by J.M. Downey
“Hey, Keith.” The girl bit down on one of the cuffs of the shirt.
Katie eyes opened wide, focusing on the smirk on Keith’s face.
“That’s my shirt,” he said as he walked to the girl, and held out his arms. She jumped off the couch and into his arms before he spun her around in a half-circle. As they embraced, the girl looked over her shoulder at Katie. They had the same dark blue eyes.
Keith pulled her from him. “Here to torment Brandon?”
Katie let go of her breath. This must be Keith’s sister. The girl laughed and turned her gaze back to Katie. “No, I wanted to meet Katie. Is this her?”
Katie blinked. He must have been talking about her to his family if his sister had made a surprise visit to meet her.
“Really,” he said, turning towards her. “Katie, this is Amanda.”
“Yeah, I figured,” Katie said.
Amanda crossed her arms over her chest and tipped her head to the side, a strand of hair fell over her shoulder. “She looks so innocent, but beautiful.”
Keith chuckled. “I know, it was one of the first things I noticed about her.”
Amanda laughed and then sat on the couch - the shirt barely hid the full curves of her body. “Ashley’s here by the way.”
Keith’s smile disappeared. “Where is she?”
“Asleep on your bed. We had a long day.” Amanda brought the cuff back to her lips and bit on it.
Keith left the living room, and went to his bedroom. Katie took a deep breath and let it out in a slow stream. What was he doing in there with his ex and why was she on his bed? He hadn’t said one thing about that but just marched off to his room. She squeezed her hands together. This was strange. The air of the room seemed to be filled with a tenseness.
A couple seconds later, Keith emerged with Ashley at his side.
Katie’s mouth dropped open. Before her stood, Keith’s first love and she was beautiful. Not just beautiful, she had an exotic look to her. She was a tall girl, almost as tall as Keith, with light chestnut hair and streaks of blonde highlights that fell just below her shoulders, tanned skin, and bright penetrating green eyes that were the dominant feature of her face. She wore a pair of boxers and a Yankee t-shirt that was Keith’s.
The girl’s gaze rested on her as if she was studying her. Probably sizing up her competition. There was no way she could compete with a girl who looked like she could walk off a runway.
Ashley glanced at Keith and gave him a sensuous smile before she walked up to Katie. The girl placed two hands on Katie’s hips. Katie jumped, taking a step back. “Keith, you must share.”
“She’s not into girls,” Keith said.
A smile crossed Ashley’s face, revealing a perfect row of white teeth. The scent of rose perfume filled the space between them. Keith walked up to Katie and wrapped his arms around her waist, placing his chin on her head. He had come to her, but she felt no peace. Ashley must be here for a reason.
The girl laughed and turned around, walking over to Amanda. Ashley sat next to her and leaned back against Amanda so that she lay in between her legs. Katie swallowed hard. Ashley had such familiarity with Amanda’s body. She had never been in a room with two homosexuals. But wasn’t Amanda engaged to Brandon? Ashley’s fingers trailed up Amanda’s legs. “Maybe I can teach her things.”
Keith laughed.
Katie wrapped her arms around her waist and sniffled as tears built in her eyes. He thought that was funny. He should know how she would feel about such comments. Keith bit down on the side of his bottom lip, a slight blush on his cheeks. He was still attracted to her. Keith had said Ashley had a girlfriend, but maybe he liked that. Katie pulled herself from Keith. “I’m going to get a drink.”
She walked to the kitchen. As Katie grabbed a Coke from the fridge, she saw Keith lean over Ashley and whisper something into her ear.
Ashley laughed and pushed him away. They were too comfortable with each other to be exes. She must be here to get him back, and based on Keith’s reaction it wouldn’t be too hard for her. Maybe if she…. No, she wouldn’t go there, she pushed the thought away.
Katie returned with a Coke and sat in a chair.
“Whatever, Keith,” Ashley said, breaking out in a deep laugh.
“I’m telling you the truth. Brandon is a fool.”
They were lost in their own world, not even realizing she was there. She rolled her eyes and looked at the clock. It was 11 p.m.. Katie tapped the top of her Coke bottle. So much for introducing him to Persuasion.
“So, Katie, how is Keith treating you?” Ashley asked, her emerald eyes locking on Katie’s.
“Hmm.” She looked back at the clock. She needed to leave. Standing, she grabbed her things and stared at Keith.
He turned to her and smiled, although his blue eyes wavered. “I guess Katie wants to get back to her dorm.” He stood, grabbing his keys and coat.
“Bye, Katie,” the girls said in unison. Katie rushed out the door with Keith at her heels. Those two girls could shove it for all she cared.
In the car, Keith said, “what’s up?”
She crossed her arms and leaned as far back into the seat as she could. “Just take me to my dorm.”
He shook his head. “All right.”
The street passed by in a blur. Katie leaned her cheek against the chilled window that was probably as cold as she felt. Ashley was staying with him tonight despite the fact the girl could afford a hotel. It would be real easy for her to slip into his bed and back into his life. Unless.… Katie bit on her fingernails. Maybe Keith would be tempted to ditch his sister and spend the night with her. She would let him into her bed, and fill his arms, keeping them from feeling the void of Ashley.
At her dorm, she hurried out of the car and waited for Keith. He smiled, taking her hand.
“I love you,” he said, reaching down to kiss her cheek.
She grabbed the collar of his shirt, and kept his face lowered. “Stay with me tonight.”
“Where did that come from?” He laughed, biting down on his lip.
“I just want you here with me. You can even stay in my bed, with me in your arms.”
“Really.” He raised his eyebrows. “You think we’ll be able to just sleep.” He took a step back. “Don’t answer that. Katie, my sister is here.”
Tears swelled in Katie’s eyes. She wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her head on his chest. He would rather be with his sister. Maybe she should let him have more.
“Pretty thing, you don’t have anything to worry about,” he said.
She squeezed him tighter. “Please, stay with me?”
Keith pulled himself from Katie and took her hands. “You could stay with me.”
Katie let go of his hands, and turned from him. She didn’t want him around Ashley. “No,” she whispered as she went to unlock her door. Keith grabbed her arm and spun her around, clenching her shoulders.
“I’m not getting back with Ashley.”
“You seem happy she’s here.”
He yanked her towards him, making her crash against his chest. “Listen, there is something you need to understand. Us four, as in Ashley, Amanda, Arther’s daughter and I, grew up like brother and sisters. Ashley and I will always be close, but nothing else. She doesn’t even like men.”
Katie looked at the concrete sidewalk in front of her dorm room. “I saw the look on your face.”
Keith let go of Katie’s shoulders and turned from her - a chill swept over her with the absence of his warmth.
She walked to his side. A strong glare filled his eyes. “I’m sorry,” she said.
Keith placed his hands on his hips and looked at the ground, shaking his head. “I’ll stay with you.” He looked at Katie. “You know, Katie, I want you three to be friends, so you’re going have to get over this pettiness and learn to trust me.”
Katie hung her head. How bad would it be to be around Ashley? She could keep her eyes on them both. “Okay, I’ll stay wit
h you. Although, I don’t know where I’m going to sleep.”
He laughed. “I don’t know how much we’ll sleep.”
Katie and Keith went upstairs so she could grab a pair of pajamas. She didn’t know why, but Keith called Amanda to say they were coming back. When they arrived back at the apartment, Amanda and Ashley were lying on the floor, both in red, silk pajamas with low necklines and shorts that looked more like underwear. Both had a wine glass in their hands.
“Oh boy, Katie’s back,” Ashley said as she sat up - her smile slipping on her face.
Katie forced a smile, as she went to the bathroom and put on her pajamas with purple and white stripes, and showed nothing. She must look like a child compared to the sexy pajamas the other girls wore. How could he not find Ashley more attractive? Maybe she should just walk out in nothing. That would show Ashley. Katie shook her head. And her virginity would be gone by morning. She opened the door. “Keith, can I have a shirt?”
No response came, so she stepped out the door. Keith walked up to her with a shirt. She took it, closed the door, and put on the shirt. It was a white t-shirt with a Yankee insignia over the breasts. So many of his shirts were Yankee shirts.
She walked back into the living room and went to sit next to Keith on the couch who leaned back with his arm stretched out on the top like he was waiting for her to slip underneath it.
“No, Katie that is where the boy is sitting, come down here with the women,” Ashley said, tapping the spot next to her.
Katie stopped short and rubbed her sweaty palms on her pants. Keith smiled as he chuckled. Why was he laughing? Katie let her breath out slowly and sat on the floor next to Amanda. She could feel the other girls’ eyes on her, probably studying her every move.
“What do you think, Amanda?” Ashley said.
“Brandon’s right. She is pretty.”
Ashley whispered in Amanda’s ear, but Katie heard her say, “she’s innocent looking.”
Aka virgin. Did they know? Maybe Keith had told his sister about her values. Amanda smiled as she scooted behind Katie, and ran her fingers through her hair, making Katie cringe.
“We should steal her.” Amanda wrapped her arms around Katie’s waist. Katie sat up, trying to break her hold but the girl held on tight. Were they trying to play some kind of game?
Keith put his beer on his knee. “Good luck.”
“Oh, that’s right,” Amanda said as she slapped Ashley’s leg. “Brandon said she has morals.”
So they did know.
A smirk crossed Ashley’s face as she got on her hands and knees and crawled over to Katie, revealing the top of her breasts. “You’re a virgin.”
Katie leaned back into Amanda, trying to get away from Ashley’s stare that bore through her.
“You’re not helping things. She just met you,” Keith said.
Ashley’s lips curved into her seductive smile before she got off the floor and walked to the kitchen. “Vodka shots,” she shouted.
Ashley returned with four shot glasses stacked up on top of each other and a bottle of vodka. Ashley handed Keith a glass, and poured him a drink. She then walked over to the girls, set the glasses down and filled each one.
“Katie doesn’t want that,” he said.
Ashley turned to Keith and blinked her eyebrows. A smile crept across his face. That eye blink must have been some kind of communication. Katie caressed a tendril of her hair. His eyes held a touch of mischief. She should have kept him with her at her dorm. She wrapped her arms around her knees slowly rocking back and forth. They were probably trying to make her uncomfortable to sort her out completely. “I think I’ll try some,” Katie said.
Keith laughed. “This will be interesting.”
He got off the couch and sat next to her. He had his shot glass in one hand and the other held his beer.
Katie picked up the glass; her hands slightly shook. Keith hit his glass against hers and let the liquid slip down his throat. It didn’t even faze him.
“Go ahead,” Amanda whispered into her ear. Katie raised the glass to her lips. She closed her eyes, and copied Keith by throwing her head back and pouring the liquid into her mouth. Her eyes opened wide as the sting of the liquid bit her tongue. Her hands flew to her mouth as her stomach lurched. She forced it down with a gigantic gulp. Never in her life had she tasted something so vile.
Amanda pushed Katie’s head against her chest. “She’s so adorable.”
She opened her eyes. Keith leaned over her - his gaze roaming her face. “How was that?” he asked.
“Gross,” she said.
Keith chuckled as he held his beer up to her lips. “This will get rid of the taste.”
She took a couple sips, and tried to move Keith’s arm, but he wouldn’t bulge. She moved her face from the bottle. Keith lifted it up, but a cold drop of beer splashed on her cheek.
“Sorry,” he said.
Katie wiped the beer away.
“Did you like that?” He kissed the cheek where the beer was.
“No.” Katie chuckled. Why did people drink this stuff? It tasted like some kind of tonic leaf and stung her throat, but Keith slurped it down like it was chocolate milk.
“I know what she’d like.” Ashley stood and walked to the fridge. She came back with three bottles of sour apple Smirnoff, and one dogfish for Keith. She set the drinks down, and picked one up. She opened the Smirnoff and handed it to Katie. “These are delicious.”
Katie took the drink, and sipped it. “It tastes like Sprite,” she said. Now this she could drink.
“Yeah,” Keith said as he turned his gaze to Ashley.
Katie took a long sip of the drink, watching every move of Keith and Ashley as they talked about the semester and people they knew. He seemed so focused on her. It was the allure. Something about Ashley made her come off as mystic, untouchable and Keith had touched her. Katie pushed the thought from her mind. He was with her now, not Ashley. She took another long sip of the Smirnoff. But he was definitely not over her.
“Katie, you ever been drunk?” Amanda asked.
She shook her head and finished the drink, setting the bottle down. She knew how to keep Keith’s attention.
“I’m hot,” Katie said. Taking the bottom of her shirt, she raised it just below her breasts. Keith’s smile widened, his gaze sweeping over her bare skin. It was the most skin, she had ever revealed to him. One of his fingers ran down her stomach, leaving tingles in his wake. He stopped at the edge of her pant line, slipping the finger in just a tad as he looked into her eyes, biting on the side of his bottom lip. It was almost like he was asking if he could go further. If she let him, he’d definitely ignore Ashley. She swallowed hard and nodded.
“Cute,” Ashley said.
The smile fled from Keith’s face. He grabbed the bottom of Katie’s shirt and jerked it down. “And someday, it will be mine.”
Had Ashley said that to distract him - thus keeping his attention on her? If she had, Katie would fight back the best way she knew. Ashley couldn’t slip into his arms if someone was already there. Katie sat up from Amanda, and crawled into Keith’s lap as the world swirled around her. Keith wrapped her in his muscular arms, and the tension melted.
A chuckle escaped from her rival as she shook her head. Was this just a game to her?
“Can I have another?” Katie reached out for a Smirnoff.
Ashley looked at Amanda, giggling. “This will be fun.”
“She’s off limits.” Keith placed his chin on Katie’s head.
“Don’t worry, we’re not going to do anything.” Ashley handed Katie an opened Smirnoff. Letting the bubbly liquid slip down her throat, she listened to them talk, until Ashley complained that it was too quiet. Amanda blurred into a wavy line as she went over to Keith’s MP3 player and turned on music. Keith rocked his head back and forth. Kryptonite was on. He must love this song. The first time she saw him was when Kryptonite blasted through a party and he joined a group of young men, shouting out
the words.
“Hey get up,” Keith said, tugging at her arms. Katie placed her hands on the floor to push herself up but she wobbled falling back onto her bottom. Her head felt so dizzy. Keith stood, grabbed her from under the arms and pulled her to her feet, but still the world tilted.
“I love this song,” Keith whispered into her ear.
When the words began the three started singing them. Keith placed one hand on her stomach and the other held his beer. He began moving her hips to the beat of the music, and Katie reached behind her head, wrapping her arms around his neck. At the moment she felt so erotic like Ashley. If she could just have the allure she saw in her eyes. What was it? Confidence? Did she know how men like Keith looked at her?
Keith’s head crossed her shoulder, as Ashley walked over to them. They both shouted the words of the song to each other. Keith looked so good singing the song; it was the way his full lips moved. Katie turned around and rubbed his chest. A bright look formed in his eyes, and he pulled her closer, sliding his hand to the dip of her back, moving her hips to the music.
“You two look hot,” Ashley shouted out.
Katie looked at the two girls who were dancing together a little too close.
She took a step towards them, but Keith turned her back around. “Stay with me, pretty thing,” he said.
“I’m hot.”
“Yeah, you’re sexy,” he said.
“No, I’m hot,” she said through giggles as she reached down for her pajama pants and began to pull them off.
She only got them down an inch before Keith pulled them back up. “I don’t think that would be a good idea.”
Katie giggled and laid her dizzy head against Keith’s chest. “I’ve got shorts on, silly.”
Keith stopped dancing. “Do you really?”
“Uh, huh.”
Amanda walked up to her and grabbed the back of her pants. “She doesn’t have shorts on.”
