The night you were stupid

Veronica

I sat cross legged on my bed. The window that faced the ocean was propped open, letting the fresh salted air blow through the room. The sound of the crashing waves was soothing as I waited with my laptop sitting open in front of me.

After my morning walk with Backup, I had taken a shower and then was surprised by a message from my father, informing me he would try and give me a call in about an hour. And so, knowing that he couldn't always give me a precise time, I set in to wait for him. I dressed comfortably in a pair of shorts and a tank top and had Backup join me on my bed.

I waited for over forty minutes with no sign of any call, not even a follow up message. Which, again, wasn't unusual. I distracted myself by playing games on my phone, flipping through a photography magazine I'd picked up the day before, and making up mindless chatter with Backup who looked at me with a blank stare. The hour mark came and my mind began to consider not waiting. I didn't want to waste the day waiting but I also hadn't really spoken to him since he'd shipped me off to Neptune. And if I did miss his call, I might not speak to him properly until summer was over.

Backup lifted his head up and placed his chin on my thigh. I smiled at him warmly and moved both hands to scratch either side of his face. "What do you think?" I asked him. "Should I give wait a little longer?"

He whined and leant into my hand.

I chuckled as my phone started to ring. I reached for it quickly and sighed when it didn't show my father's name. Instead, Logan flashed across the screen.

I considered ignoring the call. One, because I didn't want to miss my father's call but two, things had been a little weird for the past week. Logan seemed a little unsure of what to say or how to act around me since his relationship with Lilly was back in the works. I hadn't pressured him in anyway, I'd let him take the lead. Most of our conversations avoided any sort of mention of Lilly or their relationship. I'd thought perhaps he'd want to mention how things had progressed, but he never brought her up. When I had tried to turn the conversation towards them, he either suddenly had to go, changed the subject or gave me a very vague answer. After the third, or maybe forth time, I didn't even try.

Backup whined again as my phone continued to ring. He lifted his paw and knocked it against the hand holding the phone.

"Okay, okay. I'll answer. Calm down." I clicked the button to answer. "Hey, you."

"Hey." His voice was the most relaxed I'd heard it all week. "What are you up too?"

"Just waiting for my dad to call me."

"So, you're not super busy."

"No. I'm curled up with Backup trying to amuse myself."

"I would be happy to offer myself up to be your entertainment."

"Now that sounds like a offer I would be a fool to refuse."

"Good, because I'm on my way over."

"Is that so?"

"Yep. I have a full day with no plans so I've decided that today is the day I'm going to get you on a surfboard."

I frowned. "Absolutely not."

"Wrong attitude, Mars. The waves are perfect for a beginner."

"Logan, surfing and me is never going to happen."

He scoffed. "You just need to give it a chance."

"No. I refuse."

Logan chuckled. "Fine, but you can still come with me. I have no friends today."

"I'm a little surprised by that."

"Why?"

"Well, I figured Lilly would be keeping you busy."

"She has been, but today she is having a girls day. Whatever that means."

"With her little minions?"

"Yeah. Something about shopping and makeup…I stopped listening when she mentioned the mall."

I rolled my eyes. "Tip for you, girls like it when their boyfriends listen to them."

Logan sighed. "Yeah, yeah. Get ready. I'll be there in ten minutes."

"Let yourself in, front doors open."

"Sweet, bye."

As a ended the call I chuckled with relief. It was the most normal conversation I'd had with him. It felt good. I liked Logan too much for our friendship to explode because we fooled around. I kind of thought with how Lilly had reacted to me he would be forbidden to see me. Lilly seemed liked the type of girl to tell her man to stay away from girls she considered a threat, however, Logan hadn't made any mention of Lilly saying anything of the sort.

Either way, I did need to change.

I climbed off my bed, grabbed a black bikini from my draw and changed into it. As I tied it behind my neck my laptop started playing the call sound. I rushed across the room to turn my laptop and grinned. I clicked the answer button and a fuzzy image of my father appeared.

"Hey, there's my girl."

"Dad, hi."

"Sorry, if I kept you waiting."

I shook my head. "No, it's fine. I understand."

"How are you? How is your mother?"

"I'm good. Neptune isn't as horrible as I thought it would be."

"See, I told you so."

I pursed my lips. "Mostly because of my grandparents. I've hardly seen my mother."

"Would that be because you go out of your way to avoid her?"

"No."

He gave me a look of disbelief.

"Okay, fine, a little. But mostly she's always out. If your ask Grams she's off with her boyfriend."

"Have you met this boyfriend?"

"No. Grams thinks the man's married and that she's having an affair."

My father frowned and glanced away.

"Either way, I'm happy just doing my own thing."

"Well, I'm glad you are enjoying yourself."

"I've made a few friends."

"Anyone I should be concerned about?"

I smirked. "If you are asking if any of them have a penis, then the answer would be yes."

He narrowed his eyes, but a small smile was still on his lips. "California boys don't do it for you?"

I shrugged. "What can I say? If they don't have an accent then I wave them off."

He chuckled. "If you do find one that peaks any interests…"

"I won't tell you."

"Why not?"

"Remember Rodney?"

"You were ten."

"Eleven. And he was sweet."

"He was weird."

"Why because he liked cats?"

"Yeah, dead ones."

I rolled my eyes as he laughed. "You've never liked any boy I've liked."

"Because not one of them has been worthy of you."

"And no boy ever will."

He shrugged. "What can I say, I have high expectations for my daughter."

I smiled.

"Veronica! Logan's here." Isabel, my mother's housekeeper, called from downstairs.

My father narrowed his eyes. "Who is Logan?"

I smirked. "A friend."

"Just a friend?"

"He has a girlfriend, Pops. Relax."

He sighed. "Well, I'll let you go."

"I love you."

"Love you too, sweat pea."

"Stay safe."

He nodded and gave me a quick wink before ending the call.

"Didn't mean to interrupt," said Logan.

I turned to see him in my doorway. "It's okay. Our conversations are normally short. He doesn't get a lot of time." I reached over to close my laptop as I stood up.

"You never did explain what he does for work." He lifted his arm and pressed it against the door frame.

I smirked. "Didn't I? And didn't you say ten minutes?"

The beach was rather busy.

As Logan and I had walked down from the house and onto the white sand I couldn't help but notice the large groups further down. It seemed like one of the residence was throwing some sort of party and adults, teenagers and children were spread all a section of the beach.

Logan didn't wander too far down before stabbing his surf board into the sand and placing down the bag I had given him to carry.

Backup dashed through the sand past me and ran around Logan barking with excitement. Logan chuckled at him as he pulled a tennis ball from the bag and threw it towards the waters edge. Backup kicked up sand as he tore off after the bouncing ball, smashing into the water without a care.

As I leant over to pull out my towel, I noticed Logan's eyes. He tracked my movements with his gaze, not even appearing to try and hide the way he was looking at me. I noticed it the when I turned to greet him in my bedroom and it wasn't a way a guy should be looking at another girl when he had a girlfriend.

I laid out my towel and knelt down. "Did you want to share the real reason you dragged me out here?"

Logan frowned. "I'm here to surf. You living on a private beach just makes it easier so I don't have to fight over waves."

"If you are here to surf, why are you still standing here?" I moved to stretch out my legs in front of me and leant back on my hands.

Logan turned away from me and flexed his hands. He stared out at the ocean for a few seconds, seeming to contemplate his next action. I expected him to grab his board and go into the water but he didn't. Instead, Backup brought back his ball and dropped it at Logan's feet. Logan didn't hesitate to pick it up and throw it for him again before he sat down beside me on my towel.

"How is it that you can read me so easy?" he asked.

I nudged his shoulder. "You might think you are all mysterious but frankly you don't have a very good poker face."

The corner of Logan's mouth lifted. "I will have you know I'm an excellent poker player."

I chuckled. "That's cause you haven't played against me."

"That can be rectified. I'm having a game with some of the boys tonight. Why don't you come?"

"Is there a buy in?"

"We generally do a thousand each."

"Well, I guess I'm going to have some extra cash by the nights end."

"We will see about that."

"I suppose we will."

The water crashed before us, filling the silence that lulled between us. Logan stretched out his legs beside mine and looked down to pick at his finger nails.

"You know you can tell me whatever's on your mind," I said.

A small smile graced hips lips. "I know. I just don't know how to say it."

"Is it about Lilly?"

Logan scrunched up his nose and sighed. "Kind of."

I sat silently. He needed to find his own words and I didn't want to rush him.

"When we first met you said you could help me sort my relationship out with Lilly. And you did help me. You made me realise the relationship we had wasn't normal or healthy and that we had a lot to work on. And now that we are back together, I think we've had some progress. I mean, Lilly actually talks to me now. We have actual conversations and she even asks about me."

I smiled. It was a good sign for them. "That's great."

"But that's it. Is it great? Because I thought we'd get back together, things would improve and I wouldn't feel so hollow. But I don't. There something missing in here." Logan tapped his hand on his chest. "And I don't think it's something I'm going to get from Lilly." He pressed his hand against his face before brushing it up and running it through his hair. "Does that make sense?"

"It does." I stretched out my hand and took his. I intertwined our fingers and said, "Lilly is your first love. People like that always have a special place for us but they normally aren't the last love we will ever have. It's possible that while you thought you wanted Lilly back, what you wanted was a proper relationship. And even though you two have rekindled it doesn't mean that your relationship is going to satisfy you."

Logan squeezed my hand. "How do I work out if that is my issue?"

"That I can't tell you. You need to decide for yourself if being with Lilly is what you want."

"But if I decide I don't want her, isn't that just making everything that has happened irrelevant? Does that not make me the biggest asshole ever?"

I shook my head. "Lilly might be upset, it's possible. But if you don't love her that way anymore, it would be cruel to lie to her and kept up false pretenses."

Logan sighed. "Somehow, I don't think Lilly would care if I kept up a false pretense. As long as she gets what she wants."

I wasn't in a place to say otherwise. Lilly was still much of a mystery to me. She seemed to have most people wrapped around her finger, boys and girls alike. She seemed to be the kind of girl that wanted things her way, but that could be due to a number of things she is dealing with that I have no idea about. From the few things Logan had mentioned about her parents, they weren't exactly the warm and loving family.

"I'm going to hit the water. You sure you don't want a lesson?" Logan asked.

I smirked. "Absolutely not. You have fun." I gave him a few firm pats on the shoulder and laid back on my towel.

As Logan stood up and grabbed his board I couldn't help but wonder about what he had said. I wanted so badly to help Logan, he was my friend and a great guy. I wanted him to be happy, especially after Lilly had treated him like crap and his friends weren't the emotionally supportive kind that could help him work things out. But there was another feeling nagging at me. The night—and morning—we had shared after the gala left him in a different light. I had known from our first meeting that I was attracted to him, I mean, who wouldn't be. He was hot and charming, and those abs did feel great to run my hands over. He was also an incredibly attentive lover who definitely didn't leave me wanting. But Logan was also kind, and funny, and smart. He loved to read and write, and enjoyed older movies along with the ridiculous action flicks. If things were less complicated, and I wasn't leaving in a few weeks, I had no hesitation about wanting to be more than friends. But they were complicated.

The right thing to do was to just be there for Logan, as his friend. He needed to make the right choices for himself. And if that choice was Lilly, then I would be happy for him.

We spent the next few hours on the beach. Logan came back and forth between surfing. The first time, he managed to cover me in water before dragging me out into the surf. While I had loudly protested, I wasn't overly bothered about getting drenched.

It was around 2 o'clock we decided food was needed and we headed back to the house. I quickly rinsed myself off in the outside shower before stepping inside. Isabel was in the kitchen, already cooking. She offered to make us some sandwiches and offered to bring them outside.

With food sorted, I went back outside to find Logan had stripped off his wet-suit and was standing under the spray of the outdoor shower. I won't deny that my eyes slid down his bare chest and I probably stared for a little too long. I was only knocked out of my daze by a very sandy Backup licking my fingers.

I smiled down at Backup. "I think you need a shower too."

Backup yipped in reply.

"I'll rinse him off," said Logan. "Come here, boy."

Backup bounded over to him.

I moved over to sit down on the outside lounge. I tucked my feet under my but and grabbed from camera from the table. Turning it on, I focused in on Logan kneeling in front of Backup as he washed him off. Backup's tongue hung out the side of his mouth, his tail wagging furiously. Logan face was lit up with a big grin. It was a too cute not to capture.

"Are you taking photos of me?" he asked.

I looked up from the photo displayed on my camera's screen. "My dog mainly, you just happened to be in it too."

Logan grabbed a towel from the table and started to dry himself off. "What are we doing for food?"

"Isabel is making us some sandwiches. She'll bring it out when its ready."

"Sweet. Plenty of time for you to show me your photos."

I lowered my camera onto the couch. "What makes you think I'd share them with you?"

He sat down beside me and flashed a smirk. "Because you like me and I want to see them."

I let out a snorted laugh. "I like plenty of people, and they haven't seen them."

"Why so shy?"

"I'm not."

"Then show me."

I rolled my eyes and handed my camera over. Logan's smirk became a triumphant grin as he started clicking through. And while I didn't mind anyone seeing my work, I had taken a few sneaky photos when he'd been over. I also taken more than a few of him surfing the last few times we'd gone.

"Wow," he said. "These are great."

"I'm glad I have your approval."

"Is this your dad?" Logan turned to show me the preview screen. The picture displayed was of my father. He was in the kitchen of our New York apartment, towel over his shoulder while he snuck a bite of something he was cooking. It had been during the last meal we'd shared in that apartment.

"Yeah," I said with a sad smile.

"You miss him."

"His work keeps him busy, and I understand. I just sometimes wish it wasn't so unpredictable. We can set up plans months in advance but it can come done to minutes before and he is off."

Logan frowned. "That sucks. I wish my father was away more often."

"Is he gone for months at a time? I thought he be away more than enough."

"When he has a film he can be gone for five sometimes six months, if I'm lucky. Then he'll have the press tour when the film comes out and that's another couple of weeks. But in between films is the issue."

I sighed. "I suppose we just have to just make the best of it when we can."

Logan put down my camera and turned his body to face me. "How are you always so optimistic?"

I laughed. "I'm not."

"You always are with me."

"That's because I know you need it. There are plenty of times where I can be pessimistic. Especially at school, some of those girls are Satan reborn. And don't get me started on Lianne." I twisted my face in disgust.

"I haven't seen her since the Gala." Logan glanced over his shoulder.

"A few days after she informed me she was going to a spa retreat for some much needed relaxation. I don't know what she exactly does with her time that makes her so stressed, but I couldn't be more than happy to have the house to myself."

"Isn't the whole point of you being here for you two to spend time together?" he asked.

I shrugged. "Wasn't my idea, so I'm not going to complain."

"Well, even if it wasn't your idea to come here. I'm glad you are here." Logan's hand reached out to take mine. He smiled at me warmly and gave my hand a gently squeeze.

My eyes went from our hands up to his eyes and there was that look again. The look in his eyes that said more than he did. He wasn't looking at me like a friend looked at me.

The back door slid open and Isabel stepped out with a tray. "I hope you two are hungry!" she declared.

Logan pulled back his hand and shifted in his seat. "Starved."

"Thank you, Isabel," I said, as she placed down the tray.

"My pleasure."

The subject changed as we ate our lunch. The conversation started to focus on random things like an upcoming movie Logan wanted to see, a book I'd picked up I thought he'd like, and then we ended up on school and how I planned to finish high school and head to Standford.

We stayed out on the back deck for the rest of the afternoon, Backup even jumped up on the lounge to join us. But eventually Logan had to leave. I agreed to be at his house for his gathering—it really was just a party—at 9 and had already messaged Meg to see if she wanted to go together. Meg had agreed and was getting dropped off by her sister at 8.

With Logan gone, I had a proper shower to clean my hair and get ready for the party. I turned on some music in my room and flicked through my options and settled on a pair of black shorts and a red halter.

I was adding a few loose curls to my hair when Meg arrived. She was dressed in a cute little floral dress.

"You look so cute," I said.

She smiled. "Thanks. I like your top."

"Thank you. It's an oldie but a goodie."

"So, I did something bold."

I put down my curling iron and turned to look at her. "What?"

She cringed and said, "I may have dumped Cole."

My eyes widened as I took in her words. "Seriously?" I wasn't surprised that she had dumped Cole. I figured it was coming. However, I didn't think she'd do it so soon or so randomly.

"Yeah. He was over and was talking about what our lives we going to be like and it was just too much. So I told him I didn't love him and didn't want to date him anymore."

"Wow, blunt."

"I felt bad. Was I too harsh?"

I shrugged. "Maybe, but you were honest. It's not good lying to him. How did he take it?"

Meg let out a heavy sigh. "He whined, a lot. Kept going on and on about how he'd been the perfect boyfriend. I tried to get him to understand that it wasn't his actions that were the issue."

"I wouldn't say that."

Meg let out a small laugh. "Veronica, be nice."

I smirked and turned back to my mirror. "Does this mean tonight is the night for you and Duncan to finally snuggle up like you both have been dying too."

Her mouth popped open in shock. "What?"

"Meg, you both are so bloody obvious it's somewhat painful to watch."

Meg's cheeks turned bright pink. "What about you and Logan? When are you going to stop being in denial?"

I paused with the makeup brush I had picked up in the air. "How am I in denial when it comes to Logan?"

Meg gave me a look that screamed, 'you've got to be kidding me.' She said, "You two have great chemistry together, the sexual tension vibrants when you two are side by side—even from across the room—and you two are always looking at each other."

"And?"

"And?!" Meg scoffed. "Why did you let me him get back with Lilly?"

I sighed. "That was our plan. He wanted Lilly back and but he wanted to have a healthy relationship, that is what we were working towards. The night after the gala was just fun between friends."

Meg shook her head. "Denial."

"I'm not in denial. Denial is when you pretend you don't like another person. I do like Logan, he is great. But he is very much taken." I dipped my brush into my blush.

Meg walked over to sit beside me. "Well, fine. Maybe your not. But you two would be great together."

I smiled warmly at Meg in the mirror. "That's sweet. But let's focus on your upcoming relationship because that is something likely to happen."

Meg's blush returned as we turned the conversation to Duncan. I made sure to stay away from the conversation of Logan and his feelings. After Meg's little speech she didn't need to know that he was having doubts.

The party at Logan's was smaller than I had expected. Meg and I arrived just after nine to only about twenty teenagers spread out around the pool. The first person I spotted was Lilly—of all people—and she was lounged out by the pool with her Madison, Shelly and Ashley. There were a couple of other girls and while they looked familiar I didn't know them.

Lilly, from where she lounged, spotted Meg and I as we stepped out from the kitchen. She lifted her hand and waved. "Meg, Veronica!"

I frowned slightly. We hadn't spoken since the brief confrontation outside of the flower shop. Logan hadn't mentioned anything about what she thought of me—not that I cared—but I didn't think she'd actually want to speak with me. I had assumed she would pretend I didn't exist.

Meg led me over to where the girls were sitting.

Lilly sat up and patted the space on the end of her lounge chair. Meg was happy to quickly sit down beside her.

"Meg, I fell like I haven't seen you in ages," said Lilly.

Meg said, "I know. I've been busy with work and my family."

"How is Grace doing? Did she like her flowers?"

Meg nodded. "Yeah, much better. And she definitely did. She also loved the bear you sent."

Lilly grinned. "I'm so glad."

If it had been my first time meeting Lilly, my impression would be that Lilly was just a good friend of Meg's. Lilly actually seemed to care. But I had met Lilly, and I had heard what others thought about her, and it made me feel like the words were for show.

"So, Meg, is what Cole saying true? Did you dump him?" asked Ashley.

Meg nodded. "I did."

Lilly chuckled. "I didn't think you'd ever get rid of him."

Madison pursed her lips. "Who are you going to date now?"

Meg shrugged. "Not really thinking about it. I'm just going to enjoy being single for a while."

Lilly's face grew excited. "Oh. Single Meg. What crazy things we could do."

Meg narrowed her eyes at Lilly. "Oh, no. Don't even get those ideas, Lilly."

Lilly and the girls, expect Madison, giggled.

"So, Veronica, how are you liking Neptune?" asked Shelly. "Lilly said you got to attend the Reynolds and Specter Gala. How did you convince Logan to take you to that?"

And there it was. Lilly had been filling her friends in about me, but she was still missing a few details. "Neptune's been fine. As for the Gala, I was invited but not by Logan. We just bumped into one another while we were there."

The girls all seemed interested.

Madison asked, "Then who invited you?" She asked the question in a way that made it seem like I was the last person anyone would invite anywhere. But I could hear the envy in her tone.

"My grandparents. The insisted that I go," I explained.

"Are they clients?" asked Shelly.

"No. My grandmother is Dianne Reynolds."

Their eyes all went wide in perfect unison. It was rather comical to watch the shock.

Lilly turned to face me a little more and said, "Now that you say that, I can see it. You look like her."

Before anything could be said further, the doors from the house opened and Logan stepped out with Casey. I hadn't seen Casey much since the bonfire, normally he was off doing things with his girlfriend. I was surprised as the boys walked towards us that his girlfriend was nowhere to be seen.

"Did you hear what Amy did?" whispered Madison.

Shelly and Ashley's heads snapped around to her. "What?"

"Apparently Casey caught her with the gardener." Madison giggled. "It seems she has a thing for older and poorer men."

I rolled my eyes.

"Madison that sounds made up," said Lilly. "Where did you hear that?"

"From Dick," she said.

"Maybe we should change the subject," said Meg, just as Logan and Casey reached us.

"Evening ladies," said Casey.

"Hi," the girls said in unison. Their little triplet thing was kind of freaking me out.

"Veronica, good to see you again. Glad Logan hasn't scared you off."

I smiled when Logan frowned. "No, I don't think he could if he tried."

Casey said, "Is he still wowing you with all the Echolls charm is he?"

"I let him think so, just so I don't bruise his ego."

"Hey!" exclaimed Logan. "I'm right here." He shoved Casey playfully. "Anyway, Veronica you still down to play with the big boys?"

"You are on. Just no crying when I take all your money."

Logan waved me off, and turned to Lilly. "Anything you need?"

Lilly shook her head. "Have fun."

"Cool." He leant down and pressed a kiss to her lips before waving me towards the Pool house. As we walked away I caught the end of the girls gushing over Lilly and Logan being back together.

Inside the pool house a gaming table had been set up. Already waiting was Duncan, Luke, and another kid I didn't know.

"What, no Dick?" I asked.

Logan chuckled.

"Anything with numbers goes over Dick's head," said the kid I didn't know.

"That's not surprising."

"Veronica this is Dick's younger brother, Beaver," introduced Logan.

The kid nodded. "It's Cassidy."

I nodded. "Nice to meet you, Cassidy."

"So you think you can win?" asked Casey.

"I guess we are going to find out."

"Why doesn't the lady deal first?" suggested Logan, sliding the deck of cards to me.

"Not a problem."

It was forty minutes and several rounds later when the boys admitted defeat. I smiled triumphantly as Logan placed the winnings into my hand. Duncan and Cassidy were left looking more than annoyed at their failure to read my poker face, whereas the others were laughing. Logan most likely from amusement, Luke looked like he would cry if he didn't laugh, and Casey—well, I wasn't really sure. But I took my cash and headed back out to the pool while they licked their wounds.

As I reached the pool I noticed that the gathering had grown. Meg was with Shelly over the other side of the backyard with two guys I didn't know the names of but had seen before. Meg noticed my emergence and smiled at me warmly. Before I could head in her direction, Lilly made her way over to me.

"Veronica, do you have a second?" she asked.

"Sure." There was no other answer I could really give her. If I ignored her I would just be creating tension and that would make Logan's life harder not easier, so I would play nice.

Lilly moved away from the open area and over towards a set of chairs in the corner of the garden. We weren't hidden from the everyone but no one was close enough to hear our conversation.

"I wanted to start by apologising for my actions. I haven't exactly been nice to you."

"Wait, you mean that's not the standard welcome to Neptune greeting?" The word popped out before I could bite my tongue. So much for playing nice.

Lilly surprised me by laughing. "No. I normally let to get to know a girl before I start screaming at her. It was just that I wasn't in a great space. Things have been complicated between Logan and I, and I've been doubting my friendship with some of the girls…"

"Doubting because they lied to you about Logan?" I asked.

She nodded. "They were instant that he kissed some slut, but he swears nothing happened. And I'm inclined to believe him."

I held back my eye roll.

"If anything, I have no reason to doubt him. Logan has never cheated on me. I am the one with the commitment issues."

The look on Lilly's face made me think she was actually feeling regretful about her actions. I reached out my hand and placed it on her arm, giving it a comforting squeeze.

"Lilly, Logan loves you. I think if you do as he has suggested and work on your communication, talk about your feelings, then you might find a way through all of the shit you've done."

Lilly's face softened. "He talks to you a lot."

I shrugged. "I've shown him he can be open around me. It seems to me he doesn't get a chance to really let his emotions out—not in a healthy way—and from just talking he's learned its better to talk to me than do something stupid."

"Why do you think he's never tried to talk to me?" she asked.

"This might sound mean, but he probably has and you just didn't care to notice."

Lilly frowned.

I leant back in my chair. "Sorry, but you probably just didn't want to listen because you felt guilty."

Lilly pressed her tongue to her cheek and looked out towards the pool. Logan was standing by the edge talking to Casey and Luke. Logan turned to glance at us and gave us a concerned frown before turning back to the boys. When Casey and Luke both look our way Lilly and I both laughed.

"I think Logan might be nervous," I said.

Lilly smirked. "He's probably worried we are comparing notes on his talents."

I frowned. "He told you?"

It was Lilly's turn to shrug and sit back. She said, "He said he wanted honesty and so he told me you both hooked up. He also told me you just wanted to be friends."

"What do you think about it?"

Lilly placed her chin on the palm of her hand. "What can I say? You and Logan hooking up wasn't cheating, we weren't back together. I will admit that the night of the Gala I was jealous that Logan looked so happy with you. I thought he'd forgotten all about me. But it was the reality check I think I needed. To see Logan happy with someone else made me realise if I kept pushing he wasn't always going to be waiting when I came back."

It wasn't the confession I had expected from Lilly. I thought she would play nice in front of Logan but beyond his site Lilly would make it known that I wasn't welcome. It seemed though that this wasn't the case.

"Do you think we can start again?" asked Lilly. "From what Logan has told me you are great. I think we'd be great friends."

I gave her a warm smile. She seemed sincere. I could only hope she actually was. "Sure."

Lilly returned her own smile before pushing herself to stand. "I should probably go reassure him that we have settled our differences."

I watched Lilly as she strutted over towards Logan—it seemed she was incapable of walking like a normal person—and wrapped her arms around his waist. The way he looked down at her and pressed a kiss to her lips, you wouldn't know that a few hours early he had been contemplating their relationship. Logan looked generally relaxed as a smile touched his lips.

"Sometimes the two of them make me jealous."

I turned to find Casey sitting down in the chair that Lilly had vacated. I frowned and said, "They're relationship isn't one I would be envious of."

"Why not?" he asked.

"From everything Logan has told me it isn't exactly what you would call healthy. They might look good together, but the emotional aspects would definitely take a toll."

"Yeah, but can you imagine having that much passion in your relationship. Sure they might fight, but the makeup sex would be spectacular."

I scoffed. "Why am I not surprised that you are focused on sex."

Casey grinned. "What can I say? I'm a newly single guy. Emotions are the last thing I want to be thinking about."

"Yeah, I heard about that. I'm sorry it didn't work out."

His face turned a little sad as he brushed it off. "I'm fine. It's her loss, not mine."

"Still, if you need to get anything off your chest…"

"Logan said you were a good ear."

"I try. I know what its like to feel like you have no one to talk too."

"Have you experienced your own heartbreak? Has some boy torn it to pieces?"

I laughed. "No. My heartache was not from a boy."

"Oh, interesting. Do tell."

I shook my head. "No. I don't know you well enough to tell you my secrets."

Casey pulled his seat closer to mine. He sat on the edge so his knees knocked mine. "They will be safe with me."

I narrowed my eyes, playfully.

"How about a fair exchange. One secret for another," he offered.

"You go first and I'll consider it."

Casey threw his head back and laughed. "Why Miss Mars, you drive a hard bargain."

"It's fine with me either way."

Casey seemed to contemplate what he could share with me. He rubbed his hands together for a moment and then clasped his hands between his legs. His fingers brushed against my thigh.

"This is something I haven't told anyone, so if it gets out…I'll know it was you." He sighed. "I haven't been able to stop thinking about you since we met." He grinned and bit down on his lower lip.

I shook my head and smirked. "Nope, sorry. Not good enough."

He faked a look of shock. "What do you mean it's not good enough? Come on."

I laughed. "Sorry, Casey."

He sighed. "Oh, well. Guess I'll just have to make sure you spend the rest of the night with me so you get to know me better." His words grew softer as he spoke.

I was tempted to laugh. He was clearly flirting with me. Not that I minded. He was newly single though and that kind of baggage was not something I wanted to deal with. Casey seemed like a great guy.

"Casey?"

He turned his head to the side and smiled. "Yes, Veronica?"

"Not going to happen."

"And why not? Two single people can't enjoy each other's company."

"They can. But I'm not interested in being a rebound fuck."

He sighed and pulled back. "Fair enough."

I chuckled and stood. "What you can do is find me a drink."

He nodded. "That I can do."

"Great. I'm just going to run to the bathroom."

I wander away from the crowd and into Logan's house. I'd been there a few times and quickly navigated my way to the bathroom. However, it was occupied. I sighed and decided to go upstairs. Logan wouldn't care if I used his bathroom.

Upstairs it was quiet. Surprisingly, it appeared that no one had snuck off to use one of the spare rooms. I left Logan's door open a crack and found the light switch for the bathroom. Once I'd finished, I took a moment to freshen up before turning to leave. As I did, I jumped when Logan suddenly appeared.

"Holy shit!"

He gave me a amused smirk. "Opps, sorry."

"You scared me! Asshole."

He laughed as I reached out to punch his shoulder.

"You are in my room. I should be surprised you are in here."

"I needed to pee and someone else was hogging the bathroom near the kitchen."

"Well, I suppose that's okay. I don't mind you sneaking up here."

"Why are you hiding up here? Did Lilly scare you off?"

He shook his head. "No. You two looked like you were getting along."

I nodded. "We agreed to a fresh start. I'm very curious to see what will happen next."

Logan licked his lips and slowly nodded his head. His eyes fell down to the ground. "Same with Casey? You two looked very cosy."

I frowned. "Why does it matter?"

Logan turned away from me. "It doesn't." He spat the words.

"Clearly it does, because you are acting like I've done something wrong."

He clenched his hands. As he turned back around, a wave of emotion crossed his face. "I just…" He shook his head and squeezed his eyes shut. "Casey isn't good enough for you."

The thought that Logan was trying to tell me what to do when it came to guys made me mad. "You don't get to decide who is and isn't good enough for me. You are my friend, Logan, not my father," I snapped.

"I know that."

"Not that it is your business, but Casey is just a friend."

Logan scoffed. "I know what you do with your friends."

My hand was quick as I reached up and smacked him. His head shot to the side and he froze as the realisation sunk in. I don't think he actually meant to say the words aloud, but he had, and it was cruel.

"How dare you?"

"Veronica, I'm sorry…" His words were soft.

"No, I don't want to hear that, because clearly you think less of me than I thought."

I moved to pass him. I had every intention of leaving. I didn't want to stay here and I didn't want to hear anything he had to say. But as my arm brushed past him, he spun and grabbed me. His hand gripped my upper arm and he pulled me back against his chest. Before I could throw out an insult or two, Logan pressed his lips against mine and everything from the night after the Gala came back. How it felt to kiss to Logan. How it felt to have his body pressed against mine. It felt better than it ever had before. I couldn't stop myself from letting my mouth fall open and having his tongue meet mine.

Our bodies shifted and Logan pressed me backwards up my back hit the wall. His hands moved to cup my face and I gripped one arm around his neck and the other gripped the front of his shirt. I found it hard to breath as we kissed, small moans falling from both of us as it went on and on.

Logan broken the kiss, both of us reaching for air, but he was quick to slide his lips to my chin and down my throat. I groaned as he nipped at my skin. I opened my eyes to look at him and I froze. The reality of what we were doing came back as the fog cleared. My hands went from pulling Logan towards me to pushing him away. I gave Logan a firm shove and he stumbled backwards.

"What's wrong?" he asked. A wash of confusion on his face.

"Are you serious?" I shouted. "You have a girlfriend you asshole." I quickly rushed out of his room.

I couldn't believe I had just done that. I let him kiss me when his girlfriend was just downstairs. The girlfriend I had just agreed to try and be friends with—for him. What the fuck! I was tempted to go back upstairs and yell at him, but now wasn't the time. I needed to cool off before I said something I couldn't take back. I also didn't need all of his friends to overhear something.

But what was Logan doing. Had we not just talked about him working through what he really wanted before he made any stupid decisions. Why the hell did he kiss me? The obnoxious jackass!