17 - The Birthday Girl

When Marty had called her to meet him, Andy and the others at the Comet Club at nine o'clock that evening for drinks, the first thing that popped in her head was what had happened last time she'd been there. Rory seriously hoped that those events from almost two weeks ago didn't repeat themselves, because those few days of having to wait for Marty to contact her afterwards were hell.

"Hello?" Rory greeted, answering her cellphone that had been vibrating in her coat pocket.

"Hey, Kiddo," her mother greeted in a cautious tone, like she was afraid that Rory was going to fall apart again. "How are you doing?"

"I'm fine, Mom," she assured. "Though I am surprised by you not calling me at four o'clock this morning-"

"For the fabulous story of your birth," she finished, sighing in apology. "Sorry about that, Rory, but your brother has this terrible ear infection and I just kind of slept in because I was exhausted. Forgive me?"

"Well, since you did have a really good reason, I guess so," Rory said, then added in a louder voice due to the music blaring from the Comet Club half a block away. "I've gotta go now, but give Billy a kiss for me and I'll call you tomorrow, okay?"

"Why is it so loud all of a sudden?"

"I'm just coming up to the Comet Club for drinks with Andy and Marty," she answered, then winced at her slip up. She hadn't meant to mention either of them, knowing that her mother would bring up the post-Inaugural Ball phone call from last week.

"Is it a good idea for you to be hanging out with them?" Lorelai asked with concern. "Because you were pretty broken up last week."

"Look, Mom, last week was an abberation," Rory denied as she came to a stop, feeling a little guilty for lying to her mother. "I had a little too much to drink and I wasn't quite feeling like myself at the time. That's all."

"Rory..."

"Drop it, Mom," she pleaded.

"Fine, but only because it's your birthday," the older Gilmore relented, her tone telling the younger that she was not happy about it. "Just so you know though, we're far from done with this subject."

"Okay," she sighed, grateful for the reprieve. "Love you, good night."

"Love you, too, Babe," Lorelai replied. "Good night."

Rory let out a breath, closing her cellphone in relief and shoving it into her jacket pocket. She glanced ahead at the neon sign above the entrance, then took another breath to steady herself.

"Unto the breach," she muttered to herself, then pressed forward towards the club. Rory had just reached the front door when she felt somebody grab her by the elbow. She turned to find a familiar face looking back at her. "Oh, hey, Lexie."

"It's about time you got here," Lexie groused, tossing a cigarette onto the cement and stamping it out. "I was getting so fricking bored!"

Rory quirked an eyebrow in amusement. "Where's everybody else?"

"Inside," the band manager answered, adding with an annoyed sigh. "Marty's dipshit brother is here."

She quirked an eyebrow. "Not a fan?"

"The dude doesn't give up," Lexie groaned. "No matter how many times I tell him no, he just doesn't get the message. Even after telling him that I'm a lesbian, he still tries to get in my pants!"

"Really?" Rory giggled.

"Yeah, he says he's a cure for lesbianism," the other brunette cried, then looped her arm through Rory's. "Be my girfriend for the night?"

"Well, this has to be one of the weirder birthday presents I've ever received," she joked, wondering if Lexie was being serious.

"It was worth a try," Lexie sighed, leading her inside the club. "Just don't leave me alone with him, okay?"

"He's that bad?"

"Yeah, he is," Lexie groaned again, throwing her head back. "How a nice guy like Marty is brothers with that lech is beyond me!"

"Okay, now I'm getting a little worried," Rory said in mock concern.

"I bet this is payback for booking that interview this morning," she complained.

"Probably," the reporter agreed, trying really hard not to laugh.

The two young women stepped inside past a burly looking bouncer with linked arms until finally joining up with Marty, Andy and four guys at their table, none of whom Rory recognized.

"Hey, guys," Lexie greeted, pulling Rory forward to stand in front of the group. "Look who I found outside!"

"Oh, so this is the birthday girl," the guy sitting nearest Marty perked up, almost leering at Rory. "Daniel Harrison, at your service."

"Rory Gilmore," she introduced herself, feeling a little bit on the spot. She glanced back at Lexie, scowling slightly at the other girl for tossing her into the lion's den. The band manager shot an innocent smile at Rory. "Nice to finally meet you. I've heard so much about you. Or rather, I should say that I've been warned."

"Ooh, spunky," he grinned, rising from his seat.

"Shut up and sit down, Dan," Marty interjected, his posture telling Rory that his brother was already getting on his nerves. He turned to Rory, his expression apologetic, then gestured to the nearest open seat next to Andy.

"Hey, Andy," she greeted, sliding next to the blonde. "How are you?"

"I'm drunk," the singer stated with a slight giggle, quirking her head to the side. "And you?"

"Still sober," Rory replied, noticing how Dan was still making eyes at her. Oh, boy, Rory thought, resisting the urge to roll her eyes. He's starting to remind me of Colin. It's no wonder why Marty looks anything but thrilled about his brother being here. McCrae was probably the only guy he actually hated more than Logan.

"We'll have to do something about that now, won't we?" Andy declared, practically dragging a surprised Rory out of her chair towards the bar. "That means you, too, Keaton!"

"Yeah, yeah," Lexie grumbled, following after the pair.

Why do I get the feeling that I'm going to regret this? Rory wondered, suddenly flooded with a sense of dread.

Thanks for reading. Now drop a review then move along to the next chapter please.