The Maine Event

Chapter 18

"You are seriously not going to tell me what the surprise is?" Logan asked, his breath visible in the cold, after they had just gotten out of Rory's car in the Old Port neighbourhood in Portland.

They used to do this type of surprises to each other all the time whenever they would meet up over the past few years - dinner at an eccentric restaurant, underground clubs, invite-only exhibitions, chocolateries, well hidden antique bookstores were just some of those examples. It always was a touch of adventure when it was the two of them out and about.

"Hey, two can play this game," Rory smirked, knowing too well that it most often was Logan who did the surprising, his wealth and connections enabling him to organize things at a blink of an eye at places he'd hardly ever been to before.

This time she grabbed his leather-gloved hand and led him down cobblestone streets to a seafood restaurant on the corner of one of the red brick buildings. It wasn't particularly fancy, but trendy enough with it's more minimalistic industrial look.

"Gentlemen, not lost this time I hope?" Rory spoke as she approached a large corner booth, the three heads turning towards her voice.

It was a little peculiar seeing them in their everyday clothing. In recent years she'd mostly seen them either dressed up for one of the Life and Death Parade events, costumes varying from Great Gatsby to steampunk, or in one of the many variations of business- or eventwear i.e dark suits. But here they now sat, in jeans or chinos, sweaters and snow boots. It was understandable of course, the weather having dropped below 20 degrees along with steady snow cover.

"Not at all! Greetings locals!" Finn replied gallantly, raising from his seat to hug Rory, give her a little peck on the cheek and pat Logan on the back along with a "Hey mate". A round of greetings followed.

"About time you two showed up," Colin muttered playfully along with his greetings.

"Sorry, it was a bit of a drive, and the roads were a little icey," Rory apologized for running a little late, having struggled getting out of bed for the third time that day.

"So what is this? An intervention? Yale reunion?" Logan asked jokingly, feeling a little confused as he took his seat. The guys were supposed to be his cover for the weekend, Finn and Robert having gotten the short version as an explanation from Colin, but here they were anyway. A very realistic cover indeed.

"It's your bachelor party of course. An adaptation of it at least," Rory replied, making a joke out of it. "I knew you hadn't seen them since forever, neither had I, so I figured at least before you got sucked up by work even more, it'd be a good time to catch up," Rory explained more seriously, deciding to blissfully ignore for a moment that he was, in fact, getting married not just being handed over the business in the coming weeks.

"What? Not happy to see us?" Robert grunted at Logan playfully, taking a sip of his scotch that he'd already ordered earlier.

Of course he was happy to see them, casting a weak smile on his face. There was no question. Yet he struggled to show it.

Logan's hand squeezed Rory's thigh under the table, thanking her. He was thankful, of course, but it seemed like another one of her small sacrifices - in this case a sacrifice of her time with him - she was making for him, leaving a bitter taste in his mouth. She didn't have to do that.

The group soon fell into their usual banter, along with more scotch, snacks and dinner. The guys were a good distraction helping Logan brushing some of the guilt aside.

It was just after Rory had excused herself to the ladies room when Finn spoke up.

"What the actual fuck, Logan!!!" Finn exclaimed loudly, surprising the group with the angry tone of his voice.