Page 1 of Tease
CHAPTER 1
Kailey
TWENTY YEARS OLD
Turning the ignition on to my Camaro instantly causes its speakers to come to life, blasting “Milkshake” by Kelis. Immediately my hand shoots out, reaching for the volume knob, turning it down. Puffing out the air my lungs had just held in, my body relaxes, sinking back into the seat. Closing my eyes, I can’t help the laughter that bubbles out of me.Guess I should really learn to turn down my music before shutting the car off.
Sitting up straighter, I look over my right shoulder as my hand glides to the car’s shifter, moving it down into reverse. Once I’m out of the employee parking lot, my eyes zone in on the radio screen, illuminating the interior from the middle of the dashboard. It shows me that the time is 9:01 P.M.Crap. I’m now officially late picking up my best friend, Brittney.
Tonight’s shift at the local diner was supposed to end over an hour ago, but I’ve never had the heart to just clock out on the dot. Especially when the team is short-staffed. Being a carhop has been great for me these past couple years. Not only because the tips are amazing, but I truly enjoy my fellow coworkers.
I’m focusing on containing my lead foot from laying into the gas pedal. I need to get home to change out of my uniform—aT-shirt and jean shorts—and getting a speeding ticket wouldn’t be an ideal way to start the night. Stressed, I run the tips of my fingers over the top of my hair, checking its condition. Ugh, my long black hair that was in a smooth high top bun at the start of my shift, is now lopsided with random stray hairs poking out. Pulling out the hair tie, I finger-comb through my hair a couple times, realizing there are multiple hardened specks throughout. Oh, the joy of making milkshakes. With the windows up, all I can smell is me—grease with a hint of French fries. And I just feel sticky everywhere… in between my thighs, down my shins, and the backs of my bare legs are sticking to the leather seat. Most likely from that fountain drink that slipped off of my tray earlier as I ran it out to the customer, exploding its contents on the concrete. Thankfully it didn’t get on the customer’s car.
Squeezing the steering wheel with both hands, the jewels from the cover dig into my palms. I’m annoyed that there is absolutely no way I can go out tonight without a shower. Let’s just add it to myalready-being-latetally. Brittney will just have to understand.
It’s a Saturday night, which, for us, means it’s a cruising-the-strip kind of night. I haven’t been in the mood for any of these kinds of nights lately, due to my douchebag of an ex breaking my heart. Brandon was supposed to be the love of my life, the one whom I had planned on marrying. We were supposed to get an apartment together in the next town over and attend college. However, that’s not how our story went. He ended up being a cheater, seeing another girl behind my back formonths. Brandon had saved her number in his phone’s contact list under a guy’s name. And let’s just say it took me too long to realize that piece of information.Clever, wasn’t he?!A real fucking jerk is what he is. Trust was never an issue in our relationship. I freely gave him all of it, as well as my whole heart, without a second thought. Lesson learned. Protect your heart at all costs.
Brittney, having had enough of my pity party excuses, texted me last night and pulled the best friend card, demanding I hit the cruise strip with her tonight. It’s not like I don’t miss her and the fun times we’ve always had when we’re together. I just feel like such a damn fool, souring any fun mood attempted. I mean, what kind of an idiot doesn’t realize their boyfriend of two years had been hooking up with someone else formonths?! Brandon realized his “mistake” two weeks after I broke it off with him, just like my dad told me he would… Like he wouldeverget another chance from me again! Thank god my OB-GYN gave me the all-clear on the STI check.
After my shower is finished and I’ve dried my thick hair, it’s outfit time. I decide on wearing a black shirt that has a set of deep red kiss lips in the middle and hangs off of my right shoulder. I’ve paired it with dark blue denim jeans that have a small flare at the bottom, covering half of the black sandals I’m wearing. Loose, big curls fall around my face, covering both shoulder blades. Looking over the jewelry spread out across the top of my white vanity, I want to finish this look with a little bit of a bang. “Aha!” I grab my oversized sterling silver hoop earrings. Tonight’s makeup consists of mascara, peach blush, sparkly eye shadow, and a clear lip gloss. Puckering my lips a few times, I smile, tasting the strawberry flavor. Time for a night of memories.
CHAPTER 2
Kailey
Ilive in my parent’s walk-out basement, which contains a finished two-bedroom apartment. When they were house-hunting, it was their main reason for buying this property, knowing my little brother or I would use it. Having my own space, but still living with my parents, has been wonderful, especially for my savings account. After the breakup with Brandon, I decided to stay and enroll into the nursing program at the local community college.
Before walking up the staircase into the main part of the house, I slide my sandals off. Carrying the pair in my left hand while taking the stairs two at a time to try and make up some time. The closer to the top I get, my brother’s voice can be heard, yelling at his PC. Coming to a stop outside his door, I slide my flip flops back on. Leaning into his door frame, I use my foot to push the door open. A smile spreads across my face as I quietly take in the view of him. Travey is sitting in a rolling black chair directly in front of his PC, playingRainbow Sevenonline. Catching me off guard, he yells into his headset, “Head shot!!”
I slide one of his ear pieces off, nudging his shoulder playfully. “Are you winning?”
A devilish grin spreads across his face, his brown eyes never leaving the PC monitor as he responds casually, “Always… My clan is in a tournament right now.” He moves his mouse at a crazy speed while pressing buttons on his keyboard. I know I don’t have a lot of time, but I enjoy the moment I have to watch him while he’sin the zone. Focused is an understatement.
He only allows me to call him Travey. To everyone else he is Travis. We are almost three years apart and get along great. The story we’ve always been told is that when mom brought him home from the hospital, I was not a happy toddler. Super jealous until she pulled me aside, telling me that he was my baby to help take care of. I’d help feed him with a bottle when mom would hold me while I held onto him. Our bond has grown ever since. Looking at him now, he’s definitely not so little, more like the big little brother at six feet, with dark brown hair and matching brown eyes. Travey just finished his junior year last week; in August he will start his senior year of high school. Whew, how the time flies.
Softly placing my hand on his shoulder, I whisper so his “clan” doesn’t hear me through the built-in mic on his headset, “Well, I hope you get first place, Travey. Love you!” Before I can take my hand off of his shoulder, he gives it a quick squeeze.
His face turns to me quickly, mouthing the words,Be safe.
Nodding back at him, I mouth back,Always. I retreat back to the hallway, continuing my rounds to tell both my parents goodbye.
Around this time of night on a Saturday, Mom and Dad are usually watching TV in the living room. From the hallway, I can hear the TV, and I can tell they’re watching The Sopranos. I poke my head into the room, and my parents are so engrossed in the show that they didn’t even notice me. They’re both sitting in their own recliners, holding each other’s hands casually.Tony Soprano takes over the screen. Remembering I’m already behind tonight’s schedule, I speed walk into the room.
“I’m heading out to meet Brittney.” I hitch my thumb over my shoulder as I try to talk over the noise of Tony pistol-whipping someone, and give them both a quick side hug and a kiss goodbye on the cheek.
My mom grabs the remote to pause the TV, looking up at me with her bright blue eyes, vibrant like a clear sky on a sunny day. “What did you girls decide on doing tonight?” She’s wearing a long light pink night gown with ruffles at the bottom hem, and her long black hair is pulled up into a messy bun.
Walking backwards to their front door, keeping eye contact with my mom, I tell them, “We’re going cruising.” I shrug. “And maybe meet up with some friends.”
Dad’s brown hair appears even darker now that it’s damp. He must’ve showered right before spending time with mom. He appears comfy, wearing his dark blue pajama pants and a plain white T-shirt. His hazel eyes make direct eye contact with mine—that signature serious look he gets. “Please be careful, honey and be home by 2 A.M.” He reclines into his chair and adds, “Hey.” Dad’s tone stops the movement of my feet. “No later.”
Hand grasping the doorknob, I give him a quick, “Will do, Dad. Love you both!” They say it back, and I head out the front door. After I hear theclick, that the door is fully closed, I run toward my Camaro.
Even though I am twenty years old, I respect my parents and their rules. It’s their roof I’m living under, not paying any bills except my cell phone and car insurance.
Pulling up to Brittney’s house, I give two honks to let her know I’m in the driveway. Since it’s acruisingnight, we opted to take my 2002 Indigo T-top Camaro with silver metallic racing stripes, over her plain white 1996 Bronco. We’re craving attention tonight, so I open my trunk before heading to the driver’s side to pop off the T-top. While unlatching the top, I notice Brittney skipping down her front porch steps. She lets out an obnoxious whistle before heading to her side, helping remove the T-top. We both walk over to the trunk, placing each piece in its designated holding spot.
Brittney closes the trunk, leaning her hip into the bumper. “Damn girl, you look hot. Ow, ow!” Giving me a tight hug and a kiss on the cheek, she looks me up and down. “I really like those hoops.” Playfully, she brushes one with her finger, making it sway against my neck. I do a twirl, making a show of my appearance for her, finishing with a dramatic bow.
