Chapter 25: Fight Night
Rory inhaled a calming breath, trying to reel herself back from the abrupt flashback she'd experienced after hearing the girl's name. As she took in her appearance, she was taken back momentarily to the night on her porch, to Tristan's words 'I've only been in love once...Jennifer.' She didn't know why she was so surprised by how beautiful she was, she remembered a few of the girls he dated in high school yet still she was left with her stomach turning. She steadied herself, glanced distastefully at the perfectly manicured hand held out to her and scoffed. 'You're joking right?'
Jennifer withdrew her hand, placed it on her hip. She raised an eyebrow at Logan who was smiling proudly at Rory. 'Your girls got attitude Logan. You need to teach her, her place.'
Logan's smile disappeared and he took a step forward. 'You know if I wasn't a firm believer in not hitting a lady'
Rory laughed, effectively cutting him off. 'I'm sorry but ovaries does not a lady make.'
She glared at Rory. 'What is your damage? You don't even know me.'
Rory smiled with mock apology. 'I'm sorry it must be my natural aversion of skanks who have to sleep with their ex's friends in an attempt to gain some kind of acknowledgment from them because they're just to sad and pathetic to get the hint and move on.'
Both Finn and Logan's eyebrows shot up in surprise. Finn smiled happily at Jennifer. 'She does not like you.'
Before she could say another word, a door behind her opened and a guy walked out. 'What the hell is taking so long?' Still glaring at Rory, Jennifer moved out of the doorway. He froze mid stride upon seeing Logan. 'Hey man. What uh – what are you doing here?' He stammered, while grabbing a shirt from the couch and pulling it over his head.
Logan laughed and rubbed his jaw. 'Where's Tristan?'
'Uh...' He glanced at Jennifer nervously then back at Logan. 'I think he's at Melissa's.'
Logan nodded in understanding then walked passed Jennifer, she rolled her eyes. 'Here we go.'
'Man it's not that big of a deal.' Tony reasoned while backing up. 'Tristan's cool with it, he said he couldn't care less what she does anymore.'
Rory glanced at Jennifer just as she looked down at her feet. It was obvious that his words had affected her.
'Do I look like Tristan to you?' Logan snapped.
'I'm suddenly very happy you guy's decided to kidnap me.' Finn said excitedly.
Rory rolled her eyes and returned her attention to the scene in front of them. 'Logan don't. He's not worth it.'
Logan paused and Tony looked around him at her. His eyebrows rose as he looked her over, then he returned his attention to Logan. 'She's right. I'm not.'
'Way to be a man Tony.' Jennifer said, her voice heavy with sarcasm.
'Nobody's trying to hit you! I doubt you would still be so calm if they were.' He argued. 'But nobody's even angry at you.'
'Because nobody expects anything more from her.' Logan laughed. 'She's been exactly who we thought she was from day one. The only person she ever had fooled was Tristan and like you said, he just doesn't care anymore. You on the other hand.' Catching Tony off guard, Logan pulled back his fist and punched him square in the jaw. 'You're supposed to be his friend.'
Jennifer rolled her eyes again as he hit the floor. 'You can't even take a punch like a man?' Without a word, Logan turned around and walked back passed her. She smiled sarcastically at him. 'As always Logan, it was such a pleasure to see you.' She threw Rory one last dirty look before shutting the door.
They walked in silence for a few minutes, Rory and Finn following behind Logan as he cooled down. Finn nudged Rory with his elbow and gestured to him. She shook her head manically and pointed back. With a sigh he cleared his throat. 'Uh, mate – you think you might tell us where we're headed?'
'You heard him, Tristan's at Melissa's.' He replied offhandedly.
Finn gave a nod of understanding, then leaned in toward Rory. 'Who's Melissa?'
She inhaled a deep breath before answering. 'Another of Tristan's ex's.' She said with mock enthusiasm. Then exhaled and shook her head. 'They're friends now though.'
He nodded again as Logan turned toward a large building and jogged up the stairs. His familiarity with their surrounding's had him walking several paces ahead of them.
The door to the building was already swinging closed behind him when they reached the top of the stairs. 'Logan, you need to slow down.' She called out to him, as she and Finn jogged to catch up. 'We have no idea where we're going.'
He did a double take and slowed down, waiting for them to catch up. 'Sorry.' They continued on at a slower pace, turning down four different hallways before coming to a flight of stairs.
Rory groaned at the thought of having to climb more stairs, then sighed in relief when Logan came to a stop in front of the only door in the hallway. Without pause he knocked. There was only the briefest of a moment before the door opened to reveal a smiling blonde, wearing a pair of jeans and a white tank top, her blonde locks falling loosely down her back. Rory felt the second blow of the day and she turned to Finn with a pout. 'This trip is doing nothing for my confidence level.'
'Hey Mel.' Logan said, genuine affection filling his voice. He was obviously happy to see her. Though it didn't appear the feeling was mutual. Melissa's smile had faded and she'd crossed her arm's over her chest. Logan sighed and he tilted his head back. 'Oh come on don't give me that look. You know better.'
She stared at him for a beat longer, then the smallest of a smile appeared on her lips and her eyes softened. 'Yea I guess not even you're that big of an idiot.'
Laughing, Logan pulled her into a hug. 'I've missed you.'
'Of course you have. Who the hell can keep up with your drinking at Yale?' When they pulled away she shoved her hands in her back pocket's and nodded at Rory. 'This her?'
Logan nodded his head back and forth. 'Rory, Melissa. Melissa, Rory.'
With a nervous smile, Rory gave her a small wave. 'Hey.'
'Hey.' She nodded at Finn. 'Who's he?'
Finn stepped forward, extending his hand to her, a charming smile on his face. Before he could say anything Logan smacked it away. 'That's Finn. He's not important. Is he here?' He asked abruptly trying to look around her.
Melissa shook her head. 'He went to grab us some food before Bartley's closed. Should be back any minute now.' A ringing came from behind her and she turned back into the dorm. She sighed before flipping open the phone. 'What's up?' She waved Rory and Finn inside, Logan had already fallen comfortably on the over stuffed couch. She watched Rory as she made her way over to sit in a chair as far away from Logan as possible. Her smirk was short lived as the voice on the other end caught her attention. With a disbelieving laugh she shook her head. 'No!' She declined harshly; she raked her fingers through her hair and walked down the hall.
As soon as she was out of sight Rory stood up. 'OK that's it, I'm leaving.'
Confused Logan jumped up. 'Why?'
Finn laughed at him like he was the dumbest person he'd ever met. 'Because she's not bloody deaf mate.' 'Exactly.' Rory agreed with a wave of her hand. 'He obviously doesn't want to see you guy's.'
'You don't know that, that's him on the phone!' He argued earning an disbelieving look from both Finn and Rory.
Shaking her head she walked past him. 'Do what you want, I'll find some way home. Hopefully I can still salvage whatever is left of my friendship with Paris.'
'Ace, come on ple' Everyone froze as she opened the door to reveal Tristan standing on the other side with his hands full. The room was silent, making the sound of Melissa arguing with whoever was on the phone all to clear. Logan looked back at Finn triumphantly. 'See.'
Finn shook his head and gestured to Rory and Tristan who hadn't moved. 'I still say he doesn't looked to pleased with our being here.'
Rory gave Finn a pleading look, begging him to stop talking. Her attention snapped to the door down the short hall as it opened. Melissa shook her head and stuck her hands in her back pockets. 'Sorry about that. Exes you know?' With a raised eyebrow she looked from Rory to Finn who was still sitting down and lastly to Logan. 'You guy's leaving already? I'm sure Tristan will be back any second now.'
Taking his cue, Tristan stepped passed Rory and walked silently over to the coffee table to set the food down. Melissa's mouth formed an O. Tristan gave her a sharp look, silently scolding her for the lack of a heads up. Catching the exchange Logan spoke up.'Don't be mad at her man, all she did was answer the door.'
Tristan's attention swiftly turned to Logan. 'Did I say anything?' He snapped.
Logan's jaw clenched and Melissa stepped between the two. 'Hey, not in here. If you two are going to have a cat fight take it outside. In here, you act like the adults your drivers licenses claim you are.' She looked at Logan questioningly and he held up his hands. 'I'm good. He's the one you should be looking at.' She looked to Tristan who was still glaring at Logan. She moved her head in front of his blocking his view. 'Hey. Did you not hear me?'
He glanced at Rory then down at Melissa. 'Yea I got it. Sorry.' Melissa nodded and moved over to the food. A beat passed and then he walked back toward the door. 'I'll just call you tomorrow.' Before anyone could argue the door was slamming shut behind him. Rory jumped at the sound and tears filled her eyes. She could feel Melissa watching her as she tried to fight against the tears, their eye's met for a second and she let out a small cry. 'I'm sorry is there a bathroom I can use?'
'Yea, through my room.' She said softly. Nodding, Rory started to make her way toward the room, Finn called after her worriedly and she gave him a watery smile before hurrying the rest of the way.
Logan sighed and looked back at Finn who was glaring at him. 'Are you happy now Logan?' He came toe to toe with him, staring him down. 'I love you like my own bloody brother mate' He pointed in the direction Rory had disappeared behind. 'but you better damn well believe I will kick your ass if she isn't ok.' He passed Logan and grabbed a set of keys off of the ground beside the door. Spinning back around he tossed them to him. 'Fix it.' He looked to Melissa who was staring at him in shock. His face softened and he smiled apologetically. 'Would you mind if I went in to check on her?'
With a shake of her head she stuffed her hands in her back pockets. 'No, go ahead.' He nodded his appreciation and glared once more at Logan before heading in after Rory.
Logan looked over at her with wide eyes. 'Why the hell is everybody so pissed off at me?' He shouted in confusion. She shrugged and grabbed her burger. He continued to stare at her questioningly; with a sigh she dropped her burger back into the box. 'Look, if nothing happened then'
'Nothing happened!'
'Hey, in case you've forgotten I'm the only one still on your side here so stop yelling at me!' He looked down in shame and she sighed. 'And you know just as well as I do that he's got trust issues because of Jenifer.'
'That's bullshit Mel. Even if he's so messed up that he thinks he can't trust Rory, he should trust me. I'm not one of his dick friends, I'm his family.'
'I know that and he probably knows it too, but the fact is that he isn't thinking clearly. Logan this is the first girl he's cared about since Jen. It's got to be screwing with his head.' He looked down at the keys in his hand. 'You need to be talking to him.'
'Did you not hear him? He doesn't want to listen to anything I have to say.'
'So you make him listen. And you better do it quick, because the Aussie can totally take you.'
He looked towards where he knew Finn with an unconcerned look in his eyes. 'He doesn't like when girls cry.'
'I wonder how he'll feel when he makes you cry.'
'Hey, I can hold my own. I just punched Tony!' She started to laugh hysterically which irritated him. 'What?'
'Nothing, I just – you're going to use Tony as your selling point? He get's bi-weekly manicures Logan. I'm tougher then him.'
He turned toward the door in mock anger. 'You know I think I'd rather deal with Tristan and his misplaced anger then listen to this abuse.'
'In other words you think the Aussie can take you too.' Ignoring her he walked out the door.
Rounding the last corner of the long hallway Logan felt the heat or irritation flame up inside of him; Tristan was sitting in the floor with his back against the wall and looking far to "poor me" for his liking. He stopped in front of him and dropped the keys on the ground. Tristan grabbed them and looked up, without a word Logan walked passed him and towards the door. 'Where are you going?' Tristan snapped.
'Somewhere that serves alcohol.' He tossed behind him without pause.
'What about Finn and Rory?'
Logan snorted in annoyance and stopped. He turned back and glared at his cousin. 'Well let's see Finn is pissed off with me because you made Rory cry and Rory is pissed with me for bringing her down here to try and make you see that you're being a dick for no reason. Are you catching the theme here? Even Melissa has jumped on the blame Logan for everything train. Not that I'm at all surprised by any of it, I mean it's nothing new, but right now I'm just honestly not to worried about what they're going to do.' Tristan rose to his feet still glaring. 'What the hell is that supposed to mean?'
'What do you think? Let's recap real quick Tristan, you accuse us of sleeping together and I'm made to look like the bad guy, for what? Being friends with a girl you don't have the guts to even admit to yourself you've got feelings for? And while your here feeling sorry for yourself, we're dealing with Paris making our lives a living hell all because of some stupid insecurity of yours.' He took a step closer to Tristan and pointed at him. 'You just slammed the door in Rory's face and made her cry, but somehow I'm the bad guy for bringing here in the first place. Which I only did because despite Melissa's belief that I don't understand just how much that bitch Jennifer fucked up your head, I do. And I know that somewhere beneath all of that self pity, you've got to know that Rory isn't her and I would never do something like that to you.' Tristan remained silent, his eyes trained on his shoes. Logan shook his head and took a step back. 'Or maybe I'm wrong, maybe you further gone then I thought. All I know is that I'm done with this, I'm done feeling bad for something I didn't even do. You deal with your self-pitying shit on your own from now on.' He turned back around and continued on toward the exit, silently hoping that he would let him leave without another word. When Tristan called after him he dropped his head and sighed. He turned back slowly. 'What?'
Tristan sighed and stuffed his hands deep into his pockets. 'I'm sorry.' He shrugged. 'You're right, I have been acting like a dick. I know nothing happened.' There was a pause and he glanced away. 'Now.'
'What the hell do you mean now Tristan?' Logan snapped. 'You're honestly telling me you thought I had slept with her?' His anger was growing.
'I don't know. At first I was sure and then I think I just … convinced myself that you had. What the hell else should I have thought Logan?' Logan stepped forward his eyes blazing and his hand balled into a fist. He stopped abruptly and Tristan knew he was struggling to not move forward. 'You want to hit me?' Logan was taking deep breaths, attempting to get his anger under control. He looked away when Tristan came toe to toe with him. 'If that's what's going to make you stop crying like a little girl then do it.'
'Tristan.' He warned through gritted teeth.
Tristan stepped even closer. 'Do it. Come on, hit me.' He taunted. Logan felt what little control he had slip away and the next thing he knew his fist was connecting with Tristan's face.