Broken Souls Don't Cry

Chapter 39

Kai

The rooms were in the process of being set up by AJ, a few of his teammates, and Asher, while Kai stood in the front room directing the movers where to put all the furniture they were bringing in. The piano was the next thing to come in. That was going to go in the front room for now.

Soon the house was as put together as it could, and the movers left. Kai made his way upstairs to the main bedroom where AJ and Asher were finishing up the bed assembly. He was looking forward to crashing after everyone left.

Currently, being around others was emotionally draining. His soul yearned for the only person who had ever made him feel whole. Who knew just how to make his day. The only person to know where he was ticklish.

When Kai had visited her yesterday she was still shut down. When he tried to tell her what happened he had received no response or reaction from her. She just stared off into the distance, like he wasn't even there.

Casey had been keeping him updated on how she was doing. She had reported that she only came out to visit the bathroom and to get water. If Casey tried to talk to her she would run to her bedroom and lock the door. It seemed any mention of Kai elicited the same response only Casey could hear crying come from her room after the door locked.

Kai didn't know how to fix this. He didn't know how to snap her out of her daze so she could learn the truth about what happened. She shut everyone out. Not even AJ was getting through to her.

Kai ordered enough pizza to feed a football team to thank those that helped him move. The house looked good, yet there were plenty of boxes that Kai needed to sort through and find a home for the contents.

Jerry was going to bring Bruno and Ashby over tomorrow. He had almost decided to deny the adoption before AJ came in and convinced Jerry that everything that they thought had happened wasn't what really happened. Reluctantly, Jerry allowed the adoption to proceed.

"Are you going to go over there today?" AJ asked after everyone had left.

He nodded and a lump formed in his throat.

"You'll get her back" AJ said, trying to sound optimistic.

"And if I don't?" that was a thought that kept haunting Kai. What if he didn't get her back? "She won't talk to anyone; she hides in her room all day long. She's shut everyone out and I don't know how to reach her. What if this is the end?"

"Don't think like that man" AJ patted him on the shoulder. "Just give her some time, she'll come out of her trance and once she hears what really happened... She'll take you back."

Kai hoped so. It was a battle he was willing to fight. She was the oxygen to his lungs, and he needed her back in his life.

"Thank you" Kai looked over at AJ as he sat at the kitchen island, "Thank you for helping her."

AJ nodded before picking up his keys to head out back to the condo. AJ would stay there for another week before moving in with Casey.

**

Jerry delivered Bruno and Ashby the next day. The first thing they did was bolt through the house. They sniffed everywhere. Kai took Jerry and the dogs over to the dog room, which was on the main floor for the geriatric dogs. Jerry was impressed and gave Bruno and Ashby a few more scratches before leaving.

As Jerry got into his car he looked back at Kai.

"Call me if you need any training help." Jerry sighed and looked him straight in the eyes, "You did a good thing with these dogs. Sara will be happy when she finds out they've been adopted."

Kai nodded. Jerry got into his car without another word and drove off. Leaving Kai with two very excited dogs and Kai wondering what he got himself into.

Bruno was a fast learner and had already accepted some rules of the house. Ashby on the other hand, seemed content to just lay around and sleep. He would meander over anytime Kai walked into the kitchen, hoping for scraps of food.

Kai took the dogs for a quick walk around the neighborhood. There weren't many people here, though Kai was sure that would change in a few years once the farmland sells to developers. Bruno and Ashby were good loose leash walkers and Kai didn't have any problems with walking them.

Sara did a good job with these two. He almost pulled out his phone to tell her but decided not to. For all he knew Sara had blocked him and she wouldn't see it anyways. He put the phone back in his pocket and walked inside with the dogs.

Making himself some dinner, Kai sent off a message to Christi. He and Sara had planned to stay in Colorado for Christmas this year. Sara's mom was going to visit Sara and Kai thought it would be nice to invite the only member of his family that he was on speaking terms with.

The house was quiet as he sat down to eat. Bruno and Ashby sat on either side of him, begging for some food. He tossed them both a piece of chicken after giving them the lay down command. After a few bites, Kai stopped eating. He had no appetite and gave the rest of his food, chicken and rice with cooked carrots, to the dogs.

"Don't get used to it" he told them. Ashby looked up at him and wagged his tail before going back to his food.

His phone gave a notification and he picked it up, hoping it was from Sara and he frowned when it wasn't.

Christi: I'd love to come! Mother and Father decided to spend it in Bora Bora and Spencer is staying at school. I'll send you my flight details once I get it.

Kai: Yay! You can keep me company in this quiet house. I don't know if I'll even put up a tree.

Christi: Still nothing from Sara?

Kai: Nope

Christi: Dang. Maybe I'll message her.

Christi: I'll make you do a tree. No exceptions if you want me there. Even if it's just a small two-foot tree, you're having a tree.

Kai gave a small smile. Christi has always loved Christmas trees. He would often find her laying underneath looking up into the lights. She would hide there most evenings to get away from their parents' antics or parties.

Kai: Sounds good. I'll let you pick it out.

Christi: Yessss!

Christi: How tall are your ceilings?

That meant she wanted the biggest tree she could find.

Kai put the dogs in their crate before heading to bed.