[Logan] Media-Crossed Lovers

[Scarlet Rose Harris]

Scarlet ran her tongue against the back of her teeth as she looked down at the check. A thousand dollars or a sundae. But it was edible gold. And how many people got to go to Serendipity? She brushed her bangs away from her eyes quickly before she lifted the pen off of the table and signed the slip since she was able to pay for it before Logan was able to. He used to buy her ice cream cones off the ice cream truck when they were little. It was her turn to spoil him. She looked up at him, peeking at him through her hair that was falling back over her face as she finished signing her name. Finally she set her pen down and crossed her arms on the table as she watched him, finishing off the ice cream that was on his spoon. “ Thank you for taking the morning off for me…” she said before she leaned over the table and placed her hand on the edge of his jaw as she gave him a quick kiss. They were at an ice cream shoppe for goodness sake, no sense in filming a porno. Short and sweet. Scarlet sat back in her seat and stretched her arms out before she turned back in her chair and took her coat off of the back of her seat. “ I have a surprise for you when we get home by the way.. since you wont take a week off of work to go to Paris with me,” she said, giving him a playful glare. Scarlet pulled her jacket on and fastened a few of the buttons as she walked over to his seat, sitting down in Logans lap. She twisted her scarf around in her hands before she placed it behind his neck and used it to pull him closer to her so she could give him another kiss. “ It’s okay.. I’ve learned that waiting for things makes you appreciate it that much more” she said before she let go of her scarf so that she wasn’t pulling him towards her anymore. Scarlet moved quickly, giving him one last kiss before she stood from his lap and made her way to the door, wrapping her scarf around her neck and tucked it into her coat.

Scarlet looked over her shoulder, watching as a group of girls was staring at Logan. There were a few about her age, that would know Logan because of his own career. And there were a few about the age of school kids that probably knew him more because of Joel. She narrowed her eyebrows slightly as she watched them, when they were so obviously wanting to talk to Logan but keeping themselves glued to their seats. Scarlet placed her sunglasses on and gave a small sigh as she looked out the door. Things for them had been pretty tame so far. Honestly she thought that that the privacy that they had gotten about their relationship had a lot to do with the fact that the media wanted to be sensitive with Logan since he had a lot going on right now – Blake, Joel. It was a lot on his shoulders. Thinking on that, instinctively Scarlet went over and rubbed her hand against Logan’s back before she slid her arm along the inside of his. Living with him had sort of been like a giant sleepover. He’d spent the night with her plenty of times – more often than her parents knew about. Thank god he knew how to climb a tree. And they sort of both knew a lot was on the line right now, which made her try so much harder. She wasn’t perfect, she still got scared, she still wanted to run, but each morning when she opened her eyes and saw him sleeping there, the magnetic pull towards him was stronger than her impulse to run. He kept her grounded. ‘ Excuse me, miss’ someone said as they placed their hand on her arm and Scarlet instinctively tensed and pulled away from Logan quickly, placing her hand on her heart as she looked at the stranger. ‘ You left your mittens on the table..’ she said, offering them to Scarlet. Scarlet let out a breath and felt her heart beating through her chest as she offered a quick, relieved smile. “ Oh.. thank you..” she said as she reached out and took them. She was paranoid now ever since that night. Paranoid that the waiter looking at her too long wanted to hurt her. That the person bagging her and Logan’s breakfast groceries had a hidden agenda and probably a hidden gun to take her out. Paranoia at its’ finest. She coughed quietly to herself, trying to not let Logan see that she was still a bit freaked as she slowly placed her mittens back on over her hands which were now slightly shaking. “ Ready?” she asked in a chipper tone as she turned and looked back at him. Scarlet pushed the door open with her hip, lowering her arm from Logans so that she could place her mitten covered hand along the inside of his. The same way he held her mitten covered hand to the carpool they shared in elementary school.

Scarlet looked down the sidewalk to the right to see what the streets were like, caught by the cold air of New York as she took in a deep breath. But when she turned her head, it was the sight of paparazzi and not the cold air that made her freeze. ‘ Logan! Logan! Scarlet!” they called out from different directions. ‘ Logan! What’s going on with you and Blake?’ Scarlet bit the inside of her cheek. So much for respecting his privacy. Clearly the media was over being sensitive with Joel and his friends. Scarlet slowly pulled her hand away from Logans, lowering her head as she continued to walk. ‘ Where’s your boyfriend, Scarlet?’ one of them asked , causing her to bite down harder against the side of her cheek. Zach and Blake knew by this point that her and Logan were together. But would seeing pictures of them together sort of make it more real? She didn’t want to hurt either of them. ‘Logan were you guys having an affair? Sleeping together while you were married to Blake?’ Scarlet looked up on that one. She might be a lot of things, but she wasn’t going to be the other woman. Well.. I mean she had cheated- TECHNICALLY. She still stood by the fact that she and Zach were over when she got to Logan’s. But Logan had not cheated on Blake. Ever. Sure he’d been the other guy a few times, but he’d never cheated on Blake. She was the mother of his child. That was a bullshit thing to ask him. These were things Kenzie would read about someday and there was no fucking reason to tarnish who he was, when it wasn’t true. But suddenly there were a few of them laughing amongst themselves. ‘ You two better expect a song to be written about each of you. ‘. Well atleast they found it amusing. Scarlet coughed quietly to herself. She’d never been great with paparazzi. A smile here, a wave there. But honestly she never understood why people cared about who she was. So usually she just ignored them and carried about her business. Mandi was so much better at it. Maybe it was the law student in her. She could schmooze anyone into loving her. She was calculated with her statements, with her winks and her smiles. Mackenzie was a pro at it, too. Though obsession with her made sense. She was an heiress turned actress. Scarlet and Mandi were still in school. They hadn’t actually done anything yet. Well.. Mandi was dating a professional football player. And I guess,.. well Scarlet was dating one of the biggest deals in music. And their timing did look suspicious. Well that made a little more sense. Scarlet licked her lips, lifting her head to finally look at Logan for the first time since they had stepped outside.

Outfit

[Logan Chase Renner]

Logan smiled and watched Scarlet eat her ice cream. He’d already finished his, so he sat and watched her instead. He’d spent a lot of time lately deep in his own thoughts, wondering if he’d made the right choice and scared of the outcome. Worried that he’d hurt Blake more than she let on, but knowing that no matter what he chose, someone was going to get hurt. And there was no sense in weighing the options, trying to figure out who would end up hurt less. Hurt was hurt, no matter if it was more or less, or who did it. He didn’t want to hurt anyone, and especially not Scarlet or Blake. He hated admitting to himself that he was in love with both of them. Because if only he loved one of them, he might be able to just stop all the teetering and be happy. But he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. And it apparently didn’t matter who he was with, when he was with Blake he wondered about Scarlet, when he was with Scarlet he wondered about Blake. These were the things that he pondered in his alone time. But when he was with Scarlet, like now, he couldn’t help but smile. She seemed so happy. How could he ever be the one to rip that from her again? And why would he, wasn’t he just as happy. Didn’t he still feel like they’d picked up where they left off, figuring out what exactly they were and why they were the way they were. Rediscovering each other, but at the same time, a small hint of the kids they were when they were little too. The way Scarlet still flipped her spoon over when she ate ice cream. She’d always done that. It was moments like now, sitting in the ice cream shop, that Logan felt sure he could be happy with Scarlet. It was the times when he was alone that his thoughts got the best of him.

Logan smiled and kissed her back when she leaned over the table, thanking him for taking work off, “Well it was either work or eat gold ice cream for breakfast. Kind of a no brainer.” He chuckled, letting her take the bill. As Scarlet came over and sat in his lap he raised his eyebrows, “Oh, a surprise?” No, he couldn’t take off for Paris for a week. As nice an idea as it was, even if he did work his schedule to take off work, he was still one half of Kenzie’s parents. Sure they had friends that would watch her when Blake couldn’t but that wasn’t their job. It was Logan’s. Married or not, he was still as responsible for Kenzie as Blake was. But Scarlet wasn’t complaining, she got it. Kid was important. So she was apparently compromising, which was a very nice thing. Logan followed her out of the shop, stopping to thank the woman who gave Scarlet her gloves. He was still waiting for someone to stop them and just give them the third degree. It hadn’t happened yet, but he figured it was only a matter of time. As if on cue, a group of paparazzi had spotted them asking them about Blake and asking about Zach, Scarlet quietly taking her hand away from his. The fact that one of them asked him straight up if he had cheated on Blake just pissed him off. He’d never cheated on Blake in his life and had never even crossed his mind when they were together. She was the mother of his child, what a stupid thing to ask. They seemed to think if was humorous, getting a song written about them. Whatever. They didn’t know shit about his life. He was usually totally cool with paparazzi and whatever and he didn’t mind being in the public eye, but when they invaded his privacy like that it was just annoying. He had a kid, he didn’t want her growing up and people completely degrading his relationship with her mom. They had a good thing going, no party fouls for the most part.

Logan shook his head, continuing to walk beside Scarlet and away from them, as far from them as possible. Logan finally glanced over at Scarlet as they rounded the corner, as she looked back at him, probably thinking the same thing. He offered her a small smiled, both of them knowing they didn’t owe any explanations. “So you said you had a surprise?”


After they got back to the penthouse, Logan understood what she meant by surprise. So he couldn't drop everything and go to Paris with her. But she'd brought Paris to them, like their own piece of Paris in the apartment. It really was a sweet idea. Scarlet was in the bathroom, freshening up. Logan wanted to change out of the shirt eh was wearing, put on something a little more comfy. He figured Scarlet must have some guy t shirts somewhere or something. Ones she had acquired from him over the years. Or some of Zach's even probably. Logan opened a few drawers, girl stuff, girls stuff, girls stuff... bingo. Drawer of dude clothes. Logan moved some things, picking up a tshirt. Scarlet probably didn't even know what stuff was even in here. Logan laughed, seeing some of his old things he didn't even hardly remember until he picked them up. An old baseball team shirt, an original All Time Low tshirt that was Logan's before Scarlet took possession of it. But as Logan picked up one of his old shirts, he found a small ring box, underneath a pair of shorts that didn't look like his. Probably Zach's, he'd been living here a while. Scarlet wouldn't store her jewelry in a drawer with a bunch of old guy clothes. Nor did he think she even looked in this drawer much. Logan picked up the box, opening it. But what he found was more of a surprise than he was expecting. It was Scarlet's mom's wedding ring. Logan only recognized it because Mr. Harris had showed it to Logan in high school. Told him it was Scarlet's mother's, and that he wanted to give it to the guy who would propose to Scarlet. he'd thought it would be Logan someday. But How did it get here in this drawer with all of Logan's and Zach's things? Zach. Zach had this ring. And he'd only have gotten it from Mr. Harris. Had Mr. Harris really given it to Zach? He wouldn't have done that unless he really approved of Zach proposing to Scarlet... and Zach wouldn't have taken it unless he, you know, loved her... right?

Logan sat down on the bed, thinking. He loved SCarlet though, right? But did Zach? Enough to take this ring? And propose to her? What exactly did Logan walk into? Maybe Scarlet didn't even realize how serious things had been with Zach. Just like she had in high school. Logan rubbed his eyes, not sure where things were going. From his view on the outside, it was looking more and more like Scarlet and Zach were the real deal, especially if Zach was going to propose to her. And who was Logan to walk in and ruin that? What if Zach was really serious about it? Logan just... had that feeling he always had, that need to protect Scarlet. He was that person she went to for everything. That shoulder to cry on, the person that held her together. But what if, somehow, over time, someone else had become that person for her? When Scarlet had shown up at his place after that stuff with Zach, he'd naturally just done what he always did, with out question. But maybe at that point, he wasn't who she needed anymore. Maybe Zach had become that person she needed. That person to protect her, take care of her. Laugh with her, cry with her. Logan took a deep breath, admitting the obvious. He'd been replaced. Not that it was a bad thing... if Scarlet had that kind of thing with Zach, maybe with out realizing it, but that was good right? She really had moved forward. But what did that mean for him, Logan? Was this the reality? That he went to her aid out of habit, but that he'd been replaced by someone who was just as good for her, even better maybe? She had seemed happy with Zach while it lasted. Did this mean they were over before they had even really started back up? He had to re-evaluate how he felt. Was he in love with her? Or was he holding onto what they used to have, what he used to be for her? She didn't need him anymore like that. And needing him as that person was all that they were holding onto. That was his reality. Living in the past. He worried that they were both just holding themselves back. And he thought he knew how this would end.

Scarlet had come into the room, and Logan stood up, showing her the ring in the box, "Scarlet have you seen this? Unless it's yours, Zach had it." He watched her, knowing as soon as she pieced together what he had, they would both knew where they stood. The look on her face said it wasn't hers, so that confirmed his suspicions at least. "Scarlet, he was going to propose to you," he said, "I don't know what to think." He shook his head, sighing. Ripping the band aid off. She was going to hate him and he knew it. "Scarlet, how many times have you come to me when you were, upset, scared, excited, anything at all. I was that person, I know I was. And I don't regret it or anything. What if I'm not that person anymore? " He wiggled the ring box, nodding at it, "We didn''t even realize it... we both moved on. Don't tell me you weren't happy with Zach, you were." He watched her expression, maybe she was mulling that over. Being happy with Zach, she had to know that she was. "Look, I I know it's cliche, and you're going to hate me..." he glanced at her, knowing this was literally the end of the road, "I just want you to be happy, I really do. I don't think I'm the guy to do that for you. I don't think I have been for a while. You found that with someone else." Logan watched her, feeling his stomach turn over as she took over what he'd told her. Basically that he thought they were done and living in the past. He was expecting her to hate him, but for some reason when the words left her lip, it didn't sting any less. "Get out." He opened his mouth to say something but closed it. After a moment, Logan nodded slightly, setting the ring box on the dresser, and left the room. It was obvious the look in her eyes, the hate, the detest, resentment. He wouldn't even blame her for never speaking to him again. Heading for the elevator, Logan told himself to keep walking, knowing that as he walked out this time, it would also be the last time he did so.

[Scarlet Rose Harris]

Scarlet ran the water over her face, washing off the rest of her make up before she took down her toothbrush and the new toothpaste she had bought. Orange toothpaste? Crest was weird, but it was weird enough that she had to try it. But as soon as she started brushing her teeth she scrunched her nose in disgust and leaned down, spitting it into the sink. “ Yuck,” she said to herself, rinsing her mouth out quickly. She pulled on one of Ryan’s first edition Maine shirts over her frame before she turned off the bathroom light and headed into the bedroom. She smiled as she looked over at Logan and rested her hip against the doorframe, tilting her head to the side as she watched him. How many people could say that they were with their childhood best friend? But she stood up, noticing his demeanor and that something wasn’t right. “ What?” she asked, pausing as she looked down at the box with her mothers ring in it. And he certainly wasn’t down on one knee. But then he said it, Zach had it. She tensed instantly, locking her eyes on the box. She was aware that he was speaking, but honestly she couldn’t really comprehend anything he was saying. Zach had a ring? For what purpose? What kind of relationship did he have with her father? Why would her father give the guy he was paying to protect her, a ring? Was he seriously going to pay some guy to marry her just to tame her? Was he seriously willing to risk keeping her away from the love of her life for his own personal gain, to buy Zach and hold her back from something she was meant for?

Scarlet stared at the box as he shook it, and caught on to the last of his words. Yeah, they were done. Because here he was laying out his honesty here, and all she could think of was the last time Zach had kissed her, like actually kissed her. Not the casual kiss on the cheek see you later today type of kiss, but the knee popping lean into his chest kind of kiss. Her father was the kind of man that was willing to forgo Scarlet’s own happiness in order to create his perfect image. But was Zach the kind of guy that would marry someone just because some suit and tie told him to? And if it was all about the money in the first place, then why didn’t he take the ring with him? Proposal. The word haunted over her and suddenly her shoulders felt heavy, knots began to form in her stomach. “ Get out,” she said quietly, wanting nothing more than to be alone. The entire time she kept her eyes on the ring, even as he set it down on the dresser, knowing that he was walking away but was completely powerless to stop him. Did she want to? Had she replaced him? Was his role just different in her life now? And what the hell was Zach’s role? Had he seriously wanted to take on the role of her husband? And there it was. Just thinking the word husband and Scarlet darted back towards the bathroom, throwing her hands onto the top of the toilet as she became sick. Her hand reached up and held onto the cold porcelain. What was worse was what happened afterwards. She opened her eyes, realizing why she felt so sick. It wasn’t the fact that Zach could potentially see himself as her husband, it was the fact that now that it had been said out loud, it was exactly what she wanted. Just because you wanted something didn’t mean it was best for you, or that you would ever admit it to anyone else.