Chapter 5

The next morning he woke up and hurried down to the beach, he was sure he would beat her there but she was there sitting under her umbrella reading a book.

He quickly strolled down and made his presence know. "Hey, Ace."

"Good morning, how are you this beautiful morning?" she smiled, it was how they used great each other all those years ago, mocking the way some of the adults would great each other. It was stupid but they were kids.

"Well Miss Hayden, I am doing really well, and how are you doing today?" he smiled back.

"Quite well, thank you." She chuckled, that was the end of their short childish charade. "So are you going to sit down or just stand there all day?"

They began to talk, talk about school, about friends about books, they even had a couple of some heated discussions. Logan realized that she really was like she used to be except she wasn't just cute anymore she was drop dead gorgeous.

After one heated discussion Logan ran up to his house to grab the book in question. Unfortunately upon his return the pit in his stomach appeared all because Drew was now sitting on the other side of Rory.

He was about to sit down when Rory spoke. "Actually before you sit down let me introduce the two of you. Logan this is Drew Whitford, we met the other. Drew this is Logan Huntzberger an old family friend."

Logan cringed at the introduction 'an old family friend', it was as bad as him calling her his little sister it was equal to 'my family forced me to be friends with.'

The two shook hands both sizing up the other.

"Drew's family bought the old Riley place."

"Oh, so you're new to the Vineyard?"

"Actually my folks used to own a smaller place on the other side of the island, so I didn't venture over to this side often…though if I knew that a girl like Rory was around I might have made the trek over but then a again a girl like you would probable never looked my way…I was kind of a nerd."

"That's sweet of you to say but as I mentioned I haven't been here in a few years and if you had known me back then I doubt you would be making that trek…I was kind of nerd myself."

"I highly doubt that."

"Really, ask Logan."

"Is she telling the truth?"

"No, she wasn't a nerd, she was cute."

"Yeah cute as a puppy, huh." She said it jokingly but as soon at it left her mouth she saw his eyes cast down and knew it was still too early to bring that up. "Logan is just trying to be nice, we're friends so of course he wouldn't say anything bad, but I was a nerd. Trust me."

"One day you're going to have to prove it and show some pictures."

"I don't think we had a camera back then." She smiled and began to get up. "I'll be right back I just need to run into the house."

As soon as Rory was gone Drew turned to Logan.

"So Logan, I noticed you were out with Stacy last night."

"Yup."

"What did she give you for the dinner?"

"What?"

"Well I heard she was pretty easy and even taking her for ice cream will get you a treat in return."

"Nothing."

"You struck out. That must be a first, I'm mean I've been told even if she's you know flowing you'll at least get a blow…don't worry I'm sure she'll repay you next time."

"Actually, she offered but I declined. I could do better." Logan didn't like this guy, he now knew that he was your typical frat type of guy. Be sweet to the girls to get what you want but talk offensively about them behind their back.

Rory returned and sure enough Drew was back to the perfect guy.

The three spent some more time talking when Drew noticed the time "Will you excuse me? My mom is on the mainland and I have to go check on my grandfather and get his lunch together he hasn't been feeling well."

"Of course not, go ahead." Rory replied.

"Will you be here later?"

"I think so, I'll probable go to the house in a bit to grab something to eat but we'll be back later, right Logan."

"Yeah, we'll be back." He felt slightly better that he was included in her plans but he still didn't like that Drew would be around.

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They were eating lunch when Rory began to gush, "So tell me what are your thoughts of Drew? What did he say when you two were talking?"

"He's a typical guy."

"He's not that typical, he's been so nice and attentive to me and he hasn't even glanced at another girl."

He replied curtly "I don't know he just seems like everyone else…Just be careful around him." He hated Drew but what was he supposed to say he made some comments about Stacy, he never said that he did anything so really Logan didn't have anything on the guy.

"Well you don't have to give me attitude; I just wanted a friend's opinion. He's just so nice and seems different than the last few guys I dated and I'm always careful."

"Did you date a lot?" It wasn't a subject that was approached earlier but now she opened the door and he was curios.

"Some. My numbers are probable nowhere near yours but I did go out with a few guys. Just one serious boyfriend and a few dates before and after that."

"Serious?"

"Well as serious as you get in high school." She blushed.

"Oh." The blush gave her away she could never talk about anything sexual without blushing. "Did they treat you well?"

"Who?"

"Those guys you dated."

"Yeah they did. They knew better than to cross a Gilmore-Hayden." She smiled.

"So what happened…I mean why aren't any of them around now?"

"Well most were just a few dates here and there but I did have one boyfriend…Brady. He was a year older and we started dating in the beginning of my sophomore year and we stayed together till last fall. He graduated and went out west for school, we tried to stay together while he was away and we talked about me going to school with him but we both knew that wouldn't happen. My goal was Yale and he never would have asked me to give that up if I got accepted, and with my legacy and grades we both knew where I would be going. But anyway I did fly out for an interview, mainly it was to visit him and it was during that time that we broke up, we knew it was time. He was a great first real boyfriend I couldn't have asked for any one better. Even though we both knew it was time it was still hard and I cried a lot. I dated a few guys after that but those were just fun dates. I didn't want another relationship; it was my senior I enjoyed being single and just dating."

"Single and hot, you're going to have those Yale boys falling over you."

She was blushing. "I don't think so besides I'll be too busy studying."

"Do you miss not having a steady boyfriend?"

"Yeah…It was so easy with Brady, yeah we were attracted to each other but we were also friends and he didn't hold me back. He let me be me and I let him be him, no matter what stupid things he did, we trusted each other. Of course we fought at times but who doesn't. I miss the comfort of it all, knowing that someone is there for you, well someone besides your mom and dad. Dating isn't bad, I got to meet a bunch of people but it's also so fake, your both trying to impress the other person and you have to have your guard up."

"So do you still talk to Brady?" He was jealous but also kind of content that the guy was so good to her.

"I wish I could."

He looked at her confused.

"He was killed by a drunk driver over winter break."

"Rory, I'm so sorry." He took her hand and gave it a squeeze.

"I'm okay, really. It's just he was such a great guy and he would have made someone really happy, I should know he did make me happy."

He reached over and wiped her tears and put on a smile. "I'm happy he was good to you, probable better then many other guys out there and I should know since I'm one of them."

"I'm sure when you find the right girl you will do anything to make her happy. That's what dating is for to weed out all the others."

"What if I already found her?" He was looking right into her eyes

"Then you should go after her."

He leaned in to claim her lips but was interrupted by the yelling of an Aussie he knew so well.

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