Page 44 of Untouchable

“Answer the door.” I nod towards the door and she jumps out of bed, running over to it so I take the opportunity to slip into the bathroom and relieve myself, hoping it makes this hard I’ve got on for her to disappear.

“Who the hell is in there?” I hear Bodine ask. He and Mikey are walking into her room just as I open the bathroom door.

“Well, I guess the manhunt is over. What the fuck is going on here?” Mikey looks down at the bed, then between me and Kat, more amused than anything else.

“Nothing,” Katarina answers a little more defensively than I’d expect. “I was having trouble sleeping last night so Ace… helped.” Bodine takes a step closer to her, lowering his voice as he speaks, though we can still hear him clear as day.

“You could have woken me up.” The sincerity in his voice along with the pained look in his eyes makes my chest ache.

“I know, but—” Kat’s eyes find mine, and I try to wipe the anger from my face before she can see it. “Ace was up so…” she trails off, likely unsure what to say next.

He wraps his arms around her, bringing her in for a hug and kissing the top of her head, making me want to throw him into the deep end of the pool out front.

“I’m glad, but you can always wake me if you need to.” Kat glances over at me again, with a look in her eyes I wish I had the time to dissect.

“I won’t need to.” Those four words make me feel more than anything else ever has.

CHAPTER 24

Katarina

“FOMO”

Me

Just wanted to check in. I know you can see where I am, but we made it to Missouri, ate at a little diner down the road, stopped to take some pictures at a park, Ace slept with me last night. How are you? How are things at work?

Tabs

It’s so cute that you think we’re going to discuss ANYTHING other than Ace SLEEPING WITH YOU?!

Me

Yeah, I thought that might be the case…

Tabs

OKAY SO!?

Me

You know how it is when I’m dealing with grief memories. And since I can’t climb into bed with YOU I tried waking Bodine so he could play you, but he was asleep and Ace wasn’t so. He slept with me instead.

Tabs

I have FOMO now.

Seriously though, Kat. I’m so sorry you’re dealing with this while you’re traveling. I know you usually hit the road when you’re sad, and let's face it, you repress those feelings and focus on work… but what happened with Viper is different. Are you sure you should be traveling instead of idk Calling your therapist?

Me

I’ll be okay. I promise. Part of why I’m on this trip is to teach Ace how to sit with his feelings, and I’m no hypocrite so I’ll be sitting with mine too.

Tabs

Okay, well, I trust you. Therapy has worked wonders for you in the past, just remember it’s okay to call Deena up if you need new methods to cope.

Me

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