Show Me The Meaning Of Being Lonely
Chapter 8
"Thanks for this; I was really tired of spending everyday at home alone." Kaitlyn said before taking a bite of her IHOP strawberry and banana funnel cake.
"Yeah Bella said that you pulled a hamstring or something?"
"Uh…Yeah, I had a bad day on the floor." Kaitlyn said looking away from Jeff.
"That sounds painful, but something tells me there is more to the story."
"What do you mean more to the story?"
"Look Kaitlyn I don't want to pry but I saw the look you gave me when I asked about your "injury" and that's making me believe your leaving a part of the story out."
"And what if I am?"
"I was hoping you could trust me enough to be honest with me."
"Well see that's where you were wrong, I don't trust anybody." Kaitlyn said eating a forkful of strawberries.
"That's not a healthy way to live."
"Yeah but it's my way. It's worked for me all this time and I don't see any reason to change my methods now. Not even for the world's most gorgeous man."
"Worlds most gorgeous man?" Jeff asked with raised eyebrows.
"Oh you know you're hotter than fire, so don't go acting all coy with me."
"You are so very good for my ego." Jeff smiled. "And just to let you know I think you're pretty damn flame worthy yourself."
"Jeff, were you serious last night?" Kaitlyn asked out of the blue.
"Yes I was."
"Do you even know which part I'm referring too?"
"Doesn't matter which part because I meant every word I said." Jeff said.
Kaitlyn noticed that Jeff's voice was a little husky and his eyes had grown dark. Kaitlyn might have been inexperienced but she had read enough romance novels to know what was on Jeff's mind.
"I can't deny how much I'm attracted to you, but I'm scared. Scared that I might fall head over heels for you and then you decide I'm not worth the trouble. Scared that an ex-girlfriend that you never got over suddenly decides that she wants you back, because I refuse to fight over any guy no matter how hot he is. I'm just scared." Kaitlyn dropped her head and chewed on her bottom lip.
"You always do that when you're nervous."
Kaitlyn's head jerked up. "Do what?"
"Chew your lip. I noticed it that day in Al's. As the guys were pulling you out you just chewed your lip and looked at the ground."
"Jeff…"
"Kaitlyn I promise that I won't hurt you. Like I said before I meant every word I said the other night."
"I wish I could believe that. It's just you're talking about love and call me naïve but I don't believe in love at first sight, it's just so fairy tale, and we both know that I'm not one for fairy tales." Kaitlyn said as their waitress reappeared with the check. "Thank you." Kaitlyn smiled at her.
"Kaitlyn when I said that I loved you the first time I saw you I wasn't kidding, but I think it was more of my little head talking over my big one, know what I mean?"
"I think so." Kaitlyn said her cheeks now a crimson red.
"I have never been so attracted to any woman before and then I meet you and I lose all self control."
"Is that good or bad?"
"Definitely good." Jeff smiled.
"So since we have came to the conclusion that we are attracted to one another, what now?"
"We go on a date and see where it goes from there."
"Ok, name the time and the place and I'll be there."
"Really?" Jeff asked surprised.
"Yes really."
"All right how about Friday night. Dinner and a movie. I'll pick you up at 7?"
"Sounds like a date, and who knows maybe after the movie we could…"
"Yes…"
"Let's just see how the dinner and movie go first." Kaitlyn was blushing again. She didn't dare give Jeff the idea that they would have sex, even though that is exactly what she was thinking.
"Deal. You ready to get out of here?"
"Just lead the way." Kaitlyn said following Jeff out of IHOP.
"You ready to go home?"
"Not really. Nothing to do there but watch TV. and I can do that anytime."
"So where would you like to go?"
"You're driving, you decide." Kaitlyn said sitting back in her seat. She was really starting to feel comfortable with Jeff, and she hoped he didn't make her regret it.
"Want to go with me and Elyssa to the mall? I promised I'd take her to build-a-bear today."
"Do you think Elyssa would mind?"
"No way. I'm positive she'd be more than happy to have you there."
"What makes you say that?"
"Because I happen to know that my little sister thinks you are the best thing since sliced bread and I'll gain major cool points if I manage to get you to come along." Jeff said smiling over at her.
"Then count me in."
"Great Elyssa will be ecstatic when she sees you. We have to go and get her from Matt's which is kind of a good thing."
"Why's that a good thing?" Kaitlyn asked confused.
"Because my brother has been bugging me to meet the person that has made me all smiles lately."
Kaitlyn blushed at the comment. She had been doing that a lot lately why did Jeff make her heart skip a beat every time he looked at her or said nice words to her. "Because you're a stupid little girl." She thought to herself, but quickly shrugged that thought to the back of her mind. They had been driving for a while when Jeff pulled into his brother's driveway.
"Here we are." Jeff said turning off the car.
"So I see." Kaitlyn said Jeff got out of the car. He walked around to the passenger side and let Kaitlyn out.
"Kaitlyn!" Elyssa said running off the front porch and giving Kaitlyn a big hug.
"Wow Elyssa what did I do to deserve that?" Kaitlyn asked hugging her back.
"I just missed you. You never come to practice anymore."
"I know but I'll be back soon."
"You promise?" Elyssa asked.
"I promise."
"Hey kiddo, do I not exist now?" Jeff asked with a fake hurt expression on his face.
"Jeff I see you everyday but I haven't seen Kaitlyn in a while."
"Jeff, who is this lovely creature standing before me, and what is she doing with a lame like you?" Matt asked walking outside.
"Funny bro, Matt this is Kaitlyn Ryan. Kaitlyn this is my big idiotic brother, Matt."
"Nice to meet you Kaitlyn. Welcome to La Casa de Matt." Matt said taking Kaitlyn's hand in his and kissing it.
"Such a gentleman, and so much hotter than Jeff." Kaitlyn said knowing it she would get a rise out of Jeff.
"Hey I resent that." Jeff said pouting.
"Well the woman was only telling the truth." Matt said winking at Kaitlyn.
"Elyssa are you ready to go to the mall?"
"Of course Jeff, I've been looking forward to it since you said you'd take me yesterday." Elyssa beamed.
"All right munchkin let's go. Matt you can entertain Kaitlyn since you two have become such good friends in such a small amount of time." Jeff said taking Elyssa by the hand.
"Don't even think of leaving me Hardy." Kaitlyn snapped.
"What I thought I'd be doing you a favor."
"Yeah well do me another one and let's just forget about Friday." Kaitlyn said walking past him. "It was very nice meeting you Matt maybe we can have a longer visit next time." Kaitlyn said as Matt took her hand and kissed it once again.
"I hope so." Matt said before turning to say good bye to Elyssa. "See you later alligator."
"After while crocodile." Elyssa said kissing Matt on the cheek. "Come on Jeff let's go." Elyssa said pulling Jeff down the steps.
"Later bro." Jeff waved.
"Yeah, Later." Matt said watching Jeff, Elyssa and Kaitlyn walk away.
"So is Matt your type?" Jeff asked Kaitlyn never taking his eyes off the road. Kaitlyn found it odd that Jeff hadn't spoken to her since leaving Matt's place, but the question came out of no where and was even odder than the silent treatment.
"Are you serious?"
"Yes I am so is he?"
Kaitlyn couldn't believe it her little joke about Matt being hotter really got to Jeff. "I don't even know what my type is."
"Do you really think Matt is hotter than me?"
"Jeff, are you jealous?" Kaitlyn mused.
"Hell no." He said angrily.
"You are. Oh Jeff I was just joking with your brother, he knew that. Besides didn't you say he was involved with someone?" Kaitlyn said resting her hand on top of Jeff's. He looked at her and the anger instantly vanished from his face.
"I'm sorry I don't know why that bothered me so much." Jeff said giving her hand a squeeze.
"Anyway, even if I were interested in your brother or anyone else for that matter, you couldn't do anything about it because I'm not your girl."
"You will be." Was Jeff's reply.
"Did you mean what you said about forgetting about Friday?" Jeff asked as He, Elyssa and Kaitlyn walked into the mall.
"What do you think?"
I don't know what to think when it comes to you, but if you did cancel I wouldn't blame you my behavior in the car was totally uncalled for." Jeff said following Elyssa into build-a-bear.
"We are still on for Friday." Kaitlyn said with a reassuring smile.
"Jeff can I make two bears?"
"I don't know E?"
"Please I want to make one for me and one for Kaitlyn."
Kaitlyn face shifted from Jeff to Elyssa. "Why would you want to make a bear for me?"
"Because you're my friend and I like you. If I build you a bear then you won't be lonely at night you can sleep with your bear and I'll sleep with mine that way we'll both have something to keep all the scary monsters away at night."
"I'll be the one keeping the monsters out of your bed." Jeff whispered in Kaitlyn's ear causing her body to shudder uncontrollably. Jeff felt it and smiled at himself for having such an affect on her.
"So Jeff can I make two bears?"
"Sure munchkin. Knock yourself out."
After about an hour and a half in the store Elyssa had built her two bears. Hers was a girl bear which she named Katie. She dressed her in gymnastic attire and added a gold medal that Matt had helped her make the night before.
"You came prepared didn't you kiddo?" Jeff asked as Kaitlyn took the homemade medal out of her pocket.
"I just hope we used enough string so that it'll fit. You don't mind that I made my bear like you, do you Kaitlyn?"
"No Elyssa in fact I'm very flattered. So explain my bear to me."
"I made your bear a boy. I was going to make it a girl like mine but then I had a better idea."
"Oh yeah what was that idea?"
"Well since you don't have a boyfriend I thought you could use a guy to protect you."
Kaitlyn didn't know what to say. She looked up at Jeff and then back at Elyssa. If she didn't know any better she would say that Jeff was the muse used for her bear. The thought gave her an idea. "Do you have a name picked out for him?" She asked Elyssa.
"No I thought that maybe you'd want to name him yourself."
"I think I have the perfect name for him."
"Oh you do, do you?" Jeff asked suspiciously.
"Oh yeah. My bear will be known as… Silk." Kaitlyn said smiling flirtatiously at Jeff.
"So do you plan on sleeping with Silk every night?" Jeff asked.
"Oh yes I plan on keeping him very close." Kaitlyn winked.
This time it was Jeff whose body shuddered. This woman was going to be the death of him.
"I really enjoyed hanging with you today Elyssa." Kaitlyn said getting out of the car.
"Me too. I wish it didn't have to end."
"Who say's it does. If it's alright with your brother would you like to have a girl's night with me?"
"Do you mean it?" Elyssa asked excitedly.
"I wouldn't say it if I didn't mean it."
"Can I Jeff, please?" Elyssa pleaded.
"Kaitlyn are you sure she won't be too much trouble."
"I'm sure."
"I don't have any clothes."
"I'm sure Jeff wouldn't mind going and packing you a bag, would you Jeff?"
"No not at all. I'll be back in no time kiddo." Jeff said about to walk away from the door.
"I'll walk you out. Elyssa could you do me a favor?"
"Sure."
"It's Kona's dinner time could you feed him for me?"
"Of course I can."
"Thanks, the dog food is in the cupboard. Put about a half a bowl of dry dog food and a can of food and mix it together, but do it on the counter if you try to do it on the floor Kona might not be patient enough to wait."
"Got it." Elyssa said running into the kitchen.
"You don't have to do this you know?" Jeff said as he and Kaitlyn walked to his car.
"I know but I want to do it."
"So a girls night?"
"Yep, this means no boys allowed."
"What am I supposed to do?" Jeff asked pressing his body close to Kaitlyn. Jeff was surprised when she pushed back. He could feel his erection growing and he knew with Kaitlyn this close she could feel it as well. Jeff let out a moan before backing away from her.
"I suggest you take a cold shower before bringing Elyssa's things back." Kaitlyn said before leaning in and playfully running her tongue over Jeff's bottom lip.
"Inexperienced my ass. You've got my body begging for you to continue over here, but if you do Elyssa and I both will be sleeping over tonight."
Kaitlyn took a step back and Jeff could see the radiant smile lighting her face. "What I did was good?"
"Good is not the word for what you just did."
"I don't want you to think I've ever done this before, you're the only guy to ever be interested in me, besides my foster dad and…" The smile left Kaitlyn's face at the thought of the awful men in her life.
"And who?" Jeff asked.
"No one I was just thinking out loud."
"Kaitlyn I seriously doubt that I'm the only guy that has ever been interested, I'm just the only guy bold enough to not give up."
"You think?"
"No baby, I know."
"Silk, silk, silk…"
"I'd love to hear you scream that instead of just saying it."
"Jeff, stop it." Kaitlyn swiped at his arm. "You better go and get Elyssa's things and I better get back inside."
"I'll be back shortly, but before I go can I have just one more kiss?"
"Well since you asked so nicely." Kaitlyn stood on her tip toes and kissed Jeff once again. She couldn't believe that she was acting this way. She had only kissed one guy in all of her life, and that wasn't even really a kiss, now in the past week and a half she had been kissed about a million times by one of the hottest guys alive, in her opinion. "See you when you get back."
"Definitely." Jeff said his voice intoxicating. If Kaitlyn didn't know any better she would swear Jeff was undressing her with his eyes. He got into his car and drove away leaving Kaitlyn standing alone on the curb.
"Oh Kaitlyn don't get pulled in by his silk tongue and good looks, you have to be careful with your heart to make sure it never gets broken again…again." Kaitlyn sighed before turning on her heels and walked into the house to check on Elyssa.
"Jeff gone?" Elyssa asked playing with Kona.
"Yeah he said he'd be right back. Are you hungry?"
"A little."
"Macaroni and cheese or Hamburgers and tater tots."
"Burgers and tots." Elyssa answered.
"You got it."
Kaitlyn had been in the kitchen for about five minutes when the phone rang. "Elyssa can you answer that for me?"
"Are you sure?"
"Yep."
"Hello, Kaitlyn Ryan's residence." Kaitlyn heard Elyssa say. "Yes she is. May I ask whose calling? Hold on just a second. Kaitlyn it's a man he say's he's an old friend."
"An old friend?" Kaitlyn asked puzzled. "Did he give a name?"
"No he wouldn't say."
"Ok that's sweetie, watch the burgers for me?"
"Sure." Elyssa replied.
Kaitlyn hesitantly picked up the phone. "Kaitlyn Ryan."
"Hello Kaitlyn, I was hoping you'd be home."
Kaitlyn froze she'd know that voice anywhere. "Christensen Doolittle, how the hell did you get my number?" Kaitlyn was furious. She hadn't heard from Christensen in two years not since the day she found him in bed with some random chick he claimed had seduced him. Christensen was almost 15 years older than Kaitlyn he was a regular at the Seven Eleven where Kaitlyn had worked for a while after she began working with Bella. He had smooth talked his way into her life and she had allowed it. She was only fifteen and didn't realize that all Christensen had wanted was sex and she just couldn't give him what he wanted. She had told Jeff that she had never been kissed before, but that wasn't entirely true Christensen had kissed her once well he had tried but when she pulled away from him he smacked the taste right out of her mouth and called her a pathetic child before kicking her out of his house. Kaitlyn had thought about telling Jeff about Christensen but decided against it. Christensen Doolittle was a terrible excuse for a man and she didn't even want to think about him ever again.
"Kaitlyn you don't sound happy to hear from me." Kaitlyn could almost see his smug ass face through the phone. "I am in town for a few weeks and I was hoping to see you."
"You have to be kidding me right? You have the nerve to call me after what you did to me." Kaitlyn could feel the tears on her face and wondered why she was shedding tears over this asshole.
"Kaitlyn the burgers are burnin…" Elyssa stopped in her tracks when she saw how upset Kaitlyn was. "Kaitlyn are you ok?" Elyssa asked.
"Go back into the kitchen Elyssa. Turn off the stove for me, ok?" Kaitlyn said wiping her tear stained face.
"Ok." Elyssa said reluctantly leaving the room.
"Christensen I want you to listen to me, I have so moved on from you and I never ever want to see you again, so please lose my number you son of a bitch." Kaitlyn said before slamming the receiver down. Kaitlyn wiped her face again before walking into the kitchen. "I'm sorry Elyssa we can cook some more burgers if you want."
"No, I'm not really hungry anyway."
"So what do you want to do tonight?"
"I don't know I've never been to a girl's night."
"Me either, so we can figure this out together and since I don't think Jeff would want me to put make-up on you we can do each other's hair, paint each other's nails and talk about boys."
"Sounds like fun. Can you do my hair the way you wore it at last years Reach for the Stars competition?"
"You remember how I wore my hair?"
"Yeah, you had four braids in the top with a donut in the back. You had all these cool berets and glitter was everywhere."
"I think I can manage that." You want to get started now?"
"Sure." Elyssa said as the doorbell chimed. "Must be Jeff."
"Must be." Kaitlyn said walking to the door.
"I'm Bac… Kaitlyn what's wrong?" Jeff asked.
"What do you mean?"
"You've been crying, is it Elyssa, do you want her to go?"
"No Jeff of course not. Look nothing is wrong."
"Would you tell me if there was?"
"I don't know." Kaitlyn said honestly.
"Here are Elyssa's things. What time should I pick her up tomorrow?"
"How about 12 that way we can all go out to lunch together."
"I'd like that." Jeff smiled.
"Me too."
"Can I talk to Elyssa for a minute we have to talk some things over."
"Sure. Elyssa your brother wants to talk to you."
"Yes Jeff?" Elyssa asked walking to the door.
"You be on your best behavior, and whatever you did to make Kaitlyn cry don't do it again."
"But Jeff it wasn't me. She got a phone call from some guy and I heard her yelling I came in to check on her and she was crying." Jeff knew that Elyssa would spill to keep herself out of trouble.
"Who was the guy?"
"I heard her say Christensen something but I wasn't trying to listen, you always told me that eavesdropping wasn't polite."
"That's right, so you didn't hear anything else?" Jeff asked hopefully.
"Well I did hear her say that she had moved on and that she never wanted to see him again."
So she had had boyfriends before. Jeff wondered why Kaitlyn had lied and if she was lying about everything else too. "All right like I said you behave and I'll see you tomorrow."
"Okay Jeff, I love you."
"Love you too kiddo." Jeff said kissing the top of her head. "See you tomorrow Kaitlyn." Jeff yelled before walking off of the porch.
"Noon, right?" Kaitlyn yelled.
"Right." Jeff replied. "And after lunch I'm going to get some answers." Jeff said getting into his car and driving away.