Blame it on the Stars (The Blame Game) (7 page)

She started to reply, but he cut her off.
“I can’t talk anymore right now. Please just buy the damn boots. I’ll see you tomorrow. Goodbye.” He hung up the phone, and looked over at Catlin. “What a buzz kill.” He sat up and threw his legs over the side of the bed, and forced a shudder. “Christ, I just want to take a shower.”

Catlin lay
back. “Are you sure?” She threw the covers off, exposing her naked body.

He stood up and raised an eyebrow at her.
“Well, I wouldn’t kick you out of the shower, if you found yourself in there.”

Smiling
, she scampered after him.

They spent the afternoon alternating between straightening the house up and kissing. The kissing finally won out, and the afternoon flew by.

When the doorbell rang at six, they were dressed again, and in the kitchen getting things ready.
They went to the door together.

“
Hey,” Jetta said, and looked around as she and Jim stepped into the big house.

Jim whistled.
“This is one big house.”

“
Come in, come in,” Steve brushed off their comments, and waved them toward the kitchen.

“
So how’s the weekend been going?” Jetta wheedled Catlin.

Jim looked around.
“Well, I don’t see any underwear hanging from the lamps, so it must not be too crazy.”

Steve and Catlin looked at each other quickly, and burst into laughter.

Catlin shoved Jim’s shoulder, and took the bag he was carrying. She led them in. “This is the greatest kitchen,” she told Jetta.

Jetta was looking all around
“This is the greatest house!”

They set everything down on the counter.
“Maybe we can give you the tour later,” Catlin told them.

Steve shook his head.
“I’m toured out. You show Jetta around, while Jim and I get the charcoal going.”

Jim nodded, and cracked
open the twelve-pack of beer he’d brought. He offered one to Steve, who took it and smiled. Jim waved at the girls as he followed Steve to the patio. “You two are on your own.”

“
Fine,” Catlin smirked, and stuck the beer in the fridge. “Want one?” she asked her friend, and Jetta hesitated.

“
Oh, sure, why not.”

They each took a bottle, and Catlin showed Jetta the rest of the house.
She was amazed and impressed, and when they got to Steve’s room she entered timidly. “So this is
it
, huh?”

“
Well, this is one of the places,” Catlin told her, and they burst into laughter. They went back to the kitchen and started getting dinner ready.

“
Now I have these pictures running through my mind.” Jetta shook her head.

“
Did I tell you,” Catlin asked “there’s a Jacuzzi in the backyard?”

“
Ohh!” Jetta was envious. “I love hot tubs. So romantic.”

Catlin squeezed her arms
“This whole weekend has been romantic. I could just move in here.”

Jetta was picking at the bread.
“And the children would be, where, off at boarding school?”

They laughed, and Catlin admitted
, “Reality sneaks up and bites me in the ass...”

Steve stuck his head in the door.
“I’m not
even
going to ask what you’re talking about. I’m just giving you one hour’s notice, if you want to put the potatoes on.”

“
Thank you.” Catlin smiled sweetly at him, and did just that.

Dinner was a success. Everything was cooked to perfection, and the friends had a lively conversation.

“They brought Pictionary,” Catlin told Steve.

H
e laughed. “Well, I’m game if everybody else is. But I want a good partner, because I can’t draw worth a shit.”

Catlin
ran one finger up his arm. “I think you and I make pretty good partners.”

Jim shook his head.
“We’re not talking about sex here, Cat. You and Jetta
have
to be partners.”

They were all laughing as he
reminded Steve, “I tell you, they cheat. The last time we played Monopoly, Cat was
giving
my wife money, not charging her rent and bullshit like that.”

Steve shook his head
. “That’s just disturbing.”

“
So if they
aren’t
partners,” Jim went on “they’re gonna help each other anyway.”

“
Okay.” Steve stood up and started clearing the table. “Ladies against the gents, then.”

They all pitched in, and the kitchen was soon back in shape.
Jetta got out the game, and they played several rounds of it. The ladies won every time, and of course, the men said they cheated.

Jetta got in the refrigerator and pulled out the last four beers.
“We didn’t cheat. You guys just drank too much beer.” She threw the cardboard box away.

Steve and Jim took their bottles into the family room.
“Is there such a thing as too much beer?” Jim asked him.

Steve chuckled and leaned back into
his chair. He kicked his feet up. “Damn right there is. I’ve got a few years on you, man. I reach my limit a little quicker these days.”

H
e pulled Catlin down on his lap. Jetta followed suit, and sat on Jim’s lap on the sofa. With music playing in the background, they talked quietly for a long time.

Jetta looked at the portraits of the kids on the wall.
“You do have beautiful children, Steve.” She looked at her husband, and nodded toward Steve and Catlin. “Can you imagine if those two had kids? They’d be little Greek Gods or something.”

“
I don’t think so.” Steve shook his head. “I’m too old for diaper changes and colic.”

“
Oh,” Catlin nuzzled his cheek and said in a little voice, “but babies smell so good!”

“
Not all the time!” he reminded her, and they laughed.

Jetta sighed, and leaned her head sideways against Jim
’s. “It’s just not fair.”

He jostled his knees, and tried to cheer her up.
“Give it time, baby. If it’s meant to be, it’ll happen.”

Steve asked quietly
, “How long have you been trying?”

“
Six months,” Jim answered. “I guess it’s time to get the old plumbing checked out. I should have done it sooner, but I really didn’t want to hear it might be me.”

Jetta looked at him
. “So you’d rather it was me?”

“
Well,” Jim hesitated. “Yeah, I would!”

They all chuckled softly, and Jetta replied
, “The waiting is just so tough.”

Catlin picked up a little pillow and tossed it at Jetta.
“Try not to think about it so much.”

Jetta tossed the pillow back.
“Easier said than done, I’m afraid.”

“
Okay, okay,” Jim scooted his wife off and stood up. “If you two are going to start throwing things, then it’s time for us to go. I won’t have you breaking something in this nice man’s house.”

They straightened the room up before the
Crafts left.

“
It’s been great.” Jetta kissed Steve on the cheek, and then Catlin. “Thank you for everything.”

Steve shook Jim
’s hand. “We had a great time, too. We’ll do this again, soon.”

“
Goodnight, folks. See you later.” Jim put his arm around his wife, and led her out.

Steve slipped his arm around Catlin, and they watched their friends drive off.

He shut and locked the front door, and turned to face her.

She slipped into his arms.
“This was so nice. Thank you, Steve. I’m so happy right now.”

“
Come upstairs with me.” He flipped off the lights, and they headed to the stairs in the darkness. “I bet I can make you happier.”

“
I don’t know if that’s possible.” Catlin held his hand, and they climbed the stairs. “But I’ll let you try.”

Chapter Six

T
he next morning, Catlin packed every trace of herself, and put her suitcases in the trunk of her car. “I’m ready to go, I guess,” she told him sadly. She wished she didn’t have to, but she couldn’t tell him that.

“
Don’t go yet. I’m going to be out of town all week, and I’ll miss you. I’m not sure what time the kids are coming home. Let’s find a movie, and we’ll make some popcorn.”

She looked down, then at him.
“But what if they do come home? I shouldn’t be here.”

He swung her hands back and forth.
“We’ll be
watching a movie
. No big deal.” He kissed her. “Stay with me. I want you to.”

“
Okay,” she agreed. They picked out ‘The Hangover’ from Steve’s movie collection, and made some popcorn. They sat on the sofa in the family room, and Catlin started to cheer up. They were about halfway through the movie when the front door opened, and they heard Dana call “Daddy? We’re home!”

Catlin jumped.
“Relax.” Steve touched her arm. “Stay here, I’ll be right back.”

He headed into the living room
.

She couldn
’t help herself, and peeked around the corner.

“
Hi!” Dana threw her arms around her father, and he hugged her. “I’m so glad to see you!”

“
Me too, kiddo. Hey Dave.” He smiled at both kids.

“
Hey Dad.” David gave Steve a little half hug, and pulled away quickly.

“
Have a good time?”

T
hey both nodded.

“
Your mom have anything to say?”

David
motioned to the foyer. “Ask her yourself.”

Steve cringed
, and looked around the corner. “Barbara, you’re still here.”

Barbara Naughton
gazed at her husband stiffly. “Of course. I wouldn’t drop them off without speaking to you. So, did you buy a new car already?” She looked out the foyer window at the Jaguar.

“
No. It belongs to a friend.”

Dana
must have just made the connection, and came to the doorway. “Catlin! Hi!”

“
Hi Dana.” Catlin smiled at her. “How was your weekend?”

“
It was great! Wait ‘till you see the new boots I got.” She started rummaging through her shopping bags.

Steve walked up behind her.
“It looks like you got a lot more than boots.”

Barbara stepped into the living room, and peered around the corner to see who Dana was talking to
.

Dana beamed.
“Yeah, isn’t it great?” She started pulling things out to show them.

David grabbed his backpack and his one shopping bag, and said
“I’m outta here. Thanks Mom. Love you.” He kissed Barbara on the cheek, and went up the stairs.

“
I love you too, sweetheart.” She watched him go, then turned to Catlin. “I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Barbara Naughton. Steve’s wife.”

Catlin
’s gut clenched. Wishing like hell she’d left earlier, she murmured, “Catlin McCall. Dana’s teacher.”

Barbara continued to stare
. “Her teacher, yet she calls you by your first name? Odd.”

Steve
cleared his throat. “Dana, why don’t you show your things to Miss McCall, while I see your mother out.”

“
Okay!” Dana said excitedly. “‘Bye Mom! See you next time.” She gave her mother a quick kiss, and then went back to Catlin.

“
Goodbye, dear.” Barbara told her daughter. “Miss McCall.”

Catlin nodded, and watched Barbara turn on her heels.

Steve whispered to Catlin, “One minute.” He followed Barbara into the living room, closing the French doors behind him.

Dana hopped up
“Ooh, he never shuts those doors! This could be good!” She went to the door and cracked it open a bit, just enough to hear her parents arguing.

“
Dana,” Catlin scolded. “That isn’t polite.”

“
Come on.” Dana waved her over. “They’re talking about you!”

Catlin slipped in next to Dana and eavesdropped on Steve and Barbara.

Barbara was screeching in a whisper “How old is she, nineteen? What could you be thinking, Steven? Obviously, you’re not thinking! Not with your brain, anyway—”

Steve
’s voice was angry but hushed. “This is not your concern anymore Barbara. You left me, remember? I wanted us all to move to Marshall, but you weren’t having any of it. Well, you chose your life, and I’m choosing mine.”

“
I was angry, Steven. I didn’t want to move to a small town. But I didn’t leave to split up our family, I just needed some time to think. I made a mistake.”

“
You sure as hell did,” he scoffed at her. “And the things you said to me on that last day will not soon be forgotten. You weren’t going away ‘to think’. You left me and our kids.”

“
No!” She was pleading with him now.

Catlin tried to step away, but Dana held on to her arm.
“Wait!” Dana whispered. They listened some more.

“
Barbara,” Steve’s voice was calmer now, but he spoke with steely resolve “You made your choice first. You knew what you were doing. So please don’t act so surprised that I’ve gone ahead with my life.”

She turned her back on him and said sarcastically
, “Well, every day comes with its own surprises, doesn’t it?”

He shook his head.
“What, New York didn’t work out for you? Is that what this is about?”

She turned back around.
“I didn’t want to go to New York by myself. I wanted to go with you.”

He laughed and shook his head incredulously.
“My life is in Kansas, Barbara. My company is here, my roots are here. Why would you think I would ever move to New York? You’re in fantasy-land again!”

Her face was streaked with tears. Catlin wanted to move away so badly, but couldn
’t. It was like a train wreck.

Barbara grabbed Steve
’s shirt. “I’m back now. I understand what you want....what you need. We could live in Kansas City. Or, if it’s what you really want, we could live in Marshall.”

Dana
apparently did not like this turn in the conversation. “Hmpff…” she snorted, and started to move. She lost her balance, and grabbed Catlin. Dana leaned in on the French doors, and pulled Catlin into the living room with her. They landed on the floor, just like a Stooges routine. But no one was laughing.

Steve looked at them,
his face registering surprise that they were eavesdropping.

Barbara turned away and wiped at her face.

Catlin and Dana scrambled to their feet. Catlin had never felt more embarrassed.

“
I’m sorry!” She mouthed to him, and pulled Dana back into the family room.

Steve gave them an angry look, and
firmly closed the glass doors between him and the girls.

Catlin ran her hand through her hair
“Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit.”

Dana laughed, and dropped into the sofa.
“That was priceless!”

They heard the front door close, and Catlin looked in fear at the
French doors. When Steve reopened them, he was not smiling.

He looked from one girl to the other and crossed his arms. He started with Dana
. “Are you proud of yourself?”

She shrugged cockily, and started to say something. Steve cut her off in the loudest, angriest voice Catlin had ever heard from him.

“Don’t
even
give me some smart-ass reply! What you saw in there was not pretty, and not intended for your eyes. I’m ashamed of you and very disappointed in you right now.”

Tears streamed down Dana
’s face.

“
Go to your room, and I’ll tell you when you can come out!”

Dana sobbed as she dashed up the stairs.

Catlin looked at Steve, surprised. “Well that was a little extreme, don’t you think?”

He turned his back on her, and clenched his fists. When he turned around again, he started in on Catlin.
“And you! Maybe you
are
as young as everyone keeps telling me! Don’t you know better than to listen in on conversations that don’t concern you?”

“
Hey now—” Catlin spoke up to defend herself, but Steve cut her off.

“
And I don’t need a smart-ass reply from you, either. How dare you encourage my daughter to spy on us?”

“
I did no such thing! I’ll admit I shouldn’t have been listening, but I never encouraged Dana to eavesdrop. She has a mind of her own in case you haven’t noticed.”

“Don’t try to blame this on her. Who’s the adult in the room, anyway?”

Catlin glanced around for her purse. “You’re right, only one adult in this room. I’m out of here.” She found her bag and grabbed it as she headed to the front door.

“
I’m not through with you!” Steve called after her.

She faced him one more time
. “What are you going to do, send me to my room?” She hurried out the front door and hopped in her car.

When she got home and pushed her garage door opener, she saw Steve
’s BMW. “Damn it!” She slapped her dash board, and parked on the street. “Well, he can just come and get it.” She closed the garage door, and dropped the opener in her pocket. She hauled her suitcases up to the front door, and went in.

She threw herself on her bed, but realized her pillow smelled like Steve.
For some reason that made her want to cry, but she wasn’t ready to cry yet. She was too angry.

Catlin unpacked and puttered around her house.
The phone rang three separate times, but she never answered it. Finally, two hours later, her doorbell rang. She peeked out and saw Steve on the steps. She opened the door, unsmiling.

“
Can I come in?” He asked quietly. He was not smiling either.

“
Not even if my hair was on fire,” she replied. “And you held the only bucket of water on Earth.”

He nodded.
“David dropped me off.”

She
stared at him.

“
I came to pick up my car.”

“
Well, duh.” She leaned against her door frame.

“
Catlin, I—”

She cut him off.
“I think I’ve heard just about enough out of you today. You’re on my turf now, and if you want your car, you’re going to listen to me for a minute.”

“
Well—” he started.

S
he jumped in again. “No! I’m talking now. Don’t you ever speak to me like you did today. I am not your child, and I won’t be spoken to in that tone.” She poked him in the chest with her finger. “If you want to fight, we’ll fight. I’ll go nose to nose with you. But cut out that condescending bullshit and I mean it.”

“
If you don’t want to be spoken to like a child, then maybe you shouldn’t act like a child.”

She shook her head.
“Are you serious? I don’t think I was acting like a child. Okay, I made a mistake. I knew better than to listen in. But I
did not
encourage Dana to do so. She fell into that room on purpose, by the way.”

Steve looked surprised, and Catlin continued.
“And
how dare you
tell me that your conversation was none of my business? We’ve been together for a month now. Haven’t you figured out that what affects you, affects me? I love you, and I’m tired of that feeling not being reciprocated.”

He said slowly
, “A month is not twenty-one years, Catlin.”

She looked at him angrily.
“It’s a good thing you’re going out of town this week, because you have some decisions to make. You have two women who want you, imagine that. But you have to make a choice, because I’m not waiting around forever. And if you choose twenty-one years...well, I’ll be pissed. But eventually I’ll get over it.” She poked him in the chest with her finger again. “But if you choose me, I expect you to mean it. No more screwing around with my heart. And when we get to that anniversary, we’re skipping from twenty to twenty-two. Because I never want to hear the words
twenty-one years
again.” She reached in her pocket and pulled out her garage door opener. She pressed the button, and the door went up. “Now get the fuck out of here.”

As s
he walked back into her house, Steve said, “Can I say one thing?”

“
No.” She closed the door in his face, and locked it.