by TC Rybicki
“Because it won’t shut up. For the last time, get out of my room, so I can get dressed.”
“Do you need any help? That dress looks so tight, you’ll need strong hands to pull it up and these are soft.”
He took one hand and stroked the skin over her knuckles. Willow’s voice cracked, “No, I can manage.”
He’d already lost the battle. Doug had been at war with himself for years about her.
His other hand raised to her neck. They touched all the time. This instance was different.
“Wills, Momma said you were going to be the prettiest girl there tonight, but for once in her life, she understated the facts. I’m going to go now. I hope you have a good prom, but if you are unsure about allowing a guy named Brant be your first kiss, you have options. Just ask because I’m your best friend and you can trust me to be completely honest about your performance.”
Willow didn’t ask. Instead she breathed his name like a prayer because he’d managed to get closer to her with every word the past five minutes. There was hardly a centimeter of distance between them.
Her mouth moved. It could have been for two reasons, either to say goodbye or ready herself for his kiss. He believed it was the latter. Both his hands grabbed her neck as he laid down all his weapons. He promised never to cross the invisible line he drew between them all those years ago. Doug couldn’t help it; he was weak.
At first, Willow froze, but as soon as the kiss moved beyond initial contact, they were both consumed. Her freshly painted fingernails grasped the fabric of his shirt. She leaned to the side to give him better access. His tongue moved through those glossy lips and she moaned with desire. His hands craved to feel that smooth silk. He glided them down her arms. His left hand moved to her back, but his right found the loose tie in the front. He shouldn’t touch her this intimately, but Willow’s kissing became more demanding. She fingered his hair at the nape of his neck and tried to press herself closer. Doug had to stop where that was heading, but he didn’t. Their bodies met. She felt him; he knew she did. The robe came open a bit, and he touched the bare skin at her waist. That was the final thing he needed to shock him back to reality. He pulled away from the kiss.
As soon as she realized it was over, she grabbed the sides of her robe and hid away all the good stuff that he felt through his clothes.
“Oh my God, you stole my first kiss,” Willow touched her swollen lips.
“No, I dispute that accusation. What’s freely given, can’t be stolen. And so help me God, do not let that idiot kiss you that way tonight. Number one, you’ll be disappointed because you’ll be thinking of this and two, if I find out he does, his parents will cry when they see what I did to him. Goodbye, Willow. Make good choices.”
Doug walked out of her room and straight to their shared bathroom. He only had to picture the heated exchange for a few seconds before the inevitable happened. Fuck he was in trouble. He couldn’t dare touch her again or else. Even the slightest brush against her would be too much. He wouldn’t stop next time and dammit all to hell, she wouldn’t stop him either. He knew it. He felt it. Wills was excited how turned on she made him. That was not a normal first kiss. Nothing about them was average. Wills and Doug were epic, but they had to stay friends and he wasn’t about to hurt her. She needed his protection more than his passion.
Tanner bumped into him in the hall, “What happened to you? Are you sick?”
“Yeah, I’m a sick fuck. Tell me something. Do you know anything about Willow’s date tonight?”
“Oh no, here we go.”
“Here we go, what?”
“Nothing. Yeah, I know of him. I’m going to his party tonight.” Doug grabbed Tanner by the collar and slammed him against the wall, “What party?”
“The big after-party. Brantley is hosting it.”
“A nerd from Speech Club is hosting the senior after-party? Why and how are you going? I’d kick your ass if I was still in school. Freshman aren’t normally invited.”
Tanner explained he liked this girl. Every long story started with liking a girl. Doug, too. I like this girl that I can’t. So, Tanner’s new girlfriend’s brother was buds with Brantley. Apparently, his parents are out of town a lot to travel to their hometown. Blah, blah, Doug heard enough and something about a sick relative.
“Okay, so I’m right. This guy’s a dick raised by dicks who left a dying relative behind and then leave their son to have wild parties with underage drinking.”
“Are we done? I’m meeting Carly for a movie first and you’re kinda right about one thing. Her step-brother is cool, and he’s the only reason I get to go to the party.”
“Well, look at you, parties and chicks, but your distraction left Willow vulnerable. It was one year. I asked you to watch out for her.”
“I do. She’s having fun this year.” Doug wondered how much fun. “Like always, you’re overreacting. Willow is smart, and she doesn’t drink. Brantley is nice. He’s pretty much getting used for the party. He doesn’t exactly act like a party animal.”
“So, Carly, huh? Is she hot?”
“The hottest,” Doug rolled his eyes. That couldn’t be if she was halfway interested in his little brother.
“Be smart, kid. No glove, no love.”
“I’m not an idiot but Carly and I aren’t ready for that. She has some family stuff going on. I just started talking to her, and she isn’t like the women you date. No offense.”
“Plenty taken,” Doug added, even if he was right. “I don’t anticipate trouble on school grounds, but could you be my lookout at the party?”
“Man leave her alone already. You don’t want her, but you don’t want anyone else to have her. That’s fucked up.”
Doug clapped his brother on the side of the head. “Mom hates swearing in her house and I hate useless opinions. So, are you going to look out for Wills tonight or what?”
“Sure, but I trust her unlike you.”
“Good and I’m going to need the address to this little prick’s house.”
“No way. I’m not taking a chance on watching you show up to embarrass Willow. I said I would make sure she is safe so that’s all you need.”
“Have it your way. But I might feel like confessing to Momma that you were the one that broke her antique tea pot from her trip to England. She still blames poor old Molly girl, may our childhood dog rest in peace.”
“Big deal. I was ten years old.”
“Momma’s memory is very long; she holds grudges. I wouldn’t be surprised if you got delayed grounding starting tonight. That means no movie, no party, no Carly.”
Tanner wanted to act badass now that he was in high school, but they both feared Momma. She didn’t swing a whip, but she knew exactly to hit where it hurt. His brother walked into his room and came out with a slip of paper that had an address scribbled across it.
“Don’t show up.”
“Only in case of an emergency.”
“Are you coming down to take pictures with Willow?”
“Fuck that. I have studying to do. I saw her already.” He didn’t elaborate he saw her coming out of her robe instead of dressed in that sexy prom dress. Doug couldn’t do it. He wouldn’t be able to stay true to his commitment to never touch Wills again.
The evening elapsed at an excruciatingly slow pace. Doug attempted to study for several hours. His parents invited him to dinner. He made up an excuse to take his car that he was meeting some friends later. Mom raved about Willow and her prom date. He missed an opportunity to see the guy because it wouldn’t have gone well. As soon as Doug finished his meal, he left his parents, but not before asking what curfew they gave Willow.
“Well, it’s a special occasion. I said 1:30.”
“1:30? I always had to be in by 11.”
“That’s not true. Curfews were flexible and half the time you came in and snuck out later. Don’t deny it.”
“Well, bye. I’m in college now, don’t wait up on me.”
While Dad was
busy studying the dessert menu, Momma was trying to get in Doug’s business, “Where are you going?”
“Around.”
His mom forever asked too many questions, “With the guys?”
“Which guys? Most are at college.”
Doug split before he had to evade anymore of his mother’s final questions. He left the restaurant feeling uneasy about everything. Tanner hadn’t called. He was probably preoccupied with Carly. What if he didn’t have access to a phone? Doug only recently got a cell phone, but he rarely used it. His roommate got in big trouble with his folks going over on the minutes. That shit added up fast. He decided to take a drive by the address tucked away in his pocket. He needed to see with his own eyes how wild this party might be.
His phone rang right as he turned the corner on Brantley’s road. “What’s up, bro?”
Doug expected Tanner to say that Willow’s fine so go to bed, but his brother sounded panicked, “I can’t believe I’m calling you.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Willow’s not herself. I tried to talk to her, but she blew me off. She’s upset, I think but trying to hide it.”
“Is she with her date?”
“Yeah, she is, practically glued to him,” Doug seethed. “She’s acting, well like I said not herself and I know why.”
“Why?”
“She’s drinking. A lot. And I’m sure I’ll regret telling you this, but I think you should get Willow home before she does something she regrets.”
Prom night
Her hand slipped into Brantley’s hand when he rested it on the console between them. They were on the way to her first and only prom. Willow had attended several school dances but skipped out on the big event the year before. She wasn’t in the mood to watch Dutch show off with his worst girlfriend yet. Desiree, the head cheerleader was such a bitch. They also ran track together and Willow was forced to hear disgusting details about her best friend before each practice. She didn’t want to think of him like that despite his reputation in school. He had managed to seem like a different person to Willow.
At home, when they were alone, Dutch was her person.
Now, he claims he didn’t even remember Desiree, the girl that tortured Willow for almost four months. Dutch was such a jerk. Willow smiled at Brant. Her date was nice with so much potential. Willow enjoyed getting to know him these past months, and he should be her total focus, but she already knew that wasn’t going to be possible. When Brantley touched her wrist to put on her corsage, Willow wanted to scream. His touch felt wrong, and she knew why. Damn Dutch. He ruined her night, perhaps more than just prom night. He had some nerve kissing her like that. It was horrible for him to do so, and the best feeling she’d ever experienced.
Brantley tore her away from her afterthoughts. “Tonight’s going to be awesome.”
Willow faked another grin, “Yep, I’m sure it’ll be one for the books. Thanks again for asking me.”
“I feel like an idiot waiting so long. It would’ve served me right if you said no.”
She mustered one tiny laugh and hoped it sounded authentic even though her answer was a half-truth. “No way, you’re the only one I wanted to ask me.” Until today, Willow believed that she only wanted to become Brant’s girlfriend and explore a relationship with him. Post-kiss with Doug, she realized this new guy was only a substitute for loneliness, and she was going to need to work overtime to even have a good time tonight. Sooner than later, she’d be facing Dutch again, and Willow honestly didn’t have a clue what would happen next.
Willow had never taken more than a sip of alcohol. She’d been depriving herself because drinking was so much fun. All the problems Dutch caused by kissing her had evaporated. She made an entire list in her head the whole time she danced with Brant at the prom. Willow believed prom was overrated and had no redeeming qualities, but the after-party was where the real fun happened. The packed house vibrated with noise and revelry, but she wasn’t moving. She had found her coveted spot in the comfortable chair. Of course, that meant sharing it with Brant, her date, her almost boyfriend and the giver of her second kiss. He would have a place in Willow’s history now.
Her stomach clenched uncomfortably, so she threw back the final remnants of her drink. Brantley kissed her during the prom and it was pleasantly sweet, perhaps better described as the taste of a club cracker when all she craved was a big order of salty, greasy cheese fries. Yep, a kiss was just a kiss, no matter who it came from. Willow said that to herself repeatedly, and after her second drink, she almost started believing it.
“Want another? Or maybe you should pace yourself. Your eyes look a little cartoonish already.”
“No, I totally want one, but if we get up, we’ll lose the chair. I love this chair by the way.”
“It’s my mom’s reading corner.”
“Oh,” how exciting for Willow to find out she’d been making out in Brantley’s mother’s chair. Maybe they needed to move on after all. “Is there anywhere in your house the party hasn’t overflowed to?”
“My room. I have all the bedroom doors marked off limits.”
“Good idea.” Willow grabbed Brantley’s hand and followed him to the kitchen, so he could get her another drink. He’d been sipping on beer from the keg, but she couldn’t stomach that. There was a delicious fruity, red drink in a bowl that was her favorite even though she had no idea what was in it.
A voice behind her almost made her drop the plastic cup, “Haven’t you had enough? You’re already stumbling a bit.”
Willow spun around at the familiar tone, “Tanner? What’r you doing here?”
“A friend invited me. I didn’t know what went on at senior parties. You getting drunk wasn’t anything I envisioned. No more punch, Willow.”
She waved her arms to get people to notice her announcement, “Y’all look at this cutie, my little bro, Tanner trying to tell me what to do. I see your friend over there. Hey, I know that girl. Carly, right? She’s pretty. Run along, please. We should probably pretend we didn’t see each other tonight.” Willow did her best to give him an exaggerated wink. Tanner didn’t have permission to be at this party.
Brantley saved her when he touched her elbow, “Ready?”
“Yes, lead the way.”
Willow didn’t turn around. She wasn’t going to give Tanner another opportunity to judge. He had never given her such an attitude, but the way he just acted reminded her of someone else. Tonight, the brothers seemed eerily familiar. She needed to be away from the spinning room, the large crowd and the glaring eyes of Tanner. Brantley escorted her into his room where the only places to sit was an office chair next to his desk or his full-sized bed. His room wasn’t as spacious as any of the rooms at the Chadwyk’s. Willow felt as if the walls were closing in on her.
Now it was too quiet and not nearly crowded enough. She sipped the tainted strawberry sweetness from her cup. This magic potion had calmed her down before. Maybe it was wearing off, and she needed more. Running into Tanner gave her added anxiety. Brant sat down on his bed and patted a spot next to him. Willow slammed down half her punch because it was the only thing that kept her from turning around, so she could run home. To him.
The fuzziness in her brain, grabby hands on her body and heated lips on her neck kept her from realizing what was happening until it was too late to stop. Brant figured it out quicker than Willow.
They weren’t alone any longer. In fact, an angry intruder had busted in and didn’t wait for any explanations. Willow had convinced herself Brant was exactly what she needed, and they were having a good time. So good, she’d just given the green light for him to slide into second base. She never dreamed she would get that far on prom night after achieving her first kiss and Brant wasn’t even the giver of that notorious kiss.
That honor went to her one and only best friend, Dutch, who had made it to the party—uninvited. The same guy she loved all her life and never wanted to lose was rolling on Brantley’s floor beating him to a bloo
dy pulp.
Finally, it all made sense and Willow could vocalize her horror. She screamed for help, “Please! Somebody help. Tanner! Dutch, stop. Stop this craziness! You’re hurting him.” Was Brantley already dead? He wasn’t putting up much of a fight from what she could see in that mass on the floor. Maybe he had a freak accident and died instantly. Dutch was strong. He might have cracked open his skull or broken his neck. His life would be over, and her best friend would go to jail.
Fuck, Willow was a terrible person. Brant might be dead, but it was Dutch that she truly worried about.
More guys entered the room. It took several people to separate the two boys twisted together on the floor. Those few minutes of chaos had Willow frozen with fear. She wondered why Dutch was there. Her thoughts were murky. Why was she so dizzy? Tanner spoke with authority. He took over his brother and pulled him out of the room while the others attended to Brantley who was moaning in pain. That was good; he wasn’t dead. There wasn’t a lot of blood, only splatters. It had been a quick fight, mostly one-sided because poor Brant barely knew what was going on.
The cops were mentioned, but Brantley made it up to a sitting position to halt any police notifications. “No, I’m fine. I’ll be much worse if my parents find out about this party.” He looked at Willow.
She shook her head then let it fall in shame. This fight was all her fault, “I’m so sorry. He’s gone. Tanner will take him home.”
Before Brantley could respond to her apology, Dutch spoke his first words from the door, “Not without you. We’re not leaving you to be taken advantage of again. Next time I won’t hold back.”
Brantley defended himself. “I wasn’t. I promise. Willow asked…”
His voice trailed off because Dutch was coming back again, but the guys wouldn’t allow it.
She wondered what Brantley was going to say, Willow asked for it, asked to be alone, asked to get shit-faced to forget what had happened earlier with you. She had no idea, but it was best he didn’t finish his sentence. Brantley would never know how she used him and his party to make her forget. She’d failed. Willow wanted to leave with Tanner and Dutch, but she couldn’t; she had to stand firm to prove a point.
