Page 62 of Forget Me Not

“You don’t know that you could’ve done anything that would’ve made a difference. I had your number. I texted you to hang out, not because our father was abusing me. I wouldn’t have told you then, Kaden, and I’m not telling you now for your apologies or your pity. I don’t want either of them. I just wanted you to know. Okay?”

“Okay.” I nod at her, but I don’t believe it. If I had taken her up on hanging out with her any of the number of times she asked, I might’ve seen it. I might’ve figured it out. I might’ve been able to help. No, I can’t know that for sure. But I nevereven tried. That’s a regret I’ll always have. “He deserves to be in prison.”

“I agree. It’s not that easy though. I was always too scared to come forward. He’s a powerful man, Kaden. Even if I did speak up now, it’s years later, I have no proof, and my mother will lie for him. She doesn’t know how not to.”

“We’ll find a way, Demi. He doesn’t get to get away with all of this.” She nods at me, a sad smile on her face. Even if she doesn’t believe me now, I mean it. I’ll find a way to get him behind bars if it’s the last thing I do. “So, can you tell me how she’s doing?”

“Tell me what you did that has you sitting outside our door like a sad puppy dog every day and I’ll consider it.”

“I fucked up.” I sigh.

“I gathered.” She raises her eyebrow at me, waiting for further explanation before she’s willing to give me any information.

“It’s a long story. I kind of knew Logan’s sister. I never met her, and I never knew her real name until I met Logan. Before my mom died, she used to talk to people anonymously through a mental health app. After she passed, I talked to Lennox on there. Just occasionally about life and random things. She was like an anonymous friend to me, although she knew my name.”

“Okay.” Demi looks confused. “So, if you didn’t know her name. How did you figure out the person you were talking to was Lo’s sister?”

“We started talking less and less until we barely spoke at all. Then one day, she sent me a message that she was sorry. She sent me Logan’s name. She told me to look after her. I never looked for her. But then she was put right in front of me, and she was this incredible woman that I fell in love with, and it had nothing to do with her sister.”

“And you never told her? You never told her that you knew who she was? Or that you knew about Lennox?” She puts the pieces together.

“I was going to. It was just never the right time. And then she found the old phone in the cabinet, and it was too late.”

“You’re a fucking idiot.” She laughs. “I mean, you’re a jackass too, for keeping secrets from my best friend. But also, you kept the phone in your fucking cabinet? What is wrong with you?” She laughs harder.

“I had looked through the messages not too long ago. I was trying to convince myself it wasn’t her name. I put it back there and forgot about it. I’m happy you’re getting a laugh out of my stupidity though.”

“I am, thank you very much.” Her laughter settles. “Seriously though, Kaden. The stupidest thing you did was not being honest with her. Lo doesn’t trust easily, and she trusted you. You broke that.”

“I know that. I’m trying to fix it if she’ll ever speak to me again. I’ve texted and called her over a hundred times. I’d prefer to talk in person, but that’s not looking too likely either.”

“Her phone got crushed in the accident. She’s been using mine. She was planning on going out and getting a new one when she was feeling more up to it.”

“So she’s doing okay? She’s been healing and feeling better?”

“Yes, she’s doing well, physically, at least. She’s healing well…” She pauses. “Do you really love her, Kaden? Like forever kind of love?”

“I love her more than anything,” I answer instantly. “She’s the person I want to wake up to and the last one I want to see before I fall asleep. She’s been through hell, and she never stops fighting. She woke up parts of me I didn’t know even existed anymore. She’s kind, she’s beautiful, she’s courageous,she’s funny, she’s just everything. I don’t know how to explain it, Demi, but she’s it for me. And I think I’m it for her.”

“Okay.” She stands up, brushing off her legs.

“Okay?”

“I’ll talk to her. I’ll do what I can. Just keep showing up.” She turns to open the door but stops, turning back around to look at me. “We turned out okay, didn’t we? You know, all things considered.” She laughs.

“Yeah, Demi. I think we turned out pretty great.” I smile at her. “I know I suck at this big brother crap, but I promise I’ll get better at it with time.”

“I think you’re doing a good job already.” She smiles back at me. She turns, walks into the apartment and closes the door behind her.

I’ve lost more hope every day that I’ve sat here outside this hallway, begging for any crumbs Lo would give me. But tonight, I finally feel some of that hope renewed. I feel determined to do anything and everything to get her back. I remember Demi’s words about Lo’s phone, and it may not be much, but at least now I know where to start. Logan Hart is my forever. I just need to prove that to her again.

CHAPTER

THIRTY-FIVE

Logan

“Hey, I’m going in the shower. There’s something for you on the kitchen counter,” Demi says, peeking her head into my room.

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