Connection

Chapter Nineteenth

Tyler clenched his fists, his jaw tightening. His mind raced with possibilities, anger bubbling just beneath the surface. Whoever hurt Logan wasn't going to get away with it—not if Tyler had anything to say about it.

As the group exchanged worried glances, Tyler clenched his fists under the table, the worry in his chest morphing into something sharper. He had to find out what happened—and make sure Logan was okay.

Tyler let out a frustrated groan as he pushed himself out of his seat, leaving Aiden and Ben in the middle of their conversation. They exchanged puzzled glances, but Tyler didn't seem to notice. The noise of the cafeteria buzzed around him as he grabbed his bag and made his way toward the exit.

"Ty, where are you going?" Taylor's voice rang out across the crowded room, her tone a mixture of concern and irritation.

Tyler didn't stop, his footsteps quick and determined. He didn't want to explain, not right now. He was beyond the point of talking about it, the weight of his thoughts too heavy to bear. As he pushed through the doors of the cafeteria, he heard Taylor call after him once more, but he kept walking.

Once outside, Tyler breathed in the cool air, ignoring the dull ache that had settled in his chest. His mind was set. He didn't even hesitate as he made his way to his car, sliding into the driver's seat. The engine roared to life as he pulled out of the parking lot, heading straight for Logan's house.

The world outside blurred as Tyler focused on the road ahead. Whatever was waiting for him there, he needed to see Logan. It was the only thing that mattered now.
Tyler's heart raced as he pulled up to Logan's house. He barely even parked the car before he threw open the door and sprinted up to the front porch. His fists hit the door with urgency, his knuckles banging loudly against the wood.

The door swung open, and Tyler was met by Logan's grandmother, her face creased with concern.

"Is Logan here?" Tyler asked, his voice tight with panic, his breath coming in quick, uneven bursts.

Logan's grandma nodded slowly, worry evident in her expression. "Yes, he's upstairs with his friend."

Without another word, Tyler stepped past her, his mind focused solely on reaching Logan. He sprinted up the stairs, his shoes slapping against the wood as he hurried down the hall to Logan's room.

When he burst through the door, his eyes immediately locked onto Logan and Ashlyn. They were sitting together on the his bed, engrossed in a movie, completely unaware of his frantic arrival.

Tyler froze for a moment, trying to catch his breath, the tension in his body tightening. He was relieved to see Logan, but his mind was still racing with a thousand thoughts.

"Logan .." Tyler finally breathed out, his voice low but urgent.

Logan's eyes widened in panic the moment Tyler entered the room. Without thinking, he pulled the blanket over his head, curling up in an attempt to hide. His body trembled slightly as he tried to shrink away from the situation, feeling the weight of Tyler's presence in a way that made him uncomfortable.

Ashlyn, sitting beside Logan, jumped to her feet in an instant. Her eyes narrowed as she shot Tyler an angry glare. "Get out," she hissed, her voice laced with sharpness.

Tyler stood there, confused and upset, but his frustration was quickly growing. "What? I'm not leaving without talking to Logan!" he snapped back, his own voice rising.

"You don't get it, Tyler!" Ashlyn shot back, her fists clenched at her sides. "He clearly doesn't feel comfortable with anyone else here, leave."

Tyler shook his head, feeling a mix of guilt and anger. "I don't need a lecture from you, Ashlyn. Logan's hurt, and I need to fucking know who hurt him—"

Ashlyn stepped forward, shoving Tyler hard enough to make him stumble back a few steps. "He's okay, nobody hurt him." she said, her tone frustrated. "Leave him alone, Tyler."

Before the situation could escalate further, Logan's grandpa entered the room, his presence commanding and firm. "Enough," he said, his voice calm yet stern. "Both of you, out. Now."

Tyler hesitated for a moment, but then he stepped back, willing to give Logan's family some space. Ashlyn shot him one last glare before leaving the room, slamming the door behind her.

For what felt like hours, Logan's grandpa remained in the room with Ashlyn and Tyler, sorting through their emotions and trying to come to some understanding of the situation. Tyler's anger slowly subsided as the older man spoke calmly but firmly to both of them, helping them understand the gravity of the tension in the room.

Eventually, Logan's grandpa turned to Logan, who was still huddled under the blanket, his body small and vulnerable. "Logan," he asked softly, his voice gentle, "do you want them both gone, or—?"

Logan, his voice barely a whisper, shook his head, his hands trembling as he pulled the blanket tighter around himself. "I want Ashlyn .. to stay." he stuttered, his words quiet but clear.

Tyler's heart dropped in his chest, his breath catching in his throat. The decision stung, the pain of hearing Logan choose his sister over him hitting harder than he expected. He could feel his chest tighten with hurt, but he fought the lump in his throat.

Without another word, Tyler turned and walked out of the room, pushing past Ashlyn, who had returned to stand in the hallway. She didn't say anything, but the shove she gave him felt like a victory, yet guilt in her eyes. Tyler didn't care anymore. He just needed to leave, the pain of rejection hanging heavy in the air.

As he walked down the stairs and out the door, he could feel a knot form in his stomach. Logan had chosen Ashlyn, and Tyler wasn't sure where he stood anymore.