Turning just in time to see Karla approach, Kip tried to smile, but didn't do a very good job. He would normally greet her with an enthusiastic hug and probably a kiss, but tonight, his hug was a softer one - almost timid.
"I'm okay," he assured. "Just, um...it's not...I mean, I wasn't... it..." He stopped stammering as his eyes fell to the ground. He could deny anything had ever happened. He could lie his way through this and never tell her the truth. He could forget about his stupid actions and Whitney and that awful night. But he knew in his gut that somehow, some way, if he chose that path, he would come to regret it in a big way.
"Karla, I..." Even though his eyes were already glued to his feet, he turned his back on her. He couldn't watch her face. He couldn't look her in the eye. He just couldn't. "I messed up.... really bad." His voice was quiet as he started to pace back and forth, kicking at a crack in the sidewalk. He swallowed hard. "It was the other night. I...I got an email from my dad and...and I was just... I was so upset. And so...so I went for a walk. It was late and...I rant into...into Whitney."
His pacing stopped, but his eyes remained on the ground. It felt like he was suffocating, and his hands had started to tremble. "I don't know what happened. She just... I mean, I... I don't even remember hardly anything." As if that would make a difference. "I guess I drank too much and...and..." His voice cracked at that point, tears filling his eyes as he stared at the sidewalk. He hated himself. "The next morning, I woke up in a hotel room...in bed with Whitney." Oh, how Erik had warned him about her so long ago. He drew in a shaky breath. "I went right home. I was so sick, Gram took care of me. I just...I couldn't..."
He finally lifted his gaze to see Karla's face. His own wore an expression of anguish. Guilt. Fear. "I didn't go back, and I have no idea where Whitney is now. I never meant for anything to ever happen, and it never will again." His voice grew even quieter. "I just need to know if you can forgive me."
Seeing Katie's tear, Jason cocked his head, wondering at what might be going through her mind. Her words brought a new little smile to his face. "Yeah...lots of good memories." He missed the days of concerts when all he had to do was turn around, and Katie would be there. Describing her as loyal would have been an understatement. She'd been...a part of him, like no one else ever could be.
He opened his mouth to say something else, but stopped right before the words hit his tongue. Their lives were different now. They did have good memories, but it was all just a part of the past now.
"You're never gonna believe this..." Phil came back into the room, holding up his cell phone.
Jason's attention snapped up. "What is it?"
"Just got an invite for Jetstream to open for another band."
"Oh? Well who?"
Phil just grinned and shook his head. "The Kyle Mitts band."
"Ha!" Jason glanced at Katie then back to Phil. "That is...unbelievable."
"Told ya."
"So what did you say?"
"I said yes, of course!"
Talk turned to Kyle's band, where he was at, and Jetstream's future lineup - which wasn't as full as it used to be, but they didn't mind. It was still mostly for fun anyway...
...It was later than originally planned when Jason pulled back into the Elite parking lot, from where Wyatt would take over watching his back for the rest of the night. Wyatt was waiting in his Jeep and gave a wave as Jason parked by Katie's car.
Jason shifted a little in his seat to face Katie. "Guess I'll see you tomorrow. Thanks...for your hawk eyes." He hesitated a moment, then simply reached over to give her shoulder a gentle pat. "Goodnight, Hero."
Jared squinted as Grace opened the curtains and let the light in. He'd rather enjoyed the dark. Sighing, his eyes drifted to the television that was muted. Bored. Tired. Depressed. It felt like he always returned to this spot now. Even though he acted like he ignored Grace's words, deep down, he really was listening.
Without warning, tears filled his eyes. "I just wanna feel better," he almost whispered. "Why does it have to keep falling apart?"
Rosalyn giggled. "I don't know. I'm never out late. But I have a feeling they'd start dreaming up romantic theories before sending any hounds."
She wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him another long kiss. "I prefer the romantic dreams anyway."
