Stories Of Paper: Unwritten Love

Chapter Ten- Katie

Chapter Ten

Katie

Sipping my coffee in the living room. I woke up this morning feeling like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I feel happy. Pete is still sleeping in my bed. He was wrapped so tightly around me when I woke up. I had to stealthily scoot out of his arms. Which was very hard. As soon as I got far enough away he would snatch me back in. That went on for like twenty minutes.

Sitting here thinking about how last night went down. I didn't intend to make a move. The way he looked at me, the small touches, glances my way. Lit me up inside. I couldn't contain myself any longer. I was about to explode. Never in my life has a man made me feel sexy before. His caring way, gentlemanly gestures, he waited for me to make the first move, then let me take the lead. Never pressuring me. Giving me the confidence to take what I wanted with no shame. What if he doesn't feel the same? What if he wakes up and thinks he has made a mistake? He has a kid for god sake. What type of message does that send to him? I feel slutty now. Sure I have had some one night stands, we were willing participants. But with a guy that I'm really into, jumping right into s*x on the second date?

Standing now, pacing the room with my coffee in hand. What did I do? How could I be so stupid? Should I leave? Write a note saying I had an early meeting? A clearing throat startles me from my thoughts. I turn around and Pete is standing in the hallway. I freeze. He's so sexy, shirtless, hair all tousled from sleep, a smirk tickles his lips.

My eyes travel down his body, his expansive chest sinew wrapping around it, broad shoulders, thick biceps. Down to his abs that ripple with every move, to the deep V that draws my eyes south. My mouth waters. I snap my eyes back to his. As he walks towards me. I'm not sure what to do with my hands. I decided that holding my mug with both hands is the best option. He makes his way to me. Gently places his palms on either side of my cheeks and places a soft kiss against my lips. “Good morning, beautiful. How did you sleep?” He says as he looks me in the eyes.

“Go-Good, how did you sleep?” Why am I stuttering?

“Wonderful, is there more coffee?” I hand him my cup and walk very fastly to the kitchen.

He takes a sip from my cup. “I meant a new cup, but it's amazing the way you made it. Good luck getting it back from me.”

Ok, light airy conversation. Eases the crazy still running through my head. He's not acting weird, I can't be weird. Am I acting weird? Well I did just give him my coffee and ran away from his embrace. While making a new cup. I let myself relax. There is nothing to freak out about. Pete sits down on the couch. I sit next to him. He plays with a strand of my hair, twirling it between his fingers. “What are your plans for today?” He asks as he takes another sip from the mug. Plans err. I was going to call Nina informing her how much of a slut I turned into, then proceed to get drunk and take a bubble bath while I m*********d to the events of last night on replay in my head. Think, Katie. Think!

“I umm.. Was going to take the day off. Maybe run some errands.” He looks so casual. Like there is nothing in the world that he needs to do. “What about you? What do you have to do today?”

“I happen to have the day off today and was hoping you could join me on an adventure.” An adventure? Two dates in two days? How could I say no to that?

“What do you have in mind?” He knows he's got me intrigued. He pulls on the back of his neck.

“Outdoor laser tag.” I don't think he knows what he's in for. I absolutely dominate at war games. When I was a kid my father would take me to the range so I would know proper gun safety. And we would play the most intense game of nerf gun war. It was so fun. Of course it was his own way to train me to defend myself. It had become very intense in the end that my father decided that I was “ready for battle and my training was complete”. I think it was because I got very competitive. One time I intentionally shot him in the eye so I could swoop in and steal the enemies package.

“I don't think you can handle all of this on the field.” I say as I circle my hand over my face.

“Is that a challenge?” He says with a quirky brow.

“It’s on Pete, you better drink up. You are going to need the boost for what is about to happen to you.” I stand and point at the mug.

“I might have made a mistake, you're scaring me.” He says as he gulps down the rest of the coffee.

~

I'm hiding in the small shack, full gear on. Slouched at just the right angle that I can see out the window. I have taken out five of the enemy so far with not as much of a hair out of place. It's just Pete and I left on the field. My adrenaline is at an all time high. I haven't realized how much I missed these games. I've got to move. He's searching the perimeter. I crawl to the back of the shed. There is a small hatch on the floor. I opened it. It leads to the underside of the shed. I climb out. Laying flat on the dirt, gun pointed out. My eyes dart back and forth, in search of the enemy. I hear footsteps above me. I army crawl my way out. I crouch down, holding steady. I hear more footsteps. Keeping my back to the wall I round the corner to the front door.

Eyes locked on the door. Pete peeps his head out. Unaware that he's about to expose himself for the ultimate loss. He steps out, gun pointed forward. Moving his head back and forth with his back facing me. I take the shot. His gear lights up. With an exploding noise that comes out of the speaker box. He jumps, spins around with his arms up in the air. Defeat is written all over his face. I jumped out from behind the shed. “Ha Ha! I won!” I say to him while I do a little victory dance. Moving my arms in and out, twirling and flipping my gun like a color guard in the air. So deep in my dance I don’t realize he has closed the distance between us. He picks me up by my legs. I laugh and hold my gun up in the air. “Victory is mine!” I shout as he spins us around.

After we returned our gear and grabbed water from the snack station we got in his car. I don't want this little bubble we have put ourselves into, to pop just yet. I can't remember the last time I have had this much fun. Getting situated I pull my phone out of my bag. A message from Nina. I open the text app on my phone.

Nina: Where are you? I’m at The Dunes. Want to come save me from being the weirdo in the corner drinking alone?

Me: I’m with Pete, we just played laser tag. I'm on such a high right now. I think a drink sounds like a perfect idea. Should I invite him?

Nina: He brought you to laser tag? I hope you didnt inalitate him too badly. And that's a very strong yes. I need to meet the guy that is stealing my best friend away from me.

Me: No, I saved his death for last. It was so hard not to take him out in the first five minutes. But I showed restraint. You know he could never steal me away from you. That's why I want you to meet him. Just don't scare him away just yet.

Nina: Ohhh…. I can see you blushing through the phone right now.

Me: I am not!

Nina: Keep telling yourself that. I'll see you soon.

I drop my phone back in my bag as Pete gets into the car. He places his hand on my thigh. “Where to next?” He says.

“Well my best friend Nina just asked us to join her at The Dunes so she's not a freak sitting in the corner drinking by herself.” He links our pinkies together. Such an odd gesture coming from this burly man. It's comforting, kind of playful.

“You want me to meet your best friend? How could I turn down an invitation of that magnitude?” Pete starts driving to The Dunes. Our pinkies are still linked together.

~

We walk in The dunes hand and hand. “Over here!” Nina shouts as she waves her hands in the air. We make our way to the booth Nina has secured for us. I give her a hug.

“Pete, this is Nina. Nina, this is Pete.” I motion between the two of them.

“Nice to meet you.” Pete says. He extends his hand out to shake hers. She pushes it away and pulls him into a hug. Yea I should have warned him about that. Nina is a very lovey dovey. He looks at me with a surprised look on his face. All I can do is shrug my shoulders at him. I learned long ago to never get between Nina and her affection. We take our seats in the booth, Pete wraps his arm around my waist.

"So I hear you took Katie to laser tag." Nina says to Pete with a s**t eating grin on her face.

"Yeah, she tried to warn me. I didn't think she would be that ruthless. Now I know. I'll never underestimate her warnings again." Pete says. As the waiter comes up and takes our drink orders. Pete gets a house draft. Which I know sounds lame but the surprising thing about The Dunes is they have a brewery as well and make their own special draft beer. You can't imagine the magic that comes out of there. I ordered a pomegranate martini since I am celebrating an epic win and all. When Nina heard my order she jumped on the bandwagon and got one too. Anytime we have a celebration we come to The Dunes.

One night we were both in a hurtful place wanting to drown our sorrows. Our waitress suggested the pomegranate martinis, we aren't really into girly drinks so much. But we needed a change that day. One sip was all we needed. As we drank our sorrows away we had devised a plan to conquer our problems. Thank f**k we wrote them down because we took a taxi home that night, to say we got drunk was an understatement. We got plastered. When our plans actually worked out we dedicated the drink to our successes in life. We even went as far to name it the lifesaver.

We cheers our drinks. Taking a sip. “Pete, your hair looks phenomenal. Who does it for you?” Nina says.

“Thank you, do you know the salon Primped? There is a girl there named Molly. She does great work.” That explains his marvelously disheveled look that no matter what he does to it gives him that sinister vibe.

Nina gasps “That's where I work. Molly is great. It's a bummer that she is going on maternity leave next week.”

“I know, she told me when I went in last week. She also said she was going to take a year off to be with the baby. She gave me some names of other stylists that would be great for me. I think your name was on it.”

Nina leans in “Aww that's so sweet of her. We are all sad to see her go for a bit. But I'm thinking this is the making of a new friendship. I would love nothing more to be your number two. I'll even fill you in on all things Katie.”

“Hey I'm sitting right here you know!” I exclaim while looking back and forth between the two of them.

“I like the sound of this, I would be honored to acquire you as my number two Nina.” Pete says as he extends his hand to her. She takes his hand in hers and gives it an exaggerated shake. “No, the pleasure is all mine.” She says.

“No, no, no. You two are not allowed to be friends.” I say as I pull their hands apart.

“Oh Katie, don't be jealous of our new found bond.” Pete says as he pats the back of my hand.

“She's just worried that I will disclose her deepest darkest secrets.” Says Nina while wagging her brows.