Unraveling (Second Chances) - By Micalea Smeltzer Page 0,52
my cast.
“Can you help me?” I asked Jared.
“Sure,” he said, expertly putting it on, checking to make sure no water could get in anywhere. I noticed, that when he had to touch my skin, he did so, lightly. He was easing me into his contact and that small gesture made me fall a little more for him. “You’re good, go get your shower,” he smiled.
“Thanks,” I smiled back. I felt a little dazed as I walked back to the bathroom.
Jeez, now Jared was affecting my equilibrium.
I turned the hot water on and opened the glass door.
The water beating against my skin felt like heaven.
There was dried blood in my hair and it freaked me out a bit as I watched it swirl down the drain. I guess the doctors had cleaned the rest of the blood from my body, because I couldn’t find any, anywhere else on me.
I washed my hair and body, and was so relieved to smell like a normal person.
I dried my hair with a towel, brushed it, and pulled it back into a bun. I had already brushed my teeth, but I did it again anyway.
It was amazing how rejuvenated a shower and brushing your teeth could make you feel. I felt like a whole new person.
I found Jared, stretched out on my couch, with his arm thrown across his face. He let out a little snore and a part of me melted.
No one should ever be that cute while sleeping.
I shook his boot covered foot and he sputtered awake. “Sorry,” he said, rubbing his stubble covered face. “I’m really sleepy,” he yawned.
“Me too,” I said.
He smiled and straightened his rumpled white tee. “Ready to get out of here?”
I nodded.
He grabbed my duffel bag and tossed it over his shoulder.
I locked the door and my stomach lurched.
I was really staying at Jared’s house.
Oh, God.
I don’t think I could have ever agreed to it, if Karlie wasn’t going to be there.
On our way to Jared’s house, he stopped and picked up a pizza for Karlie and Holden.
He pulled in the driveway and told me to wait for him to help me.
He guided me down from the car, moving slowly so that my ribs weren’t hurt in the process.
He grabbed my duffel bag and the pizza and said, “I’ll come back for your other stuff.” He nodded at the shopping bags.
Karlie opened the door and the expression on her face was half-upset, half-pissed. I was sure she was at her wits end with Holden.
Jared handed her pizza and she scurried into the kitchen.
Grabbing some glasses from a cabinet and filling them with ice, she said, “How are you feeling, Katy?”
“Tired and sore,” I sat down next to Holden on the couch.
“I bet,” Karlie said. “Would you like some water?”
“That would be great,” I said, adjusting a pillow so that I would be more comfortable.
“Jared?”
“Gatorade,” he said, taking the chair next to the couch. He rubbed his eyes.
“What about me?” Holden asked.
Karlie scoffed. “You can get your own,” she snapped.
Holden chuckled and stood. “Whatever, kiddo.”
She glared at him. “I hate you.”
“You know,” he said, going into the small kitchen and brushing against her, “hate is a very passionate word.”
“Holden!” snapped Jared. “Leave her alone, I don’t feel like listening to you two, right now.”
“Fine,” Holden grumbled, grabbing a can of Coke, and a plate.
He popped open the box of pizza and put four pieces of pizza on his plate.
Karlie gaped at him. “Pig.”
“Shrimp,” he grinned.
“Real original, Sharky,” she rolled her eyes at him.
“One day, those eyes are going to roll right on out of your head,” Holden chuckled.
“I doubt that,” she smirked, stuffing a piece of pizza in her mouth. She carried a glass of water over and a bottle of Gatorade.
She handed me the glass and Jared the bottle. “Thanks,” I smiled.
“No problem,” she went back into the kitchen for her plate and drink. She scurried past Holden and took the empty space next to me, on the couch, before Holden could.
“Real mature, Karlie,” Holden said, sitting on the floor.
“You snooze you lose,” she shrugged.
After that, they ate in silence. Jared dozed off, asleep in the chair, and I tried to get comfortable. The pain was starting to get unbearable and I dreaded having to take any more pain meds.
Holden and Karlie finished off the pizza and cleaned their plates.
“I’m heading out to the gym,” Holden said. “If you need me, call me, even you.” He pointed at Karlie.