" I was living in a devil town, didn't know it was a devil town, oh lord it really brings me down about the devil town..."
The beat up truck puttered down the unchanged street as Jess pulled into the same little driveway she had been pulling into for the last couple months. Parking the car, sat in the cab, leaning her head back on the headrest; she heaved a heavy sigh and ran her fingers through her disheveled hair. It had been a long day and she wanted to shut out everything.
Jess locked her truck and dragged her feet as she made it into the familiar doorway that was Lori's. Closing the door behind her, Jess hung her keys on the hook and kicked off her shoes. The smell of home entered her nose and she smiled. She knocked on the wall, grabbing her aunt's attention.
" Oh hey hun," Lori semi-jumped, " you scared me, how was work?"
" Oh you know," Jess shrugged her shoulders, "work was work, being extreme hotel maid was more than astounding'"
" Well chick, I don't know what to tell you... I mean.."
" I know Lori, I'm making money and I should have thought about.." Jess trailed off looking out the glass sliding doors that lead out to the backyard, "how much longer on dinner?"
Jess ran her hand up her arm, pulling at the obnoxious colored polo shirt.
" I just put the meatloaf in the oven, so if you're going to ask what I think you're going to ask, yes, you have a bit for a nap."
A smile crept across Jess' face as she leaned in and hugged her aunt. She rest her chin on Lori's shoulder, squeezing her tiny frame.
" Thanks auntie, holler when it's ready."
Jess ran her hands along the newly painted light blue wall; occasionally kicking the wall. As she entered her bedroom, Jess fixed the shades to dim the room, pulling the curtains over them. She shrugged her outer layers of clothing, sliding into bed in her boy shorts and tossed on a white tank top. As she wrenched the covers from the crevice of the footboard, she curled up in a ball, letting the comforter engulf her. She watched as her breathing made the comforter rise and fall; trailing her fingers along the seams.
As her eyes began to close, her phone softly rang in her jeans back pocket. She waited for the ringing to stop before exiting her cave of blankets; she grabbed the phone and looked who had called. The phone glowed " Julie" and Jess smiled slightly. She opened the phone and listened to the voicemail that had been left, then crashed for a little cat nap before dinner.
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
" JESS! Dinner is ready, go wash up!"
Jess stretched slowly, letting her whole body go rigid before releasing the tension. She slipped on a pair of shorts and first headed towards the bathroom. She washed her hands , but not leaving the room before fixing her hair into some semblance of order before making it to the table. Lori had prepared a meal that consisted of meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and a salad. Jess sat down at her normal chair she always sat, taking a drink of milk. Lori followed in suite, and they ate in silence for a moment or two; before Lori broke the silence.
" So, how was work today?"
" You already ask me that, Lori, but it was fine, tiring as hell but whatever."
" At least you're getting paid."
" I know, I just wish I was at UT with Tyra right now."
" Well you should have thought about that when you..."
" Shut UP LORI! I get it, I don't need you reiterate how much of a fuck up I am!"
" I was just saying but you're not a fuck up Jess, just going down another road in life, you'll be fine. But I wanted to let you know that Brandi called earlier while you were sleeping; She and Erin wanted to know if you wanted to stay over their apartment tomorrow."
" I probably will, but Julie left me as message while I was napping, and I'm probably going to head over and just hang with her for a little bit; tomorrow is her first day of senior year."
" Alright, don't stay out too late. Be home by 12:30, you have work tomorrow."
" Sure thing Chief," Jess smirked, saluting her aunt and grabbed her keys and zip up hoodie; heading out the door.
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
As the warm wind gently played with Jess' tangled hair as her truck pulled up next to the lawn of the Taylor residence. Jess had let Julie know that she would come over and apologized of her comatose activity via text. Pulling the keys out of the ignition, she dragged her feet as she reached the door, rapping on the door. A moment later Jess was met at the door by Julie and a hug.
" Hey, I'm glad you came over, I needed someone."
" Well," Jess sighed, giving Julie a final squeeze, " I'm a someone."
The girls laughed as Julie semi hollered down the hallway, " Gracie, guess who's here?!"
Moments later, a platinum blonde head poked around the corner and screamed.
" JESSSSSSSSSSSS," which echoed as Gracie ran as fast as her little legs could, tackling Jess' legs. Jess smiled, picking Gracie up and balancing her on her hip as they entered the living room.
" Hey Mrs. Taylor, " Jess spoke as she plopped Gracie onto the coach.
" Oh hey Jess, I'm glad you came over. Julie was mentioning how she hasn't seen you in forever."
" Well, I feel like I've been so busy. Speaking of busy, how's Couch?"
Tami Taylor ran the back of her hand across her dewy brow and sighed.
" Oh he's been busy alright, opening up East Dillon has been an interesting, as well as getting a team together as well."
" Well, I'm sure that he'll do great at it," Jess voiced as Julie pulled her arm towards her bedroom.
" Alright mom, she's my friend," laughed Julie as she shut the door behind them. Jess fell back onto the bed, sighing and smirked.
" Wow," Julie breathed.
" What?!" Jess sat up, her eyes slightly bugged.
" You've put on weight," Julie laughed, pointing at Jess' stomach.
" Oh shut up," Jess punched Julie's shoulder lightly, " living at home takes a toll, Lori keeps feeding me well, and I have no time for runs."
" Hey, don't get all offensive, I was just playing."
" I know, I just wanted to defend myself from the wrath of Julie."
At that moment, Jess reached back and yanked a pillow from behind her, swinging and giggling. Julie screamed back, raising her arms in front of her faces, trying to block the pillow. The girls laughed and chatted, catching each other up on their lives since they had last seen each other. Jess informed Julie how she would be seeing Erin and Brandi tomorrow and Julie's face contorted.
" Jealous!" Julie crossed her arms over her chest and mock pouted, shooting her bottom lip out.
" Don't be," Jess sighed, " soon, on the weekends, we'll have a rager of a party and you can come and we can have fun."
The girls shot their arms up and hollered, only to be hollered at from the kitchen by Coach.
" GIRLS, why don't y'all quiet down?!"
" Sorry mom," Julie yelled back, then turning to a red faced Jess, " maybe it's time you go home? As much as I love ya, I need to sleep for the first day of the rest of my depressing life."
" Oh hush," Jess wrapped an arm around the side of Julie, " I'm here in Dillon, and I have this device, it's called a cell phone, you know this, so I'll talk to you tomorrow."
The girls got up from the bed, Jess opened her arms and hugged Julie, squeezing her friend. She kissed the top of Julie's head playfully and donned her sweatshirt.
She quietly made her way down the hallway towards the door, peaking into the living room. Coach had turned from his spot on his chair and nodded in the direction of Jess. She smiled, saluting the man, and whispered, " Have a good night Coach. Thanks for having me."
" You drive safe Jess," Coach replied, cracking a smirk of a smile and he turned back towards the tapes.
Jess continued to quietly shuffle to her truck in the warm Texas evening. Placing the keys in the ignition, she turned her truck in the direction of home, taking the same route she had always taken. Reaching across the cab, she turned the knob on the radio, letting it hum through the truck. Jess felt her brain detach as the street lights began to flicker on the cracked, uneven pavement.
Her hands drove her throughout Dillon, as if they weren't ready to go home just yet. Downtown Dillon was quieting down as families made their way home to see their families, Jess continued past the Applebee's, Smitty's, and ended up at the lake.
"Figures," she chuckled to herself as she parked the car.
Shedding her boots, she chucked them in the bed of her truck as well as her hoodie; running her toes in the grass and eventual sand. Jess stopped at the edge of the water, dipping her big toe and rested her hands on her hips. She leaned her head back, letting the cool breeze off the water blow through the chocolate locks of hair of hers.
Sighing, Jess disrobed, leaving her bra and panties on as she walked into the water. Jess eyed the dock a little ways ahead of her and dove, reaching towards it as she swam. As she reached the dock, her hoisted herself up onto the dock, her arms shaking slightly. She turned and laid on her back, panting from her mini workout.
Jess stared at beach , hear head resting on the wet, worn wood. She closed her eyes and let the waves hitting the dock lull her to a state of slumber.
~*~
The Silverado truck rolled down the gravel towards the beach as the twosome were still dressed in their wedding garb. Jess had the hem of her dressed bunched up in her hands as she pushed pass Tim, curling her toes in the sand before turning back to face Tim; who currently had his hands in his pockets, rocking back and forth on his heels.
Jess sighed before she spoke, " Alright Riggins..."
Tim lifted his head, his eyes peering from the semi decent hair. Tim had his shirt unbuttoned a little ways as he stretched before running his hands routinely out of his face.
" Tim," Jess spoke again, this time with a little more agitation, as she walked closer to the water, stepping up onto the long dock. Tim followed quietly, his boots scuffing on the wood.
" What do you want me to say Daniels?"
" Well, something! You dragged me out here, claiming that you just HAD to talk to me, so come on..."
" Jess, I'm sorry okay, I'm sorry I went back to Lyla, I didn't know what to do."
" Timothy Riggins," Jess advanced on him, slamming her pointer finger on his chest, " don't just say things you want me to hear! I want to hear it, the truth, NOW."
" Jess..." Tim stepped a bit closer.
" Tim, don't do this," Jess pushed Tim with both hands, turning on her feet and made her way farther down the dock, wiping the warm, salty tears the began to well in her eyes, " if you're going to lie to me, leave me alone!"
Tim had approached her from behind, wrenching her to face him, keeping her arms pinned at her sides. Tears rolled out of the corner of her eyes, Tim kept his focus; Jess trembled in his grip.
" You want the truth?" whispered Tim, gnawing on the corner of his bottom lip.
" Yes Tim, the truth."
" Alright," Tim exhaled heavily, looking past Jess out onto the water, " I'm not going to apologize for going to back Lyla okay? So I didn't tell that I was accepted to San Antonio, you don't need to know everything! You didn't want anything to do me, so I ran; just like you Jess."
Jess slid one of her arms out of his grasps and slapped Tim clean across his face.
" You Fucking Rat Bastard."
Jess proceeded to stomp down the dock. Tim plowed after her, finally catching up to her at his truck
~*~
As Jess awoke, a pair of headlights shone on her as she stared into the flashing blue lights. Not needing an explanation, Jess dove off the dock and swam back to shore, strategically covering her midriff as the flashlight was shone in her face. She picked up her clothes and headed towards the flashing lights.
" You Jess Daniels?"
" Yes officer, that's me."
" Do you know what your aunt has been looking for you?"
" Well clearly I haven't if she called you guys, I'm a grown girl, I can take care of myself."
" Miss, don't get lippy with me, just get dressed, and I'm going to follow you home."
Jess sighed as she slammed on her hoodie and got into her car, slamming her foot down on the gas , creating a cloud of dust as she drove home.
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
Much to Jess' dismay, the lights were still on as Jess tiptoed into the house. Dropping he sopping wet hoodie on the entryway floor, she slid along the wall, hoping to make it to her room, but was stopped in her tracks, smelling cigarette smoke. Jess turned to the living room, eyeing her aunt out on the porch, taking a long drag from her cigarette. Lori turned and stood up swiftly, latching on her niece.
" Jess, where the hell were you!?"
" I went to Julie's then just drove for a bit, come on, I'm a big girl Lori."
" What the hell are you doing in your bra and panties?!"
" I went for a dip at the lake, that alright, I am in fact nineteen years old."
" I know but still, nowadays you have to be careful, and you're still my responsibility."
" Lori, I'm fine, can I go to bed now, and since when have you started back smoking?"
" Since I didn't know where you were," Lori laughed, finishing her cigarette before sticking it in a dead flower planter.
They entered back into the house, Jess running her hands along the couch.
" Remember I'm going over to Erin & Brandi's tomorrow right?"
" Yes, I know..."
" And I'm probably going to sleep over alright, just so you don't call the cops on me again..."
" I won't call the cops on you dear, now go to bed, and I don't mean sit and stare at the ceiling, actually try to sleep."
Jess rolled her eyes, smiling. " I'll try."
Jess shed her wet undergarments and placed them on the top of her hamper. Disregarding the thought of clothes, she laid back in her bed and pulled the cool sheet up to her waist, letting the top half of her body breathe. She rolled over onto her back, staring up at the ceiling, watching the ceiling fan's blades turn. Jess breathed and stared outside her window, distracted by the leaves in the trees.
~*~
Tim slammed his body against Jess, causing her to be sandwiched between his body and the truck. He grabbed a bunch of fabric from Jess' dress, letting his hand run up her smooth skin. She struggled, trying to stomp on Tim's feet.
" TIM, stop."
Tim turned her, slamming his waist against hers. " Come on Daniels, tell me to stop."
" TIM STOP IT." Tim slammed his mouth on hers, biting her already swollen lip. Jess pulled back. He undid his belt, edging the zipper down. Jess slapped his face again, biting her lip.
" Come on Daniels, hit me."
Jess' arm froze. She began but he righted himself and began to kiss her mouth again, biting down on her bottom lip. As he pressed her against the truck, Jess wrapped her long, bare legs around his waist, able to feel his throbbing member. Tim almost slammed her again against the truck, cupping her ass in his hands, positioning himself at her entrance.
With anger, Jess ripped at his boxers, exposing him, still gasping for breath. Tim interpreted this as an affirmative and thrust his way inside, as Jess released a low moan of pure ecstasy.
Tim proceeded to thrust harder and harder, forcing Jess to dig her nails into his back. Moments later she arched against him, helping him along as he came inside her; grunting and resting his forehead on her shoulder. Sliding out of her, he redid his pants and adjusted himself. Jess entered on the other side of the truck. Tim started the vehicle and turned in the direction of home.
" This still doesn't change things."
Tim broke the silence as Jess rested her arm on the open window.
" I know, clearly we can't trust each other."
Tim ran a hand through his hair. " You will always keep running from everything."
" And you," Jess turned to Tim as he parked the truck in front of her house, " will never amount to or own up to anything."
Jess opened the truck door and slammed it shut. She rested a hand on for a moment and spoke before turning towards her house.
" Bye Tim Riggins, tell the world I say 'Hi'..."
" Yeah."
~*~
She turned on her bedside radio to a dull noise before following the ceiling fan. Jess rested her right hand on her stomach, rubbing it gently.
" We're gonna make it, you'll see..."
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
SO?! WHAT Y'ALL THINK?! Reviews please? It makes me write faster.
Hope y'all like it!
Song of the Day: Devil Town- Tony Lucca