AN: This chapter isn't action packed, but is necessary for story development. And of course, a huge Thank You to M and A for getting this back to me so quickly.
AN2: In reference to the steamy version of this chapter. Since I didn't get feedback from anyone, either way, I will not be posting links to the full version of upcoming chapters. Don't worry M,A and K you all will get those, but I'm not making them public. Now on with the story.
"Gimmie a beer."
Jess opened the door so Tristan could pass through. "Dude, what gives?" Glancing at the clock, he said, "It's quarter to one. Shouldn't you be in bed, getting your requisite eight hours of sleep?"
Tristan threw himself on the couch, holding his head in his hands. "Now is not the time for your sarcasm." "I think I've really fucked myself."
The hiss of carbonation broke the silence. Handing the cool beer bottle to Tristan, Jess waited patiently for him to continue.
"Tonight was spectacular, amazing, mind blowing! She is a fantastic woman, and I've ruined it before it even really started." Taking a drink from the bottle in front of him, he shot a tormented look toward Jess.
Jess stood there, leaning against the wall and looking at the train wreck that was his best friend. "So, I take it the night went well? What happened?"
Tristan hopped up and started pacing, running his fingers through his hair in frustration. He turned and said, "You want to know what's wrong? I'll tell you. I'm lying to her. I left her tonight because that is what 'bad boys' do. They take what they want when they want it, and then they leave. I'm playing games, and I hate games."
He smirked. "So you didn't want to leave her?"
He shook his head and threw himself back on the couch. "No. That's the last thing I wanted to do. I wanted to stay wrapped around her. She is so amazing, and I'm lying to her. I wanted her to give me a chance, but in the end all I'm going to do is hurt her when she finds out I'm pretending to be someone I'm not. I know she was hurt and confused when I left tonight, but that's what I was supposed to do. Have sex with her, then skip out before I got in too deep, right?"
Jess sighed, "Yeah, but that doesn't sound like something you would do. I understand you are playing a role, but sometimes you have to go with what your gut tells you."
"I feel like the biggest jerk in the world."
He closed his eyes and thought about how he had messed up. He never should have slept with Rory so quickly. He had been so focused on giving her her fantasy, all he saw was the happiness he could bring her. He forgot the bad aspects to his character's persona. From now on he would have to temper "Junior's" actions with the good aspects of his own personality; politeness and trust. It was the only way to limit the fallout when she found out the truth. He would also have to limit their intimacy. He wasn't going to give her any excuse to distance herself from him.
"Junior, follow your gut. It hasn't let you down yet. Just think things through. Sure, show her her fantasy man, but also show her the man she doesn't know she needs or wants yet. Show her that while 'Junior' is fun, 'Tristan' is there for the long haul. 'Junior' can be less than stellar and allow 'Tristan' to show up."
Gulping down the last of his brew, he got ready to leave. "Thanks for the beer, man."
"No, prob. Let's get together sometime this week. Oh, and by the way, I'm taking that bartender, Anna, out this week." Grinning, Jess shut the door.
Rory had been off all morning. First she overslept; probably due to the late night. Then she remembered that she hadn't picked up her dry cleaning. The last straw was the empty coffee canister. She knew that without a jolt of caffeine in her system, there would be no way she would last helping her mom in the store. As she grabbed her bag she kicked something, and upon bending down to look under the hall table she saw…a blackberry…? Junior's?
Holding the shiny black contraption…it must be his…I could always look. No, it's not yours and that's all you need to know. But, being the Good Samaritan you are, you can always swing by and drop it off.
Deciding that she would do just that after fulfilling her promise to her mom, she left in search of coffee.
xxxxXXXxxxxxxxx
"Rory! Haven't you seen 'Little Black Book?'"
Holding one hand out to ward off her mother's advances and the other behind her back hiding the object in question. "I did and because of that, I know turning it on will only unleash a Pandora 's Box of complications and problems I don't need."
Lorelai gave up chasing her round the drafting table and sat down in one of the overstuffed club chairs. "Okay then, fine. If you won't let me snoop through his personal effects, you can at least fill me in about last night," grinning devilishly, she sat and waited.
Rory refused to be baited into giving up details of an almost perfect night. Almost being the key word. Frowning slightly, she thought about his leaving. It had been plaguing her all morning. Shaking her head ruefully, she said, "Nope. So … how 'bout them Yankees?"
"Oh please. If you think a sports segue will stop me from getting what I want, you sorely underestimate me. And that hurts," pounding her fist against her heart, "right here."
A few snickers escaped from Rory. Her mother could be so melodramatic when she had a captive audience.
"Well if you think I'm giving away details on the slave labor salary I'm getting….ha!"
"Slave labor? I'll have you know, all those sample clothes that wind up in your bag more than make up for the lack of organization and payment on my part. In fact I think I have change coming my way. Let's see, I will take two juicy tid-bits of 'Mom, I've been distracted all day because….'"
"If I didn't love you, I would seriously think about getting a doctor to check you out." Rory curled up in a chair opposite her mother. "So, I take it that we are done for right now?"
"Yes, my muse has been distracted all morning, and every time I try to sketch anything I hear a long-suffering sigh come from your neck of the woods. For the sake of my clients, reputation, and the fall line, please tell me what's going on."
"Well, just for the sake of the fall line, it has to do with Junior."
"Duh. I kinda figured that out when I saw the stubble burn on your neck this morning."
"Okay—eww. From now on please don't notice things like that. But, back to my story…."
Tristan juggled the bag of bagels and cups of OJ while trying to open the front door of Vinyl. After almost dropping one of the cups, he gave up and started kicking the door, "Jess! Jess. Open Up!"
A few minutes later he heard, "God, you're as bad as a woman, I swear. Did you ever think to put the OJ down and then unlock the door?"
"Dude Did you ever think that if you keep running your mouth that you wouldn't be getting your bagel and OJ? Yeah, that's what I thought. Now let me in."
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Jess mumbled through a mouthful of bagel, "Do you think I can get your help next week? We are having that big sale, and I'll need all the extra help I can get."
"Should be no problem, but let me check my schedule," he grabbed his jacket to get his blackberry. "My phone isn't here, let me run and check in the car."
After not finding it in his car, he walked back inside. Think Tristan. When was the last time you had it? In the car trying to locate Rory's house…putting it in my pants pocket…walking inside her house, laying keys, wallet, phone on her…entry table!"
Jess looked up when the door opened, "So can you help?"
"Rory."
"What?"
"I think I left my blackberry at Rory's. It's not in my pocket or the car, and the last time I remember seeing it was at her house. Jess, if she turns it on, I'm so screwed. Forget about hurting her when I finally tell her I'm really the dreaded stockbroker of her nightmares. I'll be lucky if she ever talks to me again. I gotta get over there before she finds or opens it."
Tristan made it to Rory's house in record time. He knocked and waited for her to open the door. Glancing at his watch, he knocked again and peered through the windowpane, but he didn't see any sign of her or his blackberry. Resigned to his fate, he got back into his car.
"…And then he said he had to go. It was the most amazing night up to that point. I went into things figuring that my emotions wouldn't really get involved, and that it would be just a physical connection. But I don't think it's quite that simple. He is already showing me a side of myself I haven't really paid attention to. Mom, I went dancing at a salsa club. And we talked, really talked, about things that matter to me. It wasn't like those dates Dad tries to fix me up on. I know you would like him, just like I know Dad would hate him. All he would see is the bass player, non-blue-blood artistic guy."
"Ror, your dad just wants the best for you. Somewhere in his convoluted brain he got the notion that reliable, dependable, vanilla guys would be the perfect match for his baby. He didn't take into account that maybe you would want something hotter and spicier than a Wall Street drone. No daddy wants to think his little girl is out dancing and riding in fast cars with the next Matt Czuchry. Only loving mothers would wish that for their girls."
"Funny."
"Seriously. Your dad isn't the one with these guys at the end of the night. You're the only one responsible for your happiness. We can only wish for good things for you. So, what is it going to be? Hot and Spicy Junior or Vanilla Fred from Marketing?"
Not two seconds passed before Rory answered, "I'm craving something hot and spicy."
Throwing herself on top of Rory in a bone-crushing hug she exclaimed, "That's my girl!"
They spent the remainder of the day in the workroom, their laughter and shrieks of happiness filtering into the showroom.
"You've reached Tristan DuGrey. I'm unavailable at the moment. Please leave a brief message at the tone. Thank you and have a good day." BEEP.
Well at least he knew the phone was still off since it went straight to voicemail. Tristan glanced at his watch, noting it was five after eight. He had tried finding Rory all day, to no avail.
The sound of the phone ringing startled Tristan. "Hello?"
"Tristan, darling. How have you been? We missed you at brunch."
"Hi Mom. I've been good. Busy, but good. I'm sorry about brunch, but I had to meet Jess this morning."
"How is he doing? Good, I hope."
"Same as ever."
"I wanted to tell you about the new exhibit at the Met. They are celebrating the life and fashions of Chanel. Your father and I went to the exhibit premier. Oh, it was so wonderful."
"Really. Well, I'm glad you went. I haven't been by there, what with all of the construction, it's a nightmare."
"Well, I highly recommend that you brave it. So, the new job is working well?"
"Yeah. I really like it. I have a great assistant too."
"Oh really? Well I hope you keep appropriate lines at work. I've seen the way girls throw themselves at you."
Chuckling at her comment, he replied, "Yes, Mom. You have nothing to worry about. Lane is in a very serious relationship."
"Speaking of which, you my dear are not getting any younger. I would like grandchildren while I'm still young enough to be mistaken for their aunt. The Richmonds' have a lovely daughter. I met her at the Chanel exhibit and told her all about you."
"Stop right there. I will make nice to all of your friends. I will come to brunch at the club, but I draw the line at going on blind dates set up by my mother. And right now I'm interested in someone, and before you even ask, no you don't get to meet her until I decide it's time."
"Tristan, you will be the death of me, but if that's what you really want, I'll back off. For now. Come and visit us, it's been too long. Your father would say hello, but he is on a conference call."
"Okay, tell Dad hi for me. Bye, Mom."
"Bye, dear."
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"This is Rory. Leave a message, bye."
Where could she be? It's almost nine, and I still haven't heard from her.
Curled up on the sofa in an apartment across town sat Rory and her best friend Lane.
"Lane, I'm so glad you called the store. I have so much to tell you."
"Give me the details, but hold on one second. Turning, she shouted down the hall, "Dave, Rory and I want pizza, will you call for it? Love you! Okay, sorry about that, continue your story."
"Well, I met my fantasy man."
"Oh my God, where, when, how, who?"
"I think you forgot 'what.'"
Lane screeched and reprimanded her. "Rory, spill."
"Okay, okay. I met him at Vinyl on Saturday. His name is Junior. He is gorgeous and has messy blond hair and beautiful blue eyes. Body to die for. He has a devil-may-care attitude, but sometimes I see that there is so much more to him beyond first glance. He makes me feel…."Shivering, she grinned at Lane, "Sexy!"
"I can't believe it. Where was he? All I saw was the dark-haired guy."
"He was in the backroom unpacking stock."
"Now it makes sense. I thought it was weird that you disappeared, but you were with him, weren't you?"
"Yeah."
"So, when are you going out? Did you give him your number?"
She ducked her head to avoid Lane's laser-like gaze.
"OH MY GOD! You already went out didn't you?"
Rory nodded in the affirmative, still not meeting her gaze.
"There's more isn't there?"
Another nod of her head.
This caused Lane to jump off the couch and do a little victory dance.
Seeing what she was doing, Rory asked, "What are you celebrating for?"
"Rory Hayden. I know you like I know myself, and I know you got some from the hunky store worker. Didn't you? Try to deny it."
Rory burst out laughing, she nodded her head yes.
Lane squealed and they both fell on the couch laughing.
They sat watching TV and gossiping about Junior all evening. Dave retreated to the safety of the bedroom, leaving them to continue their bonding late into the night.
By the time Rory made it home, it was close to midnight. Placing her keys and purse on the entry table, she noticed that she still had Junior's blackberry. Oops. Oh well, she could always run by Vinyl during her lunch tomorrow and drop it off.
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