Unexpected Turn Of Events

Her?

"What the hell is this?" Jeff notices an open guitar case laying on the floor in the family room.

"Nice to see you too, Dad." Max rolls his eyes, putting away his new instrument, locking the guitar in its case, before he grabs it and rushes upstairs.

"Stevie!" Jeff calls out her name and she appears shortly. "When did we agree to buy Max a guitar?"

"Oh, Jeff I missed you, too." Stevie rolls her eyes, making her way back to the kitchen. 

He follows after her, eyeing the open bottle of wine. "Do you know what time it is?"

"Just after 3, yes. Why?"

"And you're drinking."

"I'm not drinking, it's one glass." Putting the bottle away, Stevie turns around to find Jeff still glaring at her. "Spill it. What's bothering you?"

Surprised with how short she's being with him, Jeff takes a moment to compose himself. Shaking himself mentally, he then says. "I thought we said, we'd discuss getting Max a guitar?"

"We did, he and I."

Sighing, Jeff clenches his fist, closing his eyes momentarily. "I meant-"

"I know what you meant, Jeff." Stevie cuts him off. "Don't you think it's better for him to be occupied with learning something new than getting involved with a bad crowd?"

"What bad crowd? All he does is play video games! He wouldn't get a chance to meet someone he shouldn't!" Jeff shouts, not caring that Max might very well hear him.

"Would you keep your voice down? Jeez..." Crossing her arms, unfazed by his raised voice, Stevie tells Jeff what she and their son have agreed on. "It's Max's birthday gift. It's up to him if he wants to try for a while, then put it away. He's not getting anything else from us, I made that clear. Besides, this is something he seems actually excited about."

Scoffing, Jeff folds his arms over his chest as well. "How's he going to learn, huh?"

"He's got a teacher."

Frowning, Jeff asks. "A teacher?"

"Yes. I remembered Alison mentioning they had found this guy for Harry, so I called her and asked if she still had his contact information." Stevie explains, trying her best to sound nonchalant. "He's coming here tomorrow at 4." Stevie adds. 

"Well, it seems like I'm going to have to come home earlier tomorrow. I sure want to meet this teacher." Jeff says, emphasizing the last word as he gives Stevie a look, before leaving her alone. On his way out he says. "Unpack my stuff!"

Unwillingly, Stevie goes to the hallway, where she finds a black bag and a suitcase. She frowns, but takes them both upstairs and to her and Jeff's bedroom, where Jeff is already undressing for a shower.

"I don't remember packing this." Stevie shows to the bag and Jeff's heart skips a beat as he stutters.

"I bought some things." He curses himself silently, that's stupid. "I actually spent quite a lot of time in my hotel room, so I was uncomfortable wearing my suits all day."

Raising an eyebrow, Stevie kneels down and unzips the bag. She does find sweatpants and a couple of plain white T-shirts along with dirty laundry, but she also recognizes a few items. "I've bought these for you." She says, taking out a pair of jeans.

"I didn't say everything in there's new, did I? Seriously, Stevie, what's your problem?" Jeff rolls his eyes, before shutting the bathroom door, exhaling heavily. He hopes, she doesn't dwell on it. How could I be so careless?

As Stevie's sorting out Jeff's clothes, Max knocks on the ajar door. "Come on in."

"I heard you two yelling downstairs." Max sits down on the bed, tucking one leg under himself. "I'm sorry."

"You've got nothing to be sorry about, son." Stevie shakes her head. Hearing the water is still running, she says. "Your father isn't the only one allowed to make decisions around here."

"I could talk to Dad. I'll tell him I kept nagging you about it and you just got tired of my voice and gave in."

Again, shaking her head, Stevie gets up and walks over to Max, sitting down next to him. "There's no need for that. If anything, I'm glad you've finally taken an interest in something."

Half smiling, Max bumps Stevie's shoulder with his gently. "Thanks, Mom."

Stevie winks and ruffles his hair.

It's dinner time. Stevie, Jeff and Max are all siting together, eating in silence. As usual, Max finishes off his plate in no time, says thank you and goes back to his room, leaving his parents alone. Stevie's fine with her and Jeff not talking, but he keeps getting text messages and it's starting to bother her. 

Jeff's phone vibrates again and she sighs, putting down her fork. "Can't they call you?"

"What?" Jeff barely lifts his eyes up at Stevie, before casting them down at his phone again. 

"All this texting, it bothers me. Especially, when we're having dinner."

"I'll tell her that my wife's annoyed."

"Her?" Stevie raises an eyebrow at Jeff, who realizes what came out of his mouth just a second ago.

"Yes, her. My secretary." Again, the first lie he could think of.

Staring at him a moment longer, Stevie let's it go. She has lost her appetite, carrying her only half eaten dinner over to the trash can. 

"What's the matter now? What did I say?" Jeff lets his cutlery fall down on his plate.

"Nothing, honey." Stevie forces a smile. "Everything's just fine." She adds, leaving. 

Stevie understands that open marriage agreement is for the both of them. However, she has never suspected Jeff was seeing someone until now. Also, since they do have that agreement and if there is someone, why wouldn't he just tell her?