Page 58 of One Bad Knight

“Maybe we could leave,” he said. “Go back to grab Bear and your things and then leave town. Forget Jimi, forget your duties to your family, we can go somewhere no one knows us.”

A fluttering began in my chest. Was it excitement or nervousness? I didn’t know, but I didn’t want to think too hard about it.

“Yes,” I said, breathlessly. “Maybe just for a little while. Like a vacation.”

Gatsby looked down at me, as if stunned that I’d agreed. Then he grabbed my face and kissed me hard, making me laugh. I tried to push him away so I could breathe but he wouldn’t let go.

He peppered exuberant kisses down my neck as he squeezed my breasts. I slapped his hands away. “Okay, but if we’re doing this, we need to go take care of Bear now. He needs to be let out and my poor baby probably hasn’t gotten a milk bone all day.”

It took a little longer than I planned, because he’d convinced me to have a quickie in the shower. I tried to put him off, saying he’d officially broken me, as I was deeply sore in all the right spots, and my legs were overcooked noodles. But Gatsby managed to coax my traitorous body into yet another round of desire, before giving me an orgasm around his strong hips, pressed against the cold shower tiles.

There was no way I was putting my ruined dress back on, so Gatsby gave me some clothes to borrow. I had to use a rubber band to tighten the waist of his pants around me enough so they wouldn’t fall off. I climbed onto the back of Gatsby’s bike and wrapped my arms around his torso. His hand covered mine a moment before he started the motor with a roar. I couldn’t decide if the vibration hurt or helped with the soreness between my thighs.

When we got to my house, Gatsby drove right up to the front gate. I punched in the code, and the wrought-iron bars slid open.

I no sooner walked into the house than I was greeted by Bear. Uncle John strode into the front entrance behind Bear, with a frown on his face.

“Katherine, I’ve been worried sick about you.”

I petted Bear’s head, avoiding eye contact.

Gatsby shut the door behind us, and I sensed my uncle pause.

“Could we speak in private for a moment?” my uncle asked.

I looked over my shoulder at Gatsby, silently asking him if he would be alright. His lips thinned, but he gave a slight nod.

“Could you take Bear into the kitchen? There are milk bones in a big jar with a ceramic puppy’s face on it. He deserves at least two.”

Gatsby shot one parting look of suspicion at my uncle before calling Bear to follow. My big shaggy baby followed him without hesitation.

We barely stepped into my uncle’s study before he launched into what he had to say. “You must allow me to apologize, Kat. The way I reacted to what happened to you… it’s despicable. I’ve been so caught up in the election, I’ve forgotten what’s most important of all. Family.”

Then he surprised me by opening his arms up, inviting me in for a hug. For a moment, I was stunned. We weren’t a family that hugged. My mother had been the one who loved to snuggle and stroke my hair, but the most I got from my uncle was the occasional pat on the back or shoulder. He was so much like my father.

The child in me had been waiting for this for so long, it overwhelmed me to be confronted with something I’d needed for years.

I rushed into his arms, and suddenly everything poured out of me in a torrent. How I’d been afraid I’d gone mad when the demons came onto our plane, and we didn’t talk about what happened to me when I was a child. How the boy was real, and Gatsby was him. I told my uncle I didn’t want to go to Harvard, and it was killing me inside just thinking about it.

All the heavy burdens weighing down my soul came rushing out like a never-ending waterfall. It ended with me telling him that I was going away with Gatsby for a while. That way he wouldn’t have to worry about me messing up his election.

By the end of it, I sat in one of the tufted chairs in front of his desk. He leaned against the desk, and his hands tightened their grip around mine as I told him everything.

“Oh Katherine,” he said. “I’m so sorry I didn’t believe you. And as for going to Harvard? Let’s consider that idea tossed right out the window. And as for you and your beau, I know you want to run away, but in truth, I don’t think I could stand us parting at a time like this. I need to make things up to you. Please don’t leave, not yet anyway. Not like this. Let us celebrate your birthday tomorrow evening as planned, and then after that, you can embark on your next adventure. I fully support you and whatever you want.”

I paused, still feeling the momentum from the plans Gatsby and I had made. Something pulled at my gut, telling me I shouldn’t waste time. I should get in the car and head out in a new direction with Gatsby and Bear.

My uncle squeezed my hands again, giving me a hopeful, pleading look. “And at the party, we can announce your plans to travel and continue your path with art instead of law school. I would consider it a great favor to me, even though I know I don’t deserve it. But I also want the opportunity to share who you really are, Katherine. You are right, you’ve always been there for me, and I’d like to prove that we can start on a new path together. Just give me one more day. I wouldn’t feel right if you left like this.”

I let out a deep breath. “Okay.”

My uncle’s face split into a smile as he hugged me.

Though the pulling in my gut only intensified, the deepest part of my heart wanted the fresh start my uncle offered. One where I could actually be myself.

“I’ll go change, and then tell Gatsby we are staying one more day,” I said, getting up.

“Of course.” My uncle clapped his hands together, seeming genuinely pleased.