In Dreams (15 page)

“Agreed,” Kat sat down on the bed. “Blake doesn’t know, right?”

“God, no. And you can’t tell him!” Taylor’s voice rose as her eyes widened. She would do whatever it took to protect her little brother. Her heart splintered at the thought of Blake hurting.

“I would never. Kylie wouldn’t either, right? Like, out of spite or anything?” Katherine wondered.

“Kylie can be cruel, but she’d never do anything to hurt my little brother.”

When Kylie and Blake walked through the door, Taylor squealed. She ran over to her little brother and squeezed him tightly.

Kylie refused to look at Katherine. Katherine said ‘
hi
,’ but Kylie pretended not to hear her. Kylie watched as Blake walked over to Kat and gave her a hug.

“It’s so good to see you! I’m glad you came. How are you? How’s school? Are you excited to be here?” Katherine asked quickly.

Taylor walked over to Kylie and squeezed her. “Thanks for bringing him Kyles.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Are we going to any parties?” Blake asked Taylor with a curious look.

“Do you want to?” Taylor teased. She sensed his excitement and her heart palpitated with joy. It had been so long since she’d seen true happiness in her brother’s eyes.

Blake pursed his lips together in a tight smile and shrugged his shoulders.

“Don’t pretend you aren’t excited. We’re going to one in a little. But first, we eat!”

They took Blake on a quick tour of campus and pointed at the hockey rink in the distance. Blake’s face lit up each time he saw something new.

“There are so many hot girls here. College is awesome.” Blake constantly craned his neck to look in every direction.

Taylor laughed, “You’re gonna hurt yourself.”

They stopped by Dominic’s and picked up a pepperoni pie before heading back to the dorm to get ready for the party.

****

Katherine watched Blake’s mouth drop open as he counted the number of people in his view. He looked at the crowded house party with wide eyes and shook his head in disbelief.

“Crazy, right?” Katherine commented.

“It’s ridiculous!” Blake shouted over the music.

They walked past girls dancing on the lawn, on the furniture, everywhere. The DJ mixed music in the living room as colorful lights danced across the ceiling. Blake noticed a group of girls whisper, then point at some guy.

“Come on, Blake!” Taylor grabbed his hand and headed out back.

Blake watched as a guy walked up to his sister and lifted her whole body off the ground. The guy said ‘
hi
’ to Kylie and Katherine before Taylor interjected, “Danny, this is my little brother, Blake. Blake, this is my boyfriend, Danny.”

Danny stuck out his hand and gripped Blake’s forcefully. Blake waved his hand back and forth to ease the pain. Danny leaned toward him and said, “Nice to meet you. I’m totally in love with your sister. Sorry about the hand.”

“It’s fine. And join the club. Everyone loves Taylor.”

Blake started to chuckle when he noticed the guy all the girls had pointed at earlier walking in their direction. “Is that Cooper?” he asked Kylie.

“Sure is,” she answered with wickedness in her voice.

Cooper walked over to the group and smiled. He grabbed Katherine by the waist, dipped her slightly and kissed her boldly on the mouth.

“I’m tired of things being off between us. I’m going to kiss our problems right out of you.” He smirked at Katherine before crushing his lips against hers once again.

Kylie rolled her eyes at the public display of affection. Her stomach churned and she actually considered throwing up right on their feet.

When Cooper finished, he tilted Katherine upright and looked into her eyes. “I forget how to breathe when you do that to me,” Katherine admitted breathlessly.

Cooper smiled and glanced around at the group. “Hey, Kylie. Nice to see you again.” He gave her a loose hug and then squeezed Taylor before being introduced to Blake. “So, Blake, what do you think of college life so far?”

“Seems pretty cool.” He shouted.

“Coming to the game tomorrow?”

“I don’t know,” Blake peered at Taylor who nodded. “Yeah, I guess we are.”

“Cool, well I’ll see you then.” Cooper shook Blake’s hand and leaned into Katherine, “I’m going to grab some water. Do you want anything?”

Katherine shook her head no and Cooper started to walk off. Kylie seized the opportunity to talk to Cooper without anyone else around. “I’ll come with you,” she shouted and Cooper stopped walking so she could catch up.

Katherine shot Taylor a look and Taylor shrugged her shoulders.

“So, Cooper, how’ve you been?” Kylie started with small talk to break the ice.

“Can’t complain. You?” He was so polite that Kylie almost felt bad for what she was about to do.

“I’m fine. So, how are things with you and Katherine?” Kylie knew as long as Katherine dreamed about Austen there was no way things could be perfect between her and Cooper.

“Um, they’re fine.” Cooper hesitated, “Why do you ask?”

Kylie sensed Cooper’s insecurities, “Oh, no reason really. Just wondering. I mean, with everything that happened over Thanksgiving, I just figured...” her voice trailed off.

“What are you talking about?” Cooper unintentionally projected his voice.

Kylie watched Cooper’s resolve weaken. He played right into her hands.

“Oh, she didn’t tell you?” Her questions tortured him, but she didn’t care.

“Tell me what, Kylie?” Cooper asked, agitated.

“Why don’t you just ask her who Austen is?” Kylie turned to walk away as Cooper quickly grabbed her by the arm. “Hey!” she shouted and shook her arm from his grip.

“Who’s Austen?” he asked through clenched teeth.

“Ask your girlfriend,” Kylie turned to leave.

“I’m asking you!” he demanded.

Kylie watched the adrenaline pump through his body as his chest heaved in and out in quick succession. She walked back to him and firmly stated, “And I’m telling
you
to ask her.” She leaned in close to Cooper’s face and whispered in his ear, “But if you want to make her jealous, I know something we could do.”

She glanced outside and noticed every pair of eyes from her group paying close attention to the drama unfolding in the kitchen.

“Why would I want to make her jealous?” Cooper asked, confused.

“Geez, Cooper, are you really that clueless?” Kylie turned around and glared at Katherine before returning her attention to Cooper. She grabbed the back of his head and pulled his mouth to hers. Her lips attacked his with a force and determination he couldn’t resist.

Cooper pushed Kylie away just in time to see Katherine run out the front door. He sprinted after her and shouted her name. Katherine knew she couldn’t outrun him, so she stopped. He jogged up to her and she stared at him, her heart in pain.

She knew why Kylie did it. She didn’t blame her for it. But she hadn’t realized how hurtful it would be to see Cooper kiss someone else. It pained her to witness that kiss. All she wanted to do was run to Austen. She thought of how he would never intentionally hurt her like that. Never allow someone to cause her that much pain.

“I’m sorry, Katherine. Kylie caught me off guard.”

“I don’t care. Kiss whoever you want,” Katherine turned to leave.

“Like you apparently did?” he shouted at her back.

She stopped and turned to face him, “What are you talking about?”

“You tell me. Who’s Austen?”

Hearing Cooper say Austen’s name made her stomach fall to the ground. Her head started to spin as she struggled to steady her breathing. “You don’t know what you’re talking about, Cooper. Just leave it alone.”

“Come on, Kat. Who is he? Is that why you’re so different? Is there someone else?” With each question he asked, his voice pained more and more.

She didn’t want Cooper to be hurt any more than she wanted Kylie or Taylor to be. It seemed no matter what she did, it was unavoidable. Cooper didn’t deserve this. He deserved answers. He deserved someone to love him with all of their heart. Something she couldn’t do right now…or possibly ever.

“It’s not that simple. Just leave me alone, Cooper. It’s for the best,” she turned to walk away and he let her go.

A crowd of people watched Cooper and Katherine’s argument. As Cooper walked back into the party, girls threw themselves at him. He ignored their advances, pretending they didn’t exist. He found Taylor and asked her, “Taylor, who is Austen?”

Taylor immediately looked at Blake, who had a horrified expression on his face. “Shit. Not now, Cooper, sorry. We have to go.”

She grabbed Blake by the hand and turned to Kylie and demanded, “Let’s go.” She gave Danny a quick kiss on the cheek and then sped off, dragging her baby brother behind her.

Kylie turned to Cooper and said, “If you ever want to make Kat jealous again, just let me know.” She kissed him quickly on the mouth before he could stop her and then hurried to catch up with Taylor and Blake.

“How could you do that to her, Kylie?” Taylor’s voice was filled with rage.

“She deserved it and you know it,” Kylie’s responded with attitude.

“Are you kidding? How did she deserve it? You did that to her on purpose. She didn’t do anything to you on purpose. She never would. It wasn’t even her fault about Austen.”

“What the hell is going on? How did Cooper know about Austen, and what does he have to do with Katherine?” Blake interjected.

Taylor shot Kylie a look that screamed she was going to kill her. “It’s nothing, Blake. It’s a weird story, but I don’t want to talk it. Not here. Not right now,” Taylor shook her head.

“Stop trying to protect me and just tell me what’s going on. He was my brother, too.”

“You’re right. It’s just kind of hard to explain,” Taylor stalled when Kylie interrupted.

“No, it’s not. Katherine has dreams about Austen.”

“So?” Blake didn’t get what that meant. “What’s the big deal?”

Taylor hesitated, “They aren’t just simple dreams. Austen sought Katherine out. Like he found her and now she spends almost every night with him in her dreams.”

She turned to see Kylie’s reaction. Kylie looked devastated.

“What do you mean he sought her out?” Blake questioned.

“He watches over us and stuff and he saw Katherine with me one day and apparently he couldn’t stay away from her. I don’t really know; they have this intense bond, I guess.”

“STOP IT!” Kylie screamed. “I do not want to hear any more of this crap. I can’t listen to how Austen and some stranger have an intense bond and...” Her voice trailed off as she fought to stop the tears. She looked at Taylor and said, “I loved him so much. And he loved me back. ME.”

“I know, Kyles.” Taylor held her friend. “I don’t think Austen would ever want to hurt you. And I know Katherine wouldn’t, either. She’s been torn up about the whole thing ever since we got back.” Kylie cringed at the sound of Katherine’s name.

Taylor continued, “Kylie, you can’t go around treating people like crap because you’re hurting. It’s not right. You shouldn’t have done that. You’ve caused a lot of problems for Katherine and Cooper.”

“I kind of don’t care, Tay. I’m sure Cooper can get over it with any one of his adoring fans. And I don’t care about Katherine. I don’t owe her anything.”

“Except an apology,” Blake added.

Blake’s suggestion stopped Kylie in her tracks. “You really think so?”

“What you did tonight was pretty messed up,” he continued before she could interrupt. “Don’t get me wrong, I know that you’re hurting real bad. But I don’t think Kat deserved what you did to her.”

Kylie took a deep breath and swallowed her pride, “Maybe you’re right.”

“I am,” Blake smiled.

Taylor couldn’t believe her little brother could talk sense into Kylie and she couldn’t. She looked at him and mouthed ‘thank you’ and he smiled.

The three walked into the dorm room where Katherine lay in bed. She wasn’t asleep, but she pretended to be. The two small stones from Austen’s gravesite rested in the palm of her hand.

Kylie looked over at her and sat down on her bed. She shook Katherine’s body gently, “Hey, Katherine?” Katherine opened her eyes. “I shouldn’t have done what I did tonight. It was wrong and I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay, Kylie. I understand why you did it. I just need you to know that I really am so sorry for all the pain I’ve caused you,” Katherine’s eyes filled with water.

“Why are you so nice all the time?” Kylie asked, irritated. “I kissed Cooper, remember?”

“I know. And that really sucked,” Katherine winced. “I know how weird this whole Austen thing is. I just know that if I was in your shoes, I’d feel really hurt.”

“Thanks,” Kylie grimaced. “It’s hard to hear you say his name. Like in my mind, Austen will always be mine. So I can’t really listen to you talk about him and say the things you do without it making me want to throw up.”

Katherine’s eyes dropped, “I understand completely. Thanks for being so honest with me.”

Katherine’s cell phone rang and Kylie huffed out a breath in relief. Katherine looked down to see Cooper’s name and number on her phone. She pressed decline and less than a minute later her phone beeped with a text message.

“
California, please talk to me. Just tell me what’s going on.”

She didn’t respond.

“I should probably apologize to Cooper too,” Kylie offered.

Taylor and Katherine glanced at each other before speaking. “No, it’s okay. He’ll just end up asking you a bunch of questions and stuff that you won’t have the answers to. I’ll talk to him when the time’s right,” Katherine explained.

“When the time’s right, huh? When is that going to be?” Taylor chastised.

Katherine faked a smile. She knew Cooper deserved the truth. But honestly, she just wished everyone would leave her and Austen alone.

“Can I ask something?” Blake broke the silence.

“Oh gosh, Blake, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to leave you out.” Katherine looked at him and apologized, “Of course. You can ask me anything.”

“Don’t be sorry,” he said quietly under his breath. “I was just wondering if Austen has said anything to you about me?”