Toxic: Logan's Story (Torn #4)(68)

“You’re kind of awesome. You know that, right?” I said as I finally let my hand fall away from her face.

She laughed. “Yeah, I know. If it’s okay with you, I’d like to keep in touch while we’re apart—as friends, of course.”

“I’d like that. Just give me this last year of college to sort everything out, and then we’ll see what happens. I don’t want to lose you, but I need this.”

“Logan, you won’t lose me. I’ll always be yours.”



I walked back into Chloe and Drake’s house almost an hour later. Chloe was sitting on the couch, but when she saw me, she jumped up and followed me up the stairs.

“How did it go?” she asked when we reached my room.

“I believe her about what happened with Mikey. I think I believed it as soon as Drake told me what had happened,” I said as I sat down on the bed.

“So, you two worked everything out?” She sat down next to me.

“Yeah, we did.”

Chloe grinned. “I’m so happy for you, Logan! You and Jade are going to be really happy together. Are you going to move in with her or try to find a place of your own? Oh! And as for school, I can show you the online college that I enrolled in. They’re awesome, and it’s completely online. That was great while we were touring. It would have been hard to attend classes while I was in Europe with the band.”

“I’m going home, Chloe,” I said.

Her eyes widened in surprise. “Wait, what? Why? I thought you said you two worked things out?”

“We did, but seeing how I was after the Mikey situation made me realize that I’m not ready to have a relationship right now. I’ve spent the last few years not really living. Instead, I moped around after I lost you. Then, I did the same with Jade. I just want to focus on school and try to get my life in order right now. After I graduate, we’ll see how things stand between Jade and me. If we’re both willing to give it another shot, we will.”

“I don’t know what to say, Logan,” Chloe said, her eyes filled with sadness. “I feel like this is my fault. You wouldn’t have to do this if it wasn’t for what I did to you.”

“You don’t have to say anything, Chloe. I’m going to go home, go to school, and figure things out. If Jade and I are meant to be together, then we’ll be fine. If not, then we’ll move on. I really do hope that things work out between us, but I’m not going to worry about it right now.”

“Do you want to stay with us for a few days to make sure before you go all the way back home?”

“Nah. I’m going to book my ticket and head back tomorrow if I can. I’m sure Amber will pick me up from the airport.”

Chloe frowned but nodded. “I’ll support you with whatever decision makes you happy.”

“I know you will. I’m going to book my flight and go ahead and get packed up,” I said, hinting for her to leave. I had a lot going through my head, and I wanted to be alone to try to process all of it.

Despite my words, deep down, I was worried that this would ruin any chance for Jade and me, but I knew I needed to figure everything out if I ever wanted to be truly happy.

“I’ll let you be then. I’m going to start dinner since Drake will be home soon. You’ll eat with us, won’t you?”

I smiled. “Of course. Just yell when it’s ready.”

She closed the door behind her when she left. I pulled my phone out of my pocket and booked a flight for first thing in the morning. After that was done, I packed up the few clothes I had out and tossed my bag on the floor.

My phone beeped just as I was about to open my door and walk downstairs.

Jade: I miss you already, friend.

I grinned as I typed my reply.

Me: I miss you, too, friend. We’ll talk soon.



“I can’t believe you came back. I seriously thought you were joking last night when you texted and asked me to come pick you up from the airport,” Amber said.

She pulled away from the airport and hit the interstate.

“I told you I’d be back. When have I ever lied to you?” I asked.

“Well, never, but still…I thought for sure you’d move out there and shack up with Jade.”

I grinned. “Nah, I like shacking up with you too much.”

“Aw, you have such a way with words, Logan. My panties just melted.”

I snorted. “Since when do you wear panties?”

She giggled. “Shut up, and tell me what happened. I thought you’d be all whiny and shit since you came home, but you’re not. Did you talk to Jade or what?”

“Yeah, I talked to her. She was innocent, just like Chloe and Drake had said.”

“So, why aren’t you with her now? And don’t tell me it’s because you enjoy my company so much.” Amber changed lanes to pass a car.

“Because I need some time to myself. I need to stop focusing every part of my life on whether or not I’m in a relationship, and I need to just start living. I have a year left at WVU, and then I’ll be out in the real world. I want to take this last year to just enjoy myself.”

“I get that. I do. I spent so much time focusing on one guy that I forgot how to have fun. Now, I do what I want, and I love it,” Amber said.