Chapter 9 - An American Flavour

The night had been an absolute blast in case you’re wondering. Sidney was a lot of fun to party with. We both got fairly wasted that night. We drank two bottles of Cris to ourselves, sitting at the booth and talking about, well everything, before sharing our third bottle with a group of girls who were also totally underage. We had a good time, dancing, talking, drinking, that kind of thing.
But the next day was Thanksgiving and I had tickets for everyone to go to the Vikings game. So around 10:30 the alarm clock beeped to wake us up. Not realizing exactly where I was (or who I was with) I turned, moaned and buried my face in his chest. His arms tightened around me and then the alarm was slammed off.
He sighed. “Kally we have to get up.” He mumbled, smoothing my hair.
I looked up into Sidney’s eyes and forced myself not to freak out. I just pulled back slowly. “Umm, we didn’t you know, do anything last night did we?” I asked, searching my memory.
Sidney made a face. “Gee thanks Kally.” He said sarcastically.
“Kid that’s not what I meant and you know it.” I said.
He raised his eyebrows at me. “Isn’t it?” He asked. “I mean, I maybe a little bit younger and lot less experienced then you are but it still sounds to me as if you were freaked out that we may have fooled around last night.”
I glared at him. “A lot less experienced kid?” I snapped. “Is this going to become one of those I’m-too-good-for-you things?”
“That’s not what I meant Kally and you know it.” He snapped.
“Isn’t it?” I replied. “Because you just made it sound like you think I’m a whore.”
“Come back here.” He said, pulling me into his arms.
“Sidney…” I whispered, allowing myself to use his name.
“Kally….” He replied. “You’re my friend. And we’re just friends.” He said. “I get that.” “Good.” I said, cuddling closer in spite of myself.
“You need a friend or two.” He said, stroking my hair with his hand. “And I’d like to be one of them….” He trailed off.
I kissed him on the cheek. “Thanks kid.” I said, forcing myself to pull out of his arms. “I appreciate it.”
“There was a but there Kally.” He said, sitting up. “You and Zach need to solve whatever problem you’re having. You really are one of his best friends.”
I rolled my eyes. “If things are going to be better then Zach needs to decide what he wants.” I snapped, hung over and irritated that the kid was actually trying to get me to talk about this. Normally I’d like that he’d changed the subject when awkward or uncomfortable things came up. “He can’t go make out with his girlfriend and then come and try to make out with me when she’s gone to bed.”
“He didn’t…” Sidney said looking completely surprised.
“Yep.” I said.
“So that’s why you were so edgy last night.” He said, understanding. “And why you wanted to go out for a couple of drinks huh?”
“Yep.” I replied.
“Fuck….” He muttered.
“You’re more upset about it then I am.” I said with a laugh.
He shrugged. “Most guys I know have a couple of pucks or whatever, and if they have a girlfriend they might get a little action on the side on the road, but, well that’s different. What he’s doing isn’t fair to anyone.”
“Hence why I don’t date hockey players, I just fuck them.” I said, as I grabbed a towel and headed to the bathroom, Sidney’s laughter followed me.
A couple of hours later, we were sitting in a box at whatever the stadium the Vikings played in is called (if it’s not New York, I don’t know it), watching the game. We took the limo, and Christina muttered about that. We didn’t wait in line to get in, and Christina muttered about that. We were escorted to the box and Christina muttered about that. A server came to take our food orders and Christina muttered about that. The bartender asked us for drink orders and Christina muttered about that.
Finally, I couldn’t take it anymore. “Zachie, I’m sorry, but I can’t do this anymore!” I snapped. I turned to Christina. “If you have such a problem with money and with people with money, then please get out of the box that my money paid for.”
She rolled her eyes. “It’s not your money, it’s your grandparents money.”
I sighed and shook my head. “No darling, it’s MY money. However vulgar it is to discuss money, you seem to insist upon it, so here it is. My Mom sends me 5000 a month, has since I turned 13. When I was 11 and 12 it was half that. What 11 year old needs 2500 a month?” I asked her. “I certainly didn’t. So Grandmama had it invested for me. The limo I pay for. The parties I pay for. The box, I pay for. So quit bitching or get out.”
“Kally…” Zach said. “You promised to be nice.”
“I promised I’d try to be nice.” I told him pointedly. “But I also told you that I would stand up for myself, and she hasn’t quit complaining since we got in the car.”
“Chrissy….” Zach said. “You promised to be nice too.”
“I’m sorry Zach, I just can’t bring myself to be nice to this pretentious bitch.” Christina said. “She brags constantly, and you take her side all the time.”
It was Sidney who replied, rolling his eyes. “Kally doesn’t brag about what she’s got, she’s just blunt. She tells the truth, the way it is, and she doesn’t sugar coat it. If you expect Kally to sugar coat the truth when it comes to her money situation, then maybe Zach and I need to sugar coat our hockey talent. I should start telling scouts that I’m somewhat strong on the puck? Because that’s like Kally telling people she’s somewhat rich.”
I laughed. “Kid’s got a point Parisé. You tell people your Dad “kind of” played pro hockey or you tell it like it is?”
“They have a point Chrissy.” Zach said, looking hopeful that she’d see it.
She didn’t. “You always take her side Zach.” She snapped. “You’re doing it now.”
Zach sighed. “Chrissy this is NOT about sides.” He said. “This about the fact that Sidney has a point, and yes, Kally agrees with him, but so do I. I don’t tell people that my Dad kind of played pro hockey. I tell them the truth. You can’t expect Kally to make you feel better by telling you its her Grandparents money or by telling you that she won these box seats or something. This is about you Chrissy, not Kally.”
Her eyes welled up with tears. “If you like her so much then why are you with me?” She demanded. “Why are you doing this to me Zach? I like you a lot more then she ever will.”
Sidney and I rolled our eyes. Tears. The last resort of a girl who has nothing else going for her. Zach, however, despite everything I taught him, fell for it. “Chrissy I like you a lot. Kally and I have history, but its just that.” He said gathering her up in his arms. “History.”
Sidney snorted. “Yeah history.” He said.
Zach glared at him over Chrissy’s head. “I don’t know what you’re talking about Sidney.” He said.
“Well I’d like to know what he’s taking about.” Chrissy said defiantly.I sent Sidney a look that clearly told him to shut up.
“I saw them.” He said. “On the couch last night all cuddled up.”
I sighed in relief. Zachie and I could easily explain that away. “It was a hug kid. You know I was wired last night. I couldn’t sleep and I was sitting on the couch watching TV when you and Zach came upstairs. Zach came and watched with me for a little while. Sidney must have seen us right before I went to bed, because Zach gave me a quick hug.”
Christina looked up at Zach. “Is she telling the truth, or is she just protecting you?” She demanded shrilly.
“She’s telling you the truth Chrissy.” Zach lied smoothly. “You’re the only girl in my life now.” He turned to Sidney and glared at him.
Sidney flushed convincingly. “Sorry Kal, Zach. I guess I misunderstood. I did only see you for a couple of seconds. I thought I was interrupting something so I headed back upstairs.”
“It’s okay kid.” I said. “I mean, no harm, no foul right Zachie?”
“Yeah sure.” He said, still sounding irritated.
“I thought I heard you two go out last night though.” Christina said. “I mean, I saw two people leave at like 12:30.”
“That was the kid and I.” I said. “We got back around… what time was it kid?” I asked.
“I think it was close to 5.” He said.
“Where did you guys go?” Zach asked.
“Where I always go when I’m in Minny.” I told him. “I was too wired to sleep last night, and the kid didn’t want me going out on my own.” I said.
“You should have grabbed me Kally.” Zach said, concerned. “What if something had happened?” He asked.
“That’s why I had the kid Parisé.” I said. “And it’s not like the driver was that far away if I needed some more muscle.”
“You mean you would have gone with her without me?” Christina demanded.
“Christina do you know where Kally went?” Zach said. “She took Sidney and they went to a club in the city. It’s a nice place, but Kally is only 16 and Sidney’s only 15.”
“I’ll be 17 in a week.” I snapped. “And you’re only 18 Parisé so don’t go all big brother on me now. I’m fine, the kid is fine. Again, no harm, no foul.”
“How on earth did you get into a club?” She demanded. “How on earth did HE get into a club?”
I rolled my eyes. “I called my people. My people called the club. We were put on the list. We got in.”
“Your people?” She snorted.
“Yes.” I said matter of factly. “My Grandmama’s personal assistant’s personal assistant doubles as my personal assistant. And before you can say it, yes it’s pretentious. Deal with it.”
“Why didn’t you invite us?” She whined.
“Oh my fucking God.” I moaned. “Zach I can’t deal with this. You do it. Come on kid.” I said. “Let’s just watch the game.”
If Christina had been smart she would have shut up. Unfortunately, she wasn’t. “What can’t you deal with?” She demanded. “The fact that Zach is with ME now?”
“No.” I replied, rolling my eyes. “I can’t deal with the fact that you think I’m a pretentious bitch, which I suppose I am, but still want to use my connections. And you’re not even under handed about it. You’re probably too stupid to manage.” I told her. “I mean you know that Mrs. Parisé adores me, yet you call me a whore in front of her. You complain about how pretentious I am, yet you want me to do you favours. You complain about the limo, and then complain even more when my driver won’t address you as Miss.”
I rolled my eyes. “Grow the fuck up.” I took a deep breath. “As for Parisé you can have him. I just hope you know what you’re getting yourself into darling.”
“Kally….” Zach said warningly.
“Zachie I am sick and tired of this. If I didn’t like your parents so much I would take the kid, take the car and go back to Shattuck’s.” I said. “You tell me that I’m still your best girl… well then start fucking treating me like it.” I snapped.
“You call her what?” Christina shrieked.
“He calls me his best girl darling.” I said with a smile. “He always has.”
“Zach?” She demanded.
“She is my best girl Chrissy.” He said, finally losing his temper (it was about bloody time too if you asked me). “And she knows how to behave herself in public. You always seem to have to pick a fight.”
“Only because she’s a pretentious bitch.” She said.
“That’s the worst excuse I’ve ever heard.” Sidney exclaimed. “That’s like my dog ate my homework.”
“Shut the fuck up.” She snapped at Sidney. “I know you two are probably fucking, but this doesn’t concern you.”
I shook my head with a laugh. “Chrissy, the last person I had sex with was Zachie, right before he left for University. I know that you want to think the worst of me, but come on. Get over it. Zachie and I have a past. So what? A lot of girls at Shattuck’s have history with Zach or with the guys he played with. Deal.”
I paused. “I was willing to try for Zachie’s sake. Apparently you weren’t… I wonder which one of us cares about him more.”