Page 3 of The Death of Kisses

“Woohoo! Way to go Lee!” I shouted over all the hoots and hollers.

We stood rattling the edge of the fence smiling like a pair of geeks just ready for the celebrations.

He caught my smile, returning it as he slid down from the shoulders of his teammates and walked over to us.

“Nice job big bro!” Charlotte punched his arm and he grabbed her in a sweaty bear hug laughing as she pinched her nose in disgust, screaming.

“Told you I wasn’t that terrible at football,” he grinned.

“Yeah something tells me you were holding back on the team to get the big victory all to yourself,” I rolled my eyes.

“You wound me lil bug,” he grabbed an imaginary arrow at his heart falling backwards.

“How many times do I have to tell you we are not kids anymore you don’t have to call me lil bug!” I huffed.

“But you love being called a lil bug,” Charlotte smiled, pulling a strand of my hair away from my face.

“Yeah okay maybe a little,” I smiled as Lee came around the fence.

“Where’s dad?” he asked Charlotte.

“He couldn’t make it,” she looked at her hands and I grabbed it, locking my fingers between hers.

“Well anyways, the boys are having a party and since Dad’s not home. I am in charge, you two are coming and I swear if you embarrass me I will make your life hell,” Lee started walking towards the other football players.

Charlotte and I looked at each other like we’d won the jackpot, big grins as we walked back to my car.

Lee hollered, saddling his motorcycle and revving it, “meet us at the miner’s pit.”

“Don’t get drunk without us!” Charlotte yelled and flipped the team off as they sped through the parking lot as everyone else who’d showed up for the game made their way home.

“Charlotte come on or we will never get out before the crowd,” I groaned, grabbing the hem of her pants and pulling her inside the car. We could have taken Charlotte’s bike but since it was so cold neither of us wanted the full gear. Lee’s bike sped off flashing us in the eyes before he weaved through the cars after the team captain’s jeep.

“Yo Charlotte, let me grab you a drink.” One of the football players wrapped an arm around Charlotte leading her towards the keg in the kitchen. I stifled a laugh as she pleaded with her eyes to save her.

“I’ll catch you later, I have to go find Lee first!” I shouted above the music like it was somehow going to reach her as the dude pulled her away.

Weaving through the thongs of bodies I made it to the main living room. The music changed from a mindless thump to one of my favorite songs, Wake me up. I started swaying my hips and dancing half shouting half singing the lyrics as someone shoved a beer into my hand. I yelled out, “Thanks.”

My eyes closed as I felt the music thrumming through my body. Hands closed around my hips swaying with my body as I ground against them. It was a guy, that much I knew, but I didn’t care, I was in the moment. Four and a half minutes stretched like eternity as I jumped and danced with my favorite song. The song eased and morphed into an obnoxious Pitbull and Kesha song and I slowly stopped dancing as everyone else around me started. The hands on my waist skimmed lower and I pulled away. He caught my wrist and turned me towards him. I recognized him. Jace. The captain of Lee’s football team.

“Where are you off to so fast? We were having fun.” He slurred and I tried to speak but I realized how flushed I had been. Alcohol never affected me like this and I was suddenly aware of how fast my heart was beating.

“I have to go,” I managed to pull his hand from my wrist. He let it go but I felt his hand slap my ass. I yelped and turned back.

“What the hell?” I yelled and he looked back with a smirk.

“You had no problem being a tease and grinding against me, I figured I would get my —”

The fist slammed into his jaw as a blur of black moved in front of me.

“I wouldn’t finish that sentence if I were you,” Lee’s frame stood in front of me, his hand wrapping around mine as he backed us away.

“Oh come on Callahan, it was just a bit of fun. Chill out, it's a party after all.” Jace laughed.

“Not this one, she’s mine.” Lee all but growled as he pulled me through the crowd.

“Wait,” I urged but he was already pulling me halfway up the stairs. My stomach soured as nausea rolled up my throat.