Toxic: Logan's Story (Torn #4)(6)

What the hell? I might as well drown my sorrows. I pulled into the parking lot, and I looked around to make sure that I didn’t see Drake’s car. Once I knew he wasn’t at the bar, I stepped out of my car and walked inside.

It was still early, and only a few people were around. I walked to the far side of the bar and sat down.

Seconds later, the bartender appeared in front of me. “What can I get you, honey?” She smiled at me.

“Whiskey,” I muttered.

“Coming right up.” She turned and walked farther down the bar to grab a bottle. She returned with Jack Daniel’s and a shot glass.

I watched as she poured the shot and handed it to me.

“Leave the bottle,” I said after I took the shot.

She raised an eyebrow but said nothing. I poured myself another shot as she moved away to wait on someone else. All I wanted to do was get wasted. Then, maybe I could forget how much of a shitfest my life really was.

“Logan?” a voice asked from behind me.

I turned to see the drummer of Drake’s band standing there. “Hey, Jade.”

“Want some company?” she asked.

“Sure. Why not?”

She sat down beside me and motioned for the bartender to bring over another shot glass.

“So, how are things?” she asked as she poured herself a shot.

“Wonderful. My girlfriend cheated on me with a guy who has slept with half of Morgantown. I couldn’t be happier.”

She sighed. “I’m sorry for what happened to you, Logan.”

“You have no reason to be sorry. You didn’t cheat on me.”

“I know. I just feel bad for what happened to you. If it makes you feel any better, I know Chloe and Drake never meant for this to happen. They both tried to stay away from each other.”

I snorted. “Right. I’m sure they did.”

She glanced over at me as I poured another shot.

“They did. I know you don’t like Drake, but I’ve been friends with him for a long time. He’s a good guy. If he didn’t love Chloe, he never would have gotten between the two of you. And I know Chloe cares a lot about you. She never wanted to hurt you.”

“Then, she should have been honest with me!” I shouted as I slammed the shot glass down on the bar. “That’s all she had to do. Instead, she kept things from me, and look where we are now.”

“I know. I’m not trying to defend them, honest. What they did to you was wrong, and now, all three of you are paying the price. I just wanted you to know that you’re not alone. I know it all seems really screwed-up right now.” She stood and placed her hand on my shoulder. “Call me if you need someone to talk to, okay?”

I nodded, not bothering to look up at her. I didn’t need anyone.





I spent the next few days avoiding everyone. I couldn’t stomach the pity in their eyes or their comforting words. I even avoided Amber until she got pissed off enough to beat my damn door down and demand an explanation. After I told her what happened, she went on a rampage and declared Chloe enemy number one. I told her to be nice. While I was angry with Chloe, I didn’t want to tear her and Amber apart. She wasn’t happy, but she agreed not to go beat the crap out of Chloe on my behalf. I considered that a victory. Amber wasn’t one to hide her feelings.

Jade showed up at my door one night with a bottle of Jack Daniel’s and two shot glasses. I almost closed the door in her face, but she pushed through before I could stop her. I wasn’t in the mood to talk to anyone.

“What do you want, Jade?” I asked as I rubbed my eyes. I was exhausted, and my bed was calling my name.

“I know what you’re doing, and I’m not going to let you do it,” she stated as she dropped down into the chair next to my desk. She set the Jack Daniel’s and shot glasses on the top of the desk.

“What am I doing?”

“Avoiding everyone and hiding.”

“I am not,” I muttered as I closed my door.

“Yes, you are.”

“So, what if I am? Maybe I don’t want to deal with people right now.”

“That’s fine. You don’t have to deal with people, just me.” She poured a shot and handed it to me. “Drink up.”

“What are you really doing here, Jade?” I asked as I took the glass.

She poured a shot for herself. “I’m keeping you company. I don’t want you to sit up here by yourself and mope. It isn’t healthy.”

“And getting drunk with someone I barely know is better?” I countered.

She laughed. “Good point, but I’m still not leaving. I don’t want you to be alone.”

“Why do you even care?” I gulped down my shot and handed the glass back to her.

She hesitated for a minute. “I don’t know, but I do, so you’re stuck with me. I’m going to cheer you up.”

I laughed. “There’s nothing you can do to cheer me up.”

“Then, we’ll sit here and stare at each other until you decide being miserable isn’t worth it.”

I sighed as she poured another shot and handed it to me. “Fine. Stay. Stare at me. I don’t care.”

We were both silent as we each took two more shots of whiskey. I sat down on my bed and waited for her to say something again. I knew next to nothing about Jade. The only thing I did know about her was the fact that she played drums in Drake’s band.