Second Chances - Unraveling Part 44

"Why not?"

"I don't even know my dad," I shrugged, "and my mom didn't want me. She was never around. She didn't even raise me, there's no way she would have had another kid."

Patsy gave me a sympathetic look, "No child should ever have to grow up in a home like that. It's just not right."

"It was all I knew," I sighed.

"But you knew it wasn't right," she said, taking my hand in hers. I stiffened at the feel of her unfamiliar hand and she went to let go, but I quickly held on.

"Yeah, I know," I said.

"I don't want to over-step my boundaries," Patsy looked at me with her kind green eyes, "but if you ever need a mother's advice, I'm here for you."

"Thank you," I said, sincerely, "that means a lot to me."

"Anytime, dear," she said.

"Sorry, I'm late," Jared took the chair next to me. "Hey kitten," he kissed my cheek.

"Hey," I smiled, taking his hand. He sighed in relief at my touch and that made me smile even more.

"I missed you," he kissed my cheek again.

"You saw me earlier today, at the gym. I think I have a bruise to prove it," I said, rolling up my sweater to show him. "See," I pointed to the small bruise I had gotten.

He chuckled and pressed his lips to the spot. "All better now?" He raised his eyes seductively up to mine.

"Uh- yeah," I stuttered.

He chuckled and sat back just as the lights dimmed.

The teacher came out, introducing the first group of dancers.

There weren't as many performers at this recital, but once again, Karlie and Rodney went last. They each did a solo performance before ending the night, dancing together.

I was amazed by how fluidly they moved and worked together. It was a sight to behold. The amount of skill they both possessed was astounding and at such a young age. I had never been as dedicated to anything as Karlie was with ballet. I loved that she was so determined.

I watched them glide across the stage, mouth agape. It was like their feet never touched the ground.

It was spectacular. Breathtaking.

When the dance ended, they were both breathing heavily, but smiling widely.

They turned to the crowd, clasping hands and bowing.

I clapped along with the crowd, just as amazed as I had been the first time I saw Karlie perform.

Jared whistled as Karlie and Rodney left the stage, the curtains closing.

The lights came back on and everyone waited for their kids to come out from backstage.

Karlie emerged, a huge smile on her face. She hugged Jared, Patsy, and Dan, before looking at me speculatively.

I opened my arms up and she took the invitation. I held her tight, like she was a little girl and not a sixteen year old.

"I got you some flowers," I said, letting her go and bending to retrieve the flowers.

"Thank you! They're my favorite! How'd you know?" she asked, inhaling their sweet scent.

"Jared," I said.

"Of course," Karlie laughed, hugging her brother again.

We gathered our stuff to leave and I wrapped my coat around me.

Jared slung his arm across my shoulders, pulling me against his side so that I was protected from the icy wind swirling around outside. Snowflakes clung to my hair and lashes.

Karlie held her arms out to her sides, twirling around in the middle of the parking lot, her tongue stuck out in the hopes of catching a stray flake.

Jared chuckled at his sister's antics but quickly scolded her, "You're going to get hit by a car, Karls."

"At least, I'll die happy," she remarked, pulling her hat low over her ears. "Don't you just love the snow?" she asked no one in particular. "It's so magical!"

Jared unlocked his car and Karlie hopped inside. Dan and Patsy had already disappeared.

Jared tugged me towards his body so that he was cradling me against his chest. Our breaths fogged the air, mingling together before drifting away.

He entwined our hands, cupping them between us for warmth.

"Are you staying here for Christmas?" he asked.

I nodded. "Of course. I don't want to go to my mom's, although, if she pestered me enough times, I would probably give in. But she called me the other day, she's in the Bahamas."

"That's harsh," the air hissed between his teeth.

"That's my mom," I shrugged.

"Come to my house," he pleaded. "Stay the night, on Christmas Eve, and be there all day, with us. Dan and Patsy won't come over until lunch or dinner time."

"No, no," I shook my head. "I already b.u.t.ted in to your Thanksgiving; I won't do that with Christmas too."

"Katy," Jared said, pressing his forehead to mine and letting go of my hands to cup my cheeks. "It's not b.u.t.ting in if I invite you. I want you there, always."

I bit my lip, indecisive.

"I don't know," I looked down at the snow-covered ground.

"Please," he gave me the puppy dog eyes that always made me cave in.

I pushed his shoulder. "Jared, you're twenty-four years old, don't give me that face."

"What face?" he grinned, pulling me back to him. "Just say yes. I want my wonderful girlfriend to spend Christmas with me, plus, I can't wait to give you your present."

I smiled at that. "You got me a present?"

"Of course, kittycat," he nuzzled my neck.

"Okay," I finally, said.

"Okay?" he questioned, his lips lifting in a grin.

"Okay," I nodded. "We'll celebrate Christmas together."

Jared whooped, picking me up and swinging me around.

My feet had barely touched the ground before he was kissing me pa.s.sionately. I melted against his touch.

A car horn honked, making both of us jump.

"Karlie!" Jared growled.

I could see her laughing and mouth, "Hurry up."

"She can be such a pest," Jared shook his head. With a sigh, he said, "I better go. I'll see you on Christmas Eve?"

"Yep," I said, "I won't be running away. You have nothing to worry about."

He chuckled. "I love you," he said, kissing me quickly.

I pulled away from his embrace. "You better go before she honks the horn again."

"I'll wait for you to leave, before I go," he pointed to my car a few rows down.

"So protective," I laughed at him, slinging my purse back up to my shoulder from where it had fallen to my bent elbow.

"I just like to protect what's mine," he chuckled as I walked away.

33.

I PACKED MY OVERNIGHT BAG FOR JARED'S HOUSE AND DROPPED IT BY THE DOOR, next to Jared, Karlie, Dan, and Patsy's Christmas presents.

I quickly scanned the room to make sure I wasn't leaving anything behind that I might need.

My phone started ringing and I was half tempted to ignore it. With a sigh, I dug it out from the bottom of my purse. I swear, how did the stupid thing always manage to get to the bottom.

"h.e.l.lo?" I answered.

"Hey, it's me," Jared said.

I laughed. "Yeah, I know. My phone told me. You know, there's this thing, called caller ID that most people know about and it happens to tell you who's calling."

"You're mean," he said. "Have you left yet?"

"I was just about to. Why? Did you change your mind? It won't hurt my feelings if-"

"Shush," he interrupted me. "Have you looked out the window lately?"

"Uh, no," I said, going to do that. I pushed the curtain aside and twisted the blinds open. "Wow," I breathed, looking at the amount of snow coming down.

The snow we'd gotten days before had all but disappeared, but the new snow already looked about an inch deep. Greenville wasn't equipped to handle that much snow. We were close to the beach and it was rare to get a lot. Three inches was about the most snow we ever got and it looked like that was going to happen tonight.

"Just wait at your place. I'll come pick you up. I don't want you driving that sports car in this weather," his voice was stern.

"Jared, I've done it before. I can drive myself," I paced the short length of the living room.

"No, you stay right there. My car is more durable in this weather than yours is. Besides, after what happened with the deer, I'm terrified of something else happening to you."

I groaned. "Jared."

"I'm already on my way," he said, a steely edge to his voice that I rarely heard. "Wait there. I don't want you getting hurt."

"Fine," I plopped on the couch.

"And wait in your condo, I'll come up to get your stuff."

I sighed. There was no arguing with Jared when he got like this. "I'll call down and tell them to let you in."

"Thanks," he said and hung up.

I tossed my phone to the other side of the couch and let out a groan. Jared was always so worried about me. He needed to chill. I wasn't as breakable as he believed.

I called down and let the front desk know that Jared would be coming and to let him up.

That was one of the perks of living in a condo, they didn't let random strangers just walk in.

I wasn't one to just sit around and wait, so I grabbed a dust rag and began cleaning.

I wasn't aware of how much time had pa.s.sed, so when Jared knocked on the door, I jumped.

I tossed the dirty rag into the washing machine and opened the door.

"It's cold out there, you better bundle up," Jared said, coming inside and closing the door behind him.