The Forgotten Gilmore

Chapter Sixty-Five: Defining Lines

The game ended with cheers, laughter, and camaraderie. Riley and his teammates celebrated their victory as they headed to Moe's for a well-deserved dinner. As the team piled into the restaurant, their energy was contagious-Quinn and Leo were already recounting the best moments of the game, while Avery received pats on the back for his resilience. Beau, sitting next to Riley, exchanged playful glances with him, their chemistry undeniable and quietly simmering beneath the surface.

Alessia, on the other hand, found herself on a different path. While the team celebrated, she drove to Logan's place, the weight of the earlier events still heavy on her chest. As she pulled up outside, she let out a shaky breath, unsure of what she was about to do but knowing it needed to happen.

She knocked on the door, and after a moment, Logan opened it, a look of surprise crossing his face. "Well, this is a surprise," he said with his usual casual charm.

"Can I come in?" Alessia asked, her voice steady but firm.

"Sure," Logan replied, stepping aside to let her in. "You want to sit down?"

"Nope," Alessia responded, staying by the door. She wasn't here for small talk. "I can't do this anymore, Logan."

Logan's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Do what?"

"This casual thing between us," Alessia said, crossing her arms. "It's not me. I don't want it to be me."

He blinked, trying to process. "Whoa, hold on. Where's this coming from?"

"It's coming from me," she said, a hint of exasperation creeping into her voice. "We talked about this before, but I thought I could handle it. I can't."

Logan sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I didn't make you do this, Alessia. I was upfront from the beginning."

"I know," she admitted. "This isn't your fault. But it doesn't change the fact that I'm not happy with how things are."

"I thought everything was fine," Logan said, confusion lacing his voice. "What's changed?"

Alessia scoffed lightly. "You haven't reached out in a week."

"I've been busy," Logan countered. "I had some friends in town-"

"Doesn't matter," Alessia cut him off. "You're not my boyfriend. You don't owe me an explanation. But I don't want to feel like just another option."

Logan paused, watching her closely. His usual easygoing demeanor shifted, something more serious coming to the surface. "You're not just another option."

Alessia crossed her arms tighter, the weight of everything pressing down on her. "That's what it feels like, Logan."

For a moment, the room was filled with silence, tension crackling between them. Logan finally stepped forward, his gaze never leaving hers. "I never meant for you to feel that way."

Alessia's resolve wavered as he closed the distance between them. "It's not about what you meant. It's about what I need."

Logan studied her face, his expression softening. Then, without warning, he reached out and took her hands in his, pulling her gently toward him. "Alessia," he said softly, his voice dropping, "I don't want to lose you. And if being with you means being exclusive, then I'm all in."

Alessia blinked, startled by the sudden shift in his tone. "What?"

Logan let out a small chuckle, shaking his head as if the answer had been obvious all along. "I'm serious. I want to be with you. Exclusively. I was just waiting for you to tell me what you wanted, because I'm not going to force anything on you." He squeezed her hands gently, a warmth spreading between them. "But if you're telling me now, then I'm telling you: I want this. I want you."

Her heart fluttered, caught off guard by the sincerity in his words. For once, Logan wasn't joking, wasn't deflecting. He was standing there, raw and open in front of her, offering exactly what she'd wanted all along.

"Are you sure?" she whispered, her voice betraying the vulnerability she rarely let anyone see.

Logan smiled, one of those rare smiles that made her stomach flip. "I've never been more sure."

Without thinking, Alessia found herself stepping into him, his arms wrapping around her naturally. He held her tightly, and for the first time in weeks, the tension melted from her shoulders.

"We'll make this work," Logan murmured into her hair. "You'll see."

She pulled back just enough to look up at him. "Okay," she said softly, feeling a strange, tentative hope bubbling up inside her. "Okay."

Logan leaned down, brushing his lips against hers in a tender, unhurried kiss. When they finally pulled apart, his grin returned, playful and bright. "See? I'm already killing it as your boyfriend."

Alessia laughed, shaking her head. "Don't get too cocky. We'll see how long it lasts."

"Forever, if I have anything to say about it," Logan quipped, pulling her close again.

For the first time in a long while, Alessia allowed herself to relax in his arms, the knot in her chest slowly loosening.

Meanwhile, at Moe's, Riley, Beau, and the rest of the team were laughing and chatting as they enjoyed their post-game meal. Beau caught Riley's eye from across the table, exchanging a knowing glance. The connection between them was undeniable, even if they weren't ready to announce it to the world just yet.