After JT left for the day I sat on the counter of the huge kitchen island, slowly picking on my scrambled eggs. This Monday was gloomier than usual and I just didn’t want to face it, at all. But all things considered, I felt fine, almost even liberated. Or was that my autopilot self talking? I shrugged inwardly.
Dad came into the kitchen and kissed my forehead “Morning angel.” He said, his deep voice measured. I knew that Mom gave him the 411 on what happened Friday when he came home. He along with Mom and JT were cautious around me, it irritated me. I wasn’t sulking all weekend, was I? I know that I did everything I would normally do on any other day.
“Morning Dad.” I said as cheerfully as I could, meeting his assertive blue gaze. He was immaculately dressed in his charcoal grey business suit, his usually tousled ink black hair neatened. He looked powerful and untouchable; he also looked like my Dad. Then I saw it, concern and a little frustration? I sighed inwardly.
Dad has made it his life mission to protect my siblings and I and in this case he’s rendered helpless and I don’t think he’s coping well with that.
I knew then that a serious talk was imminent and he’s only giving me space for now, I’ll take it any day.
Just then Mom came in, looking professionally chic as usually in her black pencil skirt and red silk blouse, along with her high red pumps; her long hair in a low ponytail. “Hey sweetie.” She said to me with a smile “Hi Mom.” I said before she turned her smile on Dad and they shared a chaste kiss, Mom giggled when Dad playfully placed more kisses on her face.
I think they forgot about me for a moment, a small smile played at the corners of my lips. On any other day I would’ve made a snide sound or comment to stop them but they looked so happy. Somehow seeing them didn’t make me feel miserable; it gave me…hope. For what exactly, I have no idea.
I stood up from my chair “I have to go.” I said after a glance at my watch “Bye.” I said after they bid me a quick farewell.
I got in my Jag and started it but didn’t go, I couldn’t help but think back to the conversation I had with JT Sunday afternoon. I had to tell him about Adrianna, convince him to end things with her.
I looked at JT expectantly but he just watched me quietly and sympathetically, was that for me? “Are you okay?” he asked, his voice laced with concern and I started,
“JT, I just told you your girlfriend kissed another guy and…God knows what else and you ask how I’m doing?” I asked not quite believing his reaction, that’s just it, he wasn’t reacting, not the way I thought he would.
He shrugged impassively “Yes, I care about you here.” He said and I closed my eyes realization dawned on me. He was never in love with Adrianna; he didn’t care what she did. “You don’t care about her, do you?” I asked knowingly and he smiled “Come on Katelyn, I thought you knew me better than that. You really believe I could genuinely care about her, she’s not capable of caring about anyone but herself.” He said, amen to that! But I still didn’t understand.
“But then why go out with her?” I asked, and he shrugged “Ade might be cold but she’s easily influenced, I could control the way she and her friends treated you…most of the time.” He said and I made a double take, suddenly remembering the many times Adrianna would be nice just because he was close by.
“That’s crazy.” I breathed “Whoa, you took this whole big brother thing to the max didn’t you? Hell, you can’t do that JT.” I said and he chuckled at my vehemence. Then he held up his hands “Okay then, besides its ineffective.” He said then he sobered up “Anyway, I’m waiting for a better offer to come along.” He said distractedly. My gasp brought his attention back to me.
“You like Tess!” I said pointing at him as if that’ll make him admit it “I knew it!”
“What? Did she say anything?” he asked, he’s not denying it, wow.
“I…no, she didn’t.” I lied, I couldn’t tell him my best friend’s true feelings about him, she should do that. JT nodded and I saw a little hint of disappointment in his eyes, wow, he really does like her back.
“You should talk to her though.” I encouraged, at leased one of us should get what we want.