I follow Kai’s mom downstairs to the family room where Kai is waiting to drive me home. Kai and I are given instructions to pick Khloe up from daycare after school and to bring her straight home tomorrow.
Kelli tried to pay me for tonight but I declined. I really had a good time it was a great end to my craptastic day.
Sliding into the passenger seat, I buckle my seat belt and wait for Kai. He said there was something he needed to get. I hear him put something in the trunk before he gets in. He reaches over and brushes his thumb over my knuckles. “I don’t know what happened, but you didn’t deserve that from your friends today.”
“Thanks,”
I choke out trying not to cry at the word waiting for me on the front of the house when I get home. “I made a mistake the summer before ninth grade, in case you were wondering.”
“I wasn’t...I didn’t need to ask Kat. You don’t have to explain. I know we might not talk much, but I know you aren’t like that. I have known girls like that and you definitely aren’t one of them.” I can’t help but wonder what he means by I am not like ‘that.’ I want to ask him but I am too chicken.
He withdraws his hand from mine and I have that feeling of missing his skin against mine. Backing out of the driveway, he tells me to pick something on the radio. I settle for ‘The White Buffalo, I am the light.’
I can’t help it as I belt the lyrics out, it is one of my favorite songs. Kai turns the volume down and listens to me intently. I feel naked…exposed and vulnerable letting him share in this with me, but I like the way I feel when he looks over flashing his dimples at me, impressed with my vocals.
The drive to my house feels a lot faster than it did coming the other direction, but it seems that is how it goes. It seems like it takes forever to reach your destination, but the road back is shorter. The car is idling in front of my gate and Kai is grinning at me. Silence stretches between us, neither of us knowing what to say, but not ready to say goodbye.
“What would you have done, if I kissed you earlier?” He asks with hungry eyes.
“I wouldn’t have kneed you in the balls again, as long as you didn’t lick my face,” I tease.
His lip twitches and he lets out a low chuckle clearly remembering our seven minutes in heaven. “If I recall I tried to tongue you and you got scared and turned your head,” he says smugly.
I’m not sure if I can handle another kiss this weekend, so I say the first thing I can think of. “Well then maybe one day I will give you a second chance to prove that you aren’t just a frog.” I click my seatbelt and take the door handle in my hand.
“Oh, I got some paint in the back for you. I’m not sure if it’s even the right color, but it is better than having whore spray-painted on your house.”
“Thanks that was really sweet of you.” We both get out of the car and he goes to his trunk to get the paint. He refuses to let me carry it and walks me to the door. I can see my mom peering out the curtains at us.
“So I will see you tomorrow,” I tell him, as I get ready to dart inside the house and face my mom.
“Can I give you a lift to school in the morning? I mean it is supposed to be really cold—the weather man said it would be blustery in the early hours.”
“I couldn’t, I mean it isn’t even on your way.” I am more shocked that he watches the weather. Kai never has struck me for someone who would care about the weather.
“I don’t mind. I have to drop Khloe off at her daycare for my mom in the morning anyway.” He shrugs. “Besides Kat, whoever did this…” he motions to the red paint. “That is only the beginning.”
Not wanting to be alone in the morning, I take him up on his offer. He is right who knows what else they will try. Whoever they are. I have a good idea who they are though—Penny and Aaron, or him and his friends on the basketball team. And possibly Becks, which makes my chest hurt and it feels like strong steel hands are squeezing my heart.
He sits the paint down and brushes his finger across my cheek, making me feel dizzy. “See ya, tomorrow Kat.”
Chapter 9
I hurry inside of the door afraid Kai was going to try to kiss me anyway. My mom is waiting for me with a hard look on her face.
“Who was that boy?”
“I left you a note, I got a new job babysitting for Kai Cooper’s little sister.”
“I called you Katie and you didn’t answer me, then I come home to find that awful word painted on the house. And then a note saying you took off with some boy. I expect better from you. Why is that shit on the house?”
“Maybe it’s for you,” I mouth off at her tired of her back and forth mood swings. “Oh, you want to be a caring mother now that I am getting old enough to leave is that it?” My brow is arched as I finally feel strong enough to stand up to her for once.
“What do you mean leave, Katie you aren’t going anywhere. I talked to Jason; he has agreed to take you back watching Chase. I told him in time you might be more open to him.” Did she really just say that?
“I am nothing like you and I never will be. I will never spread my legs for money!” I shout loudly and hope Kai is long gone.
She comes towards me like she is going to strike me again as she did earlier.