Unexpected

[20] Complications

Man, I can't believe that summer's already over! I hope you all had a good one and for those of you starting school again, I wish you good luck! :)

If you like the chapter, please, PLEASE comment or vote! Every bit helps. :) Thank you all for sticking with this so far! I love you all for it.

Clara.

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I didn’t think I had been gone that long, but the party was over and only a few people were still standing in the living room. The professional crew Mark had hired was taking down the decorations and stacking the tables and chairs in their vans. Dean had his arm around a girl with brown hair pulled up into a bun. My heels sounded loudly against the floor and I felt like everyone turned to stare at me. Smiling, Dean gestured me over.

    “Kodi, this is Anya.”

    I gave her a smile and offered my hand. She looked around my age, maybe a year or two older. Anya shook my hand and returned the smile. Now that I’d finally seen her up close, I could see why Dean liked her. She had soft, innocent-looking features, but by the stern look in her green-and-brown hazel eyes, I could tell she was far from guileless. Her smile was kind and friendly and despite the fact I’d only just met her, I felt like she would be an amazing person to have as a friend.

    “It’s nice to officially meet you,” she laughed. “Dean’s told me quite a lot about you. I’m so sorry about your mother.”

    “Thank you. To be honest he hasn’t talked about you much. But I can tell by the way he smiles when he says your name that he really likes you.” I gave her a conspirative grin. A shy smile spread over her lips as Anya gave a small nod. 

    I was happy for Dean and even for Anya, but my mind was preoccupied with Ryan’s haunting past and his plea for help. And, of course, that kiss. I still didn’t know what to make of it, but at the moment I didn’t have time to think about it.

    “Where’s Dad?” I asked Dean.

    He seemed a little surprised by the question, and to be honest, so was I. But after hearing what Ryan’s father had done to him, I felt like I owed it to my own to say how I felt. I had been angry at him for years because he wasn’t in my life as much as he could have been. But deep down inside I’d always known he loved me, even if it didn’t seem like he cared. Dean pointed towards our dad’s room and I nodded before walking down the hall. Mark was there, just like Dean said. He was standing in front of his open closet, undoing his tie and loosening the top button of his shirt. I knocked on the open door, tears unexpectedly spiking at my eyes. He turned around, smiling when he saw me.

    “Hey, kiddo. Where’ve you been?”

    “Someone needed to talk to me and it took longer than I thought. I’m sorry I left early.”

    “That’s okay,” he said, coming closer and sliding his tie off his neck as the knot finally released.

    “Dad?” I asked, swallowing back the sudden lump in my throat. He seemed startled by the emotion in my voice.

    “Yeah?”

    “I’m sorry.”

    “Dakota, it’s not that big a deal. You don’t even know most of the people that were here, I’m sure your friend needed you more than—”

    “No,” I shook my head. “That’s not what I mean.”

    I could tell by his frown that he was confused. He adjusted his glasses and dropped the tie onto his mattress.