10. Catherine

10

CATHERINE

I haven’t seen Jeremy in a week. I spent the time getting Cole and me into Holden’s house and then on top of the one time a day therapy sessions, the runs, the strength training, and Cole’s practices, well, there wasn’t much time to see Jeremy.

But tonight is a planned dinner with his accounting firm.

As the doorbell rings, I finish putting on my lipstick and make my way downstairs. Both Cole and Holden are standing inside the door, and I rush down the stairs to meet them. I’m about to do introductions when Holden holds his hand out. “You must be Jeremy. I’m Holden.”

Jeremy pushes his glasses up his nose and then reaches for Holden’s hand. “Yeah, it’s nice to meet you.”

Jeremy looks at Cole. “Hello, Cole.”

Cole just raises his hand in a half wave and mutters, “Hey, Jeremy.”

I push my arm through Jeremy’s. “Well, we better go. Cole, please be good tonight. Call if you need anything.”

“You look beautiful, Cat,” Holden says, and I practically stumble on my feet.

“Thank you. I’ll be back later. Let me know if you, I mean Cole needs anything.”

I’m quiet as we walk to the car, and I realize that Jeremy didn’t comment on how I look. It’s not that I need a man to notice me to know my worth, but it does feel good to get complimented.

The whole thing is awkward, and as I look back at Cole and Holden and see Holden has his arm around Cole’s shoulder, I wish that I was staying home with them instead of going to what will probably be a boring dinner.

As Jeremy drives us across town, he is telling me about who I’m going to meet and how I should act while I’m there. He goes on and on, and I can’t help but think about everything. Jeremy doesn’t open the car door for me. He doesn’t open doors for me at all. He doesn’t hug me or kiss me unless we’re in complete privacy. We’ve only been seeing each other a little while, but I don’t expect things to change. I feel guilty as I look over at him. He’s completely clueless to where my thoughts have gone. I bet Holden wouldn’t keep his hands to himself.

I let out a small gasp and turn to look out the window. I’m not sure where that thought came from, but now that it’s in my head, I can’t get it out.

"Catherine," Jeremy says, and I realize I totally zoned out.

“Sorry, Jeremy. It’s been a long week. What were you saying?”

He smiles wide and nods his head. “I get it. I’m sure dealing with the jock is exhausting.”

Instantly, I come to Holden’s defense. “No, that’s not what I meant. Holden is nice and a hard worker. I just meant it’s exhausting with the change in my schedule, Cole’s schedule, and everything else.”

Jeremy doesn’t respond; he just purses his lips and continues driving. The rest of the ride is in silence, and I’m actually thankful when we walk into the dinner party to deal with some of the awkwardness.

Jeremy stops and talks to a few people, and I wait for him to introduce me. After the third person stops and my date has continued to ignore me, I get irritated. When another man comes to talk to Jeremy, I stick my hand out. “Hello, I’m Catherine Maples.”

The man is congenial, but I can hear Jeremy huff next to me. I give him a look that says What’s your problem? before continuing the conversation.

When we finally make it to our seats for dinner, Jeremy excuses himself almost immediately.

I’m shocked as I sit here, looking around the room where I don’t know anyone. I mean, it’s Whiskey Run, so chances are I’ve seen most of these people before, but I’ve not talked to them. I straighten my back and look around the room. Jeremy is gone so long, mingling with other people that I’m about to get up and walk out when the speaker announces for everyone to sit down and that dinner is being served.

Jeremy sits next to me, and I lean toward him. “What’s going on?”

He’s confused by my question, but before I can explain it to him, the other people at our table sit down.

Conversation continues, and Jeremy turns to the woman sitting on the other side of him. Shocked by the way he’s ignoring me, I stare down, debating what I should do, until the man next to me nudges me with his arm. “Hello. I’m Clark.”

He’s holding his hand out, and I shake it. “I’m Catherine.”

“I don’t recognize you from any of the locations, and I would remember you.”

I point to Jeremy. “I’m here with Jeremy.” Even if he’s not acting like it , I think silently.

Clark looks at Jeremy and then back at me with a nod. If knowing I’m here with another man cautions him, he doesn’t let on because he spends the remainder of the dinner talking to me. Any time there is a break in the conversation, I look at Jeremy, but he’s paying me no mind. I’m not sure why he asked me to come if he planned to ignore me all night long.

After dinner, I’m ready to call it a night, even if that means I need to call an Uber, but the speaker walks out onto the stage while dessert is being served. Darn it, if I get up now, everyone will know I’m leaving.

I sit and listen as they announce the quarterly winners, and I clap when everyone around me claps. There’s a few speeches, and just when I think the night is about to end, they announce that the dance floor has opened up.

I lean toward Jeremy. “Are you ready to go?”

He rolls his eyes. “Don’t be rude, Catherine. I’ll be ready to go in fifteen minutes.”

He turns back to the woman next to him, and I start to fume. This is crazy.

I get up to leave, and Clark puts his hand on mine. “Dance with me.”

“No, really, I was just about to leave. Thank you for talking to me during dinner, it was nice to meet you.”

He doesn’t take no for an answer and pulls me onto the dance floor. He’s been a perfect gentleman all evening, and he did save me from having no one to talk to during dinner. “Fine. Once dance and then I really must go.”

He spins me on the dance floor, and by the end of the song, I’m laughing and smiling. Clark is a wonderful dancer, and it’s the most fun I’ve had all night.

As he twirls me back into his arms, he leans into me, pressing his hard manhood into my hip. “Come home with me.”

I put both hands on his chest and push. “No, I’m here on a date. ”

His voice is calm, but he’s strong, and he doesn’t let me go. “Your date has ignored you all night long. Come home with me… I know how to treat a woman. I’ll have you screaming my name before the night is over.”

I stomp my heel into the top of his foot, and when he bellows in pain, the people around all stare at us. I push away from him and try to keep my shit together. I hate to make a scene because it will be all over town by morning. “Oh, I’m sorry. I’m a horrible dancer. Now I must go.”

I stomp over to the table. “Jeremy, I’m leaving.”

I grab my purse, and fuming, I walk toward the front door. I don’t stop when I get outside, I just keep walking. Hell, I’ll walk home if I have to. I’m almost out of the parking lot when Jeremy comes running up behind me. “Catherine, where are you going? Hold on and I’ll get the car.”

I throw a hand out. “I’ll find my own way home, Jeremy.”

“Shoot,” he mutters, and I assume he’s left me be, but it isn’t long before he’s pulling his car up next to me.

“Get in.”

I keep walking. “I’ll get myself home, thank you very much. ”

“Catherine, don’t be ridiculous. It’s ten miles, and it’s dark outside. Just get in and I’ll take you home.”

I look down at the stupid heels I’m wearing and I know my feet won’t make it ten miles. I huff and then walk in front of the car, open the door, and get in. “I want you to take me straight home.”

He pulls back out on the road and is driving slowly. “What happened back there? Why are you acting like this?”

I turn, staring daggers at him. “Why? Why am I acting like this?” I’m flabbergasted because he’s serious. He doesn’t have a clue. “Jeremy, I was your date tonight, and you completely ignored me. You didn’t introduce me to anyone or include me in any conversations, and then—” I huff out a breath, trying to contain myself, but it’s impossible to do. “And then your friend Clark, propositioned me.”

Finally, he shows some emotion. “Propositioned you?”

“Yes, he wanted to take me home with him. I had to stomp his foot and shove him for him to let me go.”

His hands tighten on the steering wheel. “Oh, Catherine. I wish you wouldn’t have done that. Clark is harmless, and he’s the vice president of the company.”

My mouth drops open, and I just stare at him. Is he for real right now? He has to be joking. “I’m sorry, are you telling me I should just let him hit on me?”

He pauses. “Well, no, I mean, I’m just saying….”

I hold my hand up. “Please stop talking. Just take me home, Jeremy.”

The rest of the car ride is in silence. I’m steaming mad, and I can feel myself about to lose my cool. As soon as he pulls into Holden’s driveway, I’m opening the door before he gets to a complete stop. I jog up the steps, ignoring Jeremy calling to me from his window. He thinks he wants to talk to me right now, but he doesn’t. Right now, he’d see a whole new side of me. Nope, I’m going to calm down, and then I’m going to give Jeremy a piece of my mind.