Unraveling (Second Chances) - By Micalea Smeltzer Page 0,90
her lips. “We hit it off immediately and became best friends. It helped that we went to school together, too. But now that he’s flirting with me…” she paused. “It’s awkward, because I don’t know if I can reciprocate his feelings. A part of me wants to try because maybe he could take my mind off of Holden, but it makes me feel horrible to lead him on like that. I’d be using him and because of our friendship I just can’t do it.”
“You’re very wise to only be sixteen.”
“Certain situations have forced me to grow up faster than most. Plus, I focus most of my time on ballet,” she played with the ends of her hair, avoiding my gaze.
“You’re making the right decision not to use him,” I assured her.
“Yeah, well,” she looked up at me, “I have to move on sometime and get over this ridiculous crush.”
“What crush, angel?” a voice sounded over Karlie’s shoulder. Her eyes widened in horror and I sat up to look at who was standing behind her.
“None of your business, Sharky,” she snapped, venomously.
Holden looked taken aback, “What’s got your panties in a bunch?”
I could hear Karlie’s teeth grind together. “Why aren’t you at the fight?”
“Didn’t qualify,” he pulled up a chair and placed his drink cup on our table.
“I didn’t recall inviting you to sit here,” she glared at him. I almost felt bad for the guy.
He brushed his sandy blonde hair away from his face and whistled under his breath. “Feisty,” he grinned. A grunt escaped his lips and I assumed Karlie kicked him. “Damn,” he muttered under his breath, rubbing his leg. “Who knew twinkle toes could kick like that?” He asked, rhetorically.
“I can aim higher if you’d like,” Karlie batted her eyelashes. “I promise I won’t miss.”
Holden put his hands up in surrender. “Somebody woke up on the wrong side of the bed.” He stood up and put the chair back before grabbing his drink. “Later,” he called over his shoulder as he grabbed his to-go bag.
Karlie sagged and laid her head on the table. “Thank God, I didn’t say his name. I would’ve died on the spot if he heard me say that I had a crush on him.”
“I can’t believe that just happened,” I shook my head.
“I swear, speak of the devil and the devil shall appear,” she placed her head in her hands, groaning. “If he found out that I liked him, I’d never hear the end of it.”
“He’s not that bad,” I disagreed. I didn’t really know Holden, but I didn’t think he’d be the type to torture Karlie.
“You’d be surprised,” was her reply. She looked at her half eaten sandwich. “I’m really not that hungry, anymore.”
“Let me go grab some boxes and we’ll get out of here.”
I packed up our food and we left, heading back to Jared’s house.
Inside, Karlie collapsed on the couch with a sigh. “I still can’t believe that happened.”
I shrugged. “Well, it did.”
Shaking her head, she slid from the couch to the floor, “I’m going to put a movie on. You wanna watch?”
“Sure, why not?” I said, a blush tingeing my cheeks when I thought about last week and waking up on the couch wrapped in Jared’s arms.
“I’m in the mood for something really girly,” she shuffled through the collection of DVDs. “Aha!” she cried, pulling out a copy of Pride and Prejudice.
She pressed play and then plopped in the chair.
“I love this movie,” a smile graced her face, eyes focused on the screen. “I want to find a Mr. Darcy.”
I closed the blinds in the living room and grabbed two blankets, tossing one to Karlie, before settling onto the couch.
When the movie was over, we talked for a while, before getting ready for bed.
I was just climbing in Jared’s bed when my phone rang.
“Hey,” I answered.
“I’m back at the hotel, Dan had me training all day,” Jared yawned. “Are you in bed?”
“Yeah,” I said, pulling the covers up to my chin.
“God, I wish I was there with you,” he crooned over the phone.
“Well, if you were home, I’d be at my place,” I laughed. “There’d be no need for me to be here.”
“Damn, I hate your logic,” he chuckled and I heard some rustling. I assumed he was getting in bed.
“It’s the truth, not logic, babe,” I giggled.
Silence greeted me on the other end of the phone. “Hello? Jared? You there?”
“You called me babe.”
I blushed, rubbing my cheeks as if I could rub the color away. “Uh, yeah, I