Page 161 of Reinventing Cato
Cato headed for the car park.
“What are we going to do in Sacramento?”
Cato turned and offered him the best horrified expression he could manage.
Vigge laughed. “Apart from that.”
“We’ll be leaving first thing tomorrow morning. We’re heading for a town called Auburn.”
“And what are we going to do there?”
“It’s a surprise.”
Vigge fell asleep before Cato had left the city. Thank God for satnav because it was a bloody nightmare negotiating San Francisco. Evenwithsatnav he struggled. His colleagues at the Ames Research Center had warned him how choked the roads could get, so he was relieved when he was finally out of the city and the traffic eased off. Cato kept having to glance at Vigge, almost as if he was reassuring himself that he was actually there. One week of relaxation and fun before Vigge had to go back. One week for Cato to pluck up the courage to tell him he loved him.
They were still living in Vigge’s rented property, but once Cato was back at Christmas, he wanted them to look for a place to buy. Now he was no longer a student at the university, there was no requirement to be less than ten miles away.
The business with Pedro was over and done with. He’d pleaded guilty at the first court hearing, which meant there was no need for a trial. With murder, there was no credit given for saving time and money and he was serving a thirty-year life sentence. Theoretically, he’d eventually be eligible for parole. The only reason he’d not received a full life sentence with no chance of release, was because of his mental health. Cato was glad he was behind bars, but it was hard to fight off the guilt he felt for having set the whole thing in motion.
Vigge hadn’t got into any trouble. He’d even been given a commendation for his part in the case.For sleepingas Cato kept teasing him. Cato still couldn’t get over what a waste it had all been. Not just of lives, though that was the worst thing, but of Pedro himself. A really bright guy who Cato had liked. He’d tormented himself for a time wondering if he’d missed something, if he could have stopped Pedro sooner, but Vigge had stopped him beating himself up. They both had shadows in their pasts, which needed to stay in their pasts, because their future together was bright.
Cato glanced at a sleeping Vigge.Oh God. I love you.Cato thought about practising saying it out loud while Vigge was asleep, but the words stayed in his heart.
The hotel was just off the Interstate on the north-east side of Sacramento. Cato had picked it because it meant he didn’t have to negotiate city traffic the following morning. Plus, it had a pool. Vigge didn’t wake until Cato nudged him.
“What?” Vigge jerked upright.
“We’re here.”I love you.
Vigge yawned and stretched. “How long have I been asleep?”
“Just over two and half hours.”
“God, and I’mstilltired.”
They stepped out into a blast of heat and Vigge sighed. “That sun feels fabulous.”
“There’s a pool.”
“Even better. Will there be an astrophysicist in the pool? Because that’s my favourite sort of pool.”
“Possibly.” They checked in and headed for their room. “Shall we go and have a swim now? Lie in the sun for a while? Order a beer?”
“Perfect.”
Cato opened the door of the room and they went in. “I really want to tear your clothes off you and slay you with my love sword, only I’m worried you’ll think that’s all I’m interested in.”I love you.
“We can wait another hour. I really like the idea of that pool.”
“Get changed in the bathroom then, or I won’t be able to keep my love sword sheathed and under control.”
Vigge laughed.
I love you.But Vigge slipped into the bathroom before Cato could summon up the courage to say it.
The moment they slid into the water, Cato knew this had been the right thing to do. The pool was deliciously warm and he floated on his back with his eyes closed. It had been an insanely hot summer in California and in September, the temperatures were still high. He looked over at Vigge who was powering up and down the pool, and closed his eyes again.Bliss.
Until Cato suddenly went under, tugged beneath the surface. He stood up and spat a mouthful of water at Vigge.
