CHAPTER 2
Rory looked out from the balcony of their hotel room once they arrived at Costa del Sol. The beach wasn't packed with tourists since the weather was still a little cool for the summer crowd. However, there were a few sun worshippers under the noon sun that had spread out over the coarse sand. She chuckled at amazement at how they were able to stand the spiky pebbles that littered the shore.
"Enjoying yourself?" Logan asked. He came from behind and wrapped his arms around her. She in turn just leaned over him for support.
"Not yet but soon," Rory sighed. She already had her itinerary planned out. Aside from shopping for a few trinkets for her mom and Sookie, she was going to read her book, catch up with her sleep and eat like there was no tomorrow.
Logan kissed her on the cheek before letting her go. He went back to his bag and started unpacking.
"So, what's next?" Rory asked, following him back into the room.
"Well, as soon as the SKs are here, we're going to huddle up and draw lots," he explained.
"Lots for what?" Rory continued prodding.
"Anything. Partners, what they can use and not use. Stuff that makes the game more interesting," he said.
"So who comes up with the clues?" she inquired.
"The last group that did it," he replied.
Rory tried to pretend that she was interested. Honestly, she really didn't want to be troubled with the trivialities. The less she knew about it, the better would it be for her mental health. She didn't want to know that the scavenger hunt might entail some illegal activity that would spoil her holiday.
"Intriguing," Rory responded to Logan's explanation. "Well, I'm off."
"Where can I find you?" he asked as he watched her toss in two books, a water bottle and a towel in a beach bag.
"I think I'll stick to the pool today. The beach can wait," she said before kissing him on the cheek.
"No lunch?" he inquired, kissing her back.
"I'll stop by the dining room before stepping out," she stated.
The rapping on the door caught their attention. Just as quickly as the knocking stopped, Colin's head appeared through the cracked door.
"Hey, Jared just called. He said they weren't able to get rooms here. They rented a villa at Torre del Mar," he reported.
"I'll leave you boys to your business," Rory excused herself. However, she had a feeling that Logan didn't even hear her speak.
"Did they say what time they're coming over?" Logan asked.
"He said that he had to get on a later flight but they're all going to be here by three," he added.
"Thanks, man. Tell everyone that we'll meet in the pool room around three then," Logan's fading voice instructed.
Rory was fascinated with how Logan interacts with his friends. He is the life of the party and everyone seemed to genuinely like him. However, the moment he barks orders, everyone gives him their undivided attention. When he says, "Jump", they all respond with "how high".
.----oooo0----0oooo-----
Tristin was glad to be done and over with his midterms. He would've preferred spending his two-week break in Carmel but Jared won't take no for an answer.
"Come on. We're just going to be here for a week. Unless a giant earthquake rocks California, Carmel will still be standing when we get back," Jared teased.
Tristin just shot Jared a withered look from the passenger side of the rented SUV.
He was pretty much Jared's prisoner; making sure they were on the same flight and seated close by to each other. Jared knew that if he had any opportunity for him to duck out, he would've taken it.
"So do we have time for a nap when we get there?" Tristin asked. He was tired and all he wanted to do was draw the curtains in his room and sleep for three days straight.
"No can do, bud," Jared replied. "We'll have enough time to drop the bags, pick up anyone left at the villa and then head on to Belplaya Hotel in Torremolinos."
Tristin sighed in frustration. He wanted to throw a temper tantrum but he knew it wouldn't get him anywhere.
"A soon as we've done the meet and greet, you're going to be drunk as a skunk hanging out with the senioritas by the bar," Jared hinted. "I won't even tell your mommy that you behaved like a sex starved teenager."
"Whatever, man," Tristin chuckled.
With Jared's firsthand knowledge of European driving, they were able to navigate the streets like the natives. They reached the villa in no time. Within an hour, they were back on the road and headed to Torremolinos. Three o'clock came too soon.
.---oooo0---0oooo----
Rory emerged from the heated swimming pool feeling rested. She was glad that she took Logan up on the offer to spend some time under the Spanish sun. She picked up her towel from her lounging chair and dried her hair. She should do something special for Logan. Maybe room service? Buy him some goodies from the bakery she fell in love with while she took a stroll at the strip?
She pondered absentmindedly, unaware of the rowdy group that emerged from a dark SUV.
"Spring breakers," Rory thought to herself. She smiled. She wondered how it would feel to actually hang out with a group of friends like the boisterous crowd her eyes followed. With the exception of her freshman year spring break with Paris, she really can't say that she's had a vacation with her girlfriends.
"Se habla Ingles?" the dark haired boy asked her.
"Si," Rory replied. "I mean, yes."
"Are you a guest in the hotel?" he asked.
"Jared, stop picking up chicks. We're late!" Nate yelled.
"Don't mind my friends. They have no couth," he apologized. "I was just wondering if you could point us to the direction of the pool room?"
Rory smiled. "Yeah. Once you get to the lobby, make a left at the corridor," she pointed towards the entrance. The three other guys standing by the walkway were getting impatient, especially the tall blonde guy tapping his fingers against his thigh. He looked strangely familiar. "Uhm, then the double doors on the left is the pool room."
"Thanks," he replied, smiling at her graciously. "Will we get to see you around?"
"Maybe," she flirted.
"By the way, the name's Jared," he said, raising his hand in a gesture of friendship.
"Rory," she mimicked his actions. "See you later."
"That's a promise," he replied, jogging away from her.
It didn't occur to her that they were the group Logan's been waiting for.
.---oooo0----0oooo----
"Why are you telling me now?" Logan inquired in anger.
"Smitty's been sick in Frankfurt. They're doing an appendectomy on him as we speak," Finn responded.
"So who's going to be taking his place?" Stephanie asked.
"I hear Mac's in Switzerland," Colin suggested.
"I know Tony can fly in tonight as long as we don't start the hunt until Monday," Finn added.
"Too late," Logan said, deep in thought. "We need someone accessible."
"Are we late?" Jared announced himself and his group to the room.
"Just in time," Logan received the group warmly. He introduced the LDB members to the SKs. After that, he took his seat.
"So, who do you have in tow?" Logan smiled sweetly.
"Well, with the exception of Eric and Mike, I think you are acquainted with the rest of my crew," Jared replied arrogantly.
"That I am," Logan said. "Nice seeing you again, Tim, Nate, Chris and Jon," he pointed everyone out to the brigade. "Tristin, surprised to see you here."
"Likewise," Tristin answered through gritted teeth.
"Say, what happened to… what's her name again? Melinda?" Logan fished.
"Camilla," he clarified.
"Oh yeah, nice girl," Finn chimed in. He didn't see Tristin shoot him a withered look.
"Didn't bring her along this time," Logan responded.
"It's a little hard when…" Tristin was about to go off on Logan when Jared interrupted.
"Hey, aren't you guys a little short?" Jared asked in hopes to diffuse the argument.
"We are. Smitty burst his appendix en route here so we're making some last minute arrangements," Logan admitted.
"Why don't you guys do a seven/seven set. I'll head back to Palo Alto," Tristin volunteered himself too readily.
"Hate Barcelona that much?" Colin asked him when he handed him a bottle of beer.
"I just prefer having non-tension filled vacations. That's all," he vaguely answered Colin.
Before Logan conceded on playing a seven-on-seven scavenger hunt, Rory walked into the room.
"Hey," she greeted dropping her bag on the floor. Her towel was wrapped around her waist.
"Hey yourself, gorgeous," Logan's features softened. He walked over to Rory, kissed her on the cheek and brought her front and center. "I want to introduce you to some friends."
"Oh, I've met Jared," Rory admitted, smiling at the SK's leader once more. "I should've known you're in this wacky hunt."
"I should've known it was too good to be true to have a lovely girl like you holidaying by yourself," Jared finally shook her hand.
"Hey, hey, hands off, Reiner," Logan replied playfully. "She's not part of the hunt."
"Why not?" Tristin's acrid voice challenged him.
"Because Rory's here as my girlfriend," Logan said.
Rory? Tristin's eyes lit up. It can't be.
"So, did you have a good time?" Logan turned his attention to Rory, albeit a little to possessively for Rory's taste.
"Yeah. I actually did," she replied. "I finished East of Eden."
"You weren't tempted to read The Motorcycle Diaries?" Tristin asked. He leaned against the wall, watching her squirm from under his gaze.
"Excuse me, do I know you?" Rory asked. Her heart skipped a beat as she looked at the blonde she thought she knew when she saw him earlier that day.
Tristin pointed to the corner. The book celebrating Che Guevara's young life peaked from edge of the bag.
"Oh," Rory blushed at her presumption.
"I never thought you'd still be this prickly, Mary," Tristin smirked.
The small hairs at the back of her neck stood at attention. Her worst nightmare had finally come true.
"I have a brilliant idea," Finn said. "Rory can fill Smitty's spot."
"But I'm not part of the LDB!" Rory exclaimed.
"Sweetheart, you are now," Finn smiled, confirming her as a member of the brigade on the spot.