Another Taste - L/V - NC-17 - rindee

Title:  Another Taste
Author:  Rindee
Rating:  NC-17, language, adult situations, sex, implied violence
Characters/Pairing:  Logan/Veronica, Lilly/Weevil
Word Count:  9,900
Summary:  AU preseries fic - a sequel to A Taste of Innocence - Lilly’s alive, and she's dating Weevil, while Logan and Veronica become even closer.

A/N:  A a sequel to A Taste of Innocence, which was written for the "Someone's Watching" challenge at vm_library.  Written for inthevast, because she asked, and because her birthday’s coming up, and for havemy_heart, because she asked, and her birthday was last week.  Beta’d by a fabulous, fantastic, crazy trio of the best betas a girl could ever have:  rejenerationwho, I swear, can read my mind, moire2, the kewlest chick on Mount Olympus, and the incomparable, wonderful taken_with_you.  All mistakes are mine and mine alone. 



Head down, elbows bent, Veronica studies her worn copy of As You Like It, tapping her pen against her temple.  Across the table, Duncan, Shelley Pomroy, and Madison Sinclair are immersed in yet more details of the silent auction.  As Veronica turns the page, Duncan catches her eye and flashes an apologetic smile.  Feeling as though her face is concrete, she forces a return smile before bending to scribble notes in the margin.  The arrival of Dick, Logan, and Sean is predictably loud and attention-grabbing.  Logan dumps three pizza boxes in the middle of the table, and slides in next to Veronica. 

Flipping open one of the white boxes, he inches a slice onto a paper plate and waves it back and forth under Veronica’s nose.  When she doesn’t respond, he nudges her shoulder.  Blinking, she looks up at him and shakes her head impatiently. 

“Thanks, but I’m good,” she points to the apple and carton of yogurt in front of her. 

Shrugging, he proceeds to inhale half the slice, smacking his lips in exaggeration.  “Suit yourself, Mars, but it’s your favorite.”  The crease between her brows suggests her skepticism.  “Extra cheese and veggies,” he informs her smugly.  Sighing in mock exasperation, she holds her hand out expectantly.  Selecting the largest slice in the box, he deposits it on a plate, hands it to her, and watches as she takes a bite.  Chewing happily, she nods in grateful acknowledgment. 

“Mmm,” she mumbles through warm, fragrant cheese.  “‘S good.  Thank you.”

Cupping his hand to her ear, he murmurs, “How are you today, Veronica?  If I didn’t know better, I’d think you’ve been avoiding me all morning.”

A faint pink blush rises to her cheeks.  “I – I’m fine.  I’ve ... just been busy,” she replies carefully, the echo of yesterday’s talk with her father ringing in her head.  “Mid-terms are coming up, and I’m so far behind,” she adds defensively. 

Dropping his hand beneath the table, Logan squeezes her knee.  “Yeah, I know.  Want to help me study tonight?  I’m sure Duncan’s already got plans.”  To punctuate his words, his fingers stroke her thigh with light, persuasive pressure.  Gulping, she opens her mouth to reply.  Just then, Lilly slips onto the bench to her left.

“I don’t think so, Logan.  I think my Da – ”

“Veronica,” Lilly interrupts, her voice hushed and excited.  “Oh my God, you will not believe what Weevil and I did last night.  I have to tell you, I so knew that boy was ... talented.”  Playfully shivering, Lilly’s hip brushes Veronica’s as she leans closer to confide in her BFF.  Before Veronica can say a word, Lilly rushes headlong into the story. 

“So, I knew Donut was at his silly school thing, you know, his precious student council auction, and Celeste was at some stupid charity thing, so we had the mausoleum to ourselves.  We swiped some tequila – it’s really good with orange juice, by the way – and went out back.  Weevil didn’t have a suit, so we got naked – ”  Clamping her hand on Veronica’s wrist, Lilly chuckles, “not that I minded – you should see the rest of his ink – and got in.  Once we were both good and wet, if you know what I mean, he lifted me up onto the pink raft – Veronica, you should see his arms, they’re huge, just like the rest of him.  So, anyway, he spreads my legs and – ”

“Oh, my God,” Veronica yelps when, just as Lilly giggles and takes a breath, finally, Logan’s fingers slide higher, brushing against her thoroughly-damp panties. 

“Something wrong, Mars?” Logan glances down at her, his face a picture of feigned innocence and concern. 

“Shut up, Echolls, we’re in the middle of something here,” Lilly snaps, peeved. 

Confronted by the competing desires of her two worst influences, Veronica abruptly stutters, “I ... I think forgot something in the library, and, I – I have to get it before class.  I – I gotta go, Logan.  Thanks for the pizza.”  She throws him a pleading look.  A hint of a scowl crosses his face, and with slow deliberation, he removes his hand from beneath her skirt so she can stand.  “Come with me, Lil.  You can finish telling me all about your new swimsuit.” 

Linking arms with Veronica, Lilly purses her lips and mocks an air kiss to the table.  “Sorry to run, but we must be going.  See you later, kiddies.” 

~*~*~

Safely ensconced in a study carrel in the quietest corner of the library, Lilly huddles in, her lips mere inches from Veronica’s face.  “... so, after he nearly drove me crazy, sucking my clit, he put his lips on my pussy – Oh My God, Veronica, you have no idea – and he fucked me with his tongue.  Honest to God, I thought I’d left my body.  It was so fucking hot – I think I came ten times, at least, that’s what it felt like – his tongue was burning, but the water was still cold and when I was finished, he just licked his lips and – ”

“Lilly!” Veronica hisses, “keep your voice down, someone might hear you!”

By the time Lilly finishes her salacious tale, Veronica feels like she’s on fire.  Leaving the library for her next class, she sees Logan striding up the hall in her direction.  Ducking her flushed face, she dashes in the other direction, determined to avoid any further encounters with his mouth or fingers.  When the final bell rings, she ignores her locker and scurries outside, meeting her father at the side door instead of the usual pickup at the circle.  As they pull away, she can hear Logan shouting, “Hey, Veronica, wait!” over the after school din. 

“Someone’s calling you, honey,” Keith observes, skillfully piloting the squad out of the main entrance. 

“It’s just Logan,” she sighs, idly staring out the window at the budding flowers and immaculately- manicured lawns rolling past the window. 

“Logan ... Echolls?”

“Uh huh.  Why?”

“I wasn’t aware you and Logan Echolls were ... friends.” 

Something in the tone of her father’s voice catches Veronica’s ear.  She turns to him, crossing her arms over her chest.  “We’re not ... really.  Logan and Lilly broke up a couple of weeks ago, and he’s been ....”

“Lonely, and maybe a little needy?  I guess that makes sense, and, I mean, you are her best friend.”  Reaching over, Keith pats her knee.  “I’m sure you’re a great help to him, Veronica, but I don’t want you spending too much time with Logan, and I’m sure Duncan doesn’t either.”

“Why’s that?  What do you mean?  Duncan and Logan are best friends, Dad.” 

“You know I can’t really talk about juveniles and their records, honey, but, trust me, you don’t want to get too close to him, or his family either.”

“O-kay, Dad, but, I don’t think you really know him, not the way Duncan and I do.” 

“Just be careful, honey.  That’s all I ask.”

“I always am, Dad,” she assures him, getting out and slamming the door.  Waving, she jogs up the yard and lets herself in to the empty house.  Enthusiastically greeting Backup, she heads down the hall, yanking off her tee shirt as she nears her bedroom.  Before she gets there, she’s startled by pounding on the door, and Backup barking in response.  Flinging her backpack and tee on the floor, she turns.

“Veronica!  We need to talk.” 

“Logan?” she asks, cautiously approaching.  Swinging open the heavy, wooden door, she faces him through the screen, arms protectively covering her pink cotton tank top.  “What do you want?  What are you doing here?”

“You skipped out before I could – ”

“I know, my Dad was waiting.”

“Veronica,” he huffs.  “Can I come in?”  His voice drops as he gets his breathing under control. 

“Sure.”  Opening the screen, she stiffly stands aside to let Logan enter.  Just inside, Backup greets him with a nose to his groin. 

“Easy, boy,” he chuckles, dropping to his knees to nuzzle the pit bull’s wiry fur.  He squints up at Veronica, “Did something happen at lunch today?” 

“No.  Why?”  Arms still wrapped around her waist, she steps backward, in the direction of the Mars’ kitchen.  “Want a soda?”

“Yeah, sure.”  Nodding his assent, Logan rises, following closely at her heels.  “So, if nothing’s wrong, why’d you avoid me in the hall this afternoon?”  Shrugging uncomfortably, Veronica hands him a can, jumping guiltily as their hands brush.  “Does it have anything to do with Lilly?”  Logan continues suspiciously.  “Did she say something about me?”

“No.  No, she didn’t.”

“So why were you two so anxious to talk in private, then?”

“Um ... because ... it was just stuff Lilly had to tell me – you know, girl stuff, clothes, guys, makeup....”

“Guys?  Is Lilly ... Lilly’s dating someone?”  Clearly rocked by the news, Logan sags backward, leaning a hip against the counter.  “Who?  Who is she dating, Veronica?”  He runs a hand through his hair, leaving it cockeyed and sticking out in all directions. 

Head down, Veronica studies the tab on her soda, silently wishing she hadn’t mentioned guys.  Weevil!  How am I going to explain Lilly and Weevil?  She looks up to find Logan right in front of her, invading her space, his dark eyes threatening.  At once, she wonders exactly what it was her father wouldn’t tell her about Logan.  She takes a step back, but he only moves closer.  She slides back again, he crowds in until finally, she’s flat against the wall.  Placing his hand behind her ear, he leans in until his face is nearly touching hers. 

“I know you know something, Veronica,” he coaxes, his voice harsh with emotion.  “I can tell by the look on your face.  Just tell me,” he implores, dropping a hand to her shoulder.

Heart in her throat, she flinches, shrinks from his touch.  As his eyes stare into hers, she can see him register her fear.  Heaving a deep breath, he straightens, takes a half step back, lifts his hand.  “Veronica,” he pleads.  “I – I’m not gonna hurt you.  I would never hurt you.”  He lowers his eyes, but before he does, she can see they’re glossy and wounded.  Rhythmically clenching and unclenching his fist, he scrutinizes the tile floor and whispers, “I ... couldn’t hurt you.” 

Without thinking, she reaches out, curls her fingers over his fist.  “Come on,” she soothes.  “Let’s go.”  Tugging at his wrist, she leads him out of the kitchen, down the hall and into her bedroom.  Shoving gently, she pushes him to sit on her bed.  Pulling up her desk chair, she settles opposite him, one hand in her lap, the other lightly resting on his leg. 

“Logan ... do you – are you – do you still love Lilly?” 

“No.  I mean, yeah, maybe.  A little.”  Despite his casual words, Veronica reacts as though she’s been slapped, snatching her small hand from his knee and rubbing her burning cheek.  “I don’t know, Veronica.  What do you want me to say?” he mutters, picking at the nap of her fuzzy lime-green pillow. 

“I – I thought ... maybe you were – because we – I thought you were getting over her ... a little, anyway.”  Chin trembling, she gazes unhappily at him.  “Maybe Dad was right, you were just using me....  Is that it?  I’m just ... a place-keeper?  A little Lilly surrogate?”

Logan’s head jerks up.  “No, babe.  It’s not like that.”  His hand tangles in his hair.  “I didn’t mean it like that.  It’s just ... we were together for a long time, and Lilly was my first real – ”

“Girlfriend,” she finishes for him, her voice flat and emotionless.  “I know.  Best friend,” she points to herself, “remember?” 

“Yeah, I know.  Believe me, I – wait!  You told your dad about us?” he asks, cocking his head, disbelief dripping from every syllable. 

“No!  Oh God, no, Logan.  I just – he heard you yelling for me, and asked why.”

“What did you tell him?” he asks grimly, expecting the worst. 

“I told him you and I – you were upset about breaking up with Lilly, and I was, I don’t know, helping you through it,” she ends, her voice rising angrily. 

“And you have been.  You are,” he adds, earnestness written on his handsome features.  “The last few days have been ... wonderful.  I don’t know what I would have done without you.”

“It’s okay.  You don’t have to say that.  I know I’m not ... as exciting as Lilly, or the other girls you’ve been with.  I get it, Logan, I do.” 

Chin still quivering, she glares, daring him to contradict her.  Lurching off the bed, he tumbles to his knees and crawls to her chair.  Winding his long fingers behind her slender calves, he insinuates himself between her bare legs. 

“Listen to me,” he begs, hoarse and urgent and intense.  “I don’t want you to be like Lilly.  I’ve – I’ve been with Lilly.  I don’t need you to be ... that.  I like you just the way you are,” he draws his fingers over her cheek, swiping a lone tear from the corner of her eye.  “You’re beautiful, Veronica Mars.  And smart,” he nestles her face in his palm, “and funny.”  He places a soft, gentle kiss on her lips.  “And so fuckin’ hot....”  His lips press her mouth firmly, his tongue tracing the juncture of her lips.  Smiling shyly, she opens to his warmth.  “I probably don’t deserve you, but I want you anyway ... just like this.” 

Cradling her face in his huge hands, he sighs and settles into a deep, soul-searching kiss.  Unconsciously, her hands curve around his forearms, bringing him closer as she arches against his hard, flat chest.  After a minute, she pulls back, scanning his face until, finally, she’s content, letting her hand slide around his neck. 

Shivering, she moans a little when he licks the satiny recesses of her mouth, fingers clamping tighter on him.  Pressing a thumb to the underside of her chin, he tilts her head back and swirls his fingertips over the sensitive flesh.  As his hands travel lower, his lips follow the same path, humming against her smooth, white throat. 

“You have no idea,” he mumbles into the hollow of her clavicle, “how much you turn me on.”  His lips sink lower, nibbling at the edge of her skimpy tank.  His fingers sweep across her taut nipples, he chuckles when she gasps his name.  “I gonna make you feel so good, baby.” 

Wiggling to get close to him, she slips lower, splaying her legs around Logan’s waist.  One hand supporting her spine, Logan bends, biting playfully at her tight buds.  She shudders, twining her fingers in his spiked locks.  “Lo – Lo – Logan,” she huffs, rocking against him. 

When he slips one hand under her shirt, she quickly shuts her eyes, tension unfurling deep in her belly.  But, when he tries to slide her top up, she stops him, hand tensing on his wrist.  He rolls his eyes to hers; her lips quiver a smile.  “You first,” she commands in a whisper. 

Trying not to laugh at her impudence, his brow quirks.  “Yes, ma’am,” he nods, reluctantly loosening his grip to yank his shirt over his head and toss it over his shoulder.  She runs her palms over his ripped chest, fingers lightly playing with his nipples.  His eyes glitter darkly, his breath coming more rapidly. 

“Your turn,” he responds, his slurred voice rough with desire.   He watches, urging her on with dazed, molten eyes as she gathers her shirt in hand and hesitates, embarrassed.  Laying his head on her naked stomach, he traces a line up her sternum.  She bites her lip, breath hitching, and tugs the pink fabric up and over her face.  Before it clears her head, he swipes his tongue over her breast, licking and sucking with gentle intensity. 

Back bowed, she moans.  He strums her other peaked nipple with his thumb, bringing her to the edge in a matter of seconds.  Curling over his shoulder, she frantically kisses his neck and the back of his shoulder, excitedly rubbing against him.  Continuing to work his tongue over her swollen breasts, he slips a hand beneath her khaki skirt, fondling her damp mons. 

Gratified by her impassioned cry, he eases two fingers underneath her panties, probing her creamy folds.  Writhing, she bucks against him, her body begging.  “Please, Logan,” she  murmurs. 

In response, he kisses the soft round of her flat belly.  “I am gonna please you, baby,” he promises, nudging his fingers against her clit. 

“Kiss – kiss me,” she implores, fisting his hair and trying to pull his mouth to hers. 

With a grateful sigh, he stretches up, sealing his lips over hers, violating her mouth with his hot tongue.  His fingers glide lower, and, finding her entrance with practiced ease, he inserts them with a hard thrust.  Groaning into his mouth, she thrashes, wrapping her legs around his hips as she rocks into his hand. 

“Oh, baby,” he moans, stealing her breath.  “You’re so fucking wet for me.”

Senseless, she nods, trembling with each sharp thrust.  “OhGodohGodohGOD,” she keens, clenching and releasing against him.  Cradling her in his arm, he pumps in and out again and again, until, panting his name, she shudders acutely and comes, breaking apart beneath him. 

Still kissing with lascivious intent, he flattens his hand against her pubis, massaging her there while his middle finger slicks up and down her clit.  Her lashes flutter open, her misgivings revealed in the stark blue depths of her eyes. 

“Shh,” he gentles, pressing languid kisses over her chin, trailing to the underside of her jaw, down her collarbone, into the vale of her breasts.  “I’m not done, baby.”  When he reaches her stomach, she stirs.  Before she can protest, he pulls her ass to the edge of the chair, spreads her apart, shouldering into the breach of her thighs.  Cupping her butt in his hands, he opens her further, licking his lips at the sight of her glistening pink skin.  Angling so his mouth is whispering against her clit, he blows a light current of air over her wet flesh.  She jumps, a tremor coursing through her body. 

Feeling as though she’s on fire, she digs into the corded muscles at his shoulders, desperate to touch him as his tongue journeys into the creamy folds encircling her clit.  The sensation of pleasure is so intense she feels like she can’t endure another minute of it, simultaneously wishing it would never end.  When he tongues her clit, hard and fast, she groans, arches toward his mouth, her body shaking all over.  Pinning her to the chair with the palm of his hand, his tongue slowly strokes from the rim of her pussy to the plump, rosy tip of her clit.  Each time his tongue caresses her, the tingling burn becomes more intense, until all she can feel is his mouth on her, his breath, his teeth, the dizzying attention of his lips and tongue. 

Moaning an endless stream of broken syllables and harsh sounds, she rocks in time with his tongue as it flutters against her, faster and deeper.  Her nails nearly pierce his skin when he gently sucks her clit; a moment later, when he finally penetrates her pussy, she draws blood, clawing at him as he fucks her with his tongue.  “Oh ... oh ... ohGod ... ohLogan ... oh, damn!” she cries, jerking wildly and coming all over his face. 

“Damn, yourself,” he replies with a wicked glint, smacking his lips before shamelessly licking his fingertips.  Knowing she’s just humped his face, she flushes scarlet with embarrassment, her body so limp she feels like a jellyfish.  “But I can assure you, Veronica,” he continues, an amused expression on his gleaming face, “if we’re going to hell for that, we’ll have lots of company.”  He shifts to sit on the floor, pulling her into his lap. 

Relaxed to the point of bliss, she curls around his bare chest, nuzzles into his neck.   “Ummhmm,” she agrees, nodding against him.  “Like Lilly.”  She giggles and, closing her eyes, starts to drift off, remembering Lilly’s description of Weevil fucking her with his tongue.  So that’s what it feels like....

“Like ... Lilly?”  His tone changes from smug to suspicious in a nano-second.  “What about Lilly, Veronica?”

“Hmm?”  It takes her a full second to process his question.  “What?” 

His eyes morph from satisfied to outraged.  “I said, ‘what about Lilly?’  What did you mean by that?”

“No – nothing.”  Startled and caught off-guard, she blinks up at him.  “I just....”  She sighs, playing for time.  “I just meant ... that you and Lilly have probably done ... that, too.  Right?  I mean, I’m not the first girl you’ve ever ... gone down on.  I know I’m not.  I can’t be.”  Sloe-eyed and somnambulant, she gazes up at him, guileless. 

“Yeah, I mean, no, you’re not.  But I’ve never ... Lilly – I never did to her what we just did.”  He waits impatiently, but when Veronica doesn’t respond, he leans back, holding her at arm’s length.  “Veronica.”

“Yes?”

“Did Lilly – she never told you about our sex life.  I know she didn’t, because she used to tease me and say she was going to – except she knew you’d be too shocked.”  Suddenly cold and feeling very exposed, Veronica dips to the side, feeling around for her tank top. 

“You’re hurting me,” she grumbles, wiggling in his tightened grip.  “Let me go.”

“Answer my question.  What were you talking about?  Who has she been with?” he hisses, starting to shake Veronica like a rag doll. 

“Logan,” she squeaks, cowering from the fury on his face.  “Please.  Let me go and I’ll tell you.” 

Startled by the fear in her eyes, he lets go, jerking his hands off in panic.  She spills backward and thuds to the floor.  Sitting up, she scrambles away, snatching her tank and whipping it over her head.  When she emerges from beneath her shirt, Logan’s slumped against the bedside, his eyes fixed on his hands, which are clenched in his lap. 

“I’m sorry.”  He glances at her with anguished, woeful eyes, and she feels like the all the air has been sucked from her body and a fist is squeezing her stomach. 

“Weevil,” she croaks, tensing to spring up and flee the room.  “Lilly’s seeing Weevil Navarro.”

“Fuck!” he hollers, punching his elbow into the mattress.  “She’s fucking Weevil fucking Navarro?”  He glances around wildly, looking for something more substantial to hit. 

“Logan!” she says sharply, her voice suddenly as icy as his is furious.  “Calm down,” she commands.  “You’ve been broken up for almost three weeks.  You’ve been with ... someone else,” she stares at him, heartbreak flooding her eyes.  “Why shouldn’t she....”  She stops, realizing the implications of his angry words.  Glowering, he watches her face change, close, and shut down.  “Never mind.  I get it.  I’m just – it is like what I said.  I am just a plaything to you, a diversion to keep your mind off of Lilly.” 

“That’s not ....  I never said that,” he mutters, unable to meet her frank gaze.

“Well, you sure as hell haven’t denied it, either.  Have you?”  She stands, steps stiffly and carefully over his outstretched legs and, rubbing her hands over her crossed arms, paces to the furthest corner of the room.  “I think you’d better go, before my father comes home and finds you here.” 

“Veronica.”  He leaps up, stomps over to her, his face a mixture of pain and concern.  “I ... I – you know I like you.  And I care about you.”  He reaches out to brush back the tendrils of her mussed gold-spun hair.  Grabbing his wrist, she twists it, spinning him in the direction of the exit. 

“Get out, Logan,” she grunts, starting to shove him at the door.  At once, she relaxes her hold, gasps.  “Oh, God,” she murmurs, easing her fingers over the thin, thready, pinkish scars scribed on his bare back.  “Logan?” she breathes.  “Who did this to you?”

Whirling around, Logan clutches at her fingers as they flutter mid-air.  “Don’t you touch – no!  It’s not – they’re not ....” 

“Someone beat you.  You let someone beat you?”

His fingers close like a vise.  “Let someone?  What makes you think I had a choice?” he hisses furiously.

“You – your ... is it – it’s your Dad.  He beats you, doesn’t he?” she concludes, stunned. 

Unable to deny the obvious, he drops her hand, head hanging in shame.  “You can’t tell anyone,” he begs.  “No one knows.  My dad – he’d kill me if anyone ever found out.” 

Without thinking, she flings her arms around his dejected form, pulling him into a fierce hug.  “Logan,” she mumbles.  “You have to tell someone.  You can’t let him keep doing it.”  She lays her head on his chest, pressing her cheek over his pounding heart.  Relaxing for a moment, he squeezes back, playing with her tumbled tresses. 

Sighing, he says, “You don’t understand.  You don’t live in my world.”  He pries her fingers off, backs away.  “Veronica, if you care about me at all, you’ll keep your mouth shut.” 

“I do ... care.  A lot.”  She blushes, reaches for him again.  “But I don’t know ... if I can make that promise.  Does Duncan know?”  She tilts her head thoughtfully.  “Does Lilly?”

At the mention of the Kane siblings, Logan’s eyes become hard and brittle.  “I don’t really know, Veronica,” he bites out.  “Would it matter if they did?”  Shrugging, he turns on his heel, bends to snatch his shirt from the floor, and strides out of the room.  Straightening her skirt as she goes, Veronica runs after him, catching him at the front door. 

“Listen, Logan.  We have to talk about this,” she pleads, hand on his arm. 

“No.  No, we don’t,” he gestures between them.  “Wait,” he proclaims, holding up two fingers.  “I forgot.  There is no we because you’re with Duncan!  Besides, talking isn’t going solve anything.  Just go back to the sandbox with your nice, safe boyfriend, Veronica.  The one who doesn’t know how to kiss, much less get you off, and leave me alone, okay?” 

“You don’t mean that.”

“Don’t I?” 

Throwing the door opening, he stalks out and stomps down the steps.  Yanking his cell phone from his pants pocket, he flips it open and hits a button.  Curtly addressing the person on the other end, he impatiently asks for a ride, nods, and slams it shut.  Shoving the phone back in his pocket, he paces the walkway, studiously ignoring Veronica as she stands on the porch, wringing her hands. 

Finally looking up, he barks, “What?”

“I ... I’ll break up with Duncan tonight, if that’s what you want.”  Like a deflating balloon, the anger leaks from his face and body at her soft, conciliatory words.  Tiptoeing down the concrete, she approaches him, tentative, but determined. 

“I thought you said your father doesn’t like me?”

“I didn’t say that.  He told me to be careful with you.”  She gazes up at him with eyes so clear, so  blue he practically melts. 

“You should probably listen to him,” he grudgingly agrees. 

“I think maybe he knows more about ... your family than I do.”  She slides her fingers around his wrist and curls her slender hand into his.  “Will you ... at least ... not be mad at me?” 

He kisses the top of her head, nods into her glowing hair.  “Sure, Mars.  Will you ... promise to think about ... whether or not you really want to be with me?” 

“Hey, jerkwad,” a familiar voice calls, forestalling her answer.  “You ready to cruise on out to the beach and let the Dickster show you how it’s done?”

She can feel a chuckle bubbling in his chest before he drops her hand.  “Fuck, yeah, if only you actually knew how to surf, Dick.”  He runs his knuckles down her arm.  “Don’t worry.  By tomorrow, he won’t even remember where he picked me up.”  She nods nervously.  “I’ll see you in school – we’ll talk.  Until then,” he brushes his fingers against her lips, “shhh.  Okay?”

~*~*~

Duncan slips into AP English just as the last bell begins to ring.  “Nice of you to join us, Mr. Kane,” the teacher simpers, smiling brightly.  Barely acknowledging Mrs. Murphy’s greeting, he eases into his seat, averting his face from Veronica’s expectant glance.  Directing the class to Act I, scene II of As You Like It, Mrs. Murphy asks the students to divide into groups in order to rehearse the scene for a class presentation.  Veronica plucks at Duncan’s sleeve, but, before she can get his attention, Madison Sinclair convinces him to play Orlando to her Rosalind; Shelley Pomroy quickly agrees to take the role of Celia, with Dick Casablancas playing Touchstone, and Logan the Duke. 

Stunned and a little puzzled, Veronica sits back and glances around the room.  Ignoring Veronica’s confusion, Meg Manning waves her over to the corner where she, Luke, Sean, and Cole are gathering.  After several minutes of discussion, they decide Meg will be Rosalind, while Veronica reads Celia.  Cole is assigned the role of Rosalind’s love, Orlando.  As they prepare the scene, Veronica glances to the other side of the room, where Logan, Duncan, Dick, and the girls are “working.”  Although she’s unable to catch Duncan’s eye, Logan returns her quizzical look with a genial shrug and a quick wink. 

When the next bell rings, Duncan shoots out the door like a rocket, leaving Veronica and Logan lingering in his wake.  Despite Madison’s seeming indifference, Veronica keeps her conversation with Logan cautiously neutral until they’re out of earshot, then peppers him with questions about Duncan’s odd behavior.  Professing ignorance, Logan assures her Duncan has no clue of their previous afternoon’s activities, although he has no explanation for Duncan shunning of her. 

At lunch, Duncan is suspiciously absent from their usual table.  Lilly, however, advises Veronica Duncan is cloistered with Madison and Shelley, preparing for the end-of-the-school-year silent auction.  When Veronica interrogates Lilly about Duncan’s whereabouts the previous evening, Lilly confesses she hadn’t seen Duncan – but only because she’d snuck out to be with Eli, and didn’t return home until nearly midnight. 

After gleefully recounting the details of her “date,” Lilly excuses herself and dances off toward auto shop, leaving Veronica to ponder her boyfriend’s mysterious conduct.  With only ten minutes of lunch left, Duncan straggles out into the sunlight, his normally placid face creased with worry.  Ordering Dick to move, he climbs into the seat to Veronica’s right, tapping her on the arm.

“Veronica.  You’re here.  Hi.”

Surprised by his lighthearted tone, she cocks her head.  “Hey, yourself, stranger.”

He flushes.  “I’m sorry I’ve been so busy.”  He touches her arm.  “Madison and Shelley had me locked up forever on that Student Council thing, and now I have to do the scene with them too.”  Sliding her arm out from under his fingers, she squints at him, saying nothing. 

“Hey, DK, glad you could join us,” Logan interjects, hurling a crumpled napkin at him. 

Deflecting the missile with a backhand, Duncan grins.  “Yeah, yeah,” he retorts.  “Miss me?” 

Arching an eyebrow in disbelief, Logan shakes his head.  “Nah, man.  We didn’t even know you were gone, did we, Veronica?”  She shrugs noncommittally, lowering her eyes for fear of giving herself away.           

While Duncan and Logan babble about inconsequential nonsense, Veronica, chin in hand, listens, recalling the moment, about a week ago, when she’d spied the two ... in flagrante.  The bond between the boys – her boys, she guesses – is an odd one.  Best friends, and competitive to the max, they’ve shared a certain physical intimacy, but not each other’s secrets.  Like it or not, she – not Duncan – holds Logan’s confidence.  Maybe she can help him with his problem.  But – if she and Logan ... pursue things ... what will happen to her and Duncan?  Will their relationship survive?  And – will she care if it doesn’t?

~*~*~

Jumping up from the table, Veronica begins clearing plates so her Mom, who still looks wan and pale, won’t have to. 

“Thanks, honey,” Keith calls, his voice warm and grateful. 

Once the dishwasher is stacked and started, Veronica retreats to her room.  Homework is beckoning.  She’s researching Prohibition when a chat invitation appears on her screen.  Duncan.  He hasn’t been around much lately, and when he is, he’s preoccupied, almost always with something involving Madison or Shelley.  

She hasn’t seen a lot of Logan either; she’s been careful not to be caught alone with him... well, except for the other day, when he yanked her into the broom closet and pressed her against the wall.  He’d kissed her as if their lives depended on it.  She’s thinks maybe he’s more trouble than he’s worth, but then she remembers the feel of his lips ... and she’s right back where she started. 

The chat invite blinks.  She answers, they make obligatory small talk, the American History assignment she’s working on, the upcoming Geometry exam, the latest Lilly escapade that got her grounded for a week.  Finally, as she’s about to beg off, Duncan says they need to talk, asks if she’ll meet him, after school, in the quad.  She agrees without hesitation

~*~*~

Wiping the smudged mascara from under her eyes, Veronica swipes her fingers on her jeans and taps on the glass.  “Fuck!” she hears him curse over the burst of noise from GTA III.  He’s not coming to the door, she realizes, when the noise doesn’t stop.  She raps louder, biting her lip, trying to regain her composure.  The audio halts, he’s muttering as he approaches. 

“This better be...” he stops when he sees her, “good.  ...  Veronica?”  His annoyed scowl disappears, replaced by a look of concern. 

“I can’t believe – why’d you do it, Logan?”  She tries to glare at him, but the luminous sheen in her eyes gives her away. 

“What are you talking about?  What’s wrong?  Did someone hurt you?”  He makes a fist, raises his hand, then angrily slides it into his hair, rubbing the back of his neck. 

“What’s wrong?”  Disbelief flashes on her face, her jaw stiffens.  “What do you think is wrong?  I thought you liked me, or at least cared a little bit – ”

“Hold up.”  He puts one hand on her shoulder.  “What is going on?”

She steps out from under his hand, gazes balefully at him, tears suddenly visible.  “You just had to tell Duncan about us.  You couldn’t keep your big mouth shut, could you?”  Chin wobbling,  she looks down, willing herself to be strong.  “He broke up with me, this afternoon, after school.”

“Tell Duncan what?”  Momentarily dumbfounded, he gapes.  “Oh.”  His mouth snaps shut. 

“Yeah. ‘Oh.’  How could you ... do that to me?  ... Without any warning or anything....” 

“Veronica.”  He reaches for her, but she takes another step backward, wrapping her arms around her waist. 

“No,” she whispers.  “Don’t touch me.  Don’t ever touch me again.”

The end of the story?