29
Kat
Hours later, with Granger by my side and his parents behind us on the front steps of my father’s townhouse, I ring the doorbell with my hand steady for once. Granger’s parents were willing to help without hesitation and brought a team of other lawyers and movers to help the process. They aren’t bad people by all means. I think they just needed that small push in the right direction, to show them that they have a son who loves them and he needs that same type of love in return. I’m just lucky to have them all here with me, being the anchor I need to get this done. It’s sad and yet relieving to be doing this. So many years of pain could have been avoided if I only knew then of everything my mom left me, but I think this has made me who I am today.
My father answers the door in his business suit, well put together on the outside, but with a small hint of alcohol lingering on his breath and a monster hiding inside. His lips start to curl into a sneer at the sight of me before he drags his red bloodshot eyes over to Granger’s parents, who are holding the will and testament.
“Kathleen, what is the meaning of this? You don’t have to ring the doorbell to your own home. Please, everyone, come in,” he says with a tight smile, feigning politeness in front of the audience, but his gaze twitches over to me with a look that says I’ll pay for this.
“You’re absolutely right, Father. I don’t have to ring the bell of the house I own, but I’m glad I have your attention.” I turn to Diana, and she hands over the paperwork with a small nod, a sign of reassurance that they’re going to help me every step of the way. “I could never understand why you wanted me under lock and key when I was a burden, a child you never wanted, but it’s all clear now.” I give the copy to my father, and he snatches it out of my hand and reads it over, turning paler by the second before crumbling it in his fist.
I step aside and let Mr. Wilder walk through the front door with movers carrying empty boxes as they spread out through the house. He starts directing them to pack everything up and disappears somewhere in the house to make sure it’s all being taken care of.
“You can’t do this! This is my home, my stuff!” my father yells in outrage, turning an ugly shade of purple and swinging his gaze to me.
Granger steps forward with clear intent that he’ll do whatever it takes to protect me, and I watch my father gulp with fear while glancing around with wide frantic eyes as it all comes crashing down for him.
“Oh yes, she can. You see, Mr. Whitmore, I did some digging into your wife’s will and testament. You’ve been hiding a lot from your daughter, like the fact that she’s the sole heir of the company you claim is yours, and the money from your wife’s family that should have been passed down to Kat the moment she turned eighteen,” Diana says with authority, and I can see why she’s a respected lawyer—she means business.
“She has an inheritance, I’ve hidden nothing. She belongs home with me, and all she needs is here,” he replies desperately grasping at straws now.
“I never wanted anything but for you to love me. All of this is getting donated to a good cause, some sold to the cancer society, and I’m taking only the things of Mom’s that matter to me. As for the business, you’ll be happy to know I’m striking a deal with Donald. I’m selling the company,” I tell my father, looking him in the eye and I realize that he’s not as big as I used to think. He’s no longer someone to hold power over me. He’s just an old man who only cares about himself, and I thank God that I had my mom while I did so I’m nothing like him.
“You can’t do this! I’ll have nothing!” he shouts again, taking a swaying step forward, his bloodshot eyes filled with so much anger.
“I can and I will. You see, I’m nothing like you, so I’m going to give you a small stipend. I hope you can make it last. This will be the last time you’ll ever see me. I hope one day you’ll wake up and realize you had someone in front of you all along who tried to love you, even when you were a monster.” My voice comes out strong and unshaking before I turn around, tugging on Granger’s hand that’s gripped tightly in mine. It’s time to get the hell out of here.
“You're nothing without me, Kathleen! I’m your last family member! No one will ever love you! That money should’ve been mine!” Those are my father’s last words to me, yelled full of resentment towards me, but I don’t look back. I’m moving on and putting myself back together day by day.
“Mr. Whitmore, I would suggest you stop right there before I call the authorities. Everything could be a lot worse if your daughter decided to press charges for breaking the law and stealing money that was rightfully hers. I’m tempted to throw your sorry ass in jail now for being a shit father,” Mr. Wilder suddenly announces, and I’m glad they can handle it from here.
I don’t want to look back, to see the old pain pulling me in. Instead, I want to keep moving, letting my legs carry me and start living from this moment forward. I’ll never forget the past, but I can change how my future looks. Right now, it’s looking pretty perfect with this brooding, grumpy, lovable, hockey jock by my side.
Granger tugs me into his body, his arm over my shoulder, and places a long, lasting kiss on my temple as we stroll down the sidewalk. I snuggle deeper into him, seeking his warmth against the chilly February morning, and send a quick text to Mary to see if they want to join us for breakfast. I know Beast is probably, most definitely, with her, and they’re most likely still in bed because they were separated just like Granger and I. I’m hoping one day my best friend wakes up and sees she can be tied down and still have her freedom with Beast. She hasn’t responded, so I’m guessing she’s still in bed with her Beast. I’m going to have to tell her everything that’s happened eventually, since I only sent her a quick text last night that I wouldn’t be coming back to her dorm. She just knew I was with Granger. It’s going to take me a long time to heal, to feel normal again after everything, but all I need for that is the reminder I’m loved and Granger’s touch.
“I’m fucking proud of you. You're so strong, Kat. Sometimes I just look at you and realize I’m a lucky man to have you in my life. Being away from you and not having you in my arms was complete torture. I got picked up by the Bruins that day before the game, and the moment I found out about it, I wanted to celebrate with you. But when we were apart, nothing seemed to matter. I couldn’t find happiness because you weren’t there,” Granger says, pausing in the middle of the sidewalk to stare down at me. “That’s how much I love you, Kat. Hockey has been all I’ve ever known and cared about, but the moment my dreams come true…it didn’t matter, because I didn’t have the woman I love.”
My lip trembles, emotions that never seem to be far away rising to the surface. I wrap my arms around his waist and look up into pale, green eyes that really see me.
“Princess,” I say with a pout and point at my lips. “Kiss?”
“Princess?” He bites his bottom lip, his eyes sparkling with laughter.
“Yeah, I’m your Princess not Kat, Captain. I love you, and you have me,” I tell him, ignoring the city of Boston, the loud traffic jams on the streets, and the snow drifting down around us. Only the here and now matter.
This is all I need.
“Princess, I love the fuck out of you.” He gets all growly and yanks me into his hard chest before bending down to kiss me.
“Let’s go celebrate, Captain. I’m right here,” I mumble against his soft lips with my eyes closed. I don’t ever want him to stop doing this—being here, loving me, and being a grump.
He groans just as I slide my tongue along his bottom lip, and pulls back with a lopsided smile “I’d really like nothing more than to take you home and make love to you for hours until you're moaning my name. Fuck, let’s skip breakfast with our friends so I can make you feel so fucking good, Princess.” He places his forehead against mine, his minty breath fanning my face and making my stomach flutter with desire.
“Yes, yes to all of that. Take me home, Granger.”
He makes good on his promise, making me think of only his touch and never once stopping as he tells me over and over again that he loves me.
Also, he finally asks me to be his girlfriend…how could I say no? I was his completely, right from the very beginning.
