I Won't Tell If You Won't Chapter 21
A/N: Thanks for reading! Special thanks to wweanddegrassi, Kirstein Renee Orton, Bingobaby, and PRINCESSNIA for reviewing! I really appreciate it!
ONE MONTH LATER
Randy moved back to St. Louis after Katie clearly told him that she didn't need or want him around anymore. His instincts told him to stick around, but he decided that he couldn't handle heartbreak from Katie again; he just cut his losses.
Since he was back at home, Randy had settled into a routine. He woke at seven a.m., ran around the city for at least 5 miles, took a shower, had a big breakfast, and worked on building a motorcycle from the ground up. It was what he did every day without any interruptions… until today.
He had just finished his run around St. Louis as he jogged up his drive way when saw Katie sitting on his doorstep with a sleeping Cassidy in a stroller. Randy halted his jog and just stared at the pair. It wasn't a loving stare; it was more like 'get the hell away from me' stare.
He breathed heavily and kept his distance. He finally spoke when he caught his breath.
"What the fuck do you want?" he asked bitterly.
Katie stuttered before she answered. "I don't have anywhere to go." She said quietly.
Randy scoffed. "And that's my problem because?" he asked.
She sighed. "I know what I said was harsh, but I really need you right now." She said sadly.
Randy shook his head. "What about your parents?" he asked.
"I don't want to bother them with my problems." She answered.
"And you want to bring your problems to me?" Randy asked indignantly.
"Please Randy. I just need somewhere to crash for a while then I'll be gone." She begged.
"What about your apartment?" he asked.
Katie sighed. "My landlord evicted me while I was in the hospital. She threw all my stuff out and rented the apartment to someone else. I really have nowhere else to go, Randy. Please help me."
"I helped you for 5 months. I've done my time." He said quietly as he walked past her and into his house.
He closed the door behind him and sighed. He had had enough of defending, protecting, and helping Katie when she was never grateful. He didn't want a repeat of events. Did he feel guilty for leaving her outside? Sure. Guilty enough to help her? Nope.
"I'm sorry Randy." he heard through the door. "It was a mistake; I understand that now. I know now that you would never hurt me on purpose. I forgive you." Katie continued.
Randy shook his head and groaned. He swung the door open and went back outside.
"You think that's what I'm pissed about? You kicking me out of the hospital after I stayed by your side while you were in a coma for five months? You think that's why I'm upset?" he asked.
Katie just stood there confused. She thought for sure that was the reason behind Randy's coldness.
He scoffed. "You know what? This right here is the perfect example of why I can't even stomach you. You're so fucking ungrateful! Nothing I've ever done for you was appreciated! I put up with you and that bullshit with Wade!"
"No! That's not fair!" Katie stopped him when he brought up her late lover.
Randy shrugged. "What's not fair? The fact that he left you for months to go visit his wife and kids? Or that you accused me of being jealous when I told you he was married in the first place? Pick. Neither was really fair."
Katie sniffled as she started to cry. "He loved me, Randy. And I loved him. He's dead and it's not fair for you to trash him like that."
Randy stuttered in disbelief. "That asshole was married, Katie! He didn't even bother to tell you! What kind of love is that?" he asked rhetorically.
"It was complicated. You wouldn't understand." She said quietly.
He scoffed. "You're trying to tell me that I don't understand love? That I don't know what love is? I quit my goddamn job for you! I packed up my shit and moved into a fucking hospital for almost half a year! I saved your fucking life! That's what love is, Katie. All of that! And for what? Not a single fucking 'thank you'! I'm done, Katie! I'm done lending myself to you without you being grateful. I'm not going to open my house to you because you're only going to turn on me when something you think is better comes around." He ranted.
"I'm so sorry. It'll never happen again." She said softly with her tone laced with regret.
He chuckled condescendingly. "You've done it before. Who's to say you won't do it again?"
"I promise, Randy. Please? Just for a few months." she begged.
He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. "One month, Katie. One month and you leave. Got it?" he said.
Katie nodded. "One month. I promise, Randy you won't regret it." She said as she stepped up to walk into the house.
Randy shook his head and stepped aside to block her. "Ground rules, first. I'm not a babysitter. You'll do everything for the baby. I will not help you, Katie. You will do household chores to help out while you're here; just simple stuff like keeping your space clean. If you go out somewhere and get trashed, I won't pick you up. You'll need to find your own way back." He paused.
"And stay away from me. This house is big enough for us to never even see each other. I don't want to ever see you, Katie. Understand?" he asked.
Katie nodded.
"Good. Upstairs. First door on the left." He directed her to where she would be staying.
She walked into the house and up the stairs… without a 'thank you'.
Randy groaned and slammed the door. "Some good karma better come out of this." He said to himself.
A/N: Thanks for reading. Please review! How do you think Katie's stay with Randy will turn out? Leave your predictions in the reviews…