A Betting Man

Chapter Thirteen

Justin's Point of View

"Kathleen? What are you doing here?"

She bounds up to me and throws her arms around my neck. "Surprise!" she gushes. "I'm staying for the weekend!"

I can't contain my surprise as I engulf her in a huge hug that lifts her feet off the ground. "When did you get here?"

"This morning."

"And you're just now letting me know?"

"I wanted it to be a surprise, silly. You're late, by the way," she reprimands me.

"I probably could have gotten off earlier if you'd called me," I hedge.

"Where's the fun in that?"

"Have you been waiting outside? You know where the key is, right?"

"Eh, I haven't been here long. And you know how I get all mixed up with that stupid alarm – the last time the police showed up. Besides, it's nice out today." She grins sheepishly as I let us inside. I remove my coat as she hovers in the living room, looking around. Not much has changed since the last time she was here. As if reading my mind she states, "Christ, Justin. It wouldn't kill you to hang a picture or something. I thought for sure you'd have one up by now."

I gesture to a painting on the opposite wall, an abstract by Slazo. "I do have a picture up."

"A real picture," she emphasizes. "You know – of people."

I shrug. "Have you been home yet?"

"Of course. Pattie picked me up from the airport," she answers. "Speaking of which, you're coming to dinner tonight. She's cooking all my favorite foods!" She clasps her hands together and practically bounces on the spot at the thought of a home-cooked meal from Pattie. I can't help but smile.

"Let me go change real quick, and we can head over there," I say, heading for the stairs. Then I remember – fuck! I need to call Lauren. I hastily retrieve my phone from my pocket and make the call as I'm entering my bedroom.

"That was fast," says Lauren upon answering. "Are you here?" I imagine she's looking out her window, or perhaps the door. She sounds eager.

"I'm actually not gonna be able to come, Lauren," I say quickly. Surprisingly, I don't regret breaking off our meeting. It's as though a huge weight as been lifted from my shoulders.

"What? How come?" She doesn't try to mask her disappointment.

"My sister just made a surprise visit. We're going to my parents' house for dinner."

"Well, what about afterward?" Her voice is needy. Lauren is a sexy woman – normally I would be aroused by her eagerness, but tonight I'm impatient. If anything, it has the opposite effect.

"I don't know, Lauren. We'll see. I don't know what time I'm gonna be home."

"Will you call me when you're done?"

I don't bother humoring her. "I don't know. Maybe."

She whines one last time before I break off our conversation and hang up. I make quick work of changing and exit the bedroom. To my surprise, Kathleen is leaning against the wall by my bedroom door, arms crossed, expression sour. She looks at me incredulously as I move to stand beside her.

"That was Lauren?" she instantly deadpans. I'm taken aback – was she eavesdropping?

"Yes," I answer, adjusting my collar.

"Are you dating now?"

I roll my eyes. "You know the answer to that."

"One day," she warns, "your disrespect of women is going to bite you in the ass."