I wanted to believe him so badly. I wanted to believe he wouldn’t betray me. But was I desperate enough to believe his lies?
“How the hell did she get into your apartment? Even if I did believe she somehow snuck into your apartment to stage a scene, how would she know that I wouldn’t be spending the night there?”
Logan’s fists clenched. “I don’t know. After you left, she wouldn’t admit to anything. All she kept saying was that we were meant to be together and now there was nothing to keep us apart.” He stood up, towering over me. A muscle jumped in his jaw. “You didn’t waste any time running into Mack’s arms. What’s going on between you two?”
I laughed incredulously. The nerve of his accusations was almost funny. “Are you kidding me? You’re questioning my relationship with Mack after what I walked into in your bedroom?” When Logan’s expression remained thunderous, I made a sound of frustration. “Nothing is going on between us! We’re just friends. Maybe your own unfaithfulness is making you suspect something between Mack and me.”
Before Logan could respond, Mr. Brooks came back downstairs. He seemed oblivious to our fighting and sat down heavily on the couch. He looked up at us, his face a mask of despair.
“There’s nothing else I can do for her,” he said, his voice hoarse. “I thought I could make her better if I took care of her, and just loved her enough.” The anguish on his face was heartbreaking. “I’m going to make the call tomorrow to have her committed.”
I sat down next to him, and tentatively put my hand on his shoulder as he sobbed. Mr. Brooks had always been kind to me growing up, but he wasn’t the most demonstrative person, the exception being with his wife and daughter. I didn’t feel comfortable doing anything else, like hugging him, but he didn’t even seem to notice my hand on his shoulder as he shook with despair.
After a few minutes, he looked up, his eyes red-rimmed. “Will you stay the night? I think it’ll be easier if you’re here when they come tomorrow.”
I wanted to refuse. I knew it was irrational, but Mrs. Brooks’ insistence that Cassie was coming tonight scared me. But I owed it to both of them to stay.
“Of course. I brought an overnight bag because I had a feeling this was going to be complicated.” I looked at Logan. “I’ll figure out my ride tomorrow. Thanks for bringing me. You can go now.”
Logan had an implacable look on his face. “I’m staying, too,” he said with a look that dared me to object. I should have, but I didn’t. I was too tired to argue any further. If Logan wanted to stay, there was nothing I could do to stop him. It wasn’t my house. If I were being honest with myself, despite everything that had happened between us, his presence was still a comfort.
Mr. Brooks took us to the guest room with the assumption that we would be staying together. I didn’t bother saying anything, since I figured Logan could just sleep on the couch downstairs.
Mr. Brooks ordered a pizza for dinner, but no one ate much. We spent the rest of the evening sitting in front of the TV, although we were all lost in our own thoughts. After a while, Mr. Brooks said he was going to bed early and left to go upstairs.
“I think I’m going to head to bed, too,” I announced, standing up from the couch.
Logan turned off the TV and stood up. “I think that’s a good idea.”
I looked at him skeptically. “You don’t actually think we’re going to sleep in the same bed tonight, do you?”
“Where am I supposed to sleep then?”
I pointed to the couch. “That looks pretty comfortable. I’ll get you a blanket and pillow from the guest room.”
Logan didn’t look too happy. “I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to be alone. We don’t know what could happen tonight.”
I got goose bumps from his words, but I masked it with a look of derision. “You don’t actually believe we’re going to be visited by a ghost tonight, do you?” I scoffed. The minute I said the words, I regretted it. It was irrational but I felt like if I said it out loud, it would somehow come true.
“Of course not,” Logan said. “But we don’t know what Cassie’s mother is capable of.”
“Mrs. Brooks would never hurt anyone,” I balked. “She may be sick but she’s not dangerous.”
“She’s not the same woman you grew up with,” Logan said gently. “I just think it’s better to be safe than sorry.”
“I can’t stop you from spending the night here, since this isn’t my house,” I said firmly, “but I can stop you from thinking you can dictate sleeping with me. I’ll be fine.”
Logan looked like he wanted to argue, but I shot daggers at him and he sighed, finally acquiescing. I got him a pillow and blanket from upstairs and left him to make up the couch.
Even though I was as familiar with the Brooks’ home as my own, I had never spent the night in the guest room since I had always slept with Cassie in her room when I stayed over. The guest room was across the hall from Cassie’s old room, and I was relieved that her door was closed. I knew what I would find on the other side. Her room was exactly the way she had left it, as if it were waiting for her to return.
I turned off the lights and climbed into bed, but I was afraid to close my eyes. A part of me regretted not letting Logan stay up here with me. The house sou
nded too quiet, and despite it not being very late, the night was pitch black. The sound of my own breathing seemed loud, and I couldn’t help being afraid that it would mask any other sounds that would warn me of another presence.
I told myself I was being silly and forced myself to close my eyes. Despite my anxiety, the turmoil of the day had taken its toll on me and I drifted off to sleep.
Chapter Eighteen