Toxic: Logan's Story (Torn #4)(44)

“Yeah, I guess so. All I ever wanted was to play my drums. All the other stuff was just an added bonus.”

“So, what’s it like?”

“What’s what like?” I asked.

“Everything—living in L.A., recording music, touring, having fans.”

“It’s all great. I like L.A., but I miss living in West Virginia. It was my home for so long. The touring is awesome. I get to meet tons of people who love the band’s music, but being on the road constantly wears on me, especially when it’s just the band and Chloe. You try living in close quarters with three guys for almost a year. You’d pull your hair out.”

“Chloe? Isn’t she the lead singer’s wife?”

“Yep. They’re pretty much attached at the hip. It’s cute and sickening all at once.”

“What about the other two? Do they have girlfriends?”

“Nah. Adam has hookups, and Eric just ignores everyone.”

“I’ve looked at pictures of you guys. The one is super hot, and I’d love to meet him. He’s just so…yum.”

Panic shot through my body. “Oh no, not a chance on your life. You will never meet them, and if you do, you’ll stay far away from Adam. I won’t allow you to be around him unless you’re wearing a turtleneck, pants, and a chastity belt.”

The thought of Adam noticing my sister made me want to castrate him. I made a mental note to threaten him the next time I saw him just in case I decided to bring Bethaney around the band.

“Why? He seems so sweet,” Bethaney said, looking at me like I was nuts.

“What is it about him that makes him seem sweet? The boy is covered in tattoos and piercings. He has a blue Mohawk, for God’s sake!”

“What? No! Not that guy, the other one. I think his name is Eric.”

My mouth dropped open. “You think Eric is hot?”

I couldn’t even process the fact that Beth thought of Eric like that. To me, he was just Eric—my best friend, my confidant.

“Um…yes! Don’t you?”

I shook my head. “He’s practically my brother, and you’re my sister, so that makes you siblings. You’re basically saying your brother is hot.”

She looked at me like I’d lost my mind. “Jade, you’re seriously weird. Eric isn’t related to us, and I sure as hell don’t think brother when I look at him.”

“No. Just no. I refuse to think of you crushing on Eric. New topic.”

“Whatever. So, where does Logan fit into all of this? Did you meet him in L.A.?”

“No, I’ve known him for a long time. We met through Chloe. He’s her ex-boyfriend and best friend.”

“Awkward much?” Bethaney asked.

“You have no clue. It’s a mess. Chloe cheated on him with Drake, and it really f*cked Logan up. No one even knows that we’re together yet. I’m not sure how everyone in our group of friends will take it.”

“Does he live in West Virginia?”

I nodded.

“So, what happens when you go back to L.A.?”

“We haven’t really talked about it. Like I said, this is brand-new. I haven’t really thought about what will happen after I go back to California.”

I had no idea why I hadn’t thought about the fact that his life was in West Virginia and mine was in L.A. I couldn’t just move back to West Virginia to be with him, and I would never ask him to move to California for me. We didn’t have years of history like Drake and Chloe had. He wouldn’t give up everything for me. My stomach clenched when I realized that this summer might be all I had with him.

“Hey, stop frowning. I didn’t mean to make you sad. I’m sorry,” Bethaney said as she looked at me with concern in her eyes.

“You didn’t. I’m just now realizing that I’m f*cked when it comes to Logan.” I dropped my head down onto the table in defeat.

“Don’t freak out just yet. You have no idea what the future will bring. Just focus on the time you do have with him this summer and then go from there. Things will work out.”

“I hope so,” I said as I sat back up.

It was nice to be able to talk to someone again, especially another woman. I loved Eric, but I could never tell him some things, and Logan definitely fell into that category. Chloe had been around, but I would never talk to her about Logan. There were just too many f*ck-ups between them for me to feel comfortable discussing my feelings with her. I missed Bethaney more than I’d realized.

“I’ve missed you so much, Beth. I don’t know how I made it the last six years without you.”

“I’ve missed you, too, big sister. So, how long do you plan on staying?”

I shrugged. “That depends on you. If you want me, I can stay for a couple of months. We’ve been staying at a hotel in town, but I’d like to find something a little more permanent while I’m here.”

“Of course I want you, you idiot,” Beth said, frowning at me.

“After yesterday, I wasn’t sure if you would or not.”

“You were a first-class jackass yesterday, but you’re still my sister. I definitely want you around.”

“Then, I guess Logan and I will start looking for a place to rent.”