Kiss Me Katie (Complete)

Chapter 33

Katie

Unbelievable!

My heart lurched, the sound of my mother's angry voice sending shivers down my spine. Great... so much for introducing Riley as my buddy from Crescendo. Now all the bullshit would start, and I'd...

But then the new, confident Katie — Riley's Katie — reminded me I didn't care what this woman thought any more. I bit back the words begging to leave my mouth, the ones that told my Mother she no longer had the right to judge what I did. But I'd vowed to keep things civilized until tomorrow. Somehow, I just needed to pretend to play the game for another twenty-four hours.

I almost giggled as a soft growl erupted from Riley's chest. Maybe this confrontation wasn't going to wait after all. He stood up, reaching for my hand as we waited for my mother to reach us. With a huge smile on his face, he stuck out his hand toward my mother. "Hello, Mrs Simpson. I'm Riley, Katie's boyfriend. Pleased to meet you."

A giggle burst out at the shocked look on Mum's face. This was priceless. It was the first time in my entire life I'd seen my mother speechless. Shooting us a scathing look, she ignored Riley's hand and pushed past us through the door.

"We'll see about that," she muttered as she disappeared through the door.

I threw my arms around Riley's neck. "I can't believe you did that."

"Too much too soon?" His wicked smile was dimmed by the uncertainty in his baby-blue eyes.

"Perfect." I brushed a kiss across his lips. "But I think it might be time to enter the lion's den. You up for this?"

"Bring. It. On." Riley wrapped his arm around my waist, kissing the tip of my nose as we went in the door.

I could hear my mother's ranting voice before we even reached the lounge room. Riley's arm squeezed my waist, and we entered the lounge room both wearing goofy smiles.

"Well? Are you going to do something about this?" Mum's eyes were shooting daggers at my Dad. I swallowed and prepared for the onslaught.

I almost fell over when Dad stood and moved toward us, a relieved smile on his face. "I certainly am. Hello again, Riley. I'm guessing you're responsible for the beaming smile on my daughter's face? I'm so glad you made it. I was dreading spending the weekend with the miserable Katie who arrived earlier. Come and join us. Coffee?"

"Reece? Are you serious? We don't know anything about this boy. He could be —"

Dad shot her a murderous look. "In love with Katie? I think you may be right. What else could we possibly need to know about him?"

I almost choked as I watched my mother's face contort with rage. The woman was actually speechless for the second time in one day. Wow. This weekend was looking better every minute.

Dad threw me a loving smile. "Katie? Why don't you take the boys out to the pool house and get them settled in? You and Annie can take your bags to the guest bedroom later."

Annie and Joel shot to their feet, looking so relieved to escape the tension I almost laughed. Throwing an arm around Dad's neck, I kissed him on the cheek, whispering a soft thank you. Riley kept a tight grip on my hand as we headed toward the foyer to grab the boys' bags, almost tripping over each other to be anywhere but here.

***

I snuggled up beside Riley on the lounge in the pool-house and sighed with contentment. He was telling Annie and Joel everything that had happened since he received the text about his Mum on Wednesday night. By the time he was finished, both Annie and I had big fat tears rolling down our faces.

Annie jumped up and wrapped Riley in a huge hug. "Oh Riley, I'm so sorry." He just nodded and hugged her back.

Even Joel had tears in his eyes. "Man... that totally sucks. Why didn't you ever tell me you were going through that kind of shit?"

Riley shrugged and pulled me a little closer. "'Cos I was a stupid jerk who thought people would judge me. Until someone amazing came into my life and I realised it didn't matter." My heart fluttered as he kissed the top of my head.

Annie sighed and cleared her throat. "Okay. I can't hold it in any longer. I just have to say I told you so about Mark. Who'd have thought the douche from hell would help you two be together, eh?"

I bit my lip and nodded. "Yeah, I guess it wouldn't hurt to at least listen to what he has to say next time I see him."

Joel jumped to his feet and slapped his hands against his thighs. "Right. Enough of this maudlin shit. We are sitting in a freakin' pool house, at a mansion, with a pool right outside the door. And I have no intention of wasting another minute. Who's up for a swim?"

Annie clapped her hands and jumped up beside him. "Lucky I decided to put my swimmers on under my clothes this morning. 'Cos the thought of going back inside to grab my bag..." She shuddered and we all laughed.

Riley squeezed my hand and looked down into my eyes. "How about we meet you out there? I need a bit of alone time with my girl."

Annie put her hands on her hips, but her eyes were dancing with mischief. "Fine. You've got five minutes. Don't make me have to come get you. Come on Kenny, that pool is looking pretty good about now." She winked as she turned and left, Joel scratching his head and muttering under his breath as he followed her out.

Riley grinned and pulled me into his lap. "You know what? I got the feeling your Dad has had enough of your Mum's bullshit as well. Looks like we might have an unexpected ally in our corner."

Katie's lips curled into a cheeky grin. "You know what? I couldn't care less what anybody thinks about us being together. As long as we are together. From now on, your problems are my problems, and vice-versa. No more secrets. We'll just take on whatever the universe throws at us and hope for the best. I love you Riley Stone... and I trust you one hundred percent."

"I love you too beautiful girl. Now can you please just stop talking and Kiss me, Katie?