Taming Alec (14 page)

“All right, guys, both of you outside now,” Adam growled as he held me back.

He marched me offstage and across the bar to the door. Eric followed closely behind, still holding on to Drake. With their arms wrapped around each other, Jade and Chloe followed behind them at a distance.

When I stepped out into the cool night air, I breathed deeply, trying to control my rage.
How did my life come to this?

Chloe was everything to me, and she’d betrayed me. She might as well have stuck a knife in me. It wouldn’t have hurt as bad as this.

Once we were far enough away from the bar doors, Eric and Adam released Drake and me, and they stepped back.

“All right, you want to kick the shit out of each other, be my guest. We’re not going to stop you, but you guys need to get your shit together. Fighting over a girl is fucking ridiculous, and you know it. So, do what you want. Just get it out and over with before our drums suffer anymore,” Eric growled.

He and Adam made their way over to where Jade and Chloe were standing.

Drake and I faced each other, both of us glaring at the other. We glanced down when Chloe stepped forward to stand between us.

“Listen to me, both of you. This is so stupid, like Eric said. This is all my fault, and the two of you beating the shit out of each other isn’t going to fix anything. I fucked up, not you two. So, if you want to take your anger out on someone, take it out on me. I ruined everything.” Tears ran down her face as she looked at both of us. “You both mean so much to me, and I will never forgive myself for what I have done to you.”

She quickly turned away from us and headed across the parking lot to her car before either of us could say anything. We watched in silence as she pulled out of the lot and disappeared around the corner. Once she was out of sight, I turned my attention back to Drake.

“You destroyed everything!” I shouted at him.

“Fuck this. I’m going back inside. As much fun as it would be to watch you two idiots beat the shit out of each other, it’s cold out here,” Adam muttered.

He turned and walked back to the bar. Eric and Jade watched us for a second before turning and following him. I didn’t miss the pity in Jade’s eyes, but I ignored it. I didn’t want anyone to feel pity for me.

“You think I don’t know that, asshole?” Drake said as he glared at me. “I know this is my fault.”

“Then, why did you do it?” I shouted.

“Because I love her!” he shouted back.

That stopped me in my tracks. Of all the responses I’d expected, that hadn’t been one of them. Drake used women. He didn’t love them.

“You what?” I asked incredulously.

“I love her. I’ve tried to ignore it—believe me, I’ve tried—but I can’t. I love her, and I don’t know what the fuck to do about it.”

“You’re incapable of love, Drake. I’ve watched you screw every woman in sight for months!”

“I haven’t touched another woman since I figured out how I felt about Chloe. I wouldn’t do that to her.” He ran his hands through his hair. “Look, I think we need to talk and not in the middle of a parking lot. My house is right around the corner. Let’s go there and figure shit out, okay?”

I stared at him, debating on whether to go with him or punch him again. Finally, I decided that talking was the only thing that would solve this whole mess even if punching him would make me feel better. “Fine. Let’s go.”

Neither of us said a word as we walked to his house. He hadn’t been kidding when he said he lived right around the corner. I waited impatiently as he unlocked his front door, and then we walked inside. Once he flipped on the lights, we stepped into the living room and sat down across from each other.

“So, now what?” I finally asked after several minutes of silence.

“I don’t fucking know. I
do
know that I want Chloe more than anything else in this world,” he said as he stared at me.

“Yeah, well, so do I. I’ve loved her since the moment I laid eyes on her. It’s taken me four years to get up the nerve to tell her how I feel, and then you come along and sweep her off her feet in a few months.”

“I didn’t mean for it to go down like this. I’m not a complete asshole. I just…I can’t control myself around her.”

“I’ve noticed,” I growled as I clenched my hands into fists. “If I had known she was sleeping with you and me at the same time, I would have—”

“You would have what? Left her? Told her you hated her? Called her a slut?” he asked.

“I don’t know what I would have done, okay? I’ve spent most of my teenage years in love with her. I don’t know what to do.”

He sighed and ran his hands through his hair. “This is so fucked-up! I actually care about a girl, and she’s with someone else.”

“We have to let her choose. That’s all we can do,” I said.

He looked up at me and smirked. “And the loser does what? Walks away and pretends that none of this happened?”

“I guess so. What other choice do we have?”

“I can’t just walk away from her, Logan.”

“You have to. And if she chooses you”—I took a deep breath—“I’ll have to walk away. We’re ripping her apart.”

“You’re right.” Drake stood and kicked the chair he’d just been sitting in. “Why the fuck can’t I let her go?”

“For the same reason I can’t—you love her. Chloe is special.”

He smiled, the first one I’d seen all night. “Yeah, she is.”

I frowned as he stared off into space with that damn smile on his face. He pulled out his phone and started typing on it.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

“Texting her to see if she’s okay. She was really upset when she left the bar.”

“So, what do you want to do? Go talk to her now? Or wait until she calms down?” I asked.

“Let’s wait. I doubt she’ll speak to either of us right now,” Drake said as he looked at me. “Look, I know you don’t like me, and I sure as hell don’t like you, but let’s try to be civil with each other until this is sorted out. Once she chooses, we can go back to hating each other. I don’t want to upset her more than she already is.”

“Fine with me,” I mumbled.

We spent the next hour texting Chloe, but she didn’t respond to either of us. I started to worry, especially with her psychotic mother trying to contact her again.

“Maybe I should go check on her,” I said as I stood and started walking to the door.

“You’re not going over there without me. I don’t know what you’ll say to her. I’m coming with you.”

I rolled my eyes. “Whatever. I just want to make sure she’s okay.”

I ignored him as we walked back to the bar where our cars were parked. I climbed in and drove back to the dorm, refusing to think about anything. I would deal with everything when I was in my room by myself. If I thought about it now, I’d lose my mind and probably hit Drake again.

I pulled into the dorm parking lot and shut off my car. I stared at the dorm in front of me, unable to move. I didn’t want to face Chloe right now. I loved her more than anything, but I also hated her at the moment. We’d finally found happiness, and she had gone and screwed it all up. If she had stayed away from Drake, we would still be together in her room right now.

I opened my door when I saw Drake walking past my car. I followed as he walked into the dorm. I wasn’t about to let him see her alone either. I couldn’t handle that yet. We were both silent as we walked up the stairs and onto her floor. Once we reached the door, Drake knocked. A minute later, the door swung open, and Chloe was standing in front of us. Even though I was pissed, the mere sight of her took my breath away.

She smiled as soon as she saw us. “Hey, guys! How are you?” She giggled. “Actually, never mind. You’re both pretty damn fine, like always.”

She turned without another word and made her way back to her bed. She fell on top of it, and she glanced back at us, still smiling.

“What the hell is wrong with her?” I mumbled to Drake as I stepped into the room. “Are you all right, Chloe?” I asked, my voice louder.

“I’m great! I had a couple of shots, and now, I’m all set.” She smiled brightly at us. “What are you guys doing here? Wait, you’re together, and there’s no blood!”

Both of us continued to stare at her.

I glanced around the room to see a bottle of vodka on her nightstand.
Shit, she’s drunk.
That was what the warm welcome had been all about.

I leaned down beside her bed and looked into her glassy eyes. “Just how many shots have you had, love?”

“Only a couple.” She motioned to the bottle on the nightstand. “See? It’s still full. I just opened it tonight.”

Drake glanced at the stand before looking back at her. “Uh…Chloe, the bottle is empty.”

She stared at the bottle. Realizing that he was right, she slapped her hand across her face before laughing. “Whoops! Guess it’s a good thing it was the cheap stuff. Otherwise, I’d seriously be drunk right now.”

Drake and I exchanged looks with each other, both of our expressions filled with concern. She was past drunk and moving into wasted.

“Chloe, honey, you
are
drunk, excessively drunk actually,” I said as I watched her.

She rolled her eyes. “Seriously, guys, I’m fine. Why are you here?”

Drake spoke up from his spot in front of the bed, “Look, Chloe, you’re trashed, so I don’t think right now is a good time to talk, like Logan and I planned. We’ll come back tomorrow”—he glanced at the bottle again—“or the day after. I’m pretty sure you aren’t going to be up to any talking tomorrow.”

“I said, I’m fine!” she grumbled as she sat up.

Two seconds later, she grabbed the garbage can beside the bed and threw up violently into it. I jumped back a couple of feet as she continued to throw up. It seemed like hours had passed by before she was finished.

Jesus.
I’d never seen her like this.

Finally, there seemed to be nothing left in her stomach, and she rolled back onto her bed, groaning. “Fuck. Maybe I am drunk.”

Drake chuckled quietly. “No shit, Chloe.”

She glared at him. “Just say what you came here to say, asshole.”

“We came to tell you to decide who you want. Both of us want you, but who you want is what really matters. Whoever you don’t choose will back off, no questions asked.”

She looked back and forth between us. “What if I want both of you?”

And then, she passed out.

Fuck.

BUY NOW AT
HTTP://AMZN.TO/1K7CCNZ

THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED TO THE FOLLOWING READERS. YOU ALL ARE AMAZING AND ROCK MY WORLD ON A DAILY BASIS.

I LOVE YOU GUYS!

Aimz C, Alena Vasilkova, Alex Awan, Alexandra Bereshny Walsh, Alicia Roberts, Alicia Stahl, Alicia Wischmann, Alisha Harrell, Alissa Kutac, Allison Pike, Amanda Creadon, Amanda Herrera, Amanda J Porter, Amanda Jenkins, Amanda Matheney, Amanda Pruissen, Amanda Roberts, *Amanda Sanchez*, Amanda Schuler, Amanda Wooden, Amber B, Amber Hall, Amber Hallman, Amber Hayes, Amber M., Amber Nichols, Amber Sorenson, Amber T Fisher, Amber Watson-Binion, Amie Morgado, Amy, Amy Bosica, Amy Browning, Amy Burgett, Amy Everetts, Amy Fox, Amy Hitzemann, Amy House, Amy Perine, Amy Price, Amy Rogers, Amy Sommer, Amy Werdin, Andrea Kelleher, Andrea Singh, Andrea Tarleton, Andrea V Douglas, Andrekia Branch, Angela Arnold, Angela Bailey, Angie Ament Wolfe, Angie Bendyk, Angie Stephenson, Ann T., Anna @Worth the Read Blog, Anna Nicole Ureta, Anna V., AnnaMarie Mondro, Anne Morrillo, Annibelle Chilton, April Newman, April S Fisher, Aracely Alamillo, Ashley Alvarez, Ashley Duffie, Ashley Haines, Ashley Lorenz, Ashley Mitchell, Ashly Kuipers, Ash-Morning Books & Coffee, Atalia M., Athena, Author Emily R. Zajac, Author Megan Noelle, Barb DePuccio, Becca Liberty, Becky Leming, BellaBookaholic, BERTIE WELCK, Bertie Welck, Beth Johnson, Beth R, Bethany Macielag, Blaseli Y. Robles, Blia, Bonnie Thompson - Lit Junkies Book Blog, Bralie Hendon, Brandi Manser, Brandy E. Moreno, Brandy Rypma, Brittany Bloom, Brittany Leathers, Brittany Shae Ledbetter, Brynne Hounsell, C.Fuhr, Cabrinna Cain, Cabrinna Caun, Candida Faria, Caren Thomson, Carmen Caramihai, Carmen-Louise Iervasi, Carol Kevnick, Carol Savoy, Carrie Muir, Carrie Poholsky, Casey Chesnut, Cassi Keller, Catarina Swartz, Catarina Totten, Catherine Wish, Caz Hill, Chantal Brady, Charlotte, Chasidy Leighanne Wallace, Chelly A., Chelsea Harmon, Cheryl DeCoff, Cheryl Lane, Chloe Johnson, Chloe Phillips, Chris Parece, Chrissy Fletcher, Chrissy Hercules, Christen Lockett, Christen Riggs, Christina Blevins, Christina Collett, Christine L Vinson, Cindy Benhart, Cindy Goodpaster, Cindy Navas, Cindy Staggs, Claire Hayden, Claire Hemingway, Clare Porter, Costy Cardona Garcia, Courtney “LoveNBooks” DeLollis, Courtney D. Frye, Courtney Thacker, Crystal Blanton, Crystal Glenn, Crystal Morecroft, Crystal R Solis, Crystal Yurkovic, Cyndi Barber, Cyndi Barber, Cyndie Sanford, D. Samantha Robles, Dana Hook, Daniela Lopez Garcia, Danielle Howard, Danielle Marie Gorman, Danielle Schaaf, Danita Bunce, Darlyn Cimini, Dawn, Dawn Kamen, Dawn McWilliams, DawnMarie, Day Monaco, DeAnna Horsley, Deb Grim, Debbie Hopkins, Deejay, Deepika Podunke, Deidra, Deidra Todd, Delores G., DeShannon, Destiney Rice, Diana Doan, Dianna Malone, Donna bond, Donna Montville, Dora Escue, Dottie Fisher-Andrade, Dr. Sarah Black, E.Ballard, Elaine Floridi, Elena Pierre, Elizabeth, Elizabeth Cunningham, Elizabeth Thiele, Emiley Eilers, Ellie Weathers, Ely BarocioEmilie Abbott, Emily Hammers, Emily-Jane Wright, Emma Jane McGovern, Emma Royal, Emma Terras, Emylea Henderson, Erica Lavallee, Erika Morales, Erin E. Smith, Erin Jennings, Erin Kleeberger, Erlynne Ballo, Esther Harvey, Eva Evelyn Garcia, Felicia Semmler, Fran Swarts, Frances A., Frances Vigil, FS Meurinne, Georgette Geras, Gill Selling, Gina A, Gina Mou, Ginger Andrews, Ginnie Paiva, Gloria Baupua, Gloria Rivera, Glorya Hidalgo, Haley Douglas, Hannah E.N. Swartz, Hazel Ryan, Heather Buckels, Heather Carver, Heather Cook, Heather Davis, Heather Fisher, Heather Gallimore, Heather M Fesperman, Heather Wishnia, Heidi Keil, Holly Highsmith, Holly M., Ilene Glance, Iris, Irma Campbell, Jacinda Aavalos, Jackie Cannon Begley, Jackie Heckadon, Jackie Lynch, Jacqueline Hobson, Jade Drew, Jaelyn Rockhold, Jamie Alesci, Jamie L Louden-Fritz, Jamie Lee Herold, Jamie Myres, Jamie Taliaferro, Jamie Taliaferro, Jamie Walker, Jamie-Ann Hunt, Janeen Parsons, Janessa Rockhold, Janett C., JCoop, Jeanna Adler, Jen- BestSellers & BestStellars, Jena Stelly, Jeneane Johnston, Jenn Hughes, Jenn M., Jenna Marie Hoffman, Jennie Crossen, Jennifer, Jennifer Argondizza, Jennifer Black Jennifer Chambliss Avery, Jennifer Diaz, Jennifer Gurrola, Jennifer Janes , Jennifer Kemmerer, Jennifer Nanna, Jennifer Shrum, Jennifer Stover, Jennifer Styles, Jennifer Weeks, Jennifer Williamson, Jenny Perez, Jess Bryant, Jess Vogel, Jess Worthe, Jessica Blackcloud, Jessica Brothers, Jessica Danielle Dozier, Jessica Little, Jessica Ramirez, Jessica Rockhold, Jessica Webster, Jessica Zelaya, Jihan Pottinger, Jill Davis, Jill Jonas, J-Lynn Rich, Jo Fowler, Joanne Allen, Joanne Parkinson, Jocelyn, Jodi Pacifico, Jody Cadman, Jorge Ledesma, Joyce McGuire, Judy Fengel, Juli Faulkner, Julie B, Julie Prout, K.J. Erickson, Kacey Buckles, Karen Crisp, Karen P, Karen Scott, Karen Scott, Kari Roozeboom, Kari Wigginton, Karina Garcia, Karina Liz Sanchez, Karine Russell, Kasey & Kristan, Kat Riley, Katelynn Martinell, Katherine McShane, Kathryn Caudill, Katie O’Brien, Kayla Cheek, Kayla J. White, Kayla Newman, Keitha Brassard, Kellie D., Kellie Hall, Kelly Neal, Kelly Tannacore, Kelly W., Kendra Parker, Keni Preston, Kerrie Betts, Kerry Melton, Kim Carr xo, Kim Gerbino, Kim Perry, Kim St.Mary, Kimberly Beale, Kimberly Demos, Kimberly Plummer, Kirsty Turner, Krista Boyle, Krista Dapkey, Krista Holly, Krista Holly, Kristen D., Kristi Kelley-Martin, Kristie McVeigh, Kristina Brandon, Kristine Garner, Kristy Papa, Kylie Bates, Kylie Cogzell, Kyro, Lacy Daniel, LaLani Delk, Lana, Laura Bubley, Laura Marie Roberts, Laura Poole, Laura Rendler, Laura Santolaya, Laurie Adams, Laurie Nash, Leandra Rivera, Leigh Joyner, Leisa Prater, Lesley Koke DeWig, Lesley Nelson, Lesley Peck, Leslie Bartley, Leslie Pearson, Lheanne Spicer, Liesl, Lili Cintron-Padilla, Lillian Moreno-Colon, Linda Cotter, Linda Sliwoski, Lisa Balli, Lisa Bang, Lisa Edwards, Lisa Fisher, Lisa Longstreth, Lisa McCarter, Lisa Menor, Lisa Survillas, Lisa White, Lissette De La Hoz, Liz Cain, Liz Horn, Liz Zeringue, Liza Flor Dequilla, Loghan Sadaria, Lori Holbrook, Lori Thompson, Lori-Beth Stephens, Lornadoom78, Lorrie Moar, Louisa Brandenburger, Loyce Beasley, Lulu Suarez, Lynda Kal, M.Peek, Madison-Hope Saunders, Maeschelle Garcia, Maggie C-L Daniels, Maggie G., Maggie Lane, Mandy Kemp, Marci Flores, Margaret Mersereau Long, Margay Leah Justice, Marialee DePriest, Marian Smith, Mariana Pagdanganan, Marianne Shayler, Marie Murphy, Marika Nespoli, Marisa Colbert, Martha L Gurrola, Mary Lou Sichko, Mary Lowery, Mary Mooney, Mary Orr, Mary Rose Bermundo, Mary Sanchez Cortez, Mary Schraf Camberg, Meagan Wells, Megan - Bedroom Bookworms, Megan Averitt, Megan King, Megan Shoemaker, Megan Weathers, Meggie Change, Mel Mark-Shadbolt, Melanie Anttila, Melanie J L Stanton, Melissa Cheslog, Melissa Elaine Ferrell, Melissa Freniere Thomas, Melissa Ledesma, Melissa N. Rodriguez, Melissa Skoog, Merissa Cardoza, Merrit Townsend, Michele B T, Michelle Austin, Michelle Cromeans, Michelle Hough, Michelle Kettler, Michelle Lim, Michelle Myers, Michelle Thompson, Michelle Trefethren, Michelle Welch, Millie Torres, Mindy, Miranda Merrill, Miss Laura S., Missy Harton, Missy Zeiher, Momo Xiong, Monique Hite, Morgan Chilton, Morgan Whitis, Natalie Elizabeth, Natalie Loving Thomas, Natalie Ulmer, Natcha Vicente, Nathalie Miramontes, Nickie Rowe, Nicole “Canada,” Nicole Carroll, Nicole Henry, Nicole Hicks, Nicole Liebert LeBlanc, Nicole Thomas, Nicole Zsarko, Niki, Nikki Skifstad, Nikky Robinson, Norma and Phoebe Henrique, Nyree Payne, P.M. Williams, Paige Maroney Smith, Pamela Ebeler, Pamela Jo, Patricia Ingrassia, Patty Poto, PattyD, Paula A. Castillo, Pepper Doodle, Polly Rochester, Rachel Harrison, Rachel Hendry, Raquel Gamez, Rayann S., Raylene K. Green, Reanell, Rebecca Knight, Reneé Bettencourt, Rhodalyn Domingo, Rochelle Harris, Romy Clarke, Roxcee Weber, Ryan Ann Wright, Sabina Luth, Sally Sealey, Samantha Bassett, Samantha Child, Samantha D., Samantha H Bryant, Samantha Mosby, Samantha Olson, Samien Newcomb, Sammy C., Sandie Morayla, Sandra W.D, Sandy, Sandy Goodson, Sandy Schmidt, Sara Morrison, Sarah Alderson, Sarah Dafler, Sarah Kennedy, Sarah Larson, Sensei- HoNEY.DR1P, Shannon Cole, Shannon Godwin, Sha
nnon Johnson, Shannon Shipley, Shannon Stuckey, Shanta, Sharon Turnbull, Shawna James, Shawna Tremoulis, Sheila Anderson, Shelby Bauer, Shelly, Shelly Lazar, Sheraka, Sheri Dennison, Sheri Saunders, Sheryl Huet, Sindy S., Sinead Onekawa, Sokhon Sek, Somaika Santana, Sonya Byrd, Sonya Kay Owens, Sonya Martin-Andrews, Sophia Wood, Sophie Rodriguez, Staci Curtis, Stacy H, Stacy Weaver, Stephanie Bass, Stephanie Behill, Stephanie Decker, Stephanie Morici, Stephanie P., Stephanie Phan, Stephanie Puterbaugh, Stephanie Rene, Stephanie U., Sue Petts, Sue Raymond, Summer Dawn Gragg, Summer Sierra Harrison, Susan Jetter, Tami A., Tammy McGowan aka TammyVoiced aka Brownie Fairy, Tanya Hebert, Tanya Hudgins, Tara, Tara Pruitt, Taylor Marie Smith, Teagan Mitchell, Tera Bell, Teresa Hall, Teresa Raper, Teri Erickson, Terri Eidson, Theresa Alberts, Theresa Jarosick, Theresa Lashway, Theresa Thomas, Thrina Johnson, Tiffaney Rice, Tiffany Clark, Tiffany Fischer, Tiffany Griffith, Tiffany Kidd (556 Book Chicks), Tiffany M Zelis, Tiffany Quintanilla, Tina, Tina Garcia, Tina Snare, Tina Tinkerbel Hart, Tisha Shifflett, Traci “Chicklit” Hoffman, Tracy w/Ramblings From Beneath the Sheets, Tricia Caron, Tricia Jones Crouch, Trina Lee Adams, Valerie Collins, Valerie Mulhall, Vangie Goddard, Veronica LaRoche, Veronica Vega, Vicki Green, Vicky Barber, Victoria Rivera, Waiiriringi Ayris, Wendy Johnson, Wendy S., Wendy Ward, Yadira Alonzo, Yassiel, Yesenia, Zandalee Marie, Zoey Ingram