Naughty By Nature

Chapter 9

The next morning Logan and the boys wake up and pack up their bags. Logan quickly checks his messages and sees the message from Rory. He decides to take an earlier flight since he won't be meeting up with her and also because weather he likes it or not he has to get back to the real world on the east coast. Logan walks into his bedroom and picks up the jacket from last night and smiles. He decides to take it with him as a good luck charm and packs it into his bag. Once they are all finished they check out and head straight to the tarmac. Upon arriving they grab their bags and board the jet to head back to reality. Within thirty minutes they are in the air leaving California and Rory. Logan sits in his chair thinking of what he can do to try to get his Ace back. After seeing her again the thought of not having her in his life is unimaginable. So he decides to do the one thing he knows has always worked in the past and that's asking Colin and Finn for help.

“Hey guys!” Logan says gaining their attention.

“What's up Mate?” Finn asks as he Looks at Logan he can see the wheels in his head turning and he is wondering what it is bothering him so much.

“I need your help with something..” He says walking over and making himself a drink.

“With what specifically?” Colin inquires curiously.

“ After this trip and everything and especially seeing Rory again. I have realized that I don't want to spend my life without her. I know I really screwed up 5 years ago but I really want to make it right and show her I can be a good man that can be faithful to her and only her.”

“That's quite a task mate. I mean what you did to her is a huge part of what has brought her to where she is today. I mean have you really thought about it.”

“What do you mean?” he questions looking at Finn wondering where he is going with this conversation.

“Really Logan...Think about it she has to be in control of everything. Her job, the relationships she has. It is all a mechanism to protect herself from really getting hurt again.” Finn rationalizes as he walks over and pats his friend on the shoulder.

“I honestly didn't think of that. I should have noticed these things. I used to be able to see right through her and know what she was thinking.” he ponders. This is finally putting it into true perspective for him.

“Man, You know how Rory is when something bad happens she is a runner. That is why she left that night. She couldn't stay around and have to see you after what you had done having it rubbed in her face. It hurt her too much she lost the man she loved and thought he didn't give a damn about her and lost her best friend in the same night by committing the ultimate betrayal.” Colin tells him with a sad smile. He knew how bad it messed Rory up when it all happened and to be truthful at the time he felt the same way. Life can be cruel, but if you can count on the people around you to mess up, then when they do you're not disappointed in them. In fact, you shrug it off and the day continues.  Colin knows that if he doesn't protect his heart, especially from those people closest to him them he is setting himself up for a major downfall, because no matter how much he wants to believe Logan and Steph have changed the reality of it is, once a cheater always a cheater..

Logan sits there for a moment taking in what his friend has just told him before saying “ I want to prove that I have changed though. I will do whatever it takes to show her this.” he looks at his friends in the eyes showing how seriously he is taking this situation.

“So what are you going to do? Buy her another coffee cart? Corner her at her apartment and apologize and tell her you love her while she is eating piles of “fruit of the month” apples or pears? In retrospect she does keep her body healthier nowadays so she might even eat the damn fruit instead of passing it to her friends and family.” Colin tries to remind him this is not the first time he has been in this predicament with Rory.

Logan's head snaps to Colin and he can tell what had just said has really brought the past back.

“Wow, it seems like it's been so long since those days. I honestly forgot about them…”

“Rory hasn't and she never will. Next to the name Logan Huntzberger will always be the title “Cheater”.”

“Ace has always meant more to me than anything yet I have always been fooling around with other women.” Logan sits down and runs his hands through his hair. “In your opinion you think that Rory, sees it as that because I have cheated multiple times, that I will never change? That she is just a game and all I'm trying to do is A) get in her pants B) Will string her along until someone better comes along or  C) Become my father and run behind her back? God, I have really made a mess. No wonder she doesn't trust me she has absolutely no reason too after all I have done over the years.”

After taking some time to himself to think he looks up, “Colin, you seem to have a good insight to why she is the way she is. Is there a reason for that?”

Colin takes a deep breath and nods before saying “ Yes, the only difference is that I didn't leave. If I was the one that walked in on you both, you would be in a wheelchair. Steph would have been a pariah in society and I wouldn't have stopped until I ruined everything you love! The only difference between Mother and I is that I couldn't up and leave my life like she could.”

“Then why did you take her back?”

“Because I'm an idiot… an idiot in love. At least I know what she is capable of, and I know that no matter how bad it gets I will be the better one in the relationship because I was faithful.”

“So, in the end love conquers all but you will always have your guard up because of what we did and through it all you come out with a clear conscience?”

“Yep… cheers… isn't love grand! … to fucked up relationships.” He says and raises his glass. Logan doesn't follow suit so Colin shakes his shoulders and says , “clink” and takes a drink.