Addiction

Chapter 20

Chapter 20

She replaced the handset, a smile playing about her lips. She could picture Logan rolling over, tucking his sheets back around himself and snoring deeply. He might not even remember their conversation in the morning clearly. Sometimes he denied all knowledge of their late-night-calls. She thought perhaps he was lying to her, but then she remembered the times she'd made actual plans with him while he was half asleep, only to be stood up. She would ring him, spitting fire and spewing acid, and he would innocently claim to have no idea what she was talking about. Surely he'd have remembered making plans with her, right? Wrong.

She wondered if he were serious about coming down for her birthday or if it were more sleep induced oddness. Now she knew exactly where the phrase 'pillow talk' came from. Switching off the lamp, she made her way upstairs, brushing aside Taylor's wandering hands as he curled up behind her. On nights like tonight, when she had to call Logan like some damsel in distress, Taylor's touch seemed anathema to her.

He grunted and rolled over, facing away from her, still deeply sleeping, small snorts erupting at the end of each exhale. She grimaced. Sleep was still a long way off, and all she had were the musical notes of Taylor's snoring to keep her company? Hell to the no. She flung back the covers, startling Taylor as she did so. She clenched her jaw on a laugh when he jumped as though he'd been electrified, and immediately settled back into sleep.

On nights like tonight, there was only one cure for insomnia – hot cocoa. She made her way to the kitchen, surprised to hear her phone buzz in her bag. She reached into it and pulled out her cell, smiling as the screen lit up with Logan's name front and center. The text was short but sweet.

Can't sleep. U still up?

Yep. Can't sleep either. Were u hoping 2 wake me?

Turn about is fair play...

She laughed, spooning cocoa into a large mug and setting the kettle to boil. She would make it with half milk and half water, she decided, in order to drink it faster.

U want an apology?

God forbid.

Haha, smartass. What u want?

I want 2 hear about ur bday plans.

Birthday plans. She didn't have any, and he knew it. Her birthday was not her birthday anymore. It was the anniversary of the night her mom had been crushed to death in her own car, and Harry along with her. The other driver had gotten off light, claiming her mom had been speeding and he didn't have time to react. Sophie knew her mom, and she knew for a fact that she never drove too fast. Turns out the seat belt doesn't always save your life. Her phone buzzed again.

U better hav plans.

No plans. No birthday.

She waited for his reply. Something along the lines of “you better celebrate, or I'm coming to make you sorry”, but his reply surprised her when it came, arousing her suspicions.

Alright, Soph.

What r u planning? she replied, with swift fingers. Something was up.

Me? I'm innocent.

Pure as the driven snow, she thought. No, he was up to something, for sure. Every other year they argued about her birthday, and every other year he refused to relent until she made up some stupid tale about plans with friends, when in reality, she couldn't even bear to be around Taylor on that day.

Tell me. Now.

N'night Soph :)

She sent him three more texts, each one escalating in fury, but was forced to admit defeat when he sent no replies. She would call him tomorrow, and harass him until he told her everything. She decided to send one last text before bed, turning an old joke back on him.

What are you wearing?

That's not the game we're playing.

She smiled – so he was still reading them. The sneak.

What game r we playing?

Tit for tat. Will u make plans?

Yes, she lied. She would make the same plan she made every year. In her pajamas, with a bottle of wine for company, she would go through photographs of her mom and dad, rubbing Logan's penny all the while. Hoping for a miracle. For a wish.

OK. Ur turn. I'm wearing...A smile...

Omigosh, she hadn't been expecting that reply. She hadn't been expecting any reply, thinking he'd gone back to sleep. He slept naked? Who knew? Too much information.

TMI Bro

U asked. N'night x

Night x

She burned her lips with the first sip of her cocoa, not paying attention, and then realized she hadn't added any milk. Ugh, cocoa with plain water was just not right. She tipped it into the sink and made her way back up to bed, finally feeling as though she might sleep.

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