15
WE PULLED INTO A PACKED PARKING LOT OF WHAT APPEARED TO BE A SCHOOL. Jared cursed as he looked at the clock in the car.
“It starts in two minutes,” he grumbled, getting out of the car and taking the flowers.
I opened the door and tumbled to the ground. Luckily, I caught myself before I scraped my knees on the asphalt.
I had to run, which wasn’t easy in heels, to catch up with Jared’s long stride.
“It’s in the auditorium, of the high school,” he said, more to himself than me. “They expected a high attendance and the ballet school she goes to is small. They only have room for attendance of fifty people.
Jared pushed open the doors to the school and we followed the signs to the auditorium.
People turned to glare at us, for coming in late. A dance was already beginning.
Somewhere in the middle, someone stood and motioned for us.
Jared reached for me, but then let his hand drop.
We squeezed past the people already sitting and I flinched anytime my bare skin touched someone. Jared noticed, and sent me a sympathetic glance.
Two empty seats were waiting for us and Jared made sure I took the seat next to Patsy, while he took the one next to the stranger. I leaned over and saw Dan and Holden there, as well.
I giggled to myself when I saw that Holden held purple tulips.
“I’m so glad you could come, sweetie,” Patsy whispered in my ear.
“I’m happy to be here,” I told her. I leaned across to Jared and he shivered from my proximity. “Thanks for taking that seat.”
“It’s not a problem,” he said, wiggling in the seat, trying to get enough room for his long legs. “You smell good,” he blurted.
“What?” I gasped.
Even in the darkened room, I could see the color flooding his cheeks. “You smell good, like strawberries and flowers.”
“Um… thanks,” I said awkwardly, sitting back in the chair.
All different age categories were performing, from youngest to oldest, so it took a while before Karlie came on stage.
Jared leaned towards me when she came out. “That’s Karlie,” he pointed at a striking girl with dyed red-orange hair pulled into a tight bun, “and that’s her dance partner, Rodney.”
I watched the couple dance gracefully across the stage. They were breathtaking, every move so precise, the emotions playing across their faces were believable.
I found my jaw dropping open.
Karlie and Rodney danced like pros, like people twice their age.
When they finished, everyone in the auditorium stood to clap.
“They were incredible,” I told Jared. “Amazing!”
“I know,” he grinned, clapping like a proud dad.
Holden whistled from beside us, and on stage, Karlie caught his eye, blushing.
There was only one other dance number after Karlie’s and Jared sat impatiently waiting to congratulate his sister.
When the lights came on, he jumped up from his seat.
We weren’t allowed to go back stage so we all waited in the school’s hallway for the dancers to come out.
Karlie emerged, wearing a pair of jeans and a lightweight sweater over a tank. Her hair was hanging loosely down her back. A smile lit her face and she ran into Jared’s arms.
“Thank you for coming,” she told him as he slung her around in circles. “I know ballet isn’t your thing.”
“I’d do anything for you, squirt. You know that,” he told her, putting her down and ruffling her hair. “Here’s your flowers,” he handed them to her.
“Thank you,” she took them from him.
“I got you flowers too,” Holden cleared his throat. “They’re your favorite, right?” he held out the tulips.
“Yes,” she blushed, “they are. Thank you! I can’t believe you remembered,” she whispered the last part under her breath.
“I remember everything you say,” Holden told her, his blue-gray eyes raking over her.
Karlie blushed an even brighter shade of red before hugging Dan and Patsy.
“I’m so glad you guys came,” she told them.
“We wouldn’t miss our little girl’s performance for the world,” Dan said, hugging her tighter.
Jared cleared his throat. “Karlie, there’s someone I’d like you to meet.”
“Oh,” she let go of Dan.
Jared motioned me over. “Karlie, this is Katy. Katy, this is my sister, Karlie.”
“It’s so nice to meet you!” Karlie exclaimed, opening her arms for a hug.
I backed away and cowered behind Jared. My breaths came out in strangled gasps and embarrassment caused tears to sting my eyes.
I started to run away, I remembered seeing bathrooms down this hallway.
Behind me, I heard Karlie say, “What did I do?”
I didn’t hear Jared’s reply, because I was already ducking into the bathroom and slamming the stall door closed.
I could feel a panic attack coming on and struggled to control myself.
I breathed in and out, in slow, deep breaths, and eventually calm descended over me.
But I was still too embarrassed to leave my temporary sanctuary.
I’d just made a complete fool of myself in front of Jared’s family and his friend.
I heard the restroom door open and prayed that it was just some girl freshening her makeup.
“Katy.”
No such luck.
“Katy, please come out,” Jared pleaded.
“You’re not allowed in the girls’ bathroom,” was my intelligent response.
He chuckled. “No one else is in here, but you. I think I’m okay.”
“Please, just go away,” I begged.
“Katy, I’m not the kind of person that just gives up. You asking me to leave only makes me want to stay more.”
“Jared,” I begged. “Please.”
“No. I’m standing here until you come out. Even if I have to stand here all night.”
“That’s not fair,” I sobbed.
“Life isn’t fair, Katy. Besides, you promised me you wouldn’t run anymore.”
“I did, didn’t I?” I rolled out some toilet paper and wiped my face clean of mascara smudges.
“Yes, you did,” he chuckled. “Please come say goodbye to my parents and Karlie, before we leave.”
Panic clenched my stomach. “I can’t. They think I’m a freak.”
“No, they don’t,” he said. “Please come out, kitten.”
I took a deep breath and turned the lock so that the door swung open. Hiding in the bathroom was immature of me. I needed to get over my past instead of running from it.
“Katy, I want to pull you into my arms and hold you, so bad,” Jared’s eyes were full of pain for me. “One day, you’ll let me, but I know today isn’t that day, and I’m okay with that.”
“Thank you for understanding,” I said, softly. “Do I look halfway decent?” I motioned to my tear streaked face.
“Come here,” he motioned me to the sink and turned on the hot water before wetting a paper towel. “Do you mind?” he held the paper towel a few inches from my face.
“Go ahead,” I whispered.
Gently, he began to wipe my face; careful to make sure his bare skin didn’t touch mine.
With his face so close to mine, I began to shake. “Are you okay?” he asked.
“Yeah,” I whispered.
“You know,” he paused his ministrations, “something has been bugging me.”
“What?” I asked, my brows furrowing together.
“How come you let me hold your hand in the club, the first time we met?” his eyes never left mine.
“I -uh- I felt safe… with you,” I mumbled.
“And you don’t feel safe with me now?” he tucked a piece of hair behind my ear and the almost contact had me closing my eyes as pleasure coursed through me.
“I do,” I whispered, my eyes still closed.
“Then why won’t you let me touch you, Katy?” Jared asked, his voice husky.
Because I’m afraid I’ll never want you to stop.
“I don’t know,” my voice cracked.
Jared sighed and stood up straight. He tossed the paper towel away and looked back over his shoulder at me. “Ready?”
“Yeah,” I said shakily, stepping forward.
He held the door open for me and then led me back to his family.
I gave them an embarrassed smile but they went on like nothing had happened.
Rodney had joined them and he was talking to Karlie. Holden looked pissed about something and I really hoped he wasn’t mad at me for running away.
“Katy,” Patsy said, “would you like to join us for dinner?”
“Oh uhm-” I stammered awkwardly.
“She’d love to,” Jared answered for me.
“I really would,” I assured Dan and Patsy when they looked at me skeptically.
“Good,” Patsy smiled, her eyes crinkling in the corner. She was a pretty lady, with short brown hair and a kind smile. She looked to be about fifty, but she had that timelessness to her, that made her seem younger. “Rodney, do you want to come with us?”
Before the guy could answer, Holden growled, “I’m sure the pipsqueak has something far more interesting to do.”
We all looked at Holden in shock.
He blanched at the sudden attention.
Rodney cleared his throat, causing us all to turn his way. “Thanks for the offer, but my parents are taking me out.”
“Oh, of course!” Patsy said and waved to a couple standing nearby.
“Well, I better get going,” Rodney, said.
“Yeah, you should,” Holden snapped. He crossed his arms over his chest, looking every bit the MMA fighter.
Rodney shook his head in disbelief at Holden’s behavior. He whispered something in Karlie’s ear, before kissing her cheek. She blushed and looked at the ground.
“Can we go now?” Holden grumbled.
“Yeah,” Jared said. “Karls, where do you want to eat? This is your special day and all.”
Karlie exclaimed, “Fuddruckers!”
Jared chuckled. “Are you sure that’s where you want to go?” he teased.
“Yeeeees! I haven’t been able to eat a cheeseburger in months, thanks to ballet! Tonight, I will indulge myself,” Karlie did a little twirl as she spoke.
“Whatever you want, squirt,” Jared said. “Are you riding back with me or mom and dad?”
“Actually,” she bit her lip, “I was hoping to ride with Holden.”
“Me?” Holden pointed to himself.
“Yes, you,” Karlie narrowed her eyes.
“Oh, um, sure, if that’s okay with you guys?” he looked at Jared, Patsy, and Dan for approval.
“That’s fine,” Dan said. “Let’s just get a move on, I’m starved.”
We all went our separate ways in the parking lot.
“I really like your sister,” I told Jared as we followed the line of cars out of the parking lot.
He chuckled. “When you’re not running away from her?”
I paled. “I’m sorry, I couldn’t help it.”
“I know, Katy,” he said, softly, “and that’s okay.”
“No, it’s not. I shouldn’t have run away like that. I’m sure she thinks I’m weird.”
“Katy, you’re not weird and Karlie would never think that. She understands,” he said.
“Good,” I said, “I really don’t want to burn that bridge before it’s even been built.”
Jared chuckled. “Despite your awkwardness, I don’t doubt that anyone could not like you.”
My jaw dropped.
“What?” he asked with a chuckle as he glanced at me.
“You called me awkward,” I crossed my arms over my chest.
His chuckle turned into a full on laugh. “Because it’s true, kitten,” he said. “But you’re the most adorable kind of awkward and I love it.”
Love.
Jared loved that I was awkward.
If he loved that I was awkward, what else did he love about me.
“Stop freaking out, Katy,” he said.
“How’d you-”
“I just know things,” he winked, a grin tugging his lips up at the corners.
~***~
“Oh my gosh!” Karlie moaned. “Nothing has ever tasted this good before,” she bit into her burger again.
Jared chuckled. “I’m glad, squirt.”
“All I’ve had for months is salad and water,” she slurped her Dr. Pepper. “This is like heaven.”
“Why don’t you quit ballet?” Holden grumbled, picking apart his own burger.
“Why don’t you quit MMA?” Karlie narrowed her eyes.
“Because, it’s my passion,” Holden replied, putting his burger back together.
“Well, did you ever think that maybe ballet is my passion? Sometimes,” she took a deep breath, “you have to suffer for the things you love.”
“Whatever,” Holden stared down at his plate of food. “I’m not very hungry.”
“Dude,” Jared snapped at his friend, draping his arm across the back of the booth. His hand dangled dangerously close to my shoulder and I held my breath. “What is your problem tonight? And you’re always hungry.”
“Not tonight,” he said. “And I don’t have a problem.”
“Clearly, you do. If you’re going to ruin Karlie’s night, just leave,” Jared growled, pointing to the door.
“Fine, I will,” Holden threw down his napkin and stood. He grabbed his wallet and pulled out a wad of bills before slapping them down on the table and walking away.
I looked across the table at Karlie and saw her lower lip trembling. “I’m not very hungry anymore,” she said, pushing her plate away.
“Karlie,” Jared said, sympathetically. “Holden is an a*shole.”
“Jared!” Patsy gasped. “Language, we’re in a restaurant.”
“He’s your friend,” Karlie said, “Maybe you should make better ones.”
Jared ran his fingers through his hair. “I honestly don’t know what’s up with him.”
“He’s just a jerk, always has been,” Karlie grumbled, gnawing on a fry.
“Just don’t let him ruin your night,” I spoke up. “This is about you, not him.”
“You’re right,” Karlie smiled, picking up her burger again. She took a bite and set it down. Pointing at Jared, she said, “Just make sure you give him a black eye when you train with him Monday.”
Jared chuckled. “Sure thing, squirt.”
“Good,” she smiled. “So Katy, are you coming to Jared’s fight, tomorrow?”
Jared grumbled beside me. “Karlie,” he said, warningly.
“Fight?” I questioned.
“He has a match tomorrow,” Karlie informed me.
“Oh,” I said.
“Karlie, Katy’s not into that scene,” Jared said.
“No, no,” I interrupted, “I’d like to go.”
“Really?” Jared looked at me, shocked.
“Yeah,” I shrugged, “it’s your job. I’d like to see what it’s all about.”
“Okay,” Jared smiled. “I’d like for you to be there.”
“Then I will be,” I beamed.