James' POV

"So then what about you?" Logan asked, me using a flashlight found in Carlos' jeep to scan the shore for hermit crabs out scavenging for food. "Tell me about James."

"Well, my mom's Brooke Diamond- she owns this big makeup company and she's filthy rich. I grew up spoiled and rich, obviously, in Minnesota, then she decided to relocate us to California to be closer to most of her consumers. That was sophomore year of high school. First day Carlos befriended me. I had a lot of friends, but none as great as him. We stuck together through graduation and he tried the police academy, but decided it wasn't for him. He didn't like the violence," I laughed a little at that. "And I was still living off of mommy's money, and I was jobless. I decided I wanted to be dependent from her and I worked for my mom a while, then got a job at a beach shop where I had to always be in my trunks, which I didn't like. So I finally got a job surfing, and Carlos joined me. And we've been doing it ever since."

"What about your ex-girlfriend?"

"She's unimportant," I said quickly.

I felt kind of bad for lying to Logan about Mercedes. He deserved to know that technically I was off the market and engaged, but did it really matter? I wouldn't get too far with him if far at all- he was too shy and would never go for someone like me, although I have to admit I have the biggest crush on him. Anyway, all that could happen, and this was really pushing it, is Logan and I fuck (which would be a miracle, given his shy and conserved attitude) and I get one last enjoyable night with a guy before I'm handcuffed to Mercedes. And Logan goes home to Minnesota and I never see him again, which is sad. I really did like hanging out with him- it was refreshing. Maybe I would get his number before he left.

"Oh."

I sighed, feeling guilty. I think he thought I was hiding something, and although I was hiding something huge, I couldn't let him know that.

"She's the daughter of this big-wig powerful dude and my mom wanted me to date her so maybe we'd get married and be super rich. But she was awful- a spoiled brat and just mean in general," I gave in. "I wanted to be happy instead of rich."

It was kind of good to pretend that Mercedes and I broke up and I was free from this mess I was in.

"How does your mom feel about it?" Logan asked. "She didn't cut you off from her money?"

"Well I mean I wasn't using her money anymore anyway. But she wouldn't cut me off- I'm all she has."

"What about your dad?"

"I didn't know my dad until I was 13. He lives in Vegas and has other kids now. I don't see him a lot or talk to him much, but he's nice enough and he seems to want into my life again," I said.

"Are you mad at him?"

"Nah. I would be if he were to call me for the first time at this age, but since I was still young I'm fine with it. I was going through puberty and kinda needed a dad, you know?" I laughed. "Almost ten years and still I don't know him so well, but I know him and that's what matters."

"He left before or after you were born?"

"You're just full of questions, aren't you?" I laughed. Actually I liked that. Carlos just liked to talk and talk and I was always the quiet one, but now Logan wanted to know about me and I liked talking about myself.

He bowed his head and apologized, and I almost melted. I wondered how old he was- he looked like he could either be in high school or my age. He said he's about to go to college, but maybe he waited a few years after high school to go. He was underage, but I wondered if that meant he was 20 or 16. I wanted to ask, but felt like he didn't want to tell me. And maybe it was best I didn't know his age, because if he was too young it might change how much I like him.

"It's okay. He was married to my mom for a few years and my mom wanted a baby, so they had me. But my dad was sort of a gambler and he left before my mom could kind out that he lost a lot of her money gambling. That was before I was born. I wonder if he still has a problem- he lives in Vegas."

Logan nodded thoughtfully before suddenly running ahead and dropping to his knees.

"Look!" Logan burst, bent over what I knew was the first hermit crab of the night. "Pick it up! Please?"

I giggled, loving, just loving, how cute and innocent he just became. I got to my knees in front of him and picked up the crab by the long shell, making it retreat into it. I set it in my palm and soon he came out again, Logan's eyes absolutely lighting up as we watched.

"You've never done this before, have you?" I laughed.

"I didn't know about it," Logan said, embarrassed. "Thanks for this."

"It's one of my favorite things."

We sat side-by-side and I put the crab down to continue its search for dinner.

Logan's POV

"Why haven't you ever had a boyfriend?" I asked James, brushing sand off of my knees as we sat.

"I dunno," he shrugged, looking over at me and clicking the flashlight off. "I've dated a little, but I just never found a guy I really wanna be with."

"Have you had sex with one?"

He gave me a confused look, but laughed.

"What is it with you and all these questions?" he asked.

"I'm sorry," I blushed. "It's just what I do."

"I've never had sex with a man," James said. "Sex is a sacred thing, Logan. I don't know if you've had it or not, but you have to care about the person you do it with. Cause sex is just so wonderful, and it's even better if you have love. And I've never cared for a man before, so no."

"Have you done it with a girl?"

"Yeah. I had a few mindless fucks in high school," he said in disgust.

"And your girlfriend."

"Ex."

We fell silent again, and I looked over at his silhouette. He was so pretty, even when his features were dim. I had a bit of a crush on him, obviously, even if I was just his "little buddy".

I thought it was really sexy how he thought that sex was sacred. I had the same belief. I liked that although he had meaningless sex in high school, he stopped that and really thought about it before rushing into things.

"Why did you date her for so long if you knew you were gay?" I asked.

"My mom," he said. I knew it was a sensitive topic, but James was too mellow and relaxed to care. "She has this idea in her head that the Diamonds will own the world one day, starting with me marrying Mercedes Griffin."

"Why didn't you just talk to her about it?"

"I did, but she just told me that I was getting older and still didn't have someone else. She said I needed to stop being selfish and learn to love Mercedes."

"You're the selfish one?" I asked incredulously.

"Yup. That's what she said," James shrugged. "And I mean, I love her to death and would do anything for her. And I did."

I nodded, brows furrowed. I understood wanting to do anything to please your mother- I would probably do the same thing. But it just seems like James let it get too far before breaking up with her.

"And you finally had enough of acting and broke it off?" I asked. Suddenly he went rigid, unable to meet my eyes.

"Yeah," he said quickly.

"Do you wanna come in and hang out a little?" I asked shyly as we reached my hotel room.

I was trying to think of how to say goodbye to James. He thought I was staying for the rest of the week, and if I told him that I was leaving tomorrow he might be a little upset.

"I need to get going," he said, twisting his lips. "Sorry."

"Oh…" I leaned against the door

"Listen, Logan," he finally said, standing to tower over me. "I have work tomorrow until 6. But I was wondering if afterward I could pick you up and we could go on another adventure."

My heart leapt and I couldn't stifle the grin that graced my face. Immediately it dropped, though, and I opened my mouth to tell him that I was leaving the next day.

"We could go to LA and see the Hollywood sign," he interrupted. "And the Celebrity Walk of Fame. You know- the touristy stuff."

How could I turn that down? I had told Kendall that I wanted to see those things and if I left I might never see them. Plus, seeing them with James, spending a few more hours with James, sounded like heaven.

"It's really cool down in Hollywood and I know some awesome restaurants we could get dinner at. It'll be a lot of fun. If you're down," he said hopefully, almost nervously. "And we can take your buddy, too."

"He's not into that stuff," I waved.

"So… Is that a yes? You'll go?"

"Yeah," I smiled. Well, Minnesota will still be there the day after tomorrow, right?

"Cool," he said in relief. He walked slowly to the door before turning to me. "I'll pick you up here at 7," he said before opening the door and looking at the outside of it. "Room 233. I'll be here."

"Okay," I laughed.

"Oh- wait. Can I have your phone number?" he asked, pulling out his phone. "In case I get lost or something."

After programming my name and number into his phone, I looked up and gave him a shy smile, which was met by a dazzling grin.

"See you tomorrow," he said. There was a moment where we just stood there smiling at one another before he snapped out of it and waved before leaving.

Once again I was left feeling like I wanted to sing and dance.

And I did. Why not? I was all alone, after all.

James made me feel so alive, even if we never did anything dangerous. Dancing with him, feeling his body against mine and for once feeling like I was sexually desired, even if it was false hope, made me feel sexy. And when he looked at me all through the night, he made me feel special. Like I was the only one on this earth. He didn't flirt with me really, which let me know that this was innocent. Although we were both gay, he wasn't interested in me as more than a friend.

But it was nice to think that tomorrow was going to be a romantic date, right?

Okay, so my crush had grown since he first sat with me on the beach at the beginning of the night. Before that, it was just a little fancy, if you will. He's attractive and nice, but whatever. But now… Now I felt like I was in middle school crushing on some girl. Except that middle school girl turns out to be six foot one (by estimation), drop-dead handsome, and all man. Manly man, at that.

Okay, Logan. Calm down. Tomorrow is just two friends hanging out. He doesn't like you like that, so keep your distance.

But on the other hand, I probably will never see him again after tomorrow. And although that was sad, it also made me think that maybe I should go all out. Maybe I should tell him how I feel and maybe he would give me a last day to remember before I go back to Minnesota, in my shell, too shy to go for it again with anyone.

I guessed I was in no position to make a decision now. I was tired and loopy from a great night. I would talk to Kendall about it tomorrow, although I knew he would be hung over and tell me that I need to go for it with James.

Right now I needed to get to bed and hope for a pleasant dream.

I propped open the door for the inevitably drunk Kendall and turned out the lights, save the bathroom light for Kendall before snuggling into my bed and lying awake for a while, thinking about my night and how tomorrow would be.