Ch. 12

"I'll let you into the garage," Katelyn hurried out of the car looking around nervously for Wade. She entered the code moving out of the way for Randy to pull the car in. The garage door shutting behind them was a comforting sound. "Come this way," she motioned for Randy to follow her into the house. "Sorry for the mess, give me a minute to clean up," she apologized for her luggage and some clothes being spread around the family room as they passed through it to get to the kitchen. Randy gently grabbed her arm as she tried to pass him to pick things up.

"Don't even worry about it. Come on sit down," Randy pulled out a chair motioning for her to sit. She looked up into his eyes and he knew right away she was going to be stubborn. "Katy, we can do this the easy or hard way your choice."

"Hard way?" her curiosity got the best of her and she had to ask.

"How about you just behave and don't worry about the hard way," he smirked patting the chair.

"It will only take a few minutes to put things away. I'll be right back," she went to pull away from his grip. He sat down pulling her onto his lap wrapping his arm tightly around her waist taking her by complete surprise.

"Randy, let me go!" she exclaimed.

"Hey you choose the hard way so deal with it," he kept a firm hold on her while she squirmed. "Go ahead tire yourself out can take a nap after lunch."

"Very funny, you're so unfair," she huffed giving up on getting free from him.

"Unfair would be if I didn't give you options," he winked at her opening a bag getting out their sandwiches handing one to her. "Eat up stubborn girl."

"Are you going to let me go?" she asked looking at him.

"Why my lap isn't comfy?" he smirked making her blush. "Just relax and trust me, I'll let you go after lunch. I don't care what your place looks like. All I care about is you chilling out."

Katelyn felt all urges to keep protesting disappear. She completely gave in opening her sandwich. Randy gently pulled her back till she was leaning against his chest. He smiled when he felt her body relax against him as they ate lunch quietly.

"Is there a lot to pack up?" Randy asked breaking the silence.

"Not too much mainly clothes and a few other things. Wade is good at living out of a suitcase."

"Our line of work makes us pros at that. It's difficult to have a relationship or home life. The distance and not being home often always takes a toll," Randy said thinking of all the time he spent on the road away from home.

"Kelly and Chris seem to have the key to making it work by working and traveling together."

"Yeah, they do seem happy," he absentmindedly ran his fingers along her back sending tingling sensations through her body making it hard for her to concentrate. He felt her tense slightly and realized what he was doing. "Sorry I should help you pack his things up," he quickly moved his arm from around her waist. She stood up right away heading into the other room. Randy paused for a moment scolding himself for getting too comfortable with her.

A few hours later, Katelyn taped up the last box of Wade's things. She looked around making sure she had gotten everything. One of Wade's coats hanging on the back of the kitchen door caught her attention. She slowly took it down right away the lingering aroma of his cologne made tears well in her eyes. She closed her eyes thinking of the times they had been happy feeling her heart ache.

"Rethinking your decision?" Randy asked lightly touching her shoulder.

"No, we did have good moments together but there is no future for us," she softly said dropping the coat on top of the boxes. "Do you mind carrying them to the porch? I'll text him to come pick them up later tonight."

"I don't mind," Randy started taking them out as she sat down on a chair sending the text. It didn't take him long to put them all out of the porch. He returned finding Katelyn staring at her cell with a worried expression. "What's wrong?"

"See for yourself," she handed Randy her cell.

"I'll be there in 20 minutes. I know you are not at the shop. I need two minutes of your time please don't deny me that." Randy read Wade's response out loud. "Does talking to him worry you or is it me being here when he comes?"

"I can handle a few minutes with Wade," she looked up into Randy's eyes. "I'm sorry he can't know you are here. I will keep him out on the porch. I need you to stay in here and out of sight."

"Thought he wasn't the jealous type? I'm just a friend helping you out."

"Randy, he won't see it that way and I don't want him trying to blame our breakup on you. Please do me a favor and keep hidden." she begged with her eyes.

"Fine, but if gets nasty with you I'm not hiding."

"That won't happen," she said hoping she was right.

"We will see," he walked away not wanting to get into an argument about what was right and wrong when it came to their friendship. "Where is my hiding spot?" he asked without turning to look at her.

"You can hide in my bedroom," she caught up stepping in front of him. "Randy, please don't be mad at me right now."

"Can I be mad at you later?" he asked taking her by surprise.

"Sure you can be mad at me from the moment Wade leaves," she looked up into his eyes.

"Ok we have a deal. Are you really going to make me hide in a closet or some other place like under your bed?"

"Hmmm let me think about it since you're going to be mad at me anyway," she smirked making him shake his head.

"I'm glad you find this so amusing Katy."

"You are very amusing Mr. Orton," she grabbed the TV remote off her nightstand handing it out to him. "You can watch TV unless you really want to try to fit under my bed or in my closet."

"Thanks smart ass," he took it from her brushing his fingers against her hand. A knock on the front door made her jump and tense up. "Are you sure you're going to be ok dealing with Wade alone?"

"Yes, I'll be right back," she tried to sound confident as she walked out of the room closing the door. Randy tossed the remote on her bed turning off the lights. He quietly went to the window where he could see the porch the best from. He gently pushed it open a few inches to hear what was going on and to keep a watchful eye on Katy.

Katelyn took a deep breathe opening the front door stepping out on the porch. She looked around not seeing Wade.

"Wade?" she called out.

"I'll be right there just stay on the porch," his voice came from the driveway. She nervously swallowed when he appeared carrying a bouquet of red roses.

"Really does this idiot think roses are going to fix her broke heart," Randy mumbled watching as Wade neared Katelyn.

"Thank you for seeing me. I'm sorry for what I did and said earlier," Wade softly said handing out the roses to her. She shook her head no pushing them away. "Katy, I really am sorry."

"It doesn't matter. I can't do this anymore. Your stuff should all be here. If you're missing anything text me and I'll try to find it."

"I agree we can't do this anymore," Wade said making her look at him. "You're right I have been playing games. I don't want to hurt you like that anymore. I promise no more games. I want our relationship to change," he paused slowly sinking to his knee reaching into his pocket taking out a diamond ring. "Katelyn, will you marry me?"

As the question rolled off his tongue, Katelyn felt a mix of emotions coarse through her.

Randy helplessly watched on feeling time painfully slow as he waited for her to answer Wade.