So Many Questions

Kari

Kari closed the door behind her, turning to look over her shoulder at Lisa and Marc as they stood flirting in her kitchen. She locked the door and walked back to the living room, taking her position once more of cleaning up and clearing out. The soft snorts of laughter coming from both her brother and Lisa warmed her heart and stabbed her soul all in the same moment.

Things would never be the same between her and men. She would always question where he, whoever the hell he was, or where he'd been or where he was going. The sense of inadequacy kept reappearing and she beat it back as best as she could, but the common denominator in the situation was her, right?

It was she who hadn’t pleased Frank enough for him to wait.

It was she who hadn’t been the right size or shape for him to be satisfied.

It was her relationship with him that wasn't as strong as she thought or hoped.

It was her.

She sat back on her heels and closed her eyes, her fingers rubbing at her temples as she tried to push her depraved thoughts back. Beating herself up over a cheating bastard wasn't going to do her any good, and yet, she couldn't help herself.

Her phone buzzed beside her and she cringed at the thought of seeing his handsome face on the small screen again. She needed to get it off of there.

It was a text from Sicily: Just checking to make sure you're doing okay. You need anything from me?

Kari hit reply: Not unless you want to come take Lisa away. I'm not sure if she's seducing my brother or my brother is seducing her.

The phone rang, Kari jumping with a small yelp. She answered it quickly, Sicily talking before she could even say hello.

"Wait... isn't your brother a baby?"

Kari laughed, leaning back on her heels to look at them in the kitchen. "He's a really big baby if that's what we're calling him."

"How old is he? You refer to him all the time as your baby brother."

"He is my baby brother, but he's six-foot-four and two hundred thirty pounds."

"That's not little. Is he hot?"

"Too late, sister," Kari chided. "Lisa seems to already have her claws in him."

"How old is he?"

"Let's see... I'm twenty five, so he just turned twenty-one."

"Twenty-one? That seems like ages ago for us." Sicily laughed into the phone. "And Lisa seems to be all up in his grill?"

Kari leaned back again, her brother having moved a few steps closer to her friend. "I'd be surprised if they don't go on a date tonight."

"NO!"

Kari jerked at Sicily's voice raising so drastically. "Um, why? He's not your type at all. I promise. He's right up Lisa's alley... um literally."

"I'm sure he is, but we're leaving in two weeks. What would be the freaking odds of Lisa falling in love for the first time... well..."

Kari finished it for her. "Ever."

"Yes! For the first time ever and we have to go. We've already signed the lease on the house and Lisa's got a job and everything is set," Sicily huffed into the phone.

"I doubt that's going to happen, but I'll put the brakes on them if you want me to."

"No. Just give the phone to her and tell her it's me."

Kari laughed, grunting a little as she stood up. "Okay. This should be interesting."

She walked into the kitchen and slipped her hand between Marc and Lisa, both of them looking at the phone and then her. "It's Sicily for you, Lisa."

Lisa sighed and moved back a few steps, sitting down at the dining room table before responding, "Hey, what's up?"

Kari turned to her brother as he moved closer to her, his large hands reaching out to rub her arms as concerned filled his face. He was a man-whore no doubt, but he worshiped her like she was his hero. He had since they were little. She moved closer and wrapped her arms around his muscular center, pressing her cheek to his chest as she melted against him. He was one of the few people she'd ever really trust - completely.

"I'm going to kill Frank, by the way." Her brother spoke against her hair.

She nodded and took in a shaky breath. "I keep thinking that these horrible emotions will stop. One minute I'm fine and the next I think I'm the most worthless person in the universe."

Marc moved back and put his hands around her face, tilting it up toward him. The stern look on his features fit him better than she imagined it might. "You’re beautiful and smart, funny and loving. You are everything any man would want. He cheated on you because he is worthless without physical stimulation to remind him that he's a man and he's wanted. He's a piece of shit and you are a priceless jewel. Do you hear me?"

She felt tears swim against her vision as she bit into her lip. He pulled her close again as she simply nodded her agreement. Lisa broke into the moment with a loud, exasperated sigh.

"I guess I need to go."

Kari moved back and wiped her eyes as Marc questioned Lisa's reason for leaving.

"So soon?" He put an arm around Kari, but his attention was all for Lisa.

"I guess. My roommate locked herself out of the house and needs me to come over and let her in." She shrugged, turning her attention toward Kari. "Alright, well... I love you. I'll be over tomorrow night after work. Good luck putting in your notice tomorrow."

Marc stiffened beside her. "Notice for what?"

Lisa winced. "Oh shit. I thought he knew. Okay, well - I'm out."

Kari growled at her friend, walking her to the door and turning back toward her brother, his hands on his hips. The look in his eyes was pensive.

"Tell me what's going on - now."