“I wouldn’t have kneed you in the balls again as long as you didn’t lick my face,” I tease.
His lip twitches and he lets out a low chuckle, clearly remembering our seven minutes in heaven. “If I recall correctly, I tried to tongue you, and you got scared, and turned your head,” he says smugly.
I’m not sure if I can handle another kiss this weekend, so I say the first thing I can think of. “Well then, maybe one day I will give you a second chance to prove that you aren’t just a frog.” I click my seatbelt, undoing it and take the door handle in my hand.
“Oh, I got some paint in the back for you. I’m not sure if it’s even the right color, but it is better than having whore spray-painted on your house.”
“Thanks, that was really sweet of you.” We both get out of the car and he goes to his trunk to get the paint. He refuses to let me carry it and walks me to the door. I can see my mom peering out the curtains at us.
“So, I will see you tomorrow,” I tell him as I get ready to dart inside the house and face my mom.
“Can I give you a lift to school in the morning? I mean, it is supposed to be really cold—the weather man said it would be blustery in the early hours.”
“I couldn’t, I mean it isn’t even on your way.” I am more shocked that he watches the weather than I am at his offering to drive me. Kai never has struck me for someone who would care about the weather.
“I don’t mind. I have to drop Khloe off at her daycare for my mom in the morning anyway.” He shrugs. “Besides, Kat, whoever did this…” he motions to the red paint. “…that is only the beginning.”
Not wanting to be alone in the morning, I take him up on his offer. He is right, who knows what else they will try. Whoever they are. I have a good idea who they are though—Penny and Aaron, or him and his friends on the basketball team. And possibly Becks, which makes my chest hurt, and it feels like strong steel hands are squeezing my heart.
He sits the paint down and brushes his finger across my cheek, making me feel dizzy. “See ya, tomorrow, Kat.”
Chapter 9
I hurry inside of the door, I was afraid Kai was going to try to kiss me anyway.
My mom is waiting for me with a hard look on her face. “Who was that boy?”
“I left you a note, I got a new job babysitting for Kai Cooper’s little sister.”
“I called you, Katie, and you didn’t answer me, then I come home to find that awful word painted on the house. And then a note saying you took off with some boy. I expect better from you. Why is that shit on the house?”
“Maybe it’s for you,” I mouth off at her, tired of her back and forth mood swings. “Oh, you want to be a caring mother now that I am getting old enough to leave, is that it?” My brow is arched as I finally feel strong enough to stand up to her for once.
“What do you mean leave? Katie, you aren’t going anywhere. I talked to Jason. He has agreed to take you back watching Chase. I told him in time you might be more open to him.”
Did she really just say that?
“I am nothing like you, and I never will be. I will never spread my legs for money,” I yell loudly and hope Kai is long gone.
She comes toward me like she is going to strike me again as she did earlier.
“Going to hit me again? Go ahead. You can’t hurt me anymore. I am going to get out of this town and away from you. You must be sick in the head to think I would want to sell myself.” I start to go to my room and get ready for bed.
She is right on my heels, following me. “Katie, everything I have done has been to provide for you. You think it was easy for me to keep you. Every time I look at you I relive that horrible night,” she cries at me, trying to make me feel sorry for her.
I spin on my heel facing her. “Then why did you keep me?”
“I didn’t want to be alone,” she whispers out between her sobs.
“Wow,” I say closing my door in her face.
I lock my door so she can’t come in and bother me further. Changing into my pajamas, I go to bed without brushing my teeth. I don’t want to see her right now. I can hear her in the kitchen drinking. Here we go again. One step forward and two steps back.
~**~
When I get up the next morning, my mom has already left for work. I open the fridge. Looks like she bought milk. There is a note on the refrigerator door, it reads:
Sorry, Katie, love Mom.