Redeeming LoVe
A/N: I apologize for the long break between this chapter and the last one. I watch the episode several times to get the dialogue I want, but that takes time and I was on winter break. I am back in my classes and school so the chapters will probably be two weeks apart.
Chapter 10: Christmas Revelations
Veronica
It's been a couple weeks since I took the envelope with my paternity results over to Logan's house. I stressed over it for a few days, but I think I have gotten the better end of the stick with my dad. I loved that no matter what he was stuck on his traditions. I didn't have to worry about a boring stuffy old dinner, no we would have a crazy holiday themed movie night, and little hens for dinner.
"You know dad, sometimes it's a good thing to break with traditions and give your one and only daughter a break," I mutter as I am pulling out some really old kiddie made ornaments while our ever faithful dog rests on the couch. Of course another tradition of ours was watching, "The Year without a Santa Claus" on television while we did the put the tree together.
"No, honey we can't mess with our high held traditions," he says laughing as he puts yet another Padres themed ornament on the tree. 'What concerned me the most was that all the hideous scary handmade ornaments in the box I was going through were all mine, the downfall of being an only child.' "Veronica, you're not evening out the tree, you gotta put another Padres ornament over there," my dad says as he pulls yet another ball globe out of his box handing it to me before moving back to his side. I cautiously look at him skeptically because it looked like a tree to me.
"I hate to break this to you, but dad there are some people who think Christmas is about something more important like the birth of Christ, and well not really all about baseball," I say softly trying to land the blow as easy as I could.
"What? Well, we're all entitled to our own religions, as long as you keep following my baseball theme we will have no problems," he says as I can't help but laugh at him.
"Right, I think you have a big ego as it is. Pray do tell though dad what would you like for Christmas," I ask hoping that it was something good.
"Honey, all I need from you is your love and respect," he says with a wicked grin on his face.
"Seriously, dad what would you really like," I ask trying to be as serious as I could.
"Nothing, just save your money sweetheart," he says softly as he pulls me into his side while his favorite part of the movie comes on. I can't help but feel disappointed because I wanted to get him something he wouldn't be able to get himself.
***LoVe***
Logan
I can't believe that I actually allowed Weevil to attend one of my poker games. Duncan was having way too much fun singing his tones out loud and off key, might I say. It is amusing though to watch Duncan drunkenly rub Weevils bald head while singing. I was totally hoping Weevil would have punched him in the face for the action, but no he didn't. Then again there was Duncan's new lap dog, Troy staring at me while he texted someone on his phone. I hated him even more than I disliked the PCH Biker.
"…I'm Mr. Heat Blister, I'm Mr. 101," Duncan is singing as he shakes his whiskey bottle around while he walks back to his sit next to me. Yes, even though he brought Troy with him; he would still be my best friend. Duncan had the whiskey bottle halfway to his mouth when I took it from him. I was in no mood to hear him sing more of his getto tunes. I banged the bottle on the table as I took it from him to put a cigar in my mouth.
It was the same brand that Aaron had used three days ago to teach me a reminder of how I should behave while he was out of town, or was it because the dick face Troy made up some sorry half ass story about me to his dad who in turn told my dad. Yeah, shit happens.
"DK, when you start singing, you can't drink anymore," I snap as I am getting restless with this game.
"Awe, come on man the song was getting good," he mumbles half heartedly as he slumps in his chair half pouting like a 5 year old. I wondered sometimes what Veronica really saw in him. The game had dwindled down to Sean, Weevil and me.
"You know, you look pretty comfortable with that thing in your mouth," Weevil snickers at me as I just rub the cigar gently in between my fingers. I loved the feel of them, but hell they gave a good bite when it was lit and burning your flesh.
"I've gotta admit your people sure can hand roll a good cigar like nobody's business," I sass back at him as I see his right eye flicker while the others in the room laugh, but I can see Connor giving me an unmasked look. I just stick it back in my mouth before counting out some chips to up the ante, "Five hundred," I say tossing the chips onto the pile.
"Sure, I'll call," Weevil smirks as he counts out his and tosses them into the pile. Duncan groans loudly as he reaches across me to get the bowl of nuts that was beside me. I look toward Sean who has a grin plastered on his face while Tory is telling some stupid story of a stunt he pulled at his old school.
"Sean, what the hell is up with the ghetto brew it's so beneath you?" I snap as I noticed he had that green bottle in his hand or close by the whole night.
"Logan, it's my new choice of drink," he says as he leans closer to Weevil. I am looking at my cards as Connor and Sean have some discussion over a stupid role he had.
"Weevil, don't cry now," I grin as I shove all of my chips in the middle of the table. The hand I had was so fool proof. The guys all muttered or 'oooo' while Weevil looked at his cards. "All in," I laugh as I see Sean's eyes go to the box before looking back at his ghetto drink.
"Boo hoo, all in," Weevil says as he pushes the amount of chips he needs to cover my bet. I couldn't help, but smile because it was going to be nice winning his money. I toss the cards I was holding triumphantly down onto the table.
"Whoo!" I say getting pumped up as I watch Weevil laying his cards out. "Oh man," I say shaking my head. The cards Weevil had weren't halfway as good as my own. I liked this even more now seeing his hand.
"Awe, man," Duncan says as I see Troy watching this all unfold as well.
"So let's see here. There are 42 cards remaining and I can win with 40 of them," I say smugly as I see Connor looking over at me shaking his head. "I can win with an ace. I can win with just about anyone of the cards I am currently holding in my hand, shocker," I say as I can tell Weevil is getting impatient.
"Just flip it, already," he says annoyed with my antics.
"Okay, but don't cry when the river wins," I say as I slap the card on the table. I was looking at Weevil and not the card as I hear the others around me laughing. I couldn't believe the smirk that Weevil had on his face as I looked down at the card. What the hell I flipped a two? It was one of the only cards that I couldn't win with, shit.
"Wow, Logan he won with a pair of twos," Duncan mutters as he slaps me on the back. I wasn't too thrilled with the concept of actually losing. I could have been sure this was a no brainer, but then again I had just lost.
"Nice game, but I'd like my five grand now so that I can leave before some white guys try to attack me," Weevil says as I look toward Sean.
"The money box, Sean so I can pay the pool boy," I say as Sean slides the wooden box in my direction. I open it up and remove the trays to find it empty. No, I had put the money in the box.
I couldn't believe that the money could just disappear. I mean we all were in the room together, but no one left or was alone in the room at any point. Where had the money gone to? I sure as hell had no need to steal it. I mean I could go to the bank and get whatever amount I needed without any problems. No, someone in the room took it, but whom. Of course Weevil wanted his money, but it was gone.
True to his word Weevil had each of us undress to see if we had it hidden on us, but no only thing he found was that Duncan and I had somehow matched our boxers. They were the reindeer boxers that Veronica had picked up the year before Lilly died. I remembered Veronica said Lilly had her go into this store looking for something, but only thing she found were the boxers. I liked that memory. Weevil threatened to turn each of us upside down to get his money, but no instead he walked over to one of the cabinets and took my mother's one of a kind antique egg my father bought her in Europe. Yeah, my night just turned crappier. The Faberge Egg was worth more than five grand, more so it was hard to replace.
"Don't you boys get too comfortable this isn't over? I'll be collecting a grand soon from each of you," Weevil snaps pointing his finger at us as he opens the sliding door and exits.
"This was the worst game of strip poker ever," Troy snaps smugly as he falls back into one of the chairs near the door.
***LoVe***
Veronica
After last night with dad I needed something to take my mind off the concept that Christmas was going to be more different this year without my mom than it was right after Lilly died. I had met up with Wallace as he was getting out of his beat up car.
"What do you think about this?" I ask as I hold up the pamphlet I had picked up for a baseball camp.
"Vee, girl you know this is for a baseball camp, right?" he says a little smugly as he looks at it before stopping with a grin on his face, "It's not like a catalogue of hot guys or anything," he responds as I look up at him.
"Oh my gosh do they really have like a catalogue for that?" I ask feigning my dumb blonde act.
"Veronica, girl you need to get out more, but attending a week long Padres fantasy camp doesn't sound like you at all," Wallace smirks as I nudge him hard into Casey who turns around to look at us but says nothing.
"Yeah, I totally want to go to it. It's for my dad. I want to give him something he would enjoy," I say as he laughs.
"I hate to break it to you but in what world can you to splurge three grand for this kind of thing," Wallace says making a very valid point to me as we come to a direct halt in the middle of the hallway.
"God, I am so sick of not having any money to do just the normal things with," I snap as he chuckles softly while he pats his chest in a sympathetically gesture with his hand over his chest. The whole thing seemed territorial to me. "Wallace I'd be the best rich person you could ever meet. I'm already frugal as it is, the reality is that money is so wasted on the wealthy, they don't know how to spend it wisely or in the right ways," I mutter as I am knocked slightly out of the way by Duncan who is headed right for Weevil.
"What the hell? I want my laptop back right now," Duncan snaps angrily as he shoves into Weevil.
"Well rich boy how does it feel to want something," Weevil sneers toward Duncan who in turn grabs Weevil by the shirt pulling him into him.
"I am not messing around with you, give me my computer," Duncan says as I see how badly he was prepared for the guys with Weevil. My thoughts are correct as I watch Weevil's pals slam Duncan up against the lockers without even thinking twice.
"I didn't take your stupid money," Duncan says.
"Well like I said someone did," Weevil retorts as I decide to move in closer. I watch as Weevil finally calls his boys off of Duncan, but still gives him a glare for second measure. I just didn't understand the whole story, but was surprised that Weevil had done something with Duncan at all. After a moment Weevil moves away from Duncan leaving him fuming and looking sore. I don't want to get involved, but decide to approach Duncan anyway.
"Do you have some sort of death wish?" I finally say as he looks up at me with a shocked expression.
"Are you now talking to me because it seems like you have been avoiding me for the past few weeks," he mutters as I silently think about the reason why I was avoiding him. Right, you might be my brother is on the tip of my tongue, but I let it go as I see him rummaging in his bag.
"So someone took your laptop?" I manage to say without anything else. I see Logan out of the corner of my eye turn down the hallway we were in followed closely by Troy. I wasn't in the mood for that jerk right now, so I start to walk away when Duncan doesn't spill right away.
"Yeah, damn Logan and his stupid poker game," Duncan mutters half under his breath as he follows behind me. "Weevil won five grand at it, and someone stole the money. I guess this is his way of collecting," he mutters fully aware I could totally hear him.
"Well Duncan what the hell do you expect when you lie down with the dogs, you're gonna get fleas at some point," I say as I think of how this would get back to Logan, but wasn't too worried about it. I needed to keep Troy away and if he thought Logan and I weren't friendly he might leave me alone.
"I wasn't the one to invite him," he says as I just laugh at his thought about me talking about Weevil like he was a dog.
"Actually, I wasn't thinking about Weevil when I made the comment," I snap as he gives me a puzzled expression.
"I thought you were getting along with Logan," he says as I start to walk away once more with him following me. "Veronica my laptop disappearing kinda concerns you as well," he says as I fully turn around at his words. I wasn't sure just how I was concerned in this matter, but I would play along until I got what I needed.
"Well I hate to break it to you big boy, I don't really see how I am involved," I muttered as I see a small smile grace his lips twitching into a devious smirk.
"About three years ago I started a journal on my laptop, and well during the time we dated you were a very huge feature in my writing," he says as I feel my face blushing. I was a little upset by the revelation and flattered at the same time. 'God why couldn't rich people be like normal people and write their feeling in an actual journal, Ugh!'
I knew exactly where Weevil and his pal would be, but I wasn't expecting the room to be so dark. The guys were all playing some sort of game while sitting on the floor. I did my little head tilt thing trying to get Weevil to do what I was asking him to do, but he ignored me. I wasn't too happy with him at all. I just wanted to get the stupid laptop back and forget about hearing Duncan say he wrote about me in a journal. Weevil though of course said he would continue taking things from the guys until he got paid. I just didn't understand why the guys didn't just pay him off. I mean they all had more money than they needed, why were they playing around like this.
I decided to get the story on how he heard about the game in the first place. He went on to tell me he found Logan after he overheard some rich 09ers talking about a poker game. "Logan just assumed I was just some dumb Mexican he could take for his cash," Weevil mutters after he told me about the way Logan treated him.
"Do you really think Logan would cheat you out of the money, or was it someone else there," I asked knowing I would be making a stop at some point to Logan's.
"I can tell you that no one left the house with the money. I had them strip in front of me and none of them had it on them. Logan could have hidden it when we all went to the window to eye his mom as she went swimming, but I did a quick search of the place and didn't find anything," Weevil says as I knew Logan was probably innocent, but he still didn't make it sound any better for himself. Weevil and I are walking down the hallway toward class as we finished up our conversation.
Veronica and Weevil walk down the hallway.
"So everyone was at the window; Duncan, Connor, Sean and yourself," I ask reiterating what he just said.
"Everybody but Logan was even Duncan's little friend Troy," he says as I stop by my locker.
"Troy was at the game," I asked surprised as he just chuckles.
"Yeah, but I think he was only there because Duncan let him tag along. He didn't play at all, just sat in a chair eyeing Logan," Weevil says.
"Okay, thanks Weevil," I say as I turn to unlock my locker as he walks away from me. I knew Logan was a bad boy, but he still didn't strike me as a thief. I knew Duncan had no use to steal, but one of them did.
"Veronica," Troy snaps at me as he slams my locker shut just missing my fingers as I jerked them out of the way in the nick of time.
"Troy," I say as I pull my bag closer to my chest gripping the taser in the bag in case he made any sudden moves.
"I hear you're looking into the stolen money from the poker game the other night at the jackasses' house," he sneers to me as I move slightly away from him.
"Duncan asked me to help him, what is it any of your concern?" I snap as he grabs the hand that was on the taser pointing my wrist toward my side.
"Have you ever been tasered or have you just tasered innocent people for your pleasure?" he questions me as I see a grin forming on his lips. "Don't think you could ever get away with tasering me you bitch he grips my arm tighter as he twists it slightly sending a small jolt into my side.
"Stop," I snap as I feel my teeth chattering.
"Just remember that jolt the next time you look at another man, because I will make you regret the day you tried to leave me," he sneers as he shoves me hard into the locker. I wince as I stand up straight. I think Logan was right I needed to talk with my dad or someone to get Troy away from me before he really hurt me.
XOXOXOXOXOXO
I made it to the office in record time to pull up anything that might help me with both the poker game missing money and Troy. I was coming up empty handed with the poker game since everyone at the game has an abundant wealth, but Weevil. I just couldn't see him going through all this trouble for money he already stole.
"Veronica," my dad says as he exits his office just as I sit back down at my desk. "I didn't know you were here," he says as I Lynn Echolls stands behind him.
"Well I do work here on the fly, pops," I say as I see Lynn eye me up.
"Keith I want to thank you for your help with this matter. Aaron says I have nothing to fear that it's just someone blowing off steam, but I have to think about Logan as well," she says as she exits his office.
"Well I will look into who might be behind the letters and all," my dad replies as Lynn stops near my desk.
"I haven't seen you around lately," she says sweetly as I see my dad staring at me.
"I haven't had that much free time," I admit.
"Well Veronica don't stay away too long. Logan has been doing better with your help," she says sincerely as I give her a tight smile. I knew the hidden meaning behind her words even if my dad didn't.
"I won't," I softly reply turning away from her. I couldn't think of how a mother could turn the other way as her child was hurt. It made me feel so much anger toward her. My dad didn't ask me any questions after Lynn left, but he seemed to be watching me like a hawk. When we got home that night I ate my dinner quickly and excused myself trying to keep him from getting the nerve to ask me about hanging out with Logan again. I wasn't ready for that discussion just yet. I had other discussions I wanted to deal with, but wasn't ready for them either.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXO
I made my way to school early because I wanted to talk with Duncan before class. I knew he sometimes got to school early to work on the newspaper. As I got to the room I found it pretty dark and Duncan leaning over some proofs in a light box with a magnifying glass.
"Good morning!" I say as I lean toward him catching him off guard as he slightly leans the other way.
"Veronica," he mutters as he catches his breath.
"Scare much," I smirk at him as he notices someone behind me.
"Troy, hey man," he says as Troy enters the room causing me to step around Duncan.
"I was looking for you, but didn't think I would find you here as well," he sneers toward me as I look anywhere but at him.
"I might have a way to get your laptop back," I say ignoring Troy altogether.
"What is this a case?" Duncan asks surprised.
"Actually it's more like the case of the idiot who's too lazy to handwrite his journal like every normal person," I say as I move toward a different exit than the one near Troy. Duncan just laughs and shakes his head as Troy moves closer. I get Duncan to give me all the details he could remember before I sensed Troy was getting closer to me. When Duncan confirmed that once again Logan was the only one near the money box I knew U had to talk with him. I was almost out the door when I heard Duncan call Troy to look over a photo he was holding up saving me from having to talk with him or beat him.
****LoVe****
Logan
I had ordered Chinese food for everyone since it was my turn to get the food. I watched as Sean, Duncan and some of the other 09ers at the table were chatting. I saw Veronica enter the quad with her friend Wallace as Troy made his way over to our table. I hated the jerk, but he was friends with Duncan who wouldn't see the way he treated Veronica as if he was blind to the whole situation.
Sean was talking about the Faberge Egg Weevil stole from me as I looked to where Duncan was sitting. I knew that Weevil had stolen his laptop, but wasn't sure who was missing anything other than the two of us. The egg was one of a kind that my dad bought for my mom, I had to get it back, but wasn't about to admit that to anyone.
"Two words, man. Huevos Rancheros," I sniped after Sean asked what Weevil was going to do with the egg. Everyone around us thought it was funny except Duncan. "Well this is what I get for trying to be nice," I smirk as I see Troy flexing his jaw as if he had something to say. I could see the daggers in Duncan's eyes as I slid into the seat next to him. Duncan showed just how much he disliked what I was saying. Duncan shot up out of his seat faster than one would think the Donut could move. I decided to follow him.
"What the hell is your problem? If you've got something to say to me, than you say it," I snap angrily at him as he stops and looks at me.
"Did you take the money?" he retorts as he looks over behind me as I catch Troy in the corner of my eye with a huge grin plastered on his smug ass face. I couldn't believe that Duncan would think so lowly of me. Duncan starts to storm off once again, but I continue to follow him.
"I bet you don't even remember what the hell happened that night you were so drunk, you wouldn't have known if Kris Kringle walked in and took the money," I spat at him as he gives me a glare one emotion I haven't seen on his face in a long time.
"Troy is right I must have been blinded by our friendship to see the real you. Logan when did you get like this? It's like you've been going over to the dark side, bit by bit, so slowly that I didn't notice when you morphed into a fully fledged jackass," he spats back at me. I can't believe the one person I thought knew me more than Veronica did was turning on me.
"What the hell are you listening to Troy for, has he told you about his crazy fixation on Veronica, and you're calling me a jackass," I snap at him.
"Yeah whatever Logan, Troy has nothing to do with this situation, and I'm over it. I'm done with all of your crazy crap," he says as he turns leaving me once again, but not before I make one last remark.
"Are we breaking up now? Huh? You want your best friend charm back?" I yell out as I get very upset that Duncan would choose to listen to Troy and not me. I didn't steal the money. I didn't need to.
***LoVe***
Veronica
I wasn't sure what to do about the case. I had talked with Duncan, Weevil and heard some of what Logan said happened, but needed to talk with Sean and Connor still. I wasn't going to even think about Troy. I got goose bumps every time I had to think about him being near me. I hated feeling so strange.
I was working on my laptop as I heard my dad's part of the conversation he was having, "Oh, I was wondering if you did pumpkin carving. Yes, I'm aware that it's Christmas. You know, I already have a gingerbread house, but thank you," I hear him say as he drops the phone onto the receiver before I hear him move.
"I'm making a list and checking it twice. I must know who's been naughty or nice. Is there a side job I should know about?" I joke as he just mumbles something under his breath.
"Veronica we live in California isn't there produce available 365 days a year?" he mutters a little louder as he quirks an eyebrow at me as if he was silently questioning me.
"Well, now at least I know what I'm getting you," I retort as he looks up from his paperwork.
"Since you seem to be akin to being friendly with Logan, do you have a minute to run by the Echolls' house for me? I need Lynn to sign a few papers," he says half glaring at me. He holds up a large envelope out toward me as I ponder his request for a moment.
"Sure," I quickly say snatching the envelope out of his hands and make my way out of his office. I didn't need any second requests or questions.
Once I got to the Echolls house I made my way toward the pool house since Ms. Navarro told me Logan was out there. The first thing that caught me was the fact that the whole room looked like it had been searched or raided by the FBI or police.
"Come on," Logan mutters toward the screen where his video game was.
"I do just love the smell of testosterone this early in the morning," I say with a smirk on my face as Logan finally looks over at me.
"Just what I needed this early, you I suggested attack dogs they are very loyal. But no, my mother wanted an alpaca. What can I do for you this fine morning?" he sneers at me as he gets up. I pull the envelope out of my bag.
"I came over because my dad sent me with paperwork for your mom," I say as I show him the envelope.
"Nice, and you just wanted to say hi? It's a good thing I didn't have my naked friends over. We could have had a mud party," he says but without his heated sneer that he usually has.
"I wanted to ask you about the game, you held the other night with Weevil," I say thinking it was safe for a discussion.
"I've been meaning to ask you something as well," he snaps as he gives up on his game and moves around the bar area to the coffee maker. "Did your super-sleuth kit come with a decoder ring because I am having a hard time understanding you? Do you have a pen that writes with invisible ink as well? Never mind, don't care anymore. Mush! Mush!" he says as he waves his hands out in front of his body sending me mixed signals.
"Whatever Logan," I snap as I turn exasperated with the way he was behaving. I had actually thought we were making progress on how to be friends again. I turn to leave dropping the envelope on the bar counter as I make my way back to the door.
"Veronica uh, wait. Hey!" he calls out as I slowly pause at the door, but don't turn around as I feel the burning of the tears that are on the verge of falling. "You should talk to Connor," he says a little nicer than before. I slowly turn around to face him.
"Larkin? Like, Connor Larkin?" I ask in disbelieve. I knew he was at the game, but I didn't know he was close to him. I moved back into the room toward him.
"Believe me he's just a mortal, they just draw his abs on," he says with a smile as he gestures with his hands over his chest in a drawing motion.
"Is he doing another film with Aaron?" I ask not using father because Logan usually refers to him as Aaron.
"I don't know if it's so much a film as a fifty million dollar shit pile," he mutters as I try to see any of the old Logan beneath this hard foiled one. Logan calls a favor in and gets me a walk on for later that day. I just couldn't brush off the feeling that Logan was hurting more than he was letting on.
Logan then tells me his version of what happened that night. His story seemed to fit with everyone else's so far. I mean according to the others only the pizza guy left with money, yet by the looks of the pool house Logan had no clue where the money was. As much as I hated to admit it, he wasn't the guilty party. Logan was innocent.
"Look at you being all helpful," I say as I move to stand up from the sofa where I had sat down while he told me about the poker game.
"Actually I'm all for your peskiness being unleashed on Connor because it brings me joy to see him squirm," he says as I walk toward the door once more, but this time he follows me.
"Veronica," he calls out just as I am about to move around the pool. "Annoy, tiny blonde one. Annoy like the wind!" he smirks as he gesture a winding motion with his hands. I had to hold in the laugh I was about to let out from his 180 he did in the span of half an hour. Yes, the old Logan was still there buried under hurt and anger. I give him a small smile as I see his expression turn more serious as I move away from him.
I wasn't surprised that the film set was located close to a huge lot in the center of LA. I couldn't believe that so many people would watch a movie that should be set in the Middle East set in California. Oh the joy of being rich with nothing to really do with your money, but waste it on a crap movie lead by Aaron Echolls. I could see him in the far end of the lot while Connor was just jumping out of the fake planted helicopter. He was wearing all black but what caught my full attention was the fact that his vest or shirt was wide open showing off his perfectly sculpted abs.
I walk over to wear Connor was now standing as the next scene was being set up. He was inspecting his abs as if they were something new to him. I just wanted to touch them, but held off doing so to prevent him from thinking I was a weird fan. I wasn't sure if Connor's smile cost a fortune, but his very intense six-pack abs were probably worth that in gold if not more. Damn.
"Am I too shiny?" he asks bringing me out of my thoughts.
"Actually no not really," I stumble over the words to say as I look up into his eyes instead of looking down at his abs.
"Be truthful, my helicopter is supposed to be shot down mid-flight. I am supposed to be sweaty and grimy, but I think I am to shinny instead or too gross looking," he says flexing his muscles in his stomach.
"No, I think you're pretty good," I say bending down to look more at his abs. I then proceed to get down to the matter at hand and questioned him about the poker game. He gave me a serious look before he actually began telling me what happened during the game. He motions for me to sit down as someone came over to him as he sat in a chair. I watched as a lady began working on his hair and putting a light shadow over his face. He told me that to the best of his knowledge only one person left the room with money was the pizza guy.
It bothered me a little that Logan had gotten mixed up with Weevil like he had, but then there was another part of me that knew Logan did whatever he thought to do without thinking through it first. Connor was the third person to tell me how down Logan was on Weevil, but I still couldn't believe that he would steal the money just to make everyone else look bad.
I did find it odd though that Connor and the other guys told me how drunk Duncan was, but he was able to think about the pizza guys' tip. I knew if I was as drunk as everyone said Duncan was there would be no way I could think of what percent to give the pizza guy for a tip.
As I was speaking with Connor he was drinking tea from a cup or at least I thought it was tea. "You know, really, anyone could have gotten the money if they wanted it during the poker game. I mean there were several different breaks throughout the whole game," he says as he tosses the tea bag toward the garbage can but misses it.
"Right, beer breaks, bathroom breaks, and even dear I say Lynn Echolls' breaks," I say half joking as he blushes a little at the mention of Lynn Echolls.
"Yeah, man I can't believe you heard about that one," he mutters softly as he looks anywhere but at me. I am about to make a comment when his phone rings. He looks at it before looking back toward me, 'it's my agent and I really need to talk with him. I wish I had more time, but I don't," he says as he hands me a card before answering the cell phone and walking away.
I look at the card to see his number, and his picture of him on it. I get up and look toward where he threw the tea bag. I can rule one thing off my list about him, Connor wasn't a drug addict. Damn that one will hurt Logan. As I look across the lot once more I see troy Vandergrift talking with Aaron Echolls and looking in my direction. I quickly take out my phone and decide to call Wallace for Sean's address, and walked quickly to where I parked my car. I was inside of it by the time Troy made it to the parking lot. He had parked right next to me. I was about to pull out when he slammed his fist onto my widow scaring me. He was grinning wildly as he laughed while I pulled out and headed back to Neptune.
"Wallace, are you still at school and maybe even in the office?" I ask as I hear him sigh as I hit the highway and breathe a sigh of relief myself. "It's a small favor; I need the address to Sean Friedrich's. I need to pay him a visit," I say in all honesty as he groans this time.
"Veronica," he moans as I hear the clicking of keys on the keyboard being hit. Once I got his address I made a mental note to bake some cookies for Wallace. I wanted him to know how much I appreciated his help.
"Thanks," I say as I hang up with Wallace and keep on driving. I picked up my phone and dialed a number I had been using more often lately.
"Hello," the voice almost whispers into the line.
"Logan," I say as I take the exit for Neptune.
"Veronica," he mutters as I realize he was drunk.
"What the hell happened?" I snapped louder than I meant to.
"It was nothing, don't worry about it," he mumbles as I realize that was why I was so bothered with seeing Aaron and Troy talking. The two of them had already known each other.
"I have to make a stop and then I'm coming over," I say as I hear something drop and him muttering under his breath.
"No," he says adamantly as I pull up in front of Sean's house.
"Then Logan will you meet me at the beach by my apartment," I say trying to sound strong because no matter how horrible he treated me I felt bad for him. No one not even him deserved to be hurt the way Aaron Echolls hurt him.
"Um, half an hour," he finally says as I turn off the ignition of my car.
"Yes, thank you," I say as he hangs up, and I get out of my car.
I make my way up the driveway toward the front door. I notice a huge Christmas wreath hanging on it. I knock on the door as I wait for it to open I notice how huge the home really was.
"Mr. Friedrich," I ask as the man on the other side looks down at me. I noticed first thing that it was the middle of the day and he was dressed in a full suit. There was something fishy going on here.
"Yes," he replies as I see him looking back toward the house.
"Is Sean home," I ask as I see his eye widen slightly before composing himself.
"He's not available right now. In the future please remember he isn't allowed visitors at home," he says as I hear a woman inside the house call his name. He quickly turns closing the door on my face. I make another note to talk with Sean before school in the morning. I get back in my car and head home. I see Logan's SUV parked in the beach parking lot when I pull into my apartment building's lot.
"Hey," he mumbles as I walk toward him. He was sitting on the steps that led up to my apartment complex. I had Backup with me as I sat down beside him letting Backup off the leash.
"I saw Aaron and Troy talking when I got done talking with Connor," I say as he turns to look at me. I could tell his eyes were slightly blood shot, but not too bad. I handed him the Gatorade I had picked up before heading home. He took it and gave me a weak smile.
"I'm sorry," he mumbles as I look over at him. we had been sitting in silence for some time watching the ocean and all before he spoke.
"Why, you haven't done anything wrong," I say quickly as he turns away from me.
"Maybe not at this moment, but I haven't been the best person lately," he says as I ask the question I know might hurt his feelings.
"Did you steal the money?" I question as he eyes shoot up to mine.
"No," he replies with a little anger lurking behind his brown eyes.
"Then I have no reason or need for you to apologize," I reply as I take his hand in mine. I lean my head on his shoulder. I knew things weren't easily fixed like this, but for the moment he needed my support and I was going to give it to him. We stayed like that until the sun went down and he decided he needed to head home. I reminded him I was only a phone call away if he needed anything. He did the oddest thing or the first real thing that I felt in a long time. Logan kissed my forehead before he left. It was oddly a very relaxing sensation.
The next morning I waited for Sean to show up. It disgusted me the way he was showing off by arriving to school every day in a town car or limo. He was always dropped off by a chauffeur. God it must be nice to have everything dropped into your lap like that. I ran up to meet him as he got out and the driver walked around to hand him his books.
"Must be a good morning, when you get a ride in a fancy car like that," I mutter as he gives me a smirk.
"Maybe but in mine, I am minus a very expensive Rolex. The criminal element found his way into my gym bag yesterday afternoon. Do you think it's a good day?" he snaps at me as I have to laugh at how stupid he was if he thought things weren't going to get rougher if Weevil didn't get his money.
"Well why can't we all just get along and have all these pretty nice little trinkets like you and all your 09er friends," I snap back when he looks at me as if it was the end of the world. It annoyed me that his morality check was way off.
"Veronica really who behaves in this type of manner other than the lower class," he says with a smirk knowing full well I might react to the comment.
"Wow! Maybe you missed that eye for an eye section in the Bible," I sneer at him as I see Weevil making his way toward us.
"Sean tell me this why would Weevil steal the money if he won it?" I questioned as Weevil pointed to me the motioned for me to follow. I shook my head and he gave me an unfriendly gesture before walking away.
"If you were doing your job you would know why he did it. Veronica as someone, who doesn't like you please take my advice, find yourself another profession you totally stink at it. He could have stolen the money before he actually won. It could have been at any time when we were away from the table. We had several breaks, anyway before Mrs. Echolls got all wet for us he was down to his last two chips," Sean says as I think about what he was saying.
"That may be so, but I heard you weren't doing so hot either," I say as he leans against the door of the entrance.
"Well the difference for me is that I am not charity case Logan invited to rip us off. I don't need to steal money, town car, chauffeur," he sneers at me as he walks into the school. God, I truly did hate the rich people who wasted money like him.
XOXOXOXOXOXO
I was sitting on one of the step walls that lead to the quad as I watched the 09ers at their table across the quad. Duncan and Sean were both freely talking about something that was totally not even remotely important while I notice Logan looking around on the outskirt of the quad. Troy walked up to me as I was staring at the guys.
"Haven't you realized that staring at guys is the same thing as cheating on me?" he sneers at me as I notice Wallace a yard or so away from me.
"Wallace," I yell out as I see Troy look toward him before stomping off. Wallace moves up to where I was before sitting down beside me.
"Creepy stalker," he mutters pointing toward the still retreating body of Troy.
"Yeah," I mumble as I continue to stare at the 09er group.
"Vee, one day you're gonna hurt yourself, thinking that hard," he says as he points to my head. I look up at him as I begin to think over the stories of all the guys.
"Well my dear Wallace, they say if you're caught while staring at someone your mind needs a moment or a break," I say as I continue to try to piece together the information I had gathered.
"Right, tell me anything you want. I don't think that mind of yours ever takes a break. Have you cracked your poker case yet?" he questions as I finally get all the details to fit.
"God, it's a Christmas miracle. I not only solved my case, but found the money to send my dad to the baseball camp. I knew Santa wouldn't forget about me," I smirk as I jump down from my spot to walk toward the roaches I was ready to smash.
I wait until I see Logan walking to the table. He grabs a piece of pizza and sits next to Duncan who immediately gets up. I wonder what the heck is up with the two of them.
"Is there trouble in Paradise?" I question as I walk up to the table.
"Will you guys kiss and make up already? Your bad aurora has brought Veronica to our table," Sean snaps as he drops his slice of pizza on the plate in front of him. Right, this issue was my entire fault! Logan looks over to Duncan and blows a fishy kiss in his direction.
"Anyway, good news, bad news. The good news is, I know who stole the money. The bad news is, I know who stole the money," I smirk as I notice the grin on Logan's face as I move toward him.
"Right," Troy mutters as he chucks a piece of bread toward Logan. "I mean which one of us fine rich guys stole the money if the pool boy didn't," he snickers as Sean laughs with him.
"Don't worry smug little boy! I know that's all that matters. Since I have nothing more important to do tonight Logan will host another game," I say as I look toward him just as Weevil joins us.
"Will I? Nope not going to happen," he says as I tilt my head.
"Actually yes, and it will be tonight," I say as he shakes his head slightly before touching the tip of my nose with his index fingers getting a growl from Troy at the contact.
"Mm, no can do, tonight is my mother's highly priced Christmas party. I have to attend it," he says as I see his expression darken slightly. Yes, he would have a game tonight one way or another. I wasn't going to let him be alone tonight.
"Okay then no BYOB. Here's how it will go down," I say as I sit down next to Logan bumping his right hip with my left leg. He is so surprised about the contact as I give him a smirk before continuing, "Logan here will buy me in and I'll tell you all who did it. I can take the thief's place unless you all still want him around," I say as I watch Logan's jaw tighten as I look toward Troy who is glaring at me.
"Veronica you know, it's not gonna happen not tonight," Logan says as he places a hand on my thigh.
"Well I thought you wanted your things back, but I might have been mistaken," I say as I flutter my eyelashes at him. He just shakes his head knowing full well I was playing him.
"Well I might be inclined to return certain items that might have been misplaced if I got my five grand," Weevil finally speaks up as I have to chuckle. He reaches past Troy as he takes a piece of pizza and takes a bite before speaking again, "items might magically reappear," he says as he shoves the last bite into his mouth like he has never had it before.
"Guys think about this. If you are against this great offer than you stole the money, really it's a no-brainer," I say as I pat Logan on the head as he looks around the table at the guys all sitting with him.
"Do you even know how to play poker?" he finally questions as I stand up ready to leave.
"Not really, but it must be very intense or hard if you all play it," I say as shyly as I could before walking away.
"Are you going to tell me who the thief is?" Weevil finally asks as I am entering the hallway after class. It was the last period and I still hadn't heard back from Logan about the game.
"No, and you breathing down my neck isn't going to get me to cave any sooner," I say as I pull my vibrating phone out. Fine, come through the back gate near the pool. Tell Weevil-Logan
"Game is on," I say to Weevil as I walk away.
XOXOXOXOXOX
"Veronica," Troy sneers at me as he walks past the guard at the gate.
"Troy, leave me the hell alone," I sneer at him as I pull out my taser flicking it on as he steps closer.
"I wouldn't do anything stupid because between you and me I will pin it all on Logan. You don't want him to accidently get hurt," he snaps at me as he shoves past me knocking me over as I trip over a branch and fall on my butt. I pick myself up and make note to find evidence to destroy Troy. As I am getting closer to the pool I turn just in time to see Jake Kane and Celeste Kane. I open the pool house door as I see everyone already seated except for Weevil who makes his way toward me as I drop my bag near the door. Logan was pacing out the chips for the game.
"Finally the entertainment has arrived; Ho, ho..." he says as he pauses staring straight at me as I smirk back at him. "…ho," he says finishing his word. I smile at him as I move around my bag while Weevil picks it up placing it in a chair.
"Allow me. You want something to drink?" he questions as I see the bottle in front of Duncan.
"No thanks, I think I want something with a little more of a kick for me," I say as I grab the bottle of whiskey from in front of Duncan as he tries to reach for it.
"No," Duncan mutters as I start to chug it down while he looks down resigned as the others looks impressed.
"Damn, you been holding out!" Weevil smirks as I shake my head toward him.
"Not really Iced tea?" I say as I hand the bottle to Duncan. Logan jerks it away from him sniffing the bottle before giving him a distressed look.
"Duncan can't remember the alphabet when he drinks let alone figure out 20% of the pizza bill," I smirk remembering what the guys told me about the pizza guy and the tip. "he didn't play drunk to steal your money, he was playing drunk to try and win your money. Yet he seems to have failed at that," I say walking toward Connor before stopping behind him.
"Connor didn't steal the money either, not is he a drug addict. I know he spent a lot of time in the bathroom, but it's because of his tea," I say as he lifts up the cup.
"I have to look my best for the fans," Connor smirks as he takes a drink.
"Awe, now bachelor number three; he's got it all," I say as I look toward Logan who has a grin plastered on his face. "He has motive, access. Looks like an evildoer, even smells like an evildoer…" I say prolonging the theatrics for him as he rolls his eyes. "Yet surprisingly...not so much. Weevil cleared him," I say as I point out the still messed up room. "Weevil searched the room, but when I came the next day it looked like it had been torn apart. If Logan had stolen the money he wouldn't have to search this hard," I say as I smile at him.
"That doesn't prove anything," Troy speaks up as he stands up clinching his fists.
"Moving on, only two of you left; the boy from the wrong side of the town, and the boy who lives in the most expensive home in the 09er zip," I say as I take off my coat. "Anyone want to know how Sean did it," I finally say as I drop my coat on the back of a chair before turning to look at Sean.
"Veronica, seriously Sean? He has a chauffeur drive him to school every day. Why would he need to steal?" Logan says waving his hand out if that would make his point even more real.
"That in its self is a very funny story. When I went to Sean's, I couldn't help but wonder why his dad was home dressed in a full suit unless he was actually at work. I was really hoping to say the Butler did it, but no it was his son," I say as Sean tries to argue with the facts once I lay everything out about his shop lifting ways. Weevil takes him outside to have a little talk while we got down to business.
"Okay. I say we take a little break. Let the cosmos realign because obviously something's up, unless Veronica you are cheating," Logan says as I laugh.
"I could actually eat," Weevil say as he follows Duncan and Connor out the door.
"Logan are you little impressed," I ask as he chuckles.
"Not really, but how did you learn to play like a pro," he mumbles as he stacks his chips.
"You'd be amazed what you can learn from youtube," I say with a smirk as I get up to follow the others toward the house. As I was about to reach Weevil I spot Jake excusing himself from Celeste. I decide to follow him. I watch him enter a room and do the same.
"I've got a question for you," I snap as I shut the door to what looked like a study of some sort.
"Veronica," he mutters as he turns around to face me.
"Do you make it a habit to have your head of security take photographs of high school students and drawing bull's eyes over their faces or am I special?" I yell as I feel the blood in my body begin to boil. This was the moment of truth.
"I don't know what you're talking about," he mutters rubbing his face.
"Clarence Weidman took pictures of me and sent them to my mom, Why?" I cry out as I see him flinch.
"Veronica, you're not making any sense at all. I have no idea what you are talking about. He would have no reason to do anything like that," he says as he moves slightly.
"Why did you have my mom ran out of town," I snap as I see him look up at me with some sort of hatred in his expression at the mention of my mother.
"I have no idea what you're talking about," he replies once more.
"Why are you lying to me?" I question as he moves around the desk.
"I didn't want your mother gone. I am not lying to you," he sneers at me moving closer.
"Then why didn't she tell me or my father about the pictures instead of hiding them in a safe deposit box?" I yell as I can see he clearly wants out of the room.
"I don't know, Veronica," he yells.
"I don't believe you," I finally mutter moving slightly away from the door as he goes to open it. "Right like she didn't tell me you were my father," I mutter as he stops midstride.
Jake says nothing to my remark but walks out, as I follow him. I watch from the hallway as he storms over to Celeste who was mid conversation with Aaron and Lynn.
"Celeste, what did you do?" he snaps as he grabs her arm.
"What?" she questions as she looks around.
"What the hell did you do?" he sneers at her louder.
"Jake, I don't know what you're talking about," she finally mutters trying to get him to calm down until her eyes land on me. She looks from me back to Jake as if it was all clicking into place for her.
"Get your coat, we're leaving," he says as he steers Celeste away toward the front door.
"I bet you had something to do with that," Logan half whispers into my ear as I watch Duncan follow his parents out.
"I just asked him why he ran my mo m out of town," I mutter as he chuckles. "I may have dropped that he might be my father as well," I say quietly as he gives a louder laugh.
"Never a dull minute with you around," he says as he hands me a slice of pumpkin pie. We are both watching the party as he mother moves toward the piano.
"Everyone, if you could just follow the Santa's outside, I have a special surprise for all of you," Lynn calls out as Logan and I move within hearing distance of her and Aaron. I watch as the waiters ring bells, while the people head toward the front door. I see my dad entering the room.
"I'm gonna just go grab my jacket," Aaron says as Logan moves a little toward his mom.
"Okay, be right back. Logan and Veronica," she says before moving toward us. Most of the people have already exited the room as I see Aaron talking with a lady. "Come on, you two, you'll miss the surprise," Lynn says as she motions toward Aaron and the lady as well as us. Logan hands me his jacket as we move toward Lynn who stops as Aaron begins to put his jacket on.
"Awe we know how much your mom loves a surprise, son," he says as Logan turns.
"You don't even care, do you?" a distressed woman snaps toward Aaron as she jabs at him.
"Who are you?" Aaron says as he moves toward the door.
"You tell me you love me, sleep with me," she yells as people turn toward us.
"Seriously Lynn, I don't know who this person is, I swear," he says just as the woman pulls her hand back to stab him a person hits me into the way as the woman stabs me. I fall backwards as she aims once more hitting her target. Logan is pulling me toward him as the lady stabs him a second time. I watch out of the corner of my eye as my dad tackles the woman.
"Somebody call an ambulance. Veronica sweetheart," Lynn says as I feel my eyes close.
"Veronica," I barely hear Logan cry into my hair as darkness takes me.
What was I thinking? Christmas in Neptune is, was and always will be about the trappings; the lights and the tinsel they use to cover up the sordidness, the corruption. What would Neptune be without its wicked lies and tarnished lives? No Veronica, there is no Santa Claus.