Reclaiming Kate, page 9
“I was supposed to be there another two years, but I worked on getting traded early. Ethan Yellowtail and I played together in Minnesota growing up. The Magic always had a good reputation as a team, and Ethan said he loved it. It was the year that David Anders' knee went out. I knew they would be looking for a shooter with speed to play with your brother and I thought I might be a good fit. It's worked out pretty well for the past two years and I'm really hoping to stay here and be a franchise player like Conner. This is a great team. Plus, I'm closer to my mom, I mean not super close, but closer than Florida.”
“I'm glad you ended up here,” she said.
“Me too. Playing with your brother is great and of course being with Ethan is amazing. He's like a brother to me. And Coach Wagner is amazing. I mean he's tough, but I know he has all our backs. So, all that being said, I trust my gut. And I'm not trying to scare you, but as soon as you whipped off that helmet and this mess of red curls popped out, I knew I had to find a way to make you mine.”
Is it possible for your heart to race and flutter at the same time? Because that’s how Kate felt right now. There was something about Wes that was already so comforting. He had been different than she thought he would be, he was perfect, but she still didn't know if she could trust him. While her heart was telling her she could trust Wes, she just couldn't get her brain on board. Her traitorous brain was still waiting for the shoe to drop.
He was lying next to her holding her, looking at her with patience. He deserved more than what she could give him.
“I want to try,” she said timidly. “But I'm just not sure if I'm ready for something serious.”
“Okay,” he said as he brushed her hair away from her face.
“But you just said you wanted more.”
“I do, but if you are not ready, then you’re not ready. I'm not going anywhere. If you need time to trust me, then I’ll give you that time. I mean, we have only been on one date,” he said.
“But that wasn't a date,” she said with a small smile.
“Right, of course it wasn't. So then, why don't we go on a date?”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. I'm heading out for a road trip tomorrow, but I’ll be back next Friday. Do you have plans for Friday night?”
She shook her head.
“Okay, I’ll pick you up at seven and you can show me a good time in Mystic Falls.”
“Seriously?”
“Of course! Does that sound okay to you? You can plan something, or I can, whatever you want.”
“I'll plan something. And can we not tell anyone yet?”
He looked at her with a look she had yet to see, and she didn't like it. His cockiness was gone, and it looked like she might have hurt his feelings.
“It's not that I want to hide or anything, it's just complicated. You’re my brother's teammate. My family just started leaving me alone about why I have distanced myself from hockey. I just need some time to wrap my head around everything.”
“Of course. We’ll take things slow.”
She snuggled back into him, and he held her close. How on earth did he feel so good? AND smell so good, always. He smelled like ice every time, and it was everything. They settled back into the movie and watched the fight for Middle Earth curled up on Wes's big bed. Kate wasn't sure if she had ever felt this safe and happy. She could do this. She trusted Wes, now she just needed to trust herself.
CHAPTER 12
KATE
Later that week, Kate opened the bookstore and got the coffee brewing. She was trying to get back to normal, but the events of the past week were playing in her mind on an endless loop. She had been living back in Mystic Falls for almost a year. When she moved back, she had stayed with her parents for a few months which had been terrible.
Her parents were amazing, supportive people, but at the time, she was just so broken. She had a little bit of money saved up, but was starting over. At first, her dad kept trying to relate to her about hockey because hockey had always been something the entire family bonded over. But it was hard to leave hockey and not see a place for herself in the profession like her brothers all did. Grieving the loss of hockey in a toxic relationship with someone who thought hockey was pointless had messed with her head. But she was glad Conner got her back on the ice.
It seemed to be a perfect storm of events. Bridget talking to her about hockey, then Conner came in and played the dad card. It had been great getting back out there, but she was still trying to play it down, because she wasn’t sure she could trust it.
As she poured herself a cup of coffee, Bridget walked in.
“Hello lass, I noticed ye weren't in yesterday,” Bridget said with a knowing smile.
“Yeah, I scheduled myself for the weekend instead,” Kate said.
“Oh yeah, anything new and exciting happen?”
“I just went to see my brother's hockey game,” she said, trying to seem as nonchalant as possible.
“Just yere brother's game? Not the handsome blonde lad he had with him?” she said with a raised eyebrow.
“Well, I mean it was his game too, of course,” she added.
“He seems like a nice young man.”
Kate couldn't help the smile that spread across her face at that comment. He was a nice young man, and not at all what she had expected.
“Yeah, he's a good guy.”
“And handsome too!” added Bridget, wagging her eyebrows.
“Yes...he is,” Kate said, trying to play it off.
Bridget nodded and Kate couldn't help but feel like she already knew what had happened.
“Can I tell you something?” Kate asked.
“Of course, Lass.”
“I always said I wouldn't date hockey players. I think it all came from a bad experience when I was young but was only solidified by being around too many locker room conversations I would never want to be on the other side of, but I think I might want to date Wes,” she said.
“Well, I think it isn't wise to have rules that cut ye off from so many people, especially when yere family seems so fond of the sport,” she said.
Kate let the words sink in. She was right, and Wes wasn't like so many of the guys she grew up around. He was one of the good ones. But the real problem was Jason, and she knew it.
“I think I’m just scared. I don't talk about it much, but the last guy I dated really messed me up. I'm just not sure I'm ready to do it again. I'm not even sure I can do it again.”
“My dear,” Bridget said with kindness as she reached out and took Kate's hand. “I've known ye for a while now, and I consider ye a dear friend, but I have noticed ye seem apprehensive to let people in. Most of us do, but being hurt is not a reason to cut yereself off from others. It is hard to find happiness again, trusting others and finding yere own worth is hard when ye’ve had someone take those things from ye, but I do think it is a worthwhile venture. Do ye think young Wes would hurt ye?”
“I don't know...I don't think he would on purpose, but something could happen.”
“Yer're right, something could happen. Something wonderful could also happen. Do you really want to cut yereself off from those things as well in an effort to protect yereself from hurt?”
Kate took a moment. She knew Bridget was right, but she wasn’t sure if she was strong enough. The moment was broken by the sound of the bell tinkling above to alert them to a customer.
“Hannah, my dear, if it isn't another one of my favorite women of Mystic Falls. How are you and your fine fellow doing?”
“Hi Bridget! Good. Graham is working with Sam. I have some news about the book I'm writing, and I'm hoping that Kate here might want to help me with a release party,” said Hannah smiling over at Kate.
“Well, isn't that great news. I’ll let ye chat. Think about what I said though, Kate,” she said before making her way to the door.
“So do you have a release day for your book?” asked Kate.
“Yep! I'm hoping to do a signing here.”
“That sounds amazing! We can totally work something out.”
“Perfect! I’ll find out more from the publicist and get back to you with more details.”
A release party would be fun, it was just another reminder of how far her little bookstore had come since taking it over. Maybe it was time she started pouring as much into her recovery as she did into Mystic Falls Books.
On Friday, Kate was finishing up a new window display before heading out to get ready for her date. She was nervous. Things with Wes had been surprising and wonderful, but still so far outside of her comfort zone. But she had to at least try.
She had talked to her dad earlier to get some things set up. Luckily, he hadn't asked too many questions. She didn't want to take him anywhere, because she didn't want anyone to know she was seeing him. Sure, Bridget knew, but she wasn't ready to have anyone else know quite yet. But she did have something planned for tonight. This was their first official date, no matter what Wes said. Even just thinking that made her smile. She was in so much trouble.
After everything was set up, she went home to get ready.
Wes - I'm leaving Glendale, is there anything you need me to bring or pick up?
Kate - Just your handsome face.
She pulled on a sweater. It was a casual type of a date. Her phone dinging again. When she got it, there was a picture of Wes’s smiling face.
Wes- This handsome face?
Kate - That's the one.
Wes - See you soon.
Now she just had to wait. Well, wait and try to calm the hundreds of butterflies in her belly. This was a completely new feeling, and she wasn't mad at it.
She checked her clock at 6:56. He should be here soon. At 6:58 there was a knock on her door. He was punctual, another plus for him.
She opened the door and there he was, in jeans and a gray pea coat. His cheeks were red from the cold and his light blonde hair fell around his face. He had his big, cocky smile and a giant bouquet of roses in his hand.
“Hi,” she said breathlessly.
“Hi,” he said back with a grin.
She just stood there until he tilted his head and gave a small chuckle. “Are you going to invite me in?”
“Oh, right, sorry! Yes, come in! Are those for me?”
“Nah, I just thought you might want to look at them,” he said as he handed her the flowers.
“Sorry, I'm a little thrown off. Thank you very much. They’re beautiful.” she said, taking them from him. “I'm just going to go find a vase.”
“Hold on,” he said and grabbed her hand and pulled her to him. “Let me do this first. You look beautiful,” he said then he leaned in and gave her a kiss that almost made her knees buckle.
“So, this is your place?” he asked, looking around.
“This is it,” she said as she walked into the kitchen to get a vase. “I've been here a little over a year.”
It was a small little house right on the edge of town with two bedrooms, a tiny kitchen, and a fenced yard with a cherry tree. It wasn't much, but it was perfect for her. It was her sanctuary after leaving Glendale.
“Now, why don't we get going? I have something special planned,” she said, trying to fight the nerves in her stomach. She could do this.
“Oh yeah? Well, lead the way. I'm excited for whatever you have planned.”
She went to the hall closet to get her coat. Wes took it from her and helped her into it. He may be the first guy to have ever done that for her. This twenty-four-year-old kid was completely showing up all the older men she had dated, and she just smiled. She could do this.
“Let's do this,” she said as they headed out the door.
CHAPTER 13
WES
Wes didn't like that Kate was driving, but she had planned the date, so he was just along for the ride. He was hoping he would be able to plan the next date though. He got the feeling that Kate could use a little forethought and pampering, but he was just happy to finally be with her again.
Mystic Falls was something out of a storybook. The skating rink in the town square was gone, but there was still a picturesque Main Street and gazebo in the middle of the square. All the little shops were locally owned, and it looked like a perfect place to raise a family. And that is not the kind of thought he was used to having. Not one he felt like acting on any time soon, but being with Kate did make him think about those things.
The car pulled up to the high school and Kate pulled into a spot back by the arena. He looked at her with a questioning look on his face. “Why are we here?” he asked.
“You'll see. Just follow me.”
She dug some keys out of her bag and unlocked the big metal doors. “I happen to know the coach,” she said with a smirk.
He had to admit, this piqued his interest. The doors shut with a bang behind them. It was dark, but there was the unmistakable smell of ice. He had no idea what they were doing, but if he got to see her on the ice again, he was here for it. The lights clicked on with a hum. They were dimmed, and over next to the bleachers was a table all set with some candles and fairy lights hanging from the Plexiglass around the ice.
“What is this?” he asked. “You didn't have to go to all this trouble.”
“It was kinda fun. Plus, if we went anywhere in Mystic Falls it would be everywhere in this town. You know how small towns are. I'm just not ready for all that. But I did want to say thank you for being so great when I stayed at your house.”
“I mean to be fair, all I did was act like a decent person and show my nerdy side, you went to a lot more trouble.” He took her by the hand and pulled her into a hug. Her body was so soft in his arms. He had been good when she was in his bed, but he wouldn't hold himself to such high standards this time. This time, he was ready and willing to see where she wanted to take this. He was ready for whatever she had planned here. And really, he had been on plenty of dates with plenty of women, but he was not what you would consider a playboy by any stretch of the imagination. None of those women had ever planned anything or done anything like this. Just another reason he knew that Kate McPhee was going to be his. He knew it, but he would wait until she was ready.
“Go have a seat. I have dinner for us staying warm in the concessions stand. I tried to stay on your eating plan as much as possible. I remember those days.”
She disappeared behind a door and Wes sat down at the table waiting for her to join him. He took note of two pairs of skates sitting next to the table. He picked them up and sure enough one of them was his size. He was excited to get on the ice with her. Being in a rink like this was something he had never experienced but was something out of every hockey kid's dream.
She came out carrying two plates filled with chicken, rice and roasted veggies. “If I had my way, we would be eating hot dogs and nachos straight from the snack hut, but this will do.”
“Next time,” he said as she joined him at the table.
She smiled and looked down at the table. “Next time,” she agreed quietly, and his heart soared.
They sat down to eat as Kate lit two candles. Wes stopped for a moment to take a mental snapshot of this moment. Sitting across the table from Kate, her red curls framing her face, her round cheeks slightly rosy from the chill in the air, and the smattering of freckles that danced across her nose and cheeks, the smell of the ice and peace it always brought him. And thinking that someone went to all this trouble for him. He couldn’t remember the last time anyone had done something like this for him, but he was pretty sure no one ever had.
“What are you thinking about?” she asked timidly.
“I’m just taking a mental snapshot of this. This is perfect,” he said, taking her hand.
“A mental snapshot?”
“Yeah, it is something my mom taught me to do when I was younger. A way of remembering the good times.”
“I like that.” She tucked her hair behind her ear. She looked so beautiful. “Are you close with your mom?”
“Yeah, I don’t get to see them as much as I would like, but we talk often.”
“Do you have any siblings?”
“I have a little sister, but we weren’t raised together. She’s ten. After I went to Minnesota, my mom ended up marrying a great guy.”
“But it was just the two of you growing up?”
He nodded, finishing the bite he had in his mouth. “Yeah, she was a single mom and did the best she could. We didn’t have much growing up, and she was always working. I was pretty much raised on sitcoms and spaghetti o’s while she worked, but she was a good mom.”
“Wow, that sounds rough.”
He just shrugged. “It wasn’t so bad. I grew up quickly because I had to look after myself so much, but when she was around, she was great.”
“Was it hard leaving at such a young age?”
He took a long pause. This wasn’t his favorite subject to talk about. “It was. I had a lot of guilt leaving her behind, but it was clearly for the best. My life would be completely different if I hadn’t left Detroit.”
He glanced up into her eyes. She was looking at him with such kindness, though he tried to ignore the pity he thought he saw there.
“What about you? Tell me a little more about Kate McPhee.”
“I mean, there’s not a whole lot to tell.”
“Now that can’t be true. Tell me anything. First kiss. Favorite meal. Favorite song. I wanna know it all.”
She bit her lip slightly and smiled at him. “Dereck Fipp, my mom’s lasagna, and how could I possibly pick.”
“Derek Fipp, huh? That’s a punchable name.”
“It is…that’s why I punched him.”
He grinned at her and couldn’t stop the laughter that came out of him. “Oh, now this I gotta hear.”
“I was fourteen. He was sixteen. He was on the team with Patrick and was talking about it in the locker room the next day. My brother almost punched him, but my dad stopped him. So, I took care of it myself after their next game. That was the beginning of my vow to never date hockey players. It’s something else now, but there ya go.”
