Playing With Fire

Twenty-six: Babysitting Kara

Kookie’s POV…

I woke up early this morning, determined to have my place spotless before Jade and Kara arrived. I quickly threw a load of clothes in the washer, made my bed, straightened up the living room, and vacuumed the entire house. After completing my chores, I picked out a pair of black boxers, gray joggers, and a white T-shirt from my drawer.

I laid my clothes at the foot of the bed and headed to the bathroom to start my morning routine. I turned on the shower to let the water warm up, then brushed my teeth, shaved, and washed my face at the sink.

Once I finished, I stripped down and stepped into the shower. The warm water cascaded over my body, easing some of the tension I had been feeling since the confrontation Jade and I had a few days ago.

Despite our daily conversations, I still couldn't shake the hurt I felt from the cold threat she issued to me just to protect Barney. Not only that, but no matter how much I tried to push aside the memory of what her ex did to her, just seeing the bruise he left on her neck would reignite the tension between us.

I squeezed my eyes shut and clenched my fists as the vivid image resurfaced in my thoughts. "Dammit," I muttered, recalling Jade's painful description of how Bryan had ruthlessly bitten her neck, breaking the skin and causing it to bleed.

As my anger simmered, I quickly washed my hair and lathered my body with soap. After rinsing off, I stepped out and wrapped a white terry cloth towel around my waist, water cascading down my chest and over my abs. Once dry, I dressed and spritzed on a few dabs of my Noir Tease cologne.

Just as I was preparing to leave my room, the sound of Jade's ringtone pierced the silence. I quickly answered to hear her breathless voice on the other end.

"Come open the door," she said urgently.

"Where's the spare key I gave you?" I asked as I strolled into the living room toward the door.

"I've got it. I just couldn't use it because my hands are full right now," she replied.

I couldn't help but chuckle as I glanced at the security panel and saw her struggling to carry two overnight travel bags and three large grocery bags.

"True Jade fashion—always bringing her whole house with her wherever she goes," I muttered as I opened the door.

"Are you planning on moving in with me?" I teased, taking the overnight bags and the two heaviest grocery bags from her hands.

"I just might if you give me a reason to and show me what I've been missing out on all these years." She winked at me before heading straight to the kitchen.

"Did you think I wasn't going to feed you and Kara while you're here?" I asked as I set the two grocery bags on the kitchen counter next to the fridge.

"Nah, I knew you would. I just swung by the store to grab some of your favorite snacks and a few treats for Kara," she explained, neatly arranging a gallon of milk, a carton of eggs, a bag of ripe red apples, grapes, and a luscious golden melon in the fridge.

I leaned against the kitchen island, watching as she carefully put away the rest of the groceries, storing them in their designated spots. With each reach into the pantry, her light blue crop top would ride up, revealing the J&K Forever ring tattoo on her lower back. I smiled as I stood there, recalling the story behind that tattoo.

Back when she was just sixteen, she lost a bet to me. Unable to get the tattoo that day due to her parents' disapproval, she promised she would get the tattoo of my choosing on her eighteenth birthday. I had completely forgotten about our bet, but Jade hadn’t. On the day she turned eighteen, she called me up and asked me to take her somewhere.