Chapter 13
Song:
Running Away by Hoobastank
"Mom, I'm sleeping over at Libby's tonight!" Kate called as she walked out the front door on her way to school.
"Okay, sweetie," Diane called sleepily.
Kate rolled her eyes. 'I'm in the hospital for two weeks and the first day I go back to school, she doesn't even care if I come home. She's getting more and more like Wayne everyday.' She walked down the street, her eyes fierce and narrowed.
As she neared James' house, she suddenly remembered that she hadn't told him she was coming back to school today. 'Guess that happens when you don't talk to him for three days,' she though wryly. But she didn't blame herself for that. It was the only way she could continue to see him. After her mom had banned her from hanging out with him, she had told him she wasn't allowed visitors anymore. It had made for a very dreary and depressing few days, and she had even reconsidered her suicide idea, but had stopped when she reminded herself that it would all be worth it to be able to spend time with him again.
She walked into his garage and quietly approached him from behind.
"Hey there, Cowboy," she said softly.
He jerked sharply and turned around, a grin spreading across his face as he realized who it was.
"Well, hey there, Freckles," he said, turning around after throwing his backpack into the new old truck his insurance finally paid for. "Long time no see."
"Yeah, well, for that, you can thank my mom." She spat out the last word with such revulsion that James looked at her strangely. "She's the one that banned me from seeing y-anybody until I finished my homework," she lied quickly, catching herself as she remembered who she was with.
"Did'ya get it all done?" he asked her as he put her backpack in his truck. She looked at him curiously, defiance and questioning flashing in her eyes. "What, do you really expect to drive that thing one handed?"
She grinned sheepishly and got in the passenger side. "No, and to answer your other question, yes, I did get all my homework done. Why?"
He pulled the truck into the street. "Does that mean you're free tonight?"
Kate leaned down out of view from the window as they passed her street. She rummaged through her backpack, but straightened without pulling out anything. James looked at her again strangely. "Yeah, I'm spending the night at Libby's, but other than that, I'm free."
"Well then, maybe you won't mind doin' me a little favor," he said, turning down the radio, which had been blaring country music, as usual. "I told Michael I would go with him to this thing in Brentwood tonight, but I really don't want to go, and I think he would have more fun if he took Libby. But Michael's stubborn and won't let me let him take her because he thinks I really want to go."
"And you think that if you tell him you have plans with me, he'll let you off the hook," Kate finished for him, amusement playing in her eyes.
"Right," he said, a little embarrassed.
"You know, that logic is so messed up, it just might work," she laughed.
He grinned and pulled into the school parking lot. Michael and Libby approached as they got out.
"Hey Kate," said Libby, smiling.
"Hey," Kate replied.
"Excuse us, ladies," James said as Kate rolled her eyes. "My associate and I have an important business matter to discuss."
Kate laughed and turned to Libby as James and Michael walked a little ways off. Libby gave her a knowing look. "You still haven't told him have you?"
Kate scowled. "No, and I don't plan on telling him either. It's not that I'd think he'd actually listen and stay away from me, but I just don't want him to change the way he acts towards me. If I tell him, he'll always be on his guard, and if Wayne somehow finds out I'm still seeing him, I can easily convince him it was my fault. James shouldn't have to suffer because I have as for parents."
Libby sighed. "Okay, but I still think you should reconsider. He would want to know. When you were unconscious, we were all upset, but he had a really hard time. He couldn't bear the thought of you being hurt and not being able to take some of the pain away. He wants to help you Kate. Can't you let him?"
Kate turned to make sure he was still out of earshot. "I can't tell him Libby. If something were to happen and he got blamed, I don't think I could take it. I'm…I'm afraid of losing him, Libby," Kate said softly.
"And he's afraid of losing you. You didn't see him when his doctor friend told him you were gone. He looked…he looked like someone had ripped his heart out." Libby touched Kate's arm. "He really cares about you, Kate."
"Yeah, I know," Kate replied. "That's why nothing my mom says or does is going to keep me from being with him. I just have to make sure she and Wayne don't find out."
"Just remember," Libby added urgently as Michael and James returned. "He's going to find out from someone, and he would probably take it a lot better hearing it firsthand."
Before Kate could respond, James and Michael appeared.
"Looks like you two are having a pretty serious conversation," James observed. "I'm not interrupting am I?" he asked, his voice playful, but his eyes glinting with concern.
"No, we're done," Libby said, glancing significantly at Kate. "Come on Mikey, lets go to class. See you after school Kate."
"Bye," Kate called after them.
"See ya Libby, bye Mikey," James smirked as Michael turned and glared at him. Kate and James followed them slowly, James stumbling slightly as his booted foot caught on the steps. "D boot," he muttered. Kate giggled, and he glared at her reproachfully. "What're you laughing at?"
She grinned and didn't answer, but asked her own question instead. "So, did Michael let you off the hook?"
"Yep," he replied as they entered the building. "He and Libby are off to Brentwood, leaving you and me to do as we please." He grinned at her suggestively and she rolled her eyes.
"Pervert, don't you think of anything else?"
"'Fraid not sweetheart," he replied, still grinning.
"That's what I thought. So other than that, what did you have in mind to do with your free evening?" she asked as she opened her locker.
"That, Freckles, is up to you," he replied. "I'll pick you up at six at Libby's." She nodded and, grinning, he walked down the hallway towards his locker as the warning bell rang.
Kate signed softly and watched him for a moment before heading to her own class. Her excitement about being able to get away from and forget about Diane and Wayne for an evening was tinged with worry that, somehow, it would get back to them what she was doing. 'I'll deal with that when it happens,' she told herself, forcing the tormenting scenarios out of her mind. 'I'm not going to let them ruin my evening.' Kate grinned suddenly. 'It's a good thing I'm going to Libby's tonight. She can make anyone look good.' And with these comforting thoughts, Kate walked down the hall, dreaming of the first night in a long time she wouldn't have to spend avoiding her angry stepfather.
Kate didn't realize how famous she had become for having been in the hospital for three weeks. All day long, people were holding open doors, asking to sign her cast, and offering to carry her books. Even the teachers treated her differently. They all knew of her family history, that was easy enough to discern from the various bruises on her upper arms and face, but now they treated her with a new kind of respect, an almost fear, as if she had been through something more painful and traumatic than they could possible imagine. At first, she felt overwhelmed, but slowly she got used to the staring and by lunch, things had calmed down enough that she could walk down the hall without being besieged with requests to sign her cast.
"You'd think they'd never seen someone who's been in a car accident before," Kate commented to Libby as they walked across the cafeteria towards James and Michael.
"Not somebody who was in a car where the person driving was innocent," Libby replied. "That's a totally new concept to them."
Kate tried unsuccessfully to cover a snort. "Yeah, like James is ever innocent."
Libby laughed. "You got a point there."
Kate set her tray on the table as Libby sat down. "Forgot a napkin, be right back." She crossed the room quickly, grabbed a napkin, and was on her way back when she saw him. She hadn't spoken to him in a week and just the sight of him made rage boil inside her.
Libby glanced around when the room suddenly got quiet. She saw Kate standing still, her left arm hanging limply in its sling, her face contorted in fury. Standing in front of her, with a face like a deer caught in dozens of headlights, was Tom.
"Uh-oh," Libby said softly, and James and Michael turned. The moment he saw Tom, James leapt up, but Libby grabbed his arm. "No," she hissed. "Kate needs to do this, and she will not appreciate it if you interfere."
James allowed himself to be pulled back down. "Fine," he replied, seething. "But if he makes one wrong move…"
"Take a look at the table he's standing next to," Libby said, grinning slightly.
James looked over and saw a table full of cheerleaders and football players. "Okay, so what?"
"Let's just say Tom isn't the senior A-list's favorite person right now. That whole group has been waiting for a chance like this for two weeks, so if he does anything, they'll pound him into shrimp bait before we can stand up." Libby looked over and saw the whole senior table glaring at him silently. "Quiet," she ordered as James started to protest. "Let's hear what the little weasel has to say."
"Hey Kate," Tom said weakly, unnerved by the sudden hush.
"Hello Tom," Kate said icily. "What do you want?"
"I…I just wanted to apologize for what I did the other day. It was really stupid and I just…I hope you can forgive me." He refused to meet her eyes, and instead stared at the floor.
The look of incredulity and disgust Kate had been wearing since his approach intensified with every word he spoke. "You think," she began. "That you can just waltz up here, say a few words, and make this whole thing blow over?"
What little hope Tom had had vanished with these words. He nodded, still avoiding her eyes.
"I can't believe you," she said softly. "I really thought you were better than that." She paused and studied him, looking for some small hint of real remorse. "You yell at me about something I had no control over. Yes, I may have lied to you, but did you ever stop to think about what would have happened if I hadn't?"
Tom looked up at her and gulped. The hatred and determination in her eyes bored into him with such intensity that he couldn't bring himself to answer.
"Obviously, you didn't," Kate spat out his answer for him. "Because if you had, you would have realized that I couldn't tell you. If you had known what had happened, what would you have done?"
"Gone to beat the sht out of the bstrds," James muttered before he could stop himself. He blushed and glared as those nearest turned to stare at him.
Kate turned and gave him a small smile before turning her attention back to Tom. "That's what I think you would have done too, right?" Her voice scared him more than the others in the cafeteria, and he nodded slowly.
"Yeah, he wouldn't have gotten away with it," Tom mumbled, still staring at the ground.
"And do you know what would have happened if you did that?" she asked him.
Tom glanced up, but still couldn't look her in the eye.
"You know exactly what would have happened," she spat out contemptuously. "He would have done it again and again and again and again until he was sure I wouldn't tell anyone." Kate stared at Tom with loathing.
"Kate…I…all I want is to keep you safe, and when you don't tell me things like that, I can't help you," Tom took his chance and made one last appeal.
Kate stared at him, disbelief and disgust playing on her face. "You're a real piece of work. You actually believe you've got my best interests at heart."
Something clicked in Libby's eyes and her eyes widened. She stood up quickly and dashed off to find Lindsey.
"But Kate-" he was cut off as she slapped him hard across the right cheek with her good hand.
"Save it," she said as he stared at her in shock. "I don't want to hear anymore of your excuses. I'm through."
"Kate," he tried one more time.
She looked at him scornfully. "I don't want to see you again. Goodbye, Tom." She turned and walked out of the cafeteria, head held high. He tried to follow, but was blocked by James, Michael, and an army of football players.
"You heard her," James said softly. "She doesn't want to see you again. So here's another fact for you Tommy-boy: if we catch you anywhere near her, it'll make that accident we were in look like a little scratch." James paused to let this sink in and Tom's eyes shone with fear. He nodded. "Good," James said. "Now get out."
Tom turned and left the cafeteria the opposite way Kate had as fast as his legs would carry him.
James smiled grimly at Michael as the door swung shut and the cafeteria slowly returned to normal. "Come on," he said as Libby returned. "Let's go find Kate."
Kate sat silently in skywalk above the small stage of Oceanic High. She wiped her face with her sleeve and was surprised to fine it was mostly dry. She knew Tom had deserved everything she had just put him through, but it still hurt. She looked up when she heard a creak on the stairs and saw Libby peering around.
"Hey," Libby said softly, coming over to her. "You okay? That must have been tough."
"Yeah," Kate replied, standing up. "He deserved it, but still."
"Well, maybe now he'll know better than to treat you like his little sister," Libby said reasonably as the climbed back down the stairs.
Kate laughed. "Maybe." She paused by the door and looked back to see Libby standing at the foot of the stairs. "What's wrong?"
Libby looked up and forced a smile. "Nothing," she lied. 'I can't tell her yet,' Libby thought as Kate smiled at her curiously and turned back around. 'If it's true, I'll have proof soon enough.' She followed Kate out the door and into the hallway.
"No, you can't wear that," Libby said, vetoing yet another outfit Kate tried on.
Kate scowled playfully and turned to look in the mirror. "Why not?"
"Because," Libby said, with the air of someone explaining that two plus two equals four to an overemotional three year old. "It makes you look like a giant blueberry."
"Gee, thanks for being gentle with the criticism," Kate replied sarcastically.
"No problem," Libby said, grinning jovially as Kate walked back into the closet. It was 4:45 and, after an hour of this, Libby was still trying to figure out something for Kate to wear.
"Hey Kate, I'll be right back okay?" Libby asked.
"Okay," Kate called.
Libby hurried down the hall and grabbed the phone. She quickly dialed the number and waited while it rang.
"Hello?" a voice finally cracked through.
"Lindsey, its Libby. Did you find out anything?" Libby asked in a hushed voice.
"Yeah, I got it," Lindsey responded, her voice wavering slightly.
"And?"
"I watched the tape of Tom and Diane in the elevator. It…it was him Libby," Lindsey choked out, her voice quivering with rage. "The little bstrd told Diane that James was a bad influence on Kate and made himself perfectly innocent. Libby, it's his fault. I can't stand it. This time he's gone too far. I'm gonna call him and tell him he can take his 'protection' and shove it up his a." Lindsey's temper was known by all her friends and nobody wanted it to be directed towards them.
"Lindsey, wait," Libby said quickly. "I know you hate him right now, I do too, but we need to come up with something that will keep him from doing something worse, otherwise he'll retaliate."
"Yeah, you're right," Lindsey sighed. "But what am I going to do? I can't go out with him tonight, he'll know something's up."
"Call him and pretend you're sick or something. I'll talk to Michael and see if we can come up with something, but whatever you do, don't tell James or Kate." Libby glanced back at her room nervously.
"Alright," Lindsey agreed grudgingly.
"I've got to go, Kate's waiting for me. I'll talk to you later."
"Bye, please come up with something to deal with the jack soon."
"Don't worry, we will." Libby hung up the phone and hurried back down the hall, trying to banish all thoughts of Tom from her mind, so Kate wouldn't suspect anything.
She needn't have worried. She walked into the room and looked around for Kate. "Have you still not tried on something new yet?" she asked Kate in what she hoped was an upbeat, cheerful voice.
"Well, I did try you denim mini, but I decided that wouldn't be the ideal movie outfit," Kate replied from the closet.
"Yeah, but that's not what I bought it for," Libby quipped suggestively. "And besides, that's what I'm wearing."
Kate rolled her eyes. "I should have known."
"But let's stay on topic," Libby said. "What are you going to wear?
"I don't know," Kate groaned from the closet. "I really don't see why it's such a big deal," she continued. "It's not like it's a real date."
"Not a real date? Let me explain something to you. First, he ditched Michael, his best friend, and let me go in his place. Second, instead of going to an invitation only car show, he's spending the evening with you. Third, he's letting you choose where to go. So if you still think it's not a date, whatever, but I can guarantee you that he thinks it's a date." Libby finished and tapped her foot with mock impatience as she waited for Kate to get another outfit on.
"Hurry up, Kate. I honestly did not think it would take you this long to pick out something to wear, or I wouldn't have let you go first." Libby glanced at the clock. "And it's five o'clock, so you don't have much time left."
Kate poked her head out of the closet. "Are you kidding me, it's already five?"
"Yep, so get a move on," Libby replied.
Kate stepped out into the bedroom, and Libby stared at her, speechless.
"What?" Kate asked sharply. "It looks horrible, doesn't it?"
"No," Libby breathed. "It's perfect."
Kate looked in the mirror and her eyes widened. The dark washed jeans of Libby's hugged her hips like nothing she had ever worn before. The white camisole and green long-sleeved half-sweater that came to a twist just below her breast showed off just how skinny she was and emphasized that she was most definitely a female. Her wavy brown hair fell loosely about her shoulders. Her cheeks were dusted lightly with a bit of blush, effectively dulling the usual prominence of her freckles and the hint of lipstick Libby had applied made her lips seem full. The eyeliner and eye-shadow meant to bring out the green in her eyes was very successful. Libby had never seen her friend look more alive and nervous with anticipation than she did now.
"Really, Kate," Libby said, clearing her throat and trying to suppress a grin when she envisioned James' reaction. "You look wonderful."
"You don't think the sleeve looks weird over this stupid thing?" Kate asked, raising the arm with the cast.
"No, and besides, you'll be wearing the sling, so it will be hidden anyway," Libby said sensibly. "Now, let's get the other essentials." Libby walked into her closet and came out with a pair of black ballet flats, a pair of small, green earrings, and a casual, khaki purse.
"No," Kate said firmly when she saw the purse.
"Oh, come on Kate, please, just this once," Libby begged.
"No, I'm not going to carry a purse. This thing is clunky enough," she gestured to her cast. "I don't need something else to carry."
"Fine," Libby replied and went to get dressed herself. This was their usual argument, and Libby never won, but she kept trying anyway.
Kate rolled her eyes and went to the kitchen to get something to drink. Remembering Libby's warning to completely redo her makeup if it got smudged before she left; Kate grabbed a straw and plopped down on the couch in the living room. Libby could be so serious about that type of thing. If it had been Kate, she would have worn her most comfortable khaki cargos and her favorite green short sleeved shirt, but Libby would have none of that. Kate sighed and was about to reach for the remote to turn on the television, when Libby yelled at her from her room.
"Kate, get in here, he's here!"
Kate darted back into the bedroom so Libby could answer the door. When Kate had been in the early phases of trying on outfits, Libby had established a few rules for Kate's date.
"One," she had said. "You don't get to answer the door, I do. You wait in my room and after a few minutes, you can come out, but you want to give him a chance to admire the way you look when you come out slowly." Libby had gone on and on about the importance of this and many other date precedents, telling Kate that the only things she could talk about were her, her and him, and him. Kate had joked that that would make up about five minutes worth of conversation, but Libby, not in a joking mood, had smacked her hard on the shoulder. The only other thing Kate remembered was that she was supposed to make a big deal about his truck, and she had a few problems with that.
"Okay, first, it's a truck," she had argued. "And second, I've been riding in the thing for almost two months, and I'm just supposed to all of a sudden make a huge deal about it?"
"Yeah," Libby had answered, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Guys have a thing about their cars."
"Whatever," Kate had said. Now she wished she had paid more attention to what Libby had been saying because as she walked back out into the living room a few minutes later and saw James freeze at the sight of her, it looked like she was going to have to do most of the talking.
"Come on in," Libby said cordially. "She'll be out in a minute."
James nodded and looked around, admiring the quaint little house. He looked towards the hallway at the sound of light footsteps and froze. Waking towards him was Kate as he had never seen her before. He looked her over and took in everything. He saw the way her jeans hugged just the right places and the way her top accentuated what he really wanted to see more of. He took in the sling, and his blood ran cold for just a moment before he pushed those thoughts away. Tonight was a time to enjoy the present, not revel in the past. Finally, he reached her face. The usual distinction of her freckles was dulled but they still reached out to him. Her hair fell just so on her shoulders and it took all his self control not to reach out, grab her, and run his hands over everything he longed to feel so desperately. She smiled gently, and her stared breathing again.
"Well, I've still got to go get ready," Libby said, smirking uncontrollably. "Have fun, you two." She winked at Kate and went back to her room. Kate walked to the front door, James staring after her and taking in the other view that left him just as dazed as the first one.
"Ready?" Kate asked, unnerved by his prolonged gaze. She was used to their normal, playful banter, and she wasn't sure how to interpret the look he had in his eyes.
James grinned suddenly and Kate breathed an inward sigh of relief. "Yep, let's hit the road, Freckles." She walked towards his truck and he followed after a minute, only his eyes betraying his wild emotions. This was going to be a long night.
"So Sweetheart," James said as they pulled away. "Where we goin'?"
Kate smiled. "Well, I figured we could go with the traditional dinner and a movie thing, unless you have a better idea."
He had a much better idea, of course, but he decided to keep his mouth shut, for once. "That sounds great, Freckles. You got a place to eat and a movie in mind?"
"I decided you get to pick the restaurant, I get to pick the movie." She looked over to see him grin a little worriedly.
"Okay, what's the movie?" he asked.
"Nope, you first. I'm famished." He blinked suddenly and turned the truck down a side street.
"Fine," he pulled into the parking lot of a small burger diner. "This okay?"
"Of course, I love this place," she said. They walked inside and found a table. Almost immediately a waitress came over to them.
"What can I get y'all?" she asked.
They ordered and ate quickly, their casual conversation returning until James' knees brushed against hers' under the table, causing her to completely lose her train of thought. He just grinned and continued eating while she blushed and quickly continued talking.
They finished, he paid, and they walked the block down the street to the theater. When they reached it, Kate paused and scanned the list of movies now playing. She grinned and walked towards the box office with James following close behind her.
"Well, I kind of want to see something with a lot of action, so I think either Mission Impossible or Twister would be a good pick. How about you?"
James thought for a moment. "I like the idea of Twister. I don't really want to see another movie about some guy blowing stuff up. And I've heard it's hard to follow." Kate looked at him strangely. "What, I read the newspaper sometimes." She laughed softly.
"Okay, Twister it is then." He bought their tickets and they went inside. "You hungry?" she asked as they passed the snack bar.
He looked at her incredulously. "Girl, we just ate a huge dinner, and you're asking me if I'm hungry?"
She laughed. "Yeah, I am. Usually the guys I hang out with will still eat no matter how much they've already had. Tom-" She stopped and her smile disappeared.
He winced at the mention of Tom. Why did that bstrd always have to come up somehow? "Hey, don't worry about it. Let's go find some seats." He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and guided her into their theater. It was very full, and the only two seats they could find together were in the very center on the top row. They sat down and the lights dimmed.
Kate looked over at James as the previews started. What had she done to deserve someone like him? He shouldn't have to be part of her screwed up life. She turned back and tried to focus on the movie. It was good and she heard James laugh appreciatively when Bill's fiancé said, 'I gotta go Julia, we got cows.' She laughed as well and relaxed. They were having fun. Everything was going to be fine.
James relaxed in his seat. He was sitting on Kate's right, pretending to be completely absorbed in the movie, but his thoughts were elsewhere. He was still in awe of how beautiful she looked. It wasn't just the clothes she was wearing, although he couldn't help but notice how nice they looked on her. It was the fact that she was out, enjoying herself, without having to worry about hiding from her stepfather or being hurt by someone she thought was her friend. At that thought he winced. He shouldn't be doing this. He had a plan. When he graduated, he was leaving. Nothing could or would stand in the way of that. The last thing he wanted was to leave someone here, especially someone like Kate, who didn't deserve anymore pain.
He tuned into the movie for a moment and heard the main character say, 'Why can't we spend a normal day together?' He leaned over and whispered in Kate's ear. "I've felt that way before, Freckles." He looked and saw her blush in the faint glow in the movie screen, and he grinned.
The movie shifted to a calmer scene at a drive in movie. James glanced at the armrest and saw Kate's hand resting there lightly. He reached over and intertwined his fingers with hers. He felt her stiffen, then relax as she glanced at him and smiled. As the movie got darker and the tornados moved in, her grip grew tighter. He squeezed her hand reassuringly and let go, wrapping his arm around her shoulders instead. He kept it there for the remainder of the movie and when it ended and they stood up, he let it slip to her waist and pulled her close as they walked back to his truck.
Neither of them said a word for a while; they didn't need to. They both knew that, no matter what they did, no matter if they hurt each other or lied or left, it wouldn't matter.
Kate looked at James as he drove her back to Libby's. The emotions she had felt emanating from him were more than she had ever felt before, and it scared her to death. Ever since her dad had left, she had been afraid to get close to someone. She was terrified of losing them. She had let herself feel something for Tom, and it had completely backfired in her face. And now, with James, someone she hardly knew, she felt as if she could turn complete control of her life over to him, and everything would be okay. 'No,' she told herself. 'I can't do this. Even though I care about him more than anything in the world, I'm not going to do this. He deserves better than me and the as I call parents.'
James stopped his truck in front of Libby's house. "Want me to come in with you?" he said, interrupting her thoughts. "Wouldn't want you to walk into a scene set for a Michelangelo painting by mistake." She blushed, and they both laughed awkwardly.
"Sure," she replied.
They got out and walked up to the door. They heard the television on and Libby's parents talking, so James stopped her hand before she could open the door.
"So, did you have fun?" he asked her softly.
"Yeah, I did," she answered truthfully. She looked up into his eyes and swallowed hard. It was now or never. "But, James, I just can't do this." She stared at him pleadingly, hoping he would understand.
The bottom dropped out of his stomach. This was the last thing he had expected. He looked at her and saw the fear and heartbreak in her eyes and he softened just a bit. "You don't really mean that," he said, his voice rougher now. His heart pounded and he hoped that, for both their sakes, he was right.
She looked down sadly. "No I don't, but I can't afford to…to have feelings for someone and risk losing everything again."
He lifted her chin up slightly. "Kate, I would never do that." He tucked her hair behind her ear and looked down so that his face was even with hers. "I promise you that I will never do anything to hurt you, Kate." He searched her eyes and found the encouragement he needed. He leaned in and kissed her gently, his tongue darting out to caress her lips briefly as electricity coursed through both their bodies. He broke the kiss reluctantly and stepped back, his eyes questioning.
The kiss took Kate by surprise, and the power and need that came behind it frightened her and exhilarated her at the same time. She was almost prepared to enjoy it when he slowly broke it off, leaving her heart beating wildly. Her eyes met his and she saw his question, his hope that she could trust him to take care of her.
She blinked and looked away, unwilling and unable to answer. "I'll see you later, James," she said as she turned and let herself in noiselessly.
James watched her leave, his insides filled with lead, his eyes pained and hopeless as he realized there was nothing more he could do.
She shut the door silently and walked down the hallway to Libby's room. She closed the door and locked it behind her, relieved that Libby hadn't returned yet. She sat down on the bed and two tears escaped down her cheeks as she remembered the look on his face as she left.
James was eventually able to regain enough motor control to drive himself home. He pulled into the garage, turned off the engine, and sat there, pain and rage bubbling inside him like a cauldron. He had opened himself and what did he have to show for it? Nothing. Normally, he wouldn't have cared. After all, it was just some girl. But this was different, this was Kate. He had never known anyone in his life like her, and he doubted he ever would again. She understood him, even without knowing his past. Her near death had left him vulnerable and helpless, weaker than he had ever felt and he never wanted to feel like that again. There was a hole in his heart from his parents' death and there was only one thing that could fill it. And right now, it didn't seem possible to him that she ever would.
Kate eventually composed herself and glanced the clock. Ten o'clock and Libby still wasn't back. Kate decided to get ready for bed and looked around for her overnight bag. She searched the room and swore under her breath. She must have left it in her room. She opened a few drawers until she found a flashlight that worked, then climbed out the window into the night. It was only a couple of blocks to Kate's house. She would be back in fifteen minutes tops.
She walked down the street quickly and reached her house in record time. Climbing the trellis with one arm in a sling while holding a flashlight in the dark turned out to be quite a challenge, and it took her mind off James for a few minutes - something she was grateful for. She eventually made it to her room and climbed in. She grabbed her bag, which was sitting right next to her bed, and was about to leave when she heard footsteps at the top of the stairs. She knew she wouldn't have time to get outside, so she ducked into her closet and pulled the door shut just as her bedroom door crashed open.
"I know you're in here, Katie," Wayne said as he scanned the room. "I heard footsteps." His eyes darted around, and he walked swiftly over to the closet. Before Kate could react, he had thrown open the door and grabbed her by the arm.
She swallowed and stared back at him fiercely, determined not to let him intimidate her tonight.
"So, Katie," he said after a moment. "Did you have fun on your little rendezvous this evening?"
Kate's eyes had a glint of fear and pain, and Wayne didn't miss it.
"Yeah, that's right. I know about your date with your friend. You seem to forget that I have friends in high places." Wayne looked at her with a triumphant sneer. "The sheriff saw the two of you walking away from the movie theater, too wrapped up in each other to notice anything else."
Kate cursed herself silently. How could she have let her guard down like that? Then she remembered, she had been with James.
Wayne noticed the pain in her eyes, even as she hid it quickly. "Aww, what's the matter? Did I hit a nerve?" He scowled. "Now I really don't care about your love life, because I got to you first, but I specifically remember your mother telling you to stay away from that hillbilly."
Kate looked up as she realized why he had come up.
Wayne saw the recognition in her eyes. "Finally catching on, are we? I told your mother I would take care of this little discipline issue, so here I am." He studied her for a moment, then, using all his strength, released her arm and threw her against the wall.
She both heard and felt her left wrist grind and snap as it slammed into the hard sheetrock, and it took all her self-control to keep from screaming.
Wayne watched her for a moment, apparently satisfied that his punishment had been effective. "Don't forget, little girl," he said as he pulled the door shut. "I have friends in high places that can help me make your life a misery." He left and went back downstairs, not bothering to lock the door behind him.
Kate sank slowly down to the floor, clutching her throbbing wrist that was already encased in plaster. Hot tears of pain threatened to course down her cheeks for the second time that evening, and this time, she let them come.
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