Loving Kate (Acceptance #3)

by D. Kelly

  Copyright © 2015 D. Kelly

  Editing by - Tiffany Tillman

  Cover design by - Regina Wamba of www.maeidesign.com

  Formatting by – Brenda Wright

  This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author's imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons living or dead is entirely coincidental.

  All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. For information contact Dee Kelly www.dkellyauthor.com

  This book contains mature subject matter and is not appropriate for minors. Please note this novel contains profanity, sexual situations and alcohol consumption.

  ISBN - 978-1-943092-27-7

  Dee Kelly

  P.O. Box 630185

  Simi Valley, CA. 93063

  Dedication

  This book is dedicated to the readers. Without you guys, The Acceptance Series would just be words on paper. You made it a story. If it weren’t for you, there would be no #TeamMike or to some #TeamMichael, no #TeamDaniel, and definitely no #TeamKate.

  From the bottom of my heart, thank you. I love you more than you could possibly imagine. Thank you for taking my characters and bringing them into your hearts.

  XOXO,

  Dee

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Epilogue

  Thank You

  Deleted Scenes

  Kate’s Journal Entry

  Connor & Kate – Tattoo Scene

  My Dearest Katherine

  Marc’s Confession

  Marc’s Side of the Story

  Sneak Peek – Single by Lyra Parish

  Sneak Peek – The Vanilla Bet by Ella Emerson

  Sneak Peek – Just an Illusion by D. Kelly

  The ineffable joy of forgiving and being forgiven forms an ecstasy that might well arouse the envy of the gods.

  ~ Elbert Hubbard

  Daniel

  Two months after the arrival of baby Lucas

  Perfection.

  My entire world is upside down and inside out, but I’m holding absolute perfection in my arms. How does this even make sense? How can something be so utterly perfect in a world full of chaos and sadness? Well, maybe not the world, just my world—at least right now it is. But only part of my world…because the other part is right here sleeping soundly in my arms as if he knows I’m his armor and will protect him from anything.

  I let out a sigh and lean back in the rocker. If only that were true. Heartbreak is something I can’t protect him from and it’s probably the worst kind of pain there is. I’m glad he’s too young to understand the kind of pain I’m feeling right now. It’s ironic, too, because Kate is so good with him. Aside from Vanessa and myself, she’s the one he responds to the most. She was so worried she wouldn’t have been a good step-mom, but I knew she was wrong about that—Kate’s a natural. When Kate holds Lucas, my heart races and all I want to do is wrap them both in my embrace. But I never do. Instead, I choose to observe from afar, taking those stolen moments and savoring them. The feelings washing over me when I watch them together are exactly how I thought I would feel seeing Kate with our child for the first time. Except Lucas isn’t ours—he’s mine—and she loves him with her whole heart anyway…just like I always knew she would.

  Mike, Connor, Jake, and even Marc have all talked to me and given me their opinions on our situation in their own way. I’ve heard it all: ‘Kate and Mike are just friends’, ‘You and Kate are meant to be’, ‘Stop being so stubborn,’ but the most eye-opening of them all came from Mike, which makes sense, right? He simply said five words that tore my heart wide open and made me think thoughts I never thought I would again. ‘She would have forgiven you.’ And he’s right. She would have.

  Now, as I lay here with my baby boy, thoughts of her consume my mind. I’m so glad I didn’t cover up her name on my back the way I wanted to. We’ve been talking more and more with each passing day and it’s so hard to stay mad at her when all I can see is the love and sadness reflecting from her eyes. I wanted to do something special for her for graduation, but then everything went so very wrong. But tonight, tonight when she said those words to Lucas, my heart broke and it all finally clicked. It doesn’t matter what she did with Marc because I know she loves me. I think my mind—or perhaps my heart—has finally conquered my wounded ego. She didn’t cheat on me, and she didn’t lie to me, she was just reeling from seeing what she thought was her own worst nightmare. I can understand that completely since seeing her with Marc was mine.

  Once my lips touched hers tonight, however briefly, I was a goner. My heart and soul will always belong to Kate. It’s time to figure out how to make things right with us and I think I know the perfect way, but I’m going to need a lot of help from my friends. For the first time in a while I smile, and as if Lucas can sense my happiness, he giggles in his sleep. Like I said…perfection.

  Mike

  The day after Lucas was born

  Morning comes way too fast and even though I’ve barely slept, Kate’s still wrapped tightly in my arms. When her eyes flutter open, they’re red and glassy. The twinkle in her eyes is missing, replaced by pain and sorrow.

  “Hey,” she whispers groggily as I place a kiss on her forehead.

  “Hey yourself.”

  “Mike, I’m sorry about last night. I didn’t mean to lose it like that…” her voice trails off and she squeezes her eyes shut, trying to hold back a torrent of tears. My poor Katie Grace. She’s suffered more than anyone should ever have to. We’re going to put a stop to that very soon if I have anything to do with it.

  “It’s okay, Kate, really. I understand,” I tell her as I run my hands through her hair.

  “I’m so sorry, Mike, about everything.” She chokes out the last word and breaks down again.

  “Kate, look at me,” I say, tilting her chin up and meeting her gaze with mine. “It’s okay Kate, I love him, too, so I get it. I’m not mad at you and I don’t want you to feel guilty for following your heart. I wish I would have followed mine back to you years ago, but I didn’t and that’s my burden to bear.”

  The utterly shocked expression replacing the sadness on her face would make me laugh any other day, but not today—not while we’re saying goodbye.

  “Mike…I haven’t…”

  I place my index finger over her lips to stop her from speaking. “Enough, Katie Grace. We both know you’ve already made your choice. I’ve known it for weeks. I’ve just been hoping against hope I was wrong, and waiting for you to admit it, all at the same time. I’ve known you two thirds of my life and even though I’ve missed the last few years, I can still read you like a book. You’re in love with him and he’s in love with you.”

  She shakes her head “He isn’t, Mike. He doesn’t love me, not after what I did with Marc.”

  “People don’t just fall out of love, Kate, especially not out of love with you. Daniel loves you, and once he’s done being hurt and angry he’ll come around. In the meantime, don’t go falling back into bed with any other men.” I say it with a chuckle which earns me a small smile from her.

  “Not even you?” she asks timidly, but the question is a valid one. This is our thing and it
’s always been our thing, since we were seven years old. After lacing our fingers together, I pull her hand to my mouth and place a soft kiss against her warm skin.

  “Not even me, Kate. Daniel is the only man who should ever be in your bed. I’ll always be here for you, until the last breath I take. You’re my soul mate, remember? We’re just soul mates of the friend kind this time around. Next time, though, it’ll be me and you again, I know it.”

  Tears fall from both of our eyes as we lay in silence, grasping onto each other and fully absorbing what this means for us.

  “Mike, I don’t want to lose you…I can’t lose you again. I…I need you so much.”

  As she chokes out the words, her body is racked with gut wrenching sobs. My tears fall faster but I’ll be damned if we’re going to lay here in misery all day.

  Cupping her chin in my hand, I pull her head up so my eyes meet hers. My stomach clenches and I feel that sensation of needing to throw up, but I manage to push it down and fight it off.

  “There will never, and I mean not ever, be a time I won’t be here for you, Kate. You are my best friend, my first love, and the mother of my daughter. We are bound together by life and our story is beautiful and will continue to be. Anything you need, whenever you need it, just ask and it’s yours. You’ve grown into an amazing woman and you are in love with the most amazing man I know.”

  She sobs again but nods her head.

  “There’s happiness in that, Kate. I’m happy for you and Daniel. If you aren’t going to be with me there is not a soul on earth I would want you with other than him. But you’ve moved on, Kate, and I have to do the same. I’ll be here for you always, but not like this again, not in your bed, not while holding you in my arms and wishing my lips were pressed against yours, I can’t. It’s just not fair to me…or to you and Daniel.”

  Kate wraps her arm behind my head as she nods her understanding, pulling me to her. She’s biting her lower lip in contemplation but quickly releases it and places her lips against mine. The kiss lasts longer than it should. It’s not the kiss of lovers, but it’s definitely beyond the kiss of friends. It’s a kiss goodbye.

  Three hours later finds me sitting in a booth at Misty’s diner. Kate’s supposed to meet me here soon so we can go and see how Vanessa, Lucas, and Daniel are doing today. While I wait for her to get here, I’m struggling to make sense of my emotions—wondering how I really feel about all that’s happened in the last twenty-four hours. The only way to describe it is like a post-funeral feeling. I knew it was coming and now that it’s over I have to accept my new reality and move on. I feel peaceful, and that’s something I didn’t think I could ever feel without Kate. Maybe it’s because I haven’t actually lost her, just our intimacy. We’ve always been, and will always be, best friends.

  “I’m starting to think you’re a glutton for punishment. The food in this place isn’t that good.” Misty greets me with sparkling eyes and a beautiful smile. How could I have forgotten how adorable she is? Petite with hazel eyes and curly blonde hair, and I swear she always smells like cotton candy. The best thing about Misty has always been her attitude. Even now, when she should hate me, she continues to greet me with a smile. She’s a lot like Kate—strong, sweet, and forgiving. It’s why we hit it off so well in the first place.

  “Maybe not…but there’s something about this one waitress…” I love watching the blush creep up her neck and across her beautiful face.

  “Hmm, is that a fact? Because I’m pretty sure there was a time when she was so ignored she gave up all together.” Her tone is playful, but I know how much I hurt her.

  “I know and I’m sorry. Would you want to let me take you out? I’d really like the chance to explain things to you.” My heart is hammering in my chest and I sound like a complete idiot choking over the lump in my throat, but I want to make things right with Misty.

  “Out as in on a date?” she squeaks out adorably.

  Do I want this to be a date? Am I ready to date someone yet?

  “How about a friend date? I’ve missed you, Misty, but I wasn’t very nice to you and I’d like to make amends for that before we think about a real date.”

  Slowly, a smile spreads across her face. “I’d like that… a lot. What about Kate, though? And, oh my God, what about the baby?”

  I can’t help but laugh, she’s really animated sometimes. She reminds me of Jess in that aspect.

  “The baby is Daniel’s and so is Kate.” That last part comes out a little more reluctantly than I meant for it to.

  “That’s a good thing then?” she asks curiously.

  “As for Lucas, yes, it’s a good thing.” A frown immediately erases her smile and I realize what a prick I sound like. “Not because I wouldn’t love him; he’s my nephew, I already love him. I’d at least like the kid to know his parents had a loving relationship when he was conceived and that he wasn’t the product of a meaningless one night stand.”

  She’s nodding her agreement at me but the distant look in her eyes tells me something different. I know she was raised by her grandma so maybe this is bringing up some bad memories for her. I quickly change the subject. “As for Kate, well, she’s always going to be in my life. She’s my best friend, but her heart belongs to Daniel. Eventually, he’ll forgive her and they’ll be back together in no time.”

  Misty seems to relax and the concerned look she’s giving me now is touching. “Are you okay with that?” she asks tenderly.

  “Actually, I am. We can talk about it more when we go out but I’m more okay with it than I ever imagined I could be.”

  “Good for you, Mike. I’m happy to see you moving on with your life and getting back to normal. I’ve got to clock in, but text me later and we’ll figure out a good day to go out.”

  “Hey, guys! Misty, it’s good to see you again. Can you join us?” Kate asks sweetly as she slides into the opposite side of the booth.

  “It’s good to see you, too, but I need to clock in. I’ll be back in a few to take your orders.”

  Kate’s smiling like the cat that ate the canary, but there’s pain still glimmering in her eyes. “You like her, don’t you?”

  This is awkward

  She reaches across the table and takes my hand in hers, rubbing her thumb gently over mine. “It’s okay if you do, Mike. You were right; you need to move on, too.”

  This is a really shitty conversation to have, especially with Kate, but if we’re going to be friends we’re going to have to talk about these things. And see each other in new relationships. That part is going to suck.

  “It’s complicated. I hurt her. I was in denial about how she felt about me and I treated her like yesterday’s trash. I miss her friendship, so we’re going to work on that. As for anything else, I’m not sure I’m ready to move on just yet.” I close my eyes and exhale slowly. This is so hard. We talked this morning and agreed we weren’t going to let anything get uncomfortable between us, but I guess it’s going to take a little getting used to.

  “Can I put my two cents in?” Her words pull me from my thoughts.

  “Of course you can, but it doesn’t mean I’m going to take your advice,” I reply jokingly

  “You’re more ready for a relationship than you know. Trust me. I waited for you for years, but now I don’t know if I was waiting for you or just wanting to recapture what we had, and I’d only known that with you. It’s been almost four years, Mike. While I don’t doubt you loved me, if you’re truly honest with yourself, I think you fell out of love with me a long time ago. You were in love with the idea of me and what we had, and that, my friend, you can definitely find again. You just need to open your heart.”

  When I can finally swallow over the lump in my throat I respond. “Sage advice from someone so young.”

  She shakes her head sadly. “No, just advice from the only other person in the world who’s been where you are and knows exactly how you feel. It wasn’t easy for me to let you go, either, Mike. It was just… time.”

>   Misty interrupts us before I can respond. “Sorry, I just wanted to see if you were ready to order but I can come back…”

  Kate smiles up at her and shakes her head. “You weren’t interrupting anything. In fact, we’re celebrating new beginnings today. New friendships, new life, and new loves, and I know exactly what I want.”

  Kate’s attitude is infectious and I can’t help but smile. I know everything she said is true. I also know we’re going to be just fine.

  After breakfast, we drive our separate cars to the hospital. I’ve got to go to work after this, especially since Daniel won’t be in for a few days. Well, I’m assuming he won’t. Neither of us have talked to anyone since we left the hospital last night. When I left Kate’s this morning, I stopped off at the florist and picked up a big arrangement of flowers and some balloons. As I work on getting them out of my truck, I glance over and see Kate pull out a giant teddy bear and what looks to be the same dozen balloons I have from her car. I can’t hold in my laughter and when she looks up at me she laughs, too.

  “We’re quite the pair, aren’t we?” she asks breathlessly.

  “We always have been, Katie Grace. That’s why we’re going to be the bestest of friends forever.”

  “Wow I haven’t heard you say that since we were kids, but it’s the absolute truth. I love you, Mike. Now and always.” Her eyes fill with tears as she speaks the words.

  “I love you, too, always. Now stop getting emotional and let’s go show your man he’s the only one for you.” As those words fall from my lips, I realize it doesn’t hurt to say them. Maybe we really are growing up.

  “Baby steps. That’s what he asked for, and now that he’s a father, I don’t even know if he’ll still want that. I’m just going to follow his lead; it’s all I’m comfortable with right now.”

  “Okay, but I’m right here and if you need to bolt again, I’m right behind you.”

  She shoves into me with her shoulder. “You’re such an ass.”

  “I know, but this ass has your back, so you follow Daniel’s lead, but I’m going to follow yours.”