Friends Don't

By Kerry M Kelly

Katryn had been nervous about meeting the new guy who was trying out for the volleyball team. Last season John had been a total mistake, and as captain, Katryn had had to deal with his poor attitude and even worse temper before having to ask him to leave. Now she was a little gun-shy and really had not been looking forward to meeting another new player.

She was very surprised, and a little chagrined, to find Paul was not only nice, a good player, and liked by everyone else on the team, but she found herself attracted to him. Before she could decide if that was a good thing or a bad thing, her best friend Julie – who also played on the team – let her know right away that she was very interested in Paul.

When Paul let Katryn know he was interested in her, Katryn had to try to explain why she would not date him. He was incredulous when he heard her say Julie was interested in him, so Katryn could not date him. She tried to explain: Friends don’t date someone their best friend is interested in.

Paul would have to accept Katryn’s friendship, only. That’s all she could offer.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kerry M Kelly
• Release date: Apr 4, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311884626

Kerry M Kelly

I started writing books many years ago when I was a single mother raising three kids. I always loved reading, and felt drawn to writing. It seemed, right from the start, that the stories were ‘given’ to me. It was fascinating meeting the people who seemed to just show up in my books, and I enjoyed reporting what was going on in their lives.I just recently started submitting my stories as e-books. I had tried, many years ago, to get a couple of my books published, but found that while I enjoyed writing, I was not good at ‘jumping through hoops’ to get published. So I kept writing, and quit trying to get my books published.Now that e-books are a possibility, I would like to introduce others to the people, places and events I discovered while writing. I do hope you’ll enjoy getting to know all the characters I met along the way. Some of them are quite memorable - some good and some bad - but all worth meeting, I believe.I find I still enjoy going back and re-reading all of my books and re-acquainting myself with the many fascinating people I met on the incredible writing journey I have taken. I hope you will come to like many of them, too.Thank you for spending your time reading this book. And please write and tell me how you feel I did – good or bad. I would really like to know. And I’d enjoy adding you to the growing list of people I’ve met through my books and because of them.You can contact me at [e-mail] or on my face book page at [e-mail], or at SmashwordsKerry M KellyP. S. – For those of you who might want to know more about me: I am now married, and all four of our children have families of their own. My family has grown from four to 17, and my husband and I are enjoying all 9 of our grandchildren. I am a registered nurse who works in an asthma/allergy clinic in Spokane. Before this, I worked 27 years as an LPN on the orthopedic unit at a local hospital (And it’s at that time – when I started as a nurse – that I first felt the desire to write)And thank you to those of you who have read - and reviewed Friends Don't. For those of you who did not agree with Katryn's choices, I hope you'll give me another chance by reading Too Late Returning. I learned a lot from your reviews. Thanks, again.

Book preview

FRIENDS DON’T

Kerry M. Kelly

Copyright 2014 Kerry M. Kelly

Smashwords Edition

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever including Internet usage, without written permission of the author.

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

PROLOGUE

Katryn paced from the window to the door and back in her moderately sized bedroom. It was hard for her to admit she was actually dreading volleyball practice. It had never happened before. EVER.

She was gun-shy because of John, and she cursed him for making it so. While she waited, she found herself remembering last season. It depressed her when she realized she would probably never forget John.

He had started out innocently enough. In fact, John had actually been a godsend. When Cal had broken his leg skiing, the EVER READYs were looking at an entire volleyball season playing one man short. Without the fourth man, the team would have to forfeit if any one of the remaining three had to miss any games. Besides, the team was set up in pairs, and it just worked better all around to have the fourth man.

Katryn had immediately called the parks department to see if they could send her the list of people looking to join volleyball teams. Once she received it, Katryn doggedly started down through the 30 names. She had used the list other years, so she knew it probably would not be up to date. Sure enough, the first 24 names yielded nothing. People had moved, joined other teams, were no longer interested, or were not available on Friday nights.

John was the 25th on the list. When he said he was available, and interested, Katryn thanked her lucky stars. The league started in a week, so Katryn’s team was desperate for a player. They did not get a chance to try the man out. There just was not time. John showed up for practice and was immediately accepted.

It took very little time for the team to realize he was a mistake, however. The ironic part was that he did have pretty decent skills. Most any team would have been quite happy to pick up a new man who played that well. No, the problem was not his ability, it was his attitude.

He was arrogant, obnoxious, and a ball hog. He would take shots that were not his, hit the ball over the net rather than set to teammates he considered inferior, and would argue with the ref over every call.

He did not like any of the team, but he spent extra time letting Katryn know what a poor captain she made. She was willing to bet the real problem was that he did not care to be taking orders from a woman - especially not one he could not intimidate, and Katryn stood up to him.

He had tried to take over the team, tried to change their strategy, even tried to talk a couple players into leaving and starting a new team with him. But Katryn fought him on every point, and the team backed her up. Everyone knew he was not happy with the team in general. Only Katryn had to hear, over and over, how much he hated each one of them in particular - especially Julie.

From the very beginning he had tried to get Julie replaced. She was too frail for volleyball, he had argued with Katryn. Her fingers were so weak that at least half of her sets were called illegal by the refs. He complained she had no ball sense, therefore was rarely where she needed to be. And when she did get good hits, John would whisper to Katryn ‘Law of Averages says even the worst player has to eventually get one!’

While John also wanted Katryn to replace Mary and Ed, he told her more than once that if she did not ‘have the balls’ to get rid of all three of them, she could at least think of the team and get rid of Julie.

John had made sure only Katryn heard most of what he said. He always spoke to her after practice, waiting until the others had left. He was polite to his teammates’ faces, so they had no way of knowing how much he really disliked them. Katryn had felt she was forced to listen. She believed it was one of her jobs as captain, and besides, she would rather he tell her and not upset the rest of the team.

One night, towards the end of the season, John cornered Katryn when she was leaving practice. The others had already headed out, and she was alone. He immediately started in on all that he thought she was doing wrong. He wanted Julie removed from the team NOW, and Mary and Ed would have go too - soon. They were so intent, John with yelling and Katryn with listening, that neither of them heard Tom.

Tom had come back to retrieve the volleyball he had forgotten, and was in the breezeway near the front door when he overheard John’s raised voice. He stayed out of sight, wondering what was going on.

He listened quietly for a bit, surprised to hear what abuse Katryn was, and from the sounds of it, had been taking from John. He was a little hurt that she had never told him about John’s outbursts.

After he had heard enough to convince himself that John had to be stopped, Tom came around the corner where he could be seen. He was startled to find that John had Katryn pinned up against a wall, poking her forcefully in the shoulder to emphasize each point he was making.

Tom told John to back off, his tone of voice warning John that he would book no argument. After he sent John on his way, advising him not to go near Katryn again, Tom proceeded to tell Katryn she was never to take anything like that from a team member again. Captain or no, she did not have to put up with that from anybody!

Tom called Katryn before practice the next week. He asked if she could please show up a little early. She had been surprised to find all of her teammates, except John, waiting for her. They had wanted to tell her, together, that they would like John off the team. The men promised they would never miss a game, so barring any accident, the team would not have to ever play short in the games. Anne, Mary and Julie assured her they would rather play short than with John, anyway. It did not take much convincing for Katryn to agree with them.

Though none of them said so, Katryn knew Tom had set up the meeting. He had been pretty upset about what Katryn had been putting up with from John, and he had been serious when he had told her he did not want her going through anything like that again, ever. It helped ease her mind that Tom was watching out for her.

It was decided that Tom and Katryn would stay at the gym to talk to John when he showed up for practice. They knew it would be better if the others left for awhile, returning after Katryn and Tom had spoken to him. Practice would start late, but it was worth it.

With Tom to back her up, Katryn waited for John. He did not take the news well. Her face still burned whenever she remembered what he had called her.

Tom, quiet, non-violent Tom, surprised John with a right cross, knocking him to the floor. It did not stop John’s mouth, though. Katryn had had to hold Tom back when John continued to make remarks on his way out the door. To this day Katryn believed that, if Tom had not been there, John would have become more than verbally abusive to her. Never had she seen such hate in a person’s eyes. And it had been there well before Tom had decked him.

Katryn had felt compelled to watch over her shoulder and double-lock her doors, for quite some time after John had gone.

None of the rest of the team had ever known about the altercation, nor could they guess how worried Katryn had been after John had left. Tom had taken it on himself to make sure she never left practice alone after that, though. Katryn definitely appreciated his concern. It had been a couple months now, but thinking about John still made Katryn a little uneasy.

A car horn honked outside her window, breaking into her reverie.

Katryn shook off the disturbing memories and headed downstairs to the living room.

CHAPTER 1

When Katryn heard the car honking outside, she glanced at her watch and was surprised at the time.

Timmy, see if that’s Julie, please, she asked, heading to the hall closet for her jacket. She was zipping it up when her son let her know that it was, indeed, Julie. Katryn grabbed the equipment bag and headed towards the door.

Love ya’, she told her boys. Then, to the sitter she said, I’ll be back the same time as usual. She hurried outside. Opening the car door, Katryn teased her friend about being early.

I wanted to make sure I got you before you got away, Julie explained.

It wouldn’t surprise you to hear I’d rather not go to practice, then? Katryn asked, knowing the answer.

You, Katryn Delaney, NOT want to go to practice? Why on earth would I suspect that? It can’t be volleyball. I’ve known you for too many years to think that. There have been times I thought you’d rather play sports than breathe. Katryn had to chuckle, and her friend continued.

If it isn’t the sports, than I wonder what could possibly make you want to miss practice. I’m sure it’s not the team... Katryn agreed it was not It’s not too far, too late or too cold... Katryn shook her head. That could only leave one thing that I can think of. Could it possibly have anything to do with the fact that we have a new man trying out for the team?

Cute, Julie. Yes, it’s the new man, Katryn admitted needlessly.

Honest Katryn, he won’t be as bad as John.

Easy for you to say, Katryn told her friend.

This one will be different, Julie promised. And this time we can all help you decide.

Katryn nodded even while part of her wanted to scream, ‘but that’s not the part that’s hard. DECIDING is easy. It’s having to ask someone NOT to join that’s hard’. She was not sure Julie would understand, though, and she did not want to get into it with her friend, so she calmly answered.

It’s a deal. Now, where’d you say you got this guy?

Dave, the guy I share an office with, asked if we needed any more men for our volleyball team. He said he knew someone who was looking for a team.

Has he ever played City League ball, before? Katryn wanted to know. Trying to teach someone how to hit legally, especially if they have been hitting poorly for any length of time, often took a lot of energy, she knew well.

"I asked Dave. He said he honestly didn’t know. But Dave did say, and I’m quoting, ‘this guy’s quite an athlete and would surely catch on real quick’. Katryn cringed, thinking of all the times she had been told that before.

What exactly did you tell Dave? Katryn wanted to know.

You don’t have to worry. I told Dave that Paul was welcome to come to a practice or two and see if he even liked the team. Dave caught on right away. He laughed and asked if that was a polite way of saying we wanted to check Paul out. Julie chuckled and Katryn found herself smiling.

That was pretty cagey, I have to admit. Thanks, I appreciate it. You haven’t met this guy, Paul, before? Katryn asked.

No. Dave tried to set me up with him a couple times last fall, but I just wasn’t in the mood for another blind date at the time. It was right after Mark, remember? Julie shook her head vigorously and shrugged her shoulders as she thought of Mark. Anyway, Dave said he’s a good looking man, mid to late 30’s, who seems nice. I understand he broke up with a long-time girlfriend probably about a year ago.

Is he divorced? Does he have any kids? Katryn found herself asking, knowing she really did not care, anyway.

No, he’s never been married. I know it appears a bit odd for a guy his age, but Dave said he was with his girlfriend for six or seven years. It seems he wanted marriage and kids, but she was never quite ready. Dave says he finally quit waiting. I guess he gave her six months to make up her mind. When she still wasn’t sure, he left. Katryn nodded absently while they pulled into the empty high school parking lot.

We’re the first ones here. We might as well go in and get the net set up, Katryn told Julie.

Katryn, Julie stopped her friend. Remember that Ed, Ken, Mary and Anne all tried out and worked out ok. I have a good feeling about this guy. Dave said he’s really nice. Think positive!

Thanks, I needed that, Katryn teased, her mood a little brighter. When they got inside the gym, Katryn headed for the equipment room. The door closed automatically behind her. She felt for, and quickly found, the familiar light switch. She rummaged around in the small room before she found the net. Every week it seemed to be in a different cubby hole. She opened the door and headed out into the gym.

Katryn, she heard Julie say, I’d like you to meet Paul Keegan. Paul, this is Katryn Delaney, our team’s captain.

Hoping her first impression of him would be positive, she steeled herself. Taking a deep breath, Katryn turned. A strikingly good-looking man extended his hand to her. Katryn’s heart skipped a beat, and she felt her face go red. He smiled warmly, but she saw the quick look of surprise in his eyes. She wondered if it were so obvious, the shocking sensation that had hit her. She had been half afraid she would dislike him right from the word go. It startled her that, instead, her whole body turned so warm. ‘What’s wrong with you?’ she asked herself.

Katryn had never believed in love at first sight before. Still, she wondered what other explanation there was for what made her heart skip beats, her face grow redder by the minute, and her brain stop functioning completely. Well, if it weren’t love, she quickly decided, then it must be lust. Embarrassed by where her thoughts had so quickly led her, she stammered a pleased to meet you and she reached to shake his hand.

His warm grip sent another shock wave through her. She pulled her hand away as soon as was politely possible and took another look at him. Katryn was drawn to the warm smile he still offered her. Having been single for many years, she had grown used to the slightly guarded, protected grin she usually got from single males. Not much of a smile, really, it was more an assessing look that gave nothing away of the man who was assessing. Paul’s smile was a welcome change, and Katryn hoped her face was at least a little less red when she found herself smiling back.

I can help you with that, Paul offered, nodding towards the net partially coiled over her left arm.

Katryn tried to hand the net to Paul. She had found it in a heap in the cubby hole, though, not folded up properly, so it was now an unwieldy mess with parts sticking out everywhere. Paul started towards the center of the gym, one end uncoiled. Katryn, her mind elsewhere, did not notice.

Careful, Paul warned when she tripped slightly on the uncoiled end of the net that dragged behind him.

Katryn’s face reddened appreciably. She held back from the other two, and bent down pretending to retie her shoes, needing a moment to collect herself. Watching Paul help Julie untangle the net, she was surprised by the strength of the attraction she felt for this man she did not even know.

Forcing herself to look away from him, she stared at her shoes and re-tied them yet again. She tried to understand the impact this virtual stranger was having on her. Her immediate, and much too strong, reaction to him made no sense. While it had been awhile since she dated, still, she did not feel lonely, nor in any way ‘desperate for a man.’

In fact, though it was a little exciting to feel drawn to Paul, exhilarating even to feel her heart speed when he touched her, there were immediate negatives that came quickly to mind.

She started to enumerate, as a reminder to herself that they did exist, some of the pitfalls of falling in love. Her orderly life could be dumped upside down. Her poor heart could be broken into a million pieces. Her ...

Takes a lot of concentration to tie those, huh? Tom teased, walking past Katryn to help with the net. Startled, Katryn was jolted from her thoughts. She realized she hadn’t even noticed Tom come into the gym. Covering, she answered lightly,

"I can’t remember.