Torn (Torn Series) (17 page)

I burst out laughing at her dirty mind. “I never took you as a fan girl. Seriously though, he’s a good friend, but he’s crap to women.”

She frowned, “Yeah that’s what I heard,
too bad it’s true. The things I’d like to do to that boy.”

I smiled and waved as we made our way to our cars. I pulled my phone out and sent a quick text to Drake, reminding him we would be there tomorrow night. I had told him we were planning on going yesterday during class, and he gave me a hard look, but wasn’t able to say anything to me since Logan was with us. Before I could start my car, Drake called my phone.

“Hello?”

“Hey, I just got your text. Are you sure you’ll be ok with going to the bar after what happened last time?”

My free hand gripped the steering wheel until my knuckles turned white. “I’ll be fine, I will not let that asshole control my life.”

I heard Drake’s bed squeaking as he laid down.

“Alright, but promise me you’ll stay with Logan while I’m playing.”

“I promise. I need to get
home, I’ll talk to you tomorrow ok?”

“Goodnight Chloe, sweet dreams.”

              Drake wasn’t in class the next morning, but he was sitting at our usual table with a girl I had never seen before sitting on his lap when Logan and I walked into the cafeteria.

“You missed a bunch of notes this morning. Where were you?” I asked as I sat down across from him, ignoring the girl on his lap.

“I had some car trouble this morning so I had Adam drop me off late. I need to go to the library this afternoon after class, so if it’s alright with you, I’ll catch a ride with you guys to the bar.”

I nodded as I stood to get in line for food, “That’s fine, we’re all riding together in my car but I have enough room.”

As I stood in line, I glanced back at the table to see the girl was gone, and Logan was in deep conversation with Drake, their heads bent close together. When I approached the table, they both pulled away from each other and looked at me. While Logan had an easy smile on his face and seemed relaxed, Drake’s body was coiled tight as he frowned up at me.

“What were you two talking about?”

Logan wrapped his arm around my shoulders and pulled me close while Drake followed our every move with his gaze.

“Nothing, just talking about watching him
play tonight. I’m curious to see if he’s as good as everyone says.”

I looked at Drake, but he had lowered his gaze, his shoulders tight with tension. Somehow I didn’t believe that’s what they were talking about.

“I’ve seen them play, he’s seriously amazing. You guys are going to go far, I can already tell.”

Drake gave me a small smile but it didn’t quite reach his eyes, “Thanks, Adam has a tour set up for us over the summer once school is over. He’s got us gigs in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and even a couple small time places in New York.”

My smile brightened, “That’s awesome Drake! You watch, once summer is over you’ll be a big time rock star and you’ll forget all about us little people.”

“You don’t have to worry about that, I don’t think I’d ever be able to forget you.” 

Logan’s hold on me tightened as I felt my cheeks warm.

“I bet you say that to all the girls.”

He laughed as he pushed his chair back and stood, “You’re right, I do. I’ve got to go make a few calls about my car, I’ll see you guys tonight.”

I felt Logan’s grip relax as Drake left.

“I really don’t like that guy sometimes.”

I elbowed him in the ribs. “He’s a good
guy, he just likes to hide it.”

“Still doesn’t mean I have to like him,” I glared at him and he laughed, “Alright, I’ll back
off, I promised I would try to get along with him after all. So, after we leave the bar, I thought we could do a movie night in my room? My roommate won’t be there like normal, so you can have his bed.”

“I don’t
know, what if someone catches me in there?”

“Like I said, my roommate isn’t going to be home and no one else is going to come to my room. Please, I feel like I haven’t seen you in weeks.”

I instantly felt bad; I had been neglecting Logan with everything else going on in my life. “Ok, but only if I get to pick the movie.”

He smiled as he leaned down and kissed the top of my head. “Fair enough, it’s a date.”

I tensed at his words, but didn’t respond at first. Maybe we could ease into this and see where it went instead of jumping in with both feet.

“It’s a date.”

Chapter Twelve

Everything Changes

              I sat on my bed with Logan, Amber, and Rachel, talking as we waited for Drake to show up. We had spent the last twenty minutes in my room waiting for him to arrive and so far the only thing he had done was make us wait. I glanced anxiously between the clock and a severely pissed off Logan before deciding to call him.

“Hello?”

“Where are you at? It’s almost eight o’clock and you go on at nine.”

“I’m finishing up at the library
now, can you come over and pick me up?”

I sighed, “Yeah, wait for us outside, I’ll be there in a couple minutes,” I hung up with him and turned to everyone, “Come on, we have to pick him up at the library.”

Logan took my hand in his as we walked to my car. I caught Amber staring at us and gave her a weak smile. She chuckled and shook her head as she got in, but thankfully said nothing. We pulled up in front of the library a few minutes later to see Drake waiting on us. I popped the trunk so he could stash his jacket and guitar inside.

Rachel scooted over closer to Amber with a star struck look on her face as Drake sat down next to her. He glanced over at her and gave her that killer smile that made my knees weak.

“I don’t think we’ve met, I’m Drake.”

Rachel looked ready to pass out as she gazed up at him.

“I know who you are. I’m Rachel, Chloe’s roommate.”

My stomach tightened as they continued to flirt all the way to the bar. Drake had made his position with me clear, and yet I couldn’t help but get jealous when he gave any girl attention.

I parked as far away from the spot we had been in that night with Nick as I could. Bile rose in my throat as I glanced in that direction, almost expecting him to still be laying there bleeding. I started shaking as we walked toward the doors. Drake, who had been watching me without my knowledge, was at my side instantly.

He wrapped his arm around
me and pulled me into his side.

“It’s alright, I’m here. He won’t hurt you again, I promise.”

My voice was stuck in my throat so I couldn’t reply. When we reached the entrance and caught up with our friends, he released me and stepped in first, giving me a minute to compose myself. I could feel his eyes on me as I pushed through the crowd to catch up and I gave him a small nod to let him know I was ok.

Drake led us to an empty table next to the stage carrying his guitar.

“I had them save this one for you guys. I’ve got to go back and meet up with the guys and Jade.”

Rachel watched his retreating figure with rapt attention and my jealous side reared its ugly head.

“Earth to Rachel, come in Rachel,” I said as I snapped my fingers in front of her face.

“What, oh sorry.”

I shook my head as Logan chuckled.

“Don’t go there Rachel, if you have sex with him, you’ll make it awkward for me when he kicks you to the curb.”

Rachel frowned, “I wasn’t planning on having sex with him.”

I gave her an incredulous look, “Could’ve fooled me.”

Amber jumped up before Rachel could reply.

“Chloe why don’t you come to the bar with me and help me get us drinks.”

I stood and followed her to the bar. She spun around as soon as we were out of earshot.

“What the hell was that?”

I looked at her confused, “What are you talking about?”

“You know exactly what I’m talking about. You blew at Rachel for no reason.”

I shrugged as I ordered our beers, “No I didn’t. I just saw the way she was looking at Drake. If they hook up, it’ll make it awkward every time we’re all together.”

“Are you sure that’s all it is? Because I saw the way you were looking at him. For God’s sake, Chloe, get your act together. You were just holding hands with Logan earlier.”

              “You’re imagining things. I’m over Drake, and I haven’t given Logan an answer, we’re taking things slow.”

She shook her head, “I’m not blind Chloe, you can lie to yourself, but you can’t lie to me. You still care about Drake and you’re stringing Logan along. Do you even have feelings for him or are you just trying to get over Drake?”

I grabbed the beers and turned to glare at her, “Yes, I do fucking care about Logan, I’m trying to get my shit together. I do want to give Logan a chance, but I’m afraid ok? I don’t want to lose him.”

“Do you really think he would abandon you if things went south with him? He cares too much about you to let that happen. You need to get your head out of Drake’s ass and see what’s standing right in front of you.”

“You think I don’t know how amazing Logan is? Because I do, so stop trying to push me to him and let things happen!” I practically shouted as I walked back to the table. I sat Logan’s beer in front of him and forced a smile onto my face.

He pulled my chair closer to him
and rested his hand on my thigh.

“What took you guys so long?”

I glanced at Amber who was looking anywhere but at me. “We had to wait forever, sorry.”

             
We sat and talked as we waited for Drake and the other members to take the stage.  Logan barely touched his beer, but our waitress brought a couple over to me while we waited. Finally, the lights were lowered and the band came out of the side door and took the stage. I watched as Drake introduced them and then started into the first song. Just like before, I was mesmerized by his voice as the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. He just had a presence on stage that demanded you stop whatever you were doing and listen to him.

I bobbed my head with the music as they played a few fast songs. A group of girls appeared in front of Drake as he continued to sing. He would occasionally glance down at them and wink, causing them to scream out his name. I rolled my eyes at their attempts to get his attention.

He finished out the current song and waited for everyone to stop shouting out his name before he spoke, “Alright, we’re going to slow it down a bit with a new song. I wrote this earlier in the week, I hope you all enjoy it,” he smiled at the women standing at his feet, “This one is for all the ladies in the room.”

They started screaming as Jade started in with a slow beat, followed by Eric and Adam. Drake came in last with his guitar as he closed his eyes and started singing the most beautiful lyrics I had ever heard.  I froze as his eyes opened and locked onto mine.

I’ve searched high and low for someone like you

Feeling like there was no one around

Until I saw you

You look my breath away, made me smile

Stole my heart and blinded me with your beauty

I’m raw when you’re not around

Lost when you’re gone you see, but that’s how it has to be

Such beauty could never be wasted on me

I hope you’ll understand why

I push you away and hide inside myself

I’ll never be good enough, I’m caged inside myself

Please forgive me

Please forgive me.

My eyes stung with tears as I listened to him sing to me.

Logan nudged me and whispered in my ear, “You want to dance?”

I didn’t, not while Drake stood on stage and bared his soul to me, but I nodded and let him lead me into the space where several other couples were already dancing.

He pulled me close and rested his hands on my hips as I watched Drake behind him. He was still staring at me, with a look of pure pain on his face and it broke my heart. If only things could have been different. Logan hugged me tight as we swayed back and forth and kissed me on the cheek. I looked away from Drake to Logan as I leaned in and gently kissed him on the lips. I had to move on and Logan was standing right here in front of me, waiting on me, his eyes filled with love. I had to accept that I would never have Drake.

Logan returned my kiss eagerly before pulling back.

“What was that for?”

“It just felt right.”

He smiled as Drake finished the song and told everyone goodnight. Logan and I grabbed a couple bottles of beer and returned to the table. The band packed up their instruments and followed Drake over to our table.

Jade smiled at me as she pulled a chair from a neighboring table and sat down next to me.
“Hey Chloe, good to see you again.”

“Yeah, you too.”