Toxic: Logan's Story (Torn #4)(53)

I stood and walked back to the car. I opened the door and climbed inside. I took one last look at her grave before starting the engine and pulling away for the last time. A calmness washed over me as I turned onto the main road. This time, I was really letting everything go. For some reason, when I’d freed her, I’d freed myself as well.

I smiled as I drove away. I was finally free.





Cigarette smoke was everywhere, making me cough, as Logan and I walked into the bar where Mikey’s band was playing tonight. After being away from the bar scene for over a year, I’d forgotten just how nasty some of them were. Playing big shows had obviously spoiled me.

I glanced around and found an empty table off to the side. I made my way over to it, holding on to Logan’s hand as I went. It was off to the right of the stage where there were hardly any lights. It would be the perfect place to watch the band perform without being seen myself.

I dropped down into one of the chairs.

Instead of sitting down next to me, Logan motioned toward the bar. “I’m going to get us a couple of beers. I’ll be right back.”

I nodded as he turned and walked away. I leaned back into my chair and looked around the bar. It was fairly full, but there were still several empty tables. I found that strange since the band would be playing in less than twenty minutes. When Breaking the Hunger played, we would usually have a full house an hour before we went onstage. From what I could remember, Mikey’s band had been pretty decent when I was with them. Then again, I remembered how much I’d improved once I started playing with Eric. Maybe they weren’t as good as I’d thought.

Red’s “Perfect Life” played loudly through the speakers as the band walked onstage and started setting up. I noticed Mikey instantly. Logan had been right. Mikey screamed arrogant and cocky. He walked around like he owned the world. For some reason, I’d forgotten that about him. His arrogance was one of my biggest pet peeves when it came to him.

I didn’t recognize any of the other guys in the band. When I had been with their band, it had been Mikey, Scott, Jason, and me. A bad feeling came over me as I realized Mikey was the only original member left. Had he run Scott and Jason off? I hoped not, but I could see Mikey doing it. He was enough of an * to do it.

My eyes widened as I noticed the guy setting up his drums.

Ryan? Holy shit!

The kid I remembered was long gone. In his place stood a man who looked like Mikey’s twin. His hair, his features, the tattoos covering his arms—everything about Ryan reminded me of Mikey. The only difference was the fact that he didn’t seem to have Mikey’s arrogance. That was something at least. I just hoped that he wouldn’t be an * when I talked to him. Sometimes, looks could be deceiving.

“Here you go, babe,” Logan said as he sat down next to me. He handed over one of the beers he was holding.

“Thanks.” I took a drink and set it on the table.

I looked around the bar to see a few more people trickling in. That made me feel slightly better. As much as I disliked Mikey, I didn’t want him or his band to suck.

“I’m exhausted,” Logan said as he leaned back in his chair.

“Me, too. Packing sucks ass,” I grumbled.

We’d spent the entire day packing our things. Somehow, we’d managed to accumulate more stuff while living in our apartment. Instead of having just a few bags filled with clothes, we now had a few boxes to add to the car. We’d packed up everything and set it by the door. Neither of us had felt like loading all of it into Logan’s car just yet.

I wasn’t sure about him, but it made me sad to realize that our summer together was over. I didn’t want to leave behind Bethaney or my apartment with Logan. I had no idea what tomorrow would bring for Logan and me, but I knew we needed to talk about it. Once we made it back to West Virginia, I would have to fly back to L.A. within a day or two to meet up with the guys and start recording. Logan and I definitely needed to figure out where we stood. If he were willing, I would be okay with a long-distance relationship. It would suck, but I’d deal with it. I didn’t want to lose him.

The music coming from the speakers was cut.

“Are you guys ready for Split Chords? Give ’em a big ole round of applause because they’re up!” a booming voice said.

Several people stood and walked toward the stage as the band members took their places. I had to admit that Mikey looked good up there, and several women in the crowd seemed to think so, too, as they shouted his name.

I leaned back in my chair and watched as the band started into their first song. I couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride when I heard Ryan playing drums. The little shit was good. It was obvious that he’d paid attention to what I taught him before, but he’d definitely learned a lot more since I left.

The two new guys were good as well, but they weren’t as good as Mikey and Ryan. Most of the crowd didn’t notice when they messed up, but I could tell instantly. Either these guys hadn’t been playing with Mikey and Ryan for very long, or the band wasn’t in sync like Breaking the Hunger was. I hoped it was the former and not the latter.

It was strange to be sitting in the crowd instead of onstage. It had been a long time since I watched a show. I leaned into Logan and closed my eyes as I listened to Mikey sing about lost love and pain. His voice was soothing, but he had nothing on Drake. Mikey’s voice was mellow, but it lacked the emotion that Drake’s voice held. Both men were nice to look at, but Drake’s voice was what could pull so many people in. Mikey could be the prettiest guy on earth, but if he didn’t show any emotion in his song, he would never make it further than playing at bars.