Conflicted

Mark dropped me off at home that following morning. The entire time I was in the truck I wanted to tell him about Marcus not being his, but I knew it would open a whole new can of worms that wouldn't be good for anyone.

"Are you ok Kitty?" he asked me when we pulled up in front of my house.

I sighed, "Yea…I just feel weird."

"About kissing me?" he asked.

I nodded, knowing I was lying. "Yea. You're still married and I don't want to come between you and Sam."

"I understand, but I don't think Sam and I will be married for much longer." He said as he reached over to me and rubbed my leg. "Besides, I planned to keep this a secret until you're old enough for me to actually date."

I laughed, "Well actually, the legal limit in Texas is sixteen."

He smirked, "That's right…well I guess I don't have to worry about anything then."

"No you don't…"

He smiled and then leaned in to kiss me. I backed off, "No Mark. Not in front of the house."

"Oh yea, ok well I'll talk to you later, I've got some work to do." He said.

I nodded and then hopped out of the car. Before I could shut the door, he spoke up.

"I love you Kat." He said.

I blushed and then responded, "I love you too Mark."

"Oh yea and don't tell Sam that you saw me. I don't want to talk to her at all."

I nodded and then blew him a kiss.

He smiled at me as I closed the door and then walked to my house. When I walked in, my mom was in the kitchen with Sam and my godfather, Randy. The three of them looked at me with smiles when I walked into the room.

"Hey there sweetie, where were you last night?" my mom asked.

I sighed, "I was real tired last night so I slept over one of my friend's houses so I didn't have to walk home."

Sam looked at me with a slight glare in her eye that quickly disappeared. I wondered if she knew where I truly was and what happened between Mark and I. Though we didn't have sex, I still felt guilty about kissing him.

"Ok, well I'm glad you are here because we have something we want to ask you." My mom said.

"What's up?" I asked as I took a seat on one of the stools.

She looked at Sam with a smile, "Well Sam and I wanted to take a vacation, you know just for a few days or so next week."

"Ok…" I said, waiting for her to continue.

Sam cleared her throat, "And I would really appreciate it if you would watch Marcus while I am away."

I smiled at her, "Sure, no problem just let me know the exact dates so I can take that time off."

"Great," My mom said, "See I told you she would do it."

Sam smiled softly and then turned to me, "I really appreciate it Kat,"

"It's not a problem I like Marcus. He's a little cutie." I told them.

Randy smiled, "Oh so you like 'em young then?"

I laughed, "No, not at all."

"Yea, she likes her men a little on the older side." Sam said.

I looked at her through narrow eyes wondering if that was supposed to be a joke about my crush on Mark. My mom looked at her too with the same expression.

"Anyways, how have you been father number two?" I asked Randy.

He smiled, "I've been good. I hear you've been working."

"Yea I have."

"That's good. I can't believe how much you've grown." He said. "You're starting to look like your mother."

I laughed and then decided to head up to my room. "I'll be upstairs if you need me."

"Ok dear, and thanks again." My mom said.

"You're welcome."

Later on that day, I went to Emily's house to visit for awhile. Of course you know I told her about Mark and I sharing those kisses.

"Oh my goodness. Did you screw him?" she asked.

I shook my head as my face turned red. "No I didn't let him. I mean it was on my mind but I just can't do that to Sam even though she did it to him."

"Yea but you love Mark, Kitty. There is nothing wrong with sleeping with someone you love." She said as she placed Rebecca in the crib.

"Where has Glenn been? I haven't seen him around lately." I said.

She sighed, "Oh yea…we broke up."

I gasped. "What! And you're just now telling me?"

She sighed, "I'm sorry, I've been spending a lot of time trying not to think about it but yes…we are not together."

"Oh wow, well what happened?"

She stopped what she was doing for a second and then turned to me. "He hit me."

"He did what!" I yelled.

"Yes, he hit me in front of Rebecca. I couldn't believe it myself but he really did."

I shook my head, "Goodness, I feel like everyone is having issues now."

"That's because everyone is…speaking of which…did you tell him?"

I shook my head, "No. I really don't know how Em. I mean I want him to know but…"

"You don't want to be the one that hurts him."

"Exactly. I care for him so much…I love him."

She placed a hand on my shoulder. "If you love him, then do the right thing for him. Tell him what you heard."

I sighed and then put my face in my hands. "Why must it always be me…"

"I don't know girl, but if you really want to be with that man, he has to be able to trust you. This is a great way to start building that trust."

I had to agree with her, Mark didn't trust too many people in his life including Sam. I guess I just had to buckle down and tell him what I knew. It wasn't going to be easy though…so I knew I needed to prepare for when that day came.