Chapter 22

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The walk back to David's car is spent in silence, except for when I trip over a twig and he curses as he catches me. He must be sick of me; all I ever bring to him is worry. In just the month that we've known each other, he's always had that mysterious vibe. He won't just admit the pain and worry that I cause him, hell, that I cause everyone. Every since that night with Ian, I've been thinking of what a disappointment I must be to everyone. Part of the reason I still haven't told my aunt Caroline about it is because I know how she'll feel. Devastated that she couldn't have been the one to protect me. That she's a failed guardian of me, and she'd blame herself just like David is doing.

But the thing with David is that he says I'm the one holding it all in. That may be partially true but I know something happened with him and Ian that he isn't telling me. That was the whole reason I went to the bar with Ian anyway, to get information. Ever since I've known David, I wondered about what happened the day we met.

"Why did you breakup with that girl?" I blurt.

"What?"

"The day we met, Jenna told me you cheated on your current girlfriend. Is that true?"

"Where is this coming from?" we reach his car and he opens the door for me, leading me inside with a confused look.

"You just never tell me anything, I guess. I don't know, did you really cheat on her?"

He walks around the car and I watch him tug on his hair as he reaches his side. He takes his seat, turning on the ignition and leans back to think. "First of all, we were never really dating. She was someone that knew Ian. Her name was Kelly and when I found out she knew him, that's when we cut ties." he gives me the short version of what I can see stewing behind his icy eyes.

He watches carefully as if he upset me. I think hard, trying to remember something but I don't know what I'm looking for. "What are you thinking?" he rubs a hand on my knee.

"I'm not sure. The name Kelly just sounds so...familiar." I wonder out loud. He continues driving and I watch the sky turn orange through the window.

The next day I fill my schedule with publishing class and the day goes by quickly as I read through manuscripts. I couldn't concentrate of half of the words I read; I could only see those green eyes in the woods yesterday. I still don't know his name, but he made me feel...safe?

At 3:00, David picks me up as promised and takes me out to a late lunch. We decide on something other than where we always go, and he introduces me to Olive Garden. "I still can't believe you've never been here." he laughs as I shove a forkful of pasta in my mouth.

"I've never even heard of it." I let the taste of alfredo dance on my tongue. "But I love it!" I grab a breadstick as he laughs at me.

"Listen, Katherine," he waits for me to swallow and reaches for my hand. "I want you to know how proud I am of you."

"Proud?"

"Yes, proud. You're amazing and you don't even know it. Through all that's happened, here you are. It doesn't matter what's happened in the past two weeks; you're here and you're happy." he rests a smile on his lips. "You are happy, right?"

"Yeah." I confirm. "I mean, that night will always be with me and I'll probably never be able to forget it, but I just can't relive it again. It's a good thing Ian isn't around anymore."

He looks down, chewing his food carefully. "So you like the food?"

"Yeah it's great." I praise. "David, I'm really happy that you've been here for me and you're beginning to tell me things about yourself. It's nice." I smile.

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