Cat let out a discrete yawn behind her hand, passing it off as scratching her nose.
"That's five." I quipped, prompting her to whack my arm.
"Why are you counting?" She asked, sounding affronted.
"Just cause."
I barely saw her roll her eyes as I passed another SUV. These people shouldn't be in the passing lane. I'm not even going 75.
"We need to go to bed earlier."
"Are you saying you don't want to go have dinner and a movie?" I jokingly asked, sounding disappointed.
"No! I do, I'm just tired." She said, punctuating it with another yawn.
"Everyone else is gonna think you were up till like 4 AM."
"Don't worry, I'll be fine. I'm so happy to see everyone."
"They've been worried about you, you know that."
"I know, being all the way in Seattle must have driven them nuts." She commented.
"They know what going on for the most part."
"How far back?"
"To last June."
Next thing I know she was pounding my arm, apparently trying to destroy it.
"Why? Why on EARTH would you tell them that? I'm not proud of that and neither are you and you know it! She yelled, continuing to hammer away at my arm.
"Ow! Cat! I know ok? But Freddie asked how we were. What was I supposed to do, lie?"
"Try saying we're fine thank you and leave it at that?" She suggested, moving down to hit my ribs.
"Cat! Stop hitting me or I'm gonna hit someone. Remember, this is your SUV!" I yelled, dodging someone who cut me off.
Finally she stopped.
"Thank you. And basically you're saying lie." I retort.
"But it's humiliating! How am I gonna look him in the face and say I'm fine?"
"Maybe you are fine. You seemed fine 5 minutes ago." I say simply.
"But—"
"And this morning." I jump in.
"But—"
"And at the movies."
"Fine! I'm better! I just don't like telling everyone ok?"
"I understand. Just know where I'm coming from." I asked of her.
"Ok. Sorry I raised my voice." She said, as I pulled into a deserted part of the airport parking lots as previously arranged.
"You sure you don't wanna change your mind?" I asked, as she climbed into my lap.
Again, this was all discussed beforehand.
"Yeah, I don't want to jump the gun and mess whatever this is up."
"You sound like me last time." I reclined my chair.
"Shut up." She said, pulling me into a kiss.
So let me explain. We've been kind of couple-y the last few days, the closeness, the touching, and yes, the occasional kiss. She has assumed my role of 'I don't want to mess it up' so we're not telling ANYONE. Not Tori, not Beck, Jade or Andre. No one knows and that is how it will stay for now.
And for now I'm drinking her in again, hands wrapped around her hips.
At last, we separated but she didn't move away, instead laying her head on my collarbone.
"I don't like lying to them." She pouted.
"But…" I know what's coming.
Then she meandered into the normal spiel until I kissed her again and cut her off.
When we separated she wasted no time in showing her appreciation my purring into my ear.
"I missed that I hope you know." I whispered, gently scratching her stomach over her shirt.
"Me too." She said, grabbing my hand and placing it under her shirt at the same spot.
Whoa.
"I love you. So much." I told her.
"Me too." She sounded close to tears.
"Hey, look at me." I asked, and she did as asked.
"I'm not going anywhere. I couldn't if I wanted to. You're got me under your little spell. I'm fine until you decide to take of the chains and let us start again. Ok?" I reassured her, as she started to cry on my shoulder.
"I feel so bad. I…I could have been doing this for a year. Instead, I…I don't know what happened."
"It doesn't matter. Now, one for the road?" I asked.
And she sure as hell gave me one for the road. The longest we've gone without kissing since the movie is sleeping 8 hours or so. When awake, 4. Now Cat and I will have to double that just to make it thru safely.
I suspect she'll crack at some point and pull me aside. I really don't care. As long as the end result ends in Cat and I back together, I don't care how it happens.
"Your hands are so nice." She giggled. I meandered a bit away from her ribs.
I felt myself start to go red and start pushing up the seat.
"Aww." She pouted.
"We gotta meet the others. I look ok?" I asked.
"Delectable. Me?"
I told the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
"Beautiful."
"Thanks…" She blushed as I proceeded to join humanity and parked next to cars.
She held my hand all the way. The plan is for her to tell the others, if they ask that 'All the people scare me, and if I hold his hand, I know I'm safe.'
Which is partly true. The only effect I can still notice is she hates lingering in one place with Hispanics. It sounds bad, but she's scared to death. The waiting room when she was waiting for her bandages to get taken off was apparently torture for her.
"Hey there." Tori smiled at me, as Cat and I emerged from security.
"Hi." Cat came and hugged her. I waved hello to Jade and Beck, who were in the midst of a discussion and didn't reply.
"Hey Cat. Why you guys holding hands?" Andre asked, hugging her.
Cat effortlessly supplied the reason, with Jade and Beck listening in about halfway thru.
"Well, you're safe now." Beck smiled, and she hugged him tightly.
"So what have you two been up to? You've been off the grid for a while." I asked Andre and Tori.
"Basically the studio." Tori said, and Andre nodded.
"Mix tape is next week." Andre smiled.
"No way! Congrats man!" I said, hugging him. "No wonder you disappeared!"
"Thanks."
"Now what's your excuse?" I smiled at Tori.
"Well, it takes a year or two to get the whole music thing off the ground, and we're about 9 months in. That good enough for ya?" She said in a New England accent.
"For now, yes. Can you try to hang around more?" Cat asked, sounding hopeful.
"Sure."
No need to ask Beck and Jade, and we couldn't if we wanted to. They're back into their conversation.
Luckily for them, Carly, Sam and Freddie's plane arrived at the gate.
"Think they'll be prepped for this weather?" Jade asked sarcastically.
I suspect Carly is, and I basically know Freddie will be. Now Sam…
She might have to go shopping.
"Probably not, but this isn't normal summer weather." Tori surmised.
"It's like winter again." Cat pouted. I discreetly started scratching her back.
"It's so depressing." I sigh.
"I agree, the sun is like a friend I haven't seen in a while." Andre frowned.
"I didn't sign up to go to San Francisco." Beck said, causing everyone to laugh. We went on a trip to San Francisco and it was the worst vacation ever. Beat even Yerba. It's like the Juarez of California. Complete joke to everyone outside there, but in San Fran, they think they're sooo cool!
"Cat, you aren't bouncing yet." Tori prodded, earning a reproachful look from Cat.
Looks like she's still nervous.
Freddie gave me the heads up that they will be close to first off, Carly splurged on first class tickets, mainly to avoid Sam's nagging.
Sure enough, within 5 people Carly, Sam and Freddie emerged. And they all descended on Cat like white on rice.
Freddie first, hugging her tightly then KISSING her, then Carly and Sam hugging her.
"Hey Robbie, what's up?" Freddie asked, snapping me out of my thoughts about yelling at him.
"Not much, how are you man?"
"I'm good. Tori." He smiled, and he soon was smiling and Sam had introduced herself to me again.
"Nice to see ya again kid." She smiled at me, ruffling my hair.
I barely saw Cat sidle next to me before Carly had me in a choke hold of a hug.
"Carly…Carly? Limited air supply." I breathed out, but she didn't hear me.
Then Cat literally rose to the occasion, getting on her tiptoes. "Carly. Ease up, he can't breathe."
"Oh sorry." She said, letting go of me and allowing me to gasp for oxygen.
The next few moments the others reacquainted themselves while Cat procured a water bottle from nowhere and gave it to me. Which actually made breathing a bit easier.
"Everyone ok over here?" Jade asked, looking at Cat and I. She came at a bad time because she was rubbing my back.
"Yeah, Carly gave him too tight a hug and I gave him the water to open his throat back up." Cat piped up.
"Where'd you learn that?" Tori asked, as the others glanced over.
"Methodist." Cat mumbled, looking shy.
"Ok…so baggage?" Sam asked.
"I vote we do what we do last time." Carly said.
"No! We've already been over this. Sam forced us into that and it wouldn't be fair to—"
"Sounds good to me." Cat smiled, effectively silencing him.
"Ok, see you back at Robbie's!" Sam said, dashing off with the others in tow.
"Well, I guess that leaves us." I said, voice raspy. Cat shoved the water bottle back into my hand, causing Freddie to smirk.
"Yep. Shall we?" he offered his arm to Cat.
"Let's." She smiled, and the two of them skipped off to baggage claim. It seems like the script is the same as last time, down to me grabbing all the bags and Cat warning me about my back on our way to the car.
"You want up front Cat?" Freddie asked.
"No, you can have it." She smiled at him.
We all piled in and I pulled into the line to pay for parking.
"So what now?" Freddie asked.
"Well…we know of a Mexican cantina type place that I think you would like. If you want Mexican food." Cat said tentatively.
"Sounds good, what's the name?"
I could feel Cat's smirk come on, and one glance in the mirror confirmed it.
"Chuy's. Robbie's known the owner since he was born basically."
"Really now? Does that mean we'll get a discount?" He joked.
"Actually, probably yeah." I said, awkward about the whole thing. Let's just say I got my money back yesterday and leave it at that.
"Ok then. To Chuy's." He smiled.
"TO CHUY"S!" Cat yelled as I pulled onto the highway.
"So, how's the music coming Cat?"
I briefly saw a vindictive look in the mirror before she placidly replied.
"It's ok. Just basics right now. What about Carly?"
"She's ok. Thinking about releasing another single."
Cat quickly went pale.
"But it's not close to being ready." Freddie rushed, seeing her face. "Sorry about IMG."
"It's ok. They're stupid."
Talk about a conversation killer. Silence for about 3 solid minutes, and in that time Cat slammed her knee into my back, causing me to bite down a swear word.
"So before we walk in, what would you advise me to order?" Freddie asked.
"We always get the nachos, but you can get anything, it's all good." Cat smiled.
"Then I assume you're getting the nachos." He smiled.
"Yep."
"Just in time, we're here." I smiled, killing the ignition. To absolutely no surprise at all David was lingering near the hostess table.
"Ah! So you brought a friend!" He jumped up upon seeing Cat and I. "David, nice to meet you."
Freddie shook his hand. "Freddie, thank you."
"So three?" He jokingly asked.
"Yep." Cat smiled, and he quickly guided us to a table.
"So let me guess, two nachos with lemonade for you two." He smiled at Cat and I, who were sitting on the same side of the booth. "What for you sir?"
"Same." Freddie smiled.
"That sure makes life simpler for all of us won't it?" He smiled, taking our menus.
We barely had time to think before Cat's ringtone blasted out, sounding like a jail alarm. Freddie and I jumped and Cat scrambled for it, mouthing "It's Methodist." To me.
"Damn. It's Methodist." I muttered while standing for Cat to escape.
Freddie's eyebrows were creased as Cat walked away.
"That the hospital?"
"Mental Hospital." I replied.
"I guess she hated it, judging by the alarm." He joked.
"I've never seen her hate a place more." I said candidly.
"You didn't mention you guys were back together." He smirked taking his lemonade from David, who looked thoroughly surprised.
"We're not." I jump.
"Doesn't look like it."
"She badgered you on your back, stood as close to you as last time, jumped back to you, played nurse when Carly tackled you, it sure seems like you guys are back together."
"We're still figuring it out." I admit.
"Makes sense, you were mad at her last time." He shrugged.
"Well, the game has changed a bit."
"That it has. For someone who went to a mental hospital she sure seems to have recovered nicely from her stint there plus this most recent disaster."
"She's the most resilient girl I know."
"So do you love her?"
…
"Hell yeah I do. She's the one holding back this time."
"Doesn't seem like it."
"It leaks out into her behavior." I admit.
"When do you think you'll have it figured it out?"
"No idea, I suspect soon though."
"It's nice seeing you so happy. When you were in Seattle it was unnerving to see you so frustrated."
"Was it really that bad?" I ask.
"Not bad, just scary. You were gonna get married, then you leave town to get away from her. That's a long way down."
"Ok, looks like I beat her back." David smiled. "Here you guys go, enjoy."
"Thanks David." I smiled.
"Of course. Anytime."
"Does he usually pile it on like this?" Freddie asked.
"No, but I'm not surprised, you are visiting and he wants a good review." I joked. It's David being a good guy and that's final.
"Usually they cheat you on something. Now I have too much." He shook his head.
"Sorry…they wanted to try to convince me to come back there for my mental health." Cat grumbled, climbing over me and causing Freddie to smirk.
Damn his intuition.
"Sounds unnecessary." Freddie said.
"It is."
"No way in hell I'm going." Cat spouted off, causing Freddie to look surprised. Yeah, it takes some getting used to.
As always, the nachos were amazing.
Then David came by for the ticket.
"Looks like you kids enjoyed it."
"Yes, delicioso." Freddie smiled.
"What do I owe you?" I asked.
"What do you think?" He smirked.
"Dude." I snapped. I don't want him to cover me like this again. I can pay and happily will. All this has to be cutting into his bottom line.
"What?"
"C'mere…" I stood and started outside.
"David seriously man. I can handle this." I said the moment the door shut.
"But I want to handle this. Look at your receipt." He told me.
$12.50 for each nacho. Not bad.
"So?"
He pointed to his menu above the hostess station.
$15.50.
Son of a bitch.
"So you're giving me a discount before I even pay? Why?"
"Simple. I love both you and Cat. I specifically markup stuff extra so I can make my money."
"Like?"
"Margaritas. They're cheap and easy to bilk people on."
"Good point. But seriously, I can pay." I snap.
"But I'm going to. I always handle your ticket personally. This isn't cutting into my bottom line. I could let you guys kick it on the patio with a margarita each and not hurt myself. Don't worry and let me handle it."
"You would card us." I say.
"Card what? They invented taxis for a reason. Plus it might get the slap status changed."
God, what a manipulator. I love him, but man…
"That's coming." I say defensively.
"Good. We good?" He asked.
"Fine." I admit defeat.
"Great, mind if I finally come to your new place and try out a new recipe? My treat."
"You haven't seen my place?" I yelp. I swear I've invited him over.
"Nope."
"What's the recipe?"
"A twist on soft tacos and chicken enchiladas. I'll even let you buy the ingredients to make you feel better." He ribbed me.
"Sounds good."
"I'll call and we'll set something up ok?"
"Ok David." I hugged him.
"Finally, you listen." He smirked.
I walk back inside, wondering to myself how he beat me so handily.
"So?" Freddie asked.
"He won. And told me next time to have a margarita to chill out."
"He didn't." Cat snapped.
"He did, and offered to give you one too."
"Not if your parents eat with us." She immediately replied.
"Don't put it past him." I sighed.
Freddie simply laughed. "I like this guy."
He could see, but David burst into a smile when he said that.