Pièce de résistance

The Truth

Throughout the photo shoot, Logan found it hard to concentrate but he managed to maintain the level of professionalism that was required of him. Logan figured that if he ignored James, as if he was doing the shoot alone, everything would turn out fine.

'Good job, Logan! Let's take a break!' Jacques called out.

And that was how Logan got the job done.

Logan thanked Jacques and was about to go over to wardrobe to change into the next set of clothes for the shoot when James put a hand on his shoulders, startling him.

'Logan, please, can I talk to you? Please?' James pleaded.

Once again, Logan felt it. That tone in James' voice. He sounded beat and broken, unlike the usual haughty tone he employed when speaking. Logan turned around and nodded. He stole a look at James and that look in James' hazel eyes was not something Logan was used to seeing. James looked hurt. I never thought I'd say this but...you changed, didn't you, James?

'You're...not just going to look at me and say nothing, are you?' Logan asked.

James chuckled. 'Oh no, of course not. Um...how are you?'

'I'm good, never better. How come Gustavo's not here? Ralph Lauren's a big deal, isn't it?'

The smile faded from James' face. He opened his mouth to speak but closed it again. It was as if he had a hard time choosing the words to say. He pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed before looking into Logan's brown eyes and spoke.

'You see, that's what I want to tell you...the truth is I'm...I've been...I've been dropped by Rocque Models.'

Logan went wide eyed. James was dropped? He couldn't believe what he just heard. He opened his mouth to speak but no words seemed to come out. He had no idea what to say to James.

'How?' Logan finally managed.

'Let's just say a lot of shit happened during the last eight months. After Kendall left Rocque, I was the most sought after male model and I kinda let that get into my head. I was overconfident and I went overboard with my words and actions. I turned up drunk for my fashion show for Abercrombie and Fitch, something that I regret and can never forgive myself for because that was the final straw. I was canceled for all remaining jobs and I was terminated by Gustavo immediately.'

'I'm so sorry to hear that, James...' Logan said, feeling genuinely sorry for James.

'No, Logan, it's quite alright. I think somehow I deserved it. It was karma, I think. It was times like this, that I started to think back to what I've done, said and even thought. I have to admit that I've always viewed Kendall as my rival. He seems to get everything, so perfect and I hated him. I hated him like mad. That's why I wanted to be better and badder than him. I want to outdo him. And...it just happened that you came at the right time...'

'What? What do you mean?'

'Logan...look, I'm really sorry for what happened in Japan.'

Japan. That dreadful memory seeped back into Logan's mind. James making a pass at him, kissing him forcefully and if it wasn't for the opening he found, he could have been raped, which would drag him further down into the abyss of his despair during that particular point in his life. He subconsciously took a few steps back from James, his face painted with fear like James was about to devour him whole.

'Logan, I'm sorry if this comes off the wrong way,' James started, stepping closer to Logan but still keeping a safe distance between them. 'But what I wanted to say was when I found out that Kendall and you are going out, I was jealous and really unhappy about it. I mean, I don't get why he always gets everything, he's always the best and I'm the second best. I was sick and tired of it and when we were assigned to do the shoot together in Japan, I thought I had a chance to get back at him. I'm really sorry, Logan, I really am. I shouldn't have done that and I know how deep of an impact it had on you. I really hope that you can forgive me, even though I know I don't deserve your forgiveness.'