37. Katy
37
Katy
T hat was too much to watch. I don’t want to think about it anymore. I quietly leave the big house because seeing that video brought back more memories than I remember from that night. I had pushed as much as I could out of my mind. All I saw were the flashes in my dreams, but what I just saw doesn’t compare to my memories of the event.
Patrick catches up with me halfway across the yard. He doesn’t say anything—just follows me after realizing I’m alone. When I reach the door, I punch in my code and turn the nob, pausing once it’s open.
“Patrick, I want to be alone. Please don’t let anyone in.” I look at him over my shoulder and understand his silent question. Tears burn the back of my eyes, and my stomach churns as I say the next words. “Don’t let Viktor in. No one.”
I pick up my phone to text anyone needing a distraction and see a missed notification from earlier that I had ignored.
Unknown: I was so close today. I couldn’t decide who I wanted to see more, you or my son.
“Fuck.”
I want to throw my phone across the room, but I need to let everyone know about this text. Shane has gotten into my phone now. He’s cornered every aspect of my life. He wants Owen, but he’ll never have him. In light of what happened today, I think Owen should stay in the big house surrounded by everyone. He’ll be the safest there.
Who should I text?
Logically, it should be Viktor, but I can’t even think about him right now. Who would be the best person to pass along the message?
Katy: Hey Axel, I walked to the pool house. Owen is napping in his crib. Could you please keep an ear out?
Forward Message Unknown: I was so close today. I couldn’t decide who I wanted to see more, you or my son.
Katy: I saw the dashcam video on Tucker’s laptop. I need some time to process what I watched. I’ll be okay.
I know that last one won’t go over well, but I needed to tell someone so they understand how I’m feeling right now. But I don’t want to feel it. I want to forget and be a teenager.
Group Chat: Blake, Nicole, Meghan
Katy: I know it’s last minute, but I desperately need a girl’s night tonight. Anyone want to come over and be irresponsible with me? …and bring the booze for the underagers?
I pause for a moment before hitting send. Annie and Spencer aren’t included in this message, and I don’t want them to feel left out, but I want to let loose, and they aren’t exactly the biggest party people.
I hit send. I’m sure they will both understand, given the circumstances. I don’t have to wait long before bubbles appear.
Nicole: I’m in, but since I can’t do any of the drinking, I’ll bring the booze. I can watch you all get drunk and stupid.
Blake: Hey. I resemble that remark. ;) I’ll be there. I assume there’s gossip if we’re midweek drinking. I’ll bring snacks!
Meghan: Katy, this is Meghan. Did you mean to include me in this message?
I can understand why Meghan is confused. She doesn’t know the other two numbers, and we rarely hang out, but someone my age sounds like the best kind of girls’ night. Blake will be a blast, and despite Nicole being pregnant, she will bring the fun.
Katy: Absolutely! Come to girl’s night. Got any fun card games? You can crash here so you can drink and have fun!
Meghan: I’ll be there. What time?
Katy: Does 7 work for everyone?
My phone dings with confirmation texts, and my excitement grows.
I get a notification that there’s motion at the front door, and the quick snapshot from the camera shows me Viktor has arrived. I knew he would, but I hoped he’d give me more time. I wait to hear the lock engage or the ring of the bell, but nothing comes. Opening up the camera, I see he’s just standing there mirroring Patrick. Did he come to stand watch with him?
A few hours later, Miller texts to ask me for Owen’s diaper bag and whatever he needs to spend the night. I let him know I’ll pack it and have Patrick waiting with it outside.
When Miller arrives, I watch the interactions through the camera and hope that Viktor will go back with him. He doesn’t. He can’t just stand here all night.
I click the voice button to talk. “Go with him, Viktor. Go be with Owen.” I know he wants to stay for me, but I also know he’ll go for Owen.
Without a fight, I watch him agree to go. I need him to know we’re okay. He looks so defeated, and I want to comfort him, but I need to process. This needs to be about me.
Clicking the talk button one more time I reassure him the best way I know how. “So much.” It’s a whisper from my lips, but he hears it. I know he does. He walks up to Miller, who slings his arm over Viktor’s shoulder, and they head to the big house.
Katy: Girl’s night tonight at 7. Blake, Nicole, and my friend Meghan are coming over.
Patrick: Copy.
Even via text, he’s a man of little words.
? ? ? ? ?
At six-thirty, Patrick knocks and enters the house. I ordered a grocery delivery with some extra supplies for tonight and some hangover supplies for the morning. Meghan and I have been texting, and she plans to stay the night. I thought we might need some greasy foods for the morning to soak up all the alcohol we plan to drink tonight.
Viktor: This will be my only text unless you reply back. I respect your need for the night off and I’m glad to hear you won’t be alone. Please know if you need me I’m right across the lawn and will be there for you in a heartbeat. So much.
My eyes blur with tears. I’m not surprised he knows about my girl’s night. Patrick would have told someone at the big house to expect the cars. My anxiety creeps up at that thought.
Katy: I’m second-guessing myself. Should I invite Annie and Spencer? I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings.
Blake: Annie completely understands and knows I’m the fun one. Besides, getting shitfaced on a Tuesday isn’t really her thing. LOL. See you soon!
Nicole: I already spoke to Spencer. She called Justin, and he mentioned I was coming over. She’s just happy you’re having us over and won’t be alone. I wouldn’t worry. :)
Their responses make me feel better. While I love them all equally, I also love them differently. I’m not surprised to hear that Annie and Spencer understand what I need tonight. That’s the nature of their personalities.
Blake said she was bringing snacks but I wanted a few specific things. As I’m setting everything up on the kitchen island, my phone notifies me of motion at the front door. I catch myself bouncing on the balls of my feet and chuckle when I think of Axel doing the exact same thing.
Hmm. He might be a fun addition later to our girl’s night. I’ll have to see what everyone else thinks about that.
“The party is here, Bitch!” Blake rounds the corner with Nicole on her heels, and her expression is mixed with shock and horror as she sees me. “Oh, this won’t do.”
I contain my need to laugh hysterically as I look over their outfits. “What are you wearing?”
“What are you wearing? This is a party and you are severely underdressed. Let’s go.” Blake walks to my bedroom and I’m left standing dumbfounded with what just happened.
“Don’t fight it, Katy. She did it to me, too.”
Nicole makes a slow turn, and I take a good look at her shiny, silver, one-shouldered dress. It’s ruffled at the bottom and across her shoulder, and the entire thing is ruched, perfectly accenting her baby bump.
“She did this to you?”
Nicole begins to nod when Blake pops her head out from my bedroom door. “What are we waiting for? Let’s get you dressed for the occasion.”
I drag my feet toward the crazy woman wearing a bright yellow sequin mini-dress. Why does she even own that? My phone buzzes again, and I perk up.
“Meghan’s here.”
“Who? Oh, the other number in the group chat. Who is she?” Blake’s curiosity is piqued.
“She’s a friend from high school, and I’m sure she didn’t adhere to tonight’s absurd dress code either, so it seems like you have two Barbies to dress.”
“Yesssssss.” Blake pumps her fist like it’s the best thing in the world.
“Katy?” Meghan’s voice hesitantly flows through the room.
“Oh-M-Geeeeee! You are so pretty! Nicole look at her hair.”
I laugh as Blake accosts my poor, unsuspecting friend.
“Um. Hi, I’m Meghan.” Meghan turns her head in every direction, trying to keep track of Blake as he bounces around her before finally looking at me in complete shock.
“Meghan, this is Blake, and the sane, pregnant one over there is Nicole. Crazy ladies, this is my friend Meghan.” Meghan lifts her hand in a shy wave.
“You were right. She’s underdressed. Makeover time!” Blake takes Meghan’s hand and drags her over to me before taking us both to my room.
For the next hour we all laugh and drink while Nicole does our hair and Blake dresses us like we’re her new favorite dolls. Meghan ends up in my little black dress. She’s shorter than I am so instead of the dress coming mid thigh it stops just above her knees. It’s hip-hugging with spaghetti straps and a deep plunging V in the front. She looks stunning.
When Blake went through my closet looking for something I could wear, I heard lots of sighing and tsking. Finally, she walked over to her large bag and pulled out a scrap of fabric that looked more like a scarf than a dress.
“I knew I’d need this backup.”
I stare at my reflection in disbelief. The dress is a satin material in a deep green color. I’m completely covered in the front with a halter-like top, but the back of the dress is open dangerously low to my ass crack. The front has dueling slits up both legs. I have to go commando with how much skin this dress shows.
“Blake, this dress is…”
“Fucking stunning? Nah. You make the dress, Katy. Smile!”
Blake takes a few pictures with her phone and sends a text. I eye her suspiciously until her phone buzzes in her hand, and a smile takes over her entire face.
“Meghan, come over here and get in the picture.”
The next several minutes are spent taking pictures of the four of us dressed in our best. We make it back in the kitchen, and Blake and Nicole prepare for our next round of drinks as I watch Meghan’s gaze dart to the front door several times.
“You okay? Did you need to head home? You don’t have to stay if you don’t want to.”
“Oh no. I’m good. I’m staying.”
“Shots!” Blake puts a glass of something blue in front of each of us, and I arch a brow. “Just trust me.”
Meghan shrugs and chugs it down. I laugh at her exuberance when she asks Blake for another.
“Um, can you tell me anything about the uh, guy at the front door?” Meghan tries to ask her question quietly but between the buzz we already have going and Blake’s superhuman hearing, her question isn’t only heard by my ears.
“Hunky Patrick. He’s more cryptic than the Mona Lisa. A man of little words and lots of grunts.” Blake hands Meghan another shot, and we each click glasses. Nicole joins in with something not blue in her glass, and we down our shots.
“He spoke to me when I came in.”
Nicole laughs and beats her chest a few times, her blonde curls bouncing around her face. “Me Patrick, you Meghan.” Blake and I giggle, and Meghan looks confused.
“Well, no. He said hi and introduced himself as Patrick. He told me that he would be watching over us tonight, and if I needed anything, I could just step outside and let him know.”
You could hear a pin drop with the amount of silence from Nicole, Blake, and me.
“Did I say something wrong?” Meghan shoots a worried look between us.
“Just to be clear,” Blake starts. “You’re referring to that hunk of man meat that looks like he wants to rip your head off if you even breathe in his general direction. Tall as a tree, dark hair, dark eyes, permanent scowl and usually communicates in grunts? He spoke in more than one-word sentences and even offered to get you anything you needed?”
“Um…” Meghan looks embarrassed, and I don’t blame her. Blake has her in the hot seat.
“Let’s settle this.” Nicole stalks toward the door, and Meghan turns instantly red.
“Hey Patrick, could you come in here for a minute.”
Nicole walks back in the room, followed by Patrick. When he does his usually visual scan of the room, his eyes stop dead when they see Meghan in my little black dress. He roams her body and I can’t blame him. She looks hot.
Meghan’s breath hitches at his heated stare, and the sound seems to snap Patrick out of his trance.
“Miss Nicole?” His voice is hoarse, having not used it for a while, and Meghan shivers next to me.
“See, two words.” Blake plants her hands on her hips and looks between Patrick and Meghan, obviously seeing what the rest of us are. There’s an attraction.
“Would you take a picture of the four of us together?” Nicole hands him her phone and I’m thankful for her quick thinking before the room got anymore awkward.
“Uno. Bam.” Nicole slams her last card down, and the rest of us groan.
“Isss no frair.” Hiccup . “You’re sooooooober,” Blake whines to Nicole as she tips her head onto her shoulder.
We’ve danced, we’ve drank, we’ve sang karaoke poorly, drank some more, and ended up sprawled out on the floor in our PJs playing Uno .
“On that note, I’m going to quit while I’m ahead and leave the three of you to continue your evening.” Nicole rubs her baby bump. “Me and this little one need to get home and into a comfy bed with my full-length pregnancy pillow. Maybe we can even convince Daddy to give us a foot rub.”
“I should go home, too.” Blake pulls out her phone and types a text. She gets an instant response, and the look on her face is pure love as a dreamy smile lifts her lips.
“Puke. Gag.” Nicole playfully pushes my shoulder at my exaggerated noises, and I topple over onto the floor. “Go home and be party poopers.”
“Hey, G.I. Joe! We need you.” Blake cups her hands over her mouth and yells at the front door. A moment later, the door opens, and Patrick steps inside. “Nicole is ready to go home. Can you walk us out to her car, please?”
Patrick nods at Blake’s question, but his eyes are on Meghan. I nudge her shoulder, but she’s staring right back, and I let them have their moment.
Nicole and Blake say their goodbyes and Meghan and I clean up the mess in the living room before having one last Uno battle, then heading to bed.
“Thank you so much for coming. The kitchen is free reign whenever you get up. There’s lots of breakfast options.” We embrace in a hug and she retreats to the guest room.
“Let me go. No. NO! He’s losing too much blood. He’s not breathing. No.”
“Katy.”
I shoot up in bed as my bedroom door crashes open. The man staring back at me isn’t the one I want to see. Patrick’s eyes scan the room for danger, seeing none.
“Viktor,” I pant out. “Want…Viktor.”
Patrick picks up his phone, and I see his lips moving, but I can’t hear anything. The blood rushes through my ears, and I struggle to catch my breath.
“He’s coming.”
“Katy?” Meghan’s worried voice drifts into the room and Patrick’s gaze bounces between the two of us.
“Go,” I whisper, and I wave for him to take care of Meghan.
I know he called Viktor.
Viktor is coming. Viktor is coming.
I pull my knees to my chest and rock, repeating to myself over and over that he’s coming.
It feels like hours, but I know it’s only minutes when I finally hear the front door open, and he appears in the doorway. He pauses for just a moment to assess the situation before he’s at my side, and I’m scooped into his arms. He settles us onto the bed, and I bury myself into his chest. The tears begin to fall, and I feel the dam burst.
Viktor’s arms tighten around me, and my hand desperately reaches for the hem of his shirt. I need to feel him. My hand finally slinks under, and I search for his scar. My fingers brush the jagged edges that are a little rougher than his normal skin. I can feel the tiny spots where the staples left their scars. Something that isn’t visible to the naked eye but I know intimately.