Toxic: Logan's Story (Torn #4)(64)

“I’m glad that you were able to talk with her. I know you guys have an awkward relationship.”

“Yeah. I mean, we won’t be calling each other daily or anything, but I promised that I’d visit again soon. She seemed happy about that.”

“Well, like I said, I’m glad. I always liked your mom even though she wasn’t around much.”

The car was silent for a few minutes.

Drake spoke up, “So, what are your plans once we get to L.A.?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know. If it’s okay with you guys, I’ll crash at your place. I’ll find Jade tomorrow and talk to her, and then I’ll go home the following day.”

“What if things work out? You won’t go home then, will you?” Chloe asked.

“I have to. I’m paying half the rent on the house Amber and I are living in. Plus, I have school. If Jade and I work things out, we’ll just have to deal with living apart.”

“You could always transfer schools, you know. There are colleges in California, or you can do what I did and take online courses. I’m sure Amber’s mom and dad will help her with the rent until she finds someone new to room with,” Chloe said.

I raised an eyebrow. “Why are you so determined to make sure that Jade and I end up together?”

“Because I want you both to be happy, and after all of this sorted out, I think you two could be really happy with each other. You both care a lot about each other. I’ve never seen Jade act the way she did when Drake called her. She was really upset. And you’ve been Mopey McMoperpants since you came home. It’s obvious that you’re both miserable without one another.”

“Do you really think that we’d be happy together? Honestly, I’m not so sure. I don’t exactly fit in with the rest of her world.”

“Why do you think that?”

“She’s a rock star, Chloe, and I’m just…I’m not into that scene. I don’t like the same things you guys do. I don’t look like any of the other guys she hangs out with. I’m not pierced or tattooed. I’m not…I don’t know what the f*ck I’m trying to say here.”

Chloe started to say something, but Drake cut her off, “Look, Logan, I’ve known Jade for a long time. I’ve watched her get hit on by tons of guys, and she’s never paid attention to any of them. She didn’t care that they were part of our scene. Truthfully, most of the guys we hang out with are womanizing *s.”

“True story,” Chloe cut in, giving Drake a dirty look.

“Hey, I haven’t been that way in a long time. Don’t glare at me like that. Anyway, my point is, just because she lives a certain way and has a certain profession doesn’t mean that she’s going to want a certain type of guy. She obviously likes you, so just go with it.”

“He’s right. Don’t doubt yourself because you two have different lives. You’re a good-looking guy, Logan. You don’t need tattoos or piercings for girls to notice you. Jade obviously likes you just the way you are.”

“I feel like I should pull the car over, so we can all hug. This is getting awkward,” Drake muttered.

Chloe laughed. “Don’t be jealous, Drake. I think you’re a good-looking guy, too.”

He rolled his eyes. “Thanks. I feel much more secure about our marriage now that you’ve admitted you’re attracted to me.”

I grinned, unable to stop myself. Being around Chloe and Drake was eye-opening. The way the two of them were around each other made me realize just how much they cared about each other. I hated that their beginning had been the end for me, but I was glad that Chloe was happy.

Maybe I would find the same kind of happiness she had with Drake. Jade’s face came to mind. Maybe she could be the one.

I just hoped that I wasn’t flying toward more heartache.



I slept on and off as we flew to L.A. I’d flown once or twice before, but it was nothing compared to flying in Drake’s label’s private plane. Instead of sitting in a cramped seat with screaming kids and annoyingly loud passengers surrounding me, I’d been sprawled out on a leather couch for most of the trip. I hated moving back to my seat when the pilot announced that we would be landing soon.

As soon as we landed, I followed Drake and Chloe to where a massive SUV was waiting for us. The Mercedes SUV had black tinted windows, so no one could see who was inside. I climbed into the very back row of seats as Chloe and Drake sat down in the row in front of me. Once our luggage was loaded into the back, a driver took us to Drake’s house.

“Nice setup you have going on here,” I said as we drove along the crowded streets of L.A.

“I don’t think I’ll ever get used to it,” Chloe said as she looked over her shoulder at me.

“I don’t think I could either. I’m almost afraid to see your house,” I joked.

“Don’t worry. Our home is just a normal house. The label owns this car and the plane. That’s why it looks so expensive,” Chloe assured me.

It was taking forever to get to Drake and Chloe’s house. The traffic in L.A. was like nothing I’d ever seen before. I couldn’t imagine trying to drive in it daily. Nope, I’d stick to West Virginia’s two-lane roads and four-lane interstates. This was a nightmare. We finally managed to escape the bumper-to-bumper cars when we hit another interstate. It was still packed, but at least the traffic was flowing here.