Will You Play for Me

Tristan Trilogy - Story I

CHAPTER 34

Tristan walked into the plane hangar behind the rest of the girls. Tables with centerpieces and long white cloths had been placed around the room. A mini-photo shoot was in progress across the hangar and Tristan spotted Kevin posing with the other guys. There must have been a hundred people milling around, most of them unknown to her, so she stood for a few minutes by the door, just taking in the view.

Kevin saw her standing by the door. He left the group and walked towards her but she didn't see him coming. He saw that her hair was down and she'd let it air dry so it was thick and wavy. He hoped that she would never cut it. The black satin top she wore was cut low enough to see the top of her breasts and her tight skirt clung to her hips. With the light behind her, he could see her bare legs through the skirt. Her stance caused her thighs to separate and he could see the sunlight between her legs. The familiar pink polish was on her toes and she wore heels. High heels. Very high heels. Little Kev wanted to play.

"Tris!", Kevin called to her.

She ran into his arms, hanging on for dear life. He smelled so good, felt so good.

"What do you have there, Tris?", he asked her, holding out her hand.

"Oh, I forgot...I need you to carry something for me, Kevin. I don't have my purse..Just put these in your pocket. I'll get them later, okay?"

She shoved something into his pocket and turned to greet one of the label execs who tapped her on the shoulder. Kevin ambled over to the bar to get them a drink, but stopped by a wall curious about the cargo she had asked him to carry. He glanced towards Tristan who was laughing with the exec and fished around in his pocket. He felt some kind of material. Probably a handkerchief or something... pulled it out and held it up. Damn! Kevin found himself eye to crotch with a small pair of red lace panties. He held them higher, oblivious to any witnesses, taking the waistband between his thumbs and forefingers. The lace was very sheer - you could see right through it and the legs were cut very high, almost meeting the waistband. He saw a little white rosebud centered in the middle of the band. Damn, damn, damn....

Kevin looked at Tristan, or rather, Tristan's rear end as she chatted with the exec who had been joined by his wife. He watched as the wife dropped her napkin and Tristan bent over to retrieve it. He couldn't take his eyes away. He was still holding the red panties in the air when AJ came his way.

"Hey, Kev. Nice drawers! Think I could get some in my size?"

Snapping back to reality, Kevin looked at AJ and then back to Tristan and finally to the panties he was holding up for display. He quickly balled them up and stuck them back in his pocket. AJ hooted at Kevin's embarrassment.

"Shut up, J!" Kevin growled and started to walk back to Tristan. He had the sudden urge to dance. Dance up close.

AJ called to him as he walked away. "Kev? You gonna get the matching bra?"

Kevin kept walking, but put his hand behind his back in a fist, lifting the middle finger.

AJ laughed again as a group of well wishers blocked his view.

Kevin excused himself and pulled Tristan from her conversation.

"Tris, why are your panties in my pocket?", he whispered.

"Silly! I can't wear panties under this skirt!"

"Well, what are you wearing under - there?", Kevin asked, glancing towards her crotch.

Tristan just smiled provocatively as music started to play. "Wanna dance, Kevin?"

She reached up and put her arms around his shoulders. His arms bent around her waist, but within seconds his hands were on her backside, investigating.

"Damn, baby...why are you doing this to me now?"

"I didn't do this on purpose. I just took them off in the limo."

"Shit..." His hands started to move up and down her rear end.

"Kevin - Jesus! It's not that dark in here! Are you going to feel me up in front of everybody?" Tristan made a move to back up, but Kevin held on, pulling her back to him.

"You're teasing me..." he accused.

"I'm not! Honestly!"

The music stopped and Mike asked everyone to find a seat so the speakers could begin and a light supper could be served. They found a table and sat, Kevin moving his chair over until it touched Tristan's. The endless platitudes began while waiters delivered small plates of food.

Kevin's hand went to Tristan's knee underneath the long cloth. She glanced at him and saw that he was looking around the room, smiling and nodding, like he wasn't connected to the hand she now felt traveling up her thigh.

"Kevin!", she whispered to him. "Stop!...Now!"

He looked at her, smiled and then looked away, his hand still moving.

Tristan looked around their table. Howie and his date sat to one side of her. Brian and Leighanne sat next to Kevin. Luckily, they had turned in their seats, looking towards the long winded speaker. She put her arm down and slid her own hand under the cloth, latching onto Kevin's fingers, trying to stop him.. His hand didn't budge. She looked to him again and saw that he was watching her, amused.. She shot him her most evil look and he just grinned, patted her thigh and continued upwards. Tristan was starting to get a little warm. Kevin's hand slowly brushed the inside of her thigh and she leaned on one elbow, her mouth in her hand, trying her damnedest to look casual. She could hear Kevin and Brian chatting away like nothing unusual was happening. She was going crazy and they were talking baseball!

She decided to try to stop him again, this time using her nails on his wrist, scratching him. She heard him say, "Just a minute, Brian." and then he leaned to her and whispered in her ear.

"Tris, baby. Don't do that now. It's not going to stop anything." His finger moved up. "Why don't you just try to enjoy this a little? I thought you liked me to touch you like this." The ends of his fingers brushed against her folds and she whimpered quietly.

"Kevin,", she panted into his ear, "I don't like this here - in front of a hundred people!"

"Oh baby...", he continued to whisper , "I think you do like it. You feel like you like it." His finger slid up the length of her, spreading her dampness.

"Jesus, Kevin."

To others at the gathering, they looked like the typical couple about to be seperated for a time - sitting close, holding hands under the table, whispering, embracing. It was touching - literally.

Kevin used his free hand to bring her face up to his. "Tris, I'm going to be inside you one way or another before I have to get on that plane in an hour. This way will have to do, darlin'."

With those words, he leaned in to kiss her and two of his fingers slid home. Her moans were muffled by his lips and tongue. She tried to keep her hips from moving while his fingers continued to work their magic. Tristan had to lean her face into Kevin's shoulder in order to maintain any control, while Kevin stroked her neck with his free hand. Howie turned to look at them and shook his head, sorry that Tristan was so upset about Kevin leaving.

Brian had been looking at them, too. Poor Tris! Crying on Kevin's shoulder like that. She's just trembling.....Kevin should be more supportive. He shouldn't be grinning at her right now! What's the matter with him?!

Kevin flicked at her tiny bud and when he felt her start to spasm around his fingers, he moved his head to kiss her deeply again. After a minute or two, he removed his fingers from her and sat her back up in the chair. He brought his hand out from under the table and brought those same fingers to his lips, where he rubbed some phantom itch.

Tristan couldn't believe what had just happened. She glanced around the table, dazed. No one seemed to be noticing them. Everything was normal.

"Come on, Tris." Kevin took her hand. "Let's have a dance before I have to go."

She gazed at him, still numb and he smiled at her, wiggling his eyebrows and leading her to the floor. A slow song had begun. Kevin took her in his arms, putting his face in her hair.

"Kevin, I swear, if you ever do that to me again, I'll have to kill you." She spoke into his shoulder.

"Then you'd better make sure you're always wearing panties around me, hon."

"I told you - I had to take them off!"

Kevin chuckled into her hair. "Believe me, baby, I'm not complaining!"

Then he pushed her back and looked into her face. His expression had become serious."My only regret is that I had to make do with my fingers." He pulled her back to him and whispered in her ear. "Damn, Tris! You're so tight and hot! Don't you know what that does to me?" Then, as if to demonstrate, he pulled her hips against him so she could feel his hardness for herself.

"Oh Kevin......"

"It's okay, hon. I just hope Little Kev goes back to sleep before the photographers start again. I don't think I'm ready to update my hard-on portfolio", he laughed.

They only had a half hour left.

*******

It had gotten dark now and Nick went outside to get away from the crowd. There would be nothing but crowds for the next two months. The tarmac was empty and seemed to stretch forever. He relished the space - to a degree. He couldn't escape the irony that he, the supposed heart throb of the Backstreet Boys, was alone - again. It seemed like everyone he knew was one half of a couple. He thought it would be awfully nice to have someone special in his life even though he had't had much luck in that department. The girls that he'd had any involvement with in the past had turned out to be users. All but one. Holly didn't need his fame to shine. She was happy with herself. She made no unreasonable demands, didn't try to test him or play games with his feelings. Holly was a woman, not a girl. She seemed to accept him fully for who and what he was.

Nick was confused about his feelings towards her, though. They got along so well. They could be silly and playful together without embarrassment or be serious and nurturing to each other. He smiled to himself thinking about the day he showed her his shark tattoo. She had laughed and rolled down her sock to show him the dolphin on her ankle. It was kismet.

He felt that his feelings for Holly had grown beyond friendship and this frightened him on two levels. He didn't want to be hurt again and he didn't want to lose what they had. Well, he wouldn't have to deal with it for quite a while now.

"Nick!"

Nick turned towards the voice and saw a cab pulling away. In the light of the receding tail lights was the shadow of a figure he recognized right away.

"Holly! Is that you?"

The figure had disappeared, but he heard steps running towards him. Suddenly, two arms went up around his neck and vanilla scented curls filled his face.

"Nick!...Damn, I was afraid I'd be too late!"

"Holly?" Nick's arms went around her back and pulled her closer. An hour ago they were good friends, but this was no "friendly" embrace. "Holly, I didn't think you'd be able to come. I'm so glad you made it, baby! I wanted to......"

"Shut up, Nick."

"What?"

"You have to leave in ten minutes. I've been going crazy all day wondering if I should even try to get to Orlando. I knew I was gonna miss the hell out of you when you left, but I was determined to be cool about it. Then I decided that if I was gonna miss the hell out of you, then you needed to know that because I needed to know that you knew it!" Holly tried to catch her breath.

"What?"

"Didn't you hear what I said?" Holly was becoming frustrated.

"Yeah, I think I did."

Nick leaned to Holly's face and found her lips. They opened immediately and their tongues began to battle for space in each other's mouth. Neither of them had to think about what they were doing because their bodies were doing the thinking for them. That was one of the great benefits of a game free relationship. Holly pulled back gasping for air.

"Jesus, Nick! Where did that come from?"

"Are you trying to tell me that I didn't hear you right, Hol?"

"No, but...."

"Listen, Holly. Since you had the...the....Well, shit, the only word I can think of is "balls". If you had the balls to get yourself to Orlando just so you could tell me that you really cared about me - had feelings for me, then I guess I've got the....the...balls to tell you where that kiss came from. Damn, girl! I'm pretty sure it came from my heart. Do I sound like an ass?"

Holly's response was wordless. She pulled his head towards her and, running her fingers through the blond silk on his head, began to kiss his eyes, cheeks and, finally, his lips.

"Does that answer your question at all?"

"Dammit, Hol, I just feel like, over the past few weeks - I don't know - You've just kind of become a piece of me or something..."

"Nick, are you calling me a piece of ass?"

"No way, baby!"

Nick! Where the hell are you?" Mike was rounding everyone up for the big send off.

Nick put his arm around Holly and they started walking towards the hangar.

"Nick?", Holly stopped him. "Do you have a Walk-man?"

"Sure. I always carry one with me."

"Good! Here, I got you something. A tape of the Vivaldi concert. Remember?"

"Sure I remember. I remember I didn't get to see you thrust!"

"Very funny....."

"Are you playing on the tape?"

"Me and about eighty other musicians.", she chuckled.

"Thanks, Hol." Nick leaned down to kiss her sweetly on the lips.

"Maybe if you're a good boy, Nick, you'll get to see me thrust!"

The carts were lined up outside to transport the photographers and the guys to the plane. This is where the good-byes would end. Kevin took Tristan in his arms one more time, breathing in the scent of her hair.

"Be careful, Kevin.", she choked. "Don't forget to check your e-mail!" Tristan tried very hard to smile.

"I love you, Tris. I'll see you soon, baby." Kevin kissed her deeply and then turned, picked up his bag and left.

The photographers got the pictures and the guys boarded the plane for Belgium. It would be a long overnight flight and everyone was already tired and lovesick. Kevin looked across the aisle at Nick. He was listening to his Walk-Man, already dozing. The case in his lap was titled "Atlanta Plays Vivaldi". Kevin shook his head, smiling and pulled out his Walk-Man and tape of Tristan playing their private piece by Handel. Reaching into his pocket to get a lollipop, his hand rediscovered the triangle of red lace.

CHAPTER 35

Kevin had only been gone for a few days and Tristan was already going crazy. She couldn't seem to keep herself busy enough. She remembered a time when days used to fly by but now they dragged on forever. She checked the internet for concert reviews and watched MTV every day. She e-mailed Kevin at least once a day, but felt that her notes to him must seem pretty mundane with all the excitement surrounding them in Europe. She had nothing much to report. She was still working with the Orlando Symphony and had run the orchestra through rehearsals, doing the conducting herself, when the maestro was otherwise occupied. That was her big news. She still couldn't play piano worth a damn, so she spent a lot of time with domestic endeavors. She planted a few herbs, refined some new recipes and cleaned the oven - real bone chilling stuff. It could hardly be compared to performing before fifty thousand screaming fans. He was Kevin Backstreet now.

Holly had come home with her after the party. She was glad to have the company but on that night they had both wanted to be alone. When Holly had to leave, Tristan found that she was both lonely and jealous. She had nowhere to go. A month ago she had received an invitation to attend a gala being held by the Richmond Symphony, not as a performer but as a guest. Tristan had disregarded the invitation at the time when her life was more than full but now as she reread the card she reconsidered attending. She decided to go and mailed her RSVP.

Kevin was glad that she had made some plans for herself. He didn't want her to feel bored. That caused resentment, especially among girlfriends. They imagined all of the guys out on the town having fun, fun, fun every day. Photographers were always present when they left the hotel for any reason, but never caught them when they were bored restless or lonely. Kevin had brought out the camisole and panties almost every night. It was sweet torture for him to do this. He always thought of Mellencamp's song. "Hurts So Good" when he felt the soft satin of the camisole and smelled the faint scent of honeysuckle. The panties, however, were another matter. Their muskiness and overt sexual tones drove his crazy to the point where he'd thought about throwing them away, but he always changed his mind and threw them back into his bag.

Tristan would sometimes apologize for her notes, calling them boring, but to Kevin they were soothing pieces of home. He loved the excitement of touring and performing, but he knew it wasn't real life, just a temporary high. It would never bring permanent peace.

******

Tristan arrived at the gala alone and walked through the John Marshall Hotel where it was being held and where she was staying. She was a little nervous about this, but she soon realized that she needn't have been. She knew many people there. She was talking in a circle of friends when a familiar voice called out behind her.

"At long last, fate reunites us!", the voice called dramatically.

Tristan spun around to find herself face to face with Asa Whitmore, a former teacher, colleague and friend.

"Asa! God, I don't believe this!" She threw her arms around him and he whirled her in a circle.

"My lovely Tristan returns to her roots, I see!", Asa laughed.

They hadn't seen each other in over two years. Asa had been a part time instructional assistant at Julliard when they first met. He was a violinist and working with a small chamber music ensemble at the time. She had accompanied him as a student and as a result, they had spent much time together. Later, he had moved to Baltimore and spent his time in first chair with the Maryland State Orchestra. Tristan had read somewhere not long ago that he was moving to Miami where he had accepted the position as assistant conductor. This was fairly extraordinary for a man of thirty years.

"Congratulations on your new job! Have you moved, yet?" Tristan had a thousand questions for him. He had been a good friend.

"Yes, I moved in two weeks ago. It's sure different than Baltimore!"

"Well...Tell me what you think!"

"I think I need to learn to speak Spanish!", he laughed. "Where are you, Tristan? You disappeared on me."

Tristan grew silent. "I stopped playing a couple of years ago, Asa. Just couldn't seem to do it anymore."

"But you're playing now, right Tristan? God, I'd love to hear you again."

"I've played some in the last six months, Asa, but I had a wrist injury. It may be a permanent kind of problem." She looked away into the crowd.

"Oh, Trissy....you'll get past this."

"Trissy?", she chuckled. "I haven't heard that in a long time, Ace."

"Ace?" He burst out laughing. "Damn, I'd forgotten about that! I remember I liked it! Okay, no more Asa tonight. from here on out I'm "Ace" - just for you!"

They laughed and chatted for the entire evening and even shared a few dances. When the gala had ended, Asa took Tristan out for a late supper and then returned her to her room at the John Marshall. They agreed to meet the next day before Tristan had to catch her flight back to Orlando.

"Give me your address, Trissy. And tell me you'll come see me in Miami!"

"I don't get there often, Asa, but I would love to see you conduct."

"I'd love to see you doing some directing, Tristan. Maybe you could work with us this summer. We're already getting ready for the Christmas season and you know what that means..."

"Messiah!", they said in unison and laughed.

"You got it!", Asa smiled. "Seriously, Trissy. No one knows Handel or harmonies better than you do. This project will be my baby. I could use your input on the choral work."

"Call me when you get started, Asa. I'll see what I can do."

They enjoyed a quiet lunch together and continued to play catch up before Tristan had to leave for Orlando.

********

Mike almost fainted from sheer delight when he found the copy of a tabloid someone had put on his desk. Their intention had been one of helping him keep on top of news items that even remotely concerned the Backstreet Boys. There was a Post-It note attached to the front of the paper saying, "See page 4 - Isn't that Kevin Richardson's girlfriend?"

Mike flipped to page four to find a half page devoted to Asa Whitmore, the heart throb of the classical world, dancing, eating and engaged in intimate conversation with one Tristan Mallory. The article went on to describe the gala and, more importantly, the attractive celebrity couple of the evening - Asa and Tristan. The writer had done a little research and commented on their history, making it sound like they were long lost lovers. They certainly looked happy in the pictures. Mike was especially pleased with the picture of Tristan throwing her arms around Mr. Whitmore.

Ah,....the angels of fate had thrown this right into his lap and he had't had anything to do with it! Mike was leaving for Europe that very afternoon! To think, he had come so close to missing this golden opportunity. He stopped to buy extra copies of the tabloid on his way to the airport. Damn! This was better than sex!

******

Leighanne, Amanda and Holly had all called Tristan at different times to tell her about the tabloid story. She had picked up a copy herself and was amazed at the extensive coverage of such a minor event. Nothing in the story had been false, exactly, but it was misleading and the pictures didn't help. She had known that photographs had been taken at the gala, but she didn't realize that she and Asa had been the subject of any of them.

****

Mike had brought his copies of the tabloid to Europe on the same day that it had been published in the U.S. He never mentioned that he had conveniently left a copy in the guys dressing room. It happened to be opened to page four, but he was considerate enough to leave it during their show so it wouldn't be discovered until after they had finished their performance.

AJ spotted the paper first. He didn't read the article. He had just noticed pictures of Tristan at some party. Any implications from the pictures failed to reach his brain before his mouth.

"Look, man - it's Tris!" he said, waving the paper in front of a sweaty and tired Kevin.

"Let me see...", Kevin smiled, straightening the pages before he picked it up to read.

Nick, Howie and Brian had gathered around the page, too and the four of them caught the insinuations at one time. Kevin lowered the page and they all watched his face.

"What the fuck!......"

"Hey guys, great show, as usual!" Mike entered the room to see AJ standing to one side of the others. Mike had hoped that he would able to witness some of the fallout from this. By the look on Kevin's face, his wish was about to come true.

"Uh....hi Mike.", Brian answered.

"What's so fascinating in the paper?" Mike bent over the page which now hung at Kevin's waist. "Hey, is that our Tris?" Mike took the page and began to read it.

"Oh, no! Damn Kevin, do you know this guy?" Mike sounded so shocked, so sympathetic.

"No."

"Tris never mentioned this...this...Asa Whitmore?", Mike asked looking at the article, pretending not to know Asa's name.

"No."

Those two syllables were all the comment Kevin had to make about the pictures and article. He snatched the paper back from Mike and headed back to the hotel alone. He had a call to make and he didn't give a God damn what time it was in Florida.

Tristan ran to dig her ringing cell phone out of her purse. She had heard it when she got out of the shower and didn't know how long it had been ringing. She unfolded it and held it to her ear.

"Hello?", she answered trying to pat her shoulder dry.

"Where the fuck were you?"

"Kevin? Hi, sweetheart. God, it's so good to hear your...."

"Didn't I tell you to keep the phone with you all the time?", he shouted into the phone.

"I was in the shower! What's wrong with you? Has something happened?"

"Getting all cleaned up to go out on the town tonight, Tris? Maybe to another gala?"

"No! Kevin, what's happened?" Tristan was worried. Kevin sounded so angry.

"Who the hell is this John Tesh look alike, Asa Whitmore, Tristan?"

Tristan paused to process their conversation. He was mad. He's asked if she was going out. Now he was asking about Asa. He'd seen the tabloid.

"Tristan?", Kevin yelled into the phone. " Are you there?"

"Yes, Kevin. How do you know about Asa?"

"What, is he some kind of God damned secret or something?"

Tristan laughed into the phone in an effort to make Asa sound unimportant.

"No, of course not. He's an old friend, that's all. You must have seen the pictures. It was all innocent, Kevin, believe me."

"They didn't look all that innocent, Tristan. God damn it, haven't you learned to watch yourself in public places? He was all over you and you looked like you were liking it!"

"Listen, Kevin. There was nothing to watch myself for!"

"I'm not going to talk about this on a cell phone, Tris."

"You called me, remember? I'll tell you all about Asa when I see you day after tomorrow, Okay?"

"Oh boy! I can't wait!" Kevin's sarcasm was heavy and it hurt Tristan's feelings.

"I'll just stay here if you like, Kevin."

"Do you want to stay?" He sounded surprised at her comment but he was still mad.

"No. I want to be with you so bad. I miss you, Kevin."

This seemed to calm him down a bit. He didn't speak right away, but his breathing had slowed.

"You're gonna come, aren't you Tris?"

"Yes. I'll be there, but we need to get this thing straight. I don't want it hanging between us. We'll discuss my relationship with Ace when I get there."

Kevin paused and she could hear his breathing pick up again. "Ace?"

Tristan wished she hadn't let that slip. The edge was back in his voice.

"It's just an old nickname. Silly, really."

Kevin became caustic. "Ace - like in number one or hot-shot? Or maybe...expert?

How about "ace in the hole" Oh, I like that one...." Kevin was boiling again. "Does he have some little pet name he calls you? How about "sweet cheeks" or maybe "nookie mama"? Maybe he's just partial to "pussy"!"

"Kevin, what the hell are you..."

"Listen to me, Tristan!", he screamed. "I want you ass over here right now! No more bullshit! Call the airport and get a flight. Then you call me back and tell me when!"

"If "ass" is all you want, Kevin, I'm sure you can find plenty of it right where you are!. Stop being such a jerk about this. It's nothing!"

"Get over here now, Tristan.", he demanded

"I'll see you on Friday, as planned, Kevin."

She slammed down the phone.

CHAPTER 36

God damn, she hung up on me! Kevin stared at the phone as if it were some foreign object. He dialed her right back but she didn't pick up. He let it ring seventeen times before he gave up, vowing to give her an hour to cool off before trying again. Kevin grabbed a shirt and headed for the hotel bar.

Mike was already at a back table in the bar, having himself a little celebratory drink. When he saw Kevin come in and take a stool at the bar, he decided to go fishing.

"Hey, Kev!" Mike slapped Kevin on the back and took the stool next to him. "How's it hanging, man?"

"Straight down, Mike." Kevin signaled to the bartender. "Double bourbon!"

"We can fix that for you, 'ya know." Mike winked and took a sip of his scotch.

Kevin hadn't really been paying attention. "Fix what?", he asked.

Mike chuckled. "We can turn "straight down"; into "straight up"; if you want, Kevin. I mean, damn, you look down in the dumps. A nice piece of ass would do you good."

Kevin winced a little at Mike's choice of words recalling his conversation with Tristan."Not interested." The bartender brought Kevin his drink.

"Oh, that's right. When is Tris getting over here?"

Kevin looked at Mike coolly, narrowing his eyes.

"Tristan's not a piece of ass, Mike."

Mike caught the look and a shiver ran up his back. He thought he'd better cover himself - quickly.

"Of course not, Kevin! I would never consider her that! You misunderstood!"

"I hope I did." Kevin's hard stare continued for several seconds before he turned back to his drink.

"I know you're glad she's not sitting around moping while you're gone." Mike thought he'd do a little gardening - plant a seed or two.

"Tristan can keep herself busy. She's got friends."

"Yeah, she's a lucky woman. It's hard to keep old friends close sometimes. I'm sure you know what I mean." Mike took another sip of his scotch. He could tell by the look on Kevin's face that he had hit his target. "What did she have to say about that Richmond trip? Did she have chance to get home?"

"If you mean "White Fences" - no, she didn't make it there. Her home is with me, Mike." Kevin finished his drink and called for another.

"Of course.", Mike nodded. He sounds like a fucking cave man. Tristan will probably get herself a whole new set of black and blue souvenirs when she sees him again, especially after those pictures. "Exactly who was that guy in the pictures? Someone she's known for awhile?"

"An old friend.", Kevin answered and took a swallow. The bourbon felt good going down his throat. "Violinist, conductor, something..."

"Oh yeah...Whitmore...., I've heard of him."

"You have?" Kevin was suddenly interested.

"Yeah, I know a guy who works for the company that manages him.", Mike lied. "Whitmore's doing very well for himself and quite the "catch" from what I understand."

"Catch?" Kevin sipped again and turned towards Mike.

Gotcha! "Yeah, very genteel type, sophisticated, classy, ambitious. You know, the type that goes after what he wants."

"And what does your friend say he wants?"

Mike smiled at Kevin. "What every man wants, I guess. The ideal woman. He told my friend that he would like a woman who was successful and respected professionally. Personally he hopes to find a woman who is musical, talented, kind, generous and, of course, beautiful." Mike laughed.

Kevin finished his second drink. A woman like Tristan...

"He's asking for a lot." Kevin commented.

"Yeah, he'll get it though. He's the type. Maybe you'll get to meet him - I hear he's a real nice guy."

Kevin bristled. "Why would I ever meet him? We don't exactly travel in the same circles, Mike."

Mike shrugged, still keeping a careful eye on Kevin. "Asa Whitmore and Tristan Mallory travel in the same circles, though, so you'll probably meet him eventually. Especially since he just moved to Miami."

"What?"

"Yeah, just took a great step, career wise. He's with the Miami Symphony now. Hell, he'll probably be conductor before the year is up."

Kevin got up off his stool and reached into his pocket to pay the bill.

"No! Let me get it, Kev. Business expense. You'll end up paying anyway!" Mike laughed.

Kevin simply nodded and headed towards the elevators, slightly unsteady. When he got back to his room, he picked up the cell and dialed again. Still no answer.

"FUCK!" Kevin screamed at the phone and threw it against the wall. It cracked in half and fell to the floor - dead.

**********

Tristan listened as the phone rang on and on. She just couldn't bring herself to answer it. She had missed him so badly and when he finally found the time to call, he acted like an ass. She wanted to talk to him face to face and would have to wait a couple of days. Maybe things would cool off by then.

Tristan spent Thursday packing and running errands. She still refused to answer the phone which proved to be a problem because she never really knew who was calling. At least the house phone had caller ID so she could screen calls. By mid morning on Thursday, the cell had stopped it's incessant ringing, but then the house phone started. Tristan didn't answer any calls that were ID'd by overseas numbers. She wouldn't talk to him again until she could see him. She couldn't see his eyes or read his face over the phone lines. She couldn't touch him through a receiver. They would both have to wait.

She checked her e-mail Thursday night and found twenty-six messages, nine of which were from Kevin. If they had been sweet messages or had even hinted at regret over the words he had spoken to her, she would have contacted him. They were, for the most part, demanding and angry. How could he not trust her? He was the only man she had ever been with and the only one she wanted to be with. Tristan felt in her heart that Kevin loved her, but she longed to hear him say it.

Tristan flew to Europe on Friday, but she had never let Kevin know when she would be arriving. When she got to the hotel there were six hours left before their show was scheduled to begin which meant there were only four hours until they had to be at the venue. She got off the elevator and nodded to the two security people in the hallway. They knew her and let her pass. Brian was leaving his room and saw her coming towards him.

"Tris!", he called out and hugged her. "I can't begin to tell you how happy I am to see you here!"

She smiled in spite of her nervousness. "Why?", she laughed.

"Because my cousin is nuts! He acts like he could eat glass three times a day! Jeez, he has been a royal pain - see if you can put a Band-Aid on it. All of us would be in your debt." Brian bowed dramatically.

"I'll see what I can do.", she replied in a serious tone. Brian knew for sure then that there had been some trouble. "What room, Brian?"

Brian pointed to a door down the hall and Tristan headed that way.

Kevin hadn't even dressed yet. He didn't feel like going out and hadn't met the rest of the guys for breakfast. He wasn't in the mood for small talk. He had tried to call again today using Brian's phone again since his was now permanently out of commission. Still, there had been no answer. He had managed to catch himself before he destroyed Brian's phone as well. Tristan was suppose to arrive sometime today. He didn't know when. At this point, he didn't even know if. Kevin swore to himself that if she didn't show, he'd get his own ass on a plane and find out what the hell was going on. The pace and energy required for this tour was mind boggling. He didn't need the added pressure of personal problems. By the time he went to answer the knock at the door, he was worked up again.

"Hi, Kevin."

Kevin's mouth hung open in shock. He hadn't expected Tristan to be standing behind the door. She had on a raincoat and high heeled shoes. There were water droplets on the coat. Kevin hadn't even been aware of the weather. He didn't know how to react to her. A large part of him wanted to jump her right there - no ceremony, no dance. But there was that other part that was angry and hurt about her mysterious relationship with another man.

"Tristan.....". He greeted her quietly, evenly, standing in the doorway.

"Well? Can I come in, Kevin?"

Kevin stepped back and opened the door to let her pass. It was quiet for a moment while they appraised each other.

"Is there something wrong with the phone lines in Florida, Tris?" Kevin fired the first volley, complete with sarcasm.

"No, Kevin. I just didn't feel like being screamed at."

"Did you get my e-mails?" He spoke in low tones, determined to stay calm.

"Yes."

"And you've forgotten how to use a God damned computer?" His voice was getting louder.

"I wanted to talk to you face to face, Kevin. I didn't want to do this over the phone or computer."

Kevin felt a chill and his voice dropped again. "Do what, Tris?"

"I wanted to talk to you about Asa and me in person."

Kevin felt his stomach knot. "I thought there was no "Asa and you"..." Kevin swallowed a large lump.

"Sit down, Kevin."

"I don't want to sit, Tristan."

"Fine."

She began to pace and wring her hands trying to figure out how to start her story. Kevin watched her pace back and forth. His throat was dry. he felt like he would like to sit but pride kept him standing.

Tristan stopped to look at him and then started her story.

"Asa and I met at Julliard. He was an assistant instructor. We worked together some, got along well and went out for a couple of years....."

"A couple of years?", Kevin shouted.

"Let me finish, Kevin!", she shouted back and continued. "By the time I finished school, Ace was already established, career wise....."

"Ace..." Kevin repeated the nickname with a sneer.

"Kevin!"

"Sorry. Go on. I'm absolutely enthralled by this." He rolled his eyes.

"Do you want me to get this out on the table or not?"

"By all means, Tris." he made a sarcastic sweeping motion with his hand.

"He was established, I was getting started. We ran into each other professionally from time to time and we would go out. That's about it, Kevin. The end."

"That's it? I don't think that's it, Tristan. What about this?" Kevin grabbed the tabloid off the table and threw it across the room. Tristan watched the pages separate and float down to the floor.

"That was a chance encounter. That's all it was. We caught up on each other's lives." Tristan was getting tired of defending herself. She looked to Kevin for some acknowledgement and understanding.

"Did you fuck him, Tris?", Kevin asked evenly.

"What did you ask me?", she whispered, so shocked she could barely speak.

"Did you fuck him?"

She felt like Kevin had slapped her across the face and she became angry.

"Do you mean like you fuck me, Kevin?" Kevin's face hardened. "Tristan, I've never fucked you in my life and you know it."

Tristan's eyes filled up, but she was determined not to cry. She blinked several times and then looked Kevin in the face as they stood across the room from each other.

"Kevin when Asa and I went out back then, we went out as friends, nothing more. I would think that you would know and believe that more than anyone else."

Kevin looked at the floor remembering New Years Eve. That was the first time she had ever been made love to. He had no doubts about it then, and he had none now.

Tristan continued."...and as far as the Richmond meeting - all I can tell you is that it was strictly friendly. I am not now, nor have I ever been interested in Asa that way. He's a nice man and a good friend, but that's as far as it goes." She wiped a tear away with her finger. "I love you Kevin and I don't want anyone but you, but if you can't trust me, then we have nothing."

She looked at him with a wide eyed innocence, awaiting his response to her declaration. That look melted his heart. She wasn't as naive as she used to be, but the purity of her heart hadn't changed. Kevin was more in love with her at that moment than he would have thought possible.

"I trust you, Tris....I just saw those pictures...you were so far away. I went a little crazy. I can't stand the thought of anyone touching you. You're so damn far away...and I miss you....."

"You never have to be jealous, Kevin."

He looked at the floor. "I know that, baby,"

"Do you love me?"

Kevin looked up at her from across the room and whispered, "God, yes Tristan." The he smiled. "It may be the death of me, but I love you."

He started to come towards her but she held up her hand to stop his movement. She untied and unbuttoned the raincoat and slid it off her shoulders. She was totally naked underneath the coat except for a pair of lace top thigh high stockings and her high heels.

"Show me, Kevin."

Tristan Trilogy - Story I

"Will You Play for Me?" is a work of fiction.
The characters and events portrayed are fictitious.
Any resemblance to real people or events is purely coincidental.

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Fiction by Grace