Welcome To Hickville High (Hickville High Series Book 1), page 24
Kelsey stood between Zoe and Drew. “Wait a minute.”
Drew stared at Zoe. “Then you’ll have her tonight and most of tomorrow.”
Kelsey tried again. “Guys!”
They both looked at Kelsey and Zoe asked, “What?”
“Neither one of you have custody of me. Zoe, what time is the appointment at the salon?”
“Ten-fifteen.”
“Fine. Drew, pick me up for breakfast at eight?”
“Okay.” He flashed an “I won” look at Zoe.
Zoe looked at Kelsey, “Tonight is girls’ night. Come on—they’re waiting.”
Kelsey turned to Drew, “Do you want to hang out with us?”
Zoe snapped her gaze at Drew. She didn’t say anything, but it was obvious to Kelsey she was letting him know he wasn’t welcome.
Drew returned the look to Zoe, but then he faced Kelsey and the hard angles softened into a smile. “You need a night with your friends. I’ll see you in the morning.”
Zoe turned her back on Drew and hooked her arm in Kelsey’s. “Come on, the girls are downstairs.”
When they reached the foyer, Kelsey was mobbed. After she hugged everybody at least twice, Drew stepped up beside her. “I’m going to take off. Have fun tonight.”
“Wait, I’ll walk you out.” To her friends, she said, “I’ll be right back.”
When the door closed behind them, Drew put his arms around Kelsey and kissed her. She waited for the fireworks to explode in her mind or at least a squiggly feeling in her stomach, but there was nothing.
He ran his hands down to the small of her back and pulled her tight against him. But instead of melting into him, like she had with Austin, her muscles tensed and she backed away from the embrace. When their lips parted, he kissed the base of her neck. “I’ve missed you, Kelsey.”
“I missed you too.” She leaned away from him. “But the girls are waiting…”
“Let them wait.” He moved his hands up her back and kissed her again. She wanted to enjoy the kiss. But his mouth was opened too wide and his tongue reminded her of a lizard’s the way it darted in and out of her mouth. When she didn’t think she could stand anymore, she broke the kiss. Drew heaved a heavy sigh. “I know, I know, your friends are waiting. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Thanks for understanding.”
He kissed her again and thankfully it was a short one because she had sort of a sick feeling in her stomach. Amazingly, as soon as she crossed the threshold into the bevy of her girlfriends, the feeling went away.
It took them about ten minutes to decide they needed to order a pizza. An hour later, Kelsey nestled into an overstuffed chair in the basement and bit into a slice of Chicago’s finest. She chewed slowly, relishing the mixture of spices and crust.
Emily and Lizzie laughed about Stephen Hartwell totaling his BMW just one month after he got it. Katie filled her in on the latest shopping trip and showed off her three hundred dollar Cole Hahn sandals. Kelsey nudged her scuffed Kate Spade heels under the coffee table and laughed in all the appropriate places. But after having been away from that life, it seemed outrageous that they’d laugh over crashing a car. She’d been working her ass off to pay for her wreck. She couldn’t blame them though; she’d been just like them—probably worse.
When the conversation lulled, Kelsey look at her friends and said, “It’s so good to be back. I’ve missed you guys so much.”
Zoe said, “Welcome back to the simple life.”
They all laughed and Kelsey added, “I’m going to soak in every bit, before I have to return to Hickville.”
Lizzie smiled. “Speaking of Hickville—we have a surprise for you.” She looked around the room. “Girls, I think it’s time.”
Zoe pointed to Kelsey. “Don’t move. I’ll be right back.”
She ran upstairs and came back with a large purple gift bag. She set it in front of Kelsey and said, “This is an homage to your life in Texas.”
Katie reached her hand into the bag, pulled out a hot pink cowboy hat with a tiara glued to the crown, and placed it on Kelsey’s head. Next, she handed her an oversized T-shirt with a picture of the front of a diner painted on it. Early Bird Café was painted in the window and above the picture was printed Trailer Trash Palace. The girls laughed wildly and insisted she wear it. She pulled it over her blouse and tried not to feel guilty for making fun of the café. The next item was a sash with the words Trailer Trash Queen spelled out in silver sparkle letters.
She laughed with them and told them about T-bone and Sandy. Only she didn’t explain how T-bone always made her a hot lunch, or how Sandy worked extra shifts so Jenny could spend more time with her kids. Instead, she mimicked Sandy’s drawn out twang and the way T-bone scrunched his face when he was chopping vegetables.
“Oh and you guys have got to hear about Homecoming. They wear these ridiculous mums, they’re huge. Like, they cover the whole chest.”
“No way.” Emily pulled her phone out of her pocket. “I’m googling it.”
Kelsey said, “Look up Texas Mums Etc. That’s where my friends got their breast plates of flowers.”
As soon as she pulled up a picture from the website, the girls passed the phone around and broke into another fit of laughter.
Somewhere, she was aware that pictures were being taken, and sort of suspected that one of the iPhones might be videoing the event. But she’d slipped fully into her old world, and wasn’t about to let a little thing like a conscience stand in the way of having a good time.
After they’d made fun of most of the sites and people of Hillside, Katie cocked her head at Kelsey and said, “Of all the people you’ve talked about, there’s one person we know nothing about. Who’s the hottie sitting next to you at the pool in that Facebook picture?”
“Austin. He’s my best friend in Hillside.”
Zoe raised her brows. She didn’t say anything, but Kelsey knew Zoe suspected there was more to the story than friends.
Emily rubbed her hands together. “Best friends, or best friends with benefits?”
Kelsey shook her head. “Just friends. But enough about Hillside, I want to know more about what’s going on here.” The conversation returned to St. Monica’s gossip, but Kelsey’s focus remained on the cowboy she left in Texas.
After the girls left, Zoe turned to Kelsey. “Do you want to try on the dress?”
“Of course.” They grabbed a soda and went upstairs.
After Zoe helped her squeeze into the dress, Kelsey looked at her reflection in the full-length mirror. She twirled and the skirt billowed around her. She stopped and stood in front of the mirror. Kelsey Quinn of Saint Monica’s Catholic Prep. Pretty. Rich. Popular. And a total lie. That Kelsey Quinn no longer existed.
Zoe fluffed the skirt. “Kelsey, you look like a fairy princess.”
“This is a fantasy. In a couple of days I’m going back to a life of dirt and sweat. I’m an imposter in this dress. Help me out of this thing”
Zoe unzipped the bodice. “But nothing says you can’t enjoy the good stuff for a couple of days.”
Kelsey stepped out of the dress and slipped her blouse over her head. “The good stuff? Let me show you something.” She plopped the suitcase on the bed and pulled out the coral gown. She held it up for Zoe.
“Nice, but it’s not Sue Wong.”
“Exactly.”
“Okay, I’m lost. Are you saying you like this dress better?”
Tears stung Kelsey’s eyes and she nodded.
Zoe picked up the Sue Wong and smoothed it onto the bed. “What’s really going on?”
“This is all wrong. I mean—not you—Drew. I have the boyfriend I’ve always wanted. I’ve dreamt of going to the gala with him, and…I cheated on him.”
“Austin?”
Kelsey hugged the dress to her, “I mean, we didn’t do it, but we made out.”
“So, why are you still dating Drew?”
“The night I was with Austin, Drew told me he loved me.” She gave a half-shrug. “Well he didn’t tell me, he texted me.”
“Texted you? How romantic. So let me guess, you felt guilty and talked yourself into deciding you were in love with Drew.”
“Something like that. Zoe, Austin is the best thing that’s ever happened to me. He doesn’t care if I wear makeup or my hair is perfect. We just have fun together. I’ve never felt so me before.”
“What are you going to do about Drew?”
“Get through the gala with him and then hope Austin will take me back.”
“You have breakfast to get through first.”
26
In Texas, you may not use a feather duster in a state building.
Kelsey sat across from Drew sipping coffee. She hadn’t straightened her hair for him; instead she’d let it fall in soft curls around her chin. Her makeup was so light that her freckles screamed imperfection across her nose and cheeks. She didn’t care. Her mind was on the guy she’d left behind.
“Are you okay, Kelsey? You seem distracted.”
“I’m sorry. I’d forgotten how wonderful this place is.” She scanned the restaurant. An ice sculpture of a seahorse glistened in the center of a table surrounded by shrimp cocktail, oysters on the half shell, crackers, cheese, and fruit. In the corner of the room, a couple of chefs prepared omelets, French toast, and Belgium waffles to order. Servers wearing gold jackets, black slacks, and white gloves hurried around the room pouring coffee and juice.
Drew leaned back in his chair. “Do you miss this?”
“I did at first. But when your days consist of feeding chickens, cleaning the coop, slopping the hog, and shoveling horse poo, you sort of forget about leisurely breakfasts at the country club.”
He curled his upper lip into his nose like he’d just smelled horse poo. “It sounds horrible.”
“Nah. It ain’t so bad.” Kelsey threw a little Texas twang in her words.
Drew winced and looked around like he was afraid someone might over-hear her. “Wow, you do that hick-voice well.”
“Maybe I am one.” She stretched the words out and made the “I” sound like “ahh.”
Drew smiled and set his juice on the table. “Very funny. I promise there will be nothing rural about this weekend.”
Kelsey cradled the coffee cup just below her mouth. “What if I like rural?” She didn’t mean to be picking a fight with him. It just ticked her off that he assumed she didn’t want anything to do with the country.
He leaned back in his chair with a swagger that she found annoying. “Do you really want that, Kelsey? Slopping hogs? Be real. Are you making any real money working in that diner?”
“No. But what I make, I’ve earned. What have you done to earn money, lately?”
“Don’t look down on me because I’m not poor. I know how fortunate I am to have the life I have.”
“But you see Drew, that’s the problem. You think I’m not fortunate. You feel sorry for me because I can’t spend money on things I don’t need.”
“That’s not true.” Drew shook his head. “You’re full of crap, Kelsey. Tell me you don’t miss this. You can wear your hair in curls, and stop wearing makeup, but you’re still one of us.”
She sat her cup on table and breathed, “Sure, I miss being able to spend money without a second thought.” The words almost choked her as she spoke them. “I miss wearing designer clothes. I miss eating fancy food. I miss driving an expensive car.” She stopped and tears dripped down her cheeks.
Drew handed her his napkin. “Don’t be so hard on yourself, Kelsey. Everybody wants to live like this.”
Visions of the weeks spent sweating in the sun, shoveling manure, and working in the dusty feed store traveled through her mind. She saw Austin sitting in the dirt holding his bleeding thumb to his chest, and thought of the way he made sure everybody in school knew she was his friend. And then there was the night on the bluff. “But I’ve found something better. I’m sorry. I don’t want to be with you anymore, Drew.” She stood and grabbed her purse. “I’ll call Zoe to pick me up.” She ran from the room before he had a chance to speak.
She stood in the foyer of the country club and punched Zoe’s number. She knew breaking up was the right thing, but actually doing it was harder than she’d imagined.
Drew walked up and gently pulled the phone from her hand. “I’ll take you back.” The words were soft, not harsh and angry, as they should’ve been.
She nodded and chewed her bottom lip as they waited for the valet to bring his car. They didn’t speak until Drew pulled into Zoe’s drive. He turned off the engine and sat back in the seat. Kelsey waited for a couple of breaths before reaching for her seatbelt buckle.
“Wait.” He turned toward her, and she sat back with her hands in her lap. “I’ve been trying to figure out what I did to make you want to break up with me.”
“It’s not you. I’m not the same girl.”
His gaze rolled over her. “Seriously, you’re giving me the it’s not you, it’s me speech?”
She looked him in the eyes and nodded. “It’s true.”
“Maybe, but something has really bothered me…” His eyes narrowed. “One question? Did you cheat on me with that guy?”
She looked away and swallowed hard.
“Get out.” He spit the words and Kelsey felt like she’d been assaulted and, all at once, the anger she’d been harboring broke loose.
“I’ll get out, but first you’re going to listen.” She hissed. “I kissed him, and I’m not sorry. You strung me along giving me bits and pieces of your affection making me feel like I was useless without you. Do you know how much time I spent looking perfect for you? It wasn’t until you saw the picture of me and Austin…”
“Austin and me.”
“Shut up, Drew. Me and Austin, that you said you cared.”
“I said I loved you.”
“You texted it. Who does that?” She unbuckled her seatbelt and opened the door. “I’ll take back the dress and have Zoe drive me to the airport on Sunday.”
“Keep the dress as a reminder of who you used to be the next time you’re shopping at Wal-Mart.”
“You’re a real prick, Drew.”
“And you’re a hick.”
“Thank you. You finally got it right.” She got out of the car and slammed the door. He squealed the tires as he pulled through the circular drive.
Zoe must have heard Drew speed off because she opened the door before Kelsey had a chance to ring the bell. Kelsey didn’t have to say a word. Zoe hugged her tight and let her cry.
Kelsey pulled away and wiped her eyes. “I don’t know why I’m crying. I wanted to break up.”
“Well, now it’s done and we have a salon appointment.”
“I can’t go to the dance. I don’t have a date, remember?”
“So what, the rest of us are going as a group. Come with us. I’ll be more fun anyway.”
Kelsey took a deep breath. “Okay.”
“Besides, you already have the dress.”
“I’m not going to wear the Sue Wong. I’m going with the other one. I have other plans for the Wong.”
*
Kelsey waited for the rest of the passengers to find their seats and thought about the weekend. Other than the whole breaking up with Drew drama, it had been perfect. She got to spend time with her friends. She’d worried briefly about seeing Drew at the gala, but he wasn’t even there. In the end, everybody danced with everybody and she had a blast.
In some ways, Sunday had come too soon. She hated to say goodbye to Zoe, but she was excited to get back home. Home. Hillside was home now. And Austin was there, and she couldn’t wait to see him, to be with him, to feel his kisses…
Her phone dinged a text.
Ryan: Check your Facebook page.
She clicked to her page and her heart stopped. There she was, cowboy hat, T-shirt, and sash. The caption below the picture read. Queen of the double wide. Below the picture was a series of videos. The first one was of her making fun of Austin’s mom and T-bone. In the next one, she explained Homecoming. The last line of this video was her calling Shelby and Hannah’s mums breast plates.
Shit, shit, f—-ing, shit. I can’t fix this.
She called her sister. “Ryan, can everyone see this?”
“You’re tagged in it, so I think so.”
Kelsey deleted the posts, but they’d been up since the night before, so no telling who’d seen them. She had two hours and thirty-five minutes to think of a way to fix her Facebook faux pas. And during that time, one phrase circulated her brain. “They’ll never forgive me.”
Ryan and her mom met her at the baggage claim. Her mom gave her a warm hug, but Kelsey hung on. She wished her mom could make it all go away. But this was her mess, and she had to clean it up. She let go of her mom. “Did you see my Facebook page?”
“Yes.”
“What do I do?”
“What can you do? Apologize and hope for the best.”
While they waited for her baggage, Kelsey called Austin, but it went straight to voicemail. Shelby and Hannah’s phones did the same. She turned to Ryan. “Have you heard from anybody?”
“Yeah. Austin said he couldn’t take us to school this week.”
“I’ve ruined everything.”
Her mom pulled her bag from the carousel. “Give it time, honey. You’d be surprised what the heart can forgive, given enough time.”
That took her back. She looked at Ryan, but her sister gave her the not now look.
Mom blinked her eyes and looked for the exit. “Let’s go girls, tomorrow is another day.”
Kelsey hung back from her mom as they walked to the car. Ryan fell in step next to her. Kelsey whispered to her sister. “What’s up with her?”
“They had a huge fight. I don’t know anything else, but Kenzie thinks it was about Cassidy Jones.”
“Crap.”
“Yeah. Crap.”
By the time they reached the car, Mom seemed to be back to herself. Ryan and Kelsey exchanged worried looks but neither said anything else.
