Wicked End

by Bella Jeanisse

  Mackenzie walked to get Jake towels from the outside rack. She smiled and waved at Brandon just before he disappeared. She placed them on a chair as close to the pool as she could, watching her step.

  “You think it’s funny?” Jake shouted at her, thinking she was smiling about him. He reached out and grabbed her ankle.

  She panicked. “Don’t! Please! I can’t swim.”

  Jake chuckled, not believing her. “Don’t wanna get your clothes wet, huh?”

  “No!” Mackenzie screamed as she fell into the water.

  When she went under, she flailed, desperately trying to surface. Things were moving in slow motion while she panicked. She tried to scream, getting a mouthful of water, which she accidentally swallowed.

  Jake pulled her up and wrapped his arms around her waist while she coughed and spit out water. He was so drunk, it didn’t even faze him. “How about we fuck in here?” He slipped a hand under her top and squeezed her breast. “It’s fun, you know.” He ground his semi-erect cock against her ass.

  She was shivering and struggling. Then she felt him moving towards the deeper end. “Jake, really—I can’t swim.” Her voice was a bit hoarse. She looked around. “Scott, help me.”

  Scott was lying down with his eyes closed, immersed in “Damage Inc.” It was the first song he had ever played on the guitar. He had no clue what was going on. The volume was up too loud.

  “You don’t need to swim.” Jake opened her jeans, ignoring her physical protests. “I’ll hold you against the wall.” He pulled her pants down to her knees.

  The floor was suddenly unreachable. Mackenzie started crying, terrified and not caring about anything else. “Jake, don’t let me go. Please! I really can’t swim.”

  “Excuses, excuses,” he whispered in her ear. Then he pinned her against the pool wall, her back to him. “I’ve seen you in the water with Brandon before. You scared he’ll be jealous if I make you scream again?” He had his cock out and moved it between her legs. “Fucking in the pool is so hot.”

  Mackenzie had been in a pool many times, but only in the shallow end, or in Brandon’s arms. She trusted him. No way did she trust Jake, especially when he was drunk. Then she felt her body slipping. “No, Jake!” She grabbed the side and held on. Suddenly, he was pulling her away from the wall. She could feel his grip failing. “No, Jake, please!”

  Brandon flew to the balcony. He thought he had heard Mackenzie. His eyes opened wide when he saw her in the deep end of the pool. Then Jake let her go. “She can’t fucking swim!” he yelled. “Get her up!” For a few seconds, he froze, watching her slip further under the water. “Oh God!”

  Mackenzie couldn’t kick. Her sneakers and jeans were weighing her down, which made it even worse. Quickly, she sank as she screamed. Anxiety high, she kept breathing in water. It burned. Her vision started to fade as shock set in.

  Racing from the room, Brandon headed to the stairs and down to the pool. By the time he was at the edge, Scott realized something was going on. Brandon ignored him and dove down to Mackenzie, fully dressed. She was at the bottom, unmoving. When he had a hold of her, he struggled to swim. Their wet clothes and his heavy boots were making it difficult. Terrified he would lose her, his adrenaline surged, and he found the strength to break the surface with her.

  “Call 911!” Scott yelled to Chico who was still on the balcony.

  Scott reached down and pulled her out. He laid her on her back and listened at her mouth. “She ain’t breathing, man.” He nixed the thought of pulling her pants up. “Oh, shit!” He put an ear to her chest; there was no heartbeat. “Fuck!” He yanked his shirt off and covered the exposed part of her body.

  Brandon hauled himself out and quickly started CPR. It was something he made sure several people in the crew know how to do, so he thought he should go to the classes also. He cried, sure he had lost her.

  “Please, Kenzie, come back.” With each compression, he lost hope. “Scott, do something!”

  His friend got down next to him and breathed into her mouth. Together, they continued to work on her, while her lips turned blue. Her still form was freaking them both out. How could Jake be so stupid

  “Tink!” Brandon screamed, his heart breaking, like never before. “Tink, I love you, please!”

  He didn’t even know he said it. The words came naturally. Words he had said to no one but his mother his entire life. Then she coughed up water and drew a noisy breath. Unimaginable happiness washed over Brandon as he scooped her up and cradled her body against his. He held her forehead to his lips and closed his eyes, rocking her.

  Jake had gotten out and laid several towels over her shivering body. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t…”

  With a glare, Brandon shut him up. He didn’t want to hear anything but her voice. He felt her gasping for air, so he knew she was alive. He wouldn’t relax until he knew she was truly alright.

  Mackenzie was disoriented and cold. She clung to Brandon, trying to focus on breathing, which wasn’t easy. Her body felt heavy, and her chest hurt.

  Austin had run downstairs just after calling 911. “Get her wet clothes off!” He ordered seeing her shivering, with bluish skin. “We have to warm her.” He raced to the balcony. “Toss me a blanket, Chico. Now!”

  Chico looked down and saw the crazy scene. “Oh, fuck!” He hurriedly got one and tossed it down. Then he made his way downstairs as well.

  Jake and Scott undressed Mackenzie. It wasn’t an easy job because Brandon was crying while he cradled her. Austin wrapped her in the blanket, forcing Brandon to release her for a few seconds. They all stood around her, shielding her from the other guests who were gawking while they waited for an ambulance. Someone handed Scott another blanket. He draped it over Brandon, who had started to shiver as well.

  “Brandon… Brandon…” Scott had tried to get his attention several times without success. He touched his arm. “Brandon, the ambulance is here.”

  Looking up, Brandon was shocked that people surrounded him. He didn’t want to let her go though. He looked into her eyes, which were half-closed. Finally, he understood why she affected him the way she did. He loved her.

  Mackenzie slowly rubbed Brandon’s shaking hand with a lone finger. Her ear was against his chest so she could hear his heart beating like crazy. She tried to assure him, but only a rasp came from her mouth.

  Brandon held her closer. “Oh, God, I thought I lost you, Tink.”

  “Sir, let us check her,” a paramedic urged Brandon. “Wait, aren’t you…”

  Jake stepped closer. “Not now, man, please. We’ll give you autographs later.”

  In a whirlwind of confusion, Mackenzie felt her body moving. Then someone said. “Careful, she’s naked.” Where are my clothes She reached out; trying to find Brandon. A hand closed over hers then lips brushed her fingers. Instantly she relaxed.

  “I’m right here, baby,” Brandon whispered, near her ear. “I’m here.”

  Scott walked with his friend and rubbed his back. “We’ll meet you there. I’ll bring you guys a change of clothes.” When Brandon nodded, he turned to the stairs.

  Mackenzie freaked out when once in the ambulance, her mouth was covered. She fought, thinking she couldn’t breathe again.

  “Shh, it’s OK.”

  Brandon’s soothing voice in her ear, instantly calmed her, again. She looked up and saw a mask over her face. They had given her oxygen. Then the vehicle started moving. She reached out and grabbed Brandon’s arm, who sat next to her.

  He took her hand in both his. “Relax. We’re gonna get you checked out at the hospital, just in case.” He waited until the paramedic finished putting in an IV then leaned down and kissed her forehead. “I’m so glad to have you back.”

  Several hours later, Brandon lifted Mackenzie out of a taxi and carried her towards the motel. His hands were shaking, but he was afraid to let her go. The incident had shaken him badly.

  “I can walk,” she insisted, her voice hoarse.

  With a lou
d exhale, he glared at her. “Just let me take care of you, please.”

  Jake was walking ahead of them. Scott, Austin and Chico had taken another cab back from the hospital, which was close behind. All of them were there to support Brandon, concerned for the both of them.

  “Hey, how’s she doing?” Angelo asked as he walked towards them.

  Brandon looked up. “We were lucky. She’ll be OK.” He took a shaky breath then shuddered, remembering thinking she wasn’t coming back. “She just needs rest now.”

  “I got the door!” Jake raced to open the door for them. He took Brandon’s key card and held it open as he watched Mackenzie. “What does she need? How about I go get dinner?”

  Mackenzie looked at his pained expression. She could see the deep guilt he had. “Jake… it’s… alright…. Relax.” Talking was complicated.

  He smiled at her, hiding his anxiety. He knew he almost killed her. Technically, he did kill her. If they had been alone, she would still be dead. “Let me help, please. I need to.”

  “They said she has to take it easy for a few days,” Brandon said while everyone followed him into the room. “I’m gonna stay in here. You guys go out, like you planned.” He laid her on the bed and drew the sheet and blanket over her.

  Scott closed the door when the entire band, Angelo and a few roadies were inside. “I’m not leaving until I know she’s really OK.” He recalled the terror he felt when he realized she had stopped breathing. “They said she could go downhill quickly.” He looked around at his friends. “We’re all gonna help watch her round the clock in shifts.”

  “I got it. Don’t worry.” Brandon didn’t want them to miss their first long break on the tour. “I’ll just stay awake.”

  Jake huffed. “Dude, you’re as exhausted as she is. We’re not gonna fuck her while you sleep.” He regretted that comment when Brandon’s eyes shot daggers at him. “I mean we’ll just make sure she’s OK. We’re a family. You gotta let us help.”

  Scott sat on the bed near Mackenzie’s feet and rubbed her calf. “Look, I know you wanna be the hero. You already saved her. Let us help you do the rest. You’re no good to her exhausted.”

  “They’re right.” Mackenzie’s throat hurt. She cleared it and winced. That hurt even more.

  Austin jumped to his feet, from the chair he had been sitting on. “Ice cream may help with that. Come on, Jake. Let’s go down to that pub we saw down the road.”

  “Get me a bacon cheeseburger.” Brandon was starving. He hadn’t planned to eat, because he knew Mackenzie probably couldn’t, but the mention of food made his stomach growl. “Tink, you think you could eat fries at least?”

  She closed her eyes, trying to hide the stabbing pain in her chest. “Maybe mashed potatoes?”

  “I’ll get you a burger, too.” Jake stared at Mackenzie, who had stopped moving. He rushed to her side. “Kenzie, you OK?”

  She opened her eyes partway. “Yeah, get me something cold to drink, please.”

  Brandon lay on the bed next to her and hugged her body to his then kissed her lips. “They said something with electrolytes is best.” He touched his forehead to hers, so grateful she was still with him. “Get some sleep, Tink.” Within seconds, he fell asleep instead.

  “Do you want anything else?” Austin whispered, leaning close to Mackenzie’s ear.

  Her eyelids were heavy. “I don’t know.” She lost the battle to keep them open. “Aspirin, maybe?” She had a headache, too.

  Scott sighed when the room emptied, for the most part. He sat on the bed watching both of them sleep, and caressing their legs, alternately. The day had been very draining. Waiting for word in the emergency room lounge was excruciating. Not to mention, the amount of fans that had approached them. After a while, Jake told a few people Brandon had a heart attack. Chico made him stop when a girl started to cry because of it.

  “If you wanna get some sleep too, I’m staying.” Angelo could see the strain on Scott’s face. He crossed his arms over his chest and stood next to the door.

  Unsure if he should, he looked at them asleep, in each other’s arms. They needed each other, not for him to intrude by getting in the middle, so to speak. Then Mackenzie whimpered. He snuggled up against her back, arms around them both.

  “Ssh, we’re here.” He nuzzled her neck and dropped a kiss below her ear. When she relaxed against his body, he let out a slow breath. “I won’t let you go.” Some days, he wished he didn’t have to, but he knew she loved Brandon.

  Just as sleep came for Scott, her ass brushed against his crotch. He groaned, trying to fight the pending erection. She did it again, and his cock grew. He suffered in silence, his stiff dick pressed into her ass cheek. He slowly moved a hand over Mackenzie’s arm that was around Brandon.

  Suddenly, Mackenzie couldn’t see or even breathe. She clawed her way out of the tunnel she thought she was in, but she wasn’t making headway. Her scream was muffled and went unheard. Panicking, she reached out towards a light.

  “Aaaahhhh!”

  Scott awoke to Mackenzie screaming in his face. He looked down at her, asleep and clinging to him. She must have turned over in her sleep. “Hey, wake up, Mackenzie.” He held her close and stroked her hair. “It’s a dream. Wake up.”

  She opened her eyes to see she wasn’t drowning again. “I’m scared.” She assumed she was gripping Brandon’s shirt. Then she felt a body press against her from behind.

  “Tink, it’s OK. I’m here.” Brandon put his arms around her and felt another body in front of her. He sat up quick. “What the fuck?”

  Scott looked up. “Sorry. She needed soothing, and I fell asleep.” He let her go and watched her slide over to Brandon. “She just had a nightmare. Maybe you should…”

  The door opened and several voices interrupted him. “We got the good stuff,” Austin announced. “Chili cheese fries, milkshakes, burgers, coconut custard and mashed potatoes just for Kenzie.”

  “Did you get her ice cream?” Scott asked, sitting up.

  Jake nodded. “Yeah, vanilla and chocolate.”

  “He didn’t believe she liked vanilla more.” Austin cracked a smile. “I pay attention sometimes.”

  Mackenzie let Brandon go and coughed a few times then groaned in pain. Seconds later, Austin handed her a spoon and a cup of soft vanilla ice cream. She gave him a half-smile then let Scott and Austin help her get comfortable against the headboard.

  The babying would only last for a day, because that was how long she planned to let it go on. At that moment, she was tired and in pain, so she was grateful for them smothering her. Once settled, she took a large spoonful of ice cream and sighed. It felt so good.

  Brandon sat back and watched her expression change from pain to relief several times. He put a hand on her knee. He didn’t know what he would do without her. Then an idea popped into his head. If he proposed, she would really be his. He quickly dismissed the thought. That was not something you just did, no preparation, no ring. He had to be ready and know that was what they both wanted.

  Chapter Twenty Four

  Standing next to Mike, who was driving, Brandon gripped the railing in front of him. He glanced at the map on his phone. “Make the next right.”

  The band was on its way to Boston. Everyone was glad to leave Canada behind, too many regrets. Jake, Brandon and Scott hovered over Mackenzie, especially since she had developed pneumonia, a day after the accident. She didn’t whine as much as Brandon expected, but that was probably because she slept through most of it. He hated going on stage and leaving her with Jesse, although he trusted him.

  Brandon waited until they were going in a straight line then looked down again. “It says go half a mile then turn left.” They needed to stop for gas, and the station close to the highway had been out of diesel.

  Mike exhaled loudly. “We need to get the GPS fixed.”

  “We need a new bus!” Jake shouted. “I wanna bedroom like Silverblade!”

  Brandon sighed. He wished they had one, too.
Then maybe Mackenzie could sleep better. The bus was loud most of the time.

  He heard her cough and turned, but only saw the curtain. Mike never kept it open. Her illness had brought back awful memories of Brandon’s mother’s last days. The emergency room wait was torture. All the while, he kept thinking, Please don’t die.

  Scott smiled at the idea of a bed, and then stood up from the couch to check on Mackenzie. He held onto the bunks as he walked down the aisle, feeling the bus go around a double-parked car. She was asleep in his bunk, since it was further back than Brandon’s. He moved the curtain a little and looked at her pale face. She had recovered pretty well, considering.

  He caressed her cheek, then brushed her hair back. “Hey, we’re gonna make a stop.” When her eyelids fluttered he asked, “How you feeling?”

  “Thirsty,” she croaked. Her throat still burned, but her chest felt better. She didn’t know drowning was so painful. The treatments in the hospital were even worse though.

  Scott cupped her cheek. “I’ll get you some water. Stay still.” He still felt guilty for not stopping Jake. If I had looked up a few minutes sooner, she wouldn’t have almost drowned. If Brandon hadn’t saved her…

  “It’s not your fault.” She cringed at the pain when she talked. Trying to ignore it, she touched his face. “It’s done. I’m OK.”

  He grinned, knowing she wanted him to let it go. His fingers ran down her face, and he kissed her forehead. “OK, fine.” He quickly grabbed her some water then helped her sip from the bottle. “When do you have to take your medicine?”

  “I forget.”

  Scott looked towards the front of the bus. “Brandon, when does she take her pills?” They all made sure she did as the doctor said.

  Brandon checked the calendar on his phone. “In about 15 minutes. Is she awake?”

  “Yeah.” Scott turned to see her climbing out of the bunk. Then she fell. “Shit!” He caught her, but she knocked him off balance. They tumbled to the floor.

  She grunted as she tried to get up. “I fucking hate this.” The medicine made her dizzy and nauseous, but at least the side effects were starting to abate a little. She looked up at Scott, almost in tears from frustration. She hated relying on them.