After the Sky Fell Down

by Nugen Isbell, Megan

  Jace stood there smiling and then his eyes immediately focused on the little girl in Kathryn’s arms.

  “Hey. Come in,” she said motioning him inside and they moved to the living room.

  “So, this is Sarah,” Jace said taking a step closer and holding out his hand. Sarah smiled and grabbed his finger.

  “Yep, this is Sarah,” Kathryn said beaming down at her daughter.

  “She’s cute,” he said almost timidly. She could tell he wasn’t exactly comfortable around kids, but was doing his best.

  “Thanks,” she said and then looked to the kitchen, hoping to leave before Luke came out. She wasn’t sure if he would, but she thought it best not to wait around to see. “You wanna get going?”

  “Sure,” he replied.

  “Let me just get the cooler,” she said, beginning to walk over to the kitchen.

  “I’ll get it. Don’t you need to get her diaper bag together or something?” he asked with a grin.

  “Yeah, actually I do. Thanks.”

  Jace grabbed the cooler and plastic bag with the plates, napkins and forks and came back into the living room where Kathryn was zipping Sarah’s coat.

  “Alright, I think we’re all set,” she said picking Sarah and the diaper bag up.

  “Weren’t you going to introduce us?”

  Sarah turned to see Luke standing in the hallway. His eyes were bouncing between Kathryn and Jace. His glare wasn’t openly hostile, but his mouth was curved up smugly. Jace looked over to her curiously.

  “Um, yeah. I thought you might be sleeping or something. Didn’t want to disturb you.”

  “Nope. I’m wide awake,” he said with a sarcastic grin.

  “Well, then. Luke this is Jace. Jace this is my roommate Luke,” she said as casually as possible.

  “Nice to meet you,” Jace said extending a hand to Luke, who hesitated for a moment. Kathryn cringed thinking he might refuse Jace’s hand, but a moment later, Luke nodded and took it and shook it briefly.

  “I’m Sarah’s uncle,” was all he said and the cringe she’d suffered earlier crept back.

  “Oh?” Jace said and looked over to Kathryn, his eyebrows raised in apparent surprise.

  “Yeah, my brother was Sarah’s father. I’m surprised Kathryn didn’t tell you,” Luke said and Kathryn could tell he was enjoying making everyone in the room uncomfortable. Jace was staring at her and she could almost see the question mark floating over his head. She wasn’t going to hide the fact that her roommate was Ben’s brother, but she hadn’t gotten around to explaining it just yet and now she looked deceitful again. This picnic was getting off to a great start.

  “Well, um, Jace, we should go,” Kathryn said flinging the diaper bag over her shoulder and heading to the door. A few seconds later, Jace followed her. Luke was still standing in the hallway and Kathryn wanted to go slap the victorious smirk off his face, but decided she’d save that for later.

  “Have fun,” Luke said cheerfully and watched as they walked out.

  ****

  The ride to the park had been polite and quiet. She half-expected Jace to begin hounding her with questions the moment they were alone, but he didn’t and they pulled into the park a few minutes later. It was a beautiful day, crisp and cool, and the leaves all around were turning into a fire of color. They found a spot at a picnic table under a large maple tree and Kathryn began laying out the sandwiches and potato salad, wondering when he’d bring up Luke’s revelation.

  “I hope you like ham,” she said, breaking up a sandwich and setting it in front of Sarah who began playing with it.

  “I do,” he said taking a sandwich too and then turning his attention to Kathryn. “So, you didn’t tell me your roommate is Ben’s brother.”

  Kathryn sighed knowing she couldn’t avoid it forever and looked up to meet his dark eyes.

  “I was going to tell you. Today actually, but Luke had to go and open his big mouth before I could.”

  “I don’t mind. I think it’s pretty cool actually. Luke seemed a little perturbed about something though.”

  “Yeah, you caught that, did you?” she asked quietly looking down.

  “You’d have to be blind and deaf not to,” he said with a laugh.

  “I’m sorry he came across so rude. He’s not usually like that, he’s just very protective of Sarah,” she said hoping he’d understand.

  “It’s fine Kathryn. I get his concern.”

  “Well I don’t,” she said thinking back to hers and Luke’s conversation that morning. “I guess he’s all freaked out because I’m letting Sarah spend time with someone I hardly know.”

  “That’s understandable,” he said taking a bite of his sandwich.

  “Well, maybe a little, but he still didn’t need to be so rude to you.”

  Jace just shrugged his shoulders and dished them each up some potato salad.

  “Here you go, Sarah,” he said sweetly placing a small dollop on her plate.

  Her fingers went directly into it and shoved some in her mouth. He started laughing and then she grinned too. Kathryn found herself almost mesmerized watching Jace and Sarah. It was so strange sitting around with her daughter and another guy other than Luke, but Jace seemed to be enjoying himself and Sarah was warming up to him.

  “She looks like you,” he said looking over to Kathryn.

  “You think so?”

  “Yeah. She looks like you when she smiles,” he said and she grinned thinking back to the day she was born when Luke had said almost the same thing. “Her eyes are pretty.”

  “She can thank her father for that. Ben had the most beautiful hazel eyes,” she said as her mind drifted off.

  It was quiet between them and she knew Jace must be getting uncomfortable as she was obviously lost in her memories. Kathryn quickly shook her head, trying to push the memories away, which pained her. She didn’t want to push Ben away. She couldn’t push him away, but she couldn’t have him around all the time. It hurt too badly.

  “So Luke’s pretty good about helping out?” Jace asked.

  “Yeah. He’s been great. One of the few people I felt I could turn to when Ben died.”

  “Who’s idea was it to move in together? Yours or his?”

  “His actually. He wanted to help. He didn’t want me to have to move back in with my parents or do it on my own.”

  “So it works out then?”

  “We get along great and Sarah and Luke adore each other. He’s been a huge help. I’ll never be able to repay him for everything he’s done. So yeah, it usually works out, unless you count today,” she said trying to laugh it off, but couldn’t.

  “Hey,” he said reaching over and gently touching her hand. “I don’t know Luke, but give him a break. He’s just worried about you and Sarah and that’s a good thing.”

  “I’ll try to remember that when I’m kicking his butt tonight,” she said and they both started laughing.

  ****

  The afternoon had gone well, despite how the day had begun. After eating, they’d played with Sarah on the playscape and collected shells along the beach. Jace had been so sweet with Sarah. Kathryn was glad they’d taken to each other and was relieved to have everything out in the open. She still didn’t know what was happening with Jace. All they’d done is hang out a few times, nothing more had happened. They hadn’t even kissed, but she liked being with him and she found that both scary and a little exciting, but also overwhelming.

  It was almost four o’clock when she and Sarah got home. Sarah had missed her afternoon nap and had zonked out in the car on the way home. With her hands full, Jace had walked her to the door, setting the cooler on the doorstep and he had said, “I’ll see you later,” before gently rustling Sarah’s hair, careful not to wake her up. Kathryn didn’t know when or if later would actually occur. She had no way of knowing if his words were true or not or if he was just being polite and would write her off as soon as he drove away. She wouldn’t blame him if he did. At least he’d been polit
e enough not to bolt right away. He’d played the part of the good guy, going on a picnic and getting to know her daughter, but maybe he’d felt obliged to do it. He hadn’t wanted to appear like a jerk, so he did the one obligatory meeting and could either not call her at all or politely call or text the whole It was great getting to know you, but I don’t think it’s gonna work out thing. She didn’t know what would happen, but at least she’d tried, just like Lacey had encouraged.

  When she walked in, Luke was sitting on the couch reading a book with the TV on. He looked up at Kathryn and Sarah, but Kathryn just ignored him and walked Sarah to her room where she put her in her crib to finish napping before walking back out to put everything away.

  Again, she ignored Luke as she walked past him to the kitchen, but a few minutes later as she was wiping the counters, she heard him approaching and when she turned around, he was standing behind her.

  “Need some help?” he asked, the antagonistic tone, which had been so prevalent earlier, completely gone.

  “No. I’ve got it,” she said shortly, turning back around to continue wiping the counter.

  “How was the picnic?” he asked, obviously not getting the hint that she really didn’t want to talk to him right now.

  “We had fun. Sarah had fun too and Jace never tried to molest her,” she said sarcastically.

  “Kathryn, you took what I said earlier the wrong way. I didn’t think he would…” he said as his voice trailed off and then the room grew quiet as he knew she wouldn’t listen to his explanation. Instead, he walked up behind her and placed his hand on her back. She put the rag down and froze at his touch, but said nothing. “Hey, I’m sorry about what I said earlier. I didn’t mean it. I was just concerned for Sarah…and for you,” he added quietly.

  She took a deep breath and sighed. She was still upset at him, but when he spoke like this, in the usual kind, quiet manner so typical of Luke, she had a hard time continuing to resent him.

  “I’m sorry Kate,” he said. “I really am.”

  She sighed again and turned around to face him.

  “Why? Why did you act that way?”

  “I don’t know. I really don’t. I was concerned for you and Sarah and,” he said taking a deep breath and running a hand through his tousled hair. “It was just weird seeing you with someone else, watching you and Sarah and him walk out like some happy little family. It was just strange.”

  Kathryn shook her head and felt her eyes grow warm with tears.

  “We just went on picnic. We weren’t a happy little family. It was nothing,” she said wiping her eyes before the tears fell.

  “I know. I do. It was just, I guess surreal is the word I’m looking for, seeing you leave with him and not…not Ben and I got upset, but I’m sorry. I was a jerk.”

  “Yeah, you were,” she agreed. “Big time.”

  “Well, I just wanted to apologize, but I can tell it’s not enough,” he said turning to walk away.

  “Hey,” she said and he stopped. “I know you were only doing it for me and Sarah. Even Jace said that, but you don’t need to worry. I understand your concern, but I’m okay. We’re okay.”

  “I’m just looking out for my girls,” he said with a shy grin and she smiled back, knowing that’s how Luke saw them. He’d been protecting them since Ben died and she couldn’t just expect him to stop on a dime. He’d never stop worrying about them.

  “I know Luke. I know,” she whispered. “Just…just take it easy from now on.”

  “I will,” he said nodding and then walked away.

  Chapter 33

  It had been a few days since the picnic and Luke had relaxed just as he promised and didn’t hassle her anymore about Jace. She hadn’t heard from Jace though. Her baggage had been too much after all. She was sad, because when she thought about Jace, she really did like him, but she tried not to dwell on it. In her heart, she’d expected it.

  It’d been a long day and after three classes, she was ready to do nothing. Sarah was still at the Bradley’s. It was Sharon’s day to watch her while Kathryn went to school and she’d be dropping Sarah off around dinner time, which gave her time to relax before the little tornado returned.

  As she walked to her car, her phone rang. She stopped in her tracks when she saw Jace’s number flash across the display.

  “Hello?” she asked nervously.

  “Hey, Kathryn,” his deep voice sang through the receiver. “How are you?”

  “Hi Jace. I’m fine. How are you?” she said as a smile spread across her face, realizing how much she’d missed his voice.

  “I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to call. I’ve been really busy with work and class.”

  “It’s okay,” she said, thinking to herself how she thought she’d never hear from him again.

  “Are you busy? Maybe we could hang out?” he asked and she could hear nervousness in his voice too.

  “No,” she said.

  “No, we can’t hang out?”

  “No. I mean, no I’m not busy. Yes, we can hang out,” she said feeling her cheeks flush. “You wanna come over?”

  “Sure. I’ll be over in a bit.”

  She hung up the phone and hurried back to the apartment. Luke was gone, thankfully. He had class late today. Although he’d apologized and laid off, Kathryn still didn’t want them around each other. She figured it’d be more comfortable for both of them that way.

  She quickly freshened up and tidied up the apartment while she waited. Not long after she’d finished, the doorbell rang. When she opened the door, she looked him over as a smile spread across her face. He looked relaxed and welcoming in his loose faded jeans and gray t-shirt and black leather jacket. His nearly black hair was tousled at the top and some black stubble created a seductive shadow on his cheeks. She had always hated any sort of facial hair on Ben, but it was different with Jace. His made him look sexy and somewhat mysterious.

  “Hey,” he said walking in and looking around.

  “Don’t worry. Luke’s at class,” she laughed.

  “I wasn’t worried about that,” he said and something told her he meant it. “Is Sarah here?”

  “No. She’s with Luke’s mom. She babysits a lot while I’m in school.”

  “While I’d love to see her again, it’s nice to have the place to ourselves,” he said and again, she felt herself blush.

  She led Jace over to the couch and they sat down. Their eyes met and then the corners of Jace’s mouth curved down slightly.

  “I’m really sorry I didn’t call sooner,” he said apologetically.

  “Yeah, I’d kinda figured I wouldn’t be seeing you again,” she said softly.

  “I was afraid you’d think that,” he said frowning even more. “I, uh, I need to be honest Kathryn.”

  She looked over to him, wondering where this was headed.

  “I needed some time to think about…about everything,” he said and she cringed knowing what was coming next. Here came the gentle let down. She knew Jace had been too good a guy to just never talk to her again. He would do it in person. “Everything you’ve been through and everything you’re still dealing with is…is pretty intense. I’m not going to say it doesn’t worry me and not because of why you may think. The fact you have a daughter or you live with Ben’s brother or that your fiancé passed away doesn’t scare me…well, not too much,” he laughed and then turned serious again. “What scares me is that you’re not ready and you’ll get hurt.” He paused and she didn’t know what to say so she just kept listening. “Since I first met you at that stupid party, I haven’t been able to get you out of my mind,” he said laughing lightly. “Once you told me everything, I tried telling myself it was too much, that I wasn’t ready to be involved with someone who’s had…who’s gone through what you’ve gone though, someone with a kid. I tried telling myself that, but it’s not true. After meeting Sarah and just hanging out with you, I couldn’t tell myself that.”

  She didn’t know what to say, so instead she caref
ully took his hand.

  “I don’t blame you for being uneasy. I am too,” she admitted and then looked down before she felt his hand nudge her chin gently until their eyes met.

  “But, like I said, let’s just take this one day at a time and see what happens.” He smiled reassuringly at her and she nodded.

  “Sounds good,” she said smiling back.

  “I hope my coming over doesn’t ruin any big plans you had,” he laughed.

  “No, not all,” she reassured him. “Your face is exactly what I needed to see today.”

  It was his turn to blush. He stared at her curiously, surprised at the different Kathryn sitting beside him. Since meeting her, she had been so reserved with so many barriers and today it was as if they were suddenly torn down, like he could finally see inside her.

  “So what do you want to do then?”

  “How about order some Chinese food and watch movies all night with Sarah?”

  “Sounds good to me. When will she be home?”

  “In a couple of hours.”

  “And Luke won’t mind?” he asked raising an eyebrow.

  “No. He actually apologized for being such a jerk, so he shouldn’t be a problem.”

  He just smiled and nodded and she silently hoped Luke would hold up his end of the bargain when he came home and saw Jace.

  “Let’s go look up the menu online,” Kathryn said standing up and leading him down the hall to her room. They walked inside and she opened her lap top while he sat down on the bed. She found the website for the restaurant and then she looked up to Jace who was looking around the room, undoubtedly at the various pictures and reminders of Ben and she realized how uncomfortable he must be.

  “Does being here make you uncomfortable?” she asked quietly.

  “No. Why would I be uncomfortable?” he said although she knew he was lying and his eyes focused on the picture of Ben she kept by his bed. “Ya know, Luke looks a lot like Ben.” He was still staring at the picture, eyeing it curiously and she realized he’d never seen a picture of Ben until now.