25 Chapter
Finn is drunk, and Colin helps him to his bed, since he cannot walk without assistance. Colin tucks Finn in, like a father would do with his child. He closes the dark curtains after he watched Finn sleep finally peaceful after the exhausting morning. Finn was drinking the hurt and sadness away.
He leaves the bedroom and returns with a pail. He places it beside the kingsize bed in case Finn becomes sick, he also places a water bottle and a bottle of Advil for later on the nightstand.
Colin's sure if Rory stops their affair, Finn will probably be in a self-destructive pattern for a long time for the next time. Colin saw him like that once after Finn lost his grandfather. Finn drank far more than he should, often sad, Colin and Logan picked him up at strange places. Finn never could remember the next day why he was there or how he got there. It was a tough time for everyone and after Finn's declaration of love to Rory, Colin is afraid Finn will react the same now that he is about to breakup with Rory.
Colin realized that Logan loves Rory. Colin remembers the start of their relationship and the struggles that Logan has to committing himself to one girl.
Colin silently leaves Finn's apartment and walks directly to Logan's. On his way he tries to figure out what he should say, but he cares too much for his two best friends to just stand on the sideline. He likes Rory a lot, but she needs to decide which one she wants more. He sighs.
It was early afternoon, and he knows that Rory should be back from her class. He enters Logan's apartment building and strolls into the elevator. The elevator pings when it arrives on the floor and he walks to Logan's apartment door. Colin rings the bell, nervously playing with his hands.
Colin wonders if he should have called her before coming, but he knows that Rory is a runner and he's sure she would have refused seeing him if he asked.
Rory opens the door. Once she sees him, he can tell that she was not surprised that he was here.
"Hello again," she says.
"Hi Rory," Colin greets her, "We need to talk."
For the first time in his life he feels like the responsible adult, he knows that in this group that somebody must be.
"Sure," she replies hesitantly, inviting him with a hand wave into the apartment.
"Please sit down," she suggests and points at the bright colored couch, decorated with throw pillows, and she strolls into the small kitchen.
"Do you want something to drink?" Rory asks.
She is trying to prepare herself emotionally for this awkward talk. Breathing slowly in and out, she tries to calm herself down. Since Logan's phone, she knows that she should talk with Finn or both Finn and Logan soon, but she has never thought about talking with Colin about her situation. Rory is still too embarrassed about the situation that she has found herself in. She has not shared this with anyone.
Colin notices how nervous she is but. He is also nervous and his heart beats faster than usual and his hands are sweaty. He tries to find a perfect position to sit down, pushing the pillows a bit to find a relaxing position.
"Thanks, a water or soda would be great," he replies. He had enough alcohol this morning and his stomach is rumbling.
She comes back to him with two cans of soda and hands him one. Sitting across from him on the old brown leather armchair, she feels the tension in the room. Playing with the hem of her shirt, she avoids his gaze.
They both sip their drinks, feeling the awkward silence surrounding them. Colin and Rory stare on the dark screen of the TV.
Colin starts to count the red bricks on the wall, before he finally sighs and begins, "You know I like you, Rory, and I also know you had never planned to hurt my best friends. However I think it's time to choose between Logan and Finn."
He slowly breathes out as he feels his heart beat increases. Colin has recognized the love that she has for Logan and since yesterday now realizes that she also has feelings for Finn too.
With her head down, she whispers, "I know."
She stares at the back of her soda can trying to memorize the list of ingredients, avoiding the response she knows she needs to say.
Looking up at Colin she clears her throat and says, "Sorry, Colin. I had never planned on hurting anyone."
He watches her face while she talks. Looking at her he can see all the emotions that she has been going through. She is hurting just as much as Finn is, what a mess this is.
"I never thought this day would come, when my two best friends are deeply in love with the same person. Rory, I'm sorry, but I cannot help you decide," Colin responds to her.
He thinks that if Rory needs advice that a girl would be far better for her to confide in than him.
Colin tries to remain calm but inwardly he is angry that Rory is playing with the feelings of his best friends. Not only will she ruin the relationship she has with Finn and Logan, but she also put in jeopardy the friendship of the three musketeers. Yes, he feels that his relationship with Logan and Finn is in jeopardy too.
"Why can't everything stay like it is?" She asks desperately.
When she says this Colin finally releases his anger at her.
"Are you kidding me, Rory? That one kiss with Finn while being in a relationship with Logan was too much. This great friendship could be destroyed forever! It's not only about which guy you will chose, it's about everyone!"
He stands up from and paces in the apartment.
"You're not in one of your books where everybody will be fine at the end. After my mother died Logan and Finn became my only family and you're about to destroy it!" He tells her angrily, turning he leaves the apartment, banging the door.
Looking surprised and watching an angry Colin leave the apartment, Rory finally understands the consequences of her actions. Colin might appear to be an arrogant guy, but he cares deeply for his friends and she never seen him as angry as he is today.
She needs to make a choice. That can only mean one decision. She sighs, because she's not sure that this is the thing she wants to do.