Chapter Twelve
Kevin insisted on coming to AJ’s with Kara, mostly to continue their conversation, but also to make sure he was okay.
Though dreading the lecture, she was glad her cousin was there to hold AJ while he ‘called Ralph on the big white phone’- she didn’t think she could handle it. Yech!
Once the alcohol was out of his system, they dragged him off to bed. After cleaning up the war zone, they went into the kitchen to continue their previous discussion.
“So?” Kevin’s eyes bore into hers, challenging her.
“So…” Two could play this game.
“When were you planning on telling me that you’re moving out TODAY.” Okay- guilt trip. She deserved it.
“I was going to tell you sooner..” A massive eyebrow raised in disbelief. “Really, I was. It just…”
“Slipped your mind? I’m not buying it. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because, Kevin.” Oh, there was a specific answer.
Articulate, too- she was just full of talents today. “Because?” The eyebrow raised again. “You can do better than that, can’t you?”. If he was going to put it that way… Oh yes she could. He was going to be sorry he’d asked, though.
“Because, Kev, contrary to your beliefs, I CAN take care of myself. I was feeling like a caged animal.” Yep. He was sorry he’d asked, all right. The trademark square jaw clenched tightly, and he spoke through his teeth.
“Don’t hold back, babe. Tell me how you REALLY feel.” He asked for it, he was going to get it!
“ Kevin, I’m twenty years old. I’m used to living on my own, and you know full well that I haven’t had to check in with anyone since I was fifteen. Suddenly having to check in with someone every two hours is… well, it’s suffocating.”
Suffocating? So he was killing her now? That was great. Just great. He let out a low growl, and Kara’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Did you just GROWL at me?” That had been loud enough to hear? He furrowed his brow, then forced out a response.
“No.” Kara started to laugh. A grown man was sitting in front of her, pouting, and he’d GROWLED at her. It was too much. Despite his best efforts, Kevin found the corners of his mouth turning up, too.
“You’re smiling, Kevy-Kev.”
“Am not.”
“Are too!’
“I … am…not!” The words came out slowly as he tried not to laugh, then he sobered. “Suffocating, Kara?”
“Yeah- like you’re about to do if you don’t BREATHE! It’s a wonder you don’t explode!” She puffed up her cheeks, holding her breath until she turned red, then finally let it out with a poof.
Finally, he began to laugh. “No fair! I’m still angry with you.”
“Fine.” She grinned “But at least you’re less likely to explode now.” He scowled at her.
“Ha ha. Very funny.” She grinned cheekily.
“I thought so. But really, Kevin- don’t you think you were MAYBE going a little overboard?”
“ ‘Caged animal’?”
“Okay, so that was overkill. I was trying to make a point.”
“That I’m a prison warden?” His eyes sparkled with amusement. He understood, but she wasn’t getting off that easily.
“You know that’s not what I meant!”
“Do I? That’s more or less what you said, isn’t it?” She rolled her eyes.
“Puh-lease, Kev.”
“So you’re saying that I shouldn’t have gotten Tim, Harold, AND Bri to come looking for you when you were walking in the woods?”
“Yeah. I didn’t need the Cousin Posse- I was just taking a walk.”
“And I shouldn’t have yelled at AJ when he got you back two minutes late from shopping?”
“Uh-huh.” Her turn to raise an eyebrow, his to squirm. “So?”
“So I might have been a bit overprotective.” She nodded, waiting for him to continue. “But it’s just because I care.”
“I know you do. But there are better ways…”
“And there are better ways to tell someone you’re moving out, too.”
“Touché. You’ve got me there. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.”
“And I’ll try to ease up a bit.” Kara raised both eyebrows.
“Okay, okay- a lot. But you have to cut me some slack. I’m old and set in my ways.”
“Yes, Dad.”
“Hey! I’m not that old!”
“Then don’t use that excuse, you goof!” She ruffled his hair. “Thanks for helping me with ‘Jay.”
“No problem, cuz.” He stood up to leave. “Well, I’d better get back to Kris. Call me if you need anything, and keep checking on him every hour. If he’s-“ He stopped, confused by Kara’s Cheshire grin. “What?”
“You really are a Dad!”
“Am not!”
“Are too!” She gave him a quick hug. “But I still love ya.”
“Love you too, Ker-Bear.” And with that, he left.