Chapter Seven: Wrong

'I was born with the wrong sign

In the wrong house

In the wrong ascendancy.

I took the wrong road

That led to the wrong tendencies.

I was in the wrong place at the wrong time

For the wrong reason and the wrong rhyme

On the wrong day of the wrong week...'

Wrong – Lyrics by Depeche Mode

"So, Harry," Jason started that evening at dinner. "How was your flight?"

"Horrible," Harry stated, taking a bite of pasta. "I hope that future dinners have more meat and less wine."

Jason bit his tongue.

"Harry, I'm hoping that you aren't here for many future dinners," Carly said, not trying to hide the bitterness in her voice. Taking a drink of wine prevented her from saying what was really on her mind.

"That depends on how long it takes to go through that paperwork, Charlotte. Did you receive the papers I sent you last week?"

"I did. I really wish you would learn to email or send your documents digitally." Carly drew in a deep breath. "It would make these things a lot easier."

"Well, when someone learns how to bless the digital airwaves, I will continue to use good old-fashioned paper," Harry smiled, taking a drink of his water.

Jason grabbed Carly's hand to keep her from going across the table at Harry.

"Speaking of blessing," Harry continued. "Why are there no crucifixes, or images of the Christ, or a bible, Charlotte? There was no bible in my nightstand."

Carly pinched the bridge of her nose.

"I will place one there as soon as I find one," Carly took a drink of her wine. "Besides, don't you have your own Bible?"

"Yes, Charlotte, but that's not the point. You should have a bible in every room. How you survived in Father's household, is beyond me." Harry shook his head.

"That's because your mother brainwashed my father with a bible and a goddamned cult! I don't claim you as much as you claim me as family. I also know that as soon as we can get this business with the paperwork done, I don't have to see you again. We are only putting up with you because I know you are the only one that knows how to decipher that damned paperwork! Now, if you all will excuse me," she paused and took a large drink of her wine, grabbing the bottle and tucking it close to her chest. "I am going to our room to relax. We will start on that paperwork when I am in a better mood."

Carly turned and stormed out of the dining room.

Jason pursed his lips, trying not to say anything.

"Well, then," Harry said, throwing his napkin on his plate and pushing it away. He stood and smoothed his shirt. "I will retire as well. Good night Jason. God bless."

"Yeah, g'night, Harry," Jason mumbled into his wine glass. He finished the wine that was in his glass in one drink and placed his head in his hands and moaned.

He knew better than to chase after Carly – she needed time to decompress. He would only make things worse by going to her her and coddling her; he knew this from experience. Their marriage had never been perfect. Carly almost didn't move to Chicago with Jason, but he talked her into concentrating on themselves as a couple and not how they are around other couples.

Which was probably the reason they got along with Brad and Julie and why the past Saturday evening went so well. They were an easygoing couple and funny to boot and made Jason and Carly feel at ease the whole time. No pressure, and if something wasn't working for either couple they let each other know

Jason stood and grabbed the plates and walked into the kitchen, setting the dishes in the sink, and grabbing another bottle of wine. Pouring a glass, he chuckled, thinking about his self-control now, compared to that in college. In college he probably would have decked Harry. Now, he bit his tongue and hoped Carly wasn't going to reach across and hit Harry, herself.

Sighing, his thoughts wandered back to Saturday night's activities, the way everyone was shy at first. Brad surprised everyone, however, by kissing Carly on her most sensitive spot, the nape of her neck. Jason loved watching her shiver under Brads soft touches and lingering kisses. Julie wasn't quite as responsive, but Jason was turned on by the fact that she was watching Brad and Carly just as closely as he was. He whispered that she should join them and her breath hitched as a barely audible moan escaped her throat. Sliding off the couch like a cat hunting it's prey, Julie crawled over to Carly and started kissing her thighs, peeling off her new panties and throwing them at Brad-

Jason's phone signaled an email that tore him out of his reverie. Drawing in a sharp breath, he pulled out his phone and checked the email, surprised that the company was emailing him so late to tell him they wanted him as part of their PR team. He danced a small celebration dance and finished the wine in his glass. Jason cleaned the kitchen, threw the dishes in the dishwasher and ran upstairs to join his wife.

He found Carly in their garden tub, suds up to her chin, listening to 80's songs on her iPod, judging by the way her head was bobbing. The tub faced a large picture window that showed an incredible view of the ocean; the sun was setting below a bank of clouds that had formed earlier that evening. Oranges and pinks and reds reflected off the ocean surface, casting the room in a calm serene light.

Jason walked up to the side of the tub and knelt, resting his chin on the lip.

Carly opened one eye and looked over at him, giggling.

"You look like a lost puppy," she said, kissing him on the nose. She gestured to her iPod and he paused the song. "Your nose is even cold and wet."

Jason smiled and she watched as the corners of his eyes crinkled.

"Would you take me home?"

"I would bring you home if you were a baby skunk."

"But, baby skunks are cute?"

"And stinky!" She reminded him as she plopped bubbles on his nose. They laughed as he kissed her, resting his hand on her stomach.

"I've received two large bids on my resume tonight," he said when he pulled away from the kissed. Carly almost brought him in for a hug, but was reminded of where she was at at the last second.

"Jason, that's wonderful!" Her hazel eyes eyes lit up when she was genuinely happy and they suddenly reminded him of someone else's hazel eyes...he mentally shook himself.

"Who's bidding?"

"The Los Angeles Symphony Orchestra and the LA Museum of Modern Art," he said with a big grin on his face.

"Jason," Carly said, reverence filling her voice. "Those are two huge fine arts establishments. I guess that Art History minor was useful!"

"Hush you," he laughed and kissed her again, this time deeper as his hand edged up toward her breast.

Humming her approval, she pulled away, her eyes hooded and full of heat as she touched his cheek.

"I love you." Her look turned mischievous. "Let me get rinsed off and we can have a proper shag!"

XxXxXxX

"Carly," Adrian said a couple days later, walking into the office she had set aside for Carly. "Did you mean to sign and date these before putting them in my in-box?"

Adrian set the handful of papers down beside Carly's laptop as she looked over at them. Putting her hand to her forehead, she let out a heavy sigh.

"Oh, shoot!" Carly exclaimed, grabbing the documents and thumbing through them. "Well, I remember signing some documents. Obviously, these weren't the ones."

She paused to read, grabbing a pen as she did.

"I'm sorry."

"You know, Carly, normally I try to mind my own business," Adrian said, crossing her arms. "But I can't help but notice you seem...a bit distracted this past week. Is everything alright?"

"What?" Carly said, looking up from the papers. "I'm sorry Adrian. I never bring my home life to work, but, I am going over paper work with my step-brother and he tests every limit I have."

She finished signing the paperwork and handed it over to Adrian.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Adrian placed a warm hand on Carly's.

Carly smiled.

"Thank you Adrian. I may take you up on that offer soon. Jason does, however have some time for the two of us tonight. I'm not sure how he managed it, but he said he has a surprise for me when I get home from work. I am looking forward to it."

"Good, I'm glad," Adrian started out of Carly's office and paused at the doorway. "I meant what I said about talking. You have my number. If we are going to work with each other, we might as well get to know each other."

"You're very sweet, thank you," Carly couldn't help but smile again.

Adrian returned the smile as she turned to leave.

XxXxXxX

"Jason!" Carly called, entering her house later that afternoon. She hung her bag and coat on the hooks in the tiny mudroom that separated the garage and kitchen. "I managed to get off early today."

Throwing her keys on the island as she entered the kitchen, she walked around to the wine fridge and picked out a bottle.

"Huh, looks like we need to replenish our stash," she said to herself as she looked for the bottle opener. "Maybe that's where Jason is."

"Oh, howdy ma'am," the strong southern accent caught her off guard, almost dropping the wine. "Don't drop that. That's one expensive bottle of wine."

The voice belonged to a round gentleman wearing a cream colored cowboy hat with a thin, brown leather band that encircled it. His blazer was tan and the white dress short he wore underneath was adorned with pearl snaps. His jeans strained under his large, rotund belly and the boots were scuffed and looked like they had been polished one too many times.

"Jason!" Carly called again, this time louder with a touch of panic.

"Oh, ma'am," the large gentleman took off his hat and held out his puffy hand. "Jason went to the store to pick up some things."

"Oh, that must have been you, Charlotte, making such a racket," Harry walked into the kitchen, a bit breathless and Carly furrowed her brow at him. He was in stark contrast to the round man; Harry was tall and gangly with long arms and a big nose. Carly held a hand to her mouth to stifle the giggle that was bubbling up in her throat. Harry continued: "Charlotte, this is my Lawyer, Cornelius Jones. Jones, this is my step-sister, Charlotte."

Carly looked up from opening the wine bottle and narrowed her eyes at Harry.

"Lawyer? You never said anything about Lawyers?"

"Charlotte, may I call you Charlotte?" Jones started. Carly turned her narrowed gaze on him. She didn't like the way her name sounded in his thick Texas drawl.

Jones continued.

"It's always wise to have any sort of legal presence when discussing matters involving estates of the deceased."

The only Lawyers that Carly knew were Miles and Phoenix.

"And you are being rude, Charlotte, shake the mans hand," Harry snapped.

"No, really it's fine, Harry, she-"

"Hey!" Jason said to Carly as he entered the mudroom. The angle he was standing, prevented him from seeing the other two in the kitchen. "You're home early."

"Yes, good afternoon, Jason," Harry stepped forward.

Jason looked knowingly at his wife. "I texted you Carly,"

Carly poured herself a glass of wine during the interaction. She was taking a drink as she pulled out her phone and saw three missed texts: two from Jason and one from Miles.

"Thank you, Jason," she said deleting the texts from Jason. The text from Miles was a question about the paperwork. She placed it in her saved texts folder. "Can you gentlemen excuse us for a minute? I'd like to speak to my husband alone."

Jones and Harry left the room, mumbling something about how women shouldn't talk to men in such a manner. Carly stuck out her tongue at them.

"I made reservations at Brodies Steakhouse for these two gentlemen," Jason grinned, stepping over to his wife and kissing her on the temple. Carly opened her mouth to say something, but Jason placed a finger over her pouty lips. "I arranged for a driver to pick them up. He should be here within the hour. So, we should have most of the evening to ourselves!"

"Jason, I-" He cut her off with a quick kiss.

"I'm also making your favorite dinner," he winked, pulling the ingredients for grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup out of the bag.

"Jason, this is amazing,"

"Just like you," Jason turned and grabbed his wife and pulled her to him, kissing her passionately. Her arms wrapped around his waist as she hummed her approval.

A deep clearing of the throat startled them as they parted.

"We wanted to let you know that the car is here and we are leaving for the evening," Harry said, pushing up his glasses. "I trust that you will be in bed when we get home, so I will say my salutations now."

Harry nodded at them as Jones tipped his hat.

"Thank you Jason. I hope this steakhouse is as good as you say," the round man said before leaving the room.

"Do you think they are secret lovers?" Jason said, taking a drink of wine.

Carly shuddered at the image.

"HA!" She barked as she gathered her laptop bag and purse. "As amusing as that would be, Harry hates the gay community with a passion."

"Hmm...Can't wait to introduce them to Miles and Phoenix," Jason laughed.

Carly shook her head.

"That's why I love you, Jason," she said as she turned to walk out of the kitchen.

"I thought it was for my good looks and hard body?"

"That helps!" She laughed. "I'm going to change and put this stuff away and I'll be back down to enjoy dinner and each other."