(A/N: Keyboard is now fixed. Sorry about the delay.)
"Eeep!"
"It's still loading sunshine." I said calmly.
"Load faster!" She yelled, hopefully not at me.
"Excuse me?" I turned to face her.
She quickly looked apologetic. "Sorry, not talking to you, talking to the video."
I swung back around and smiled to myself.
At least she wants this to work.
This has to be a great moment for her. After literally months of work we finally have a product for her devoted fans that made her trend earlier this week to enjoy. They definitely deserve it.
"90%! Yay!" Cat celebrated.
"Patience sweetheart. It's going to take a few hours or even longer to start getting concrete results and feedback." I gingerly tried tamping down her expectations. I don't want her glued to the computer screen when we're supposed to be eating out and going to the movies tonight.
After all, it is Wednesday.
I love how we've fallen back into the same old routine. Eating out too much, sleeping together, her attached to my side by invisible Velcro…I love all of it. Even if it's just seeing her shampoo bottle in the trash and on the shopping list. It means she's back in the center of my universe, where she has always belonged.
"EEEEEEEEPPP!"
95%.
She is now practically jumping up and down now, hair twirled around her fingers. The only people that know are Jade, Tori, Andre and Beck. Cat's going to send out a celebratory tweet the moment it reaches 100% and the world will likely explode at the exact same mom—
"YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYYYYYYY!"
100%.
We're live.
Next thing I know Cat's typing furiously on her pearPhone, then tosses it onto the couch and jumps into my arms.
"Congrats sweetheart. I knew you could do it." I smiled at her, face buried in my chest.
She suddenly looked up and tears were falling silently.
Oh crap…what'd I say?
"Not always…"
Cat…
"Please don't bring that up today sweetie. Please. You just accomplished something great. Now let's go out and celebrate with everyone." I told her, pulling her back into my arms.
"Ok…I'm ready to show you what I've gotten done tomorrow ok?"
"Sounds like a plan. Just promise you'll have fun tonight?" I asked.
"Promise." She smiled, pecking me on the lips. I couldn't hold myself back from grabbing her and kissing her for real.
Then we fell back onto the couch, and then it was 5 o' clock.
"Oh man…" She mumbled, cheeks flushed.
"We've had too much fun." I smiled, causing her to smile.
"Knock Knock."
That's the door.
Cat hopped off me, gathered her shirt and sprinted upstairs at the speed of light.
I didn't even have time to stand before the door opened and Jade stood before me.
"Hey, forget to brush your hair?" She smirked, sitting right where Cat was not a minute earlier.
"Huh? It's messed up?" I played dumb.
Of course, Cat had her hands in my hair.
"Very messed up." She said, running her hands on top of my hair and making a move to kiss me. I put my hand up to stop her and she kissed my palm.
"What?" She asked after opening her eyes.
I pointed to the stairs, implying Cat.
"What?" She repeated.
"I'm trying to get her into a routine and trying to get her to relax. She's taking a shower and if she sees us she'll freak out."
"So?" She retorted.
I rolled my eyes. "She didn't like the idea of us last time it came up, and it's no different now."
"Does it matter?"
"Yeah! I'm not going to be part of the reason she goes back to Methodist!" I snap.
"You weren't the only reason she went you know. She said she was stressed about you yes, but also shopping, and her family, and other guys and—"
"Jade. I never told you why she left my house in the first place. She saw me with Laken. I never introduced the two of them and Laken said she never spoke to Cat. I think Cat somehow found out, and left my house right before she went to Methodist."
Jade looked slightly surprised and just sat there for a moment before…
"That's why she was freakishly muttering…"
"Laken." I finish for her.
"Did you ever consider telling any of the Methodist people—?"
"I did. I don't know if they did anything. And anyway, aren't you supposed to be making a move on Beck instead of kissing me?" I questioned, trying to sound upset.
"I—Uhh…yeah." She sputtered.
"Good. I don't want to get in the way of that ok? Beck and Jade is going to happen."
She blushed madly. "So…I can't kiss you anymore?"
"You can, but on the cheek."
She looked embarrassed, on the verge of being humiliated. "Ar—Are you mad at me or something? It's ok if you are, it's just…"
"Sudden?" I threw out there. I never had protested before now. And here I am calling an end to it.
"Yeah. But seriously, are you mad?" She asked, slowly regaining some of her color.
"No, I just don't want to twist you around anymore."
"But you aren't twisting me—"
"Then you're not going to twist and confuse yourself." I said simply.
She blinked a few times, then seemed to accept it. "Ok, I assume Cat is here?"
"Yeah." I said.
"Right here." Cat said, brushing her hair and now wearing a red shirt of mine and black shorts.
"Hey!" Jade perked up, turning and hugging her.
Cat turned and said something, but the door silently opened behind them. I barely saw it over the top of the banister of the stairs.
What the…
I started to get to my feet but Beck suddenly appeared in the kitchen, waving me down frantically.
Then I saw a flash of jeans and shoes that Andre would wear.
Suddenly Cat had her eyes closed and Jade was sitting right next to me.
"It's our surprise for her releasing her single." She whispered.
Next thing I heard Andre's voice start coming out of my speakers.
Suddenly I knew exactly what was going on.
They're performing for her.
Great idea. She loves it when the others perform. I can remember a few times off the top of my head when Andre and Tori performed, but not just Andre.
Where is—
"All of my attention baby, all of my extra time…There's nothing I wouldn't give you, if you were mine…"
Cat's eyes flew open and looked ecstatic.
This sounds incredible.
(A/N: Ok guys, tomorrow the new single "Countdown" is coming out on iTunes and the full preview is on AOL right now. The song is great, and is the one Andre and Tori are singing now. Hope you like it!)
Suddenly Andre stepped forward and lifted up Cat's chin and looked right at her.
"Oooooh, ooooh, oooooh….Ten: You're beautiful. Nine: You're amazing. Eight: You're contagious every time I look at you. Six: You're a star. Five: Who you are. Four, three: I know you want me, just know that I want you two. You're the one…you're the one…you're the one…"
I think Cat might faint.
This is quite a show.
Tori's doing quite a good job behind Andre, but this appears to be Andre's song. So she's just doing background vocals and dancing.
I like this little statement by Andre. He is the sixth wheel, but he never complains.
Plus this is REALLY good.
"Wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute, it's a countdown." Andre finished, standing over Cat with a scowl that quickly turned into a smile and she basically tackled him into a hug.
"That was amazing!" She yelled, as I smiled at Tori.
"I think she liked it." I told her as she hugged me.
"Hey, it's a big day. She deserves a good performance of her own." Tori smiled as Cat came and hugged her.
Beck and Jade had apparently struck up a conversation, leaving Andre to deal with me.
Fine by me.
"Dude." I smirked, pulling him into a hug.
"Haha! I thought you liked it. Your jaw dropped about halfway thru." He smiled.
"When'd you write that?"
"A while back. I couldn't think of a place to put it, and then Cat texted about Put Your Hearts Up and it hit me." He explained.
Cat turned to face us. "Can I have a copy of that?"
"The song?" Andre asked.
Cat nodded.
"Where's your computer?" He turned to me, pulling out a flash drive.
He's a genius.
"Follow me." Cat perked up, leading him to the office.
"He's so underrated." I mused, as everyone turned to me.
"Oh yeah." Beck smiled.
"You guys have plans for tonight?" Tori asked, poking my shoulder.
"Cat and I?"
"No, David Spade and me." Jade rolled her eyes.
"Uhh…"
How do I explain it without it sounding like a date?
"Cat wants to get away from the pressure of tonight and go see a movie."
Cue weird looks.
"Really now. Dinner?" Beck smirked.
"No idea. I just know about the movie."
"Ok. Thanks for telling us." Tori said.
"Were you going to invite us somewhere?" I tentatively asked.
"Yeah, Chinese or something. But we can do it tomorrow if you'd rather go with Cat." Tori told me.
I could feel their looks. I think if I looked up a dagger would be above my head.
"I'd rather go with Cat and eat out with you tomorrow if that's ok."
Jade didn't look surprised. "Cool. She'll be happy to just chill with you."
"Yeah, we're both so busy doing stuff we don't get to relax much."
Such a lie it's not even funny. Most of our days are TV and music, with make out breaks.
"Gotta keep her happy." Andre smiled, coming back into the room.
"Otherwise she might leave. And you don't want that…" Jade teased.
"Hey. She's not there mentally. I'm not thinking about…that." I snap.
"Bull—spit."
She doesn't swear around the others. But I don't really care.
And she just slipped up.
You could read the others surprise. Cat's eyes widened as she stepped back into the room, while Beck made a reproachful noise and Tori frowned.
"Anyway, thanks for having us Robbie." Andre smiled.
"Anytime, especially if you perform like that more." I joked, causing everyone to laugh.
Cat hugged him as he replied. "We'll see."
The others hugged her, and by the time Jade was done, she was blinking back tears.
"I'm gonna go change then we can go ok?" She croaked, hugging me.
"Sure. Congrats again." I kissed her hair.
"Thanks…and thanks for turning them down to hang out with me." She looked at me, adulation evident.
"Anytime for you. I don't get many dinner dates as you know…" I joked, causing her to swat my arm.
"Charmer…" She mumbled as she walked back upstairs.
I analyzed André's song while I was waiting, which has like 5 levels of tunes, and so many beats if I was being serious it would take like 2 weeks.
That's the nature of hip hop. It's not at all simple. Cat's has like 3 levels and complex beats, but it can be untangled and singled out.
Not with—
"I'm ready…" Cat whispered, kissing my neck.
She's got that perfume on again.
Distract yourself Robbie.
"Great." I turned to see her in a stunning pink dress that somehow could pass as a normal outfit. I odn't know how. I just know I love it.
She followed me out to my sports car and hopped in.
Then she messed up. Out came the cancer sticks.
Luckily, I was on the streets. Otherwise I would have stopped where I was.
She had rolled down the window and was about the light up when—
"If you do that I'm not kissing you all night." I snap. "You'll ruin that intoxicating perfume."
She turned to me, looking doubtful.
She thinks she can make me break on this.
Bad choice on her part.
"You won't."
She moved back to light up, but in one motion I grabbed it, rolled down my window and chucked it outside.
Leaving her speechless.
"Robbie!"
"Hey, I'm protecting my investment. You try it again and it's the lighter." I frowned.
"But—"
"We're here." I said, unbuckling and stepping out.
We were silent as the waitress seated us. We've wanted to come here for a while. It's a high class Chinese place.
"Robbie—"
"Caterina." I replied.
"I get that you don't like it, but you are being mean."
"Cat, you know why I hate it. And my biggest fear is losing you forever. I refuse to let you try to let my worst nightmare come true."
"But it's my choice." She retorted.
"Seriously, are you going to continue to fight me on this? The longer you go the longer this will linger. It's the only issue right now sweetheart." I reasoned.
"Yeah, but I should be able to do what I want."
"You understand why I don't want you to do it right?" I asked.
"Yeah."
"Then I'll leave it there." I said.
"Thanks Robbie." She said, grabbing my hand with her left under the table.
Wait…
What was that? On her hand?
No.
NO!
I quickly grabbed her hand and looked at it.
It's not a wedding ring.
She's not cheating. Thank god.
Wait…its familiar though.
I barely heard her giggle as I looked at it closer.
…
It's the promise ring.
I open my mouth to say something, but nothing comes.
She just giggled.
"Cat…"
"You like it?" She asked, holding it up to the light.
"I…"
Hello speechlessness.
"Are you capable of talking?" She poked my shoulder, smiling.
"I don't think I am."
She rolled her eyes. "Then I'll explain. I grabbed it the other night before we went to bed. I was nervous that I wasn't being fair to you."
"Cat, you're fine."
Suddenly the waitress came with our orders.
"Can we resume this after we eat? I'm hungry." Cat said.
"Sure."
We devoured the food, which was good. Not stellar, but passable. I'd come back.
At least the bill was manageable. $35 bucks for free refills, appetizer and two entrees. I'll take it.
We walked back to the car, my anticipation slowly building.
Why is she wearing that ring again?
Could it really mean what I hope it does?
I hopped in the driver's seat and moved to start the engine, but Cat plopped on top of me, blocking me.
"Can I finish?"
It's like a video game. She just pressed pause.
"Sure."
"I…I just want to be fair and not yank you around anymore. I hate hurting you. Especially when I'm starting to fix you." She explained.
"I'm fine Cat."
"You're getting there." She retorted.
"Whatever."
"Anyway…I'm making my commitment now. Which is why I'm wearing it. Last time I was uncomfortable with it because it was a "I'm taken" sign."
She stopped and smiled at me.
"Which now is the truth."
No way…
"What are you saying here Cat?" I asked nervously.
"Cut to the chase?"
I nodded. She smiled and put her head on my shoulder.
"Will you be my boyfriend please?" She whispered into my ear.
I couldn't hold in my smile as I pulled her in and kissed her. She quickly reciprocated, and I found myself grabbing her…where I now can, but she wasn't expecting it.
"Where'd you learn it was ok to grab me there?" She looked at me weird.
"Uhh…"
Stephanie is the answer, but I can't say that.
"Nowhere." I defensively said.
"Do it again." She growled as she kissed me again.
Every time I moved my hands she purred, and she eventually started going after my shirt.
Then she stopped.
"Let's go home. I want to relax with you. Plus I might just lose it and I can't have you at a movie." She gasped, head on my chest.
Let's just say I drove like a maniac home. Her in my lap all the way.