The Parker Boys

Chapter 12

Chapter 12

**Cole’s POV**

I sat at our table drinking the punch, which was strongly spiked might I add. Lucky me I can hold down my alcohol. Just a few minutes ago Cody’s date Nicole took Kat to the bathroom. I don’t understand why girls have to go to the bathroom in groups, guys can go solo why can’t they. Another reason I can’t understand girls.

After about ten minutes I started getting worried, I know what Nicole can be like at times. That’s when I saw Nicole enter the gym again, but this time she was alone. At that my worry spiked. I quickly made my way over to her, “Where’s Kat?” I asked barely containing my anxiety.

Ever since I noticed those bruises on her the other week it’s been hard not to worry. Someone hurt her and I want to know who. Nicole smiled flirtatiously at me, “Don’t worry about her Cole. She said she wasn’t feeling well so she went home.” I saw right through her lie. There was something she wasn’t telling me and it was putting me on edge.

I turned around and made my way through the girls trying to hold me back. Normally I would have enjoyed the attention but I couldn’t stop worrying about Kat. Something was wrong and I felt it. I found myself scouring the hallways, checking every bathroom but came up short.

I made my way toward the exit when I was shoved back by someone. I looked up to see a very pissed Adam stalking towards the dance. My nerves were at an all time high. Where the hell is Kat??

I knew something wasn’t right after I saw Adam so I called Cody. “Hello?” my brother shouted over the music.

“Something’s wrong. We need to get home.” I take it he heard the anxiety in my voice because the next thing I know he had hung up and Cody, Conner, and Caden were all hustling toward me.

They didn’t ask any questions as we drove straight home breaking more than a few speed limits. Once we arrived the first think I saw made my blood run cold and my heart clench. Right on the front porch laid a nearly unconscious Kat.

We all stormed out of the car running towards her. Right as we reached her she was out. I carefully lifted her in my arms and we walked up to her  room and laid her down. I made my over and leaned against the wall. Cody sat beside her on the bed, Conner took the door, and Caden sat on the window sill.

I looked at all my brothers, I knew they all cared about her. They have always wanted a sister to take care of and now it’s like Kat answered our prayers. She may be stubborn as hell and very cold at times, but I bet she has a reason to be. I want to find out that reason for myself one day, if she ever let’s anyone in.

I can tell Caden has a real soft spot for her. He’s always talking about her and what he’s planning for the summer, which is only a week away. He was real hurt when she snapped at us, but he understood. Conner may not speak with her often but he’s always keeping a watchful eye on her. Cody, however, never wants to leave her side. He wants to be her body guard always keeping away unwanted attention.

Now me, well I don’t see her as my sister. I can’t do it, ever since I first saw her I was instantly attracted to her. She was beautiful, She had the perfect shade of green eyes that matched her brown wavy hair. I was hooked, I would never admit that to my brothers, but I was.

I was snapped out of my thoughts by my brothers voice, “What the hell happened?”

“I don’t know Nicole took her to the bathroom and came back without her. So I went to find her and I couldn’t that’s when I came to you.”  I responded instantly to the question.

“Did you see it?” Caden’s soft reply came. At that the entire room went silent. We had all seen it, and we were all wondering what the hell happened. It was obvious she had been crying by her red puffy eyes. But to see a large bruise that covered her midsection just like it had the week before, was enough so make us suspicious and angry all over again.

 “Yes Caden I’m pretty sure we all did. And knowing Kat she’s not gonna talk about it” Conner added in oh so helpfully. We all got quiet again for a few moments.

All of our attention snapped to Kat when we heard her shuffle and her eyes opened. She looked around at all of us and her eyes locked with mine for an intense moment before moving on. “What happened?” her voice came out soft and weak.

Before I had any chance to respond Cody piped in, “We were hoping you would tell us that.” He said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

For a moment she looked confused then frightened. Her face then turned into resignation, “I uh...I don’t remember” she said softly. We all knew she was lying, Kat was a terrible liar.

Without any further questions Cody gave in, “Okay, you need to rest. Dinner will be brought up to you soon.” He then quietly exited the room with my other brothers.

I stayed planted where I was just looking at Kat as she continued to play with the bed sheets. We stayed in silence for a little while before I finally spoke,  “Are you gonna stick with that bullshit line, or are you going to tell me what happened?” My voice came out much more cold and harsh then I meant it to, but I couldn’t help it. It hurt when she lied straight to our faces and not knowing was killing me.

I saw her tense and guilt seeped in I pushed it away just waiting for an answer. Something, Anything. She stayed silent for several moments so I took it as she wasn’t gonna tell me. That’s what hurt the most is she couldn’t even tell me a single word.

 I stalked out of her room filled with guilt, frustration, and anger. I walked straight into my room and slammed the door behind me not caring what anyone thought might have happened.

I layed in my bed for hours just thinking. All the possibility’s of what could have happened to her, eachone worse then the last. This was not helping the rage building up inside me. I eventually gave up trying to guess and decided to do the one thing I could.

I vowed that night that I would find out everything there is to know about Katherine Ford.