Unraveling (Second Chances) - By Micalea Smeltzer Page 0,37
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.