Unraveling (Second Chances) - By Micalea Smeltzer Page 0,112

please stop asking questions?”

She nodded, startled at my tone.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have snapped,” I gave her a sad smile.

“It happens,” she said.

“I’m going to –uh- borrow a shirt of Jared’s,” I looked at my bra and panty clad self.

“Okay,” she said, picking up her book.

I dashed up the steps, rifling through Jared’s shirt drawer.

I didn’t have a change of clothes with me, because I hadn’t planned on staying the night here, but things were different now. After what happened today, I didn’t think the pills would keep my nightmares away, I wasn’t even sure Jared could, but I’d try.

I found one that looked like an old high school shirt. I knew I’d never seen him wear it, so I slipped it on. It fell down to my knees.

I heard the shower turn off and a moment later Jared padded into his room only wearing a pair of low-slung boxers.

My heart raced in my chest at the sight.

I was beyond surprised by my reaction, especially after seeing Preston today.

“You okay?” Jared asked, pulling on a pair of mesh shorts.

“I guess,” I said.

“Looks good on you,” Jared said.

“Huh?” I questioned.

“My shirt,” he flicked the collar of the shirt I was wearing. “It looks good on you,” he grinned.

“Th-thanks,” I said. “I’m going to shower, now.”

“Take your time,” he said. “I’m going to order pizza. I don’t feel like cooking dinner. You staying the night?”

“If you don’t mind,” I glanced at him sheepishly.

“Of course I don’t mind,” he pulled me against his chest, kissing my forehead. “I want you here, always.”

I pulled away before I could cry. I needed to hear those words, that someone wanted me.

I took the longest shower I’d ever taken, scrubbing my legs over and over, trying to wipe the memory of Preston away.

If only we really could erase our memories. Life would be so much easier if we never had to remember the bad things.

I leaned against the shower wall, breathing heavily as the water streamed down my body.

I wanted to cry, but I refused. I was stronger than that.

I turned the shower off, the nozzle squeaking.

I dried off and pulled my wet hair back into a bun, pulling on Jared’s shirt.

The pizza had already arrived since I took such a long shower. Karlie and Jared sat at the kitchen table chatting.

I sat next to Karlie and began nibbling on a piece of pizza. I wasn’t hungry but I knew I needed to eat.

I tore at the pizza crust, wondering what would have happened today, if Jared hadn’t been there. Would Preston have tried something, again? Would I have remembered my self-defense moves or stood frozen? So many questions swirled through my mind, and sadly I didn’t have any answers for them.

“You okay?” Jared asked and I jumped.

I nodded, my voice fleeing me.

“He’ll never hurt you again, Katy,” he said, his brown eyes boring into me, straight down to my soul.

I looked around for Karlie, wondering why Jared would be saying this in front of her, and found that she was gone. I had been so lost in my own little world I hadn’t noticed.

“He hurts me every day, Jared,” I drew random designs on the tabletop.

Jared’s breath hissed between his teeth and he put his hand on mine, stopping my mindless drawing.

“Katy, I thought you were better,” his words were a plea.

“I was… until I saw him again. It opened up all those old wounds again.”

Jared shook his head hard enough that I was surprised he didn’t get whiplash. “No, stop it. Just stop,” he said, sternly. “He didn’t hurt you again, you’re fine. Don’t think about the past.”

“He didn’t hurt me because you were there. If you hadn’t been-” I shook my head. “Who knows what may have happened.”

“But I was there, Katy. Stop thinking about the alternatives. You’re tearing yourself apart thinking about what ifs.”

“I know,” I bit my lip. “You’re right. I have to stop doing this to myself.”

Jared let out a relieved sigh at my words. I hated to have worried him.

“I hate to ask this,” I looked at him nervously, “but can you go to my condo and pick up Mable?”

He chuckled. “I already planned on it.”

~***~

“Mable!” I cried as Jared put the fluffy gray cat down on the ground. She scampered to me, hopping up on the couch and rubbing against me. She had grown a lot since Christmas but she was still small and light as a feather.

“She was sitting in front of the door, when I opened it,”