After convincing me that he is fine to drive, I give his keys over and we pick up Khloe.
When she sees that I am in the car, she starts jumping and clapping. Kai has to tell her to sit down three times, so he can strap her in her car seat. “Pway Khloe music, Kai,” she shrieks once we are on the road.
Kai groans but does as his little sister wishes, turning on what I call bubblegum pop music. I look back and see her trying to sing, it is so cute. Her feet are kicking the back of my seat softly, tapping to the beat of the music.
~**~
The rest of the week and the next, Kai and I have fallen into an easy routine of him picking me up before school and driving me home when he is able after I watch his sister. We have even hung out on one of my off nights. He said he needed help with his History paper. He even met Mrs. Jennings. She said, “Now that boy is a looker.”
I have started taking care of Percy for her. She had a bad fall a few days ago, and she is in the hospital. She may need a hip replacement. I wanted to go visit her, but I haven’t had a chance to.
I am watching Khloe again this evening. I can’t help but feel like Kai and I are getting closer.
His mom is great. She is always asking me about school and trying to get to know me better. When she asks me about my mom though, I always change the subject or avoid the topic all together.
Kelli left me detailed instructions for Khloe’s schedule this week. I have fixed her an after-school snack. She is eating grapes and yogurt while watching The Disney Channel. Her dinner is already in the refrigerator. I only have to warm it up and there is a plate for me too. Kai left soon after we arrived. I don’t know where he went. It really isn’t any of my business.
Khloe and I spend most of the evening coloring and building with Legos. It feels strange being here in this huge house just the two of us. After having dinner with Khloe, I give her a bath, and read to her until she falls asleep. I still have another hour or so until I can go home. Now I am bored and lonely.
Leaving Khloe’s door cracked, I start down the hall and wonder where Kai’s room is. I could take a quick peek. I quickly decide against snooping when I hear someone banging around in the kitchen. Going downstairs expecting to see Kai, I am startled by his older brother—Kirk.
Chapter 11
Seeing Kirk Cooper is almost like looking at Kai minus the heart stopping dimples. Kirk has short-cropped sandy brown hair. His build is slightly thicker being he is older. He looks me over and grins widely. “Who are you?”
“I’m the babysitter, for Khloe.”
“So, you’re Katie?” He asks, putting his hot wings into the oven.
“Yeah that’s me,” I answer timidly. I wasn’t aware he still lived at home.
“Are you dating my little brother?” He emphasizes the word little.
“No.”
He walks over to where I am standing awkwardly by the bottom of the stairs. “Good, you can keep me company until my food is ready.” I go over to the counter and take a seat as I watch in disgust as he chugs the milk from the carton. It is running down his cheek. Then he burps, loudly. Gross.
His eyes narrow on me. “How old are you?”
“Seventeen,” I answer automatically.
“Damn, always too young for me. When you turn eighteen, I could take you out sometime.” He smiles over his shoulder at me and winks, checking on his food.
“A watched pot never cooks ya know,” I tease him avoiding the comment he just made about taking me out.
“Smartass,” he chirps.
Kirk works in the coalmines with their father, whom I have yet to meet.
Kelli calls the home phone line and apologizes that she is running late. Kai still hasn’t come home, so I take Kirk up on his offer to watch TV with him.
He settles in the leather recliner, and I curl up on the couch resting my head on the arm. Kirk turns on some fishing show on the hunting channel that nearly puts me to sleep, but it beats sitting by myself with nothing to do.
Kai comes in shortly after and looks furious. “Let’s go, Kat,” he grits through clenched teeth.
His attitude shocks me. What did I do? I must have a puzzled expression on my face because Kirk answers my unspoken question. “It’s not you, it’s me.”
Whatever sibling rivalry these two have going on…I’m not getting involved. I go into the kitchen, grabbing my bag and slipping my shoes on. I overhear Kai telling Kirk to listen for Khloe, and then I hear my name said angrily. Kirk says something back, but I can’t hear what it is. I hear Kai storming toward the kitchen loudly, so I scurry to the garage to wait by his car.