As it was, I think, I can pinpoint this as the moment. The one that finally brought the secrets out in the open. Not that the first secret wasn't a big one, because obviously it was. How could it not be? But… things were about to change forever.
"Lilly! Slow down!" I shouted over the loud pounding music, tugging on the hand holding mine. I was stumbling in my haste to keep up with her as she headed towards the bar. Bar meant alcohol, and alcohol meant a very drunk Lilly by the end of the evening.
She finally halted next to Dick and Beaver, pushing us between them as she got two rum and cokes from the makeshift bartender. Pressing one into my hand without a word, she chugged hers back, and grabbed another, all before I'd had a chance to take a sip of mine.
"Geez Lilly! Keep up that pace and I'll be peeling you off the floor." I smiled at her as I slowly took a sip of the too strong drink. I hated the taste of rum.
"Lighten up Veronica Mars. We're here for a good time!" She hesitated for a moment, before smirking at me, "not a long time."
I giggled at her antics, letting her take my hand and lead me away from the bar, hands held high above our heads as she did her sexy cat walk. Swaying hips and a come hither smile gracing her face as she led me to the middle of the room. Turning to face me she wiggled her hips, and raised her eyebrow.
"C'mon Veronica. Live a little!" Letting go of my hand she threw her head back and raised her hands above her head. Lilly always knew how to have a good time. I laughed and tried to mimic her movements. Failing miserably as always. No one could imitate the great Lilly Kane.
Spinning around in a small circle I stopped abruptly as I saw Logan staring at us, or more accurately staring at Lilly. He didn't look sad exactly, more contemplative, his eyes intense and burning.
Turning to face Lilly, I leaned in to catch her attention. "Lilly. Logan's staring." I whispered into her ear.
Lilly looked over my shoulder and smiled. Eyes closing in a slow blink, looking almost coquettish. "Why yes he is. Think we should give him a show? Torture him a little?" Her hands were at my hips before I could stop her, body moving sinuously against mine.
I was entirely too sober for this sort of show. I tried to pull away, tugging against her hold, and she let me. Let me move away just a little before pulling me back against her front, her chin resting on my shoulder.
"Look left Veronica Mars. Look left." She whispered in my ear, her voice low and husky, entirely too old for her seventeen year old self.
My eyes moved of their own volition to the left, and I saw them. Or him, since I wasn't sure who she was. Duncan leaning against a pillar, some girl kissing along his neck while he smiled and gripped her hips, pulling her entirely too close.
I gasped, pain lancing through my chest. I knew we might be related. I knew he certainly thought we were, but how could he do that right in front of me?
Still holding the rum and coke in my hand, I brought it to my lips and downed the entire thing in a couple of swallows. I grabbed the nearest boy, planting my mouth firmly on his, my tongue licking the seam of his lips. "Another drink please." My voice came out harsh as I pushed him away, letting Lilly pull me back into the cradle of her arms. I wasn't even aware of whom I'd kissed.
"Well, well, I knew you had a thing for me Mars." Dick leered at me, before moving in the direction of the bar, presumably to grab the drink I'd requested.
The drinks flowed, until I was wasted and grinding against Lilly on the makeshift dance-floor. Definitely not my shiniest moment. Dick behaved like a proper little puppy, fetching and carrying, while Lilly and I monopolized the attention of the guys in the room.
One in particular.
"He's still staring Lilly. Why won't he just come talk to you?" I whined, as I looked back at Logan. A tower of shot glasses in front of him the only clue as to how much he'd actually drank.
"Cause he's not staring at me dorkus." Lilly laughed into my ear as I stopped moving, turning to stare at her with my mouth hanging open slightly.
"Who? What? Lilly are you nuts?" I babbled a little, trying to… Logan was Lilly's. He had been since like forever.
"Secret number two Miss Veronica. Logan has a crush on you." Lilly sing-songed before laughing uproariously at the shocked look on my face. "Oh come on! Knee socks? He thought you were hot? How could you not know?" She giggled out, hand over her mouth, eyes wide, she was totally enjoying my discomfort. "It's what I was trying to tell you the other night!" She was practically howling now. Typical Lilly.
I felt strangely sober as I turned to look at him. Logan, sitting across the room, staring, as he had been the entire night.
I was moving before I realised my feet had taken flight, out the patio doors and to the pool. Stumbling along in my drunken state. No matter how sober I felt, I was definitely still drunk.
I sat down on a patio chair and laid my head back.
Logan had a crush on me. Logan Echolls. Lilly's boyfriend. Duncan's best friend.
I had to get Lilly and Logan back together again, the thought flitted through my mind. Things could just get way too complicated otherwise.
Secret number two had been revealed in a drunken haze. No less devastating than the first. Lilly had outlawed Yolanda for kissing Logan. I can remember thinking that Lilly was going to exact revenge. She had to. Logan was hers as she'd stated on numerous occasions. No matter that it wasn't really my fault. Logan wouldn't be allowed to cheat on Lilly.
Even if they weren't together anymore.