Welcome To Hickville High (Hickville High Series Book 1) (22 page)

It is illegal to throw faded bouquets in the trash in El Paso.

Kelsey woke up giddy with excitement. Her dad was actually letting her check out of school at noon to give her plenty of time to get to DFW airport. She couldn’t believe it was really happening. She was going home.

Those first four hours of school drug by. When the lunch bell finally sounded, Austin waited outside of her classroom.

“Hey, can I walk you to the office?”

“Sure. Can you believe I’m going home?”

“Yeah. You worked hard for this. I’m really happy for you, Kelsey.” He looked at her like he was appraising her. “You look beautiful. Drew won’t know what hit him.” He veered to the right a couple of steps increasing the space between them.

“Thanks.” This new non-flirty Austin was what she asked for, but it’s not want she wanted. She missed their play flights and the way he made everything Texas sound bigger than life.

“So what are your plans for Chicago, besides seeing Drew?”

“There is so much I want to do. Mostly, I want to see my friends. But I have to admit, I’m dying for some real Chicago pizza.”

“Our pizza isn’t good enough?”

“There are some great things about Texas, like the barbeque, but your pizza sucks.”

Austin slapped his hand across his heart. “I’m hurt. What’s so great about Chicago pizza?”

“You gotta taste it.”

“Yeah, well, I don’t see that happening.”

That was a conversation killer. Kelsey tried to think of something to dispel the silence that filled the space between them but came up empty.

Austin stopped just outside the office and turned to her. “Well, here we are. You’re going back to the life you love.”

She chewed on her lower lip. “Austin… there is so much I want to say to you.”

“Like?”

“If it weren’t for you, I’d have gone crazy here.”

“You’d have been fine.”

“No. I wouldn’t have. I mean, yeah, I’d have survived. But you made it fun.”

“We’ll still have fun.”

“I’m only going back to Chicago for a weekend but…” She studied her hands. “I know this is a turning point for us.”

He nodded. “Hey, you are going to have an awesome weekend.” He gave her a hug and she wanted to melt into it one more time. But he released her and held her at arms length. “Have fun at the gala. I’ll see you when you get back.”

“Thanks.”

Her dad opened the glass door to the office. “Come on, Kelsey. You need to sign out so we can get on the road.”

Although the old truck was back from the shop, her dad had picked her up in the Infinity. How appropriate that she was riding in style on this first leg of her journey back to her old life.

Dad had suggested they hit a drive through in Spring Creek and pick up lunch. Kelsey was starving and wasn’t sure her stomach was going to make it twenty minutes down the road. But when they passed Latte’da, all she could think about was that night on the bluff. Regret filled her. It had been a huge mistake to kiss Austin. That night had forever changed their friendship. Things would never be as carefree as before those kisses.

*

Kelsey leaned her head against the tiny oval window of seat 10F. The moment she’d dreamt about was finally here and all she could think about was that walk to the office. Austin had become a part of her family—especially in the two weeks since she’d told him she was going to Chicago for the weekend. Even if they hadn’t said it, they both knew it was the beginning of the end. It was like she was building memories of something that would never be.

The captain advised the flight attendants to prepare for landing and Kelsey tucked away the thoughts swirling in her mind. She was minutes from being home. Minutes from Drew. She checked her makeup and refreshed her lipstick as the plane began its descent.

It seemed like forever before they were allowed off the plane. She received a text from Drew that he was waiting at the baggage claim. She couldn’t get there fast enough. Her heart pounded in her chest. This day was really here. She was really back in Chicago.

When she saw Drew, all thoughts of Texas and Texans flew from her mind. She resisted the urge to run to him but walked as fast as her two-year-old Kate Spade heels would carry her.

He stood with arms folded across his chest, wearing a broad grin as he watched her come to him. When she was close, he reached out and grabbed her hand. He gave her a half-hug and a quick kiss. “Welcome home.”

A tall cowboy ducked his head and said, “Excuse me” as he scooted around them to grab a bag off the carousel.

Seeing the cowboy hat, the boots, and the jeans with a suit coat brought Texas flooding back. She didn’t mean to stare, but she must have because Drew laughed and said. “Hey, you left Texas behind. Come on. Chicago is waiting.”

“Yeah. Sorry.” She shook her head as if the gesture would dislodge thoughts of dusty hats and beat-up trucks. “So fill me in on everybody. I want to hear everything.”

They walked hand-in-hand to his car, and she listened as he told her stories about their friends. She couldn’t wait to see everybody, but her thoughts kept going to how awkward her hand felt in his. She remembered walking through the parking lot of Latte’da with Austin and how naturally his fingers had laced with hers.

Drew must have sensed something because when they reached his BMW, he pulled her against him and kissed her long and slow. When the kiss broke, he rested his forehead against hers and breathed, “I missed you.” Then he released her, but it wasn’t slow, as though he wanted the feeling of her to linger on his fingertips. He just let go, almost like he’d said what needed to be said and now everything was good.

As they pulled into Zoe’s parents’ drive, he grabbed her hand and smiled. “I have a surprise for you.”

She gave a little squee of excitement.

He’d barely stopped the car when Zoe ripped the door open. Kelsey scrambled from the seat belt and into Zoe’s arms. “Oh my God, I’ve missed you.” They hugged, cried, and hugged some more. Finally, Zoe held Kelsey at arm’s length and said, “Wow, you’re so tan.”

“Yeah. That’s what happens when you live in hell’s oven.”

“You look great.”

Kelsey flexed her biceps. “Check out these babies.”

“Are you going to a gym?”

“Yeah. It’s called Hillside Feed. We do pull-downs and curls with fifty-pound bags of horse feed.”

Drew cleared his throat. “Zoe, let’s show her our surprise.”

Zoe hooked arms with Kelsey. “You’re going to love it.”

It felt good to be back. To pretend her life was as carefree as it had been a few months ago. She loved the sound of her heels on the marble tiles in the foyer, the airy feel of the high ceilings, and the luxury that surrounded her. She’d barely had a chance to take it all in before Zoe’s family met Kelsey with hugs. Zoe’s dad whisked away her bag and her mom offered her a soda.

Zoe shooed her mom away. “Drew and I want to show her the surprise.”

Her mom laughed. “Okay. Don’t keep Kelsey waiting.”

They ushered her upstairs to Zoe’s room. She thought maybe the surprise was a gathering of her friends, but why would they hide there? So now, she was totally clueless.

Zoe pushed open her bedroom door. “Ta-da!”

Kelsey wasn’t sure what she was ta-da-ing about at first. Then she saw it. A white ball gown stretched across Zoe’s bed. “For me?”

Zoe nodded. “I helped Drew pick it out. It’s a Sue Wong.”

Kelsey stepped closer. It was strapless with a fitted bodice and a poufy skirt. Clusters of pink flowers were embroidered across an over-layer of white tulle with sparkly sequins scattered between the flowers. “It’s stunning. I don’t know what to say.” She smoothed the skirt of the dress with her hand. “I feel like Julia Roberts in
Pretty Woman
—without the whole prostitute thing.”

Drew stood behind her and ran his hand along her back. “I want this weekend to be all about you.”

Kelsey turned and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Thank you. Thank you for everything.”

He pulled her close. “Welcome back to our world.” The doorbell sounded from somewhere in the house, and Drew released her.

“The girls are here,” Zoe announced.

“This is my cue to leave.” Drew walked toward the bedroom door.

Kelsey followed, “You’re leaving?” The girls excited voices drifted upstairs.

Drew stopped in the doorway. “I know how much you’ve missed your friends. Have fun with them. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Zoe folded her arms. “Not so fast, Skippy. We have salon appointments tomorrow.”

“Okay, I’ll pick her up for breakfast.”

“She has to be back by nine.”

“That’s too early.”

“Then she can’t do breakfast. You’ll have to wait until you pick her up for the gala.”

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.