by S M Olivier
I was saved from watching Jax smooching up on his girlfriend when Troy and Remy smashed me in between them. They were yelling and laughing, spinning in circles. I was helpless but to turn with them, laughing the whole time even though they were crushing me.
They must have realized this and finally released me. I stumbled, laughing, and stopped in shock when I saw Jax jump up the cement wall and pull himself up. Before I could react, he had my face in his hands and his lips on my mouth. In shock, I felt myself returning his kiss. He moved his mouth like his body moved: graceful and confident.
He finally pulled back and grinned widely at me. His dimple deep in his cheek. “You don’t know how many times I wished you were in the stands after I won and not just in my head,” he whispered in my ear.
I smiled at his sweet words.
“Bell! Bell! Get your ass down here!” Jax’s coach yelled at him. He looked like he wanted to be pissed, but he was unable to wipe the smile off his face. He had coached a team into another winning season.
Jax grinned sheepishly and then sat on the wall to jump back down. Remy put an arm around my shoulders as Troy put one around my waist. I looked up at them, laughing.
I felt like someone was staring at me and looked over to see Tamara glaring at me as the team set up for their field goal. I gave her a little shrug. How was I to know that Jax was going to pass her and jump into the stands to give me our first kiss? I didn’t feel any regret. After all, he was my connection.
The Knightstown players were already celebrating. They knew regardless of if the field goal was made or not they had clinched the championship. Jax was in the middle of the coaches, and his teammates accepted his hugs, high fives, and helmet bumps.
When the timer officially ran out, we were all acting like fools once more. Laughing, yelling, and hugging each other. It was as if we had won the game and not the Knightstown Knights.
Next thing I knew I was in the middle of Drake, Noah, Troy, and Remy as they huddled around me. They were hugging me close. I could see it in their eyes that they were proud of Jax and were sharing his achievement.
Amid the cheering around us, I heard Drake’s melodious voice state, “I didn’t feel anything.”
It took a moment for the rest of us to understand his meaning before realization sunk in. No connection was made. Jax had kissed me, and we hadn’t connected.
I was buzzing hard, and I chose not to dwell on the issue at hand. Jemmy gave me what was left of the thermos and looked over at Will.
“She’s riding with me, Pops,” she stated. With her glassy eyes and overly bright smile, I could tell she was buzzing too.
We had been waiting for Jax to come out from the locker room, but we were about to give up when we realized he wasn’t coming out anytime soon. The seniors on the football team had dumped Gatorade on the coach’s heads. While they were distracted, the underclassman had gotten them with another cooler of Gatorade. He was going to need a shower before he could leave.
Remy went over to Will and spoke in hushed tones. Will looked over at us, brows knitted as he frowned and nodded.
Jax came rushing out of the locker room with just a towel around his waist. All the waiting friends and family let out hoots and catcalls. I felt my jaw drop as I looked at his tan skin, hard pecs, large biceps, and washboard abs.
I looked over to see Tamara glaring at me once more. I wanted to flip her off but averted my gaze to Troy who was laughing at me. He had watched everything unfold.
Jax skidded to a halt and looked around sheepishly. “Hey Dad, the guys want to know if we can have a get-together tonight at our place. A pool party. Ben and the guys want to bring over their guitars, have a jam session, and swim.”
Will looked exasperated but indulgent as he looked at his youngest son. “And you couldn’t throw some clothes on first?”
He grinned and shrugged. “I forgot, plus, we want to celebrate and we were hammering out the details.”
Will shook his head with a small smile on his lips. “I’ll stop on my way home for some snacks and order some pizzas and wings. Make sure everyone’s clear on the rules. Come on, Ella,” he said holding out his hand to her. She had an exciting time at the game, but it was getting late and she was clearly tired. “Want to help me go shopping, maybe pick up some popcorn and candy for you and me? Then watch a movie when we get home?”
Ella grinned. “Yes, please.”
Will smiled down at her and began walking with her, but as he passed us he looked sternly at Remy. “Do you have this?”
Remy nodded. “Yes, sir.”
He smiled and clapped him on the back. “Never doubted you.”
Remy gave him a small smile in return and held his hand out to Jemmy. “Keys please.”
Jemmy looked at him belligerently. “I’m okay to drive,” she insisted.
“Keys,” he repeated, giving her a level look.
She groaned sulkily. “Fine.” She dropped her keys in his outstretched hand.
Then she grinned, and as he turned to leave, she jumped on his back. “Giddy-up, horsey! Beat you to the car, Misty!” she yelled over her shoulder.
Remy barely stumbled as he hoisted her completely up and wrapped his arms around her legs so she wouldn’t fall off.
“Come on,” Troy said with a glint in his eyes, stooping down in front of me.
I giggled and hopped on. “To the car, kind sir.” I cried in excitement.
He chuckled and took off after Remy’s and Jemmy’s retreating backs. We were almost upon them since Remy wasn’t running, but Troy was.
“Hot messes,” I heard Stacey mutter to Noah as we passed them.
I giggled. I didn’t care. I couldn’t remember the last time I had this much fun. I was acting like a typical teenager and embracing it.
“Misty?” Troy asked as we passed Remy and Jemmy. I noticed he was carrying me effortlessly and he wasn’t even out of breath.
“Oh, didn’t you know,” I grinned impishly leaning around so I could try to make eye contact. “I’m Silvermist, A.K.A. Misty, Tinkerbell’s friend. You guys are my Lost Boys.”
He chuckled. “Sounds about right. I don’t think we ever wanted to grow up. Staying in Neverland was all we hoped for.”
When we got to the house, I helped Drake, Jemmy, Noah, Remy, and Troy set up for Jax’s guests. It was obvious that they had done this before. Drake went straight to the kitchen area and started pulling out paper plates, drinks, and cups. Remy went into the detached garage and pulled out some folding tables to strategically place on the patio. I followed Jemmy around as she turned on the lights for the pool and patio. She plugged in the lights that were strung under the pergola, and then she turned on the outdoor gas heaters. Noah and Troy went to get the firewood from the gardener’s shed to get the fire going in the pit.
We were done first and Jemmy dragged me to the kitchen to grab two Monsters. She poured some out of each and then handed me one.
“Drink,” she said.
I shrugged and started sipping on it. I was surprised she wasn’t trying to slip me more alcohol. I thought too soon as she dragged me into Will’s den and opened his liquor cabinet. She poured some flavored vodka in both of our cans and giggled conspiratorially at me.
She put a finger to her lips and said, “Shh, don’t tell Pops.”
My inhibitions were down. I didn’t care. We weren’t hurting anyone, I reasoned to myself.
I smiled and tapped her can with mine, winking. “Tell him what,” I gave her a guileless smile.
She giggled wickedly. “I knew we were soul mates, best friends forever, sisters from another mister. We should get matching tattoos. Yes, matching tattoos! I should text Rick and tell him to bring his kit. He’s a phenomenal artist!”
I smiled and shrugged. “I will think about it.”
She looked at me with narrowed eyes for a second and then shrugged. “Let’s go, girl,” she began dragging me one more. “Time to get into our swimsuits.”
This
penetrated through my happy haze. I was still cognizant of the fact that Jemmy’s itty bitty triangular bikinis would not keep my girls and my ass cheeks covered. “I don’t have a swimsuit and yours won’t fit me.”
She laughed, shaking her head. “Pops buys extras! They’re in the pool house. I’m sure we can find something.”
In the end, I settled on a bright red and white striped bikini with halter neck straps and a pair of matching red boy shorts. I turned in front of the mirror, ensuring most of the scar on my rear was covered. My hair covered the cigarette burns above my bra line, but there wasn’t much I could do about the scar below my left breast. It was five inches long and raised.
After Heidi’s boyfriend had inflicted the wound, he had fondled and touched me until he realized I was getting blood all over him and I was close to passing out. I couldn’t tell him because of the gag in my mouth.
He had freaked out and called one of his friends. His friend had come, walked passed a passed-out Heidi, and stitched me up. Poorly. My skin never healed properly, so I was left with a pretty nasty scar.
I shrugged. This was the best I was going to get. This bathing suit covered most of what I wanted to be covered.
Jemmy let out a wolf whistle. “Hot Mama! Those boys will be drooling. Just stay away from Rick.”
“I thought it was Ben!” I exclaimed with a laugh. “Besides! Look at you! I look like a child standing next to you. You are beautiful, tall, and so…infectious.”
“Are you trying to say I’m diseased?” she gasped.
I giggled. “No, I mean your laughter is infectious, your smiles are infectious. You spread love and happiness wherever you go.”
“Oooooh,” her eyes were bright with happiness as she linked her arm with mine and pushed my drink back into my hands. “Drink,” she insisted before we started skipping off to join Noah and Troy next to the fire pit.
We both laughed as some of my drink splashed on me and dripped down my chest. Rose and Stacey were already in the hot tub as we passed. I knew they were talking about us, but that only made us laugh even harder.
We stopped short of Troy and Noah as they were putting down the firewood in a neat stack next to the planter boxes. They stopped when they saw us coming.
Even in my happy haze, I was able to see the appreciation in both of their eyes as their eyes raked over me. I tried to hide my smile as I realized how good it made me feel.
“Want to help me build a fire?” Troy gave me his crooked little grin.
My eyes widened. “Sure! I’ve never built one before.”
He drew me into his arms and pulled me in front of him. “Grab my hands,” he whispered in my ear.
I shuddered at the feeling of his warm breath against my ear, and I saw him grin wider, knowing he was affecting me. I handed my drink off to Noah, who stood beside us with a soft smile on his lips.
“Watch our hands,” Troy said.
I looked at his hands and felt the warmth of them heat up until a flash of a fireball leapt out of his hands and onto the firewood. I felt the jolt of energy and it was exhilarating. It made me feel high.
I turned to him and I knew my eyes had to be bright with the alcohol and excitement. “You cheated!” I exclaimed. “I thought you were going to build a fire the old-fashioned way.”
He gave me an impish smile. “Why? When this is so much easier and faster?”
He placed my hand under his once more and a round ball of blue fire hovered above our hands.
I stared at it mesmerized, the warmth in his hands radiating to me. I was dressed in next to nothing on a chilly October night, and I wasn’t even cold.
With a teasing glint in my eyes, I looked up into his honey eyes. They weren’t even looking at his hands, he was looking at me with a fire in his eyes. “It’s almost orgasmic.”
He visibly swallowed and the fireball extinguished. “What did you say?”
Noah and Jemmy had heard our exchange and started laughing.
I felt strong arms around me and a water bottle was pushed into my hand. “Drink,” Remy said firmly.
“I have a drink,” I giggled.
“Drink,” he opened the bottle and held it to my lips. “You’ll be thankful in the morning,” he said gruffly.
I wiggled in his arms as I felt his soft touch on my ribcage.
His thoughtfulness was endearing.
The party was soon underway and no less than thirty people were milling around the pool, hot tub, and patio. Will had come back from shopping with snacks, pizzas, and wings. He didn’t stay long before carrying Ella into the theater room.
Jemmy finally told me what the rules were as we saw that we weren’t the only ones drinking that night. All keys were left in a basket in Will’s room, forcing people to call for an Uber, their parents, and/ or sleep there. Will knew that drinking would be inevitable, and it wasn’t like we were around normal teens. He didn’t allow them to touch his alcohol, but he wasn’t stupid enough to believe they weren’t smuggling in their own.
I noticed Troy and Noah had started to drink, openly sipping on their beer while us teens carried around red solo cups. They had come bearing coolers, so I imagined that’s where they were keeping their drinks.
Remy wasn’t drinking and seemed to be watching everyone to make sure they wouldn’t do anything stupid. He slipped me a bottle of water every now and then, and I knew he wouldn’t leave me alone until I drank it. It was no use fighting him, so I obliged.
I found myself in the hot tub between Troy and Remy, with Noah, Stacey, Jemmy, Rick (or was it Ben), Drake, and Rose, sharing it with us. I noticed Jax flitting from group to group with Tamara and some of her friends trailing behind him. From the looks she kept throwing me, I recognized she was just trying to keep us separated.
Finally, Jax made his way over to us and he bent down to scoop me out of the hot tub. He hugged me close and twirled me around. “Did you see my last play?!”
I smiled, putting my arms around his neck. “How could I miss it? You were great!”
He burrowed his head into my neck. “I want to kiss you again,” he muttered in my ear. “Without an audience.”
I sighed and whispered back, “I’m sure that can be arranged.”
He leaned back and grinned at me in surprise. He knew me well enough to know I normally wasn’t so bold or outspoken. “Have you been drinking?”
“Maybe just a little,” I giggled.
He set me down gently, smiled, and shook his head. “My little Blake has a wild side. A carefree side. A rebellious side.”
I rose an eyebrow at him and smirked. “Who would have known?”
“Jax!” Tamara said angrily. “We need to talk. I know you are a flirt, but you’ve gone far enough tonight.”
Jax placed a kiss on my forehead and shrugged. “Duty calls. It’s time I get rid of all the other distractions.”
“Blake! Get back in here, you’re going to get cold,” Troy said laughingly, obviously hearing Jax.
It looked like I wasn’t that popular with the other girls in the hot tub, except Jemmy, as I slipped back in.
“Blake, dear,” Rose said gently, feigning interest suddenly. “Have you ever cut yourself?”
I looked at her quizzically. “Um, no, why?”
“Well, I couldn’t help but notice the scars on your body. Typically, adolescents and teenagers begin to inflict self-injury on themselves to cope with pain and anger. Along with your overly friendly overtures towards the guys, I was wondering if you would like to talk. I would love to pick your brain, you know, for my major.” She explained.
I stared at her in shock.
“Rose,” Drake said angrily. “That’s uncalled for!”
Noah snorted, feigning his normal laid-back attitude, but I could see the anger in his eyes. “She has scars. Who doesn’t? And she’s our friend. She’s a little tipsy. Who hasn’t been overly affectionate when they’ve been drinking?”
“She’s been practically dry humping everyone ton
ight. I think Rose is on the right line of thinking. It’s clear she’s damaged.” Stacey said indignantly.
I stood up, refusing to hear the ugliness. I was damaged, but there was no way in hell I deserved their judgment. I longed to lash out at them. Smugly let them know I should be “overly friendly” with my connections. They were my guys!
The words were on the tip of my tongue when I felt the tightness in my chest. I looked over, panicked, at Drake. He was upset again. He was torn between wanting to lash out at his first girlfriend, his first love, the girl he lost his virginity to, and me. The girl he was connected to and felt this overwhelming urge to cherish and protect.
Stop, Drake, I gasped in my head.
I gripped Remy’s shoulder, hard.
He sensed my distress.
“Drake,” he barked. “Go talk to your girl,” he gave him a pointed look and Drake’s eyes widened with understanding.
“You girls need to realize Blake is family now,” Troy said coldly as he stood on my other side. “She’s not going anywhere, so deal with it. Or walk. No one’s stopping you.”
I felt the tension leave my chest, and I took a deep breath in as I walked towards the fire pit with Troy, Remy, and the other guys.
I stopped and looked over my shoulder, determined to show them a little fire. I wasn’t going to allow them to continue to pick on me and think I would just take it laying down. “You know what sucks about cheap plastic surgeons? Sometimes, they leave ugly scars. I just wanted a rounder ass and bigger boobs,” I grabbed my boobs and walked off.
I heard a gasp and laughter as I joined my little clan for the night.
Jemmy was doubled over with laughter, and she handed me another drink and winked at me. “I love you!” she howled.
The night began to wind down, and a lot of people seemed to be at their chill or sleep stage. I found myself around the bonfire with a blanket wrapped around my shoulders. Ben (one of the football players), Taylor, and Rick had pulled out their guitars and were taking request from their friends.
