Page 47 of Deprived No More

Nick

“Get your fucking hands off my wife!” Reaching over to where Holden’s arm is still extended toward Kat’s tear-streaked face, I bat it away and turn, so I’m up close and personal.

“Nick!” Kat screams.

“If I ever see you near my wife-”

“Nick,” she pleads, pulling at my arm.

“You’ll what?” Holden spits back. This fucking guy. Who the hell does he think he is?

“Nick, please,” Kat continues to cry out.

“Watch yourself,” Holden sneers as his eyes dart to either side of me.

The movement throws me off a bit, and I turn to notice several people, assumably employees, watching this transpire from the curb. It’s at this moment I realize Kat is in full-blown sobs. She has to work here too. I couldn’t give a shit about my reputation when it comes to this young punk, but she doesn’t need any more stress on this job than she already has.

Spinning to her, I grab her arm and yank her toward my car. “Come on.” I know I’m being rough, and that’s the last thing she needs right now, but if I don’t get the fuck away from Holden Knight, I’m probably getting arrested. Arrested and fired.

As we get to my car, I let go of her arm and reach for my keys. As the beep signals that it’s unlocked, I open the passenger side door for her. “Get in.”

“But I drove here.”

“We’re not going anywhere. Get in.”

Kat complies, climbing into the car, and I try to take some steadying breaths as I walk about the rear of the vehicle to enter my side. Reaching into my pocket, I find a handkerchief. All these years, I’ve kept one in case a family member I spoke with became emotional, yet I never needed it until it’s my family member.

Climbing into the car, I hand it to her before grabbing the wheel to have something to focus my energy on. Closing my eyes, I try to take a few more cleansing breaths.What is happening to us?

“Is there something going on between the two of you?” I finally push out. I’m afraid to look at her.

“What? No!” she blurts, continuing to dab at her eyes. “He was just worried when he saw me running to the car. I tried to keep my emotions in check until I could get there, but I clearly didn’t do a good job. He was just concerned. Nothing more.”

I sit quietly, taking this all in. Why had she gotten so upset? She couldn’t possibly think I would’ve been on board with another baby. I mean, she’s tired from the four we already have. Why would she even want this? And enough to have this type of reaction? And of all the people on the planet who could’ve stopped to show herconcern, it had to be him?

“Kat,” I say, adjusting my tone. She’s overwrought with sobs, and I’m not helping any of this with my current behavior. I have no idea if she’s upset about our conversation about another baby or the confrontation in the parking lot. But I have to get my shit together.

I place my hand over hers, now sitting in her lap, clutching the handkerchief as if it’s a life preserver. I attempt to stroke her soft skin while she stares out the window, but she yanks it away from me and attempts to rotate her head even further away. “Kat, please.”

“Please, what?”

“I’m sorry. Talk to me.”

“What exactly are you sorry about?” She sniffs.

“All of it.” I watch as she shakes her head. She probably thinks I’m copping out. Just saying whatever she wants to hear to get past this. And yeah, maybe there’s some of that. Hell, I’m a man. I can’t begin to guess all the many ways I’ve caused her hurt. “Anything I’ve done to make you cry.”

Nothing. She just continues to play with that snotty handkerchief and stare out the window. I need to be more specific, so it doesn’t sound like I’m placating her.

“Baby, please. Things have felt so off between us lately. Maybe now I know why. You’ve been keeping a secret from me.”

She suddenly whirls around, glaring at me. Does she think I’m accusing her of something? “Kat, please. I love you. I’m sorry. I was coming to meet you at your car so we could talk after that conversation on the phone. I didn’t understand where talk of another baby was coming from. As soon as I replied, I could tell you were upset. I just wanted to talk to you. Then I saw you with him, and I just saw red.”

“You had no right to talk to him that way. He was only trying to help.”

“Okay. I was upset, and you were crying. I should’ve been the one comforting you. Then to see him touching you. I fucking lost it.”

“I was there. I’m well aware.”

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