Unraveling (Second Chances) - By Micalea Smeltzer Page 0,97
it looked more like a grimace. Jared chuckled, closing the car door and jogging around to the driver’s side.
I swallowed. Patsy was Jared’s mother’s figure and I knew her opinion mattered to him. Dan’s too. So, what if they didn’t like me? I knew my fears were silly, I had had dinner with them before, at the restaurant, but this was different. This was a family setting and I wondered if I would truly be accepted.
“Stop it, Katy,” Karlie said from the backseat. “You look like you’re about to pass out. You have nothing to worry about. Patsy has gushed about you for so long. She thinks you’re wonderful and she loves the change you’ve made in Jared.”
Jared reached over and squeezed my knee. “You have nothing to worry about, really.”
“Okay,” I let out a gust of air, leaning back in the seat. “I’ll believe you.”
~***~
We pulled up in front of a modest, all brick, one story house with columns.
The door flew open and Patsy came running out before we could all get out of the car.
Karlie glared at an old truck parked by the mailbox.
“What is it?” I asked, puzzled.
“Holden’s here,” she snarled.
Patsy, overhearing, said to her, “Now, Karls, you know how Holden’s dad is. We’re the only real family he has. Please, be nice to him.”
“I’ll try,” Karlie grumbled, hugging Patsy.
Patsy released Karlie and turned to me. She didn’t try to hug me, and that made me a bit sad, but it was my own fault.
“I’m so happy you’re here, honey,” Patsy said. “It means the world to me and I know Jared’s ecstatic that you agreed.”
Jared grinned, slinging his arm around my waist and pulling me against him. He kissed the top of my head and murmured, “I am. I’m not too much of a man to admit that.”
I blushed.
“Let’s stop standing out here, in the cold,” Patsy ushered us inside. “I’m afraid Dan and Holden might eat all the food if we wait too long.”
I expected to find a very traditional style of decorating, on the inside of the home, but I was pleasantly surprised. It was homey. The couch worn, but not too worn, and the coffee table looked like it could tell a story or two.
Dan was relaxing in a tan recliner, a bottle of beer in one hand.
“Hey son,” He nodded at Jared. “Katy,” he grinned at me.
I smiled shyly and gave him a small wave.
“Where’s my little girl?” he peered around us, looking for Karlie.
“Hey, dad,” she said, going up and kissing his cheek. “Already starting in on the alcohol, I see,” she pointed at his beer.
“Your momma will only let me have them on ‘special occasions,’” he grumbled. “I fully intend to indulge. Jared feel free to help yourself,” Dan pointed towards what I assumed was the kitchen.
The house, being older, wasn’t very open. All the rooms were closed off from the other.
“Nah, I’m good,” Jared shrugged.
“Suit yourself,” Dan took a sip of his beer.
Karlie muttered, “I’m the one that’s going to need one.”
“Whatcha need, Angel?” Holden asked, coming into the living room.
“None of your business,” Karlie snapped, crossing her arms over her chest and going in search of Patsy.
Holden smacked Jared’s arm. “What the fuck crawled up and died in your sister?”
“Don’t use that language in my house, Marks,” Dan snapped.
“Sorry, sir,” Holden straightened, waiting for Jared to answer.
“Nothing,” Jared shrugged. “She just doesn’t like you.”
“What’s not to like?” Holden threw out his arms.
“Do you really want me to answer that?” Jared raised a brow.
Holden sighed, letting his arms drop. “She acts like I kicked her puppy or something. I didn’t do anything.”
I hated to inform Holden, but I thought the fact that he hadn’t done anything, was sort of the point.
Jared shrugged. “Maybe she’s PMSing or something.”
Holden made a face. “Does that shit last all month or something?”
“I don’t know, Holden,” Jared said, guiding me to the couch and sitting down. He pulled me down beside him and squeezed my hand. “I don’t understand how that works.”
I laughed. “Holden, she’s a sixteen year old girl, you just get on her nerves.” I wouldn’t betray Karlie’s trust by telling him about the crush. I also didn’t think Jared would take that news very well.
Holden made a face and muttered, “Women.”
“Dinner’s ready!” Patsy called out.
Jared squeezed my hand again. “Ready?”
“Yeah,” I nodded.
“Come on, Pop,” Jared patted Dan’s shoulder. “Turn the TV off.”
Dan grumbled and the TV went black. He stood and I