Max
“You walked here?” I ask.
She nods. “I only live a few blocks away.”
“Then I’m walking you home.” I grab her hand, leaving no room for argument.
Kate worked her ass off on Sunday, not letting her cast get in the way. She took my family’s judgmental analysis like a champ. It took me having a side conversation with Whit to get her damn hackles down. I had to remind her it was because of Kate that we found out about Finn.
Kate came back on Monday after school and today, not asking how she could help. Instead she jumped right in, doing what needed to be done. That fact alone relieved me, because I was at the point of being so overwhelmed, I had no idea where to even start.
I had a sports-themed room all set up for Finn right down to the wallpaper border. The paint for the walls was, of course, my college colors, along with framed posters of my football players. It was with a gentle ease that Kate pointed out Finn despises sports.
Then the magic happened. She didn’t waste one thing I bought and only had to run to the store for chalkboard paint. The walls are the same colors I planned but now have a chalkboard border for Finn to work out math problems. She brought in live plants he can tend, abstract art, and a minimal number of toys. The room is crisp and clean and not overwhelming at all. She reassures me it’s an area where Finn will feel safe and comfortable, and I trust her.
The football pictures ended up in my bedroom, and the rest of the stuff I had no problem donating to the local second-hand store.
“It’s fine.” Kate swings our connected hands.
I glance down to our connection. “I know it’s fine if I walk you home.”
“You know what I mean.” She rolls her eyes, her cheeks flushing the slightest hue of delicate pink.
We haven’t had another moment like we had on the porch. It’s been nothing but busting our asses for tomorrow. There hasn’t been one second go by that I don’t find myself wondering how she would’ve tasted and felt against me.
“How about we detour over a few blocks and share a pizza?” I squeeze her hand in mine.
Kate freezes in front of a stop sign, looking up at me. She nibbles on her lower lip, which I’ve picked up is her tell-tale sign. I give her the time she needs to spill what has her all bothered.
“Um, would you mind grabbing the pizza and coming back to my house?”
I shake my head side to side. “Not at all, but gonna need to know why, babe.”
Kate remains silent. I can see each of her thoughts play out on her features as she decides whether to tell me or not. The setting sun cascades over, arranging the scene perfectly. That almost forgotten kiss comes crashing back in. I lean closer, feeling Kate’s chest rise and fall against mine. The moment consumes me.
“I’m going to kiss you, Kate.” I run my lips along hers.
She doesn’t say a word. Instead she leans forward, fueling the desire low in my core. I drop a hand down to her hip, tugging her closer, and cup her cheek with my other. I move slow, relishing each second of this sweet miracle. Something inside me tells me I’ll never be able to get enough of this woman.
I glide my lips across hers, unable to stifle the moan. It rolls out, vibrating off our lips. Kate takes me by surprise when she leads the kiss, her magical lips sealing to mine. She tilts her head, allowing me to deepen our connection. She’s sinful, tender, and all too consuming. I sweep my tongue in her mouth. She follows suit. We kiss for what seems like forever and no time at all. When a semi-truck’s Jake brakes sound around us, we break apart.
I brush the pad of my thumb over her plump, full bottom lip. “And to think that was just our first kiss.”
“I’ve never been kissed like that.” She ducks her head down.
Using my fingers under her chin, I tilt her face back to me. “No need to be shy, and now you can explain about me getting the pizza.”
She twists her lips side to side after releasing the plump lower one from her teeth. “My principal is a dick. He’s been riding me about having a relationship with you.”
Rage consumes me but doesn’t overpower me. Her beauty and the glow from the sleepy sun trumps it all.
“He’s asked me out several times, and right before I broke my arm, I sent him a text basically telling him off, and he wasn’t so kind to me yesterday and today at school.”
I step closer, tugging her to me. “What did he do?”
I can’t help the growl that escapes me. The thought of some power-hungry douche bag treating her like shit makes me see red. Intimidation and bullying are a hard limit for me, no matter who is involved.
I get he’s more than likely enamored by Kate. Who in the hell wouldn’t be? And I haven’t seen her in action in the classroom but have no reservation that she’s one hell of a teacher. I know this without a shadow of doubt by the way she talks about her students and the hours she puts into planning her lessons, not to mention the money she spends on her classroom. I’ve learned all this in just the few days I’ve been around Kate. It’s her passion.
“It’s embarrassing.” She drops her head to my chest, avoiding eye contact.
“Kate.” I urge her on.
“He pulled me in his office.” Her voice is muffled by my chest. It takes everything inside me not to force her to look up at me. “He wrote me up and said when it happens again, I’ll be put on a plan.”
“What in the hell did he write you up for?” This time I don’t dare to hide the fierceness of my growl.
“I forgot to turn in my lesson plans on Friday. He caught me this morning putting them in his box. It was the first time I was late with them. He’s just pissed I turned him down.”
I step back, placing my hands on her shoulders and waiting for her to face me. When she does, tears swim in her gorgeous eyes. Not on my damn watch.
“You go to the superintendent, and if he doesn’t listen, then you go to the school board. This is bullshit and straight-up wrong.” As soon as the words are out of my mouth, I tug her back to me. “There’s no negotiating on this topic.”
“It’s a small town, Max. They can do whatever they want.”
“You’re preaching to the choir, babe. But you will stand up for yourself.” I kiss the top of her head. “You’re gonna have to let me go, so I can get us dinner.”
Her tender giggle puts a smile on my face. “You’re the one squeezing me to death.”
“Lies, all lies.” I kiss the top of her hand before stepping back. “What’s your address?”
She fires it off as I walk backward, running my hands through my unruly hair to keep myself from grabbing her sweet-ass body again. I turn around, knowing damn well I have to or we won’t be eating anything tonight. Or at least, I will be and it won’t be pizza.
“No pineapple.” A voice echoes down the road as I jog across the crosswalk.
I glance back to barely see Kate with her hands cupped around her mouth.
“Got it. Extra pineapple.”
“No.”
A genuine spark of laughter vibrates from deep in my chest. I’m so screwed with this woman.
The pizza joint is packed. We should’ve called in our order. I haven’t eaten here yet. Not very proud of it, but I’ve been pretty much living off bar food from Cody’s. Damn lucky he’s open late. I’ve been busting my ass remodeling the house. It’s been damn long days and nights working with my hands while keeping up with my business of designing and managing websites at night.
I keep my head down as I make my way to the counter. Besides Deputy Dickhead, I haven’t run into anyone else from my past. It’s a damn miracle. Even though we are a good fifteen miles from Boone doesn’t mean shit doesn’t mesh, and news travels fast. I’m guessing things are going to heat up after Ally is served papers.
“How can I help you?” a young teenager asks from behind the counter.
The menu is overwhelming as hell. Calzones, pizza, salads of every kind you could think of.
“You have a special?” I ask.
“Two large pizzas for twenty-five dollars, which includes a two-liter of soda.”
That’s no damn help. I gaze up at the menu and take a wild guess.
“I’ll take that. One pepperoni and make the other one a Sour Pig.” I tug my wallet out of my back pocket.
As I’m paying the tab, I’m pretty sure there was no way I went wrong. Everyone loves pepperoni, and I’m a damn sucker for sauerkraut. The combination of it on pizza is perfection. Reminds me of the days I served and the dozens of pizzas my buddy and I would wolf down.
I relax back on an exposed beam, waiting on my order. I find myself enjoying the memories of serving, without being haunted by them. I traveled the world, made lifelong bonds, and served my country. It’s just what I needed to soothe the longing lingering in my soul. It’s something I’ll never regret, even if I did miss out on Finn’s life. It’s taken me a while to digest that everything happens for a reason. Ally’s poison, and even if I didn’t serve, she never would’ve told me about Finn. Who knows if I’d have crossed paths with Kate? None of it adds up. All I do know is I’m glad I’m standing right where I am.
A loud ruckus gets my attention. Turning, I see a table of ghosts from the past. Ironic since seconds ago I was thankful I hadn’t run into anyone I knew. Deputy Dickhead is flanked with all his friends from high school. I recognize most of them but don’t take long glancing their way. I’m thankful as fuck the joint is jam-packed and the odds of them seeing me are slim.
Steven Gilly, Cole’s sidekick back in the day, sits on the end. Steven was never quite as popular or near the athlete Cole was. I turn my head and smirk, thinking how damn funny life is. I’m in better shape than any of those pukes. But Steven has aged far better than Cole. Wonder what Steven is up to? He may be Deputy Dingleberry.
I focus on the orders being slinged out. I can’t remember if I gave them my name or not.
“You tap that ass you’ve been eyeing yet?” Cole’s voice floats over the restaurant. There’s some razzing then riotous laughter echoing around the room.
“Sir, here’s your order.”
I move before the employee has a chance to set the two boxes on the counter and get the hell out of there. The walk is quick and brisk to Kate’s house. I follow the street signs and don’t even need to glance up to the number on her house to know it’s hers. The quaint white fence and adorable house is so her. I swing open the gate and step in.
After jogging up the old cement sidewalk, I knock once then twice before entering. For a brief second, the thought of walking into a widow’s house of eighty years old bears down on me. I’m about to freak out a few seconds after I call out Kate’s name.
“Kate.”
Nothing.
When the freak out is almost to hit me full force, Kate’s slender tanned legs round the corner, relaxing all of me.
“Pizza.” She smiles gently at me, unhooking the towel from the top of her head, and points to the table, where there are plates and glasses set out.
My mouth goes dry. I go to speak, then am forced to tear my vision from Kate, who’s walking closer to me.
“What kind did you get?” She’s close enough I can smell the cherry and vanilla scent hugging her body.
I clear my throat. My mind is foggy and exhausted from the last few days. “Pineapple. All pineapple.”
“Max, I told you.” She flips the first lid of the box, and I swear she gushes.
Kate’s hand goes over her chest, and without apology, she plucks a piece of pizza from the box. Pieces of sauerkraut dangle over the side as the tip of the slice disappears between her lips. She nudges the boxes toward me with a free hand.
I’m ripped from the fantasy, or should I say reality, of seeing her in shorty shorts and tank top with no bra, fresh from the shower. I grab a piece of pizza, not tasting a bit of it as she turns toward the fridge. Kate pulls three beers from it then goes back for a bottle of chilled wine. She pops the tops on the drinks and pours herself a glass of wine.
“How in the hell did you know the Sour Pig was my favorite pizza ever?” She grabs the glass of wine, taking a sip.
I shrug. “It’s my favorite.”
The box of pepperoni pizza goes untouched as we devour the other large pizza. Kate gives up after two and a half slices. I do my best, finishing off the rest while washing it down with Coors. The beer and pizza is a perfect ending to an exhausting few weeks. I do find myself wondering why Kate has beer in her fridge, but I keep it bottled down. I also notice the wine she’s drinking is Moscato, but a different brand than I bought the night of the great fall that brought us together. The bottle looks way more expensive. I memorize the brand for future reference.
“I’m stuffed.” Kate tucks her legs under the dining room chair. “I should’ve had a beer, but wine sounded so good.”
I push the last piece of crust in my mouth. “You’re a beer drinker?”
“Sure am. I don’t discriminate, really.”
“You’re cute.” I reach out my hand and rest it on her bare leg.
“You’re handsome,” she replies.
“And it’s like we are in sixth grade again,” I match her.
We erupt in laughter. When Kate gets up to clean our mess, I help her. After it’s all put away, including the whole pepperoni pizza, Kate leads me into the living room. An oversized canary yellow couch fills most of the space. There’s a tiny television and lots of artwork. Kate places her glass of wine on an end table, and I do the same with my fresh beer on the opposite end table. Kate plops down on the couch with a few decorative pillows plunging to the ground. I follow her as she does her best to tug me down. The woman would never have to pull. The fact is I’d follow her anywhere at this point.
I relax back into the fluffy cushions, letting the couch swallow me. Kate snuggles up to my side then reaches over for her glass of wine. Thoughts of tomorrow consume me one by one.
“Should I wear the suit or the button-up shirt I showed you earlier today?” I run my hands through her damp hair, loving the feel of her body up against mine.
“Truth?” She peers up at me.
I tip back my beer and manage a nod at the same time.
“Neither. You need to wear what you do every day. You’re not going there to impress the adults. You’re going there to impress Finn. Just be you.”
I nod.
And she continues. “Wear your favorite t-shirt, blue jeans, boots, oh—and comb your hair, of course.”
I peer down at her to see Kate’s caring eyes aimed at me.
“How did this even happen?”
She shakes her head slowly from side to side. “My daddy always told me what was meant to be is meant to be whether you liked it or not, so you better just enjoy the ride.”
A smile turns up the corner of my lips. I couldn’t agree more. “Thank you.”
I brush my hand over the harshness of her cast. Kate let her students sign it. There are scribbles, initials, hearts, and various other symbols. I find myself rubbing the mathematical equation. I didn’t have to ask to know it was Finn’s. My fingertips outline each perfect line of his numbers and symbols.
“I’m so tired,” I admit.
There’ve been, at best, only a few hours of sleep each night since coming home. Not to mention working my ass off day and night.
“I can imagine.” She sets down her glass of wine and loops her arm around my neck, resting her cast over my shoulder. My hand goes back to the spot Finn signed on her cast. It’s a symbol of pure innocence and perfection and comfort to me. Her other hand rakes through my hair. My first instinct was to get the shit cut off after years of being trained to keep it cut short and neat. It’s not long by any means but still drives me nuts.
That’s until Kate rakes her fingers through it, swirling her fingertips on my scalp, relaxing me with each movement. We don’t say another word as we hold each other. I worry about tomorrow, and Kate soothes each stress away with her touch, warmth, and scent. I don’t take another swig of my beer or move. The next thing I know, I’m slipping away into slumber.