Broken Souls Don't Cry

Chapter 31

Sara

Sara was preparing for another adoption event for the upcoming weekend while on a break at work. As always, she really hoped that this would be the one where Bruno and Ashby find a home, they had two in a half weeks left. None of the rescues that she had contacted had any room for any out of state transfers.

She stopped by Jerry's office on her way back to the kennels to continue training and walks. "Jerry, do you have any other leads we could use for Bruno and Ashby?"

He glanced up from his computer, "There might be one in North Carolina I could reach out to. I went to college with the new director of a rescue out there. I'll see what she says."

Sara nodded, trying not to get her hopes up, but it was a futile thing. Personal connections meant a lot and she finally started having some hope that the rescue could take them.

"Thanks Jerry!" she all but squealed before running out to the kennel.

Sara took Rizzo out first, then moved down the line of dogs throughout the rest of the day. Each time she came out from the shelter to head to the yard she would notice a black car parked across the street. The windows were tinted dark enough that she couldn't see into the vehicle. However, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched.

As she walked out to her car after finishing for the day, she observed black car again. It hadn't moved an inch. They hadn't received many visitors at the shelter today and they had all gone home. The only people left in the building were employees and she knew no one drove a car like that. There wasn't another building around for at least a mile as the shelter was tucked away a little outside of the city.

Sara shrugged it off and got into her car and started to drive away. She waited for a car to pass before turning onto the road. She needed to swing by her apartment to grab a few things before heading over to Kai's for the rest of the day. He had asked her this morning if she wanted to keep a few things at his apartment, so she always had something to wear and use. He already kept a few things at her place and Sara liked to take his shirts sometimes and just sniff them.

She never thought that she would be in a relationship. Not to mention having sex with her boyfriend. She had always felt broken. Her soul had broken after her rape and never thought she'd be able to get intimate with anyone. Then along came Kai and raised her bar of the things she could do. He never did anything she was uncomfortable with, and she couldn't thank him enough.

Turning onto her street she passed a man out walking a dog and he waved at her and smiled as she went by. She did a double take as she looked at him. Panic rose in her throat. It was unmistakably him. Kyle.

**

It didn't take Sara long to quickly pack up her things before heading over to Kai's. She'd probably stay a few days at his place, trying to stay away from her apartment.

She knew she wasn't crazy this time. It really was him. Could she tell Kai? Would he believe her?

No. I won't tell him until I have video or picture evidence.

They were supposed to go on a date tonight and Sara busied herself to get ready. Kai would be home soon, and she wanted to be ready to leave.

She finished applying her mascara when Kai walked into the bedroom. She turned around and smiled at him.

"Hey beautiful" he said as he walked over to her.

"You're home! I didn't expect you for another twenty minutes."

"I got here early; traffic wasn't as bad tonight. Are you ready to go?" he gave her a quick kiss on the lips before walking towards the closet.

"Yeah, just about."

"I'm going to change out of my work shirt and then we can go."

Sara went to put on her shoes before heading out to the living room. AJ was out there, and she made light talk with him while waiting for Kai.

"How are things going with Casey?" Sara decided to sneakily ask. Casey had been tight lipped on anything AJ related.

"Good for the most part. She's amazing and I—" AJ started to speak before cutting himself off. "I don't know what you are talking about."

"Uh-huh. Soon enough you guys will admit you two have a thing going on." She smiled at him, "You have my approval, by the way."

"Uh, thanks? I guess." AJ said scratching his head and kept his eyes averted.

Sara inwardly jumped up and down. She was excited for them. They could easily do double dates now.

They went to dinner at Kai's favorite hole in the wall, and then to a chocolate factory and spent some time learning how to temper chocolate and then worked on making their own chocolates.

Sara covered some strawberries and a twinkie while the chocolate bites she made hardened in the fridge. Kai made chocolate covered pretzel sticks in addition to his filled chocolates.

Sara had a fun time and she definitely wanted to come back for more chocolate covered twinkies.

On their way out to the truck, Sara caught site of the same black car that she had seen earlier. She shivered a little and walked quicker to the truck. It probably doesn't mean anything. It could be a different car even. Sara thought as she climbed into the truck.

"Kai, may I stay at your place for a few days?" She hesitantly asked.

"Of course. I'd love to have you there all the time, you know that." He looked over at her and smiled then took her hand and squeezed it.

"I know, but I thought I would ask."

"What is a relationship dealbreaker for you?" Kai randomly asked.

"Umm..." Sara was unsure how to respond, she'd never been in a relationship before. She thought over what she knew of other relationships and how they usually ended. "I think either cheating or lying would be a dealbreaker for me"

Kai nodded at her answer. "Mine would have to be chewing with their mouth open"

Sara laughed, "Really?"

"No." He chuckled. "I would have to agree with you though. Cheating or lying" His thumb rubbed the back of her hand.

AJ wasn't home when they got back. Sara assumed he was over at her apartment with Casey.

"So... AJ and Casey, huh?" Sara said as they sat down on the couch.

"I guess. It makes things easier for us though. We can trade off staying at each other's places and not keep the other roommate up with our... nightly shenanigans." Kai wiggled his eyebrows up and down and Sara gave a little chuckle.

"Speaking of nightly shenanigans." Sara said as she moved to straddle Kai on the couch. "You are wearing too much clothing" and she kissed his lips before pulling back and taking off his shirt.

"I could say the same about you" his whispered breath sent shivers down her spine and the butterflies to flurry in her stomach. He took off her shirt and unclasped her bra, then Kai picked her up and took her to his bedroom, just in case AJ came home.