Unraveling (Second Chances) - By Micalea Smeltzer Page 0,66
as he backed out of the driveway. “What happened to my car?”
“It was damaged beyond repair. You’ll have to get a new one,” he said, heading towards the college.
“Greeeaaat,” I drew out the word. Honestly, it wasn’t that big of a deal. My mom wouldn’t even notice the missing money from the bank account. I would, however, have to make sure and get the same car. She’d notice if I showed up at home driving something different. I chuckled to myself. Not that I planned on showing up there anytime soon.
“What are you laughing about?” Jared asked, eyes on the road.
“Nothing,” I waved his concern away with a flick of my hand.
~***~
Rollo was waiting outside, pacing along the sidewalk in front of his dorm.
Once in the car, Rollo asked, “Where are we going?”
I looked at Jared, who shrugged.
“Is Italian good with everybody?” he asked.
Nobody complained so Jared drove about a mile down the road to a popular local Italian restaurant.
Thankfully, we didn’t have to wait long.
Jared slid into the seat across from me and winked before picking up a menu.
My cast thumped against the wooden table.
Graceful, Katy, real graceful, I scolded myself.
Rollo clucked his tongue and tapped the blue plaster. “I can’t believe you got into a car wreck.”
“I can’t believe I have to wear this stupid thing,” I glared at the offensive cast, covering my arm. In a way, the pain in my ribs was more bearable than the clunky cast.
“You better let me sign it,” Rollo turned to look at me.
“I don’t want anybody to sign it,” I mumbled.
Rollo looked at me like I was insane. “Don’t make me come after you, I’m signing that thing.”
“I want to sign it too!” Karlie put her menu down on the table and leaned towards me. “I have a sharpie in my purse!”
“Who carries sharpies in their purse?” I asked incredulously.
“Sharpies are man’s best creation. I always have one,” she said, digging around in her leather purse.
I looked across at Jared, pleading with my eyes, for him to save me.
He just chuckled and gave me a look that told me I was on my own.
Karlie pulled out a silver sharpie and handed it to Rollo.
“Give me that arm, baby cakes,” Rollo grabbed my cast.
“Rollo,” I whined, but I knew there was no changing his mind once it was made up. “Fine, at least don’t write anything offensive.”
“Who said anything about writing it,” he cackled.
My eyes widened. “Or draw anything!”
Jared snorted and hid his face behind a menu. I glared at the plastic sheet, knowing he could feel the burn of my stare through it.
“I’m so happy you think this is funny,” I said.
Jared chuckled, still hiding behind the menu.
When he continued to laugh, I found my own lips turning up, and pretty soon I was giggling.
“All done,” Rollo grinned, letting go of the cast.
I brought it up to my eye and read what he’d written:
I guess when you kill Bambi’s mom, you have to wear a stupid cast.
Love ya, babycakes.
-Your bestest-est-est friend
Rollo
“Thanks Rollo, I feel the love,” I laughed.
“Just being honest,” he put the cap back on the sharpie and tossed it across the table to Karlie.
“My turn!” Karlie said, getting ready to stand, but she was interrupted by the appearance of our waiter.
“What can I get ya’ll to eat?” he asked, pen poised against the paper.
During all the ‘let’s sign Katy’s cast’ fuss, I hadn’t decided what I wanted to eat.
When it came to be my turn, I picked some kind of Parmesan chicken thing, and crossed my fingers that I’d like it.
“So,” Rollo said, taking a sip of his Diet Pepsi, “how come you’re staying at Jared’s?”
I blushed, but was saved from answering by Jared.
“That’s my fault, Rollo,” Jared said. “I hated the thought of Katy staying at her condo by herself. She’s still hurt and recuperating. Her ribs are going to be sore for a while and the cast a hindrance, so I thought it would be better if she stayed where someone could look after her.”
“Admit it, you were just chomping at the bit to have Katy in your bed,” Rollo smirked.
Jared spewed Mountain Dew across the table. Luckily, I missed the spray.
“How’d you know she slept in my bed?” He asked Rollo. Then to me, “Did you tell him?”
I shook my head no.
Rollo chuckled and looked like the cat that ate the canary. “I didn’t, but you just gave me the answer. Baby cakes, isn’t one to… kiss and tell.”