Bella rubs her hand up and down my back in support as I scan through the story. Apparently I flew off the handle for no reason, my dad presumed I was on drugs, beat him within an inch of his life and left him where he went on to have a heart attack, thankfully to be found by a neighbour.
“That is so not what fucking happened,” I say completely aghast. “B?”
“We know, Cole, we know.”
It’s only now that I take Victoria’s advice from earlier and sit down. I put my head in my hands and let what I’ve just read settle into my brain. The images of what actually happened that day running on repeat behind my eyes.
“When I got home from our dance class dad went crazy. It wasn’t the first time he’d hit me but he was so angry that his boy was doing a girls hobby, and when he accused me of being gay and I just agreed. Shit, I’ve never been more scared in my life. I seriously didn’t think he was going to stop until he killed me. I got two punches in to try to defend myself but he swerved the third and I punch the wall, breaking my hand in the process.” When I look up I see recognition in Logan’s eyes, I told him about breaking my hand punching someone the day I first went to his hotel room all those weeks ago. I bet he never thought it was my dad I was hitting at the time.
“He eventually backed off, I remember him stumbling back until he hit the wall. I presumed he’d worn himself out. If I knew he was having a bloody heart attack I wouldn’t have run. Yes he’s a monster but I’m not. Fuck, after all these years why has he got to do something like this now?”
“I’m so sorry, Cole,” Bella says coming to sit down next to me.
“Why, it’s not your fault.”
“I’m the one that acted like a twat and pulled the media attention on to us. If I didn’t make us front page news then no one would have paid him a penny for his bullshit.” I understand what she’s saying but she’s definitely not to blame. The only person who’s at fault is hiding behind this bunch of lies. “I hate him so much. How you looked, even days later, still haunts me.”
I put my arm around Bella to comfort her but honestly I think I need it just as much as her. I hardly ever think about those times and I hate that he is now making me do so.
A thought suddenly hits me. “You said we were both in the press. What’s in there about Lo-Chase,” I ask correcting myself.
Victoria flicks the screen of her tablet before handing it back again.
PREGNANT WITH CHASE’S BABY
“WHAT!” I shout.
“It’s not true,” Logan quickly says, like he needs to tell me.
“I know,” I state reassuringly. Me not believing him is not the reason for my anger. “How fucking dare she? Who is she?”
“A girl I was pictured with at a club a few months back. I kissed her, got papped, but that’s it.”
“You’re both going to need to speak to our publicist but I’m pretty sure you need to lay low for a bit. I can’t see how you both responding to these stories to claim your innocence is going to help. In the eyes of the press instantly jumping to your defences will make you look guilty.”
Not long later Victoria leaves us to it. I’m still completely dumbfounded by the whole thing. We were so focused on the possibility of Aiden going to the press that we did not see this coming. I don’t know why I’m so surprised about my dad, I should have been on my guard. He always did anything he could to get his hands on some extra cash so I don’t know why I didn’t think that me suddenly being a very, very minor celebrity would give him inspiration.
As soon as the door closes behind her Logan comes to sit next to me and wraps his arms around me. It instantly calms me and makes me realise that I really needed it earlier. Yes Bella’s presence was soothing but it’s not the same as him.
“I’m gonna go,” Bella announces sadly.
It’s only now that I get a good look at her and something tells me that look on her face isn’t just because of what we’ve just learnt.
“What’s wrong, B?” I watch her eyes fill with tears before she looks away from me. “Bella?”
“It…it’s nothing.”
I see her glance at Logan briefly in concern. “I’ll walk you out,” I say so we can have a little privacy. After everything that went on yesterday with Drew I can only presume it’s to do with him and she doesn’t want to talk about it in front of Logan.
Bella nods at me and I follow her to the door before stepping out into the corridor.
“What’s happened?”
“He left.”
“Did you have a good night though?” I ask trying to focus on the positive.
“No, after you turned up he left. Didn’t say anything just got up and left,” she explains before bursting into tears.
When I get back in after calming Bella down I find Logan on his phone.
“No, Mum. No I didn’t get her pregnant.”
I can hear her speaking on the other end but not loud enough to make out words.
“Because I know, that’s how.”
I guess just because his mum knows he’s gay it doesn’t mean this is out of the realms of possibility. After all he’s spent the last year or so trying to get pictured with random women to make himself look straight so he could have taken it further.
“How’re you doing?” Logan asks me once he’s convinced his mum she’s not going to be a grandma.
“Fine, I guess. I mean, I could do without all this bullshit but there we go.”
Thankfully Victoria phoned up not long later to tell Logan that she had cancelled his two interviews for later that day so we were able to spend a whole day relaxing and hiding from all the gossip going on outside our hotel room. I felt awful leaving Bella alone. I rang her a couple of times and tried to get her to come and hang out with us but she refused. I really hope she didn’t spend the whole day sulking in our hotel room.
Our day wasn’t totally peaceful. Logan’s phone was constantly going off. If it wasn’t Victoria then it was his mum, again, and Mia a few times wanting to know what was going on with both of us. It didn’t escape my attention that he heard nothing from Drew.
The two of us did mange to make use of the giant fuck off bath tub that sat in the centre of Logan’s hotel bathroom. We were as relaxed as possible in the situation and very well sated by the time we needed to leave for the venue for that nights show.
The amount of paparazzi was beyond belief outside both the hotel and at the venue. They had seriously increased in numbers since all the stories about Bella’s bed hopping but tonight was something else. The only thing I could do was put my head down and attempt to ignore their calls and insults. Bella held my hand tightly as we walked through the backstage entrance.
Nineteen
Before I know it, it’s the final venue of the tour. The last few weeks have gone insanely fast, even with the drama of the last few days. They haven’t always been smooth sailing but I have loved every minute of it. I went into this tour single with my best friend by my side. I never even considered that I’d meet someone, let alone the star of the show. As far as I was concerned, Logan Chase, or just Chase as I knew him then, was very straight and was sleeping with a different woman every night. How wrong was I?
I feel awful for pulling away from Bella these last couple of weeks. It wasn’t until Drew’s departure a few days ago that it really hit me. She was in such a good place when we left for this tour but I feel like I’m going home with a completely different person. She’s withdrawn from everyone, including me, choosing to spend the last few days locked in her hotel room until it’s time to head to the venue. I hate it. I want my bubbly red head back.
On the other hand, Logan, who I thought was going to retreat from me after the whole thing with Aiden, has been fine. He’s been way more risky with little touches or looks when we’ve been with other people. It’s like he had some sort of reality check after Aiden left and the gossip broke about his possible love child. He hasn’t said anything but the difference is obvious. The buzz around the
woman claiming to be pregnant with his child is still there but as each day passes, it’s less and less. She hasn’t really got a leg to stand on. She can claim all she wants for the next few months, but as soon as that baby is born and a DNA test is done, the truth will be out.
My dad has thankfully crawled back under the rock he came from. He had his five minutes of fame and pay out and he’s obviously happy. Luckily the gossip surrounding me only lasted a couple of days. Other more famous people doing stupid things soon replaced it. I have no intention of being a celebrity, I am more than happy in Logan’s shadow.
Logan released the first song from his new album earlier in the week and we’re having a bit of a party before the show to see where it charts. He’s convinced it’s not going to do that well but I don’t agree. It’s the ballad that he wrote about Annie being the only one who really knew him. It’s emotional and meaningful. I’m sure people will be able to hear the depth behind it. His voice is also incredible on it.
“Bella, please come,” I beg as I’m getting ready to head to tonight’s venue early.
“No, I’m not in the mood for people.”
“If by that you mean Drew then I already know he’s not coming, he has to work. It won’t be the same without you,” I say with a pout hoping it’ll make her feel sorry for me.
“No, I’ll meet you there later for the show.”
“Really?”
She doesn’t respond, she just looks sadly at me. She won’t talk to me about what happened with Drew that night, other then he left but I can guess. I can’t really say I’m surprised and I know Bella understands deep down because it’s a complicated situation. I have no idea if she was a rebound thing for Drew or if there was something deeper. I guess maybe time will tell, who knows.
“Last chance,” I say as I’m about to leave but she just shakes her head at me.
I walk down to meet the others with a heavy heart. I hate leaving her behind to go and have fun.
Logan’s already at the venue, he’s been doing interviews all day at different places across the city. I head straight for his dressing room when I arrive. I may have only seen him when we woke up this morning but I miss him.
I knock on his door and wait for him to shout before letting myself in just in case he’s still busy.
“Hey,” he says and immediately gets up and meets me halfway. His lips don’t waste anytime and descend on mine straight away. I tilt my head to the side to deepen the kiss when a knock sounds on the door. Whoever it is doesn’t wait to be invited in though because the door is thrown open before either of us has chance to move.
“Fucking knew it!” I hear a familiar voice say.
When I turn, I’m looking straight in to Pip’s amused eyes.
“Whatever,” Logan says and my chin drops at his flippant attitude at being caught. I expected him to flip out.
“Anyway…did Bella not come with you?” Pip says turning to me.
“No, she refused to come until later. I tried but she wasn’t having any of it.”
I’m not the only one who has been trying to cheer her up. Pip has been to our hotel room at least once a day to try to convince her to leave but she’s point blank refuses. I can tell he’s just as concerned as I am but she won’t open up to him either.
“He did a real number on her, huh?” he comments before turning to leave. “As you were,” he shouts over his shoulder with a laugh.
“Are you…okay?” I ask Logan once the door is shut.
“Yeah, why?”
“Pip just caught us kissing.”
“I’m aware, thanks!” he replies with a laugh.
“Sorry, I just thought you’d freak out.”
Logan walks over, wraps his arms around my waist and rubs his nose against mine. “So did I, but it turns out I don’t care. I actually feel like shouting it from the rooftops all of a sudden.”
“Are you drunk?” I ask completely stunned by his words.
“Only on you.”
I can’t help swooning at his cheesy line. It totally hits the spot.
When we enter the backstage bar everyone is there, well apart from Bella. Mia comes running over towards us and throws herself at Logan before doing the same to me.
“I can’t wait for you to be home, I miss you, Uncle Lo.”
“Aw, I miss you too, sweetheart.”
Logan’s parents follow Mia over and greet their son. Diane gives me a hug and a knowing smile while Keith just gives me a curt handshake.
I excuse myself from Logan and his parents to give them all a chance to catch up. I reluctantly go over to sit at the plastics table.
“Where’s Bella?” Connor asks when I sit down.
“Uh…not feeling well,” I say hoping it’ll pacify him and stop him being too nosey.
“She’s been quiet for a while. Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, it’s just the end of the tour and she’s exhausted.”
Connor obviously gets bored of me and turns to Chantelle to chat. I ignore them in favour of looking around the room. Taking in what is the lead up to our penultimate show. There may have been times over the last few weeks of hotel hopping that felt like it was dragging but now we’re here almost at the end, I can’t believe how fast it’s gone. I feel like I could go for a few more weeks yet. Although that might just be my way of trying not to think about what life is going to be like without this. What will happen between Logan and me when I head home and he continues on this life of fame? Will what we have fizzle out or is it strong enough to withstand his lifestyle?
The thought of us not lasting, chokes me up. What I feel for Logan isn’t just some fleeting thing, it’s real. I haven’t told him yet because I don’t want to freak him out but I’ve known for quite a while now that I’ve fallen in love with him. Acknowledging that scares me more than I thought it ever would. I’m still scared he’s not going to come out, that I’m going to get pushed aside for his music just like Aiden did. But then we have moments like earlier in his dressing room and I get refilled with hope that we really do have something special. That he’ll be brave enough to fight through whatever him announcing he’s gay will bring.
I have no idea how much time goes by while I just sit and think but suddenly the room goes quiet and a voice booms over the sound system.
The DJ announces that they’re down to two artists in the race for number one. It’s going to either be Cherished Bliss or Chase who grabs the top spot. Everyone in the room holds their breath. The tension is palatable as we wait for the DJ to make the announcement.
“Okay, here it is. This week’s number one…”
The second the first note is played the entire room ignites into cheers and laugher, and everyone starts celebrating. I immediately turn to search out Logan in the crowd. When I find him, our eyes connect. My temperature increases and goose bumps erupt all over my body. He has this intense look in his eyes that I don’t think I’ve seen before.
He blinks, breaking his eyes from mine as he looks around the room at everyone celebrating his success. It’s only a matter of seconds before his eyes return to mine again and then he’s moving. He ignores everyone trying to congratulate him and just continues to walk towards me.
My heart starts to race and my palms start to sweat the closer he gets. When he’s stood right in front of me I swear I forget to breath. His eyes tell me he’s about to do something huge.
I’m sure a hush falls over the room as we stand staring at each other but I could be wrong because whenever I stare into his green pools I lose focus on everything around me.
“There’s only one person I want to celebrate with,” he says so only I can hear before doing something I never thought he would. He leans forward and places his lips to mine.
Not content with just that, I feel his hands come up and thread in my hair as his tongue runs across my lips. I gently touch my tongue to his before he pulls away all too soon. I realise when my surroundings come back to me that him pulling away was probabl
y a good thing.
I can’t help but burst out laughing at the look on everyone’s faces. Some look all soppy with slightly wet eyes, Diane included. Others have their mouths wide open in shock and some are cheering. Whether that’s still for the number one or the kiss I have no idea.
When a loud holler catches my attention I look over to see that it came from Pip and I can’t help the wide smile that stretches across my face when I see Bella cuddled into his side, smiling at me with tears running down her cheeks.
I’m too busy having a silent conversation with Bella to notice the blonde hair heading our way until Mia slams into us at some serious force.
“I love you two,” she squeals.
“Love you too, sweetheart,” Logan replies as his mum walks towards us trailed by his very shocked looking dad.
“I’m so very proud of you, Logan,” his mum says sniffling. Logan wraps his arms around her and kisses her head while she calms down.
“Dad, I’m…sorry.”
“Shut up you idiot, come here. I’m proud of you, son.” It’s now Logan’s turn to tear up. I have to say when I saw Keith’s shocked face I was nervous for him but as I’ve pointed out on a number of occasions his parents are awesome.
“Come on,” Logan says grabbing my hand and pulling me away from the crowded bar.
“Logan, we can’t just leave.”
“Watch me. I want some time with you alone before the show.”
When we get inside his dressing room he shuts the door behind us before backing me into it. His lips are immediately on mine. I just about have enough of my senses left to hear him flick the lock.
His head tilts to the side deepening our kiss. He teases his tongue against mine and I can’t help but wish I could be feeling that somewhere else on my body.
“Fuck, that felt so good,” he mumbles when he pulls back and looks at me.
“Kissing you is always good.”
“I didn’t mean that!” he says with a laugh. “I meant kissing you in front of all those people. It was like this weight immediately lifted from my shoulders. I don’t think I’ve ever felt this light…this free.” The smile on his face as he explains reflects how he’s feeling. I’ve always loved his smile, it’s always made my knees weak. But the smile he’s giving me now is taking over his entire face. Even his eyes are smiling.
Chasing Logan Page 20