Chapter 8

Logan's P.O.V.

"Awww. Aren't puppies cute!" she leapt away from Jason and he frowned irritably at me.

Oops.

"Gosh, I… didn't ruin the moment, now did I?"

"Kinda!" he retorted. Veronica tugged at her ear in discomfort, a nervous habit of hers since we were kids.

"Well I was just concerned that, uh, you two kids weren't socializing with the rest of the guests… but I guess I'll just get out of your hair," I shrugged and turned around. "And what good hair it is."

I started to leave and paused mid-step, feeling a grin spread across my face as I dug my hand into my pocket. Fishing out a condom I turned and threw it Jason's way.

"Remember. No Glove, No Love."

"Dude, what the hell is your problem?" he replied in frustration, flicking it back at me.

"Hey, man, I'm just concerned for your health…"

"Just get out of here, Logan."

"Aye, aye, Master Bates," I conceded, along with a salute.

"That was cheap," she mumbled, crossing her arms.

"You would know."

"Alright, that's it," Jason snapped, grabbing me by the collar and shoving me backwards. "Leave her the hell alone!"

"Oh, fuck off!" I pushed him off of me and glanced her way. "You don't know a thing about her…"

I felt a sudden, stinging pain in my side and turned to walk away. "The girl's a walking disaster… I'm doing you a favor…"

I left the two of them awkwardly standing apart at the balcony and found my way to the downstairs bathroom, where I knew there was a First Aid Kit left by the construction workers.

I walked uneasily into it and winced in discomfort as I started to take my shirt off, when suddenly, Veronica Mars burst theatrically into the bathroom slamming the door behind her.

"Jesus Christ, Mars! Can't a guy have some goddamn privacy!" I hastily pulled my shirt back down and glared at her. "I'll give you a peak later. Hell, if you give me a minute and wait outside like a good little girl, I'll even let you blow me."

She crossed her arms and gritted her teeth at me. "You know… it doesn't even bother me anymore… the way Duncan acts… I mean, contrary to popular opinion, I'm over it."

"Uh… okay," I rolled my eyes at her "…well, congratulations. You've earned the Oprah seal of Empowerment. Use it wisely."

"But you," she continued, ignoring me. "You I can't get over because you just live to make my life miserable!"

"Oh don't flatter yourself. It's just a perk."

"WHY!" she yelled. Her eyes were brimming with tears, and I took a deep breath.

"Relax. I'm sure Jason will still let you have your way with him…"

"It's not about him, Logan! It's about you and—"

"Well then you're really expending a lot of energy on a guy you claim to hate, aren't you!"

"What the hell does that mean?"

"I—It means nothing…" I mumbled. "Just get out. I have to powder my nose."

She stood there stupidly for a second and frowned at me.

"Come on now, mush. Mush!"

"Fine. Just…" she trailed off and shook her head at me before turning around and reaching for the doorknob.

She twisted and tugged at it and suddenly snapped her head back at me in shock.

This is about the time I remembered that the locks on some of the doors were screwy. As in, didn't quite work from the inside, screwy.

I ran up behind her and we both again desperately twisted the doorknob in vain before stopping and turning our heads to one another in doomed realization.

"NO!"

Our mutual scream drifted out and got lost among the half foot of concrete and the blaring music of the party outside.