Chapter Forty
The night only got better as they partied with their friends and more and more people arrived to celebrate with them. The football season was officially over and they had won the Trent Howell trophy. None of them drank and laughter rang out around them as others did and a few of them stumbled around already drunk.
They laughed and Kelley felt content sitting on a wooden picnic table with Juliana snugly between his legs. Her back was glued to his chest and knowing that she loved him back was the best feeling in the world. Kelley could see them, years later, happy and content with each other. She'd keep him on his toes as well and Kelley knew once he told her about his plans, that she'd be right there with him.
The night dragged on and Kelley noticed that Mason disappeared a few times and Kelley heard the rumours. Mason didn’t have a girlfriend because he preferred hooking up and there were enough willing ones to keep him entertained. Juliana was the one to tell him that.
“You’re best friends with the guy and you don’t know this about him?”
Kelley shifted her to look at him. “We don’t sit around talking about our conquests.”
“Conquests?” Juliana raised one eyebrow and narrowed her eyes at him in a comical fashion of mock anger.
Kelley stifled a smile. “You know what I mean, Jule, not me, I don’t have conquests.”
“I know all about you, Kelley Alexander.”
“That you do. I have no secrets.” He grinned at her and nuzzled her neck. He could feel the goosebumps his hot breath left behind and he knew without a doubt he'd be sharing a bed with her that night, no matter what.
“That’s good because I might just consider doing that swirly tongue thing.”
Kelley could feel his erection growing once again and Juliana laughed as she shifted on his lap. “You’re bad.”
“I’m good.”
Kelley grinned again and kissed her neck. She was good, probably too good for him. “That too.”
They kissed again and when they broke apart Juliana visibly jumped as Mason’s face was inches from theirs. “Isn’t that sweet.”
“Are you lonely, Mason? Did slag three or four not put out for you?”
“They’re not slags, Juliana. They’re consenting participants.” Mason's proud smile was too much and Kelley chuckled.
“Uh huh, man-whore comes to mind.”
Mason's expression turned serious and he was quiet for a few seconds. “Maybe I should start charging them.”
Kelley started laughing as Mason straightened to his full height. “You’re impossible.”
“I’ll change when the right one comes along.”
Juliana snorted. “The right one might run when she hears about your reputation.”
“Not true, the right one will accept me as I am.”
“What do you want, Mason?” Kelley looked at him with a frown.
“Oh … right … we’re heading to the diner to eat. Come on, cougar boy.”
Kelley laughed loudly as he looked at Mason. “You talked to your mom?”
Mason laughed as he nodded his head and Kelley groaned out loud. “Are you two coming or not?”
“Sure, I can eat.” Juliana stood up from Kelley’s lap and pulled him up by his hand. They greeted people on their way past the picnic tables and more than a few slapped Kelley on the back. Juliana led him to his Escalade and smiled when he opened her door for her.
Kelley started to drive and then stopped as he looked at Juliana. “Seatbelt.”
“You’re such a whiner.” She clicked the safety belt into place and they drove off, following Mason’s truck with Lee’s car coming up behind them.
Juliana cranked the volume of the radio and sang along to some pop song as Kelley glanced at her. Lee stopped next to them at the intersection and grinned as Marella lowered her window and Kelley lowered his as well.
“Lee says the last one to the diner buys dinner!”
With that Lee looked both ways and sped over the intersection. The light was still red and Kelley remained where he was. “Seriously! You’re going to let them win?” Juliana unclipped her safety belt and reached for her bag behind her.
“It’s not worth it, Jule.” Kelley grinned and the light changed to green. He started moving forward and looked to the side as Juliana screamed and the truck smashed into the side of his Escalade.
The force with which the truck hit them had made the Escalade spin and toll and come to a stop. Kelley had hit his head against his window and blood ran down the side of his face. Juliana lay half on top of him, her eyes open.
Kelley started screaming as he tried to undo his safety belt, the marks of it had cut across his chest as it restrained him. He could hear voices but all he could see were Jule’s lifeless eyes staring up at him as he held her.
“Jule! Jule! Wake up, please! Jule! Don’t leave me!”
Hands moved her away and then someone gripped his face. “Kelley! Are you hurt? Where are you hurt? Kelley!”
“Jule.”
“Shit, Mason! Call an ambulance!”
The safety belt was cut away and Kelley was pulled out of the car. His legs felt weak and he stumbled to the road. He scrambled to his feet because he could hear Marella’s sobs and he rounded the car where she sat next to Jule’s body.
Kelley knelt next to her and he started to cry. The other car stood a few feet away from them, someone slumped over a steering wheel and the passenger door opened. Mason stood in front of him and he heard the scream of a girl.
“Kelley! Kelley! Oh no! Kelley!”
Kelley looked up and the girl looked familiar but his brain was fuzzy and he couldn’t really hear her. The rushing of his blood was drowning out everything else. Mason grabbed her then and pulled her against him as she sobbed.
The ambulance arrived then and the paramedics covered Jule’s body. Kelley sat on the pavement and watched as they pulled the driver from the other car out. He stood up then and looked at his once friend. “Petey.”
