Broken Souls ... by Annay Dawson
Chapter 17
“Kari,” Holden hollered at her but she didn’t stop. Holden broke into a jog to try and catch up with her before she could leave the parking lot. “Kari,” this time his voice was deeper, more insistent.
She heard his voice behind her and she just couldn’t deal with it, couldn't deal with him. Picking up her pace she wanted to, no needed to, get to her car before he reached her. Had she known that he was involved with someone else she never would have what? She still wasn’t sure what they had. No, had had. Whatever it was it was over. She felt her eyes begin to tear up. The last thing she wanted was to let him know that he had touched something so deep within her that she felt loss. No, she wasn’t going to listen to him; listen to him give excuses or reasons why she shouldn’t just go running away.
“Kari wait,” this time she could tell the voice was much closer, more commanding. There wasn’t going to be anyway to avoid this, to avoid him, so she turned and faced him, head on.
“How dare you!” Her voice came out stronger than she suspected it would as she glared at him.
“If you give me a moment,” and he saw her temper flare up in her eyes. Although he didn’t want to be arguing in front of the school, God knew that anything type of relationship they had that had been private would not be now. If he wasn't so afraid that he was losing her he could have enjoyed seeing that spark. It meant one thing and one thing only, she cared for him. When he saw a tear balanced on the edge of one eye, stupid man that he was, he smiled.
“What,” she was incredulous. Her voice went up an octave, “You’re smiling? You think seeing me on the side is funny!” The more she talked the madder she got and the more Holden smiled. She just couldn't believe it.
“Kari, it’s really not what you’re thinking,” but it was hard to say with a straight face especially since he could see Addison warily approaching them.
“I can’t,” she saw the woman approaching them. Quickly she turned to move toward her car again and Addison picked up her pace, “I just can’t deal with this now,” but as she got to her care but before she could open her car door Addison touched her shoulder.
“You forgot this,” and she held out the scarf. Kari exhaled and turned to face the woman that had Holden’s heart. She had seen it in their eyes. “Hi, I’m Addison, Holden’s sister.”
Time froze. Holden’s what? It was as if her brain short-circuited right on the spot. She didn’t see Holden approach until he had his hand under her arm supporting her again. She could feel his warmth and that warmth began to seep through her body bringing her focus back to the here and now.
“His sister?” okay, that wasn’t quite what she wanted to say. She couldn't look at Holden so she kept her focus on Addison.
“Kari,” this time it was Holden, his voice softer, caring, trying to save the situation, “this is Addison, my sister. She teaches here. Addison this is Kari. The one who has been keeping me from having breakfast with you and Mia,” and he turned and looked at Kari again, “my niece.” As if it were on cue, Mia came running out.
“Uncle Den is this your girlfriend?” She stopped in front of all of them and put her hands on her hips. Kari almost chuckled. It was enough to break the tension.
“Well,” and Holden let go of Kari and kneeled down to talk with Mia, “I’m not sure Me-Me. We will have to ask Miss Kari but I don’t think now is a good idea.”
“Oh, okay. Hi Miss Kari. Do you like my Uncle Den?” Holden had to give her credit; she was focused.
“Wow,” and Kari absentmindedly pushed an imaginary strand of hair from her face, “I do like your uncle.”
“Well then,” and Holden could see Mia was winding up again for another question.
“Who told you to come out here?” Addison said in a scolding tone as she took hold of her daughter’s hand.
“Mrs. Warren thought I could help,” and it was then that they all turned to look at the front door of the school. Cindy stood there smiling and leaning up against the doorframe. Penny was peering out behind her. Cindy gave a little wave.
“Holden, we are going to head back in. Don’t worry about joining us for lunch if plans change,” and as she turned she looked at Kari, “Kari it was so nice to meet you. I hope we get to see you again soon.”
“Me-Me you need to eat and get back to your class. Tell your teacher thanks for me,” Holden winked and then waited until Addison and Mia were out of earshot.
“Kari?” the look on her face was priceless. It was a mixture of dread, embarrassment, shock, and his personal favorite, relief. The color was beginning to return only this time it wasn't the red rage that he had first met up with.
“I owe you,” Kari paused and pulled her bag closer to her. She was embarrassed all right and even though some part of him was enjoying this he needed to put her back at ease.
“I’m not, nor have I ever been, that kind of guy. I just wasn't going to introduce you to the family until well," and he hesitated a bit, "later. I didn't want to pressure you,” and he took Kari’s hand. “I know the perfect way you can make this all up to me and since you are already here it will be easy. Why don’t you come in and join us for lunch,” Kari glanced quickly over at the school like it was a house of horrors and then back at Holden. He could tell that she was nervous, “I brought sandwiches already so we won’t be eating a school lunch if that’s the worry. I’d be happy to share mine with you and,” he let his thumb gently rub the side of her hand watching how it relaxed her, “I’d like you to get to know Addison.”
“But,” and she paused.
“You’ve got to eat and the food is here and ready. Plus the word will be out in the next thirty minutes or so that we are seeing each other whether or not you stay here and eat. Better that the story ends with lunch as a group than a row in the parking lot,” he smiled and pulled her gently in toward him and back toward the entrance to the school . When she didn't resist he knew he had won.
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