“What can I get y’all to eat tonight?” She asked in that soft voice and Daniel’s mouth went dry.
As everyone else ordered Daniel took a drink of his Coke and tried to pull his thoughts together. When Ava looked at him expectantly he knew he had to order or he’d look like a complete fool. Pull it together, Daniel, he told himself. He collected his thoughts long enough to place his order and when Ava walked away Jake burst out laughing.
“What was that about?” Rylee asked. She was trying her best not to laugh too.
“I have no idea.” Daniel answered honestly as he stared at the door Ava disappeared though. “I guess I was caught off guard.”
“More like tripped over yourself.” Conner teased. “Dude, you were stumbling around like you had been punched in the stomach.”
“I felt like I had been punched in the stomach.” Daniel admitted. “I have never been hit that hard in my life.”
“I have.” Jake said and wrapped his arm around Kiara.
“Me, too.” Conner added with a soft smile at Karla.
“I have too.” Manuel added as he looked over at Callie.
“It isn’t like that.” Daniel said. “It was her beauty that struck me. There is no way it was more than that.”
“Keep telling yourself that.” Manuel told him. “Let’s see if it works better for you than it did me. I tried to fight it and lost that fight. I couldn’t be happier about losing it either.”
“This is different. I don’t even know this girl. I don’t know anything other than her name.”
“That’s easily remedied.” Rylee said with a grin.
“Don’t you dare, Rylee McNabb.” Daniel said with a warning in his voice.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Rylee said innocently.
“Ry, leave him alone. He’ll figure it out for himself soon enough.” Conner said with a grin.
“Fine.” Rylee said and stuck out her bottom lip. “You never let me have any fun.”
The whiny tone of her voice caused the table to erupt into laughter again. By the time Ava came back with their food Rylee had a plan worked out in her head. She knew just what she was going to do.
Chapter Thirty-Two
“Rylee, what did you do?” Daniel asked as soon as Rylee walked into practice Tuesday afternoon.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Daniel.” Rylee said innocently as she walked to her seat and sat down.
“You know exactly what I’m talking about.” Daniel said in a soft, angry voice. “I got a text message from Ava last night.”
“The waitress from Saturday?” Conner asked. He could feel the anger pouring off of Daniel in waves, and even though he didn’t think Daniel would actually hurt Rylee, he wanted to be close just in case.
“Yes.” Daniel answered harshly. “Rylee, you were asked to stay out of it.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I did not give her your number. I got hers to give to you, but I did not give her yours. I swear I didn’t.”
“Then how did she get it?” Daniel asked furiously. He obviously didn’t believe Rylee.
“Jake gave it to her.” Karla said as she stepped between Daniel and Rylee. “Now back off Rylee.”
“How do you know it was Jake?” Daniel practically yelled his question in Karla’s face.
“I’ll tell you if you’ll calm down and stop yelling. Until then I’m not telling you anything.” Karla said and started to walk away from Daniel. When Daniel grabbed her arm and spun her back around Karla instinctively came up with her knee and connected with his groin. He released her arm as he dropped to the floor on his knees. “You may be angry, Daniel, but you have no right to take it out on me.”
Karla walked to the front of the classroom. “Good afternoon everyone. While our jerk of a captain recovers I say we go ahead and start practice. We have a competition on Saturday and even though I know we’re ready some of us need to learn what being a team, and being friends, means. I want everyone to break off into their groups and start running a round one drill. Rylee and I will be keeping an eye on things until Daniel can pull himself together and act like a leader instead of an arrogant ass.”
Conner walked over to where Daniel was still on his knees and reached down to help him. “I told you she’d kick your ass if you tried anything.” He said as he pulled Daniel to his feet. “You know you deserved that right? You should have never grabbed her like that and you’re lucky I let her handle it. You’re one of my best friends, but if you ever grab her in anger again what she did will seem a bee sting compared to what I will do to you.”
Still unable to speak, Daniel nodded as Conner led him to a chair. “I’ll get you some water while you think about what you’re going to say to her and Rylee.”
When Conner walked away Daniel dropped his head into his hands and thought about how he’d behaved. He’d acted like a spoiled child who didn’t get his way and he’d taken it out on Karla and Rylee. He may have damaged a great friendship, but he’d do his best to repair it then he’d call Jake and find out what he was thinking.
When Conner returned a couple minutes later he had two bottles of water in his hands. He opened one and handed it to Daniel to drink, but handed him the other still sealed. “I looked for some ice, but this should help a little.”
“Thank you.” Daniel whispered.
“You’re welcome, man. Karla is probably going to lash into me for helping you, but I just couldn’t leave you down like that. You may have deserved it, but no man should ever be left to endure that alone.” Conner said then walked to his group and started practicing.
A couple of minutes later Daniel had recovered enough to stand up and walk to the front of the room. “Can I have everyone’s attention please?” When everyone looked up at him he continued. “I owe Karla and Rylee a huge apology. I was angry and lashed out at them. Karla brought me back down to size, literally, but I should have handled it all differently to start with. Karla, Rylee, I hope you can both forgive me and I hope I didn’t ruin our friendship completely.”
When Daniel stopped talking Rylee looked over and caught the expression on Karla’s face and nodded. She broke away from her group, walked to the front of the room and stood beside Daniel. When Karla stopped on Daniel’s other side Daniel smiled at her softly. He could see the marks on her arm where he had grabbed her and he knew he had gotten off easy.
“We are a team.” Rylee said to everyone. “As a team we have to work together so we can accomplish our common goal.”
“We are also a family.” Karla said. “Like a family we won’t always get along, but as long as we respect and care for each other we will always be able to forgive one another.”
“Are you two saying I’m forgiven?” Daniel asked hopefully.
“You’re forgiven.” Rylee said with a small smile. “Now, let’s finish practice so you can get some ice on that.” She whispered softly and Daniel laughed.
“Let’s continue with what Karla had you doing.” Daniel said and he walked with Karla to their group.
After practice Daniel pulled Karla to the side and gently ran his hand down her arm. His finger marks were barely visible now, but he had seem them earlier. “I am so sorry, Karla. I should have never grabbed you like that.”
“I’m alright, Daniel. Are you okay? I reacted without thinking and I hurt you.”
“I’ll be alright. Just a little tender for the next few days, but no lasting damage. Can you tell me how you know Jake gave Ava my number?”
“When I walked in and you were yelling at Rylee I sent Kiara a text. I knew Rylee hadn’t done it because she never went anywhere alone. Kiara sent me a text back and told me that Jake had slipped a little note into the folder when he paid their check. She asked him and he told her that he gave Ava your number because when he went to the restroom she asked him about you.”
“I am such an idiot. I never even thought Jake would have done that. I need to apologize to Rylee again.”
“No you don’t.” Rylee said from behind him. “I would have thought it was me too because I know me and I did get her number for you. I was going to give it to you today, but then you went berserk on me and I decided not to.”
“I’m sorry about that.” Daniel said as he looked at Rylee. “You got her number for me? How?”
“I can be sneaky, but I never even considered giving her your number. I was going to let you make that move if you wanted to.”
Daniel smiled and hugged Rylee. “I’m sorry I snapped on you.”
“It’s all forgiven.” Rylee said as Conner walked up.
“Conner, I’m sorry I grabbed Karla like that. I can promise you it’ll never happen again.”
“I know it won’t.” Conner said and wrapped his arms around Karla. “Ready to go, baby?”
“Let me grab my backpack.” Karla answered and walked away from them. When she returned a moment later Conner grabbed her hand and they left the room together.
Chapter Thirty-Three
“Leslie?” Elliot asked as he walked into the small kitchen of the apartment they had been living in for the past six weeks.
“Yes, Elliot?” Leslie looked up from her laptop and smiled at him.
“I need a favor. I know it’s early, but I want to get Karla something really nice for Christmas.”
“What did you have in mind?”
“This.” Elliot answered and handed his phone to Leslie. “It’s pretty expensive, but I would do some extra chores and stuff to help pay for it.”
Leslie looked at his phone for a minute and smiled. “She will absolutely love this. We’ll go ahead and order it. You don’t need to do anything to pay for it though. You’re a part of this family and as family we are there to help each other. You want to get that for Karla so you can get it for Karla. If it wasn’t online I would give you the cash to get it, but you need a credit card so I’ll have to order it. If you insist on paying for it yourself I can give you a few extra chores.”
“I would like to be able to tell her I paid for it myself.” Elliot said and Leslie smiled.
“Okay then. We’ll work something out.”
“Thank you.” Elliot said.
“You’re welcome.” Leslie responded and hugged Elliot. “You’re an awesome brother.”
“She’s an awesome sister.” Elliot replied. “She has been through so much yet she is always there for whatever I need. I just hope I can be there for her if she ever needs me.”
“She does need you, Elliot. Probably more than any of us realize.” Leslie said. “Now, let’s get this ordered before she gets home. Then we can start on dinner.”
“Thanks, Leslie.” Elliot said with a grin. After Leslie order Karla’s gift Elliot slipped his phone in his pocket and started helping Leslie prepare dinner. When Karla got home fifteen minutes later she joined them in the kitchen.
“What needs doing?” Karla asked as she washed her hands.
“We need a salad.” Elliot said and Karla immediately pulled down a large bowl and started pulling salad makings out of the refrigerator.
“Mom, what are we doing for Thanksgiving this year? We usually have everyone at the house, but that isn’t an option this year.”
“I’m not really sure, Karla, why?”
“The Newberry’s invited us to their house this year.” Karla said hopefully.
“That sounds good to me. You can talk to Dad tonight and see what he thinks.”
“Thanks, Mom.” Karla said with a smile.
“You’re welcome, honey. You know we like hanging out with the Newberry’s.”
Karla smiled as she chopped the vegetables for the salad. As Leslie pulled the chicken from the oven Andrew walked in the front door. “Something smells wonderful.” He said as he kissed Leslie on the forehead. “And dinner doesn’t smell bad either.” He teased.
Karla and Elliot laughed at Andrew’s joke and Leslie swatted him away. “Our daughter has something to discuss with you.” Leslie said as she started placing dinner on the table.
“What’s going on, sweetheart?” Andrew asked curiously.
“We have been invited to the Newberry’s for Thanksgiving and I was wondering if we could spend it there.”
“Of course we can.” Andrew said with a smile. “You know we enjoy spending time with the Newberry’s.”
“I know, but I wanted to make sure before I told Conner we’d be there.”
“Ok, honey.” Andrew said with a smile. “Why don’t you call him after dinner and let him know that we’ll be there?”
“Sounds like a great idea.” Karla said and turned to Elliot. “Elliot, I need your help with something after I talk to Conner. Are you up for a short trip to the mall after dinner?”
“Sure. I did my homework already and was going to see if you wanted to watch a movie, but going to the mall will be fun.”
“You’re the best little brother in the world.” Karla said and started eating.
After dinner she helped Leslie clean the kitchen then called Conner and told him that they’d be there for Thanksgiving. When she got off the phone she walked back into the living room and grabbed her purse and keys from the small table by the door. “Ready, Elliot?”
“Yep.” He answered and stepped through the kitchen door.
“Mom, Dad, we’ll be back in about an hour.” Karla called out.
“You two be careful.” Leslie said as she walked out of the master bedroom.
“We will.” Karla called out as she opened the front door and walked out with Elliot on her heels.
“What are we going to the mall for?” Elliot asked as they walked down the steps and out the apartment complex door.
“We are going to the mall to get a special gift for Malinda and Madison. Their birthday is next week and I thought you would like to get them something nice.”
“How did you find out when their birthday is? They refuse to tell me.”
“I asked Travis.” Karla said with a grin.
“Do you have something in mind to get them?”
“I do.” Karla answered as she backed out of her parking space.
“You are the best sister in the world.” Elliot said and was really happy he had gotten Leslie to order that gift for Karla.
“Nah. I just know what girls like.”
“You are the best sister, you just don’t see it. I would be lost without you. Now, what do you have in mind to get them?”
“When Callie, Rylee and I were at the mall last week something caught my eye and I instantly thought of Malinda and Madison.”
“What was it?”
“I’ll show you when we get there.” Karla said with a smile. When she pulled into the mall parking lot Elliot was practically bouncing in his seat. “Alright. Let’s go.”
When they got out of the car Karla led Elliot straight to her favorite jewelry store. When she pointed to the small display of earrings. They were small silver hoops that had little initials dangling from them. When he saw the little m hanging from each one he smiled.
“They will love those.” Elliot said with a grin.
“I knew they would.” Karla said as she approached the sales clerk. “May I see the little m earrings please?”
Karla looked at the earrings for a minute before she handed them back to the clerk. “We’ll take two pair please.”
“Sure. Is there anything else you need?” He asked as he grabbed two little boxes from under the counter.
“That’s it for now.” Karla said and the clerk rang up the earrings. As they walked back to Karla’s car Elliot thought about ways to pay her back for everything she had ever done to help him. As she pulled the car onto the street Elliot pulled out his phone and sent Conner a text. He knew just what he could do.
Chapter Thirty-Four
“Elliot, you are a genius.” Conner said and high-fived him. “Karla will absolutely love this.”
“Do you really think so?” Elliot asked hopefully.
“I
do. You know how much she loves everything to do with family and since most of the pictures in the house were destroyed in the fire she feels like something was lost. This will be a great way to show her that your family is still whole.”
“She has seemed so lost since the fire. You know she still blames herself?” Elliot told Conner.
“I know.” Conner replied sadly.
“Did you know she has nightmares about it?”
“That I didn’t know.” Conner replied. “She needs to talk to someone. Someone outside of our family circle.”
“I asked Andrew and he said that she never went to any kind of counseling after she came to live with them. He’s going to talk to his friend, Dr. Morgan, and see if she would be willing to come to the house and talk to Karla.”
“Does he think Karla will talk to her?”
“He seems to think she will. He’s worried about her. We all are.”
Conner thought about what Elliot said as he sat in Manuel’s floor and continued to look through the photo albums that weren’t damaged in the fire.
“It’s a good thing Leslie is a picture hoarder.” Callie said with a grin. She could feel the worry coming off of her twin and it caused her worry to double.
“Yeah, really.” Rylee agreed. “If not this would be a whole lot harder.”
“It also helps that Mr. Jennings had a lot of the pictures in his house and is letting us use them to make copies.” Kiara said with a small smile.
“Does anyone remember all the pictures that were hanging downstairs?” Jake asked.
“This was over the fireplace in the family room.” Conner said and held up a wedding picture of Leslie and Andrew. “And these two were on either side of it.” He added as he held up a picture of Karla and one of Elliot.
“A picture of all four of them was on the mantel.” Callie said as she dug through the stack she had. “Here, this is it.”
A New Journey (Second Chance #3) Page 11
