Page 73 of Homecoming

“What? Oh, don’t tell me you believe that bullshit? Him turning up here like that is not a coincidence?”

“He works at the club. He’s doing security like he told you. He was here at the party with Rosie. Did you not see him? Kat, if you keep overreacting like this… I have to say, I think Riley and Marco might be right. Maybe you’re not ready to go back on the team.”

“What are you saying? Noah, are you saying you think I need help? Well, I don’t, I’m fine. I was just worried about my pups after everything that happened and with Evelyn being—”

“I know you are, but you have to put that behind you. Move on. You can’t protect them from everything. Pulling a loaded gun on people… that just can’t happen.”

“I know.” She wipes a tear from her cheeks as her emotions bubble over. “God, I’m so sorry. I just… I get so worried when anyone strange is around and there’s something about him. You don’t know, but we kissed… we kissed, after the hostage situation and he worked for the CIA and… I just feel so weird around him. Noah, why am I so scared of everything? And what do I do to fix it?”

“Come here. First, the cabin chores can wait. Second, you’re going to run a nice hot bath while I fix the boys some ice cream and a movie. Then, I’m going to join you and wash your back,” he smiles, kissing her gently on the lips. “After that, you’re going to call Alana and make an appointment to meet up—just to talk things through. Take it nice and slow from there. Kat, you need to let go of the past, but to do that, I think you’re going to need some help.”

“I can’t. I can’t go and see her. If Darius finds out about this, he’ll have all the reasons he needs to cut me off from the team.”

“Not if you try to fix it. You need to be ready emotionally as well as physically. If you’re not… so be it. You can find something else you’re good at. Kat, being on that team is not the be all of your life. You are beautiful, smart, a great mom, and an excellent medic,” he kisses her. “Nowc’mon… let’s go and get some ice cream before we take that hot bath.”

Kattakesadeepbreath and exhales slowly as her eyes scan the numerous seated diners in the bustling café. Then, as she spots the familiar blonde-haired woman at a table by the window, she takes a somewhat apprehensive, step towards her.

“Sorry, I’m late.” Kat frowns, checking the time on her watch. “You said eleven, and it’s a little after. The traffic coming into the city was a nightmare, so I hope I haven't kept you waiting too long?”

“No, it’s fine. I only just arrived myself." Alana stands to greet her guest, then gestures for her to sit in the empty seat opposite. “Should I order? Do you prefer iced tea... coffee or...?”

“Coffee would be good,” Kat smiles.

“And how about a slice of cake to go with it?”

“Uh…” Kat hesitates, “sure. Why not? Losing some more pounds can wait for another day, I guess.”

“Well, they do a really delicious iced lemon sponge. Could we have two of those and two large flat whites, please?” Alana smiles at the waitress, who takes the order.

Kat takes off her jacket and settles into her seat at the table. Laying the leather garment across her lap, she fiddles nervously with the sleeve. “Noah dropped me while he goes to fetch supplies. I think he’s going to start on Riley and Amy’s wedding rings this week.”

“Oh, that’s good. Amy's engagement ring was amazing and I’m sure with him doing the wedding band they’ll complement each other perfectly. He’s such a talented man. Riley showed me the pine table he made and the carving around the top was so intricate. It’s going to look simply stunning in their new home.”

“Yes, he is—talented. His mountain cabin has the most amazing wood carvings. I think he must get his talent from his father. They say you inherit a lot of things from your parents. Maybe that’s why Riley is such a great doctor, following in his father’s footsteps, I mean.”

“Yeah, maybe.” Alana leans back as the waitress places the plated treats in front of them. “I could eat this lemon sponge cake every day,” she offers what feels like an awkward smile.

“Mm… yeah, it’s really delicious. Do you come here often?”

“Not so much anymore. Matthew and I used to hang out here all the time before we were married. We had very little money back then and we discovered that in the afternoons, they would discount the excess food. So with that and the free refills, we would hang out here just to be with each other. We’d sit in that booth over there and study. Riley was enrolled at the college daycare, but if we couldn’t afford a place that week, we’d bring him with us.” Alana smiles as she takes a moment to recall her memories. “I forgot how much I miss hanging out with Matthew all day. We had no real worries back then.”

“Yeah, I can’t imagine that—I meant having no worries, not hanging out with Matthew,” Kat laughs.

“So how are you? I’m sure you have a lot going on. Three pups to take care of and three men. That must be quite a physical challenge and emotionally draining. I can barely handle Matthew sometimes without considering two more men in my life. Oh, that’s not a criticism of your lifestyle choice, just a personal observation.”

“Yeah, it can have its moments,” Kat sighs. “Some days I really wish I could just choose between them. Choose the one I wanted to be with more than the others. But I can’t. I want them all so very much and I just can’t choose. Sorry, if that makes me sound… I don’t know,” she shrugs. “You know, I’m not a whore, just because I choose to sleep with them all. I want you to know, I love all of them very much.”

“Kat, I never thought of you as a whore. And I want to apologize for my rudeness the other day; when we met, it wasn’t because I thought that of you like that, it was my overprotective mother gene kicking in. It was more me worrying for Riley. About him getting mixed up in wolf business and not about you. You were just the person I directed my anxiety at. Anyway, enough about me. I asked you here today so you could talk. I want you to feel comfortable to tell me anything and know I won’t judge. You can tell me anything you want because believe me, some of the things I’ve heard over the years, you sleeping with three men is the least bizarre.” Alana smiles as she gently touches Kat’s hand. “And I swear, it’s all in the strictest confidence. I won’t repeat a word of anything to anyone—not even Riley.”

“Hell, Riley probably knows everything about me already, but thank you. And you're right, this cake is divine. I might take some home for Zak. He loves cake.” Kat smiles and takes a sip from her coffee. “Alana, I’m not actually sure why I came here today, because I feel fine. I feel really good and things couldn’t be better now that Darius has agreed to let me try out for the team again. Sure, he has a couple of other medics competing for the position, but I’ve done it before and they’re my pack, so I should be okay.”

“But you have doubts?” Alana frowns as she stirs a small package of sugar into her coffee.

“No. No, not really. It’s nothing, I’ll be fine.”

“Then what are you so worried about?” Alana picks up the cup and as she sips from the milk-frothed coffee, she assesses Kat’s nervousness.

“Who says I’m worried? Because I’m not. Why would I be?” Kat forks more of the lemon cake into her mouth. “There’s nothing I have to worry about.”

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