All too suddenly, Ryker pulls away from me, leaving me panting and breathless from his kiss. “I gotta go do something, baby, something I should have done before. I’m a fucking genius. I’m gonna fix this little problem.” Then he’s gone, bolting back toward the bar. The music stops as I make my way back into the crowd of people, all wondering the same as me. What the hell is this guy doing?
Ryker takes a stand on top of the bar. “Shhh, shhh, I need you all to quiet the hell down for a minute.” After a few minutes, the entire bar is silent, all eyes are trained on Ryker. I move in closer. “Lovely patrons of Pub Fiction, I need a moment of your time, if I may.” Pointing to me he continues, “Do you all see that gorgeous shooter girl over there? Well, of course you do, how could you not? That fine ass girl is Kat. Well, anyway, I’m standing here now to tell you all, as well as warn you, that she is MINE,” he basically grits out to the listening crowd. “And just so we are clear, I am also hers. As of now, you need to all know we are together. Sorry, boys, that means you all need to watch yourselves around my girl, especially the eyes and hands. As for the ladies, the same goes for you all. I’m completely fucking gone over this girl. You needn’t even bother trying.”
Holy cow, I can’t believe my eyes or my ears. The Ryker Eddison is basically hanging up his player jersey, handing in his scorecard for me. My heart is beating a million miles in my chest, but I have the biggest shit-eating grin on my face, and I don’t care who sees it. God, this man makes me swoon.
With that, Ryker takes his message bowl and tosses it in the garbage before running back over to me, scooping me up and over his shoulders, leading me to where I assume is the staff room. All I can hear are my own giggles and hoots and hollers from the bar.
Ever since that night, work has been pretty calm. My tips are a bit less, but I’m totally okay with that.
Chapter 57
Kat
February
“Oh my God!”
“What is it, Kat?” Claire comes rushing to the front door where I’m holding the mail in one hand, the open letter in the other.
“That boy is just plain fucking sweet,” I say, showing Claire the Valentine I found from Ryker in with the mail.
Kat,
You’ve been caught in my mind’s eye from the moment I laid my eyes on you.
Now you’re completely caught in my heart.
I can’t wait to see you tonight, sweet girl.
Be ready.
Ryker x
“You’re such a lucky bitch. Now don’t get me wrong, Matt is amazing, but Ryker is just bloody swoony!” She beams with her hand over her heart for effect. I can’t help but smile, because she honestly has no idea just how much this boy makes me feel like I’ve been swept off my feet on a daily basis.
It’s Valentine’s Day and Claire, Matt, Ryker, and I have decided to have a double date to celebrate. None of us are too keen on the holiday, but when the three of us discovered Levi was able to give us the day off, we decided we might as well go out. We’ve bought tickets to attend Pub Fiction’s Love is in the Air Affair, the annual dinner and dance that the club holds to raise money for The Heart and Stroke Foundation. It’s a great cause, and because it’s a black tie affair, we all agreed it would most likely be a blast to get all dressed up.
I was also excited because I was busy plotting out a special after party for Ryker and me. Claire had made plans to spend the night at Matt’s already. With all the others planning to stay over at Jenn and Laurie’s after the bar, I had the house to myself so it worked out perfectly.
“I’ve just finished setting up my room for my little act tonight,” I say, walking into Claire’s room with all my stuff to start getting ready. Claire has agreed to help me with my hair and makeup. “I’m excited and nervous. I’ve never been the initiator before. I’m really hoping I can pull this off. I mean, what I have planned for Ryker is totally out of my comfort zone.”
“I love it! I’m proud of you, grasshopper,” Claire basically coos. “I can’t believe how bold you’ve become, Kat. Ryker has been a really good influence on you,” she beams, directing me to sit in the chair in front of her. Claire is going to put my hair up into a French twist, because she thinks it will suit my off-the-shoulder dress perfectly.
Agreeing with her, she smiles down at me, getting to work on my updo. “I’m really happy you decided to give the guy a chance. I knew you were different for him. Besides, I’m really loving how we get all kinds of double dates now.”
“Yeah, he really has. I’ve been noticing it myself actually. I never thought Ryker Eddison would be the reason I’m happy,” I tell her honestly. Trying to ignore the emotions rising at the thoughts of how true that statement actually is, I’m quick to turn the talk back to tonight. “I’m way too excited for tonight! I bought the perfect pink bustier, complete with garters and stockings to wear under my dress. Ryker is gonna lose his mind, and I cannot wait!”
Claire laughs, “Jesus! Who knew you’d become such a whore? I love it, Kitty Kat. You are going to bring that boy to his knees.” We laugh as we continue to ready ourselves for the night ahead.
Once we’re finished, Claire and I decide to sit and enjoy a glass of wine before the boys pick us up. Just as I’m topping the glasses off the doorbell rings.
“I’ll get it!” Claire smiles before heading toward the door. We’ve been ready for about twenty minutes and dying for the guys to get here.
Standing up to put the drinks on the counter, I’m suddenly shocked to hear a voice that rocks jolts of fear into my body.
“Where the fuck is she, Claire? Tell me right the fuck now! I need to see my little bitch of a girl. I’m fuckin’ done with her ignoring me.”
“No, Seth!” I hear Claire yell as a bumping sound echoes through the hall.
Hands shaking, I’m standing, feeling almost paralyzed with my back to the counter, wine glasses in hand, liquid spilling all over the floor, listening for sounds of Claire. But all I hear is the sounds of heavy footsteps coming up the stairs. I try to compose myself, as I know Seth has clearly made his way past Claire. God, he better not have hurt her. Putting the glasses on the countertop, I turn back around and I’m all too quickly met face-to-face with an angry Seth Cooper. Shit!
Chapter 58
Ryker
“Matty, I think the girls are gonna love these flowers. I’m full of great ideas, eh? Stick with me, buddy, and I’ll teach you all the tricks to making your girl smile 24/7, all the while getting you laid as a thank you.” I slap his back as we’re leaving the florist.
“Okay, Casanova, like you’ve ever bought flowers for a chick before, or done anything sweet like this,” he smarts me back as we exit the shop.
“You’re right, Matty. None of the chicks I’ve been with have ever made me want to do nice things like this anyway. Actually, none of them have made me want more than a quick fuck and a “see ya later.” Matt nods knowingly, “Melissa just used to demand I do what boyfriends do. It’s nice to want to do these things on my own for a change. I know Kat appreciates it, and honestly, I really like seeing that sexy-ass smile of hers when I do something she least expects of me.”
I actually buy Kat flowers every week, along with a little note including a song lyric or lines from a poem. Yep, my vagina has fully grown in and, honestly, I’m okay with it as long as I make my girl smile. I’m not sure if Claire knows or not, but she definitely hasn’t told Matty ’cause I know I’d be razzed by the guys for sure. Not that I’d give a shit anyway. Kat’s my girl and I’m all about making sure every fucker out there knows it.
Matty reaches in his pocket to retrieve his cell that’s been blasting AC/DC’s “You Shook Me All Night Long.” Just as we reach my car. I laugh at the ringtone. “Claire,” he says with a smirk. “She’s probably calling to find out where the hell we are. We were supposed to be there fifteen minutes ago,” he tells me before answering. Good thing the florist is about five-minutes away. We’ll have our girls in no time. We both h
op in the car as, me in the driver side, Matty the passenger.
“Hey, sunshine, I know, I kno—What? Baby, breathe, calm down. What…Seth?” As soon as Matt drops that fucker’s name, ice seeps into my veins. I know we need to get the fuck outta here right the fuck now.
“Matty, dude, I need you to tell me what the fuck is going on and now, brother!” I spew as I drive off toward Kat’s. He lowers the phone to give me what he’s gathered so far. While I’m listening, I call campus police to meet us there. This shit ends today.
“Claire said they were having a drink, waiting for us to get there, when the doorbell rang and it was Kat’s ex, Seth. She tried to hold him off, but he pushed past her, knocking her down.”
“What the ever-loving fuck?” I say, slamming my hand down on the steering wheel. I knew this asshole was going to make a move eventually. Looking over, I see Matt is losing control as fast as I am, while listening to Claire and relaying information, his legs moving constantly in agitation as he’s telling me what’s going on. “She hit her head on the ground pretty good when he pushed her, but she says she’s all right. Claire says Kat was in the kitchen before Seth pushed his way in. She thinks they’re still there. She called us as soon as she got her bearings.” Matt covers the phone again. “Sorry, Ryk, man, but I’m telling her to stay put until we get there. I can’t have her getting involved with this guy; he’s already hurt her.”
“No, no, of course, Matt. You tell Claire to go wait outside. Tell her we’re nearly there and not to worry.”
After what feels like the longest drive of my life, I barely get the car in park before I’m through the door of Kat’s house.
Chapter 59
Kat
Standing in front of me, Seth is seething, anger radiating from him to the point where his body has a slight tremble. “Kathleen, Happy Valentine’s Day, baby. Will you be mine?” he sneers, and it’s the most revolting words I have ever heard in my life. This person standing in front of me is not the boy I once knew, the boy I thought I loved. I know now what real love is, and it’s what Ryker Eddison gives me on a daily basis. This version of a man is nothing more than a psycho and a stalker. I’m petrified of what his next move will be.
“What’s the matter, whore? Cat got your tongue? You look surprised to see me, Kathleen,” he draws out my name and it’s like nails on a chalkboard. I hate my full name, and this asshole damn well knows it.
“What the hell are you doing here, Seth?”
“It was time I checked in on you. You’ve been a real skank since you’ve moved into this new place. Dancing on bars, spreading your legs for that dick.” He refers to Ryker with disgust in his voice. “Did you get the flowers I sent? Oh yeah, right, you tossed them out in the trash, you ungrateful bitch.” Holy shit, is all I can think as the realization hits me. Seth has been watching me for months. My pulse rate starts picking up. Oh, God, please not now.
“Again, Seth, why are you here? Why aren’t you in Ottawa at school?”
“I dropped out. I needed to come here, fuck school!” he shouts “I came to get what’s mine, sugar, and that’s you,” he says with a smirk and a look of lust in his eyes as he takes in my dress.
“Aww, did you dress up for me? I gotta tell ya, Kat, I fucking love it. I will love it more when it’s in a heaping pile on the floor.” With that, he moves in closer. Breathe, Kat, just keep breathing.
“Not a fucking chance, asshole,” I mutter more to myself than to him, but of course he hears me. Shit.
“Listen here, you fucking whore. You are mine. You will be getting naked and you will be begging for me to take you and your slut ways back. You stupid cunt. Did you think I’d let that asshole have what’s mine? Hell the fuck no. I’m back just in time for that shit to stop. I see the way you look at that guy, and I DON’T FUCKING LIKE IT,” he comes up and yells in my face. Stepping back to look down at me, he begins to really lose it, and it’s clear that Seth is not mentally stable at all, and I’m honestly beginning to panic. “I see the way he thinks you’re his. Too fucking bad I’m back now, sweetheart—back for what’s mine, for what will always be mine,” he spits while coming closer to me. I’d like to think he most likely won’t hurt me. He never has before, but I can’t take the chance, so I decide to try and reason with him.
“Seth, please, I’ve told you we’re over. You chose that whore over me.” Idiot Kat, I think as the words slip from my mouth. I should keep my stupid comments to myself. The last thing I need to do is piss him off more. Like the stupid person I am, I continue on anyway. “You made that choice, not me. You decided we were done, that I wasn’t enough. You’re the asshole, not me!” With that, he backhands me hard across the face before grabbing me, shoving me up against the fridge. I cry out in shock and pain from the impact of the pressure he’s putting on my body with his own. Suddenly, he’s whispering he’s sorry in my ear, trailing kisses along my jaw and face. I think I’m going to be sick.
“You always smell so sweet, Kathleen. I need you. I’m going to make you forgive me, sweetheart. I’m going to make you remember how good we are.” No, No, No. He grips my breasts before he starts sliding his hands down to my ass.
“Please, Seth, don’t do this,” I beg. But it falls on deaf ears as he begins trying to push up my dress, using a force that tells me he’s got a one-track mind. Bile rises in my throat and tears stream down my face now as I prepare for what’s to come. Seth is too strong and has me pinned against the fridge that I can’t seem to budge, no matter how hard I try. Ryker, is all I can think as a loud sob escapes my mouth before closing my eyes, willing what’s to come next to be over as fast as it possibly can.
“Get your fucking hands off my girl.” Those seven words are all I need to hear before I visibly relax, knowing everything is going to be okay.
Ryker.
Chapter 60
Ryker
“Kat? Kat, baby, where are you?” I say as I make my way up the stairs. What I see makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand as fury takes over my entire being. I see that asshat has my sweet girl pinned against the fridge. His body is flush to hers with one hand holding her two smaller ones above her head, his other hand roaming her body while he kisses her face, muttering words I can only imagine.
I’m like a raging bull in Pamplona at the sight.
I charge.
“I will fucking kill you, motherfucker!” I say, grabbing him by the scruff of the neck, getting in his face. “You see that beautiful fucking girl you were touching? That girl, asshole, is mine! And I swear to Christ, you need to fucking learn that fact real fucking quick!” Headbutting him, I give him the lines I want him to recite out loud. “Now repeat after me, asshole: Kat belongs to Ryker. Now say it, dickwad.” I hold him by the hair, forcing him to look up at me, to see the rage behind my words… “Fucking say it, dick,” I slap him upside the head. “You fuckin learnin’ it yet?” I ask while I stand him up, pinning him against the fridge. Using my leg as leverage, I move it between his to sandwich his balls, and like the pussy he is, he begins to beg.
“I get it. I-I-I geeet it, asshole!” Are you fucking kidding me?
“Did you just call me asshole, asshole?” Punch, whack, punch. With these last relentless bouts, Kat’s screaming for me to stop wailing on him, but I can’t. He needs to know he’s no longer welcome in our lives. Ever. By the time the campus police arrive, Seth is a bloody mess, crying and whimpering like the pansy ass bitch he is.
Chapter 61
Ryker
August
It’s been six months since that asshead fucked with my girl. Thank God she’s so fucking resilient. Kat never let that piece of shit get inside her head. She bounced back pretty much immediately, never letting him stop her from moving forward with her life. I’m proud of my girl. I know she was more worried about Claire than anything. I swear to Christ, I have never been that pissed before in my life as I was that day when I rounded the corner, seeing that asshole with his hands all over my sweet girl. I
t was scary as hell, because in all honesty, I have never in my life had such strong feelings like I do for Kat. Never have I been this happily consumed with thoughts, feelings, and amazement like I am for this woman. Love isn’t nearly the right word to begin to even describe the way this girl makes me feel. And knowing that asshole was threatening the very thing I’ve come to hold the closest to me, just about destroyed me. I really thought I was going to kill that son of a bitch.
Believe me, no one in my position would have thought any different. Seth better be counting his lucky stars every single day that campus police showed up when they did. Seeing Kat pinned up against that fridge with that fucktard’s hands trying to violate her did something to me that took me a real long time to come to terms with. I would have gladly gone to jail for my girl if that would have meant I kept her safe. I think it was shortly after this incident that I realized how much I’d fallen in love with her. When I grabbed him off her, it was like I became this crazy adrenaline junkie who just couldn’t stop.
The last we heard, Seth had been charged with assault, stalking, and a slew of other offences that would keep him tied up in jail or court proceedings for years to come. According to the police, Seth had flunked out of law school and had been exhibiting a series of unstable behaviours for months. A restraining order has been put in effect just in case, and he is not permitted within a thousand meters of my girl.
Tonight I’m taking Kat out to celebrate. We’ve graduated University and quit our jobs at Pub Fiction; not that we won’t help Levi out from time to time. I mean, after all, that fucking place holds a special place in our lives. Mainly, we’re heading out on the town to celebrate our new adventures. Kat has been offered a job teaching third grade here in the city at Highview Elementary. As for me, I’m just waiting to close the sale on a building a few blocks away from Kat’s school where I plan to start my dream. The Locker Room is no longer a pipe dream, baby! Needless to say, the last six months have been amazing, and I am ready to move forward with Kat and our lives.
My Mind's Eye (Pub Fiction #1) Page 25
