SHIFT EXCHANGE

Chapter 19

Silence filled the space after the door slammed behind Gavin.

Kara felt Jake's warm comforting hands land on her shoulders. They rubbed briskly up and down her arms.

"I'm so sorry!" She felt mortified and angry all at the same time. The adrenaline still racing through her bloodstream made her feel anxious and emotional. The next thing she knew she was fighting back the tears that stung the back of her eye lids and begged to be set free. "He has never acted that way before. I had no idea..." Her voice broke and she gave up trying to explain.

Jake's hands stopped moving, tightened on her upper arms, and turned her around to face him.

"No. Hey, you're fine. It's fine. I wouldn't have let anything happen." He stared at her with concern and started glancing around frantically for something, anything to make her stop crying. When he found nothing to help him he did the only thing he could think of and pulled her into his arms. "Hey babe. Everything is fine." He tried to sound soothing and reassuring.

"I know its fine. I don't know why I'm crying. I really want to stop, but I can't." It was the truth and she hated her treacherous female hormones and emotions. "It's really embarrassing." She sniffed.

"It's ok. Really babe." He ran his strong hands up and down her back trying to comfort the quaking body he held. "I wanted to kick his ass for his attitude, but held back. If you don't quit crying soon I might have to track him down tonight. How long ago did you guys break up?"

"Almost 2 months ago. He asked me to marry him, but I said no because I don't feel that way about him. We've been friends since we were kids. I knew it wasn't right from the start, but he convinced me." The crying had stopped and she just felt exhausted. Her voice was quiet and shaky as she continued. "Even after he asked me to marry him I didn't think he really loved me. I still don't. It's more about status and stability for him. I'm just the comfortable plan."

"All I saw was a grade A asshole having a tantrum like he'd been passed up for baseball." He sounded angry, but his hands were gentle as they continued to stroke the length of her back, lulling her into a state of calmness as she leaned into his chest.

"He's never behaved like that before. I've never even heard him get worked up or swear. Usually he behaves as if nothing is really his problem." Now that she thought about Jake's description it seemed pretty spot on. It seemed to have been more about Gavin's pride than anything to do with her.

Jake's radio crackled to life announcing a bar fight at the local biker watering hole just outside of town.

Jake groaned. "I have to go. Will you be ok?"

"Of course!" She pushed him away gently. "Get to work and be careful."

Jake looked ruefully over his shoulder one more time as he walked to the door. "I'll talk to you tomorrow. You call me if he comes back." He pointed at her to make his point.

"He won't be back, but ok." She gave him her most confident and reassuring look. "You be safe."

"Yes ma'am." He shot her a heart stopping smile, tipped his imaginary hat and stepped out into the night.

***

Jake finally hit enter to approve his last report review then leaned back in the chair to stretch fully. It was time to put this night to bed. His watch told him it was way past time for him to be asleep.

After he'd left Kara's, the night had only gotten more crazy with two more fights and a gruesome motorcycle verses moose accident.

In short, Jake was beat. He gathered his things and gave a half wave to his relief on the way out the door.