Toxic: Logan's Story (Torn #4)(43)

“Yep, I’m surrounded by crazy people,” Logan muttered as we pulled into a Denny’s parking lot.

“Oh, by the way, we’re stopping here for lunch. I didn’t have a chance to eat breakfast, so I’m starving. After this, we can go wherever you want,” I said as I looked back at Beth.

“Fine by me. I’m hungry, too.” She opened her door and stepped out.

I could still hear her giggling quietly.

“Come on,” I told Logan before opening my door and climbing out.

“Actually, I just remembered that I forgot something back at the hotel. I’m going to run back there and grab it really quick.” Logan said as I closed my door.

“What did you forget?” I asked, confused.

He grinned at me, and then he backed out of the parking spot. I watched as he left the parking lot and headed back the way we’d come. As soon as he was out of sight, I realized what he’d just done. He was giving me time alone with Beth. I smiled at his thoughtfulness. Logan had to be one of the nicest guys out there.

“Where did he go?” Beth asked.

“He had something to take care of. It’s just us.”

We walked to the building side-by-side. Once we were inside, we found a table away from everyone else and placed our orders. I wanted alone time with Bethaney, and that would be hard if someone recognized me and came over. Crossville didn’t have a huge rock music crowd, but there were a few, and I used to know them all. They would recognize me instantly.

“So, what’s up with you and Logan? Are you two a thing or not?” Beth asked. She certainly didn’t waste time with small talk.

I couldn’t keep the sappy grin off my face. “Yeah, we are, but it’s in the early stages.”

“Wow. Really? I figured you guys had been together for a long time.”

Our waitress appeared with our drinks, halting our conversation.

“Why would you think that?” I asked once we were alone again.

She shrugged. “Just the way you two look at each other. It’s kind of gross actually. It’s like you’re f*cking each other and saying wedding vows with just your eyes.”

I choked on my soda and started coughing violently. When I could finally breathe again, I frowned at my sister. “We do not eye-f*ck, and we certainly aren’t getting married. You’d better get your eyes checked.”

“Oh, whatever. You two probably go at it like rabbits. You’re blushing! I was right!”

I felt my face heat as tingles raced through my body. All I could think about was the way Logan had looked last night while he f*cked me. If I died right now, I’d die a happy woman from just thinking about him like that. The thought that I could have had a repeat performance this morning had me wishing that I’d rescheduled with my sister and stayed in the room with Logan all day…or all week.

“So, how’s your love life?” I asked before I let my thoughts distract me from why I was here. I wanted to get to know Beth again.

“What love life? Have you seen the guys around here? And college isn’t much better. College guys are hot, yeah, but they’re dicks. I can’t handle their egos long enough to make it to a second date.”

“What college do you go to?”

“University of Tennessee. I stay in a dorm during the school year, but I came back with Lily to stay at her mom’s house over the summer. I love Marie, but she drives me up the wall. She’s so damn bossy that I think she’s pretending to be my mom.”

“She’s just looking out for you, Beth. Does she know what David did to you?”

She nodded. “Yeah, I kind of had to tell her when I showed up on her doorstep with all my stuff. She wanted me to go to the police, but I told her no. I just wanted to forget about it. I was doing a pretty good job until you showed back up.”

“I really am sorry that I left you alone with him. If I had known, I never would have left. You’re my baby sister, and I want to protect you.”

“In case you haven’t noticed, I’m not a baby anymore.”

I rolled my eyes. “You’ll always be my baby sister. So, tell me about college. What are you studying?”

“Ugh, gag. I’m still undecided. I hate college.”

“Why? You used to love school.”

“Yeah, when I was, like, fourteen. Things change, Jade. What I’d really love to do is go to Hollywood and become a famous actress or a model. I want out of Tennessee so bad that I can taste it.”

“Bethaney, I don’t think that’s a good idea. I mean, how many people go to California with the same dream? You’d be one of thousands. The odds aren’t in your favor. You’re better off getting a real education.”

“Hypocrite much? You went to California with dreams of making it big, and you did it even though thousands of people are out there, trying the same thing all the time.”

“That’s different. The only reason we went out there was because they called us. We never would have just packed up and moved if Brad hadn’t called.”

“Brad?”

“Our manager at the label,” I clarified.

Bethaney sighed. “You have it all, you know that, right? A band, a record deal, a label, and thousands of fans. You got out of this town and accomplished everything you’d ever dreamed.”