CHAPTER 4

Tristin's breathing was labored after running six miles. He was thankful he wasn't running in the Carolina humidity. However, he can't say the same about Rory Gilmore.

Just thinking about the events that just transpired between them hurts and he knew nothing could undo it. He even blamed Murphy's Law for it. The younger, more thoughtless Tristin would've let this catastrophe roll off his shoulders and cured himself of this minor setback by finding a new lay. All those nameless faces formed a collage in his collective memory. He smirked. How many of them are laughing at him now? Did any of them sympathize with him? And did any of them know that Rory would be the one to bring him to his knees?

Tristin slowed his running pace to a shuffle. A minute later, he started walking towards his father's house. He stared at the cold structure he called 'home' for the longest time. It was big, bold and perfect. But like anything else, it is away from the clutches of civilization and devoid of love and warmth. These were the moments he wished that he were lucky in love like his grandfather was with his grams.

He was headed for the shower when his phone rang. He swore; he was not ready to talk to anyone.

He tried to let the person on the other line hang up. When the incessant ringing didn't stop, he groaned and answered it.

"H'lo," he responded.

"Well at least I know that one half of the disappearing team is alive," the male voice on the other line teased.

"Graham. What's up?" Tristin's sour disposition lightened a bit.

"I remember being promised a phone call when you guys got to the hospital. Unless cell phones don't work in Hartford, you guys have no excuse," Graham scolded.

"How about no quarters?" Tristin asked.

"Still, not a good enough excuse," Graham responded. "So how's the illustrious Richard?"

"We got to talk to him last night. He'll be around for a few more rounds," Tristin updated his cousin.

"And the third leg to our tripod?" he asked.

"She'll survive," his tone suddenly turned cold.

"Did I miss anything? I thought that the three hour drive home would've given you guys some quiet time." Graham said.

"The drive home was okay. Seeing Richard went well. It's just-," he paused, "things between us will always remain complicated."

"That never stopped you before," Graham mused.

"Meaning?" Tristin asked.

"You're the one that always told me that 'the insurmountable task has the greatest taste of success once conquered'. Whatever happened to that?" Graham challenged.

"The rule doesn't apply to people," Tristin responded with a sigh.