Chapter Three

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 his whole life, been a part of that circle his whole life. He knew that Charles wanted him to one day take over the hotels but Kelley's heart wasn't really in it.

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. How Hanson's parents actually stayed married for nineteen years was one of life's big mysteries. They couldn't stand each other and Kelley for one was glad because now Hanson's life might become a little easier.

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. The dinner felt more like a chore and Kelley wondered what the hell was wrong with him.

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.”

Norah's father, Peter Kensington, grinned at Kelley. "Pity about the game, son. I had high hopes of that State Championship Trophy gracing the halls of Smith's College this year."

"There's always next year, Mr Kensington."

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 uncomfortable 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 an 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. Her gift had been expensive, like it always was, and he'd taken his time in selecting something she would love. The gift was sort of a prelude to the discussion he wanted to have with her later that night. A discussion with regards to their future, a future away from Yorkdare Bay.

“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.” Her smile didn't reach her eyes but Kelley kept his expression neutral. He was good at reading people and her expression told him she wasn't happy with the handbag. He didn't say anything because he wanted to hear it from her.

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. He didn't feel like drinking the beer but he sipped it anyway.

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. Hanson was his best friend but even he didn't know everything that went on in the Alexander household.

“The drinks are free, asshole.”