Chapter Nine
“Kara!” Kevin’s deep voice boomed through the house, disturbing her sleep. “Phone! It’s ‘Jay.” She rolled over and looked at the clock. Noon- damn! AJ usually had better manners. He knew she slept till two.
“Just a minute!” She dragged herself out of the comfort of bed and shuffled downstairs to the phone. “Yeah?”
“Hey, girl! I need to go Christmas shopping, and I don’t know what to get anyone. Wanna come?”
“Did we learn NOTHING from our excursion three days ago? You know we never agree on anything...”
“C’mon, Kara. Besides, you still owe me gossip, kid.” She groaned- he had her there.
“Fine! But NO MORE PLEATHER!”
“Or hats!” Kevin yelled from across the kitchen.
“Hear that?”
“Yeah. You tell Kevin he can shove those hats up-“
“I don’t think so, ‘Jay. I don’t relay insults to Kevy, here- I might get a Brow Beating.”
“Hey!” Kevin protested, glaring at her.
“Looks like I’m in for one now, in fact. I gotta go.”
“I’ll be there in an hour.” She hung up, and Kevin scowled at her.
“Brow Beating?”
“Yep. That’s what I said.”
“Just for that, I’m gonna make you help me shop for Leighanne.” Now it was Kara’s turn to scowl. Shopping with Kevin was horrid any time, without the object being to find a gift for her least favorite relative. “Which reminds me, Brian called earlier. He needs help finding something for…” Please, please don’t say Leigh, “Megan” Kara breathed a sigh of relief.
“He was serious about that? Tell him to get her a one-way ticket out of LA.” Kevin furrowed his eyebrows in confusion.
“What? I thought –” Kara waved a hand in dismissal.
“Forget it. Tell Bri I’ll think about it, then call him later.”
“What am I, your message boy?” She reached over and ruffled his hair.“Of course you are! I’m showering, then going out with AJ”
“What treatment!” Kevin grumbled, returning to his lunch preparations as she ran up the stairs. “Kids these days!”
“I heard that! You know you love me, Kevy-Kev.” He smiled at her words. That was true enough.
“Spill it, girl.” AJ ordered when she climbed into his truck an hour later.
“Huh?”
“Come on- Combustible Kev, why you’re here… Spill.” Kara’s eyes widened in mock surprise.
“Oh, THAT!” AJ gave her a disgusted look.
“Yeah, that. Come on- inquiring minds want to know.” She gave him a sideways glance.
“Aren’t you combustible, too?”
“Yeah, but not like Kev is about you.”
“Well, in that case, I guess I can tell you…” And she did.
He let out a low whistle when she’d finished bringing him up to speed.
“No wonder Kevin’s ticked. What a jerk!” AJ shook his head.
“Tell me about it.” Kara laughed wryly. ”You should’ve seen poor Brian after sitting on that phone, though.”
“What are you going to do now?”
“Well, I’m not going back there, that’s for sure. It was time to get out of Minnesota, anyway."
“Not missing the snow?”
“Are you kidding? No, I’m not. But I need to find a place if I’m staying, you know?” She gave him a look. Clearly, staying with Kevin was not high on her list. From the sounds of it, he was trying his best to lock her up until she turned 30. Getting the older man to let Kara go out with HIM had required a detailed itinerary, not to mention promises to check in. It was enough to drive anyone nuts, and Kara was used to her freedom.
“Like I said, you’re welcome at my place.” She gave him another look.
“Yeah- Kevin would LOVE that. I won’t stay with him, but I’ll stay with the resident rebel? “ She shook her head. He’d already been milking the guilt trip for all it was worth, and she wasn’t about to give him more ammunition. “Don’t think so, Bone.”
"Okay, so it won’t work. If you get desperate, though-“
“I know who to call. Thanks.”
“And Bri? How’s he dealing with this?”
“Better than Kevin- but enough about that- its’ shopping time!” AJ did a double take. She was right- they were at the mall.
“So, who’s first on your list?” He lowered his sunglasses, grinning evilly.
“Well, I DO need to find something for the lovely Leigh- Ow!” She socked him lightly in the stomach before he finished saying the name.
“You are evil, AJ. Pure evil.” He flashed her a bright smile.
“Hey, be careful. I’m loved by millions, you know- don’t forget that!” He took off running in hopes of escaping further punishment, laughing as she berated him.
“Millions of demented, freak-loving…” Her voice was drowned out by the constant hum of people as they entered the building.