by June Kramin
Her head whipped around. “What?”
“Move in with me.”
“After a couple of dates and some great sex? I don’t think that’s a foundation for a step like this so soon.”
“Bull, sweetness. We were meant to be together since the night I saw you at Dicky’s. I know it and you know it. I don’t want to waste time waiting for you to figure it out.”
“Dusty. I really do like you, but this is too soon. Please don’t start pushing this.”
“I know you don’t want to leave Courtney, but she’ll be fine. She can come over any time.”
“It’s not only about Courtney. Just because you dropped out of school doesn’t mean I don’t still have the work load from hell. We can’t do this. Don’t be angry.”
Damn. Maybe he did push it too soon. “I’m not angry, I’m disappointed.” He tried hard not to pout about it, but he really hated sleeping without her. As much of a pain in the ass as this time traveling crap was, at least he was still able to be with Katie while she was technically on the west coast. “Are you coming over or am I taking you home?”
“Do you mind taking me home? I have a class to catch up on after losing all that time with the storm.”
“I understand.” He hated it, but he knew he had to let this Katie finish her schooling.
When they pulled up to Katie’s dorm, she turned to him. “You promise you’re not upset?”
“I’m not. I promised I would give you your space. I don’t have to like it, but I respect the hell out of it, Katie. I’m not going to keep you from your studies. I know how important it is to you. Don’t think I take it lightly just because I didn’t want to follow in my father’s footsteps. I do have goals.”
“I know. Don’t think I look down on you for your choices either. It’s not school, it’s …”
“What, baby? Talk to me.”
“You’re twenty-one, Dusty. How could you have sown your wild oats enough already to know I’m who you really want? How can I disrupt my life to such a degree, worrying you’ll change your mind in a few months. Don’t be angry with me, but you’re too young for this kind of decision.”
“This again?” His head dropped back on the seat in frustration. He regretted his reaction immediately.
“What do you mean ‘again’? You make a habit of wanting women older than you to move in with you, then get upset when they say you’re too young?”
“No. It’s not that. I’m sorry. That’s not how I meant for that to come out. I get tired of the whole age thing. It’s not a big deal, Katie.”
“Who else did you love that was older?”
“Don’t do this. Please.”
“Who, Dusty?”
He sighed, running his hands around the steering wheel. He didn’t want to do this, but now he had to come up with something. “I didn’t love her. It just happened. That has nothing to do with this.”
“I want to hear the story anyway.”
“Babe…” She crossed her arms, waiting for him to continue. “The only older woman I was with happened a long time ago. I wasn’t in love with her, it was just…”
“Just what?”
“Sex. You happy now? I was young and it wasn’t going to go anywhere, she used me for sex.”
“Used you for sex? Oh, this I have to hear.”
He ran his hand down his face. “I really didn’t want to go here. This has nothing to do with anything.”
“Will it make me mad?”
“Why would something that happened to me when I was sixteen make you mad?”
“You had sex at sixteen?”
“It was one of the maids. I told you this!” Dusty was getting flustered and forgetting where he was. That was not one of his proudest moments, he didn’t care to repeat it. All he needed now was to bring up the incident known as the “Becky Swenson Disaster”. He’d told Katie about a date that had gone horribly wrong in his younger days so she could convince the older Dusty, who was giving her a hard time, that she was time traveling. It also was not a proud moment, but the information had worked for her. Thankfully she never brought it up again.
“I think I would have remembered you screwing one of your dad’s maids.” Katie grabbed the door handle. “I didn’t even know you had maids growing up until tonight.” She was out before Dusty could stop her. He caught up to her at the door to the dorms.
“Please wait,” Dusty said, grabbing her arms. “This is coming out completely wrong. Will you give me a chance to explain?” She only crossed her arms as an answer. “She came on to me. I don’t know what she thought she was getting out of it, but she wasn’t something I was about to kick out of my bed. Boys will be boys, you know?” He forced a grin but she didn’t smile back. “I was sixteen, Katie. It was either sit in the bathroom with a magazine or have sex with the woman who was throwing herself at me. It wasn’t serious. I didn’t love her and it’s not even worth a mention. And to answer your question, my oats are sown enough. I know what I want and it’s you. I love you. I’m sorry if that creeps you out. I’ll give you all the time you need for that to sink in.”
“I appreciate that.”
“This may not be the best time to mention it, but you want to go car shopping tomorrow?”
“Car shopping? I can’t afford a car.”
“Dad and I talked when you were napping. He gave me the okay to trade in the Beemer and get you something, too.”
“Dusty!” Katie removed herself from his hold. “I don’t want you buying me a car. How crazy are you?”
“Crazy about you, is all. It’s not my money. It’s my dad’s. He said to do it. He also said when you wise up and leave my ass, I need to take it back.”
“I don’t need or want a car. You’ve lost your mind. You can’t buy me with a car.”
“I’m not trying to buy you.” Dusty turned around, grunting in frustration. “Why are you being so difficult today?”
“Because you’re talking crazy. Please leave before I lose my mind!” Dusty spun around and stormed back to the car without looking back. When he reached it, he finally looked up, but she was gone. He climbed in the car and smacked at the steering wheel. “Fuckingsonofabitchfuckshit!” He clutched it tight and grunted again. “Way to go, douche bag.” Dusty needed to cool off and wanted a beer. He called Dean.
“Wanna hit a sports bar?”
“Can’t. Court and I are going to a movie. Why aren’t you with Katie?”
“We got snowed in at my parents last night. She wants to catch up on some stuff. I dropped her off at her place.” He didn’t need to tell him about the fight.
“Sorry, numb nuts. You’re on your own.”
“Thanks for nothing.” Dusty hung up, again sorry for his reaction. He wasn’t mad at Dean. He should have been thinking about how thrilled he was that he and Courtney were hitting it off. He sent Dean a text.
Sorry. Shitty day. Have fun.
You need me to cancel?
Naw. Have a good night.
Catch you later.
Dusty headed back to Puck You. It was as good a place to start as any.
Chapter Thirteen
Dusty settled at the bar. The bartender recognized him. “Same draft?”
“Sounds good. Thanks.”
The beer was placed in front of him with a coaster. “Sorry again about having to card you.”
“No worries. It’s your job. Gotta be hard in a college town to be guessing people’s ages.”
“You got that right. You ordering food?”
“Not tonight. Thanks.” The bartender hurried away to help someone else and Dusty scanned the bar. He couldn’t ask about Ronald. He’d have no reason to be asking for him. The bartender’s nametag read Benji. He doubted that was made up. No one would fake that name in a place like this. Dusty jumped at the sound of plates hitting the floor. Benji hollered to the back, “Hey, Ronald! Clean up in aisle three,” as a crowd of tipsy customers applauded the accident.
“Be right there, goddam
mit.”
Dusty took a sip of his beer and waited to see who would come out from the back.
Within a few minutes, a man who appeared to be in his very late twenties or early thirties brought out a mop bucket and a small trash can. He picked up the broken stoneware plates with the help of the young busboy who’d dropped them. “Way to go, dipshit.”
“I slipped. Sue me.”
Ronald handed him the trashcan. “Take this to the back. I’ll get it mopped up. Bring back a wet floor sign.”
“Yes, sir,” the bus boy said in a mock salute to Ronald. So far, Dusty was not impressed.
Watching Ronald over the next couple of hours, Dusty figured he was the glorified gofer of the place. Through the night, he stocked the bar with supplies and glasses, brought up food orders, helped seat people and bussed tables. No wonder he didn’t want Courtney visiting him here. He’d probably told her he was the head bartender or something.
Just before closing, a woman walked through the door and went straight over to him. He quickly held his hand up and said, “Out back,” before she could say anything.
Dusty reassured the bartender that he wasn’t skating out on his tab and that he would be right back in. He hurried out to the back alley, hoping to catch the story. He hid behind a wooden slatted fence surrounding a dumpster. He couldn’t hear any talking, but he did hear moaning. Dusty dared to peek around the wall and saw Ronald with the woman high up on his thighs. She was pressed into the wall and they were kissing like crazy, both equally “handsy.” Hurrying back behind cover, Dusty waited it out.
“I told you a hundred times that you can’t show up at my bar, Deb.”
“But I needed some lovin’,” she said with a whiny tone. “You own the place. Why can’t I visit?”
Oh boy. This guy was a winner. How many girls was he stringing along?
“It doesn’t set a good example. If I allow it, everyone will start doing it.”
“I guess it makes sense.”
“I’ll call you tomorrow, sugar buns.”
Sugar Buns? Even Dusty never resorted to that one. He heard what sounded like a smack on her ass. Dusty leaned tight to the wall, hoping to remain out of sight. She and Ronald passed by without spotting him. Dusty went back in, finished his beer, and paid his tab.
The bartender was talking hockey with Dusty when the phone rang. “Hang on a second, buddy. I have to get the phones after nine.” After putting the call on hold he called out to Ronald. “Dude. It’s your wife. I keep telling you she can’t call here unless it’s an emergency. Get a frickin’ cell phone already like the rest of the planet.”
Ronald walked behind the bar and took the call. “Gina. You’re going to get my ass fired. What the hell do you want now?”
Gina? Who the hell is Deb? Duh. A wife would know he didn’t own the place, dumbass.
The bartender walked back over to Dusty and waved him in closer so he could whisper. “That guy isn’t that much to look at and I know he ain’t got money, but he must be hung like a goddamn walrus.”
“Why is that?” Dusty decided it was best to play stupid.
“He gets more pussy in a month than I see in a year.”
“No shit?”
“No shit. I wouldn’t give a crap except his wife seems like a real sweetheart. He has a little girl, too.”
Now Dusty was seeing red. “Makes me want to beat the shit out of him as a matter of principle.”
“Well, get in line. He missed work for a few days last month messing with the wrong dude’s wife.”
“Good.”
“My thoughts exactly.” Benji knocked on the bar. “Duty calls, my friend. Have a good night.”
“You, too. Thanks.” Dusty left him an extra five again for the helpful information. There was nothing to do about Ronald tonight. He’d found him, that was a good enough start. Dusty had his share of beers and wasn’t going to start a fight with a guy who had a few pounds and inches on him. He didn’t need the added bonus of Ronald being the sober one as well. Besides, beating him up wasn’t going to solve anything. Dusty needed to find a way to get him to scratch Courtney off his ‘people to do’ list.
Driving wasn’t the smartest choice, but it was side roads for the quick jaunt home. Dusty wasn’t going to call a cab after having only a few beers. Again his thoughts went to how he and Katie left things. Already he was thinking about cracking another beer at home, but first he needed to make one stop. Good thing there was a specialty store that had a little bit of everything and was open late on weekends, right across the street.
An hour after Dusty arrived home, there was a knock at his door. He pulled back the door quickly, as if he was bothered by the intrusion. “I’m sorry if I’m disturbing you,” Katie said.
“No. Not at all, babe. You’re never a disturbance. I just wasn’t expecting anyone. Least of all you, to be honest.”
“I felt bad about how we left things.”
“Please come in.” He took her hand and walked her through the door then took her coat. “How did you get here?”
“I sent Court a text. I have her car. She’s still out with Dean.”
“I’m glad they are hitting it off…even if you are having second thoughts about me.”
“Dusty—”
He cut her off. “Can I get you anything?”
“No. I’m fine. It’s late. Can we sit?”
“Of course.” They sat on the couch, facing each other. Dusty picked up the half-full bottle of beer from the coffee table, then reconsidered and put it back. He’d probably had more than enough already. “You have something you need to get off your chest?”
“Sort of. I don’t think you understand how much I really liked you.”
The past tense wasn’t missed on him. “Liked?”
“Like, Dusty. I like you a lot. We just need to slow down. I really didn’t plan on dating someone, but we really clicked. You have to understand how hard it is for me to try to push you away and get this going at a more reasonable pace.”
“Then don’t.”
“I have to. My studies are going to start hurting. All I want is to spend time with you. You keep talking about things like moving in together and buying vehicles, but it’s too soon.”
“No, it isn’t.”
“Maybe not for you, but for me it is.”
“No. I mean for both of us it isn’t.”
“Dusty—”
“Just let me finish. I’m the right amount of drunk to finally tell you this. I can’t stand another minute of you trying to break up with me again.”
“What do you mean again?”
He knelt down in front of her. “Please let me say this. You are going to think I’m crazy, but let me finish.”
“I’ll do my best.”
“I first met you in St. Paul in an Irish Pub.”
“I’ve never been to a pub in St. Paul.”
“You were twenty-nine.”
“I’m only twenty-five now.”
“I know. I was twenty-five then.”
“What in the hell are you talking about? You’re not making any sense at all.”
“You were there for a baby shower and got pretty trashed.”
“I was trashed at a baby shower?”
“It was the after-shower party. You and a few single girls went out afterward. I finally got brave enough to approach you. We kind of hit it off and we went back to your place.”
“So, I’m still a slut when I’m twenty-nine?”
“You weren’t a slut. I was the smooth talker back then that I am now or vice-versa. However this messed-up shit works. Wait, I don’t mean that. I love every minute that I remember with you. You have more memories than I do, though. You don’t only stick to our past. You meet me in a different future and I win you over in that timeline, too.”
Still looking confused, she crossed her arms. “Okay. I’ll play. So what does this older you and me do?”
“You have a successful vet practice and I work at
a newspaper doing a few columns.”
“So why do I time travel? We seem to be doing what we said we wanted to do.”
“You tried to dump me on your thirtieth birthday. You thought I was too young for you, just like you thought tonight.”
“This is one hell of a tactic you are trying to pull over one comment I made. Now you’re talking crazy.” She tried to stand but he held her back. “You said you’d let me finish.” She relaxed again to keep true to her word.
“You time traveled, Katie. Fate, or whatever it was, sent you back to me. We met again at the ages we are now and I won you over. We’re married and we have a wonderful family.”
She looked deep into his eyes. For a minute, he thought she believed him, at least until she spoke.
“You’re drunker than you look and you’re an idiot for thinking I’d buy this. For God’s sake, Dusty. I only asked to slow down a little. I never said I wanted to break up, but now you’re talking crazy.” She crawled over the back of the couch to escape. He rushed over and took her by the arms again.
“You’re the love of my life, Katie. I know everything about you. I love how you blow on your coffee before you drink it. I love the little moans that escape your throat when we kiss. How you squeal just right when I ‘jumper cable’ you like this.” He touched her sides in a way he usually did when he snuck up behind her. He had dubbed it ‘jumper cabling’ her because of the way she reacted. She jumped and squealed then covered her mouth with her hand. “I know every spot on your body that makes you gasp for breath when I touch you just right. I know you had a belly ring when you were eighteen and your mother made you take it out. Your parents call you on your birthday every year at the time you were born, and they are always each on a phone extension. Tom Petty is on your ipod and “Breakdown” is one of your favorite songs. You lost your virginity when you were nineteen, and it kills me that it wasn’t me that took it. It was another year before you had sex again and that was only because you thought the guy looked like Hugh Jackman. Lucky for me the guy was a dick and it didn’t last long, but I wish you would get rid of the ID bracelet from him that you keep hidden in the false bottom of your jewelry box.” He stopped talking when she stood there with her mouth wide open. Her eyes fluttered. “Please sit back down before I lose you.” He took her by the arm and sat her back down on the couch. She was still speechless.
