CHAPTER 12
A/N: Sorry, long time, no update. School's kicking me on the bee-hind so writing had to be pushed to the side. However, here's some over compensation. Thanks to Amy, my beta, putting up with my turtle update pace. This chappie is also dedicated to K and Jackie. The greatest circle of friends, ever.
Perfection was what Logan wanted. It seemed insurmountable when the rain fell, but he and Jared achieved it. The sky had finally cleared, bringing along with it a slight breeze from the shore.
Tonight's gala was intended to be the culmination of what was supposed to be the spirit of competition and a lifetime of collegiate memories. Somehow, he knew tonight was going to mean more than that.
"Done with the list?" he asked Jared.
Holding up an index finger, Jared asked for a few more moments to wrap up his conversation on the phone.
Looking around, Logan inspected the finer details of the night's party. Lights were strewn all over the trellis and on wires that seemed invisible. On a platform was a DJ booth and cater-cornered to it was the open bar. The hotel was kind enough to indulge them by bringing in fine sand for the beach party theme the SKs and the LDBs agreed upon.
"About fifty will be showing up," Jared confirmed, walking to Logan.
He just nodded his head.
Fifty; enough to keep everyone moving, enough to remain anonymous.
It was tradition that an alum from the underground organization would attend the functions. It used to be by force. Now, it was just a matter of being at the right place and the right time. Tonight's special guest was a former SK member himself, Derek Mayfield. A Stanford graduate in '93, he is one of the Green Bay Packers' best defensive ends.
All the guys would be star-struck. All the girls would swoon.
It wasn't hard to find a bevy of females to attend the little soiree. With Jared's charm and their ability to spot English-speaking women, it was only a matter of presenting the opportunity to party to serve as a catalyst.
A grin broke on Logan's lips. Everything was going down the way it was supposed to.
"I can't believe that we're going home," Jared commented, surveying the sandbox himself. "It was fun, but I can't wait to go back to my own bed."
"You can't be serious!" Logan teased.
Elbowing him, Jared implied, "Not all of us brought our favorite teddy bear to the trip."
----oooo0---0oooo-------
Conversation was the farthest thing from Rory's mind when they entered the confines of the Mini. However, Stephanie's talkative behavior and Nate's friendly demeanor made it impossible for her to lave herself in self-pity.
"So I take it you guys figured your last clue?" Nate asked, looking at the rear-view mirror.
"Yeah," Rory admitted. "Uh, Tristin won the point." She quickly glanced at him through her thick lashes.
He didn't bother acknowledging her or Nate's inquiry. He stared out the window, pinching his lower lip as he indulged himself in deep thought.
"Then you guys win tonight's award!" Stephanie exclaimed in excitement. "You're the only people in the last six years that have completed all the tasks in time. Congratulations!"
Rory said her thanks and looked away.
Once more, she sought refuge in her thoughts.
The bomb that Tristin dropped was more than what she expected. Honestly, she did not know what to expect. She wearily looked his way when her knee accidentally knocked his when they came to a bump. She was disappointed when he didn't even look her way as she apologized for the mishap.
She cursed him in her thoughts. Why now? Was she that naïve to believe that she could carry on a liaison with someone out of her league?
There was a sense of comfort when they finally crawled into a parking spot near the hotel. It meant that she could make her escape and hopefully come out of the Tristin/Rory saga with her dignity in tact.
Rory got out of the car and thanked Stephanie hurriedly. Tristin did the same, but didn't bother with the courtesy.
Catching Rory's wrist in his hand, he said, "Wait!"
Rory gasped as his warm skin came in contact with hers. Instead of saying something, she glared at him in anger.
"We have to talk about this," Tristin urgently reminded her.
"There is nothing to discuss," Rory replied heatedly.
"Like hell there isn't!" he spat out. "Tonight, we'll talk."
"And if I choose not to?" she fought back, her voice, shaky, knowing that if they were left to their own devices, they would be each other's downfall.
Tristin thoughtfully banged his fist against the stone post. "We'll cross that bridge when we get there."
Rory dropped her head and slowly entered the hotel doors. Tristin decided to keep his distance and stayed in the foyer. Funny, he thought to himself. I was the one that made an ass of myself. Why was she the one that left angry?
Rory stoically entered her suite. Her thoughts kept on going back to the confession made at the park.
"You know what I'll remember about this trip? You. Not the clues, not the scenery. You."
"No!" she cried out in anguish. She had to stop herself as she made the audible sound.
Silence.
She sighed and leaned against the door the moment she realized she was alone. Alone: a concept she embraced immediately. She didn't want to explain herself to Logan. She didn't need Finn's interference. She distanced herself from Tristin. She was back at square one, where it all started.
She slowly dragged herself to the closet and pulled out the cream-colored silk dress from the wooden hanger it lovingly clung to. She caressed the soft, smooth cloth before slipping her hands under the shoulders. Slowly and methodically, she laid the dress on the neatly tucked bed.
She went back to the bathroom and made the water run. Bathing the room in a billow of mist, she carefully undressed, leaving her clothes in a tired heap on the floor.
---oooo0----0oooo-----
Logan was glad to hear the water running when he entered the suite. Closing the door slowly behind him, he prepared for the night's events.
He took one whiff of the bouquet of flowers he bought for her at the La Rambla and laid it right next to her dress. Next, he opened up the small box he got from a boutique at the Parallel. He took out a handmade silk scarf and tucked it inside his trouser pants. At this point, he didn't know if what he's doing was right. All he was confident about was that tonight, he'd try his damnest to make it a night for them to remember.
He quickly disrobed unceremoniously and donned a pair of formal pants and a crisp white shirt. He was folding the cuffs of his shirt when Rory finally emerged from the bathroom.
"Logan!" she exclaimed in astonishment.
"Hi, Ace," he smiled at her. In three strides, he was next to her, planting a kiss on her cheek. "Hurry up. I want to show you something."
Rory scrunched up her brow as she dried her hair with the towel. "The party isn't until seven!"
"Yeah. We're not going to it," he said mischievously.
"What do you mean we're not going?"
"I mean we're not going," he reiterated. "Come on. This will be way cooler."
Rory was afraid to ask what Logan really meant. She was intrigued with Logan's whimsical attempt to make a last-minute change of plans, but at the same time, she cursed him for bad timing.
She knew she hadn't promised anything to Tristin, but she owed him to at least be present, even if it was just to save face.
"Aren't you and Jared supposed to be the Masters of Ceremony tonight?" Rory asked warily.
"Yeah," he replied casually. "But Jared can do the honors himself. He's a great public speaker, you know."
"You know what I mean," Rory implied, slipping on her underclothing. "The LDB will expect you to make your triumphant speech and the ceremonial toast."
"So, we won?" he said in mock surprise. "Hmm, Colin can take care of the trivialities. Tonight," he said, hugging her from behind, "is about you and me."
The kiss on her shoulder made her shiver. She had to close her eyes to convince herself that Logan was sincere about their relations.
"Logan," she chided him. She knew it was the perfect opportunity to run away and avoid Tristin, but was that what she wanted? She faced him and wrapped her arms around his neck. "You did all this work only to have Colin steal your thunder? My, my, what has the world come to?"
"Nothing!" he swore. "Is it wrong for me to personally thank the most generous and wonderful girl in the world?"
"Be serious!" she wailed playfully.
Logan laughed and planted his lips on hers. "Fine, we'll show up for a while, and then we're going on our date. Plan on not sleeping tonight."
"Fine," she replied in mock agreement, returning his kiss with one of her own.
----oooo0---0oooo-------
Tristin arrived at the villa and slipped into his room quietly. He scanned the room slowly with his eyes, adjusting to the room's dimness.
He walked with determination to the closet and took out his dress clothes, properly hung and pressed with care. If there was one thing he was going to make sure of tonight, it was to make it clear he was not a screw up.
He walked into the shower and let the water run. Waiting for the water to warm up, he slowly undressed, pausing ever so slightly to ponder.
He couldn't read from her eyes whether he scared her away or revealed to her the words she wanted to hear. He could still see her look of disdain as he confessed his heart out to her. Part of him was elated that he finally got the words off his chest. The other half was disheartened to see her react so negatively to his declaration.
Clouds of moisture marred his naked reflection on the mirror. He glanced away and stepped into the liquid heat. The pounding droplets brought little solace to his troubled mind. He still was unsure of what he had to do to convince Rory that she should forget about Logan and give them a chance.
They had a history, didn't they?
He smiled as he remembered their Gilmore-DuGrey Pact of 2002 that involved the involuntary dating of one Paris Geller. It was one of the few memories he still treasured from Chilton. For someone who preferred looking forward than reminiscing about the past, he surely wished that somehow he were more forward with Rory back then rather than performing a Fred Astaire act in front of her and Logan.
Tristin turned off the cascading water and reached out for his towel. Drying himself off, he tossed the towel on the sink and sauntered toward his garb. As he slipped on his pants, Jared knocked on his open door.
"Can you feel it? Can you taste it?" Jared came into the room in exaggerated gestures of excitement.
Tristin chortled and continued to don his outfit.
"Tonight, my friend, you and I are in serious competition," Jared warned.
"Competition of what?" Tristin inquired.
"A hundred dollars as to who can kiss the most girls tonight," he stated. "And I don't mean a peck on the cheek, grandmother kind of kiss, either. A little more lip with the slip of the tongue."
"Whatever, man," Tristin added.
"So what? You too good to play this game now, Mister DuGrey? By the way, I heard congratulations are in order?"
Tristin smiled at his friend. "The clues weren't that hard, you know."
"It would've been if you were actually distracted by Rory," Jared pointed out. "The old Tristin would've at least pulled a fast one on Logan…."
"Let's just drop the subject," Tristin grumbled as he sought out his deodorant.
"Mind telling me what this is all about?" Jared pried.
Rolling his eyes before facing Jared, he said, "Nothing."
"You're a bad liar," Jared guffawed.
"You're not the first to call me out on it, either," Tristin spat back. Taking a deep breath, he said, "I'm sorry."
Jared raised both of his hands in the air like he was surrendering. "It wasn't my business…."
"I knew Rory," Tristin confessed.
"What do you mean you knew Rory?" Jared asked in seriousness.
"I knew Rory before this whole fiasco," Tristin replied.
"Do you, like, know everyone?" Jared was incredulous at this point.
"I went to school with her, okay?" Tristin raised his voice.
Jared walked toward the door and closed it. He didn't want the rest of the house to hear what Tristin had to say.
"I met her after my grandfather's death…." he stated, giving the play-by-play of events he was surprised that he still remembered and ended it with what led to the afternoon's explosion.
Jared was tense, soaking in all the information that was being fed to him. Part of him wanted to knock Tristin on the side of the head for not just coming out sooner with the details and apprising both parties of their past indiscretions. The other part was surprised that Tristin was calm despite the turbulent currents running between him and Rory.
After Tristin rambled off the afternoon's revelations, a pregnant pause hung in the air.
"I seriously thought you would actually have your way with Gilmore," Jared confessed. "But, you left me speechless!"
"You mean, you'd actually shut up for once?" Tristin tried to lighten the mood.
"After Camilla, I thought you would just be another misogynistic cad, wooing and breaking every girl that would throw interest your way," Jared replied.
"Rory was someone that believed in me in more ways than I gave her credit for. It's just last night… Last night just made me snap. For once, I was able to forgive Logan. For once, I was able to let go of Camilla. Now, I am just scared shitless that I would lose Rory if I actually told her I…."
"That you what, Tris?"
"That I think, I love her," he whispered.
"Oh boy. You're on your own on that."
----oooo0----0oooo---------
The aroma of roasting meats titillated Rory's nostrils when she and Logan finally showed up for the soiree. The early moon cast a soft light against the guests as the twinkling soft lights contrasted the early darkness. Soft laughter and rhythmic thumping made the manmade sandbox primal and sensual.
Rory's hand clung to Logan's lightly as she watched Finn flirt from one girl to the next. She watched Colin grind up against a voluptuous Spaniard on the sandbox. Dom and Cristal flowed like the Niagara and no one seemed to care. For some odd reason, the scene was comforting, like a bad habit.
Rory shuddered and before she knew it, Logan's arm was around her shoulders.
"Cold, Ace?"
She smiled at him and nodded.
Logan shrugged off his coat and draped it over Rory's shoulders as they walked toward the small bonfire that had six tree stumps made into chairs.
"I'll be back," he said, kissing her on the forehead before leaving her side.
Rory watched him walk away to talk to the spinner.
The server handed Rory a champagne flute before walking away. She continued to observe everyone with a critical eye while she waited for Tristin to prey on her.
----oooo0---0oooo------
And there he was.
She should've known that he was around. It was only he who was able to make her stomach do somersaults without provocation.
He and Jared walked side-by-side, deep in conversation. She watched them through the gaps people left as they walked past her.
No matter what he wore, she found him oozing with arrogant masculinity. He was wearing a silk maroon shirt totally unbuttoned with its ends untucked. He wore a white muscle shirt underneath it, framing his well-sculpted chest and leaving it accessible to anyone who dared peek. The dark pants he sported accentuated his tight waist; its length falling gracefully to his ankles. Its hem, folded with care, giving him a casual beach look.
Tristin's eyes sought her out and spotted her immediately. In one hand, she held the crystal flute lightly. On the other was a pearl-colored sling back sandals. Her hair was pinned back for a tousled look like she beckoned for someone to run their hand through the tendrils of loose locks.
She was breathtaking. His breath was caught in his throat. His mouth went dry.
"Tristin?" Jared asked, wondering why his friend stopped talking.
And he saw her. Her doe-shaped eyes just stared right at Tristin. Her ruby red lips parting as she caught sight of him. Slapping him on the back, Jared warned Tristin, "Don't say anything you might regret later."
Tristin felt the light shove from the back when Jared left him to his own devices. How do you say 'I love you' to someone who's already committed?
"Wow, I knew we threw some kick-ass parties, but damn, I think we just outdid ourselves this time!" Logan teased as he got on the microphone.
The crowd laughed and diverted their attention to him.
"I would like to thank the Stanford Scarlet Knights chapter for joining us at this game," he continued on. "It had been four meetings ago since these two teams last met."
He spoke with the eloquence of a politician; someone seasoned enough to keep the atmosphere light and convivial. People were putty in his hands. And yet, he surveyed the audience and kept an eye at Tristin… who was eyeing Rory.
He handed the mike over to Jared, who continued on to give a history of the ongoing tradition of the scavenger hunts and its significance.
As the commotion was taking place on stage, Tristin meandered toward Rory, hoping everyone surrounding them would leave them alone.
"Rory," he whispered her name.
She hesitantly met his gaze before wetting her lips with the tip of her tongue. "Hey."
He stretched his hand out to her to get her to her feet. Rory took hold of his hand. "Thank you."
They both listened to Jared talk before Tristin broke the silence once more. "Freshen your drink?"
Rory handed him the flute as he replaced it with another fresh drink from the tray.
"The color suits you," Rory replied when he gave her the drink.
"Is this your way of making small talk?" Tristin teased her.
"Well, I somehow think that saying, 'Hey, wanna make out?' seemed inappropriate," Rory made light of the situation.
"Although I would've preferred you saying that," Tristin chuckled.
"Tristin, about this afternoon …." Rory started saying.
"We'd like to call on stage Rory Gilmore and Tristin DuGrey, the only players in six years that have figured out all their clues and have brought home the bacon," Jared announced. "Come on over here, guys!"
Tristin looked at Rory briefly before putting his hand on the small of her back and led her toward the stage.
The sound was deafening. Claps and hoots erupted around the couple. There was a bevy of congratulations, and back slaps greeted them as they made their procession.
What Tristin wanted for them was some peace and quiet for them to talk.
What they got was commotion.
As soon as they got on stage, Tristin relinquished his hand from Rory's back and dissociated himself with her. Logan came between them and shook his hand.
Pulling him close, Logan whispered, "Thanks, man. I'll take it from here."
Just like that, he was separated from her once more.
Tristin was helpless. His eyes darted between her and Logan, occasionally refocusing on the crowd before them. If only he just got to the point and told her!
Jared continued on to announce their guest and the availability of food and drinks for all to consume as the night progressed. Chaos erupted and the opportunity to talk became more improbable than possible.
Logan was leading Rory off the platform when Tristin tried to catch up with her.
"Rory!"
"What?" she asked as she trailed behind Logan.
Tristin pointed to the veranda. "In an hour!"
Rory nodded and tried catching up with Logan.
"Where are we going?" Rory asked breathlessly when she finally walked next to Logan.
"It's a surprise!" he said secretively.
They got to the lobby and Logan asked her to don her shoes. He retrieved his from behind the counter.
They got to the front of the hotel and a chauffeured Bentley sat on the driveway, waiting on them.
"What's this?" Rory asked slowly.
"A night to remember. Now, turn around," Logan ordered her lovingly.
She felt the warm silk against her eyelids when she turned around. "What's with you and blindfolds?"
"I want to surprise you!" he started getting short with her and her twenty questions. But he promised himself that this night was going to be a blast.
Logan made Rory comfortable by talking about how he and Jared tried to get people to come to their party, dispelling any discomfort and tension.
The trip seemed like it lasted forever. Rory didn't know where she was going. All she knew was that the scent of the beach was replaced by the scent of the city. Even the laid back feel was replaced by a charged energy.
"Logan, where are we?"
"Shh, we're almost there!" he whispered in her ear excitedly.
They went up an elevator, dinging at least six times before the flat came to an end.
"Logan, you know we didn't have to drive around the block to just get back to our hotel room."
Step. Step. Step.
Rory felt the breeze come through the door. Logan guided her to a few more steps before halting.
"Take off the blindfold," he instructed.
She took the silk blindfold. In awe, she just stared. "Logan!"
Staring at the lovely lights lining the Passeig de Garcia, she knew they were at the Hotel Claris, a former nineteenth century Palace that had a lot of history to the ancient country.
"What do you think?" he asked. His hand was at her waist, caressing her hipbone.
"It's beautiful!" she whispered.
Logan took off the coat that was still draped over her shoulders. He stood behind her, taking in the sights like Rory did.
"I remember being here when I was about twelve. I loved it. Now, that memory can be replaced with thoughts of you sharing it with me," he shared. Slowly, he undid the row of buttons that secured her dress from behind. Slow and calculated movements made Rory melt in Logan's arms.
Rory moaned as his lips came in contact with her skin. "This can't be!" she bellowed from within.
Taking a deep breath, she tried to push out her thoughts on Tristin.
Logan's touch became firm and heated. With the slightest provocation, she responded.
As she inhaled his cologne, her thoughts betrayed her, comparing Logan to Tristin. Every time she paused, Logan met her passivity with renewed passion.
He kissed her. She reciprocated. He sought out. She matched him. She abandoned all thoughts of the man that had come between them and pretend for once, that this is what she wanted; what she needed. In no time, she and Logan found themselves in the throes of passion, making love right by the balcony.
Logan collapsed on her back as they both reached their climax. In spoon fashion, he cuddled her on the floor, pulling the top blanket over them before succumbing to fatigue. Sighing, he wrapped his arm around her waist and closed his eyes.
An hour later, Rory woke up in panic. She was about to get up when she realized what just transpired between her and her boyfriend.
I can't stand the fact that he's with you. I want you. I want you badly, and I can't have you. I want to make love to you, have you, and keep you and call you mine. But I can't.
"Tristin," she whispered, shrugging the cold that seemed to lie on her shoulders despite feeling Logan's breath against her skin.
At the hotel, Tristin finished the last cigarette stick. He stopped counting two hours ago. That was when she was supposed to meet him. That was when she was supposed to tell him whether he had a chance.
Maybe she wanted to let him down easily.
Downing the last of his drink, he picked up his coat and tossed it over his shoulder.
"Tristin, everything alright?' Jared asked.
His inquiry was met with a smirk.
"Damn!" he exclaimed. "Rory."
Taking a long drag from the stick, he looked at his friend. "I guess she made her decision."
Jared sobered up. "I'm sorry, man."
"Don't," he exhaled a billow of smoke. Crushing the cigarette with the heel of the beer bottle on the metal table, he stared at the concentric circles of smoke dissipating in the air. "Hey, wanna catch an early flight?"
"Sure. Let me just let the guys know," Jared replied.