Fighting to Survive (As the World Dies #2)(14)

“I don't want him to know I'm bi or that I have some feelings for him,” Katie said firmly. She almost regretted telling her, but it felt good to say it out loud. “At least, not now.”

“You have feelings for him?” Jenni grabbed Katie’s arm and dragged her to a stop. “Oh, my gawd! You have feelings for Travis!”

“But he can’t know, so keep it down!”

Jenni twisted up her face, confused. “Why not? I mean, I'm relieved. I was afraid you'd be alone for the rest of your life unless some hot lesbian came along.”

Katie sighed. “Just because you put two lesbians in a room that does not mean they'll hook up. Well, unless you go with the second date Uhaul theory…

“What's that?”

“What does a lesbian bring to a second date?”

“A Uhaul. That's funny!” Jenni giggled. “So lesbians move fast.”

“That’s not what we're talking about!”

“Okay, but I mean, well, you have options! You can have Travis!” Jenni was almost jumping up and down with excitement. “Katie, I’m so happy!”

Katie felt her stomach tighten nervously. “I don't want options right now. I just...” She trailed off.

“She's gone, Katie.”

“I know. But I just can't forget her and move on. Even if I do….” Katie wiped a tear from her eye “...even if I do have feelings for Travis. I don't want to talk about this.”

Jenni sighed. She reached out and touched Katie's shoulder gently. “I just want you happy. Is it wrong for you to be happy?”

Katie shook her head. “I don't know if I can be without her. I loved her so much, Jenni. When I met her I just knew she was the one and when I met Travis-” She closed her eyes and shook her head.

“What, Katie? Tell me.”

“It felt…similar. Not exactly the same. But like he was important to me. To my future. Maybe I’m just admitting it to myself now, but-“ She couldn’t continue. Her emotions swirled up and she tried to focus herself.

Jenni saw the tears in her eyes and threw her arms around Katie, nearly crashing them both into the ground. Katie grabbed hold of her and they hugged each other tightly.

“It’s okay! It’s okay. At least you know that you’re not alone and that people do love you. And he’ll wait until you’re ready. You know that.”

“I'm so grateful I have you,” Katie whispered. She kissed Jenni’s cheek and clung to her. “You're a good friend.”

Jenni stroked her hair and looked at her intently. “I love you, but I don't want you hurting so we'll drop this for now.”

Katie nodded, smiling. “Okay. For now.”

Travis walked up, looking a little grim, his hands in the pockets of his lightweight jacket. Katie couldn’t help but notice the bags under his eyes or his slightly mussed hair. He was carrying so much on his shoulders and she wanted to hug him. “We're going in today. According to what's left of the Internet there is a bad storm heading this way. Some survivors in a school several counties away are reporting that it's very, very bad. They lost power and had to go to their backup generator.”

The women looked toward the row of generators, that up to this point they hadn't had to use, and winced.

“So, we're going in. Get ready.” His gaze lingered on Katie.

“I'll change and get Nerit,” Katie answered. She had this deep desire to hug him and let him know it was okay. That they would both be okay, but she couldn't let herself. Not yet.

He nodded and walked on to inform the others.

Jenni smacked Katie's shoulder. “He is so into you. Don’t keep him waiting too long!”

Katie turned and glared at her. “You said-”

“Gawd, yes, but-” Jenni threw up her hands. “He’s so hot!”

Katie laughed despite herself and smacked Jenni’s shoulder. “Lay off. Okay? For now. For me.”

“Fine, but we will talk about this later.” She kissed Katie hard on her cheek and strode off.

Katie stood alone, her hands resting on her hips, and exhaled slowly. She glanced over at Travis and caught him looking at her. She gave him a soft smile and his face lit up as he smiled back at her.

Sighing, she walked into the city hall building, trying hard not to think of anything but the task ahead.





2. Shelter From the Storm

Stacey held the squirming Jack Russell terrier firmly in her arms as Bill and Ed helped her over the wall. Eric climbed up behind her and she could feel him reaching out to steady her with one hand. Pepe was not happy with being taken over the wall and she didn’t blame him. Despite the new area being cordoned off by high new walls, she felt vulnerable being outside of the construction site.

A big black girl reached up to help her with Pepe as she climbed down the second ladder into the new area. The girl's name was Lenore and Stacey had met her the day she and Eric had been rescued from the water tower. Lenore’s best friend and constant companion, Ken, stood near Lenore, clutching his cat carrier. Inside, his cat, Cher, was mightily ticked off. Stacey didn’t blame her.

Other survivors were descending ladders and a special elevator had been rigged up for the elderly and disabled. The big crane from the construction site was lifting a pallet over the wall with the elderly tied securely on to it. Old Man Watson looked befuddled, but he gave Stacey the thumbs up when he saw her looking at him.