Until Next Time (The Shooting Stars Series)

by Michelle Maness

  “I’m sure she does,” Katherine told herself not to start looking for fault again. Of course he wanted his mom involved in their wedding and she was naturally more equipped for the society they kept than Katherine was.

  “I need to go. I’m sorry you felt chastised, Katherine. I hope next time you will just pull me aside and say so.”

  “I will. I love you.”

  “I love you too. Bye.”

  Katherine set aside her phone and told herself that they had resolved things; she didn’t understand the knot that still set firmly in the middle of her stomach.

  ***

  Katherine wore a beautiful white ball gown, the skirt ridiculously wide, so much so that her father couldn’t take her arm. She stood in a grand cathedral with tall, arching stained glass windows that appeared dark, no light shone through. There were stones beneath her feet and a chandelier of candles overhead. The bridal waltz soared and swelled in the cavernous space as the guest, dressed in muted monochromatic blues watched, their faces indistinct blurs. The aisle seemed ridiculously long, a pristine white runner rolled out before her. No attendants stood at the ends of the aisle, only her groom, dressed in his tuxedo as he waited, his hands clasped in front of him.

  Katherine took a step and the floor moved beneath her feet; she reached to steady herself and found only air around her. Her next step was no more firm and her father wasn’t walking with her; she was on her own. Katherine took another determined step; the man she loved stood at the end of that aisle and she would get to him one way or another. She made it half way down the aisle and stopped to look around her. In front of her Derrick smiled and all around her guests watched, their faces still indistinguishable. Something was wrong. What was wrong? She looked around frantically as crackling filled the air. She looked up; the chandelier was on fire, swinging faster and faster by the rope that held it.

  Katherine turned to run away, her feet sinking into the floor and her skirts weighing her down. Her dad still stood by the double doors watching sadly as she struggled her way back down the aisle. She finally made it to the double doors, slamming into them as she stumbled over her skirts. The door was locked; she pounded on them until they swung open and she fell into the wet street. Behind her the music still swelled even as the chandelier crashed to the floor. Katherine stood as rain began to fall, weighing her already heavy skirts down and flattening her elaborately styled hair. She looked around fanatically. Where was she? Why didn’t the others get out of the now burning church? The windows exploded, propelling her forward as she tried to hurry down the street. Tears ran down her face and sobs wracked her body as she turned the corner and stopped short.

  She was in Knoxville, on the street where Adam had lived. Her dress was now ruined, tattered and the weight steadily increasing. She looked up to see Adam put the last box in his car and slam the trunk. She called to him but he didn’t hear her. She watched him get into his car and the taillights come on as he started it.

  “Adam, wait!” she called and struggled against her skirts. She tugged impatiently at her dress; she needed it off so she could move.

  “Wait,” she sobbed again as his car reached the end of the street and turned. Katherine sank to her knees as sobs wracked her body; he was gone. She heard crackling and snapping, looked over her shoulder, and realized the city was on fire. She struggled to her feet and fought against her skirts to run. The fire began to overtake her, the back of her oversized skirts catching.

  Katherine sat bolt upright in bed as the ringing of the phone pulled her from the nightmare and back into reality. She sat in her bed, her heart racing and breathing labored. Her sheets were soaked with sweat and her hand shaking when she reached to shove her hair out of her face.

  “Hello,” she finally reached for the phone as she tried to shake the dream from her mind.

  “Hey, Kaitlyn.”

  “Adam, hi,” she still felt disoriented and shaken.

  “Kaitlyn, are you okay?”

  “Yes, I was…I had a nightmare and I still feel disoriented. Sorry, why were you calling?”

  “First off, I wanted to know how the wedding went.”

  “Better than the one I just had or didn’t have or…the wedding was fine,” she looked around her and tried to orient herself. It was only fifteen to seven.

  “What?” he asked.

  “My dream. You called at fifteen to seven to ask about the wedding?” she frowned in confusion.

  “No, yes; that wasn’t the main reason I called but I wanted to ask before I forgot,” she could hear his smile. “Guess what?”

  Katherine could hear his good mood; she didn’t want to bring him down. In fact, talking with him was helping her nerves settle.

  “You were abducted by aliens?” she tried and felt herself start to relax when he laughed.

  “No, try again.”

  “You won a Nobel prize for world peace?”

  “No, I get out on Wednesday.”

  “You get out Wednesday?” she asked in surprise.

  “Yes. Welcome to the world of the living.”

  “Adam, that’s great,” she was smiling now. “Do you need a ride?”

  “I hate to bother you, but yeah, if you can.”

  “It’s no problem. I have a list of apartments for rent.”

  “Any promising ones?”

  “A few,” she related as she swung her feet over the side of the bed and plodded across her apartment for the kitchen.

  “Good. I need to find a place fast.”

  “Do they always let you guys use the phones this early?”

  “No. I sweet talked the receptionist into it.”

  “Let me guess, she’s a fan?”

  “Maybe. I didn’t ask,” he responded. “She’s married though so I don’t think she has any real interest.”

  “Modest of you,” Katherine smiled as she mixed up a bowl of oatmeal.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Making apple cinnamon oatmeal for breakfast.”

  “Sounds good, we’re having pancakes.”

  “Trade ya,” she teased.

  “Nah, I like pancakes better. I’m going to miss having all my meals seen to.”

  “So I’ll teach you to cook.”

  “Me?” he was clearly incredulous.

  “I can do it.”

  “Maybe,” he didn’t sound convinced. “I’ll let you try, anyway. I need to go. I’ll see you Wednesday.”

  “What time?”

  “Nine.”

  “See you then, Adam.”

  “See you, Kaitlyn.”

  Katherine was smiling as she laid aside her phone and finished preparing her breakfast. Her smile faded as she recalled her dream. What had that been about?

  Fourteen

  Katherine woke early Wednesday, excited to be seeing Adam and about his getting out of rehab. She was hopeful that he was ready to face reality and decide what was next for him. She knew that she would stand beside him if he needed her. She wouldn’t watch her friend crash and burn if she could help it.

  As she drove to the rehab center she found herself thinking back to Amy’s wedding. She was happy for her friend. Amy had been glowing as she walked down the aisle to marry her man. Katherine had felt a moment of jealousy. The wedding she had been looking so forward to seemed to be becoming a battle for what she wanted versus what her soon to be mother-in-law wanted. Every choice Katherine made seemed to be the wrong one.

  Katherine rotated her neck and tried to shake off her melancholy. She loved Derrick. Once they were married and the wedding over with she was certain they would settle into a routine and their time and space would be their own again. At moment she felt as though Annelise was invading nearly every aspect of her life. Only her visits to Adam remained only her time, unimpeded by work or shopping and wedding planning. The shopping and wedding planning were most definitely dominated by Annelise Shaw.

  Katherine turned into the center’s parking lot and realized she was a half hou
r early. She couldn’t do much about it now, she decided as she stepped from the car. She moved inside and greeted the receptionist before sharing why she was there. The reception smiled, made a call, and assured her Adam would be out shortly.

  Katherine moved to study some painting while she waited.

  “Hey, Kaitlyn, you’re early,” Adam joined them.

  “I got in a hurry,” she smiled.

  “I don’t mind, just let me say bye to everyone.”

  “No problem,” she assured him and claimed a seat. The receptionist she had been talking to had disappeared and another woman entered to take her place.

  “It’s always nice when someone they know comes to get them. When there isn’t anyone we call on the area churches but it’s not the same. How long have you known Adam?”

  “About six years now.”

  “He’s lucky to have a friend like you, Kaitlyn. We don’t see the ones with at least one good friend back as often.”

  “I seem to be at a disadvantage, you know my name, but I don’t know yours.”

  “Gretchen.”

  “It’s nice to meet you, Gretchen.”

  “Okay, I’m ready,” Adam, bag in hand, announced.

  “Then let’s go,” she led the way to the car.

  They chatted easily on the drive back into Nashville where Adam had several errands he needed to take care of. She took him to a bank of his choosing so he could arrange for the transfer of funds and made certain they would honor his need for privacy. They were more than happy to oblige. That done, Adam selected an apartment, a task that seemed very easy for him, and saw to the utilities and phone.

  “I guess I should see to my appearance before I get recognized,” Adam suggested.

  “Not a bad idea. What are your plans exactly?”

  “To look as much like I used to as I can. Maybe as an ordinary Adam, I won’t get into so much trouble,” he grinned.

  “You can always try,” she teased.

  “Gee thanks,” he laughed.

  A few minutes later they were in a salon so he could return his hair to its original color.

  “You know what, Kaitlyn?”

  “What?”

  “I have forgotten what color my hair is,” he admitted.

  Katherine laughed. “That one,” she pointed to a swatch of hair.

  “Are you sure? I thought it was more this color,” he indicated a lighter brown. She looked between the color swatches and his hair and shook her head.

  “Too light. Your hair and eyes were almost the same exact color. I always thought they complimented each other perfectly,” she insisted.

  Adam smiled. “If she says so then that’s it.”

  The beautician nodded and started on his hair. When the beautician was through, Katherine found herself looking at a slightly older version of the Adam she had met. Katherine swallowed hard and told her heart to stop pounding. She and Adam had had their chance. That was over and done with and they had both moved on with their lives. She was glad to have her friend back in her life but that was exactly what they were and what they needed to be: friends.

  “Looks great,” she assured him. “Let’s see to your wardrobe and get you out of those ridiculous clothes,” she suggested.

  “What’s wrong with my clothes? Have I made fun of some of the stuffy things you’re wearing these days?” he returned.

  “What do you mean stuffy?” she looked down at her slacks and top.

  “Nothing,” he shook his head. “I was just aggravating you because you were aggravating me.” His smile didn’t reach his eyes.

  “You okay?” she demanded.

  He studied her a moment before his expression softened and he smiled, really smiled, “I’m fine.”

  Katherine studied him a moment and nodded.

  She was surprised by how much fun it was to shop for clothes with Adam. She laughed at his antics, watched him try on different things, and chastised herself for admiring him. He had always been a good looking guy; she shouldn’t be so surprised or distracted by that.

  “When did you get your initials tattooed on your knuckles?” she asked as they dug through a rack of clothes together.

  “When I signed my contract. What do you think of this one?” he asked, holding up a shirt.

  “Nice. Did it hurt?”

  “I don’t remember.”

  “Were you drunk?”

  “Afraid so. I was drunk when I got all three of my tattoos and it shows in my choices.”

  “Three?”

  “Yeah,” he shrugged.

  “I prefer my body unaltered, not to mention I don’t like needles,” she shuddered at the thought. “Try this,” she handed him a shirt.

  Katherine seated herself in a chair outside the dressing rooms and waited while Adam went to change.

  “I don’t like this shirt so much,” Adam frowned at the mirror, “that one, however,” he moved to one on a nearby rack.

  “Hold that,” he shoved the shirt into her hands and removed the one he wore before he grabbed the other and turned to face the mirror.

  Katherine frowned and stood. “Hold on,” she said before he could pull the shirt on.

  “What?” he frowned at her.

  “Adam,” she was standing behind him now.

  “Yes?”

  “Did you know you have my initials in a heart on your shoulder?” she asked him.

  She watched a bemused smile spread over his face.

  “You mean you’ve never seen it?” he asked her.

  “No,” she shook her head. Seeing her initials there shouldn’t have given her a thrill; it had.

  “It’s been there for a while now. This one,” he turned to show off one of a nude woman, “was more recent.”

  “Adam!”

  “I told you, I was drunk,” he shrugged and pulled on the shirt.

  “Why did you think I would have seen your tattoo?” Katherine moved back to her chair.

  “Because photographers are always encouraging me to take my shirt off,” he admitted. “It’s been on several posters and in a couple of magazine spreads.”

  “I hadn’t seen it,” she reiterated and watched him survey himself.

  “Does it bother you?” he asked her.

  “No,” she shook her head.

  “Good. I like this shirt,” he decided and headed back into the dressing room.

  Katherine sighed. Should it bother her?

  Katherine watched the cashier study Adam intently and tensed. She was fairly certain the woman was trying to place him. Adam laid his hand on the counter, his initials showing and Katherine slapped her hand over his. Adam gave her a confused look as she left it there while he paid.

  “What was that about?” he demanded after they exited the store.

  “She was trying to figure out who you were, it was written all over her face so when you laid your hand up there I was afraid she would see your initials and figure it out.”

  “Oh,” he glanced at his hand. “I guess I better be mindful of that.”

  A few more stops and they decided to stop by Adam’s new apartment. He had no furniture as yet but he dropped his things off in his bedroom and changed.

  “So what do you think?” Adam asked when he emerged from his room.

  Katherine looked up to find him standing in front of her, he was dressed in loose jeans, a white t-shirt with a red lounge shirt open over it, and Doc Martins.

  She tried to smile and ignore the way her heart sped up.

  “You look nice. I think you’ve found your style.”

  “How about some lunch? I’m starving.”

  After lunch he bought a vehicle, Katherine was slightly jealous of his new Durango, and dropped her car off at her place before going shopping for furniture.

  “Adam, why do men always choose black modern stuff?” she asked him as they were climbing back into his Durango.

  “It’s easy to match. I appreciate your help, though. I’ll enjoy the colors you helped m
e choose.” She had ended up helping him coordinate a colorful but masculine color scheme starting with a deep burgundy leather sofa with classic lines. She couldn’t stand black modern stuff. It was all Derrick had.

  “Now what?” Adam asked her. “I have no idea what goes into setting up house.”

  “Do you want fancy, expensive things or practical and decently nice?”

  “The latter.”

  Katherine directed him and they were soon each grabbing a buggy and working on filling them.

  “Which sheets?” she asked as she looked them over.

  “Any I can sleep on,” Adam shrugged.

  “Adam...” her look was one of long suffering.

  “The green, the blue, and the purple.”

  “Thank you. Which comforter?”

  “That one,” he chose a plush comforter in deep purple. They went through the store like this for over two hours. If not for her he would likely have sat on crates and eaten pizza straight from the box.

  “You’re making this difficult,” she informed him after she pulled another opinion out of him.

  “I’m sorry, if it’s clean and comfortable then I am good,” he shrugged.

  “That doesn’t help me any,” she accused.

  By the time they had bought what he had to have and a few groceries it was getting late. They arrived at his complex and each grabbed a load. Katherine began putting things away while Adam worked on unloading.

  “Kaitlyn, you go home and rest for work tomorrow. I’ll take care of this,” Adam fretted on one of his trips in.

  “I’m off until Monday so that I can help you get situated.”

  “You shouldn’t have done that,” he fussed, but his eyes said he was grateful.

  “Why are you washing brand new dishes?” Adam asked on his next trip in.

  “You always wash dishes before you use them the first time.”

  “If you say so.”

  “Where do you want your glasses?”

  “Somewhere easy to get to,” he said as he disappeared for another load.

  Katherine planted her hands on her hips and glared at the empty doorway; the man was going to drive her crazy.

  Once she had finished in the kitchen, she grabbed his bathroom stuff and went to set up his bathroom for use. She had just finished putting out the rugs and accessories when Adam entered with his toiletries.