The One She Needed. **complete**

Chapter 46 **My Valentine

The following week went by quickly. Tiffany came in Monday to get her check and mentioned that she and Darren had broken up. Kelsie figured that explained Darren showing up Saturday night. Then Tiffany asked a question that worried Kelsie.

"Has Darren always gotten mean when he drinks". Tiffany asked as Kelsie was boxing cookies.

"Drinks?" Kelsie said, alarmed. "He won't drink alcohol. His dad's a recovering alcoholic who was abusive when he drank. Darren doesn't drink."

"He does now." Tiffany said. "He's been drunk pretty much every night since we hooked up. It makes him rough when we do it, I don't mind that, but it also makes him mean when we fight."

" I don't know what to tell you." Kelsie said. "It sounds like you're dealing with a different guy than I knew."

After Tiffany left, Kelsie couldn't help worrying. Mr. Cook would be so upset if he found out Darren was drinking. Mrs. Cook would be completely shattered. She decided she couldn't let that be her concern. So she took a deep breath and got back to work.

The phone calls were still coming, but a man had been added. He started calling Monday.

"Hey Kelsie. I think you're pretty hot." He said, as soon as she picked up the phone. "Wanna fuck?"

"No thank you. Have a wonderful evening." Kelsie said, hanging up. Blame it on her young age, or her naive nature. Whatever the reason, it never occurred to Kelsie to tell her parents or the Jaspers about the calls.

On Wednesday night, Kelsie's old friend April came to visit. "You know Darren is so upset about you that he's started drinking?" She said before the door had even closed behind her.

"Shouldn't he be upset about Tiffany?" Kelsie ask. "She's who just broke up with him."

"That's not what happened." April said "he broke up with her because he's still in love with you. He can't get over you."

Kelsie sighed and looked at the girl who used to be her best friend. "I'm sorry April. I know how Darren is. I know how sad it is to see such a big guy crying. I also know, he seems to be able to cry really easily. I am not responsible for his tears though. It's really not my fault. I gave him everything I had for three years."

Kelsie took a deep breath. "That last year I took more than any smart person would. He cheated and he lied and I still stayed. Then he changed his mind. He decided he wanted somebody else. I could hear her when he broke up with me on the phone. The only reason Darren thinks he wants me back is so he can own me. I won't go back to that. I'm sorry."

"You have really turned into a cold hearted bitch haven't you?" April said. Then added, "I can't believe we were ever friends!" As she walked out of the shop. Kelsie watched her go and shook her head. Then she got back to work.

On Thursday Tiffany told Kelsie that she and Darren had worked things out. Kelsie told her she just wanted her happy.

On Friday, Tiffany began to talk about Valentines day.

"Darren wants to go to a ball game tomorrow night." She said with as sigh.

"Yeah." Kelsie said, remembering. "Some idiot at the college always schedules a game on Valentines Day." Kelsie had spent the last three Valentines days at ball games.

"What are you and Scott doing?" Tiffany ask.

"I don't know." Kelsie said with a grin. "He just told me to dress up. He says this is the first Valentines day that he's celebrated."

"I guess it's safe to say that he won't be taking you to a ball game." Tiffany said with a pout.

"No." Kelsie said with a giggle. "Scott says that Valentines Day is for girls. He says it's our holiday so guys have to suck it up and break out the hearts and flowers. I figure he'll try to be romantic."