Chapter Four
They decided that Brian should wake her up. As they were closer, he was less likely to be maimed for disturbing her sleep.
“Kara! C’mon, kiddo. Dinner’s on!” He said cheerily. The form on the bed merely groaned and rolled over. “Rise and shine, girl!” He got a pillow in the face for his trouble. That was it. He approached her cautiously, then grabbed her arms and shook her, causing her to bolt upright.
“Ow!” He’d caught her right on the bruises David had left on her arms.
“What? What’s wrong with your arms?”
“Nothing. Nevermind.” She tried to flop back onto the bed, but it was too late. He’d seen the hint of purple at the bottom of her T-shirt sleeve, and his eyes narrowed. He pulled her sleeves up to her shoulders, revealing two large bruises.
“What happened, Kara?”
“ Nothing. It’s nothing.”
“No, it is not ‘nothing’, Kara. Where’d you get these?”
She opened her mouth to protest again, but Brian cut her off. “Kevin! Come here!” The sound of his laughter came up the stairs.
“Calling for reinforcements? Don’t think so, Bri. I don’t have a death wish!”
“Kevin, get up here NOW!” Kevin’s eyes widened in surprise. That was NOT a tone Brian used unless he meant business. He ran up the stairs, stopping when he saw Brian’s angry face and Kara’s frustrated one.
“What?”
“Nothing. Brian here is overreacting.” Kevin looked to his cousin in confusion. Brian was the last one to overreact about things.
“Look at this.” Brian grabbed her arm and rolled her sleeve up gently. Kevin sucked in air, and Kara turned away, waiting for the explosion.
“Shit.” His green eyes flashed with anger, and his voice rose. “Who did this to you?”
“She won’t say.”
“ It’s not a big deal. I’m fine.” Kevin had managed to keep his voice fairly calm until this point, but that put him over the edge.
“Dammit Kara! You have bruises the size of baseballs on your arms! It’s NOT fine!” He roared. “Who did this!”
“What happened to ‘no questions asked’, huh?” She was pushing it, and she knew it. She also knew she didn’t want to spill the story just yet, and especially not to Kevin.
“ It flew out the window when you got to my place, baby.”
“You haven’t been eating or sleeping, you call Kevin from the highway, and not you have huge bruises? When the HELL were you planning on clueing me in?” Kara was stung. Brian didn’t swear, and he wasn’t in the habit of yelling at her, either.
“Bri, I-” He held up a hand to silence her, out of patience. “Fine. Forget it. Forget I called, forget I came. I’m sorry I asked for help.” She began walking out of the room, but Kevin grabbed her.
“ Just where do you think you’re going?” He asked, raising an eyebrow. Great. Overprotective “father Kevin” mode.
“Away from you.” She sidestepped, and he blocked her way again. “Get out of my way.”
“Nope. You’re under my watch now, and you’re in no condition to go anywhere.”
“Your watch? I’m not eight years old, Kevin!”
“Well, you’re sure acting like it!”
“Move!”
“Kara.” Brian spoke softly, so she’d have to concentrate to hear him.
“WHAT? What now?” Brian glanced at Kevin, and he left the room. Her claws were out, and he wasn’t helping. Brian always had better luck calming her down anyway.
“Kara, we’re just-”
“Worried? I know that, Brian. But I’m here now, and I’m okay. I just wanted to forget about this mess for one day.” Her voice faltered slightly. “One day.” Brian looked into her tear-filled eyes, so like his own, and his heart broke for her. “Brian, I-” He pulled her into his arms for a hug, and the dam broke. The fear, the sadness… it all came out. It was time to be her rock.