Free Never Say Never by Kelly Mooney Page B

help,” I say.
    “Kat, it’s like one in the morning, what’s wrong?”
    “Oh, sorry. I kinda forgot about the time difference.”
    “It’s okay. Spill,” she says, knowing I would only call this late with major gossip.
    After I finish the entire story, she is on the phone pleading with me to do the unthinkable. I roll off my bed, toward the stereo, as my finger rests on the play button.
    I can’t think of anything else, I can feel my heartbeat pulsing on the tip of my finger.
    “Would you just hit play, for god sakes,” she says.
    “You realize if I listen to this, it’s not going to change anything, right?”
    “Kat, hit play now and hold the phone to the speaker,” she demands.
    I close my eyes and take a deep breath and hit the tiny black button. The only thing I can hear is the sound of a guitar strumming softly, before I hear his voice. At first I don’t recognize the words, but then as the chorus gets closer, I know the song he is singing to me. I hear the words as they pour out from the speaker; Because I’ve kept my heart under control, but all this time is taking it’s toll, I want you and you just have to know.
    I stare down at my hand, realizing that I’m still holding my cell up to the stereo. I hit stop, and pull the phone back up to my ear. “Did you hear that?” I ask.
    “Oh, my God. Kat, I’m seriously going to need a photo of this guy.”
    “And, how the hell would you propose I do that?” I ask, as the sound of his voice is still whirling inside of my head.
    “I don’t know. He seems so sweet. You have to give him a chance.”
    As she’s talking, I realize I’ve chewed off the last of my nail polish, nervously.
    “Kat, you there?”
    “Yeah, I gotta get going.”
    “Wait. What are you gonna do about Cameron?”
    “Nothing. Good-bye Jess,” I say, as I flip my cell closed.
    I’m still standing by the stereo, as I throw my cell onto the bed. I glance back at the play button, wanting to push it back down, but I don’t. This is getting complicated, too complicated for me. Sure, one year ago, this would have been a no brainer. Now it’s not that easy. This guy gets under my skin like no other boy ever has. Still, I feel compelled to stay away from him. He and Barbie hooked up tonight, that’s all she told me and that was enough for me.
    I know in the future I’ll open myself up, but I was sure I couldn’t do this with him. I was leaving for Arizona State, and he’s gonna be leaving for Colorado, if he gets in. He still hasn’t received his acceptance letter. The chance of us remaining anything more than what we are, is slim to none. Granted, we would be in the same time zone, but one too many hours away from each other.
    I shift my focus to my father for the rest of the weekend. I hadn’t spent any quality time with him, and needed to find out more about Rebecca.
    He strolls in somewhere between nine and ten in the morning, with two cups of coffee in his hand. I look up from my Chemistry homework, as he walks toward me smiling with his hand held out.
    “Got your favorite.”
    “Thanks,” I pause briefly. “Daddy, let’s go into the city today?”
    “You want to do something with your old man, huh?” He asks.
    I nod, tilting my head. “Yeah, we can walk around, go shopping, have dinner at some fancy restaurant. It’ll be great,” I say, as I take a sip from my cinnamon latte.
    I see him glance down at his watch. He opens his Blackberry, pushing at different keys, then looks back up at me.
    “All right Kitty Kat, I’m yours for the whole day,” he tells me, winking.
    “Awesome. I just need ten minutes and I’ll be ready,” I say, as I spring from the stool and run two steps at a time to the upstairs. I haven’t spent any time with my father in a really long time. I can’t help but grin. I’m happy.
    The day is going amazing, we’re walking along Michigan Avenue, making our way to a little Italian restaurant. The rooms are painted gold, sconces hanging