A/N Listen up, fanfic people. When I say I'm not abandoning any of my stories, I mean that I'm not abandoning any of my stories. So, okay, sometimes it might take me a teeny, tiny little while *cough* seven months *cough* to update them. But I will always come back. Because Promises isn't just Veronica's perfume, you got me?
So, now that that's out of the way- it's the Netherfield Ball! I can't even tell you how much fun I had writing this chapter. I hope you guys enjoy.
Chapter 11
Logan walked into the dining room, took one look at what was transpiring and immediately turned around to walk out.
"Oh, good, you're awake," Trina spoke up behind him. "You can-"
"I'm not helping," Logan informed her decisively. He spun around on his heel to face her and Madison, eyeing the stacks of invitations piled on the table suspiciously. "How many people, precisely, will be invading this house on Friday?"
Trina shrugged. "I don't know, about two hundred?"
"Two hundred people?" he repeated.
"No, two hundred monkeys," she returned sarcastically. She rolled her eyes at Madison, and went back to addressing envelopes.
"We know, like, five people in Neptune," he pointed out. "So who are these other hundred and ninety-five degenerates?"
"Friends of Meg's, mostly," Madison replied.
"I had no idea her social circle was this vast," he smirked.
"We're inviting all of the actors on the movie set too," Trina added. "We needed a little celebrity to spice things up."
"There's exactly one A-list celebrity on that set, and I happen to know that she's flying back to Ohio for a funeral this weekend," Logan informed them. He picked up the pile of envelopes closest to him, glancing at each one for a few seconds before tossing it back onto the table negligently. He didn't recognize a single name.
"Hey," Trina protested. "You're making a mess. If you're not going to help, then go find an elsewhere to be."
"Gladly," he replied. As Logan began to drop the last envelope onto the pile with the others, he caught sight of the name written on the front and froze.
After half a minute he approached Trina, setting the invitation down in front of her deliberately. "Is this a joke?" he demanded.
Trina glanced at the addressee. "Troy Vandegraff?" she asked. "No, he's invited. He's in the movie."
"He's not invited," Logan corrected her.
"Why not?" Madison asked curiously. "Everyone else from the film was invited. According to Kendall, he's going to be a big star."
"I don't care if he's the next George fucking Clooney," Logan retorted. "He's not coming."
"What's the deal with you two, anyway?" Trina asked, halting her task to look up at him. "You used to be friends."
"Well, we're not anymore," he returned. "That's all you need to know."
"He's coming unless you tell," Trina goaded.
"What part of you thinks blackmailing me is a good idea?" Logan asked darkly.
"I hear he's super tight with the Mars girls," Madison spoke up. "They'll be so disappointed if he doesn't show."
Noting that Logan looked rather alarmed at this news, Trina decided to stir the pot. "Yeah, that's right," she chimed in. "Meg told me that he and Veronica, in particular, have gotten really close."
Madison placed her open palm upon her chest, affecting a shocked expression. "You mean Veronica Mars has hitched her horse to a rising star? Quelle surprise!"
Both girls laughed. "She gets passed around more than a gif on Tumblr," Trina remarked.
Logan remained silent, his jaw tightly clenched. Seeing an opportunity to score points with him, Madison quelled her laughter and affected a serious tone. "But if you really don't want him here-"
"Invite him," Logan interrupted brusquely. Without another word to either of them, he turned around and walked away.
xxXxx
"It's formal?" Veronica asked, slightly appalled. She tossed the elegant black and cream invitation onto her bedside table and stood up.
"Yes," Meg affirmed calmly, remaining seated on the bed. "What's wrong with that?"
"Are you kidding?" Veronica returned, her expression sour. "It's bad enough that you're dragging me to this thing in the first place. And now I have to get all dressed up, and be uncomfortable all night? Whose bright idea was this?"
"Madison's," Meg replied. "And Trina and I agreed with her. We wanted to do something a little different. You know, make it special." Meg smiled hopefully at her sister. "C'mon, it'll be fun."
"Right," she sighed. "Fun." Veronica gazed out the window, watching a bluebird hop along a tree limb just outside. She couldn't manage to fake enthusiasm, even for Meg.
This party had been looming for months, but Veronica hadn't given it much thought until now. She hadn't seen Logan in almost two weeks; not since the party on the beach. Not since I heard all of those awful things about him.
"Troy's going to be there, you know," Meg added.
Veronica turned to face her sister. "He is?"
"I think so," Meg confirmed. "I know he was invited." She tilted her head to one side, studying Veronica with a knowing smile on her lips. "You like him," she stated.
Veronica shrugged. "He's alright."
"Just alright?"
"He's fun," Veronica amended. "We have a good time together. But we're just friends."
"Friends who spend an awful lot of time together," Meg noted.
Her sister had a point. They had been spending a lot of time together. Almost every day, since we met, Veronica realized. But always in a group.
She'd allowed Lilly and Gia to talk her into going to the beach with them several times, to watch filming, and she'd had a surprisingly good time. The actors and surfers on set were a boisterous bunch, always joking around. Since meeting them all, she'd joined them for several outings- to the movies, for a rousing game of paintball, to an amusement park. And Troy has been there every time.
"Nothing has happened between us, though," Veronica said aloud.
"Except a lot of flirting," Meg teased.
"He flirts with everyone," she pointed out.
"True," Meg conceded. "But he flirts with you the most."
"Maybe," Veronica acknowledged with a smile. Troy was undeniably charming, and she'd enjoyed their banter immensely. It all felt very easy, between them. And maybe I wouldn't hate it if things became a little more… friendly. "I suppose I wouldn't mind seeing what he looks like in a tux," she admitted.
"See?" Meg asked gleefully. "You are going to have a good time." When her sister didn't echo the sentiment, Meg's tone became more serious. "You're nervous about seeing Logan again, aren't you? After what Troy said about him?"
"Not nervous," Veronica replied. "Just…" She trailed off, unsure how to express what she was feeling. Despite having come to like Troy quite a bit, she was still having a hard time reconciling his version of Logan. It would be so much easier, to have an ironclad excuse not to like him. Yet, the matter felt unsettled.
"Maybe Troy was… mistaken, about Logan's relationship with the girl?" Meg put forth hesitantly. "Maybe he took rumor for fact, and they were nothing more than friends?"
Veronica shook her head. "I asked him if he was certain, and he insisted that he was."
"Did he say how he knew?"
"No," Veronica replied. "Only that he knew for sure. And why would he lie?"
Meg frowned. "I don't know. I can't imagine that he would, now that we know him a bit better. But… I also can't imagine that Logan would do such a thing. Or that Duncan would be okay with it. I mean, he seems to think so highly of Logan…"
"Well, if it happened last summer, none of the Kane's were around," Veronica told her. "I know that part is true, because they spoke of it on the boat." She paced to the door and back, deep in thought. "So maybe Duncan never heard the real story? Maybe he only got Logan's version, and took his side because they'd been friends for so long?"
"That's possible, I guess." Meg admitted. "But what about the other parts of the story?"
Veronica leaned against her desk. "Well, if Logan really was out of control, and Mr. and Mrs. Kane got wind of it, it makes complete sense that they'd send Heather off to boarding school. They'd want to get her away from Logan's bad influence, and out of that environment."
"True. But he didn't seem, like, stoned or high or whatever on the yacht."
Veronica nodded. "I agree." She chewed on her lip for a few seconds. "Maybe the Kane's made him go to rehab? Or maybe he got cleaned up on his own?"
"Could be," Meg replied.
"You don't sound convinced," Veronica noted.
Meg sighed. "I guess I'm just trying to make sense of it all. Logan was such a gentleman-" At Veronica's look, she revised herself. "Well, okay, maybe not at first. But he behaved himself much better on the boat. You even seemed to be getting along with him well, at one point."
Her words drew those pesky memories to mind again, the ones that seemed to enter her thoughts unbidden on a daily basis. Logan's amber eyes on the sunlit deck; his lips, curled into a teasing smile as they'd shared a hamburger; his somber expression as he'd spoken of his parents.
"I barely know him," Veronica insisted defensively.
Meg's eyebrows lifted at the hint of anger in her sister's voice, surprised at her reaction. After a moment, she nodded. "That's true," she said gently. "But, to be fair, you barely know Troy either."
"I know that he's never been unkind to me," Veronica returned quietly. "And I can't say the same about Logan." She took a seat at her desk, toying with a belt hanging from her desk chair while she considered the facts. Her voice was even as she continued. "I looked into the thing about the movie Troy was making, and it all checks out."
"So he really was making a movie in New York?"
"Yes. I even found an article online that said Logan was backing the film, yet he's not listed as a producer in the credits. Which makes perfect sense, if Troy's story is true."
"It does make sense," Meg agreed. "But it would be pretty low of Logan to treat the son of his father's friend so badly, especially if he was the one in the wrong. And when you consider that they'd been such close friends…"
Veronica sighed heavily and stood up. It was frustrating, not to have conclusive proof. She wasn't even sure why this all mattered so much. She was only sure that it had been in her thoughts since the night of Dick's graduation party, and she couldn't seem to stop dwelling on it all.
"I don't think Troy was lying," she stated. "Dad's taught me what to look for in a liar, and Troy wasn't exhibiting any of those traits. At least, not as far as I noticed. And I refuse to believe that he'd make up a story so damaging to someone else's reputation, for no good reason."
"Then I bow to your good judgment," Meg said. "But I also choose to believe that Logan has changed for the better. He did invite Troy to the party, despite their history. Maybe he's trying to make amends, for the way he treated him?"
Veronica shook her head, an affectionate smile on her lips. "You are a far, far better person than I am," she remarked.
"Just a little less cynical, maybe," Meg laughed. She stood up and took her sister by the arm. "Come on. Let's start ransacking our closets for something cute to wear."
xxXxx
Lianne Mars entered her eldest daughter's room without knocking, as she had a habit of doing. Veronica was zipping up the side of Meg's dress, a Grecian-style gown of pale pink with silver beading. It was the night of the Kane's party, and Lianne was overcome with excitement for her girls. A large part of her wished that she was still young, so that she could join in on the fun.
Veronica stepped away from Meg so that her sister could see her reflection in the mirror, watching as she spun around twice. "I love it," Meg announced with a smile.
"Oh, honey," Lianne spoke up. "You're too conservative for your own good. Do you want to look like a nun? Show a little skin!" She giggled at her own joke, taking a seat on Meg's bed. "You'll thank me for it later."
Meg's smile faded, her gaze straying towards her closet. "Well, I guess I could always wear that gold one…"
"Stop it," Veronica asserted. "You look beautiful, Meg. Come on, let's get started on your hair."
After a brief hesitation, Meg took a seat at her vanity. Lianne rolled her eyes, turning her attention towards her second born. "Well don't you look nice, Veronica. It's good to see you putting in a little effort, for once."
"Thanks, Mom."
The girls fell silent, as Veronica began to brush out Meg's long hair, and Lianne grew bored. She stood up, hoping her other daughters would be better company. "At the very least, don't wear a jacket," she instructed. "If you step outside and get cold, Duncan will have to keep you warm himself."
With that she left the room, and Meg and Veronica exchanged looks. "I think she was attempting a compliment in there somewhere, at least," Veronica joked.
"She doesn't mean anything by it," Meg replied. "You look amazing tonight."
Veronica glanced up at her own reflection, tilting her head to one side critically. Her hair was already done, the top layer clasped and the rest falling in soft waves. Lilly had done her makeup, giving her dark, dramatic eyes. Although it wasn't her usual style, she was pleased with the results.
She'd purchased a new dress for the occasion, as well. Simple black, it had a beaded silver waist with matching accents on the straps. The front of the dress was slit almost to her hip. I'm going to have to be very careful sitting down tonight.
"Thanks, sis," she finally replied. "Although I am glad Mom's not trying to pimp me out tonight."
"No, I'm the one who gets that honor," Meg laughed. She settled back in her chair patiently, while Veronica began to work her hair into a twist. "So, Duncan told me something interesting, yesterday. I'm not supposed to say anything, but…"
"Spill."
Meg cleared her throat. "He said that Logan's an executive producer on Uncle Sammy's movie."
"What?"
Meg's hair slipped forgotten through Veronica's fingers, as she processed this information. She thought back to her aunt and uncle's party, remembering Sam and Logan in conversation on the deck. And Dick said he'd heard a rumor that Logan was involved, she suddenly recalled. But I didn't think he was serious…
Her mind travelled to that last morning on the ship, when Logan had been on his laptop in the Tea Room. "I'm trying to decide if I should get involved with something. Something that may not be in my best interests, financially, but which I'm having a very difficult time passing up."
He was talking about the movie. Veronica stared at her reflection, seeing the certainty in her own eyes. But if it wasn't a good investment, why on earth would he want to get involved? The idea of Logan holding so much power over the fate of her own family members made her very uncomfortable. Especially because he didn't tell me himself. Why is he keeping it a secret?
"Veronica?" Meg prompted.
"Oh, sorry," she mumbled. Veronica sectioned off a piece of Meg's hair, struggling to concentrate on the task at hand as her mind whirled with questions. Knowing the history between Logan and Troy, his involvement in the film made even less sense. Unless he wants the movie to fail, she realized with a start. In which case…
She'd been planning to confront Logan about the rumors that night; to find out, either directly or indirectly, if they were true. Veronica had figured that she had nothing to lose. But now... if he doesn't like what I say, he could take revenge on Sam.
So the best thing to do is put it out of my mind, she decided reluctantly. And do my very best to play nice.
xxXxx
The house on Netherfield Lane was not, in fact, a house. It was a mansion. Constructed several years earlier by a wealthy Neptunian architect for his far younger mistress, the Spanish-styled structure was the grandest in the area. Unfortunately, the discovery of the architect's scandalous affair had led to his financial undoing, preventing the home's planned occupation.
And so it had remained empty all of this time, dark and shuttered atop the cliff side, with no inhabitants to appreciate its glorious ocean views and perfectly manicured grounds. As their limousine carried them through the iron gates and up the driveway, Veronica peered curiously out the tinted window, eager to catch her first glimpse of the infamous home.
Soft exterior lights accented cream-colored, stucco walls, crowned by a red-tiled roof. Large chimneys capped either end of the house, and several pointed towers rose into the air at varying heights. Slender cypress trees sliced the darkening sky at the home's entrance, guarding the arched wooden doorway solemnly.
The limo slowed to a halt in front of the house, and Veronica took a deep breath as she waited for the driver to open the door. She was in unfamiliar, possibly hostile territory once again; only the thought of seeing familiar, friendly faces among the crowd enabled her to get out of the car.
Yet, despite her nerves, there was an undeniable excitement in the air. As Veronica and her sisters stepped into the foyer, and the sound of music and conversation reached their ears, they were all affected by the same sense of anticipation.
The girls were led into a vast ballroom, complete with vaulted ceilings and crystal chandeliers. A full stage had been constructed at the far end, and a live band was already playing. The dance floor was packed with people, while other partygoers milled around the outskirts eating hors d'oeuvres and sipping drinks.
Lilly and Gia made a beeline for the dance floor, as Mandy headed towards her friend Ryan. Veronica and Meg walked slowly around the perimeter of the room, searching for their own friends. Meg spotted Duncan immediately, and her face broke into a wide smile. Their host smiled in return, walking towards them quickly.
He greeted them both with a kiss on the cheek. "Meg, you look beautiful," he announced. Remembering his manners, he turned to Veronica. "You both look beautiful."
"Thank you," Veronica replied.
Duncan continued speaking, but she was too distracted to listen. Her eyes scanned the crowd in the dim lighting; searching at first for Troy, and then for anyone she knew who might tell her where he was.
But instead her eyes fell upon Logan, who was leaning against the bar in a black tuxedo and staring directly at her.
The sight of him was jarring, and Veronica averted her eyes instantly. She thought she'd been prepared for this; thought she may even be able to avoid him entirely in a crowd this large. Yet his presence was consuming. She could feel him watching her.
Against her better judgment, she glanced back over at him. Logan wasn't smiling, as he gazed back at her, but he didn't appear displeased. He held a champagne flute loosely in his right hand, the stem captured between two fingers, and his tuxedo jacket was already unbuttoned. He looked very much as he had the first time she'd met him. Although, this time, his expression held anything but disgust.
More than a little flustered, Veronica forced her attention back on Duncan and Meg. They were discussing the band that was currently on stage, agreeing whole-heartedly with each other about how talented they were. Their conversation drifted onto the topic of favorite bands, and Veronica began to fidget with the strap on her purse.
After half a minute had passed, her eyes strayed back to the bar. Logan was nowhere in sight.
xxXxx
It was disconcerting, the way she managed to affect his mood. Not a single word had passed between them, and yet Logan was already on edge. He finished his champagne in one gulp and stepped out into the courtyard, hoping the change in scenery would help him regain some clarity.
Yet, just as he'd settled himself onto a comfortable chair with a fresh glass of champagne, Veronica appeared before him once more. He didn't consciously choose to watch her; he simply couldn't manage to look elsewhere. Logan's eyes followed her movement across the courtyard, admiring the curve of her bare shoulders and the way her hips swayed as she walked.
She was stunning, this evening. As she paused to lean against the stone fountain at the center of the courtyard, the slit in her dress widened to reveal the side of her right leg. Logan's eyes travelled up her calf to her exposed thigh, overcome with his desire to touch her; to taste her.
I want her, he finally acknowledged. I want her more than I've ever wanted a woman before.
She was alone. It was the perfect time to approach her. Logan was halfway out of his chair when he saw that someone was already heading in her direction.
"Veronica!" Mac called. "There you are. You guys certainly took your time getting here."
The cousins embraced quickly, each girl eager to catch up with the other one. Mac had been in New York for the past two weeks, visiting their aunt and uncle. Veronica had told her what Troy had said about Logan, but they hadn't been able to discuss it in any real detail. She was about to pull Mac towards a quiet corner to talk when her cousin spoke.
"Troy's not coming."
"What?" Veronica questioned. "Why not?"
Mac lifted up one shoulder in a shrug. "He told my dad he had to go to L.A. unexpectedly for the weekend. But it's probably because of you-know-who."
Veronica sighed, glancing down in dismay. New dress, new shoes… all for nothing. "Of course he didn't want to come," she said. "Why would he, after the way Logan treated him?"
Catching sight of the object of their discussion, Mac lifted her chin slightly to indicate his presence. "Veronica," she warned, her voice low.
Veronica glanced sideways. Logan was seated at a table about fifteen feet away, by himself. He was facing their direction, but she doubted he'd been able to hear them. "I don't care," she stated aloud.
Mac studied her cousin for a few seconds before she spoke. "Look, I know you have a thing for Troy, and he's great. He's cute and fun and easy on the eyes. But Logan… I mean, look at him Veronica. Really look at him."
Despite her better judgment, Veronica found herself following her cousin's instructions. Logan was watching her, again. His eyes remained on hers even as he sipped his champagne, and she wondered over his unwavering interest.
"I know you didn't start out on the right foot, but he's obviously changed his mind about you," Mac continued. "The guy stares at you, like, constantly."
Realizing she was staring right back, Veronica shifted her eyes to Mac. "But what about-"
"What Troy said?" Mac finished. "We don't even know if it's true. And even if it is true, maybe there's more to the story than we know? Maybe Logan didn't realize the girl was so young, or maybe she lied to him about her age? The point it, he's a serious catch. Don't be so quick to write him off just because you're crushing on another guy."
"It's not just because of that," Veronica said quietly. She risked another glance at his table, but to her surprise he was no longer there. And then she spotted him, just steps away. He was walking towards her.
He stopped when he reached them, gaze focused entirely on Veronica. No one said anything for several seconds, and Mac looked from Veronica to Logan questioningly. "Um, hey Logan," she greeted him, in an attempt to break the tension.
Logan glanced at her, briefly. "Hey." He looked back at Veronica, placing one hand on his hip as his lips curved into a crooked smile. He lifted his chin up, speaking his request lightly. "Dance with me."
"I…" Veronica stared at him stupidly, at a complete loss for words. "I just got here, I-"
"Later then," he amended. "After you get settled."
"Okay," she agreed, her lips moving of their own accord.
Logan's smile widened. He nodded once at Mac and walked away.
"Um, what did I just say?" Veronica implored, staring at his departing back.
"That you'd dance with him," Mac replied with a grin.
Veronica closed her eyes, placing her hand on her forehead. "How the hell did that just happen?" she demanded. "I promised myself I'd never dance with him."
Mac rolled her eyes, shaking her head slowly back and forth. "You obviously weren't listening to the dude's story."
"What, that he's a catch?" Veronica returned dryly.
"Well, he is," Mac insisted. "He's a freaking billionaire, Veronica. With a 'b'. Size seventy-two font, in bold, billionaire. And if the fact that he's a wealthy and successful businessman at the age of seventeen isn't enough for you, can I just point out the fact that he's rocking the hell out of that tuxedo?"
"I don't care about-"
"Yeah, yeah, I know. You don't care about money," Mac anticipated her. She patted Veronica's shoulder affectionately, wishing her cousin wasn't so damn stubborn. One of these days, it's going to come back to bite her in the ass. "Come on," she said, nodding towards the nearby bar. "Let's go get a drink."
xxXxx
Veronica moved from group to group as the evening progressed, desperate for a distraction. She wished, more than once, that Troy had been there to fulfill that role. Because, more than once, she'd found her eyes straying towards Logan. Mac isn't wrong. He does look damn good in that tux.
It had been easier to accept Troy's story blindly, when Logan wasn't right in front of her. Seeing him brought back powerful memories, and not all of them were entirely unpleasant. She needed facts, in order to make a final judgment on him, and all she had was speculation.
From her own interactions with him, she knew him capable of being duplicitous. He smiled and flirted with me, all the while saying mean things about my family. She'd seen him change personas rapidly, depending on who he was addressing. But that doesn't prove anything, she admitted grudgingly. She herself was proficient at adapting to whatever company she found herself in.
Being so successful in business likely meant that he could be ruthless. But, again, that was conjecture. She had no real knowledge of his business dealings, aside from his baffling involvement with her uncle's movie. Maybe I do need to ask him a few questions, she concluded. As discreetly as I can.
Veronica took the last sip of her champagne and set the glass down, heading back inside to the dance floor. She'd just stepped into the ballroom when she felt a hand on her arm. Well, here we go. She took a deep breath and turned around.
"Casey."
"Hey, Veronica." Casey offered her a small smile. "You look, uh, really beautiful, tonight."
"Thanks," she replied. Impulsively, she reached out and took his hand. "I've missed talking to you."
"Me too," he replied. "I'm sorry I've been so-"
"No, please," she interrupted. "If anyone needs to apologize, it's me. I should never have…"
"It's okay." Casey squeezed her hand once and let go. "So you wanna dance?"
"I'd like that," she agreed. "Let's go."
Unbeknownst to them, Madison was watching their interaction with interest. She was a bit relieved, to see Veronica dancing with another guy. Not that she considered her a threat, or anything. Just because the girl finally learned how to use makeup doesn't make her any less of a skank. Still, it would be nice to have Logan to herself.
"I don't think I've ever been so glad I already have a man," Trina spoke up. "Because it's slim pickings here, little sister."
With one exception, Madison thought. The object of her desire was approaching them that very moment, looking sexier than she'd ever imagined. Tonight's the night. She finished off her champagne and set the glass down on the table.
"Hey," Logan greeted them. "You guys know where Duncan is?" He grabbed the chilled bottle of champagne out of the bucket on the center of the table, refilling his own glass until it bubbled over.
"Last I saw, he was dancing with Meg," Trina replied.
Madison tugged her dress down slightly, exposing a rather indecent amount of cleavage. She clasped her hands together, enhancing the affect, and turned her body towards Logan. "How come you haven't been dancing, Logan?"
He shrugged, taking several long sips of champagne. His eyes remained fixed on the dance floor.
Madison frowned. She leaned towards him, very deliberately blocking his view so that he'd be forced to look at her. Logan glanced up, finally meeting her eyes. "Come dance with me," she requested with a smile.
He stood up, gaze returning to the dance floor, and she shot a victorious look in Trina's direction. Madison placed her bag on the table, preparing to follow him.
Logan put his hand on her forearm, looking down at her distractedly. "Later, okay?" he asked. He swallowed the rest of his champagne and walked away, unwittingly leaving a very disappointed girl behind.
And when Madison saw who he was approaching, her disappointment turned to seething anger.
xxXxx
"Mind if I cut in?"
Veronica glanced up in surprise. She'd been preparing herself for this moment since she'd agreed to dance with him, and yet she was still utterly unprepared. She and Casey stopped dancing, and Casey looked at Logan.
"Uh, sure," he agreed.
Casey was too well-mannered to protest, but Veronica could tell he wasn't pleased about the interruption. It was probably for the best. What had started as an innocent reunion had been developing into something more like foreplay, as they'd gotten swept up in the music and the heat.
Veronica took a moment to catch her breath as Casey walked away. The beat was fast and the bass was loud, vibrating through the soles of her feet. At least we won't have to talk.
No sooner had the thought crossed her mind than did the song end, transitioning into a slow, melodic tune. Wonderful. With something close to a smirk on his lips, Logan stepped forward and placed his hands on her hips. With a silent sigh, Veronica reached her arms up and clasped them around his neck.
She wasn't quite sure where to look. Normally, in this position, she'd place her cheek against her partner's chest and close her eyes, enjoying the moment. But that was far too intimate behavior to exhibit towards someone she was pretty sure she didn't even like. Veronica glanced around the room, carefully avoiding his eyes.
And yet, part of her couldn't help enjoying the feel of his arms around her, solid and warm, and his familiar, distinctive scent. Her hands inadvertently grazed his hair as they spun around slowly, the strands baby soft against her fingers. Desperate for a distraction, Veronica spoke.
"This seems extravagant, even for you," she noted, finally meeting his eyes.
Logan stared back at her, shaken out of his own contemplations about her proximity. "I actually have very simple tastes," he recovered smoothly.
"Oh really?" she returned sarcastically.
"Yes," he insisted. "I enjoy the classics. Like a simple black dress, for example." His eyes dropped down to her outfit, and then back up. "This?" he asked, lifting his right hand off her waist to gesture around. "This is all Trina."
"Not sure I believe that," she replied.
"Why do you always assume I'm lying to you?" Logan asked.
"Aren't you?" she joked.
"Never."
His expression was serious, his eyes intent, but Veronica merely laughed. Unconsciously relaxing into him, she began her interrogation. "So, will your sister be joining you this summer?"
"No," he replied firmly.
"Don't want to subject her to the likes of us, huh?" she teased. "Seems a bit barbaric, dictating her life like that."
"Well, I am part Hun," he explained.
"And you're worried we'll corrupt her with our wanton SoCal ways, Attila?"
Logan smiled at her joke before replying. "No. I just know from past experience that she's still a little too young for this kind of thing."
Veronica eyed him curiously, wondering if he was referring to her behavior the previous summer. She bit her lower lip, to prevent herself from asking. "She's only a year younger than Lilly and Gia, though, right?"
"Yeah," he confirmed. "She's fourteen."
"So are you saying they shouldn't be here either?" she asked.
Logan looked away from her, towards where he'd last spotted the twins. Lilly was still there, her body pressed close to Chip's as she downed a glass of champagne. He turned back to Veronica. "Do you think they should?" he countered.
Feeling a bit defensive, Veronica stopped moving and stared back at him. Logan followed suit, looking down at her curiously. "Hey, you were the one who invited them," she pointed out.
"I didn't have anything to do with the invitations," he corrected her.
"I see," she replied. "That actually makes a lot more sense."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing," she replied. They began to dance again, but the silence stretched on. After a moment, Veronica decided that she didn't want to let the subject drop. "I couldn't help noticing that everyone from the movie is here," she remarked. "With one notable exception."
"If you're talking about Troy," Logan returned distastefully, "he was invited. I have no idea why he didn't show."
"Perhaps he didn't feel welcome?" she suggested innocently.
"All of our guests are welcome here," he replied coldly. "Whether I personally enjoy their company or not."
They had stopped dancing again, yet their arms remained wrapped around one another. Logan's muscles were tense and his jaw was set firmly. As Veronica looked into his darkened eyes, she knew she'd hit a nerve.
Affecting an easy smile, she tilted her head to one side. "Wait, you mean there are people whose company you actually do enjoy?" she teased. "Because if there are, I'm dying to meet them."
He nodded without speaking, and their feet began to move again. Uncomfortable with the sudden strain, Veronica once again spoke before thinking. "Do you realize you have, like, forty-seven different personalities?" she demanded.
Logan eyed her with amusement. He adored her when she was like this, blue eyes full of passion and fixated on his in a silent challenge. All thoughts of Troy were gone, now, his attention entirely back on her. "Most people find me very even-tempered," he informed her.
"Right," she replied dryly. "Is this before or after you hand them their paycheck?"
"Before," he assured her. "I happen to be a fantastic boss."
"Of course you are. You excel at everything you do, don't you?"
"Most things," he agreed. "There are reasons why I'm a nine."
Veronica rolled her eyes at that old joke, but she was determined to stay on track. "But surely there are people out there who don't find you as brilliant as you find yourself?"
"Possibly," Logan shrugged. "But I don't bother associating with any of them."
"Naturally."
"And what about you, Veronica?" he countered. "Does everyone you meet find you irresistible?"
"Hardly," she laughed.
"I'm not so sure about that," he replied, his eyes straying towards Casey. "If rumors are to be believed, you have more than your fair share of admirers yourself."
Veronica felt a blush coloring her cheeks and looked away. She wasn't sure if he was referring to Casey, Dick, or Troy, but she certainly didn't wish to discuss her love life with him. "And do you always take rumors for fact?" she questioned.
Logan glanced down at her. "Do you?"
"No," she conceded. "But I have found that rumors are usually based in fact." With only a slight hesitation, she continued. "I've heard several rumors about you, for example, that have left me with a great deal to think about."
Extremely curious what she'd heard about him, Logan nevertheless kept his expression composed. "Well if the rumors are positive, then I assure you they're all true," he smirked.
"And if they're negative, they're false?"
"Obviously."
Veronica unconsciously furrowed her brow. "And yet you admitted to me, once, that you do have flaws. A bad temper, and an unwillingness to forgive, if I remember correctly."
"True."
"So isn't it possible that you've made some enemies, along the way?"
Logan studied her carefully, certain now that she was referring to something specific. Abandoning pretense, he asked, "What did you hear about me, Veronica?"
Veronica's mouth opened slightly as she regarded him, taken aback by his direct inquiry. A large part of her wanted to simply tell him what Troy had said. She was convinced she'd be able to read the truth in his reaction, especially if she took him off guard.
But the subject matter was extremely personal; she was sure Logan wouldn't appreciate her bringing it up in a crowd full of people. And, if the rumors were true, he would likely feel threatened by her knowledge of his actions. The last thing I should be doing is pissing off the guy who has Uncle Sammy's future in his hands.
"Oh, nothing in particular," she replied vaguely. "Just descriptions of your personality that seem to vary quite a bit. I'm trying to decide which version of you is the most accurate."
"And what have you decided?" he questioned.
"The jury's still out."
Unhappy with that response, Logan turned his head to hide his disappointment. His eyes roamed the dance floor disinterestedly, his thoughts still firmly on his dance partner. But when he spotted Duncan and Meg in a darkened corner, his attention was diverted.
The couple had their arms wrapped around one another as they turned slowly to the music, seemingly oblivious to the rest of the crowd. Meg's head rested on Duncan's chest, her eyes closed, while Duncan's hand stroked the back of her head. He said something that caused her to look up, and they kissed. Logan frowned, thinking hard as he watched them together.
It was a bit alarming how much their relationship had progressed, simply in the two weeks since they'd arrived back in Neptune. Duncan had been distracted at work, more interested in texting Meg than learning about the business. Logan had tried to convince himself that it was nothing more than a summer fling. But it's not, he realized. He's serious about her. Too serious.
The song ended, and Logan's attention travelled back to Veronica. Her hands dropped down from his neck. Reluctantly, he removed his own hands from her waist. He didn't want to leave her. "So do you want to go get a drink, or-"
"Ronnie-licious!" Dick swept across the dance floor like a summer storm, utterly unconcerned with who or what he encountered along the way. Mac trailed along in the wide path left in his wake, throwing apologetic looks towards those he'd sloshed with his drink.
Eyes glassy and cheeks pink, Dick was in rare form tonight. From the moment he'd spotted Veronica, earlier that evening, he'd been pestering her for a dance. She'd managed to put him off, even going so far as to beg Mac to keep him away from her. But I knew he wouldn't stay away forever.
"You ready to shake your booty, hot mama?" he asked. Without waiting for a reply, Dick began to dance.
Veronica sighed, realizing she'd have to join him. Stepping forward, she took his drink from his hand and passed it to Mac, who nodded in understanding and walked off the dance floor.
The band was playing another fast song, and it had gotten too loud to speak. She flashed a rueful look in Logan's direction, meant as a silent apology for their interruption. But to her surprise, he was already gone.
xxXxx
Thoroughly aggravated at having been usurped by the likes of Dick Casablancas, Logan headed back towards his table in a foul mood. Finding his empty glass undisturbed, he helped himself to more champagne and took a seat facing the dance floor.
Dick's blond head was easy to spot, in the crowd, but Veronica was hidden by other dancing bodies. Logan's eyes found Meg and Duncan, still in their same secluded corner and grinning at one another like fools. He looked down at his champagne distastefully, the lively bubbles seeming to mock him. Logan stood up, deciding to abandon his champagne for a whiskey.
He'd almost reached the bar when he was intercepted by Madison, who stumbled and fell into his arms. He placed a steadying hand on her waist while she recovered her balance. As soon as she straightened her posture, he dropped his hand back to his side.
"Oops," she giggled.
"You okay?" Logan asked.
Madison's smile faded, and she shook her head no. "You're not behaving," she scolded him, slurring slightly. "You're not doing what you're supposed to."
Logan laughed lightly, despite the warning in his gut at her words. "Actually," he corrected. "I think you're misbehaving more than I am." He pointed towards her champagne flute. "How many of those have you had?"
Madison ignored his question, opting to ask her own. "Is something going on with you and Veronica Mars?" she demanded.
Logan stared back at her without answering, surprised she was asking so directly. "What makes you think that?" he finally replied.
Madison struggled to find a way to respond that wouldn't make her look like she'd been obsessing over him. "I saw you dancing with her before. A girl's got to wonder."
"Just being a good host," he said dismissively.
"Well then why don't we dance?" she proposed, the smile returning to her lips.
Madison grabbed his hand, pulling herself nearer to him, and Logan tensed at the contact. "Seriously, how much have you had to drink?" he inquired.
"Oh, I don't know," she replied. "A little bit."
Logan pulled his hand gently from her grasp and placed it on her shoulder. "Maybe you should switch to water, for a little while," he suggested.
"Why Logan, are you worried about me?" Madison teased.
"I'm worried about what your dad will do to me if he finds out his little princess got wasted," he corrected. "In public, no less."
Growing bored of the conversation, Logan's eyes strayed back to the dance floor. From this vantage point, he now had a clear view of Veronica. She was still paired with Dick, who was barely managing to keep the balance required for dancing. Veronica, quite obviously annoyed, winced as he stepped on her foot.
Madison scowled. Determined to regain his attention, she took a step closer to him, placing her hand on his forearm. "We're not in public," she reminded him pointedly. "We're in our house. Our bedrooms are right upstairs."
Logan looked down at her sharply, his focus now completely on her. "Madison…"
"Yes, Logan?" She reached her hand up to touch his face. But Logan took her hand, preventing her from reaching her goal. He kept tight hold of her hand, unwittingly giving her the motivation needed to continue. Madison tilted her head back, whispering in his ear. "If you're worried about Duncan, he won't find out. He's so into Meg right now, he'd never notice."
"It's not Duncan," he replied firmly.
"Well then what's stopping you?" she asked softly. Madison placed her free hand on his chest, running her palm down to his abdomen suggestively.
Momentarily stunned into silence, Logan stared at her with his mouth agape.
"Don't you know how much I want you?" she breathed into his ear. Her hand slipped lower, and she kissed him.
For a solitary second, Logan returned her kiss, his mind still full of Veronica. But then his reason returned in a rush, and he pulled away abruptly. Frowning, Madison attempted to kiss him again. Logan placed both of his hands stiffly on her shoulders, physically preventing her from reaching him.
"I'm sorry to have to say this to you," he said, looking her directly in the eye. "I didn't want to hurt your feelings. But I'm not interested in you like that. Okay?"
Madison blinked at him several times, before finally processing his words. Her face contorted in anger. She pushed both of his arms off of her shoulders with a single, violent gesture, and stepped backwards. "No, it's not okay," she spat.
"I'm sorry," he repeated, unsure what else to say.
Madison glared at him for several seconds before hurrying away. Logan stared after her for a moment, before continuing on his path to the bar. Okay, now I really need a drink.
Unbeknownst to him, Veronica and Duncan had both witnessed what had just transpired between him and Madison. And neither one of them appeared pleased.
xxXxx
Logan had just taken his first sip of whiskey when he felt a heavy arm descend upon his shoulders. The force of the motion pushed him forward slightly, causing him to spill his drink on his own hand.
Anticipating Conner as the culprit, a biting insult was already prepared on Logan's tongue. But when he turned his head to find the blond surfer Veronica had just been dancing with, instead, he managed to check himself.
"Hey, man, what's up?" Dick greeted him with a large grin. "You people know how to throw a par-tay."
"Do we?" Logan questioned sarcastically, removing Dick's arm from his shoulders. "It seems to me we need to re-examine our guest list, in the future."
"Nah, man, there's totally enough hotties here to go around," Dick insisted. He nodded at the bartender for a beer, helping himself to the seat next to Logan. "Turns out you and me kick it with the same people."
"What?" Logan asked distractedly. It had just occurred to him that if Dick was here with him, Veronica was elsewhere. His eyes skimmed the dance floor, curious if she had another partner.
"Kendall!" Dick shouted in his ear, making sure he heard him this time. "She's my agent."
Logan turned his head back towards Dick slowly, not at all managing to mask his irritation. "So?"
"So I hear you, like, know her," Dick explained, employing air quotes around the verb and raising both eyebrows.
Logan stared at him, in complete disbelief at his utter lack of discretion and self-awareness. "Dude, who the hell are you?" he demanded.
"Dick."
"Excuse me?" Logan asked.
"That's me. I'm Dick."
"Dick," Logan repeated pointedly. "Yeah, that sounds about right."
"And Veronica."
"What about Veronica?" he asked impatiently.
"You two are friends, or whatever," Dick said. "Right?"
It was a simple enough question, but Logan wasn't sure how to answer it. After a moment, he shrugged. "I guess."
The bartender handed Dick his beer. He took several very long swigs, until his eyes burned from the carbonation and the beer was half gone. He burped loudly and turned back to Logan. "She's my girl," Dick informed him. "Remember that."
"How lucky for her," Logan smirked. He picked up his whiskey off the bar and stood, walking away without another word.
xxXxx
Logan happily would have gone the rest of the evening without another interaction with the inebriated surfer, but luck was not on his side. He'd just finished making a wide sweep of the ballroom when he spotted Dick's shaggy blond head on the edge of the dance floor, bobbing from side to side as he tried to engage Veronica in another dance.
After taking one look at the expression on her face, Logan changed his course to intercept them. He watched as Dick grabbed both of Veronica's hands and lifted them up in the air, attempting to get her to move. But Veronica's feet remained stubbornly fixed to the ground.
"I like to see you boogie," he sang off-key. "Right across the dance floor."
"Dick," Veronica protested. She attempted to pull her hands out of his grasp, but he held on tightly.
"I like to do it to you, 'til you holla for more," he continued, undeterred. Dick thrust his hips towards her in a lewd gesture. Deciding she'd had enough, Veronica readied her knee for contact.
"Ready for our re-match?"
Veronica glanced up, startled to see Logan standing right beside her. Distracted by the interruption, Dick released her hands. She took a step back, shooting an exasperated look at him. Dick has no idea how close he just came to entering a world of pain.
She turned her attention to Logan. "What re-match?"
"Pool. We've got a table set up right down the hall." Seeing her vacillate, he added nonchalantly, "Unless you're too scared…?"
"Hardly," she replied. "Let's go."
"What the hell?" Dick protested. "You're just gonna leave me hanging?"
"Sorry, Dick," Veronica shrugged. "You're going to have to find another reggae woman to boogie on." Spotting Madison on the other side of the room, a slow smile spread across Veronica's face. "How about her?" she suggested innocently, nodding towards the blonde. "I bet she'd love to dance with you."
Dick turned his head towards Madison. Not waiting to see if he took her advice, Veronica followed Logan across the dance floor and out of the room. A pair of green eyes watched them as they left, narrowing to an angry glower as they disappeared from view.
xxXxx
Logan led Veronica down a long hallway, the noise of the crowd diminishing with each step they took. Finally, he opened the last door on the left, and they went inside.
When he closed the door, the sounds of the party disappeared entirely. Veronica was reminded of the last time they were alone together, in the gym on the yacht. Right before I heard what he really thought about me, she recalled. So why, exactly, am I alone with this person again? To distract herself from exploring that train of thought, Veronica looked around the room.
Aside from the full-sized pool table in the center, the space also contained two arcade games, a dartboard, a mini-golf area and a foosball table. The far end of the room hosted a bar, complete with cushioned bar stools and several fully stocked shelves of liquor. Four enormous flat screen TV's were perched on the wall behind the bar.
"I see you didn't waste any time decorating this room," she remarked.
"Naturally," Logan replied. He finished racking the balls and walked to the far side of the table, glancing up at her with a grin. "It's the most important room in the house."
She rolled her eyes and walked over to the wall, choosing a pool cue and chalking the tip. Logan broke the rack head-on, sinking the one and the three. He set up a shot on the seven, tapping the ball quickly into the side pocket. "So what's up with you and the blond?" he questioned.
"Who, Meg?" Veronica asked. "She's my sister. I thought you knew that, by now."
"Very funny," he returned, lining up the two ball. "I'm talking about that guy, Dick."
She shrugged. "We're just friends."
"He seems to think otherwise," Logan noted. He hit the ball into the corner pocket and paused to survey the table.
"Well he can think whatever he wants," Veronica replied. "I'm not interested in him like that."
Not quite satisfied with that response, Logan glanced over at her. She was toying with one of the handles on the foosball table, spinning it around and around. Forgetting the task at hand, he paused to watch her. He wanted very much to ask her about Casey- even more so, about Troy- yet he didn't want to appear overly interested in her love life.
After a moment's hesitation, he decided that he had to know. "You seemed very interested in Troy's absence, earlier," he remarked.
Veronica turned back towards him. Logan was leaning casually against the side of the pool table in his tuxedo, cue held loosely in his right hand; the picture of elegance. Like he's doing a shoot for GQ, she thought wryly. Lounging around the house in a tux, playing a game of pool.
"Just disappointed he's not here," she replied aloud. "I've found Troy to be very entertaining company."
"Entertaining," Logan repeated distastefully. "That's one word for it." Remembering himself, he stood up straight and turned back towards the table. He had a clear shot on the four ball, but he was struggling to concentrate. "Is that why you got all dolled up tonight?" he asked. "For him?"
He took his shot, missing entirely and nearly putting a hole through the felt. Witnessing his failure, Veronica walked forward calmly and began to gauge her options. "Was there an actual compliment in there, somewhere?" she questioned. She leaned over, lining up a shot on the eleven ball and sinking it easily.
"Maybe," Logan acknowledged with an ironic smile. "But don't let it go to your head."
"I wouldn't dream of it." Veronica sunk the nine ball, then the twelve, and made her way to the other side of the table. With Logan directly across from her, she leaned down low to take her shot on the fourteen. She knew he was getting an eyeful, but she didn't care.
Score one for the lowly "daughter of the town drunk", she thought spitefully, hitting the fourteen ball into the side pocket. Veronica lifted her eyes up to his, raising her body up more slowly. Logan's eyes remained on her face, but she could tell it was taking quite a bit of effort on his part.
Pushing his buttons was as enjoyable as ever, she had to admit. In that vein, she decided that she was tired of being interrogated by Logan. His turn.
"So what's up with you and the blonde?" she asked with a raised eyebrow, reversing his own question back on him.
For several seconds, Logan thought she was referring to herself. I don't even know how to begin to answer that question. He gazed back at her, stupefied.
Veronica rolled her eyes. "Are there really that many blondes?" she asked. "I'm talking about Madison. I saw you two, earlier."
"Oh." Logan scratched at the back of his neck, discomfited at the thought of Veronica witnessing that scene. He shrugged. "It was nothing."
"It didn't look like nothing from where I was standing," she goaded.
Logan sighed. "She's got a thing for me, and I don't have a thing for her," he explained. "The end."
Veronica knew there was more to the story, and she was tempted to push. But he looked so uncomfortable that she decided to take pity on him and change the subject. Although I'm pretty sure he won't like this topic either.
Pretending to search the table for an available shot, she posed her next question. "So, what's it like being puppet master?" she questioned innocently.
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"You know, producing my uncle's movie," she clarified, glancing up to check his reaction. "Pulling all of the strings?"
Logan frowned. "How did you find out about that?"
"Small town, remember? Word gets around."
"Right," he replied dryly. "How could I forget?"
"You must be loving it," she continued. "Getting to be everyone's boss, telling them all what to do…"
Logan shook his head. Once again, she'd pegged him wrong. But I can hardly admit that I took on the role of producer to try and help her family out. Proud as Veronica was, she'd be furious at his interference. And I have no earthly explanation for why I even care about what happens to them.
"It's not about getting to boss people around," he tried to explain. "It's about being able to see something develop. You know, watching it go from a concept on the page to an actuality on the screen. And actually getting to play a part in all of it."
Veronica nodded, grudgingly impressed by his response. "So you don't care that you're disappointing the movie-going audience by not becoming an actor, like your parents?"
"No," he replied honestly. "I don't care. Acting's not my thing."
"But I'm sure people have tried, over the years," she pressed.
"They've tried," he admitted. "But I prefer being behind the scenes."
Thinking he was done, and recognizing that the subject of his parents was painful, Veronica merely nodded. She had re-focused her attention on their game, deciding to attempt a tricky shot on the ten, when she noticed Logan walking towards her.
She stood up straight as he came to a stop right next to her. Logan leaned his body against the table, turning slightly to face her.
"I don't really want people recognizing me, when I go out," he continued. "Strangers knowing about my personal life, gossiping about me." Logan shrugged, his brow furrowing. "When I was a kid, there was a constant swarm of reporters outside our house in L.A. I hated that. I like to be anonymous."
Veronica regarded him thoughtfully, game forgotten. He'd mentioned this to her once before, that he valued his privacy. And he seems like he's being genuine, she acknowledged. His brown eyes were unguarded at the moment, shifting rapidly from side to side as he gazed back at her. Suddenly, Veronica became very aware of just how close they were standing to one another.
"But you could never be anonymous," she said softly. "Everyone knows who you are."
And I know what you've done, she reminded herself. Or do I? As Veronica continued to look into Logan's eyes, she was consumed with doubt. I need to ask him about what Troy said. I need to know who he really is, once and for all.
As though he could read her mind, Logan shook his head. "No," he corrected her. "No one knows who I really am. They just think they do. Only-" He stopped abruptly.
She waited for him to continue, but he didn't. Veronica squared her shoulders and faced him fully, determined to get some resolution. "Logan, there's something I want to ask you."
Logan nodded, unsurprised. She'd had something on her mind all night; he could tell. "Go ahead," he urged.
Veronica took a deep breath, unsure how to begin. But before she had a chance to figure it out, the door swung open and Duncan appeared before them.
Startled at finding Logan and Veronica in such intimate proximity, Duncan hesitated before speaking. He'd obviously interrupted them. Yet, whether he'd interrupted them talking or doing something else, he couldn't be sure. He cleared his throat. "Uh, Logan, can I talk to you for a minute?"
Logan clenched his jaw, just barely keeping his annoyance in check. "We're in the middle of a game."
"It's important," Duncan insisted. "And it can't wait."
Logan knew that look of his well, and he had a feeling he knew why it was being directed at him. "Fine," he consented.
He walked over to the wall, taking half a minute to compose himself as he replaced his pool cue. What was she about to say? He sighed silently before turning back to face her with a wry smile. "Looks like I've got to forfeit again. But I still want a rematch."
"We may never get the chance," Veronica pointed out. "So you'll just have to admit that I'm the better player and move on with your life."
He stared at her, unable to smile at her joke. It had never occurred to him that he may not see her for the rest of the summer. In fact, he'd been expecting to see quite a bit of her. But when would we, really? We have no plans to spend time together. And my days will be spent at the plant with Duncan…
"That's never going to happen," he said aloud. "But nice try."
Logan managed a smirk and walked towards the door, following Duncan out into the hallway.
xxXxx
Duncan led Logan down the hall and out the back door of the house, searching for some privacy. But as they stepped onto the patio, they were both alerted to the sound of someone vomiting. Duncan spotted Meg's sister Mandy, throwing up in the bushes.
"Classy," Logan remarked. "I told you not to move here, man. This is why."
"Oh, because people never get sick in New York?" Duncan returned sarcastically.
"No. Because they have the good manners to do it in the bathroom."
Duncan rolled his eyes. Spotting Gia, sitting on the edge of the fountain with one of the surfers from the movie, he began walking towards her. After a loud sigh, Logan followed him.
"Hey, Gia," Duncan greeted her. "Um, your sister is getting sick. Maybe you should go check on her?"
Gia glanced in the direction Duncan was pointing to, wondering which sister was making a fool of herself. Seeing Mandy, she merely giggled. Lilly had dared her to drink three glasses of champagne, and it looked like Mandy had taken the bait. She's such a lightweight. "She's fine," Gia told him, turning back to Sean.
"She's killing our azaleas," Logan stated. "Go help her."
Gia sighed heavily and stood up, shooting a nasty look at Logan before walking over to Mandy. Sean rolled his eyes, but followed her.
"Let's go upstairs," Logan suggested. "Before that smell makes me sick."
"Agreed."
When they stepped into Logan's room, several minutes later, they quickly discovered that they had company. Lilly and Chip were in Logan's bed, making out furiously.
"Excuse me," Logan protested.
"It's okay, man," Chip said, without looking up. "Just shut the door on your way out."
"Um, no," Logan corrected. "This happens to be my room, man. Kindly find somewhere else to do your face sucking."
Lilly finally looked up. Spotting Logan and Duncan, she sighed and pushed Chip off of her. She stood up, placing her dress straps back over her shoulders and sliding her feet into her shoes. Then she took Chip's hand and pulled him off the bed and towards the door.
"Sorry, dude," Chip said on his way out. "She dragged me in here, I thought it was cool."
Duncan shut the door when they left, while Logan eyed his bed distastefully. Seeing his expression, Duncan nodded. "We should probably let Meg and Veronica know about that."
"Actually, I'm more concerned about my bed having herpes."
"They were just kissing," Duncan remarked. "Relax."
Logan took a seat gingerly on the edge of his bed, looking up at Duncan resignedly. "Alright. Lecture away. I'm ready."
"Then you know what I saw?" Duncan asked.
"You saw your little sister proposing some rather improper things to me," Logan replied. "And me turning her down."
Duncan frowned. "That's not what it looked like to me."
"C'mon, dude, have I ever shown any interest in her?" Logan asked.
"No, not really. But-"
"But nothing. She kissed me for like two seconds, and I stopped her," Logan explained. "I told her I didn't feel that way about her."
Duncan frowned. "She looked really upset."
"Yeah, well no one likes to get rejected. Least of all Madison Kane. It's probably never happened to her before."
"Did you at least let her down easy?"
"As easy as I could, while still getting my point across," Logan replied. "She's not happy, but she's going to have to find a way to deal with it." He looked down, toying with the button on his shirt for a minute. "Listen, I'd appreciate it if you didn't say anything to your old man. I don't want him to get the wrong idea."
Duncan nodded. "Alright," he agreed. "As long as you two work it out before we get back to New York."
"Thanks." Logan stood up and walked towards the door. "So, we done?"
"Yeah."
The two young men stepped out into the hallway and began to make their way towards the staircase. "Now that you're done interrogating me," Logan began, "do you want to tell me what the deal is with you and Meg?"
Duncan paused at the top of the stairs, turning to face him slowly. "That depends," he replied. "Are you gonna give me shit about it?"
"Do I need to?" Logan countered.
"You might think so."
Logan crossed his arms, eyeing his friend suspiciously. "Dude, if you got her pregnant-"
Duncan waved him silent, looking around to make sure no one was around. "Are you nuts?" he asked in a lowered voice. "We haven't even done that yet."
"Then you're the one who's nuts," Logan laughed, clapping his friend on the back. He started down the steps, and Duncan followed him. When they reached the bottom of the stairs, Duncan grabbed his arm to get his attention.
Logan, who had just spotted Veronica exiting the ballroom, looked at Duncan impatiently. "I was kidding," he said preemptively.
"No, I just… Meg's different, okay?" Duncan's blue eyes were thoughtful. "Like, I think about her constantly. I just want to be with her all of the time. I don't even care what we do, or what we talk about, as long as she's there. Have you ever felt like that with anyone?"
Logan's eyes followed Veronica's movement across the foyer, as he listened to Duncan speak. "No," he lied.
"Me either, before now. And-" Duncan laughed and shook his head. "This sounds so insane, but I can picture, like, being with her. For years. Marriage, kids, the whole nine yards…"
Logan felt a pang of jealousy at hearing Duncan's words. He'd never given marriage too much thought. It was something that would happen many, many years down the road, if at all.
No sooner did that thought cross his mind than did an image appear in his mind: Veronica in a simple white dress, holding a bouquet of orchids and smiling up at him in the sunlight.
The picture was gone in a flash. Logan stared at Veronica's disappearing figure in shock, as she slipped out the back door. Truly alarmed, he turned to face Duncan. "Are you kidding me?" he asked, his voice harsher than he'd intended. "You barely even know her."
Duncan frowned. "I do know her," he insisted. "You're the one who hasn't bothered to take the time." He shook his head. "Never mind. I knew you wouldn't get it."
"What, that you're suddenly in love?" Logan mocked. "With someone you've hung out with, like, five times?"
"What if I am?" Duncan demanded. "What if… what if I do want to-"
"Marry her?" Logan finished incredulously. "Yeah, that'll be a fun conversation with your dad."
"I'm eighteen," Duncan said defiantly. "And so is she. Legally, I wouldn't have to tell my dad."
Logan blinked at him, shocked by what he was hearing. This situation was even more troubling than he'd realized. He'd warned Duncan about Meg early on; warned him that she might be trying to trap him. Yet it had been a long while since he'd seriously considered that notion. The girl had seemed far too genuine.
But maybe that's her game, Logan mused. Maybe she smiles sweetly at us all, to make us overlook what she's truly after. So what, exactly, has she been whispering in his ear? He'd never seen Duncan like this before; threatening to defy his parents, talking about sneaking around behind their backs. Could all of this be Meg's doing?
Logan took a deep breath, trying to remain calm. The last thing he needed was for Duncan to run off and do something crazy, just to spite him. "Yeah, man, you're eighteen," he stressed. "People don't get married at eighteen anymore. This isn't nineteen twelve."
Duncan opened his mouth to protest, but Logan held up his hand. "Look, I get it. You like her. All I'm asking is that you don't do anything stupid. Or permanent."
After a brief hesitation, Duncan nodded. "Okay," he agreed.
"And that includes tattoos," Logan added with a grin, elbowing Duncan in the side.
His attempt to lighten the mood worked. Duncan's posture relaxed, and he smiled. "So I shouldn't get our initials tattooed on my check?" he joked.
"No cheek tattoos and no tramp stamps," Logan instructed. "Do we need to pinky swear?"
Duncan pushed him playfully, and they both laughed. Logan was relieved that he'd managed to get his friend thinking more clearly, for the time being; but he wasn't about to let his guard down for a second. I'll be keeping a very close eye on Meg Mars from here on out. Someone has to, and it obviously isn't going to be Duncan.
"C'mon," Duncan offered, nodding towards the ballroom. "Let's get back in there."
Logan was about to agree when he noticed Conner, glancing around surreptitiously before exiting out the back door. He stared after him darkly, certain his destination wasn't a coincidence.
His mind travelled to the last night on the yacht, when he'd walked in on Conner and Veronica alone in the salon. He'd never gotten a satisfactory explanation about that. From either one of them.
"Uh, yeah, I'll be there in a minute," Logan replied.
He waited until Duncan had entered the ballroom and disappeared from view; and then he walked through the back door and stepped outside.
xxXxx
The night air was cool relief against Veronica's skin. The ballroom had turned hot and stuffy from the motion of a hundred dancers, and the noise level had grown unbearable. She'd had to get out of there.
She paused briefly against the fountain to remove her heels, taking a moment to massage her sore feet. Then she continued barefoot down the grey stone path, towards what appeared to be a garden.
Veronica couldn't see much in the darkness, but she enjoyed the peace and solitude nonetheless. After several minutes of exploring, she took a seat on a stone bench. In daylight, she would have been treated to the sight of a stunning circlet of purple dahlias. By moonlight, her view was much more subdued. She didn't mind.
She heard the footsteps on the path just before she saw the figure approach, and she stood up immediately. She felt certain it was Logan; yet quite a bit less certain how she felt about being near him, again. Alone.
"Veronica?"
It wasn't Logan. She squinted into the darkness, not recognizing the voice. She shivered in the cool air, wrapping her arms around herself as the person came nearer. Finally, she recognized who it was.
"Conner," she stated flatly. He was next to her before she had time to make her escape. Veronica thought fast. "I'm just heading back to the party. I-"
"Aw, c'mon, what's the rush?" he interrupted. As he came closer, Veronica could smell the alcohol on his breath, sharp and pungent. Conner towered over her, a black shadow against the night sky. She felt his hand on her bare shoulder, and her whole body tensed.
"I'm not feeling well," Veronica replied tersely.
Conner's fingers ran down her arm, very slowly. "Well I can fix that."
Veronica pulled her arm out of his reach, scratching hard at the skin he'd just touched. She took a step back, glancing around for something she could use in a pinch. A stick or a rock. But it was too dark; she couldn't see anything.
Well if it's not fight, it'll have to be flight, she decided quickly. And the only way I'm getting out of dodge is if I outsmart him. Shouldn't be too hard, with this one.
Conner regarded her with arms crossed, finally growing suspicious at her lack of interest. "What's the problem? I thought you were into me."
"You're married," Veronica deflected. She needed to tread a careful line, here, between appearing to play along and actually saying she was interested. This was the second time he'd sought her out, both times cornering her in an isolated location. And I have a feeling he doesn't handle rejection well.
Conner laughed. "You don't have to worry about Trina. She's all wrapped up in her big party."
"You're not worried that someone would see us?" she questioned. "I mean… it's a little exposed here, don't you think?"
"Trust me," he insisted. "I know what I'm doing."
"So you've done this before?" Veronica asked. She had no interest in hearing about Conner's many conquests. She was stalling; trying to figure out how she could convince him to go back to the house.
"What do you think?" he asked. Conner took a step closer to her. "Just so you know, I don't care what everyone else says about you. I think you're great. And you're looking hot tonight."
Momentarily distracted from her precarious situation, Veronica frowned up at Conner. "What do people say about me?" she asked.
"I told you, it doesn't bother me," he assured her. "I like a girl who's got a few notches on her belt. It makes her more adventurous." He wrapped his hand around her forearm, attempting to pull her towards the path. "There's a gazebo, not too far from here. C'mon, I'll show you."
Veronica resisted, and Conner frowned. She needed to get out of here, and fast. "Conner, it's freezing," she protested, attempting lightheartedness. "Why don't we go back to the house, instead?"
"Aww, don't worry baby. I'll keep you warm…" he promised.
"Conner? Hey, man, is that you?"
Logan walked closer, until he could just make out Conner and Veronica's features in the darkness. Conner had moved away from her as soon as he'd spoken, but it didn't matter. Logan had seen and heard everything.
"Trina sent me to find you," he lied smoothly. "The fireworks are about to start."
"Wouldn't want to miss that, would we?" Conner joked. "I'd never hear the end of it."
He's a better actor than people give him credit for, Logan grudgingly admitted to himself. He glanced down at Veronica. Her arms were crossed tightly around herself; she was looking down, her hair covering her face.
Without a word, he took his tuxedo jacket off and draped it over her shoulders. She looked up at him thankfully, but said nothing.
Logan wished he could see her expression, in the darkness. He couldn't help wondering if he should have let the scene play out further, between them, so he could have been certain one way or another about her feelings for Conner. Her words had conveyed interest in the actor, but her body language had said differently. Either way, I couldn't watch that anymore.
They walked back to the house in complete silence. Veronica pulled Logan's jacket closed, shivering slightly. She'd never know, for sure, what would have happened if Logan hadn't shown up when he did. It could have been fine, she acknowledged. Conner could have just shrugged it off and gone looking for a more willing participant. Yet, somehow, she didn't think so.
This was the second time, now, that Logan had rescued her from Conner, and she was grateful. She supposed she had Trina to partially thank for it this time, too, for sending him out there in the first place. Of course, if she'd even had an inkling of what her husband had been up to, she'd have come out here herself. And she would have been furious.
Veronica recalled Conner's words about her; his implication that she was a big slut and that everyone knew it. The question is, who's "everyone"? she wondered. I know Madison and Trina feel that way about me; I've heard them say it myself. But does Duncan? Does Logan?
She frowned, considering the evening from a different perspective. Was the dance, the game of pool, all just an attempt to try and get in my pants because he heard I was easy? She glanced up at him, more bothered by the notion than she should have been. Logan was looking straight ahead, his eyes facing forward.
When the house came into view, she and Logan lagged behind, each of them deep in thought. Yet Conner increased his pace. He doubted Logan was stupid enough to mention his whereabouts to Trina, but he needed to establish an alibi just in case.
Conner knew he'd be stuck playing the role of perfect husband for the rest of the night, to allay any suspicions his wife might have. He sighed and headed towards the house, with one last, lustful look at Veronica before he left.
She watched him go with a silent exhale of relief. She and Logan paused at the fountain, turning towards one another. Veronica could see his face, now, in the soft light emanating from the lanterns that lined the perimeter of the garden. But his expression was unreadable.
"I guess old crushes die hard, huh?" he asked, nodding towards Conner's departing figure.
Veronica regarded Logan with dawning realization. Just how much did he hear, back there? Does he really think I was into that? She knew she shouldn't care what he thought. Yet she felt a strong desire to set the record straight.
"No," she began, shaking her head. "That's not-"
Her words were cut off by a loud booming sound. It was followed by another boom, and several pops. She looked up, eyes momentarily transfixed by the fireworks alighting the night sky. Their colored streaks glittered rapidly towards the ground, like water tumbling from a cliff.
Veronica glanced at Logan. His focus was not on the brilliant display above them, but on her. The reflected water in the fountain beside them glowed green, then red, then gold, as they continued to stare at one another.
And then Logan looked away, distracted by the sensation of his phone buzzing against his thigh. He pulled it from his pocket and glimpsed the display, thoroughly prepared to ignore the call. Heather. It was the first Fourth of July they'd spent apart, and he'd been awaiting her call all day.
Logan held the phone up to Veronica in explanation, and she nodded. He answered the call and began walking towards the house, to get away from the noise.
As soon as he walked through the door, Veronica pulled out her own phone and sent a text to Meg. It had been a very, very long night, and it was time to go home.
xxXxx
The next morning, Logan awoke to the sight of Madison leaning over him. He sat up quickly, eyeing her suspiciously. "What are you doing here?" he mumbled.
"There's something you need to see," Madison replied. She handed him her iPhone, taking a seat on the edge of his bed while she awaited his reaction.
Logan rubbed his eyes and squinted down at the screen. It was a gossip site, the kind he usually avoided like the plague. The title read, "Kane Software Heir Plans to Elope". Beneath it was a crisp color photo of Meg and Duncan, dancing at last night's party.
Fully awake, now, Logan skimmed the article quickly. "Duncan Kane and the object of his affection, Megan Mars, are both eighteen years old… A source close to the girl says a wedding is imminent…Will Duncan's brother-in-law, Conner Larkin, step into the new role of best man? Or will it be his even more famous friend Logan Echolls, son of Lynn and Aaron Echolls? (See related article below.)"
With a sick feeling in his stomach that had nothing to do with the after effects of champagne, Logan scrolled down. Beneath the article about Duncan, he found a second photo. This one was quite a bit fuzzier, but Logan knew exactly who was pictured. It was him and Veronica. They were standing next to the pool table, but from the angle shown they appeared to be kissing. It must have been taken through the window…
The article was entitled, "Logan Echolls Finds Love with Mystery Woman?". He began to read, growing more leery with each word. "It's been a long time since we've caught a glimpse of the elusive Logan Echolls. Notoriously tight-lipped about his private life, Echolls has always opted to remain behind the camera. Until now! Celebrity Hotspot has exclusive information that Logan will likely take on a leading role in the film he's currently producing…"
He skipped ahead. The rumors of him acting were annoying, but nothing new. "…or does he have other reasons for sticking around the small town of Neptune, California? Our source says yes! "They met a couple of months ago. They've been attached at the hip ever since. I've never seen him like this with a girl, before. I think he's in love!" The identity of the blonde in the photo remains a mystery, but we won't let it stay that way for long…"
Logan tossed Madison's phone onto the bed next to her and stood up, scanning the room for his phone. Spotting it on his desk, he walked over and picked it up. He chose the contact he needed quickly, and placed the phone up to his ear.
"Jake, it's Logan. Sorry to bother you, but we've got a situation here. It's Duncan."
Madison picked her phone up off the bed and stood up, maintaining her concerned expression until she exited the room. As soon as she shut Logan's door, she smiled in smug satisfaction, pausing for a moment to celebrate her victory. And then she headed to her room to start packing.
A/N Thanks for reading, please review! :)
Also. I've got something up my sleeve in the way of a collaboration that should be really, really fun. I'm still looking for a few more authors to fill the roster. Keep an eye out on my Tumblr page (vmsteenbeans) for more info, if you're interested. I'll be posting something this summer.
