*~*~* Cate *~*~*
I’ve never been one to do reckless things- idiotic things- but when you leave me alone in a strange city with Anna for two whole days, there’s no telling what I’m capable of doing. Which is how, returning from New York City, I’ve acquired something new and very much permanent.
After finding Libby’s bridal gown and mine and Anna’s bridesmaids dresses, Anna decided that the three of us should do something to commemorate out trip. She had that mischievous glint in her eyes that meant that whatever she had planned wouldn’t necessarily be something Libby and I would agree to. My theory proved correct when our cab pulled up outside Denny’s Tattoo Parlor.
We stood outside for five minutes just staring at the place before Anna dragged Libby and I inside. We had ditched Mom and Vivian again, but for a brief second I kind of wished that our mom was here- she could beat some sense into Anna, for a start.
I had always expected tattoo parlors to be dirty with needles strewn across every available surface, but Denny’s wasn’t like that. To start with, it smelt like antiseptic and bleach, and just breathing made my nose sting. The walls were white and sterile. Framed photographs of tattooed body parts hung on the walls, and there were several flip books showing available designs which Anna made a beeline for. Libby and I barely made it inside before a burly guy came towards us.
“Good evening, ladies,” the guys smiled. The man wore a short sleeved shirt that showed off his heavily tattooed arms, and I couldn’t help but stare at the intricate tribal design that weaved its way around the other pieces of body art. The man must have sensed my gaze on his bicep because his eyes flitted to the same tattoo. “It took eight hours over six weeks to do in total. I’m Denny, by the way. I own this place.”
Anna came rushing over having heard Denny’s words and she cozied up to him. “You own this place? That’s great. Now,” she says, pulling the guy over to one of the flip books and pointing at a design. “My sister and I would like this one please.”
Libby and I shared a panicked loo, wondering which of us Anna was referring to when she said ‘sister.’ Denny had a sign up saying that women were not allowed to be tattooed when pregnant. Right next to that sign, there was one saying that it was illegal to tattoo anyone under the age of 18. Seeing that I was still seventeen for a few more days, that counted me out too, so…
Yeah, I have a small butterfly tattoo on my ribcage.
A tattoo! I’m just glad Anna and I had our designs tattooed somewhere inconspicuous. At least with mine inked halfway down the side of my torso, no one would see it unless I wanted them to see it.
“I still can’t believe you went through with it without me,” Libby hissed as our early morning flight came in to land. “So unfair to leave me out.”
“You’re pregnant,” Anna reminded our sister. “You’re not allowed to be inked when you’re pregnant.”
“Well, she’s only seventeen,” Libby pointed at me with fury in her eyes. “That’s illegal, too.”
Unbeknown to me, Anna had a fake ID printed for me before our trip. It had my date of birth down as a year before my real one, so I seemed old enough to mutilate my body, but not old enough to go out and get drunk. Apparently, making me twenty-one would have been a stretch, but eighteen was ok. Of course, Anna didn’t force me into getting a tattoo, but once she showed me the design, I had to smile.
“And why butterflies?” Libby pouted as we made our way through the arrival terminal. “You know I love butterflies. Why couldn’t you get moths instead?”
“Because life is too short,” Anna winks in my direction. It went back to that speech she gave me about Georgie, so at least the tattoo had meaning. “Look, Libby, if you’re really that jealous, we can go with you next year after the baby arrives, and we can get your sprogs name inked if that’s what you want.”
Libby smiled momentarily before she gasped. “Don’t call my baby a sprog. That’s it, Cate gets to be God-mother.”
“Fine by me,” Anna beamed. “I hate babies anyway.”
Libby stomped her foot and went to stand with Mom and Vivian. Every now and then, she would glare in our direction and shake her head disappointingly. I gave her a reassuring smile but Anna just waved and wound her up further.
Anna and I waited together and I could feel her eyes burning against my skin. She always did this when she wanted to say something, but she didn’t want to be the one to initiate conversation. Instead, she would bide her time and stare us out.
“What?” I finally give in to Anna’s techniques. I huff and put my hands on my hips, letting my head hang low as I try to avoid eye contact with my sister. “Make it quick, Anna.”
She fishes in her purse for something and pulls out my cell phone, handing it towards me. “You really should keep an eye on this thing,” Anna laughs. “You keep leaving it around and anyone could pick it up and hear your boyfriend’s accidental phone calls.”
“Huh?” I frown as I unlock the phone and go straight for the call logs. Sure enough, TJ called last night. “You spoke to him?”
“No,” Anna shakes her head with a glint in her eye. “Like I said, I think the phone call was accidental. I tried to get his attention but he was busy telling some other girl how much he liked- no, wait, loves- you.”
“What girl?” I demanded.
“I think it was his sister,” Anna shrugs her shoulders. “Does the name Elliott mean anything to you?”
I laugh nervously. “Yeah,” I nod. “He was talking to his sister. You had me worried for a second.”
“Worried?” Anna snorts, placing her hand over her heart as she giggles. “He loves you, you idiot. You know that right?”
“He may have said it a couple of times,” I laugh along with my sister.
Anna and I walk out of the terminal and wait for the three women to join us. Vivian, who had micromanaged every detail of this trip- apart from yesterday- had arranged for a town car to come and pick us up. Sawyer, however, was waiting outside for Anna, and came rushing towards her to scoop her up in a bear hug.
Sawyer gave us all a small wave before tugging Anna towards the parking lot. Anna gave me a ‘call me’ sign and I nodded at her. I’m not sure what she wanted to talk about seeing as we had spent most of yesterday in a quasi-therapy session, but my sister seems to be under the illusion that there are some things that have been left unsaid.
“That’s our car,” Vivian said, pointing out a large black car.
I walked wearily towards the car and was about to place my weekend bag in the trunk when I heard someone call out my name. Or at least, I thought I had heard my name being called. I spun around a couple of time, but didn’t recognize anyone.
“Catherine!” Someone shouted again.
“Theo?” I spun again at the sound of that voice. It had sounded scarily similar to Theo, but how would he know that I’m here? I craned my neck to see above the crowd but I couldn’t make out anyone that I knew. Just as I was about to turn towards the car again, a familiar face appeared before me and I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face. “TJ, what are you doing here?”
*~*~* TJ *~*~*
God, how I had missed her. I threw my arms around her waist and lifted her from the ground as I hugged her tightly to me. I was determined never to let her go again, but from the way someone cleared their throat from beside me, I knew that it was probably time to set Cate back on land.
“Hi, Mom,” I smile tightly to my mother. I wave to Cate’s mom and sister. “Hello, Mrs. Westbrook. Libby.”
To my surprise Cate’s mom stepped forward and enveloped me in a hug. “Didn’t I tell you to call me Jennifer?” She laughs in my ear. She pulls away and gives Cate a hug goodbye. “I’m guessing you’re catching a ride with TJ. We’ll see you back at the house sometime today, I hope.”
Next, Libby moved towards me and planted a kiss on my cheek. “Ask her what she did in the Big Apple. Or better yet, ask to see what she did while she was over there.” Libby turned to scowl at her sister, but Cate just shrugged it off. “Remember what Anna promised me for next year, Godmother.”
When Libby crawled into the car, Mom stepped towards me and gave me a weak smile. I wasn’t expecting a warm welcome from Vivian, especially seeing as we hadn’t spoken properly since I stormed out of her place more than a week ago, but I was kind of hoping for something more than this. She mumbled something about dinner tomorrow night, got in the car and shut the door on me.
“Still not talking, huh?” Cate asked as I took her weekend bag and slung it over my shoulder. Even though Cate had only been away a few days, her bag weighed hardly anything. I swear, all she must have packed was a spare pair of jeans, a t-shirt and a toothbrush. “You know you don’t have to carry that for me. I’m more than capable.”
I nod. “But I want to.”
I lead the way to the car and open the passenger door for Cate. Once she’s comfortable inside, I head for the driver’s side, bypassing the trunk to throw her bag in there. I settle behind the wheel and turn over the engine. Before we move, I click into my iPod and bring up another playlist for Cate. She watches as I scroll through the list and select a song.
“This is new,” Cate gives me an approving look. “Save Ferris? Very 90s.”
“I try,” I smile, leaning in to capture her lips. I’ve been dying to kiss her since I saw her standing outside the arrival terminal, but it was only now that we were alone, that I got the chance to show her just how much I missed her. “God, I love you.”
“I know,” she smiles against my lips. “As does my sister. Apparently you called last night.”
I groan. “Yeah, about that… Genevieve might have butt dialed you. I was telling her how much I liked you.”
“Shame I missed that call,” Cate laughs. She pulls away and looks at me amusedly. “Why are you blushing?”
“I’m not blushing,” I lie. I totally know that I am because my cheeks are on fire, but guys aren’t meant to blush, are they? I sigh and turn away from her. “It’s just… it’s one thing to tell the girl that you’re in love with that you’re in love with them, but it’s another thing entirely to be overheard admitting it to someone else.”
“Are you embarrassed that you love me?” Cate asks in a confused whisper, her gaze on her hands that she’s wringing nervously.
“Never ask me that again,” I command her as I take her hands in mine. “I am not, nor will I ever be embarrassed about you. I was just worried what you’d think about me talking about you to other people. And I don’t give a flying monkey what anyone else thinks. Plus, my friends and family love you too… my friends even asked if they could keep you if we didn’t work out.”
Cate’s eyes shoot up to mine worriedly. “We’re not going to work out?”
“I’m not phrasing anything right, am I?” I ask rhetorically. I look up at her hopefully. “Can we start again? Hey, Cate,” I say with a smile I can barely contain tugging on my lips. “I missed you so much while you were gone and I am beyond happy to have you back because now I can finally do this.”
I lean forward and kiss her again. I was hesitant at first, but when I felt Cate relax into me, I knew that my moment of verbal incompetence was forgiven. At least, I hope it was. I really wasn’t expressing myself as I wanted to… expressive aphasia. Bane of my life.
“I like this song,” Cate whispers as she pulls away, her breath tantalizing against my lips. She gives me a quizzical look and shakes her head. “Have you been watching the movie 10 Things I hate About You?”
“Busted,” I laugh, leaning back into my chair and running a hand through my already mussed up hair. “Genevieve was over last night wanting relationship advice and we kinda ended up binge watching chick flicks. The soundtrack made me think of you.”
“I love you, you know that, right?” Cate grins at me. “I don’t know anyone who would go to this much trouble for me.”
“There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you, Catherine,” I tell her earnestly.
Throughout the drive back to Hastings I get Cate to fill me in on her time on the East Coast. She groans and quickly tells me how it was torture to have to try on that many dresses. She called it 27 Dresses squared, but that just confused me. I was tempted to ask what she had meant but Cate was getting into the flow of how awful it was to have to put up with her mom and mine as well as a neurotic Libby. Anna was her only saving grace on the trip… up until last night anyway. Apparently Anna went a little crazy, or as Cate called it- cah-ray-zee.
I pulled up outside the Westbrook’s house after a short detour to Ophelie, a small deli place just outside Hastings that made the best wraps in the world. Naturally, Cate ordered a salad and ate it slowly a she gave me even more details about the trip. I asked her about what Libby had told me back at the airport, but Cate just shook her head and said that she’d show me when we got back to her place.
Now that we were here, I couldn’t help but ask again what she was hiding.
“I’ll show you in a minute,” Cate promises as she walks into the house. “I just want to see my dad quickly.”
Cate disappeared into her dad’s study and gave him a hug and a kiss before coming back to the hallway and pulling me towards the stairs. Once we got to her room, Cate emptied the contents of her weekend bag into the clothes hamper- just a pair of jeans and two t-shirts- and motioned for me to follow her into the bathroom. She shut the door as soon as we were inside and pushed me so sit on the side of the bathtub. I watched as she lifted her shirt up, revealing her pale skin, and quickly threw out my hand to stop her.
“What are you doing?” I ask shakily. “Why are you stripping?”
“So I can show you something,” Cate says simply, before shrugging off my hands and lifting the shirt another inch.
“Cate-”
“I’m not trying to seduce you, TJ,” she laughs when she sees my face. “Yesterday, I kinda did something wild, or at least for me it was spontaneous, and you said you wanted to see it, so here I am trying to show it to you. And I don’t mean by boobs, so stop looking so worried.”
Cate lifted the shirt enough on her left side so that I could see the length of her torso, but kept her top part covered. For a brief second I couldn’t tell what I was meant to be seeing, but then the black outline of a shape caught my eye. I placed my hands on Cate’s hips and roughly pulled her forward until I could see the small, tiny, insignificant butterfly tattooed near where her bra sat.
“What the hell?” I shout. I look up at her and see her flinch. “Is that… permanent?”
She nods. “You don’t like it?”
“I like it,” I say after a minute of silence where I contemplated her question. “Honestly, I like it. I just never saw you as a tattoo kind of person.”
“It’s symbolic of my…” Her voice trailed off as she thought. She frowned and pursed her lips. “What did Anna call it? A symbol of my…” Suddenly she clicked her fingers. “My freedom and awakening as I grow and spread my wings and learn to live outside other people’s shadow.”
“That’s a mouthful,” I laugh.
“That’s my sister for you,” Cate nods with a grin. “I got you something too.”
“Really? What?” I ask expectantly.
“This,” Cate smirks as she moves to stand between my legs and plants a long, hot kiss on my lips.
She tangles her fingers through my hair and pushes her body against me. She groans, which sparks a flame in me. My arms clinch around her waist and I can feel my body stir with each flick of her tongue against mine. Suddenly, I push her away and drop my head into my hands.
“Dogs in China,” I start muttering to myself. “Dancing bears, zoo animals, hunting… Dogs in China, dancing bears, zoo animals, hunting…” I look up at Cate and groan, before pointing towards the door. “Could you just leave for a moment? I need to… think about things that isn’t you and you kisses and your body… and your bed.”
Cate blushes and giggles. “In that case,” she says as she slips out the door. “I’ll be downstairs. We can watch Poltergeist. It’s like the least romantic thing ever.”
I give her a thumbs up gesture and go back to my mantra. “Dogs in China. Dancing bears. Zoo animals. Hunting…”
*~*~*
To the side is the song the Save Ferris song that played in the car when TJ picked Cate up from the airport...
Also, I forgot last night to post a picture of the bridal gown Libby chose, but then I decided to keep it a secret until next Saturday.
Which reminds me- only a week to go before Leap of Faith ends!
Sarah. xx
unedited 23:57 (just!)
EDIT: To the side is a photo of how I imagine Cate's tattoo to look! Forgot to add that!