Unraveling (37 page)

“You suck the fun out of everything,” Karlie said from the back, her voice muffled by her jacket, which she’d rolled up and currently had her head propped against.

“I try,” Jared chuckled.

In no time, a light snore filled the backseat, and Jared chuckled. He
looked over at me. “Fill her up and she falls right to sleep, just like a baby.”

Jared pulled up in front of my condo building.

“I love you,” he brushed his nose against my cheek. “I’m so glad you were in the club that night, and I’m so glad you came to Fight For It.”

I chuckled. “You’ll have to thank my therapist for that one. She saw the flyer and suggested I try it out.”

“I want to give that woman a big hug,” he growled in my ear, “because she brought you straight to me.”

“I think I can arrange that,” I kissed him again, quickly, and grabbed my bag. “I’ll see you.”

“Bye,” he smiled, as I closed the door.

I walked to sliding glass doors of the main floor and looked over my shoulder. Jared was still there, watching to make sure I made it inside safe. I smiled and waved over my shoulder at him before going inside.

A smile lit my face as I rode up in the elevator.

Every day, I was finding another reason to love Jared a little more. That’s how I knew what we had
, was true, real, love; the kind that lasts.

32

I looked out my bedroom window, grinning from ear to ear.

It was snowing, the first one of the season.

I loved the snow, always had. When I was a child, I was the first one bundled up and outside with my sled.

It looked like we really would have a white Christmas this year.

Tonight, was Karlie’s Christmas recital, the holiday itself only a few days away. Classes had ended a few days ago and I was happy for the break. I needed some time without homework.

I pulled on a pair of black skinny jeans and
a red sweater. I had recently bought a nice black coat that came to just above my knee and belted at my waist and decided to wear it over my sweater for a dressier appearance.

I pulled my hair back in a ponytail and swiped some gloss over my lips.

Jared had to stay late at the gym today so I was driving myself to the recital. This one was smaller and would be held at the studio.

I really felt like I
was part of the Reed family now and not just Jared’s girlfriend.

I slung my purse over my shoulder and locked the door behind me.

It was dark outside, the stars twinkling above and I was thankful that the condo kept the parking lot lit.

I had ordered purple tulips yesterday, for Karlie, and had picked them up this morning. I had decided to leave them in the car so I wouldn’t forget them, and was pleased to see that they still looked fine.

Traffic was heavy, but that was normal with this being a college town. I was so used to it that I didn’t really pay much attention.

The parking lot at the ballet studio wasn’t full yet and I easily found a spot.

I followed a group of people inside, up a set of steps and into a spacious room.

A small stage sat in the front of the room with chairs set up in rows.

“Katy! Katy, honey! We’re over here!” Patsy waved me over to where her and Dan were sitting.

“Hey,” I said, taking the seat beside her.

“Thank you for coming, dear. I know this means a lot to Karlie,” Patsy patted my knee and quickly withdrew her hand.

I put my purse on the floor, with the flowers on top. I removed my coat and rolled it up to hold it in my lap.

“I’m just happy she wants me here,” I smiled.

“You’re the sister she always wanted but never had,” Patsy’s eyes shimmered. “When she was little sh
e used to beg Dan and I to give her one,” she chuckled.

“That’s sweet,” I said.

“Do you have any siblings?” she asked, clearly making small talk.

“No,” I snorted, shaking my head.

She gave me a funny look, my tone of voice tipping her off to a deeper meaning.

“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.”

P
atsy 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 d
on’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 acr
oss 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
butted 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 butting 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 do
g 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 passionately. 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 ring
ing 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.

“Hello?” 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 dee
p. 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.”