Authors: Chamein Canton
If Marcus hasn’t checked in, who answered the phone?
Somebody is playing a game with me.
She called Marcus on his cell phone.
“Hello?”
“Hi, honey.”
He was pleased to hear from her. “Hey, baby. Did you
get my text message?”
“I most certainly did. I can’t wait to be the teacher’s
pet.”
“Sounds good to me. You’ll be here tomorrow afternoon, right?”
“That’s the plan.”
“Your car service is coming to get you in the morning?”
“Yeah. E.D. took care of that for me.”
“I can’t wait to see you. I just took batting practice and
I put a real edge on the ball, thanks to you.”
“Thanks to me? What did I do?”
“You’re all I can think about. I want you so bad it’s
driving me crazy,” he whispered.
Cathy felt a rush through her body. “I can’t wait to see
you. I want you, too.”
“Tomorrow can’t come fast enough for me.” He
paused. “Anyway, baby, you called me. Is anything up?”
Cathy came back to earth. “I almost forgot. There is
something.”
“What’s up?”
“I called your room a little earlier about your lesson
plan.”
“That was sweet, baby, but I haven’t checked in yet.”
“I know. A woman answered the phone.”
“A woman answered the phone? How is that possible?”
He was puzzled.
“She wanted me to think you were there and I’m positive it wasn’t the maid.”
“What did she say?”
“She said you were busy.”
“Busy with what?”
“Like busy with her.”
“This doesn’t make any sense. Why would they
connect you to my room from the front desk when I
haven’t checked in? I’m confused?”
“Me, too.”
While they were talking, Cathy had logged onto her
laptop to check the flight weather for travelers. As she was
about to log onto The Weather Channel’s site, she noticed
an entertainment blurb about Cybil. She clicked on the
story.
Her eyes popped. “Marcus. I found something interesting online.”
“What?”
“According to this there’s trouble on the set of Cybil
George’s debut film. Apparently she’s walked off the set.”
As soon as the words came out of Cathy’s mouth,
Marcus knew who was in his room.
He groaned. “I can’t believe this crap.”
“You think she was the one who answered the phone?”
“Now that you told me about her movie, I know it’s
her.”
“You sound sure about that.”
Marcus knew where this was going to go but he went
ahead anyway. He reasoned he’d tell her now rather than
later.
“She’s done this before.”
“Really? She’s done this before?”
“Back when we were together, if she wanted to surprise
me on the road she’d sweet talk the guy at the front desk
into giving her the spare key card before I checked in.”
Cathy put the pieces of the puzzle together. “That
explains a lot.”
“It does?”
“I called the hotel’s front desk twice. The first time a
man answered and connected me to the room. The second
time a woman answered and she told me you hadn’t
checked in.”
“I’m going to straighten this out, sweetie.”
“I know you will.”
“I’ll give you a call a little later, okay?”
“Okay. I love you.”
“I love you, Cathy.”
Cathy should have felt better. Although she knew
Marcus handled the Club Z incident, she couldn’t shake
the image of Cybil waiting for him naked in his room. She
called the office.
“Good evening, Chambers-Stevens Agency.”
“Hey, Sylvia. You’re still there? It’s getting late.”
“I know, but E.D. was going over some things and
needed me to stay.”
“I’ll talk to him. You go home to your handsome
husband.”
“Thanks, Cathy. Have a good weekend, okay? I’m
ringing E.D.”
“I will, thanks. You do the same.”
“E.D. here.”
“Hey, E.D. What’s shaking?”
“Hey, Cathy. There’s not much going on here. How
about you?”
“Getting ready for the weekend,” Cathy answered.
“Good.” E.D. sounded tense.
“Now that we’ve gone through all the bull, what’s got
you in a tizzy? I sent Sylvia home.”
“Shouldn’t you be concentrating on your romantic
weekend with Marcus?”
“We’re not talking about me at the moment.”
“Why not? What’s going on there?”
“I’ll tell you mine if you tell me yours, E.D.” She heard
him groan.
“It’s Bill Bond. I checked in with the VP to see what
was happening with the proposal we sent in to update his
book for a third edition and I think they’re jerking my
chain.”
“They’re just pushing things closer to the timetable of
ninety days delineated in the contract, which is just fine. If
the proposal to other publishers and Bill gets the rights
back to his book.”
“So I’m getting worked up for nothing?”
“Yep. We’re covered, don’t worry.”
“That’s a load off my mind.” He paused. “Now what’s
on your mind? What’s going on with Marcus?”
“It’s not really Marcus, per se. It’s Cybil.”
“What about her?”
“She walked off the set of her movie in Maryland and
into Marcus’s hotel room.”
“She’s where?”
“In his hotel room. She’s making her play to get him
back. I can’t say that I blame her. Marcus is a wonderful
man.”
“You are far too calm. You’re not behind the wheel of a
Mercedes, are you?”
“That’s foul, E.D. I’m not in Florida and I’m not planning to rent a Mercedes.”
“Then why are you so calm?”
“I spoke to Marcus and he hasn’t checked into his
room yet. I know she’s there because she answered the
phone when I called.”
“If Marcus isn’t even checked in yet, how did she get
into his room?”
“Like most pretty women, she sweet talked her way in.
Marcus said he’s going to straighten her out.”
“I see. But you’re worried she might be naked and his
resolve may wane.”
“I keep replaying a seduction scene over and over in my
head.”
“That’s the real reason you called this evening. You
need to keep your mind occupied.”
“Guilty as charged.”
“Trusting isn’t easy for anyone, you know. Hey, I’ve
been married twice.”
“And I’ve been cheated on twice. I count my exhusband in my overall number but Paul’s cheating really
scarred me.”
“I know.”
“I just have to relax, right?”
“It’s easier said than done for all of us.”
She sighed. “I know. Anyway, let’s change the subject.
Did you have a chance to call the car service for me?”
“It’s a done deal.”
“Thanks. That’s one less detail for me to worry about.”
“Anyway, my dear, I should get my tail out of here
too.”
“It’s about time. Go home.”
“Have a great weekend, Cathy, and don’t think about
the office or clients. This is your weekend.”
“I promise. Have a good weekend yourself.”
“Will do.”
Anna called to say she and Roger were grabbing a bite
out. With no one but herself to fend for, Cathy settled on
yogurt. Before she could open it, she heard a voice at the
door.
“Knock, knock, Cousin. I have pizza.”
She put the yogurt back. “Good. Anna and Roger are
having dinner out.”
“I guess it’s a good thing I only got one pie.”
She took a couple of paper plates out. “What kind is
it?”
He opened the box. “Half pepperoni and half plain
cheese.”
“Cool. You want a soda?”
“Yeah.”
Cathy got a couple of Cokes from the refrigerator.
“Here you go.”
“Thanks.” He grabbed a couple of slices and opened
his soda.
“So have you told Aunt Peg about what happened at
your apartment?”
He wiped his mouth. “Yeah. I went over there this
afternoon.”
“Good. She worries about you.”
“I know. That’s why I went over. I didn’t want her to
worry.”
Cathy took a plain slice. “She’s a pistol, that aunt of
mine.”
“Don’t I know it? She had a good time in London,
though.”
“I always thought your mother and mine would travel
together.”
“So did I.”
“It would have been a nice thing.”
“True, but that ship has sailed.”
She took a bite. “You got the pizza from Carmine’s.”
“Best pizza in town.”
Cathy’s mouth was full so she nodded in agreement.
“So are you jazzed about the trip?”
Cathy wiped her mouth. “Yeah, I am. I’ve never gone
away for a baseball game.”
“Don’t you mean you’ve never gone away with or for a
man?” His question was pointed.
“I did go away with my ex-husband on a mini honeymoon.”
“Okay, let me rephrase that. You haven’t been away
with a man in more than a decade. I think that qualifies as
never.”
“Well, if you’re going to split hairs.” She rolled her
eyes.
“All kidding aside, I am happy for you, Cathy. I don’t
think I’ve ever seen you this happy before.”
“I’m not sure if I’ve ever felt like this before. It’s all so
new to me.”
“That’s a nice feeling. And yes I do remember what
true love feels like.”
“You think that’s what this is?”
“Come on, Cathy, it’s love. No doubt about it.”
Cathy could have talked about what happened with
Marcus and Cybil but for once she chose to let sleeping
dogs lie.
“Well, I plan to enjoy it.”
“You should. Aren’t you going to have another slice?”
“In a minute. I can’t put it away that fast.”
“Are you trying to say something?”
Cathy looked at his tie. Most of the sauce was on it.
“I hope your tie enjoyed the pizza as much as you did.”
He looked down. “Aw, damn it.”
“You’ve never been able to master eating pizza or
drinking coffee without getting it on your ties. God, sometimes I think you need a bib.”
“You’re probably correct about that.” He took the tie
off.
She laughed. Leave it to Madison to do something
stupid to make her laugh, no matter how unintentional
the laugh was.
One more slice of pizza later, Cathy was ready to relax
upstairs in her room before calling it an early night. She
couldn’t afford to get bags under her eyes or sport a Rocky
Raccoon look. She tried to put things out of her mind long
enough to get a peaceful night’s sleep.
The Yankees checked into their lodging late. Marcus
told Ben about what had transpired when Cathy called and
said he was wary of what other tricks Cybil had up her
sleeve. As they left the desk, Ben took Marcus’s suitcase
from him and placed it on the cart.
Marcus was thrown off. “Ben, I can carry my own bag.”
“I know you can. Just humor me, okay?”
Marcus threw his hands up. “Okay.”
“Okay. We’ll head up to your room first, Marcus.”
The bellman just stood there quietly. The elevator bell
rang.
Ben got in and held the door open for Marcus, John,
Mark and Juan.
“Man, I am beat,” John sighed.
“Thank God for travel days. There aren’t many this
time of year,” Mark said.
“I think this is our last travel day,” Juan added.
The elevator stopped on their floor.
Marcus turned to Ben. “We’re going to my room first,
right?”
“Right.”
They walked up to his door and Marcus opened it.
Just as he was about to walk in, Ben stopped him. “No,
Marcus, let the bellman put the bags in first.”
He handed the bellman a tip. “Thanks, sir.” He turned
on the lights and went in. Immediately a woman screamed.
White-faced and panicked, the bellman ran out. “I’m sorry.
I didn’t know anyone was in there.”
Ben handed him another fifty. “Don’t worry about it,
son. That’s what she gets for pulling this stunt again.”
“Who the hell?” Sheet wrapped around her, Cybil came
to the door ready to spit bullets.
“What are you doing in my room, Cybil?” Marcus was
not amused.
“I wanted to surprise you.”
“We’re not a couple anymore, Cybil. Why would you
want to surprise me naked when you obviously know I have
a girlfriend?”
“I got to thinking about old times.”
Mark yawned. “Listen, Marcus, I’m heading to my
room. See ya in the morning for training.”
“Okay. Good night.”
“I’m beat,” John said.
“Same here. We’ll see you tomorrow,” Juan said as they
walked down the hall.
Cybil looked at Ben.
“Look at me all you want. I am not going anywhere.”
He held his position.
She rolled her eyes at him.
Marcus was exasperated. “Okay, Cybil, fun and games
are over. Get dressed and I’ll meet you downstairs in the
bar.”
“We could have a drink in your room.”
Marcus lost his patience. “The bar, Cybil. Ten minutes.
I’ll see you downstairs.” He walked away.
She slammed the door.
“Was it something I said?” Ben chuckled.
Marcus sat at the bar with a club soda. He was tired.
However, the situation needed handling and it wasn’t something Ben could do for him; he had to straighten Cybil out
once and for all. Ten minutes passed. Marcus was ticked off
by her fashionable lateness.
Finally she appeared fully dressed. “Gin and tonic,
please,” she said to the bartender.
“Sorry I kept you waiting.” She pulled up a stool.
“Coming right up, miss.”
Marcus remained quiet and calm. He wouldn’t begin
talking until she had her drink in hand, even though he
knew that he could wind up wearing it.
“Here you go, miss.”
“Thank you.” She sipped her drink.
“Put it on my tab, please,” Marcus said.
“Sure thing.”
She smiled. “Thanks. I knew you still cared.”
He rubbed his forehead. “Cybil, we have to get real
here.”
“Fine. You and I used to be a real couple.”
“Cybil, you have to accept that I’ve moved on.”
She fidgeted in her seat. “With your new girlfriend.”
“Yes, with Cathy. She’s the one I want to be with.”
“Well, where is she? I’m here.” She looked around.
“That used to be a bone of contention with us.”
“She’ll be here tomorrow afternoon.” He gulped back
his club soda. “The fact is, I don’t want this to get ugly, but
you can’t pull these stunts. First you show up in Baltimore
saying you’re filming a movie and now you’re here in
Tampa. I think it’s a good bet that you’re not shooting
here.”
“Okay, I wanted to see you and see for myself if you’ve
really moved on.”
“I have, Cybil. Cathy isn’t just a girlfriend. I love her.
I’m in love with her.”
Cybil tried not to look as if she’d been punched in the
chest. “I see.”
“I’m not saying this to hurt you. It’s the God’s honest
truth.”
She looked at his face. “You’re happy with her, aren’t
you?”
“Yes, I am. I hope you can find someone who makes
you feel the way she makes me feel.”
“Even with all the tricks and machinations, you hope
I’ll find happiness?”
“Sure. Why shouldn’t I?”
She had a slight smile on her face. “That’s nice of you.”
She rubbed her eyes. “You know, I never made the chubby
chaser comment. The interviewer was asking all sorts of
questions and my words got twisted.”
“It happens. I was more upset for Cathy than me. She
didn’t deserve that. She has kids.”
“I know that’s a big thing for you. Have you met her
kids?”
“Not yet. They’re in college but I think I’ll be meeting
them during their early fall break in October.”
“Speaking of October, I see you’re really making the
drive for the post season.”
“We’re trying.”
“Good luck with that.” She looked around for a clock.
“What time is it?”
Marcus looked at his watch. “It’s time for me to catch
some sleep.” He got up and put down cash for the
bartender.
“Hold on, I’ll give you change.”
“Keep the change.”
“Thanks.”
“Well, Cybil, I’m going to say good night.”
“Good night. I’m just going to finish my drink.”
“Okay, then.”
He walked out and back into the lobby. Ben was dozing
near a potted palm. Marcus nudged him. “Hey, sleepy
head.”
Ben couldn’t believe he’d fallen asleep. “So how did it
go?” He stood up and stretched.
“Not bad. I think I made my point.”
“Good. Now we can sleep.”
Marcus pressed the elevator button.
“Damn!”
“What?”
“I told Cathy I’d call her tonight.”
Ben squinted and rubbed his eyes to focus on his watch.
“It’s too late now to call her. Besides, she’ll be here
tomorrow.”
The elevator bell rang.
Ben turned to Marcus. “I guess your workout is set.”
Marcus sported a devilish grin. “Yep. I’m looking
forward to extra innings,” he said as they got on the
elevator.