Chapter 23

Shit. Shit. Shit.

“Logan,” I called the second he swung on his heel to leave, tearing myself away from Trent and running after him. “Wait up.”

He ignored me, striding away on those long legs of his that made it seem like he was actually running, with me jogging behind to keep us. I was trying not to shout because it wouldn’t do to let anyone know we were having an argument. The last thing I wanted to fuel these ridiculous rumors.

“Logan, please wait,” I called out softly, almost sighing in relief when he abruptly stopped, turning to face me. “I know you believe you understand what you saw but I’m not sure you understand that what you saw is not what happened.”

“Yeah?” his lips pursed in an angry straight line. “Tell me. Tell me what I saw.”

“He was just comforting me,” I said, adjusting me backpack because my I didn’t know what else to do with my fingers. “I’m sure you’ve heard the rumors.”

“Yes, I have,” he said, taking one step closer to me. It didn’t feel like all the other steps he took towards me like hooded eyes and a smirk gracing his lips. This one felt disappointment. “I heard that my girlfriend doesn’t really give a shit about me and is only using me to improve her social standing in school, while still dating her ex-boyfriend behind my back. Now imagine my surprise when I turn around and you’re hugging said boyfriend like your life depends on it.”

My nose prickled. “You know that’s not true,” my voice had dropped a few notches, and I was fighting the urge to cry. I hated the way he was looking at me like I had done something wrong because I hadn’t.

“I don’t know anything anymore, Hale. The other day you were telling him about how we weren’t serious and now this,” he stepped away from me, his eyes leaving mine, chest heaving as he gingerly ran his hand through his hair, gripping the tips. “I don’t know if you want me or if you want him.”

My vision blurred with angry tears because I couldn’t believe he thought so little of me. “You really think I’d two-time you?”

Meeting my eyes, I saw confliction swirling in his. He licked his lower lip hastily, and I knew he was battling with what to say. “No, I don’t think you’d two-time me,” he finally murmured, sighing. “But I do think you don’t know what you want. And until you figure it out, I don’t think we should be together.”

My hand instantly shot out to grab his arm. “Logan, please,” I couldn’t believe I was pleading with him not to break up with me, but I also couldn’t be selfish. Trent had made things between us difficult since his return and I knew Logan was apprehensive about my relationship with him. There was probably nothing I could say that would change his but I had to try.

“I don’t want anybody else. You have to trust me, Logan. I wouldn’t lie to you, not about something like this.”

He shook his head like he was fighting an internal battle. “There’s nothing to discuss, Hale. You know what? I can’t do this. Not right now. I have baseball practice in ten minutes.”

He turned and walked away, and all I could do was stare at his retreating back as the tears ran down my face. I didn’t even care that there were other students walking the hallway and probably staring at me. I was past caring at this point. They could say whatever they wanted.

“Harsh,” Trent called from behind me. “Wouldn’t you say?”

I wiped underneath my eyes, vaguely trying to recall one time where I’d cried because of Trent and came up short. “Not really. I deserved it.”

He was in front of me now, standing where Logan had stood a few moments ago. It felt wrong, unlike how it had been with Logan and a voice at the back of my head told me I should probably walk away just about now.

“It’s not your fault these silly rumors are spreading, Fireball. If he can’t see that, then you probably shouldn’t be with him.”

I searched his eyes for any sign that he was being insincere and found none. Maybe Trent really had nothing to do with this.

“He’s angry and hurt,” I knew that I sounded weak defending Logan, even to my own ears but I couldn’t help it. He was my boyfriend, after all and I didn’t want Trent thinking I didn’t care about him. “Anyone in his shoes would be too.”

“I wouldn’t be,” When Trent stepped closer to me, I let him. Not that I wanted to, but I began to remember all of the reasons I’d fallen for him two years ago. He’d been my first love and losing him had hurt me so deeply. With this proximity, I waited for my heart to pick up speed like it used to two years ago when he was near. Now that I’d gotten over my shock at having him around again, I realized that I felt nothing. Absolutely nothing.

It was like all those butterflies that used to flutter in my abdomen died all at once.

“I still want you back, Fireball,” he murmured and I only realized late that he’d brought his lips to rest on mine firmly. Again, no butterflies. Fuck.

Jumping back, I pushed myself away from him with force. “What is wrong with you?”

“I love you, Lexi and you have to know that.” He took a step forward and that prompted me to take one back. How did he not see that I was over him? “Fuck Logan. Don’t you remember what we had? We were amazing together, we were fantastic. You love me. You always have. Forget him. He doesn’t get you like I do.”

Oh, my god. I knew he wanted me back but I had no idea he was delusional. “You’re crazy,” I murmured, flummoxed at the way he was staring at me like he could see something I couldn’t. “Oh, it was you. You started the rumors.”

How didn’t I see it before? Trent was beyond delusional; he was also a very good lair. He’d made me believe he had nothing t0 do with the rumors but he’d started them, hoping Logan would push me away and I would run back into his arms.

Trent’s broad chest heaved, his blue eyes staring daggers at me. “What do you even see in him?”

God, he didn’t even have the decency to deny it. “Everything I don’t see in you.”

There was nothing else to say to him so I gathered the rest of my dignity and walked away from him, knowing I would never say anything to him again. I didn’t even want him as a friend after this. That fact that he’d intentionally caused me sadness… No, he wasn’t worth it.

So, who was? Logan? Because he’d made it clear that he didn’t want me.

Hot, angry tears ran down my face as I walked mindlessly to my next class. Maybe I shouldn’t have fallen for him. Maybe I should have continued hating him like I had been doing. At least then, I didn’t have to worry about him breaking my heart.