for a long time.”

“How come?”

She hesitated for a second. I watched as she filled her glass before taking another shot.

“I loved someone once, but it wasn’t meant to be.”

“Wasn’t meant to be?” I raised an eyebrow at her.

“I…I thought I loved him, but he wasn’t right for me. I told you before about my controlling step-prick, right?”

I nodded.

“Well, Mikey was there for me when I was living at home. He made me forget all about my home life. I thought I loved him, but I’m not sure if I really did. He was more of an escape than anything. The longer we were together, the more controlling he became. It didn’t take me long to realize that I was walking headfirst into a relationship with someone exactly like my stepdad. I didn’t want that, so I ran away without even saying good-bye to Mikey. I couldn’t. He would have either stopped me or tried to come with me.”

“You’ve been gone for…what? Four years now?” I asked.

She nodded. “Yep.”

“And he’s never tried to find you?” I asked incredulously. If Chloe were to disappear, I would do everything in my power to find her.

“If he tried, I don’t know about it. I mean, I left a note in my little sister’s room, so my mom and stepdad would know that I hadn’t been kidnapped or anything. I’m sure they told Mikey I left. That probably went over real well with him. I didn’t leave any kind of trail. I don’t have anything in my name, not even a cell phone. Everything is in Eric’s name, and they don’t know about him. I doubt Mikey could find me even if he wanted to.”