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“Scoot up,” I get her to move forward, and I slide in behind her. I drape my legs alongside her, and she leans back against my chest. Kat looks up at me, smiling. I kiss the top of her head, letting out a happy sigh.
“I’m sorry, Kat. Really, I am. For everything I put you through, and for you to be sitting here with me … I don’t deserve you, but I’ll do everything I can to prove to you I’m worthy of your love.” I set my coffee down on the table next to us, then wrap my arms around her.
Kat sets her coffee next to mine before turning in my arms and straddling my legs. She takes my face in her hands and locks her eyes with mine.
“There isn’t a doubt in my mind that you are, Bryce. I can see it in your eyes, taste it in your kisses, and feel it in your touch. I forgive you. Please, don’t dwell on it. It’s held us back enough these past few weeks. I don’t want any of that to continue to hold us back. I want us to move forward, together.” She leaves a soft kiss on my lips.
I grab her hands and hold on to them. There are things I need to tell her, that I need to get off my chest. Everything I’ve held in, I need to get out into the open.
“Are you okay, Bryce?” She gives me an apprehensive look.
“After … after that day when you saw what you saw … I, um, I pressed charges against her. What she did to me was without my permission …” I felt so violated. On top of worrying about Kat, I had to process what happened to me. “So, I followed the ambulance to the hospital and then I reported the incident when I got there. I asked for someone to take a statement and collect the required samples.”
“Oh, Bryce.” She runs her hands through my hair and forces me to look at her. Kat’s lip trembles. “I’m so sorry she did that to you.”
What she did was wrong. I had no choice but to make sure she didn’t just get to walk away. I break eye contact with her and look down, playing with the hem of my shirt.
“You did what you had to, Bryce. What she did was so wrong—so very wrong.” Kat assures me.
“I know. When I woke up and realized it wasn’t you, that it wasn’t a dream …” I run my hand over my face. “Sick, Kat. I was physically sick. Emma stood there like nothing was wrong. I mean, I know I’m a man and all—”
Kat interrupts me, her expression growing dark, “Stop! Don’t even say it. It doesn’t matter what sex you are; you didn’t consent. You didn’t want it. That right there is what makes it wrong. It’s not based on what sex you are. You, of all people, should understand that, Bryce. I know you’re on the wrong side of this one, but if another person came up to you to report an assault, would you question it based on their sex?”
“Fucking never,” Shaking my head, I instantly understand what she’s saying.
“Then don’t hold yourself to a different set of standards. Emma did something that violated you, and you reported it. Justice will be served. Together, you and I will work to heal and grow.” Kat says as she places a hand over my heart.
“Thank you,” I lean forward and kiss her. “Just … thank you.” This woman’s amazing. Just when I think my heart can’t possibly love her more, it does.
We hang out at the cabin for a little while longer. Silence greets us as we take in our beautiful surroundings. Up here in the mountains there’s actually trees, beautiful thick trees. The mountain sides are covered with them up at this elevation. The blue sky sits as a backdrop behind the rugged terrain, making for picture perfect scenery. We eventually pick up our mess of clothes and get in my truck to head back into the valley. Back home, together.
While we’re driving, I reach over and snatch her hand. I weave my fingers with hers. Everything is right. Everything feels right.
“Hey, do me a favor. Drop your stuff off in your apartment and then come up to mine. I’ll make dinner, and we can relax to a movie. And before you even worry, I bought a new couch.” Not only did I replace the locks, but I also bought all new furniture. I couldn’t even look at the old couch without thinking about what happened.
Kat gives me a huge smile. “Okay. That sounds great, actually.” She brings my hand up to her mouth and kisses me.
She goes to her apartment while I walk up the stairs to mine. It’s so strange to think that after seeing her that day at OneShot, she ended up being my neighbor. The neighbor I fell in love with and who I’m going to spend the rest of my life with.
When I get inside, I head towards my room to the drawer where her Valentine’s Day gift is. Pulling it out, I smile. I’m so ready to give this to her; it’s long overdue. From the moment I saw it, I knew it was for her. As I’m looking at the box, remembering how I felt when I picked it out, I hear the front door open.
“Bryce?” Kat calls out.
I walk out of the room, holding the box behind my back. Smiling like a fool in love, and I am.
“Are you ok? You have a weird smile on your face. Like you know something I don’t.” She laughs nervously.
“I’ve been waiting to give this to you for a long time. I’ve been waiting to see the look on your face when you open it. So, yeah, I’m smiling like a crazy person.” I chuckle. Slowly, I bring my hand out from behind my back and place the box in hers.
“Bryce…” Her lower lip trembles and her hands shake as she holds the box.
“This is for you. It says how I feel. I don’t want you to doubt what you mean to me.” I’m anxious. My anxiety is running high, and I’m almost nervous she won’t like it.
Kat opens the box, and her eyes go wide. Her mouth forms an enormous smile.
“Bryce, this is beautiful.” She takes it out of the box, then notices that there’s something written on the back. “You’re my everything.” She repeats the words out loud.
She looks up at me, and I can already see the tears falling down her cheeks.