He strolled over to her and put a hand on her arm. “I'm here to take you out to Bernie's for a beer. I heard about the journal showing up, and I thought you might want to get out of here for a while and talk.”
“Who told you?” She turned her head and glared at Shauna.
Her hands went up in fake surrender. “I swear it wasn't me. I've been here.”
Seth put a finger on her chin and turned her face back toward him. “I ran into your uncle when I was packing up for the day. He's pretty worried about you.”
“Figures.” Cat glanced at the clock and considered her schedule for the next day. She didn't have retreat duties, the group was on their own, but she'd planned to spend the day with her manuscript. A job better done without a hangover.
“We won't be out late.” Seth seemed to read her mind. “I'll have Cinderella back in her bed before midnight.”
The almost-innocent words had a touch of illicit promise to her. Not that they were there yet, but Cat felt like time had just rewound and she was with the boy she'd loved in high school.
“You should go,” said Shauna. “I'll just close up the kitchen and be off to bed. All the guests, except that Sara girl, are already in their rooms. I'll leave a light on and she should be able to find her way if she decides to sleep here.” Shauna turned toward the desk to put the booking notebook away.
“You're sure you'll be okay here?” Cat didn't add the word alone, since her friend wouldn't technically be by herself; it just felt like she was skipping out on work.
“Nothing is going to happen tonight. We've already had our mandatory weird thing of the day. You can deal with tomorrow's surprise event when you get back.”
Cat looked down at her jeans and T-shirt. “Should I change?”
“For Bernie's? Wearing that will look like you dressed up for a date night.” He placed his hand on her back and led her toward the door. “Your chariot awaits, my dear.”
“If I don't come back, tell Uncle Pete that Seth kidnapped me,” Cat called over her shoulder.
Seth nuzzled his lips near her ear. “As fun as that sounds, we will have to play that game some other time. Tonight, we're only getting a couple beers.” He ducked as she swung her hand upward to swat him away. Laughing, he moved around her and trotted to his truck that he'd parked in the driveway. Opening the door, he bowed low. “My lady.”
“You're a dork, you know that.” Cat scooted into the dark interior. She peeked inside the glove box, and found the owner's manual, the insurance card, a current registration, and a roll of wintergreen Lifesavers. She unwrapped one and popped it in her mouth. As he settled on the driver's seat, she held the roll out for him. “Want one?”
“How'd you know they'd be there?” Seth took a candy then handed the roll back to her.
She smiled at the memory. “You always kept a roll or two in your truck. When all the other kids were sneaking cigarettes, you kept the candy company in business with your purchases.”
He started the engine and shrugged. “You remember Jake? Well, Jake stole a pack of Marlboros off his old man the summer before eighth grade. We went down to the creek and smoked the whole pack. I was never so sick. I think Mom knew what had happened, but she never asked. She bought me a few rolls of those. But it didn't stop me from taking up the habit as a teen.”
“You never told me that.” Cat turned in the seat, watching as the glow of the dashboard lights made his face stand out in the darkness of the truck.
“When I stopped again, Mom bought me one of those oversized packages that must have held fifty rolls. You know, the kind that you get at the warehouse stores. Every month for a year, she'd drop a package off at my house. Finally, I told her to stop. But it helped with the cravings.” He rubbed the top of her hand with his thumb. “And I always have minty fresh breath.”
“Your mom is a smart woman.” She looked at their entwined hands, wondering where this evening was heading. “Look, I don't know . . .”
“Hush. I don't want to talk about the future. Or about us.” He shot her a guarded look. “Tonight, I want to have a couple beers, watch you drink a few, and catch up on where we've been for the last five years. I've missed talking to you.”
“All you want to do is talk?” She couldn't hide the surprise in her voice.
He turned the truck into the parking lot and after finding an empty spot near the back, turned the engine off. “You doubt my sincerity?”
“You're holding my hand.” She couldn't see him in the dark of the truck now. The parking lot didn't have many lights and he'd parked away from all of them.
“I like holding your hand.” He brought it toward him and kissed her fingertips. “Let's go have a few beers and pretend like we like each other.”
As she waited for him to walk around and open her door, she realized she wouldn't have to pretend. No matter how long she tried to talk herself out of the emotions, she still had feelings for her high school crush.
Chapter 11
Smoke rolled out of the bar as soon as Seth opened the front door. That smell, mixed with years of spilt beer, hit Cat and instantly took her back to when this had been their Friday night hangout. Saturdays were movie night, but Fridays they'd come here to meet up with friends. The guys would play pool, and she and the girls would talk about what they were going to do with the rest of their lives. Most of her friends talked about wedding plans, but she talked about going to school and hopefully, someday, writing a book that would be sold in real, live bookstores.
She let Seth guide her to the tables in the gameroom area. As she sat, he stood over her. “Still drink Bud Light?”
She nodded and he disappeared to the bar. A female bartender came over and took his order, apparently surprised when he ordered two beers; she looked over her shoulder at Cat. The look wasn't mean or spiteful, only curious. Seth came back with the longnecks and sat one in front of her. He laid a roll of quarters on the table then sat across from her.
“We're going to need quarters?” She took a pull off the bottle.
He shrugged. “They still haven't made the pool table free, so I guess we need quarters.”
“I thought we were here to talk.”
“You know you want to play.” He tapped the table. “I brought you here to get your mind off everything that has happened the last couple days. Besides, it will be fun. We haven't been here together since the breakup.”
“Way to bring down the mood, dude.” She took another sip of her beer. “This is the first time we're old enough to drink here. I don't know how Bernie used to keep the pool area open for minors.”
“It was considered a billiard parlor back then.” He pointed to the bar area. “That used to be the video room. The guys and I ran through our quarters pretty fast in there. Your uncle started having trouble with the place once Bernie started selling beer. So he gave him an option. Bar or billiards, but not both. I guess the bar makes more money.”
“So kids aren't allowed in here anymore.” Cat scanned the room. “That's kind of sad.”
“Not for me. I can actually get a table now on most nights and play until the place closes or I decide to head home.” He grinned a lopsided grin at her. The tiny scar on the left side of his face reminded her of his dirt bike spill and the terrifying trip to the emergency room that Saturday. She had been the one to call his mother and when his folks arrived, she'd tried to leave. But they made her welcome in the waiting room. A taste of what family meant to Seth and his clan.
“So you tell me you've gone pro with pool and still think I want to play you?” She took out two quarters from the roll and tapped them on the table. “I guess I want to get beat.”
He nodded to the quarters. “You're going to need three.” He picked up the roll and shook out four more. “And we'll put up the money for next game so we're not challenged.”
She looked around at the few tables that were occupied. Most of those people were deep into conversations or nursing a drink alone. “Not sure we have much competition. Besides, there's a second table.”
“Try telling Marv that. He likes
this
table.” Seth stood and grabbed a couple of pool cues, checking them on the green felt for warping.
She took the cue she wanted out of his hand, then chalked the tip. “So we move to the other table.”
“Thing is, I like this table best, too.” Seth squatted down and put the quarters into the machine and Cat heard the sound of the balls dropping. She watched as he set up the rack, rolled it a couple times to set the triangle, then took off the frame. He waved his hand. “Ladies first.”
“Always a gentleman.” Cat took the white ball and placed it on the table. She focused her gaze on the sweet spot, pulled back on the cue and slammed the ball into the rack. Several balls fell into pockets, and as she glanced at what was still left on the table, she called her ball. “Stripes.”
Then she ran the table, calling the hole for the black eight ball before sending it rolling into the pocket.
“You've been playing, too.” He said dryly as she finished the game.
“Shauna used to bartend at this little place near my apartment. I'd go down on Saturdays when it was dead and we'd play for a couple hours.” She shrugged. “I always was good. You and the boys were table hogs.”
He grinned. “Point taken. So loser goes first this game?” He grabbed quarters off the table.
“I guess we'll have to play with those rules or you'll never get a turn.” She returned to the table and took a drink of the beer. She had to admit, she enjoyed spending time with Seth. He'd always been easy to talk to and fun to be around. They'd spent many nights together sitting on the tailgate of his truck talking about the future. He'd wanted to play college football. She'd wanted to soak up the knowledge, read all the books in the library, and maybe take junior year abroad.
And yet, all these years later, they were right back where they'd left off. Living in Aspen Hills and hanging out at Bernie's. Seth won the next game, and ordered two more beers. When the bartender brought them over, she smiled at Cat. “Glad someone can put him in his place. I lost too many beer bets over pool with this guy.”
“I'm sure my tab has covered whatever you've lost in a few beers.” Seth put his hand on Cat's back. “Cat, this is Brittany. She's the best bartender in town.”
Brittany held out her hand. “I'm the only one in town foolish enough to let him run a tab. You run that new bed and breakfast over at Michael's old house, right?”
Cat's stomach sank at the mention of her ex's name. Brittany was probably one of his undergrad student “friends.” She fit his type: young, dark, and beautiful. She pushed the thought out of her head and put on what she hoped looked like a real smile as she shook the bartender's hand. “Cat Latimer. Michael and I were divorced.”
“Oh, you're Catherine.” Brittany looked from Seth back to Cat. “I didn't realize.”
“Brit, are you going to talk all day or can I get another Jim and Coke?” A slurred voice called out from the bar.
“Hold your horses, Stan.” Brittany turned back to the couple. “I should cut him off, but his wife will come get him in a little bit, so I don't have to worry about him driving. Glad you stopped in, and it was lovely to finally meet you.”
As Brittany walked back to the bar, Cat closed her eyes. Coming home meant running into Michael memories. Hell, she lived in the house. Had she been that naïve to think she could just remodel the past away? She felt Seth walk her over to the table and gently push her into a chair.
“Are you okay? I didn't know Brit knew Michael. I mean, she's Bernie's daughter, but she grew up in Arizona with her mom. I guess she went to school here.” Seth took a sip of his beer.
“I can't let Michael's indiscretions wound me every time I leave my writing desk.” She took a deep breath. “I was caught off guard, that's all. And with the journal showing up this morning, the past has been on my mind more than I'd like to admit.”
Seth pulled on the label on his bottle. “Did you love the guy?”
His question made her pause. “At first, I did. Or I thought I did. I was overwhelmed with the idea of being the perfect professor couple. By the end, I realized it really was just a dream.”
“I'm sorry.”
“I'm not. I mean, it was a learning experience. I jumped when I should have paused, and I came out at the other end alive but scarred.” She put her hand over his. “I should have taken you up on your unspoken offer of a getaway car that day.”
He grinned. “We would have looked like some sappy movie, you riding in your huge white dress in my old truck. I didn't have a plan other than to drive you away from that jerk.”
“Sometimes plans are overrated.” She glanced at Brittany who was now chatting up a couple of college-age guys at the bar. “Best thing about the fantasy that was my marriage? I got the house at 700 Warm Springs.”
“Yeah, but the guy had to die before you did,” Seth reminded her.
Cat took a sip from her bottle and shrugged. “I didn't kill him, so my hands are clean there.”
He chuckled and looked at the table. “You ready for the tie breaker?”
She glanced at her watch: a quarter to midnight. “One more game, then you need to take me back. This Cinderella's coach may not turn into a pumpkin, but you don't want to see me in the morning with less than seven hours sleep. It's bad.”
“You always were a lightweight.” He went to the table and put the quarters they'd left on the felt into the machine and racked up the balls.
She watched as Seth broke the rack with the cue ball. Then a man came up in front of her and blocked her view. She could smell the whiskey radiating from his body. “What are you doing here, checking up on me?”
Cat looked up into Billy Williams's face. The red tint to his cheeks and slight slur to his words told Cat all she needed to know. “Actually, I'm playing pool with a friend.”
A woman stumbled into him and pointed toward the bar. “Hey Billy, there's an empty table over there.” She leaned toward Cat, spilling some of her draft beer on Cat's jeans. “I know you. You were in my art class in high school.”
“Hi Amy, how have you been?” Cat took a napkin and wiped the liquid off her pants.
The woman giggled and put her arm around Billy. “Better this week than in a long time.”
Seth pushed past him and came to stand next to Cat. He leaned toward her and whispered, “You okay?”
Cat nodded, not taking her eyes off Billy who was still glaring, despite Amy's warm welcome.
“Seth.” Amy looked him up and down, and took a step toward him. “When you going to come over and fix my pipes?”
Billy growled and pulled her backwards. “Let's go sit down.”
“I was talking to my friends,” Amy whined, but the couple left for the other side of the bar.
Seth waited until they were out of earshot, then shook his head. “Interesting couple, don't you think?”
“I think Amy wants more than just Billy. She looked at you like you were dessert after a six-week diet.” Cat finished her beer. “I never got that type of girl. Who needs more than one guy at a time?”
“Attention hogs.” He smiled and picked up her cue. “You going to finish the game or do you want to call it a draw and go home? You look a little worn out.”
“I'm beat. Home would be good.” She put a hand on his arm. “Thanks for insisting I come. I did have fun.”
“Except for the last ten minutes,” he amended.
She shrugged and pulled on her jacket.
“Just keep your distance from that guy. I know he's one of your guests, but he gives me the creeps.” Seth put his hand on the small of her back and led her out of the bar and toward his truck.
By the time they drove across town to the house, Cat wanted to close her eyes and drop into a deep sleep. Seth had taken the long way, driving past the high school, pointing out changes on Main Street, giving her a personal tour of the changes she'd missed since she'd moved away. She waited for Seth to open her door and then paused. “Thank you for the night out. I needed the break.”
He pushed her hair out of her eyes. “You look beat. I could carry you upstairs and help you into some pj's. You still wear Snoopy pj's to bed?”
“I never wore Snoopy pajamas. Your mom bought those for me for Christmas one year, and I gave them away to the thrift store.” She smiled at the memory.
“Well, don't ever tell her that. You're her favorite of all my ex-girlfriends. If she knew that, Caroline Bradley would move up to favorite and you'd be banished forever.” He ran a finger down her cheek. “Did I tell you how glad I am that you're back?”
“Once or twice.” She put a hand on his chest and raised up on her toes and gave him a kiss on the side of his face. “I'm going in now.”
“You sure?” he asked. Cat could see his grin in the darkness.
She turned and walked to the house. “See you in the morning.”
Shauna burst out of the kitchen door and ran toward her. “I'm so glad you're here. Come inside, quick.” She waved to Seth. “You too.”
“What's going on,” Seth asked as he jogged toward the house, meeting up with Cat while Shauna disappeared back into the house.
Cat had a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach. “Your guess is as good as mine. I just hope there isn't another dead body.”
Seth held open the door. “You always were overly dramatic, but watch your step, just in case there's a blood trail.”
Cat slapped his arm as she walked by, even though, really, all she wanted was to bury her head in his chest and have him hold her. She didn't want to know what had gotten Shauna into this state. She'd been the calm one when they'd found Tom Cook's body. If it was worse than that, Cat didn't know what she'd do.
She scanned the kitchen and saw Linda Cook sitting at the table, an empty shot glass sitting in front of her. A bottle of Captain Morgan's rum sat in the middle of the table and a still-f shot sat in front of the empty chair.
The house wasn't on fire. There didn't seem to be blood anywhere. Cat caught her friend's gaze. “What's going on?”
“Linda was out tonight having a couple drinks with a friend and when she came back, I heard the scream all the way down here in the kitchen.” Shauna nodded, like Cat and Seth might not believe her story. Then she continued. “So I ran up the stairs and the room's trashed. Her clothes are all over the room and it looks horrible.”