by Dana Monahan
"Yeah, I'd like to see him play. I've heard about him. I even met him once at Leroy’s. The little shit actually warned me to be good to Kel. I liked him on the spot,” remarked James as he dropped a few bucks on the table. “It sounds like he’s going places.”
"Yeah, maybe the altar", laughed Billie, "I think he’s hooked on Candy. To think, our Trent in love! How romantic. Maybe we should warn Candy to be gentle."
"I guess love must be in the air." Brad smiled down at Billie. Kelly and James exchanged a smile of their own. Brad and James split the tab, and they all strolled out into the parking lot. It was 10:00 p.m., and the town was closing up. The guys shook hands, and Billie and Kelly promised to call each other soon. They would have much to talk about when the night was through.
Love was definitely in the air.
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Brad drove Billie home and parked the car. All the lights were off in the house, but her dad had left the porch light on for her. Without a word, he got out and walked Billie to her door. On the way home, he was so preoccupied that Billie began to wonder if maybe he was mad at her about something. When she turned at the door to ask, he pulled her close and kissed both her cheeks, then leaned on the door beside her. "Can we sit on the porch for a while? I need to talk to you."
Hand in hand, they walked to the porch swing at the end of the deck. There was a slight breeze, and Billie snuggled close. "I'm taking the construction job for my uncle in the next couple of months, right after graduation. I'll finally be building homes," he announced proudly. "It's in San Bernardino, that's California. My uncle runs the company and he owns a little guest house next to his property which I could to live in. With hard work and training, he said I could someday be foreman, and then who knows from there." He paused, unsure of himself. "Here's the thing. I want you to go with me. You don't need to answer now, but I do want you to think about it for the next couple of months." He stared at Billie, waiting for her answer.
Billie looked stunned. It took her a moment to find her voice. "I don't really know, Brad. I've become very close to you, and I really dig being with you. I guess I'll take the couple of months to come up with an answer. I'm planning on going to college. Maybe I could do it out there."
Tracing a finger down her flushed face, Brad smiled. He had loved Billie since sixth grade, though had never admitted it to anyone. "That’ll do for a start.” With that off his chest, he changed the subject.
"So when did Sierra become so spiteful? She's like a stranger now," Brad said, thoughtfully.
"I think it was the day she found out she needed a bra. She's turned our friendship into some kind of competition," sighed Billie. "I remember when we were kids and we could all play for hours. There was never any jealousy or one of us trying to outdo the other. I still have that with Kel, but Sierra rubs me the wrong way every time I'm with her, which is only by accident these days."
"Have you noticed she misses a lot of school now? Come to think of it, so does Mandy,"
"I noticed. I called her a while back and asked if she was O.K. She told me to mind my own business and hung up on me."
Brad rubbed his thumb over the crease in her brow. "Don't worry. I'll call Trent. Maybe he knows what her problem is. I got to go. Think of what we talked about earlier and I'll see you tomorrow." He kissed her and left.
Billie walked to her room in a daze. Flopping on the bed, she stared up at the ceiling and wondered about her future. Looking for advice, she dialed Kelly's number, but no one answered. Eventually she fell into a troubled sleep.
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Instead of dropping Kelly off at home, James took her to the old bridge. After parking his truck off the road, he pulled out a red tattered blanket and led the way down a small hill. Many a night had been spent in that secluded area as they got to know each other. A small steam trickled by, about a foot away.
James pulled away when their kisses got a little hot. His face was so close to hers he could count all the freckles bridging her nose.
“Don’t you want me? How come you always stop?” Kelly asked boldly, lying beneath him.
“What?” He ran his hand through his light brown hair in frustration, using one elbow to hold his weight. “If I go too far, it would be too hard to stop. No pun intended. You’re a good girl, Kel. I’m afraid I don’t have much experience with someone like you.”
“I’m not that good. Don’t stop tonight.” Kelly surprised them both when she pulled his mouth down to hers. “I want you to be my first and only.”
They made tender love in the moonlight, then lay back to look at the stars.
"I love you, Kel," James stated emphatically. He’d never said that to anyone before and hoped he wouldn't be rejected.
Giggling, Kelly rolled over on top of him and looked into his green eyes. "You're just now figuring that out?" She smiled playfully. "I've loved you since our first dance."
"I took one look at you in the bar that night and knew you were special. Then I saw you with Sierra and I had my doubts. You and Billie were so nervous, and you looked so sweet chewing on your lower lip. I had to take a chance."
He shifted his weight and maneuvered until he was on top. Supporting himself with his arms on each side of her, he looked down and murmured, "You were worth it." Kissing her on the tip of her nose, he placed one hand over her breast intimately.
"Sierra wasn't always the way she is now, James. I remember her teaching me how to ride her new bike because my dad accidentally ran over mine. She would walk me home when I stayed out a little too late and was afraid to walk in the dark. She was so different then, so happy and full of life," she said, trying to explain the girl Sierra used to be.
"Where are her parents? And why aren't they keeping her in line?"
"She doesn't know who her dad is. Her mother won't talk about it, says it hurts too much. Pam works all the time to be able to give her anything she wants, you know, probably to make up for it, so Sierra is left alone to do whatever she wants."
"I know, but it hurts to see a friend go down. Hopefully she'll realize what she’s doing to herself before it’s too late. Just don't let her take you down with her." James pulled her close, dropping a light kiss on her nose. "Why don't we talk about something happy, like making plans to go to the mall this weekend and look for a ring?"
Kelly laughed. "Why? You want to go steady? You are old fashioned."
"Actually, I want you to marry me. After you graduate, of course, and the engagement can be as long as you like, but I want you to live with me and be with me for the rest of my life." His tone was serious and Kelly's smile froze. She started to cry.
James dropped his head in his hands, shaking it back and forth. "I'm sorry, Kel. I didn't mean to make you sad. You don't have to marry me. I won't make demands on you, but please stop crying." She was wiping off her tears, when he glanced at her.
"Those were tears of joy, you big idiot. Of course I'll marry you. Nothing in the world would make me happier. Yes, yes, yes!" Kelly lunged forward, ardently wrapping her arms around his neck as they fell backwards.
“I can’t believe it.” James grinned while looking up into her green eyes and cupped her face in his hands. “I’ve never been this happy.” He arched up to taste her mouth before pulling her back down on top of him.
For a short while, they just lay there, content to be in each other’s arms. Although she was lying still, excitement was bubbling through Kelly’s veins. She couldn’t wait to call Billie and tell her the good news.
Chapter 7
At Trent’s football game, the following weekend, bleachers were filled with proud parents, students and siblings. Candy Palm led a cheer, and the crowd became silent in anticipation of the last play. Time was running out and Angel High was behind by one point. Watching from the top bleacher, Billie grasped Brad’s hand and squeezed it tight.
Mud was splattered over Trent’s red and black football jersey. He got the ball and ran backwards, looking for an open player to
pass to. It didn’t look good. The opposing team had covered all his plays. Tucking the ball at his side, Trent started running down the middle of the field. Bodies hurtled at him, but he jumped or dodged over them. One second before the buzzer rang, Trent ran across the line with the winning touchdown.
“Yes! Yes! The Devils rule.” Trent spiked the ball at the ground and did a little bump and grind.
From the bleachers, Trent’s father, a former high school football star, jumped up and down, screaming, “That’s my boy! Did you see my boy?” After planting a smacking kiss on his wife, he shook his “booty” in the same manner as Trent.
Billie and Brad hugged each other, and climbed down from their seats, pushing through the crowd to congratulate Trent on his winning play. Seeing Billie, Trent smiled broadly, picking her up to swing her around. He put her down to grab Brad in a bear hug.
“That was awesome,” Brad laughed. Before Trent could answer, his fellow teammates grabbed him and carried him off the field.
All the way to the parking lot, Billie could hear people talking about Trent’s winning play. Trent’s success had her smiling like a proud parent.
After going bowling for a while, Billie and Brad decided to call it a night. Brad turned off his engine in front of Billie's house then pulled her close. Billie was kissing him in the front seat of his truck when she felt his hands wander up her waist and squeeze her breasts. The feeling of flesh on flesh made her insides tingle, but it also frightened her. She had already been burned twice, and was a little leery about rushing in a third time.
With a sigh, Brad pulled back at the familiar pressure of Billie pushing at his chest.
“I’m sorry, but I’m not ready to take the plunge yet. We need to stop now or it’ll get even harder.” Reaching down, Billie removed his hand from under her shirt.
“It couldn’t possibly get any harder,” Brad stated sarcastically, leaning heavily back against his seat. “We’re a couple now. Everybody’s doing it.”
Letting out a long sigh, Billie prepared herself for the oncoming argument. Just once, she would like to end the night on a happy note. Tucking her shirt back in her jeans, she pulled her thoughts together. “I want to wait until I’m absolutely sure. What if I were to get pregnant? Don’t rush me,” she said as she glanced his way in hopes he would understand, but Brad had grasped the steering wheel so hard his knuckles were turning white. A muscle in his jaw twitched as he stared out the car windshield into the darkness.
“It’s not as if I’m not prepared.” Brad let go of the steering wheel, pulling a condom out of the front pocket of his black and red school jacket.
“Look. If you want to call it quits, I’ll understand.” Billie reached over for the door handle, but Brad stopped with a hand on her shoulder.
"I guess I can wait a little longer. I've gone this far," he stated grimly, and then he pulled her close for another kiss.
This time, he kept his hands on the small of her back. A moment later, he pulled away. "You’re killing me, Billie, but I think I’ll stick it out a little longer. Just show a little mercy." He managed a smile when she waved goodbye, then drove the short distance home.
Brad pulled his truck up to the curb in front of his yellow single-story house. All the lights were out indicating the time was late. Large hedges lined the front lawn, and he jumped over them instead of walking to the driveway. Silently he opened the front door and walked down the hallway to his room. His door closed with a click and he crossed over to his desk and turned on his light. His loins were aching from his pent up frustrations, and he knew he wouldn’t be able to sleep.
Grabbing a pencil from his desk drawer, he sat down to draw one of the houses he was going to build in the future. Papers were scattered all over his desk in disarray. Discarded drawings overflowed from his trash can on the floor, where he added his unopened condom. School books were scattered on the carpet with yesterday’s clothes in a heap beside his bed.
Trying to concentrate was taking its toll; he realized that he was just staring at the blank white wall in front of him. A light tapping at his window caught his attention, and he turned to see Sierra peering at him through the glass. As he opened the window,
The alcohol on her breath floated into his room on a breeze.
"Hello, stranger. I guess you can't sleep either. I saw your light on when I drove up. My mom is at work until late.
Why don't you come hang out? It’ll be like the old days."
With only a slight hesitation, Brad climbed out his window to visit with an old friend. They hadn't talked or hung out for a long time. As they walked, Brad glanced towards Billie's window to find her light off. It angered him that she could fall fast asleep while he spent his nights tossing and turning in frustration. Sierra saw where he was looking and noticed his expression turn stormy.
Sierra's house was dark, and they walked through to her bedroom without turning on any lights but hers. She indicated her bed for him to sit on then turned on her radio. She plopped down beside him, almost bouncing him off onto the floor. Brad pushed himself against her bed board, bringing his knees up to his chest. When they were younger, sitting next to Sierra in her room was no big deal; he was comfortable in her company. Now he felt a little nervous at being alone with her, and he wondered if she felt it, too.
"You seem a little off balance tonight,” she said. “What's the matter? You and Billie have a lover's quarrel?" Sierra chuckled.
"I don't know. Can you have a lover's quarrel if you’re not lovers, just in love?" He tried to make it come out as a joke
but his smile was forced.
"Poor Brad. Want to talk about it? Or maybe you're tired of just talking?" Rolling closer, Sierra let her breast brush
lightly against his leg.
To his embarrassment, Brad felt himself harden immediately. It didn't take much for his body to become aroused these days, and the thought of finally finding release seemed to take over his mind. In seconds, his eyes took in every inch of Sierra's body, from the sprayed on jeans, to a low-cut blouse where her sleek black hair rested against her breasts. Her smile was seductive, and her lips beckoned him. Still, he did not make the final move. Only inches separated their mouths. All he had to do was take what she offered.
As if reading his mind, Sierra reached around his leg, gently cupping him in her hand. "Billie doesn't have to know.”
Pressing down a little, she began to rub.
At her touch, all thoughts of being faithful faded into nothingness. Lifting Sierra onto his lap, he slowly lifted her blouse up over her head. First, he traced her rib cage and flat stomach, and then he slowly brought his hands up to fondle her breasts.
"Who's Billie?" he whispered in her ear, and then he lowered his mouth to hers.
Morning came, and with it regret. Although he finally had a peaceful night's sleep, Brad now wished he had shown a little restraint. How was he going to face Billie? She would be able to tell by looking at him. Would Sierra really keep it a secret?
Deciding to face the day, Brad got out of bed to take a shower. On his way to the bathroom, the phone on his dresser started to ring.
"Hello?"
"Well, hello yourself.” Sierra’s voice was low and throaty. “I was expecting you to at least call me this morning. Maybe we could get together today."
On first impulse, Brad wanted to slam down the phone. All he wanted to do was forget. "Hi, Sierra, I actually have plans with Billie. So, thanks for calling, but I have to go."
"Brad, are you suffering from a guilty conscience? I noticed it didn't bother you too much last night. Nobody forced you to do something you didn't want. You know, I haven't talked to Billie in a while. Maybe I'll go visit her today. We have a lot to catch up on." She hung up the phone before he could reply. Her laughter still echoed in his ears.
With amazing speed, Brad hopped in the shower, soaped up and got out. He threw on a pair of dark green Bermuda shorts and topped them with a black tank top. After sliding on a pair of
loafers, he headed out the door at a run. Somehow he needed to get to Billie's house before Sierra called. He knew he was just holding off the inevitable, but he could just say Sierra was lying. They hadn't exactly been the best of friends lately, and Billie would believe him over Sierra.
Coming to a screech in front of Billie’s house, he revved the engine and honked two times. A few seconds later, Billie ran
out of the house, looking fresh in white overall shorts with her pony tail bouncing up and down as she dashed down the front steps. Brad pushed the passenger door open for her and she hopped in. An impish smile lit up her features and she turned shy eyes to his curious ones.
"What are you grinning about?" Leaning over, Brad gave her a kiss then started to pull away from the curb.
"Well, I decided last night that I love you. Not every guy would be as understanding as you."
Hitting the brakes, Brad came to a jarring halt in the middle of the street. He rolled down the window and yelled, "Yes!"
"Now you’re embarrassing me." Scooting closer, Billie giggled and placed her hand on his leg.
Brad glanced down at Billie's upturned face, expecting her to see the guilt in his eyes, but she smiled and his guilt turned to victory. He was going to get away with it. Billie was looking right at him and she didn't have a clue that he had slept with Sierra. Hell, if nobody got hurt, what's the big deal? So with his conscience clear, Brad drove off with the only girl he had ever really loved.
The next month at school, Brad went out of his way to make sure he never bumped into Sierra. Whenever his phone rang, he would take a deep breath and pray that Sierra wasn't on the other end of the line, but she never called again after that one morning.
Sierra spent her time with Mandy, so she and Billie never talked anymore, and with each passing day Brad felt more and more comfortable about his betrayal. He even began thinking of visiting Sierra again.