CHAPTER 4
Rory was already dressed when Logan's head appeared from under the sheets.
"You're still angry with me," he stated.
Rory just glanced at him briefly before securing her hair into a messy ponytail. "I'm more frustrated than angry." She sighed. "I've known you for almost a year and from that, I've learned that everything about you is a mystery. It's getting old."
"What do you want to know?" he asked, propping himself up with his elbow.
Rory wanted to ask him about Tristin but she stopped herself. "Nothing."
"So what's with that scene last night?" he pointed out.
"What were you expecting me to do? I came here to be the supportive girlfriend, not Tom Thumb!" she exploded, referring to her being a replacement for the sick member of the group.
"That's it. I'm calling your pairing with DuGrey off," he remarked, picking up the phone.
"Don't," Rory stopped him. "They're already downstairs and I've agreed to it. Let's just get this week done and over with, okay?"
Logan got out of the bed in the naked state he always liked sleeping in. "How can I make it up to you?"
Her eyes glided over his well-sculpted figure. From head to toe, he was a vision of perfection; athletically built with muscles that beckoned to be touched anywhere and everywhere. The few strands of hair that peppered his chest and arms hid some of his physical imperfections from playing sports or doing stunts with or without the LDB. She just looked at him through her lashes.
He walked toward her and kissed her softly on the lips. "Come back to bed. I missed you last night."
Sure you did. Rory said to herself. Rory bit her lip as she thought out the words. She pretended to be asleep on the bed closest to the window. She didn't want to lay right next to him after their shouting match. He reeked of alcohol and cigarettes when he stumbled in at around midnight. She felt him kiss her on the forehead before she rolled away from him.
"You know I can't," she sighed, staring at his chiseled abdominal muscles and tanned skin.
"I'll tell the guys we'd start tomorrow. It's Sunday," he continued nibbling her neck.
"Logan," Rory said softly. "The earlier we start, the earlier we get back. Why don't we go out tonight, just you and me?"
"That sounds like a plan," he sighed, giving her one tight squeeze.
A knock was heard on the door followed by Finn walking in unannounced.
"Logan, glad to see you're up," he said before giving Logan a once over. "Buddy, you do need to add some color to your pasty ass." Then his gaze focused on Rory. "'Allo, Love. You look ravishing." He kissed her on the cheek.
"Anything that's female and walks on two feet is ravishing to you, Finn," Rory teased back.
"Although that's true, your smart mouth turns me on," he lasciviously remarked, raising his eyebrows for effect. "Dump this schmuck and be my lover."
"Thanks for the offer but I have better things to do than visit the clinics," Rory smarted back in fun, patting him on his midsection. "See you downstairs?"
"Lovely. Save me some mimosa," he called out to her.
Rory waved back to Logan before exiting the room with her messenger back filled with maps, a phrase book, a tour guide book, pens, her cellular phone and whatever she had in currency. She was going to win and reclaim what's left of her vacation after that.
Choosing to walk down the stairwell over taking the elevator helped her simmer down. By the time she reached the landing, she was calmer than when she first got up.
"Good morning," she was greeted as soon as she walked into the seated dining room.
Turning around, she saw Jared, holding a plate of fruit and a glass of orange juice in each hand. "Good morning yourself."
"Care to join me at my table?" he asked.
Rory looked around. Not seeing any of the Brigade members around she said, "Sure."
Rory pulled out a chair for herself while Jared got comfortable. "You look rather nice today."
Rory blushed. She was rather surprised that she didn't receive the compliment readily when Finn offered it. When Jared spoke, she felt like she was undressed. "Thank you."
"I'd just want to warn you that you might want to wear something more foot friendly if you're going to be walking the streets.
Rory looked at her loafers. "You think?"
"I think," he reiterated. "Do you want me to grab you something to eat? Drink?"
"I'll take care of it. Watch my things?" she asked.
"Sure," he offered, standing up as she did.
.----oooo0----0oooo-----
She was in her own world. Tristin watched her as she picked up a bevy of fruit: mangoes, grapes, and pineapple along with a blueberry muffin. She was about to get a cup of coffee when he stopped her.
"Coffee, with a dash or cream and sugar," he handed her the porcelain cup.
"Tristin!" she remarked, looking up.
"Come on, I'll walk you back," he said, putting his hand on the small of her back. Rory complied.
"You didn't have to," she stammered.
"I know I didn't but it's the only olive branch I can offer after what I said yesterday," he admitted.
"I wasn't on my best behavior, either," Rory played down their little incident in the hallway. "Look…"
"Before anything else, let's start fresh," Tristin cut her off before he lost his nerve. "We'll try to do as much as we can and we can jet out of here… or you can stay and do your vacationing sooner than the rest of these nut heads."
Rory smiled. "That is the smartest thing I've heard from you. Ever."
"Why thank you," he genuinely smiled as his dimple sank in deeper than usual.
Both of them got seated, looking like they just shared an inside joke. Jared was amused.
"So, how come you didn't join us last night?" Jared asked, referring to the drinking session that went on forever.
"I was tired," she replied. "You'd be surprised to know that this is the first time in eons I've gotten up before nine, in any time zone, without classes being the motivator."
"Should I take that as a compliment, Mary?" Tristin's innuendo rang as he spread the linen over his lap.
"Mary?" Jared mocked. "Oh, as in Poppins," he said in clarification.
Rory and Tristin just looked at each other.
"So what was that all about?" Jared asked, missing the exchange.
"Uh, I was doing an expose on the LDB and I got thrown in the mix somehow," Rory stated.
"You should've known better than try and do an expose on an underground group," Jared commented. "But what does that have to do with the moniker?"
Rory took a sip of her coffee before responding. "The group decided to get me this ball gown outfit," making an exaggerated ring around her. "And then we had to jump off this eight story high platform with nothing but an umbrella."
"And you jumped?" Tristin said in amazement. "When did you become Miss Adventurous?"
"When she got strapped with a bungee cord and jumped off with me," Logan all of a sudden interrupted as he kissed her on the cheek.
"Logan!" Rory was surprised to see him.
"I can't allow you to leave without me saying goodbye," he commented as he tapped both Knight members on the shoulder. Tristin was back to his defensive mode. There was unmistakable tension on the table but everyone pretended it wasn't there.
"So, what's supposed to happen now?" Rory asked, trying to diffuse the strain.
"Well," Jared stared at Logan before proceeding. "The moment you guys are ready, we'll hand you your first clue. You're supposed to open it once you get to Barcelona."
"That's easy enough," Rory commented. "And we're allowed to use anything except private transportation?"
"Yup," Logan agreed.
"Then that's settled," Tristin replied. "Well, we'd like to sit and chat but we want to get started."
Logan went over to where Rory stood and hugged her. "Here, take this."
"What is it?" she asked.
"Some money," he replied. She looked at him with fierce intensity. "Just take it. Don't argue with me. If you don't want to spend it, fine. Call it an emergency fund."
"I'll take care of her," Tristin growled. "She's my partner."
"And I'm her boyfriend," Logan rebutted. "Back off."
"I'm taking it, okay?" Rory sighed. "Let's not fight before I leave."
Logan traced the outer shell of Rory's ear. "I'll miss you."
She was speechless.
Tristin wanted to gag. "Let's go, Gilmore."
Rory's eyes snapped back at him.
"Good luck," Jared said, shaking Rory and Tristin's hand.
Just like that, they were off.
Rory had made arrangements with the hotel's bus to take them to the city. With Sunday traditionally spent in church and with family, the couple found themselves alone in the huge vehicle. Rory sat on the left side of the bus, choosing to be in the center. Tristin sat opposite of her, stretching his legs over the bench. Rory mimicked his pose. As the bus took off, they had a stare off contest. Blue met blue. Smirk matched smirk. It killed Tristin not to speak but he can't stop himself from sticking his foot in his mouth.
"How could you be with such a jackass?" Tristin attacked.
"Why haven't you outed us yet?' Rory fired back.
Tristin clenched and unclenched his fist, trying to mask his irritation. "God, why do you do this to me?"
"I don't know what you mean," Rory smiled coyly.
"Let's open the envelope," he dared her.
"What about integrity?' she played devil's advocate.
"I know you're dying to know the clue," he waved the envelope in front of her. She snatched it from him and stuffed the paper down the front of the shirt.
"You know that won't stop me," he warned.
"Try me," Rory goaded. She swung her legs in front of her, sitting properly on the bus bench.
"Gah!" Tristin yelled in frustration. But he smiled.
For once, he looked forward to seeing Barcelona.