was across from us.
Shopping bags were stacked next to Piper, with more between Karlie and me.
“Well,” Piper laughed when a bag fell over on top of her, “I’d say today has been very productive.”
“Looks like it,” Karlie giggled. “Thanks for letting me tag along.”
“Not a problem,” Piper said, picking up her menu. “I think you’re pretty cool and I want your hair.”
Karlie snorted and flicked a bright orange red. “I think Jared just about busted a vein in his forehead when he saw what I had done, but I love it. I think your hair is pretty awesome too.”
“I’m thinking about changing the pink to purple… or maybe blue. I don’t know,” Piper said, scanning the menu.
“Why? The pink looks amazing. I like how it gets darker and then lighter on the ends.”
“Hmmm, I guess I’ll leave it,” Piper smiled at Karlie.
I was relieved that they were getting along so well. I was a bit afraid that Piper would be a little irked by Karlie, but instead they were getting along like they’d known each other for years.
I could tell Karlie was soaking in the girl time.
I laughed and joined the conversation throughout dinner.
For once, I didn’t feel like I was standing on the outside looking in. I felt like I belonged.
18
“YOUR BROTHER IS GOING TO KILL ME,” I looked at the clock in my car. It was after nine and I knew he’d be pissed we had been gone so long.
“He’ll get over it,” Karlie shrugged like it was no big deal.
“That’s easy for you to say, he won’t be mad at you,” I sped down the road.
Karlie snorted. “He’s always mad at me about something, he acts like he’s my dad. Trust me, if there’s anyone Jared could never be mad at, I think it’s you.”
“I think it’s really great that Jared cares for you the way he does,” I said.
“Yeah, it is. I’m just happy he’s turned out to be who he is. He’s a great person, but having gone through what he has,” she shook her head. “It would have completely ruined most people, but not, Jared. He had a phase during his teen years where he was really rebellious and that was when Dan got him into fighting at the gym.”
I was curious to know more, but I knew Karlie wouldn’t let anything about Jared’s past slip.
Plus, for whatever reason, I thought of our deal.
Jared’s voice echoed through my head.
“I’ll tell you about my past, when you tell me about yours. I won’t push you to open up to me, Katy. I’m not like that. I’ll give you time, all the time in the world. But in the meantime, I want you to give me a chance, because I think we could turn out to be something great.”
A smile lifted my lips when I thought of his words.
“Katy!” Karlie screamed suddenly, but it was too late.
I closed my eyes and braced for impact.
I felt the car hit the deer and skid out of the lane.
My eyes popped open and I tried to right the car, but I couldn’t.
A car in the other lane, slammed into the driver’s side door.
Pain laced through my arm as the airbag exploded in front of me.
I could hear Karlie screaming and I reached out to take her hand, to comfort her, not even thinking about what kind of reaction the physical contact might cause me, but my hand never found hers.
The pain was too much and I finally succumbed to the numbness.
~***~
I felt like I was sinking.
Sinking deeper and deeper, with no clue which way was up and down.
I couldn’t breathe and I couldn’t see.
All my senses seemed to be missing.
Everything around me was just a blank, black, void.
I sunk deeper into the depths and then there was no more.
~***~
Yelling.
Someone was yelling.
Really loud.
And my head hurt.
I wish they’d shut up.
What was that annoying beeping sound?
Was my alarm going off?
Slowly, my eyes peeled open and I gasped when I took in my surroundings.
The beeping got louder with the racing of my heart, so did the yelling.
No one was in my hospital room, but I opened my mouth anyway and said, “Karlie?” I tried to yell it, but my voice came out crackly and barely above a whispered. “Karlie?” I tried again.
Out in the hallway, the yelling came closer and I recognized the voice.
“Katy! Katy!” Jared yelled and he sounded like a mad man. “Katy! Someone tell me where Katy Spencer’s room is! Karlie-” this time he sounded relieved. “Where is she?”