Part Two

The conversation with Hanson stayed with Kelley for some reason. His words felt more like a revelation than a question to him, almost like something would test those bonds. He’d known these people for ten years, been a part of that circle for ten years.

The more pressing question, though, was, who were the feel good people in their circle? Kelley had no idea what to make of Hanson’s sudden change in mood and it wasn’t his parents’ divorce. Finally really was the right answer.

Kelley sat in his car in the garage, his father’s space empty, and sighed. He found his mother in the kitchen, staring out of the window, her eyes more bloodshot than the previous day. She turned around with an awkward smile when Kelley’s bag hit the floor.

“You’re back … are you hungry?” She looked almost pleadingly at him to say yes so she could have something to do.

“I am. How was your dinner?”

Laura looked down briefly before straightening up and opening the fridge. “It was business as usual with your father.”

“Is he here?” Kelley had to ask although he already knew the answer. He was never there, never at a game. Kelley had mostly relied on himself, he loved his mother, but she was weak and soft and needed protection more than she could give it.

“He stayed in the city last night.”

Kelley didn’t say anything else because there was nothing else to say. He was always somewhere else rather than at home. He ate the lunch his mother prepared and watched as she cleaned the already clean kitchen.

“Do you even love him?”

“Kelley …”

“Forget it. I’m going out.”

Kelley drove away from the big house on the hill and parked his Escalade by the pier and got out. He took off his shoes and rolled his jeans up, setting off down the beach. The surf and the crashing waves should have soothed him, but inside he was wrestling with his own demons.

Kelley stood looking out over the ocean as the surf broke around his ankles, numb to the outside world. He looked to his right and in the distance he saw a bonfire and people milling about, closer to the harbour.

They looked free but then again he had no idea what that meant. He was supposed to start working for his father in the hotel. Learn the business, as Charles had said. Other than football, Kelley didn’t have a clue about his future but he knew he didn’t want to be the next Charles Alexander.

The next week sped by and before Kelley knew it, it was Norah’s seventeenth birthday and he had to attend a formal dinner with their parents at the country club and then afterwards they’d be having a party on the beach.

Kelley arrived at the country club five minutes early and found them already seated at a table, in the middle of the dining room, where everyone could see them. Norah didn’t smile when she saw him and his father barely glanced at him.

“Good evening, Mr and Mrs Kensington. Happy birthday, Norah.”

Kelley took the empty seat next to Norah as the conversation resumed around them and a drink appeared in front of him. “Norah … are you okay?”

Norah fidgeted with her glass before glancing at him. “I just want this dinner over with.”

The dinner was stuffy, awkward even and Norah wasn’t herself at all. She seemed restless and when desert was cleared away Kelley felt like he could breathe again. He led Norah to his Escalade after saying their goodbyes.

“Ugh, I hate these formal dinners.” Norah pulled clothes out of her overly large handbag and started undressing in the car.

Kelley could barely focus on the road ahead of them as she pulled a short skirt on and pulled her underwear off, giving him a smile as she caught him looking. “No underwear?”

“Let’s just say tonight’s going to be interesting.”

Kelley’s erection pressed against the zipper of his dress pants and he shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Norah pulled a halter neck top over her head, her nipples clearly visible through the thin fabric. He parked the Escalade further away from the other cars as Norah turned towards him, her hand moving to his zipper.

Giving head wasn’t something Norah was particularly good at. She moved her head in a way that seemed monotonous and chore-like. Kelley had to close his eyes and take matters into his own hands when Norah moaned loudly like she was enjoying it.

Kelley grabbed a fistful of her hair and started thrusting into her mouth, to get the right amount of friction and momentum. Norah gagged loudly as he hit the back of her throat and tears ran down her cheeks.

He came with a low grunt and Norah coughed as she swallowed and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand once he pulled out. She hated it when he did that but it was the only way he could reach orgasm with her.

“I hate it when you cum in my mouth like that.” Norah fixed her clothes and opened a bottle of water from her bag.

“And that’s why I do it.” Norah’s glare didn’t go unnoticed and Kelley smiled as he reached into the backseat.

“I was wondering where my present was.” She grabbed the large birthday bag and practically ripped it open.

“It’s the newest Gunther Jacobs.” Kelley waited for her reaction as she pulled the designer handbag out.

“Thank you Kelley … I love it.”

Norah left the birthday bag in the car and they walked hand in hand towards the bonfire and beach chairs surrounding it. A chorus of happy birthday’s went out and Hanson handed Kelley a beer. Norah disappeared into the crowd and Kelley sat down next to the guys.

Hanson bumped shoulders with him. “How was the dinner?”

“Suffocating, as always.” Kelley gave him a small smile, an adequate description whenever his father was present.

“Poor, little Kelley, let me buy you a drink.” Hanson grinned at him and Kelley shook his head.

“The drinks are free, asshole.”

Kelley went in search of Norah, who had disappeared three hours earlier with her friends. Kelley rounded the slight sand dunes close to the hotel where beach bathrooms were located for the use of the private beach patrons.

Kelley stopped short when he heard Norah’s voice just before he rounded the corner of the building. “Why don’t you just tell him?”

“Please, Marella, it’s hard enough looking at him when he’s always moody. I can’t tell him that I’m not into Gunther Jacobs anymore. He’s already a sad boy.”

“He’s not sad, Norah. He has feelings like everyone else, he’s just deep and stuff.”

“Deep and stuff? Don’t be an idiot. If it wasn’t because of my father I wouldn’t even be dating him.”

“Fine, I’ll take him off your hands. He’s hot and actually nice to you, he’s not an asshole and he doesn’t cheat on you. What’s wrong with you?”

“He’s too nice, Marella … I want something rougher around the edges, I want him to take charge for once, bend me over something and just take what he wants. He’s always so considerate and it’s boring.”

Kelley took a step backwards, not wanting to hear anymore and made his way back to the bonfire. The realization that she didn’t love him struck him hard. Her words raced through his mind, he was too nice, too considerate, he was boring.

Norah and Marella returned to the party and sat down on beach chairs across from him and Hanson. Marella caught his gaze and looked down guiltily, she at least appreciated nice guys. Norah crossed her legs and gave him a glimpse of her nudity underneath.

“Damn, when did Beaver get to town?” Hanson coughed his laugh out at Marcus’s words who sat down next to Kelley.

“Shit, Marcus.” Hanson was laughing loudly now and Norah looked over at them.

“What’s so funny?”

“Nothing .. Mrs Beaver.” Norah’s face heated and she tugged her skirt down.

“Are you really just going to sit there, Kelley?” Norah had moved forward in her seat and glared at him.

“What do you want me to do? You’re showing off the goods, they’re just looking at what you’re promoting.”

“Seriously? You’re going to let him talk to me like that?” The look in her eyes made him feel guilty for his earlier comment and he straightened in his chair.

“Knock it off, Marcus.”

Marcus shrugged as Norah looked at him as if she’d won a national prize. Marella was still looking everywhere but at Kelley and then Norah’s words hit him again. He got up from the beach chair and walked back towards his car, Norah trailing behind him.

“Where are you going?”

“Listen … if you don’t like the Gunther Jacobs, give it to Marella.”

“What are you talking about, Kelley?” Norah narrowed her eyes and he shifted on his feet.

“Your reaction wasn’t exactly exuding happiness. I’ll get you something else, whatever you want.”

“You’re a good boyfriend, Kelley, and I’m sorry I didn’t say anything earlier. I’m more into the Rocker series now.”

“Was that so hard?”

Norah smiled as he opened the boot of the Escalade and she came to stand behind him, her arms wrapped around his waist. “Kelley, I want you to bend me over right here and take me from behind, hard.”

Before she could blink she was pressed down on the carpeted boot of the Escalade, her skirt bunched around her waist as Kelley unzipped his pants and pulled a condom on. Kelley thrusted hard into her, not even making sure she was ready.

Her nails raked over the rough carpet and she clamped down around him. He kept at it, chasing his own orgasm. “Touch yourself, Norah, get yourself off.” Kelley took her hard and rough as she thrusted her ass back against him and kept moaning his name.

By the time the sun rose Norah’s birthday party was dwindling down as most of them sat on the sand and laughed drunkenly about the end of school looming. Three months of summer vacation were being discussed.

“I really wish you’d change your mind and come with us to our ski lodge.” Norah’s fingers traced light patterns on Kelley’s arm.

“I really can’t.” He couldn’t leave his mother alone for three months, she’d dwindle and the life would be gone from her eyes by the time he came back.

“We’ve got one week at least. We should make the most of it.”

“Kelley, can you give me a ride home?” Marella looked at the ground as she asked him that question.

“Sure, it’s on my way. Be ready in about ten minutes.”

Norah smiled secretively and looked at Kelley. “I think she’s in love with you.”

“No, she’s not. It doesn’t matter because I’m not the cheating type.”

“I wasn’t worried, Kelley, I was just saying.” Norah stood up and walked off to another group of people leaving Kelley by the now dead bonfire.

Seven minutes later Kelley drove away from the beach with Marella strapped into the front seat. He hadn’t even said goodbye to Norah and she didn’t seem to mind. Marella sat quietly as he drove towards her house.

“You really are a good guy, Kelley.”

“Yeah, seems like it’s not good enough.”

Marella’s eyes widened slightly. “You overheard us?”

Kelley nodded his head and Marella looked out of the window. “I don’t know how to be anything else. I don’t know what to do to make her happy.”

“She doesn’t deserve you. You’re better than this, Kelley, you deserve someone that doesn’t cheat on you.”

Marella’s hand was on the doorhandle but Kelley grabbed her arm. “What?”

“She’s been cheating on you for the last year, Kelley. Open your eyes because it’s been staring you right in the face.”

“Who?”

“Hanson, for one.” This time when she opened the door Kelley let her go. She paused at the front door but didn’t look back and Kelley felt nauseas.