Toxic: Logan's Story (Torn #4)(72)

I sat down on the floor as Michael went to the tree and started grabbing toys out from underneath it. He picked up a toy guitar first and brought it over to me. I almost laughed.

Like father, like son.

“Lookie.” He shoved the guitar in my lap and darted back to the tree.

Jade walked into the room and sat down on the couch, grinning from ear to ear. We both knew that Michael was my little buddy. Anytime we were around, he clung to me.

I glanced up when Chloe and Drake walked into the room. Chloe’s eyes were glued to Michael as he carried over several tiny dinosaurs so that I could see them. Drake caught my eye and nodded.

Things had been calm between Drake and me for a long time. While we would never be best friends, we respected each other, and that was enough for both of us.

“Where’s Amber?” I asked Chloe.

I knew that Eric and Adam had stayed back in L.A. this year, but I thought that Amber would be here.

“She’s with her mom this year,” Chloe said, giving me a sad smile as she and Drake sat down.

“Oh,” I said, frowning.

“Look, Uncle Loogahn, dino!” Michael said as he held the plastic toys in front of my face.

“Awesome, little man.” I took one from him and started poking him with it.

He giggled and dropped to the floor in front of me.

“Hey, Michael. Why don’t you go over to that box and grab a few of the presents? I bet some are for you.” Jade grinned at him.

She didn’t have to tell him twice. He was up and running before she finished speaking. I laughed as he tugged on the box and pulled it over to me. I grabbed a few with Michael’s name on them and tossed them to him.

“Open up, little man,” I said.

He ripped the paper to shreds and pulled out his toys. “Woooooow,” he said as he looked at the massive bag of jumbo Legos.

“Ugh, my feet are already cursing you both.” Chloe mock-glared between Jade and me.

“It gets better,” I assured her as Michael went for the next present.

He squealed at the same time as Chloe groaned in defeat. Michael stared at the jumbo carton of tiny cars.

“I think I officially hate you,” Chloe muttered.

Drake laughed.

I grabbed two packages out of the box and tossed one to her and one to Drake. “Nah, you love us.”

Drake raised an eyebrow as he slowly unwrapped his gift. He laughed when he pulled a pair of Converse out of the box. “You know just what to get me. Thanks, guys.”

Jade glanced at Chloe. “Aren’t you going to open yours?”

Chloe gave Jade a smile as she opened hers. Her eyes widened in shock, and then she looked at first me and then Jade. “Seriously?” she gasped.

Drake leaned closer to her to see her present. He grinned before looking at me. “I think congrats are in order then.”

Chloe pulled a tiny white onesie out of the box that had I Love My Auntie written across the front. “Oh my God! I don’t know what to say! Just…ah!”

She jumped from the couch and tackled me. I laughed as she wrapped her arms around me.

“Logan, I’m so happy for you!”

“Thanks,” I said as she released me.

She ran over to Jade. Both women hugged each other tightly.

“How far along are you?” Chloe asked.

“We go to the doctor next week to see. I just got the positive test last week. You two are our closest friends, so we wanted to tell you first.”

“I’m really happy for both of you,” Drake said as he stood and scooped Michael up off the floor.

Michael clung to his dad as he grinned at all of us. He was excited because everyone else was even though he didn’t understand why.

I felt the breath leave me as Chloe stood and wrapped her arms around Drake and Michael. They looked like the perfect family. I glanced at Jade, knowing that the scene in front of us would be us in just a few months.

I stood and pulled Jade up off the couch. She wrapped her arms around me.

“I love you.”

“I love you, too,” she said.

“I’m starving. Can we eat yet?” Drake asked, breaking our moment.

I released Jade, but I grabbed her hand as we followed Chloe, Drake, and Michael into the kitchen. Michael laughed as Drake tossed him into the air. Jade and I sat down, and Drake tried to get Michael settled into his high chair.

“I gots your nose!” Michael shouted as he grabbed Drake’s nose.

“Oh no! Not my nose!” Drake said before pretending to cry.

Michael lost it giggling and finally let Drake sit him in his chair.

Chloe put a plate of food in front of Michael, and Drake cut the turkey into tiny pieces for him. Michael ignored it as he grabbed his spoon and started shoveling mashed potatoes in his mouth.

Jade grabbed my hand under the table and squeezed. I glanced over at her to see her smiling at me.

“That’ll be us soon,” she whispered.

I leaned in and kissed her softly. “I know. I can’t wait.”

Jade and I were the perfect example of fate. After the way she’d grown up and the things I’d gone through with Chloe, neither of us had expected to end up happy.

Sometimes, fate steps in though. Sometimes, we’re meant to have our happily ever after even if it’s not with who we expected. Sometimes the most toxic events and emotions can lead us to where we belong.