by Dana Monahan
Grabbing his crotch, Python leered. "I've been waiting for some time to be alone with you, pretty boy. I still see some bruises on your face, honey. Why don’t you come on over and let Python kiss it and make it better." He liked the arrogant ones and the feeling of power it gave him to break their spirit. He couldn’t wait to have James cower before him, whimpering in fear.
James kept his eyes trained on the enemy. Python’s shirt was off and the sweat that shone off his bald head sent droplets down his beefy chest. His chest was also shaved, and Python was written in big letters across his breasts.
James swallowed his fear. He would only have one chance. Forcing a smile, he drawled lazily, “You know I don't have a problem being with a man. I just don't like a crowd." He leaned back on the wall and crossing his feet at the ankles. "What do you say about dropping your shorts? I'll show you what I can do." James lowered his gaze slowly to Python's crotch. “You’re much bigger than Frank. I like that.”
Python's lips pulled back in a feral smile, and his eyes glinted maliciously. So, he’d been taught well, Python mused. James was ready to please. With a nod, his boys stepped back.
"If you're good, pretty boy, I'll keep you all to myself. No one around here would dare touch a bitch of mine." Python stepped up to James.
James kept his face impassive; ignoring the rancid smell of Python’s breath, as he mentally went over his lessons. Make every punch count. Don’t let your eyes give you away. Use the element of surprise.
James pushed himself away from the wall, placing his hands on the waistband of Python’s shorts. Slowly, he lowered the shorts and dropped to one knee. Glancing up, he smiled into the putrid face of his nemesis and with a force that surprised him, he punched the palm of his hand up into Python's exposed groin. Bulging eyes focused on James as he doubled over. In a flash of speed and fury, James smashed his elbow across his jaw. When Python started to drop to the floor, James drilled his fist into his nose, sending him backwards. Python slammed against the hard wall, leaving a stain of blood, as he slid to the floor in a lifeless heap. When he turned around, with fists raised, James watched with relief as they all retreated. Without Python, they were just a bunch of pretty boys.
A commotion in the hallway caught his attention and James quickly left as well. Walking slowly, he forced himself to remain calm, looking innocent.
Minutes later, guards rushed past him to the bathroom.
"Somebody get a stretcher," one of the guards yelled. "He’s still breathing, but barely."
James was nonchalantly strolling back to his cell when Frank stopped him. "Hey, what the hell happened in there?"
He’d overheard someone mention that Python and his boys followed James into the john, and had slyly leaked word to the guards of an impending brawl. He had been afraid he was too late when he saw the stretcher go by, but then he had spied James walking alone.
James replied with a half-smile, "It would seem someone got caught with his pants down. I don't expect to see him bothering anybody for a long time."
“No shit? I must be a good trainer.” Frank slapped him between the shoulder blades.
“I’m just a fast learner,” James corrected, as they walked back to the gym.
After that incident, James had earned the respect of the other inmates. He sparred with Frank, read books, but nothing could make him forget Kelly. Memories of her invaded his dreams at night and seeped into his thoughts when he was awake. It was like having an open wound; festering, infecting, but he could not heal it. He could not purge her from his mind, no matter how hard he tried to forget. She was in his soul.
James had signed over to her the house and his truck. Knowing she was in his home somehow made him feel closer to her.
He had also sent his attorney with a brief note telling her to
forget him and that it was time for her to move on. She had written him a few times, but he had returned all her letters unopened. It was better to make a clean break.
CHAPTER 13
“I can’t believe I’m getting married.” After checking her appearance one last time, Billie spun around in front of her bathroom mirror. “How do I look?” White lace twisted around her legs as she stopped abruptly and glanced to her bed.
Billie was a beautiful bride, Kelly decided, surveying her friend from head to foot. Wispy curls fell lightly against her flushed face and her white dress showed off her long, willowy figure. Kelly felt a tear drop roll down her cheek and laughed. “I’ve shed a lot of tears in the past few months, but these are happy ones. You look incredible. Brad’s a lucky man.”
“Thank you.” Stepping forward, Billie hugged Kelly close. “I just wish Sierra were here. It doesn’t seem right that the three of us aren’t sharing this moment together.”
“I know what you mean, but we still have each other.”
“I’m going miss you, Kel. Are you sure you’ll be okay?” At Kelly’s rare smile, Billie stepped back and tilted her head. Kelly had on a simple blue dress that fit tightly around her bosom, but flared out at the hips. A month ago, when she first tried it on, it fit loosely around her waist. Now it fit snugly. “You’re putting the weight back on. Oh, Kel, that’s great. I was so worried about you.”
“I know. It was pretty obvious when you brought a full course meal with you every time you came over.” Kelly looked up into Billie’s face and giggled. “I got back my appetite when I found out I was eating for two.”
“What?” Billie’s mouth dropped open, when the realization struck. “Oh, my God. Oh, my God. This is a good thing, right?” When Kelly nodded happily, Billie started to cry.
“Ah, man, don’t cry. Now you’re going to have mascara running down your face.”
“I’m just so glad to see you happy again.” Kelly pulled a small box of Kleenex out of her purse and handed one to Billie, before using them on her own tears. They sat on the bed, giggling and crying, until the box was empty.
Kelly placed her hands on her flat stomach. “Now I’ll always have a piece of James with me. I’ll cherish this child more than my life.”
“What about your parents?”
“I’m going to be an unwed, teenage mother. I doubt they’re proud, but they’re going to stick by me all the way. It’s what I want. I’ve been feeling so empty, but having his baby inside me makes me feel whole again.” Reaching inside her purse again, Kelly pulled out a little black box. “I almost forgot. This is for you.”
Billie opened the box and gasped. Two aqua colored gems, shaped like tear drops, glistened against the black velvet. “These are gorgeous,” Billie pulled the earrings out, staring in awe at their brilliance. “Kel, I don’t know what to say. How could you”
“They’re not from me,” Kelly interrupted, “Brody wanted me to give them to you as a wedding present, since he won’t be able to make it. He told me to tell you he wishes you the best.” Kelly watched the myriad of emotions cross Billie’s face. First pleasure turned into shock, then finally pain. She had always suspected there was something between Brody and Billie, but Billie had never confided her feelings. Brody had obviously put a lot of thought, not to mention money, into the gift. The color of the gems matched Billie’s eyes to perfection.
“As I said, I don’t know what to say.” Placing the earrings in her ears, Billie avoided Kelly’s inquiring gaze. She had never told Kelly about the night she begged Brody to take her. It was too embarrassing. Besides, it didn’t seem fitting to talk about another man on her wedding day, but she couldn’t help but think about Brody. The gift must be his way of admitting that he had just played with her emotions that night, like Sierra had said, and he was sorry. Was it just a little something to appease his guilty conscience? Putting the unwanted thoughts aside, Billie stood up. “We’d better get going. I’ve got a hot date with a groom.”
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Angel Park was decorated with white streamers, a double-layered white cake with blue ribbons of frosting was sitting in the shade, and music filled
the air. Billie scanned the faces of their thirty or so guests, friends and family, until her eyes fell on Brad. He looked so handsome in white shorts and his tuxedo jacket. She watched him lean his head back in laughter at something Trent had just said as he then patted him heartily on the back. Billie had to smile when she saw Trent. He had on the exact same outfit, as best man, but his shorts were the same color of blue as Kelly’s dress. What amused her though, was the baseball cap turned backwards on his head.
Her attention turned when Mandy drove up in a sleek orange convertible. Mandy strolled towards her and Kelly, a full skirt covering her long, thin legs. A broad smile animated her face as she embraced them both, in a surprising gesture of friendship. Billie hadn’t seen her since Sierra’s funeral, and even then she’d kept her distance, preferring to mourn alone.
“What do you think of my new wheels? When I turned eighteen, I got some money from my dad’s insurance. I thought I’d buy myself a new toy before heading off to college.” Mandy stopped to take in a breath. “This is so exciting. I’ve never been to a wedding before, well, except for Sam and my Mom, but that wasn’t like this.” She dabbed her nose with the back of her hand while scanning the crowd. “I recognize some people from school. I’m going to major in psychology. I can’t wait. It’s too bad Brody couldn’t make it.” Mandy brought her eyes back to Kelly and Billie. “You guys look good. Oh, I see Brad and Trent. I’d better run over and say hello.” She turned with a swish of her skirt, and headed off, never giving Billie and Kelly a chance to speak.
“Wow. Was that Mandy blabbering on, or am I caught up in some bizarre dream. Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t she shy and brooding.” Kelly turned to Billie with eyebrows raised in wonder.
“I think she’s loaded,” Billie said. “Here comes Trent. Oh, my God. I think it’s time.” Wiping her hands nervously on her dress, Billie took a deep breath.
A low whistle of appreciation escaped his lips, as Trent stopped before her. Billie’s cheeks turned crimson under his appraising stare, and he chuckled. “Damn girl, you look hot. I can’t think of the words, well, yes I can, but that wouldn’t be proper. If you want to practice a little before the honeymoon, I’m your man. The best man.” He gave a roguish grin and nodded towards a grove of trees. When Billie shook her head, he sighed. “How about a kiss then?” Touching her shoulders, Trent placed his lips lightly on her cheek and then he pulled her low in a dip and kissed her hard on the mouth. Billie let out a startled cry and gripped his shoulders for support.
“Wow!” Removing her hands from his jacket, Billie fanned her burning cheeks.
“That’s what they all say, Billie girl.” Dropping in a sweeping bow, Trent turned to Kelly. “How are you, Miss Kel. May I say that you look mighty edible today? Mind if I take a little taste?” Trent stopped short, instantly becoming serious, when Billie’s dad cleared his throat behind him. “Dr. Braddock. It’s nice to see you.”
“Take your places. The show is about to begin.” Dr. Braddock linked his arm through Billie’s as Trent and Kelly did the same. He smiled down at Billie’s upturned face, in silent approval, just before the wedding march began. Billie felt her heart flutter as he dropped a light kiss on top of her head. For a brief moment, she had felt her father’s love. A bright smile, filled with love and hope, lit up her face as she approached her husband-to-be.
Brad felt the blood drain from his face as he watched Billie approach. She looked so feminine in all that lace. Their eyes met, held, and Brad realized he’d been holding his breath when the tightening in his chest became unbearable. Billie was going to be his wife. He wanted to pull her close, show everyone she belonged to him. Just before his patience snapped, they were announced man and wife. Before the preacher had the chance to say, “You may now kiss the bride,” Brad cupped her face in his hands, taking her mouth with hungry intent, as catcalls and applause filled the air.
“May I introduce Mr. and Mrs. Brad Hunt,” yelled Trent, as Brad and Billie pulled breathlessly apart.
A few minutes later, Billie waved to her father. Duty called, so Dr. Braddock left directly after the ceremony to the hospital. On her way back to the reception, she ran into Sam and Paula Mack. Sam was Brody’s father, an attractive older man with a bushy mustache, sandy colored hair, and keen blue eyes. Even though Brody had inherited his mother’s dark Indian coloring, he had his father’s build and self-confidence.
Billie remembered when Brody’s mother, Shyan, had divorced Sam over ten years ago. He had been devastated for a while, but she had left him with sole custody of Brody. So happy was he to be able to raise his son that Sam had let her go without a fight, knowing she hated the ranch life. It had been just a matter of time before she moved back to Las Vegas. A year later, she had married a casino owner and had started a new family. Sam had been happy for her and she’d kept in contact with Brody through the years. Now Sam had found love again with Paula, Mandy’s mother and his new wife. With hands entwined, Billie thought they made a wonderful couple.
“How you doing, sugar? I can hardly believe my eyes.” Sam reached out to tug Billie’s hair. “It seems like yesterday you were a scrawny little brat in pig tails. And now look at you. You’ve grown into a real beauty.”
“Sam. I’m sure she was never a brat.” Paula squeezed his hand and smiled at Billie. “Don’t you listen to him. He’s full of more hot air than a blimp.”
“You’ve never seen her in action.” Sam pointed at Billie and nodded. “The stories I could tell. Poor little Brody didn’t have a chance.”
“Poor little Brody!” Smiling impishly, Billie poked him in the stomach. “You are full of hot air, and a few other things. He deserved everything I ever did to him, and more.”
“You got me there, sugar.” Sam raised his hands in defeat. “I have to tell you though, I wouldn’t have minded a bit if it had been my boy you got hitched to. He’d be feeling the same way too, if he were here to see what a beautiful bride you are.” He gave Billie’s shoulder an affectionate squeeze. “Well, I’d better get my girl to the dance floor. I think Brad’s trying to get your attention. I hope you will be happy, you hear.” After giving Billie a sad little smile she didn’t understand, Sam walked off hand in hand with Paula.
Brad called out her name and Billie went to pose for wedding pictures. Brad’s 13-year-old sister, Kim, was pink faced in all the shots, blushing at the thought of standing so close to Trent’s little brother, Trevor, who bore a strong resemblance to Trent at that age. Trevor’s features gave away his annoyance, and he stood stiffly by her side. Kelly’s little brother and sister were in a contest to see who could make the nastiest face, and Trent refused to take off his cap. Billie had to laugh. At least her pictures would be natural, much to the photographers dismay, - And that of her new in-laws, who had paid a pretty penny for his services.
Brad’s father, John, called out, “Hey, we need all the single guys out in a group.”
Billie sat down to pull the garter from her thigh, but Brad stopped her hands. He lifted her skirt slightly, smiled at her pink cheeks, and then pulled the garter slowly from her thigh with his teeth. The crowd hooted and Brad spun it around his finger as he walked in front of the group of single men. He tossed it behind him and Trevor leapt up, his reach exceeding everyone’s, and caught it. With a cocky smile, Trevor turned to his bigger brother Trent, “Getting a little slow aren’t you, old man.”
It was Billie’s turn and she tossed her bouquet to the eager young women. Kim bumped Candy out of the way to catch the white roses held in place with a blue ribbon and held them tightly to her chest. She sent a sly smile to Trevor, who frowned, and shoved the blue garter into his pocket. Then it was time to go and Brad and Billie said their good-byes to all the guests.
“I’m going to miss you, Kel. I’ll call all the time and I’m only an hour’s flight away.” Billie said gruffly, blinking away the moisture in her eyes.
“I’ll miss you too, sis.” Kelly hugged Billie close.
“Com
e on, none of the mushy stuff.” Trent walked up to Brad, who was standing beside Billie and Kelly. “Oh maybe, just a little,” Trent grabbed Brad’s arm, squeezing them between Billie and Kelly, and pulling the four of them into a huddle. “I feel so warm and soft inside, I think I’m going to cry.”
“Maybe we’ll come back for your wedding. Candy’s been watching you all day.” At Trent’s fierce look of denial, Brad laughed. “You can run, but you can’t hide.”
“Ah, but I can run faster than most. I’ve got stamina too.” He glanced at Candy, who looked real nice with her long legs showing beneath a short denim skirt, “But I don’t mind being chased now and then. Keep in touch, Mr. And Mrs. Brad Hunt,” he quipped before walking over to Candy.
Brad pushed aside the toilet paper to wipe the shaving cream off the door handle, removed the blown up condoms and balloons covering his new truck, and pulled open the passenger door for Billie. They drove off, honking, and headed to Billie’s house where her car was hitched behind a U-Haul filled with all their possessions.
In separate cars, they headed for San Bernardino to start their new life together. With slight regret and a touch of apprehension, Billie watched from her rearview mirror as Angel Falls faded from view.
Kelly and Trent were the last ones to leave. She was just walking to her car when Trent ran up behind her.
“Wait up, gorgeous. How about a ride, I came with Brad?” He shot her a sad, puppy dog face. “I’ll let you show me your new place and you can cook me some grub.” When Kelly shook her head at his audacity, Trent flashed his winning smile.