Arrive Alive
Warning: Traumatic content, strong language, love scene
On another scorcher of a Thursday night, Luke strolled up the steps to Jason and Kelsi's house, following Alisha who rang the doorbell with a flourish.
"Guess you're the first one here, sugar. I don't see any of the other boys' cars."
"Often the case, you know how punctual I am, but you're the troublemaker who makes me late nowadays," Luke said with a grin, hooking an arm affectionately around her hip and caressing her thigh below her cut off jeans. Her little southern giggle was enough to drive him crazy and he couldn't resist a playful kiss on her cheek.
The door swung open as Alisha elbowed him in the stomach, revealing a wide eyed Kelsi who greeted them with a bright, yet surprised, "Hey guys!"
"Hey there, Miss Kelsi," Luke groaned with a catch of his breath as he tried to recover from the blow Alisha had landed.
"I'd ask if you need any help beating him up, Alisha, but looks like you had it handled."
"Darn right I can handle this cowboy," she said with an affectionate gaze at Luke. "He was just tryin' to get frisky on your front porch. Gotta keep him in line, ya know."
"Save that shit for your own house, Perry" Jason teased, materializing from the kitchen while Kelsi welcomed them into the house.
"I heard we missed the big announcement the other night," Alisha said, grabbing Kelsi's hand to admire her engagement ring. "Oh my Lord! That is beautiful, congratulations, honey! We're so happy for you!"
Luke leaned over and took her hand to get a closer look. "Look at that sparkler! That there's a mighty fine ring, Jason, ya done good!" He kissed Kelsi's hand with a gentle southern charm, a trademark brand of congratulations.
Jason turned to accept the firm handshake that followed. "Well, I guess I'm going to be the odd one out tonight, the only lucky man with a fiancé," he said, wrapping an arm around Kelsi and leading them all back to the kitchen, "but I'll take all the torment if I get to call this woman mine."
"Oh stop, you charmer," Kelsi said and planted a kiss on his cheek. "We're off to spend all your money, boys. You ready, Alisha?"
"What? Not stayin' for the poker game?" Luke teased, "you ladies cleaned up fine last time you played, you sure we can't convince you?"
Alisha laughed and turned to Kelsi. "Let's go, sugar, these boys couldn't handle us if we stayed!" She turned back to Luke and kissed his cheek. "We'll be at the Cottonwood Mall if you need us, baby. Don't lose all your money tonight, still gotta make that rent."
"I won't, darlin', you ladies have fun now," Luke replied as the girls disappeared out the door.
"Everything alright for you guys? That rent isn't killing you yet?" Jason asked.
"Oh yeah, she's just teasin', that's the usual now that we're shackin' up. We can actually save some cash now that we're sharin' the load. I was damned shocked that my insurance dropped like a sack of potatoes when I put her on the policy."
"Same," Jason said with a shrug. "Power of a woman I guess."
"Didn't think I'd ever—" Luke stopped and turned towards the sound of Jason's Mach 1 roaring to life outside. "Is she drivin' your Mustang?!" Jason only nodded his head with a smile. "Good Lord, Cross, you've got some woman there."
"That I do, she can handle it. What's mine is hers now, and she wanted to take the car for their girl's night out. Can't really blame her, it's a sweet ride."
"How'd she take it that you and I have to go for training again next week?"
"A lot better now that I sorted it out at work. Allan just didn't get it that I had other priorities in my life besides work. Once I explained that, he realized it wasn't fair to ask us to drop our lives like we were." Jason popped the tops on two cold beers and handed one to Luke. "So here we are with a full week's notice of the next training in Arizona and happy women in our beds at night."
"Amen to that brother," Luke replied, tipping his bottled to Jason's with an icy clink.
The two friends worked quickly to set up the poker table and dish out some snacks and beers before the bell rang and the rest of the crew showed up. Boy's night was always a good time, but girl's night would no doubt to be a wild time too.
The wind whipped through Kelsi's hair as she cruised down the open road in Jason's Mach 1. The engine roared with a satisfying rumble, a sound that always put a smile on her face. Alisha, with her flowing blonde hair, was singing along to the country music blaring from the speakers.
"This car is a beast, Kelsi," Alisha sighed, leaning back in her seat. "I can't believe Jason lets you drive it."
Kelsi grinned. "I know, right? I guess he loves me because he trusts me with his baby." She shifted gears and made an easy pass around a slow moving car. "Speaking of boys, how are you settling in with Luke?"
Alisha rolled her eyes playfully. "He's a sweetheart. Handsome and hardworkin' as ever. Don't get me wrong, learnin' to live with a man is a chore in itself, but he's still the best damn lover I could ask for!"
Kelsi laughed aloud. "I'll drink to that later! Jason's pretty spectacular in the bedroom himself."
Alisha's eyes widened. "Oh, really? Spill them beans, sugar!"
They spent the next few miles giggling and teasing each other about their love lives, gasping and gawking at the other's juicy details.
"I need to find the perfect birthday gift for Jason," Kelsi said, breaking the playful banter. "His birthday's coming up in three weeks, and I'm drawing a blank."
"Maybe a new tool set?" Alisha suggested.
Kelsi shook her head. "Nah, he's got more tools than he knows what to do with. I want to get him something special, something he'll actually use and enjoy."
"Does he wear a watch?" Alisha offered.
Kelsi nodded. "Sometimes, not often enough that I think he'd get much use out it, but I'll keep that in mind. I just want to get him something he'll really love."
"Doesn't he always have a different belt buckle on?" Alisha asked, before her face flushed with an embarrassed heat. "I mean, not that I'm lookin' down there, but I've certainly noticed them before."
Kelsi laughed and pulled into the Cottonwood Mall parking lot. "It's okay, girl!" she laughed, "Hard to miss them sometimes. I don't know where in the hell he got that New Mexico flag buckle, but that's a gaudy one!"
"Maybe somethin' a bit more subtle but still him," Alisha replied as the car came to a stop. "Oh, and I need to find me some new bedsheets. Luke and I have been makin' a lotta love and a lotta mess of ours lately."
Kelsi chuckled. "Definitely! Never have less than three sets of sheets in the closet, it's a must when you've got a good man."
With that, they hopped out of the car and headed into the mall, ready to tackle their shopping lists. Kelsi sighed as they wandered the mall, her brow furrowed in frustration as they passed store after store. "Fortunately, neither of us are big on gifts so I don't think he'll care if I don't find something," she lamented, feeling defeated as the evening wore on and the firey red sunset streamed through the mall's glass windows.
Their trip wasn't all a loss yet as Alisha had managed to find a great sale on bedsheets and got two sets, ready for all the action her bed had seen in recent weeks. Suddenly, Alisha's eyes lit up. "Wait a minute," she said, her eyes turning towards Victoria's Secret. "What if you got him somethin' for you? Somethin' that he'd love to see you in."
Kelsi's eyebrows shot up. "Lingerie? Are you serious?"
"Why not?" Alisha replied, but Kelsi winced nervously. "Hear me out," she insisted. "If he doesn't need anythin' for him, why not get somethin' for you that's really for him? Somethin' that's a little treat that says, 'I love ya, and I want ya to enjoy this.'"
Kelsi hesitated. It was a novel idea, one that she hadn't considered. But she still wanted to get him something for him, something tangible.
Alisha, sensing the hesitation, took her hand and gently pulled her into the store. "Come on, sugar, let's explore anyways! Maybe I'll find somethin' for Luke while we're at it," she giggled.
Inside, the store was a world of lace, silk, and satin. Kelsi had a few nice sets already, but maybe this would be a good idea after all, something that she specifically picked out with Jason in mind.
"What's Jason's favourite colour?" Alisha asked, pawing through the colourful garments.
"Orange," Kelsi replied, her cheeks turning pink.
"Perfect," Alisha said, leading her to a section of the store. "And what do you feel comfortable in?"
Kelsi hesitated. She had always been shy about her body, not used to revealing too much skin. "Well I know for sure I don't like thongs, so uncomfortable."
Alisha, understanding her discomfort, held up a set that was probably as modest as they would find, but still sexy. "How about this?"
"I don't mind it," Kelsi replied, surprised that she didn't given how revealing it was. The rusty orange was an appealing tone that would no doubt catch Jason's eye.
"You'll look stunning in this," Alisha assured her. "And Jason will love it. What size are you?"
"Don't laugh…" Kelsi said softly, "34B."
"A big chest ain't all it's cracked up to be, honey, trust me," Alisha said with a roll of her eyes and shoved Kelsi into a fitting room to try it on before disappearing into the one beside her with a few choices of her own.
Kelsi couldn't help but feel a little ridiculous. But as she slipped into the delicate garment, a sense of confidence began to grow. Maybe this wasn't such a bad idea after all.
"How's it fittin', Kelsi?" Alisha called out from the fitting room beside her.
"It's great actually," she replied, "I think he'll really like it."
"I think I got me a winner too!" Alisha exclaimed. "I'll meet you at the cash."
With a deep breath, Kelsi made her purchase. As they walked out of the store, she felt a strange mix of excitement and nervousness. But Alisha was there to reassure her. "You're goin' to knock his socks off, Kelsi. I promise."
The girls headed back to the car, their shopping trip a happy and successful one. They made a pact to surprise their guys with their new outfits once they got back from their training next week, hoping that the excitement and anticipation would carry them through another week without their lovers.
Jason and Luke slammed the doors shut on Luke's trusty although rather rusty pickup truck, shutting out the relentless Arizona sun and another successful training trip. The week-long immersion in chassis restoration and modification had been gruelling, the desert heat making welding up a storm even more challenging. But as they settled into the cool cab, a sense of satisfaction washed over them. They couldn't wait to put their newfound skills to the test back at the shop.
"So you're good to drive up to Joseph City then? That should split the trip in two," Luke asked as Jason turned over the engine.
"Yep let's roll," Jason replied, hauling the shifter down into drive. "Kelsi texted that she's waiting up, but I want to get there in time for some quality time with her."
"I hear you, Cross," Luke said with a grin. "Alisha said somethin' about a little surprise she's got waitin' for me. With that woman, it could be anything from she built a new wall unit to she's curled up in bed in nothin' but her skin. Either one works for me!"
The guys laughed as Jason pulled the truck out onto the crowded highway, the weekend traffic not off to a great start as they made their way home.
Hours later as Luke crawled along the crowded highway, he saw his opportunity and lurched the truck onto the off ramp.
"Geez! Easy, Luke," Jason said as he instinctively gripped the door.
"Sorry, brother, I gotta get off this damned highway," Luke replied as he sped up the ramp. "That stop and go shit is drivin' me batty. Get on the GPS and find us another route outta here on some back roads."
"Alright, settle down there, cowboy," Jason retorted as he plugged in Luke's old GPS, smacking the side with his palm until it blinked to life. "Okay, take a left here and we'll be on our way."
Even though they were now an hour behind, they were finally back up to speed. However, the deepening, dusky sky that surrounded them started to make Luke feel uneasy, even though he had driven on country roads all of his life. Something about the way a light behind them was quickly gaining made his heart race with worry. He glanced in his rearview mirror again and saw a car weaving in and out of the lanes, its headlights flashing erratically. Oh hell no, he thought. That guy's gonna kill someone. He slowed the truck down and turned onto another side road, bringing it to slow crawl.
"What are you doing, man?" Jason asked.
"I reckon I should pull over," Luke said, his voice firm. "That car behind us is driving like a maniac."
Jason turned his head around, "What car?"
As they turned their heads towards the rear window, they watched in horror as the car sped past them, its tires squealing.
"Holy shit! What was that?!" Jason shouted.
Luke spun his head to follow the whirling headlights. "What in hellfire?!"
A few moments later, there was a sickening crunch, followed by a cloud of dust. The car had veered off the road and into a nearby field, doing two flips before it landed back on its tires, steam rising from the blown radiator. Luke and Jason exchanged a terrified look.
"We better help," Luke said, his voice trembling as he jumped out of the truck and ran towards the crash site. Jason followed close behind, pulling out his phone and quickly dialling 911. As they approached the wreckage, the full horror of the situation became clear. The car was a mangled mess of twisted metal, but Luke could make out three lifeless forms trapped inside. Jason stopped dead in his tracks when Luke waved him off.
"911, what is your emergency?" the operators voice crackled through Jason's phone.
"Oh shit," Jason muttered, his face pale. "Luke! Are they…?"
The sound of Luke retching and coughing answered his question. He nearly lost it himself when he could only make out the shadow of Luke trying to catch his breath with his hands on his knees.
"911, what is your emergency?" the operator asked again, shaking Jason from his stupor.
"There's been a car accident. We're on…" Jason glanced around, trying to orient himself. "We're on a side road off of Highway 40, about 35 miles east of Joseph City, Arizona."
As Jason gave the operator the details, Luke made his way away from the wreckage, his face etched with shock and sorrow. They stood for a long while, neither saying anything as they tried to gather what had happened.
"I can't believe this," Jason said, shaking his head as they waited by the truck for the police.
"Yep," Luke replied, his voice barely audible.
When the police arrived, they questioned Luke and Jason about what they had seen. "This is a terrible tragedy," one of the officers said. Something caught the officer's eye and he offered for Jason and Luke to have a seat on the tailgate of a fire truck that was parked away from the accident. Jason caught his gaze and turned his head, the flashing lights of the emergency vehicles lighting the the bold white letters of the jet black coroner's van. Jason wrenched his eyes away, nearly losing his grip again as he remembered why that van was here.
"I'm very sorry you had to witness this, but thank you, gentlemen, for your cooperation," the officer continued as they sat down on the cold metal. After giving their statements, Luke and Jason were allowed to leave, their arrival home now delayed by a few more hours.
"That was damned insane," Luke said, his voice barely a whisper as they walked back to the truck.
"Let me drive, Perry," Jason said, his voice firm, "you still look shaken up." They traded sides, and when Jason slid behind the wheel, he reached over to put a hand on Luke's shoulder. "Hey, you did the right thing. You pulled us over when you knew something was wrong. You saved our lives, man."
Luke nodded, but he couldn't shake the dread at seeing the mangled bodies in the car. "I'm dyin' to get home to Alisha, but I'm on the edge of bein' sick again, Cross, so just pull over if I ask, okay?"
Jason nodded and gripped the wheel, pulling the truck back onto the road without another word. As they drove the rest of the way home, the silence between them was heavy. They both knew that they would never forget what they had witnessed that night.
When they finally pulled up to Jason's house a few hours later, Jason stopped Luke as he walked around to take back the driver's seat. "Look, man, I have to say thanks again for what you did. We got home safe because of you, and I'll always be grateful for that."
Luke looked up at the bright moon and breathed a deep breath. "That car reeked of booze, Cross, I could smell it. I never understood why you don't even have one beer 'fore you drive, but I sure as hell do now. When will people stop bein' such damned fools behind the wheel…"
"I don't know, man, but if you ever want to talk about it, I'll be there. I owe you one." With that he gave Luke a firm handshake and a smack on the back, sending him home to finally see Alisha. When he made his way into the house, he climbed the stairs two at a time, eager to see Kelsi.
"Hey, honey," she murmured when Jason came through the bedroom door, her voice heavy with trying to stay awake. "You're back late." As soon as Jason came into the light of the lamp, she could tell something was wrong, his eyes filled with a haunted look. "What's the matter?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.
Jason quickly stripped off his clothes and crawled into the bed beside her. Immediately he pulled Kelsi into his arms and captured her mouth in a deep kiss, just barely noticing his number 23 emblazoned on her chest.
"Jason," she moaned softly as his lips trailed down her neck and his hands worked the shirt over her head, "say something, baby, what's going on with you?"
"Kels, I missed you and I need you before anything else. Please don't ask, just make love with me," Jason said as he pulled her underwear off.
"Okay, baby." She crawled over him to grab a condom from the nightstand, straddling him and slipping it on fast. She sank over him, taking his full length to her impatient depths. "I'll make some love with you."
Jason groaned as she gripped the headboard and thrust hard, making his body shake with his approaching climax. It came rushing through his body in no time, the agony of missing her this week making him unable to wait. He pulled her close and thrust his hips rapidly upwards, bringing a satisfying cry from Kelsi's lips at her own release. They lay entangled for a short while, breathing hard to recover. Jason found himself unwilling to let go of Kelsi's body that he was overwhelmed with gratitude to be holding onto.
"You should probably clean up, J," Kelsi said in a soft comforting voice, "then tell me what's going on."
Jason eased out of bed and went to deal with the condom, taking a moment at the sink to splash some cool water on his face. "We saw something terrible," he began when he returned from the bathroom, his voice barely a whisper. "A car accident. A really bad one." He went on to describe the horrific scene, the mangled car, the lifeless bodies.
Kelsi listened, her face growing paler with each word. "Oh my gosh, baby," she said, her voice trembling as she pulled his shuddering shoulders into her arms. "That's awful! I'm so sorry you witnessed that."
Jason nodded and leaned back, his eyes still filled with shock. "Yeah, it was, fucking drunk driver… But Luke saved our lives. He saw the car coming and pulled over. If he hadn't, we could have been in the wreck too."
"I'll have to thank him," Kelsi said.
Jason reached for Kelsi's cheek and pulled her close to lean his forehead against hers. "That's why I had to have you right away, baby. It could have gone bad and who knows if I would be in your arms right now." He kissed her again, slowly and tenderly. "I wasn't going to wait another second to love on you."
"I understand, babe, I didn't in the moment so I'll admit, that made it a little awkward for me, but I could tell what you needed." Kelsi cupped Jason's jaw and looked squarely into his eyes. "Please don't face this alone, baby. If you need to talk about it, let me help you, okay?"
"I will, Kels," Jason replied, pulling her down under the sheets with him. "I'm just so thankful to be safe with you."
Two weeks later, the misery of what he had witnessed seemed to finally be lifting from Jason's shoulders. When he got home from basketball one evening, he was a sweaty mess as usual and Kelsi playfully refused him any kisses until he'd showered up. When he stepped out from the steaming water, he towelled off and dressed quickly, finding Kelsi curled up on the couch still watching a movie.
"Mind if I join you," he asked, settling in beside her and kissing her jaw.
Kelsi giggled and pulled him under the throw blanket with her. "Of course honey, but shush, I haven't seen this one all the way through."
"I bet that's my fault," he retorted, letting his hand slip over her waist. The evening suddenly took a more sensual turn when Kelsi shut off the television. She stood from the couch and as she led him by the hand towards the stairs, he knew she was needing something and he was feeling like the man for the job.
He picked her up onto his hips and laid her back on the bed in their room, taking his time to kiss her lips, her cheeks, her neck, all of the places she loved. They were lost in the moment, their bodies intertwined. The heaviness of their breathing and the soft rustle of Kelsi pulling off Jason's t-shirt almost drowned out the sound of his phone vibrating on the nightstand.
"Ignore it," Kelsi said, her voice barely a whisper as she bit on Jason's ear.
Suddenly the phone rang loudly and he turned to see his cousin had texted five times and was now calling. "Could be an emergency," Jason replied with a sigh. "One minute." He reached for the phone and answered reluctantly, frustration lacing his voice. "What the hell do you want, Chris?"
"Hey, man, I need a favour," Chris said. "I locked my keys in my car."
"What do you want me to do about it?" Jason replied, annoyance creeping into his voice. Kelsi crept over his bare shoulder, her soft lips grazing his skin. "Call AAA, Chris. I'm... busy."
"You sure you can't come help me, cuz? It'll save me a lot if you can get the door open," Chris slurred.
Jason sat straight up, making Kelsi flinch in surprise. "Chris, have you been drinking?"
"Nah, I just had one with the boys tonight," he cackled, the inebriation now heavier in his voice.
Jason knew Chris had been able to hide being drunk before. If he didn't go get him, a tow driver might help him get his keys and be none the wiser, leaving room for Chris to do something dangerous. "Alright," he said, his voice stern. "I'll be there in a bit. Don't move, Chris."
He hung up and turned to Kelsi, feeling a pang of guilt and frustration. "I'm sorry, babe, I have to go make sure my idiot cousin doesn't drink and drive." He stood and pulled his shirt back on and fumbled to refasten his belt, wishing he had time to take a cold shower. But if he didn't get to Chris fast, who knew what he might do.
Kelsi understood. She gave him a reassuring smile. "Of course, hun. I'll be here when you get back."
Jason quickly arrived at Chris' location, finding him leaning against his car, looking defeated. He hopped out and grabbed Chris by the collar, hauling him towards the passenger door of the Jeep.
"Hey! I asked you to get my keys, not manhandle me!" Jason didn't respond as Chris struggled to take a few lousy swings at him. "What? Does Kelsi not get rough enough with you?"
"Shut up!" Jason shouted and slammed Chris against the Jeep, the impact jolting the drunk man to sobriety. "You think this is funny, huh? That you pulled me away from her? You're a fucking irresponsible piece of shit. You're lucky you're family or I'd have never come out here, you damn ungrateful bastard!"
Chris, stunned by the force of Jason's words could only stare back, his drunken bravado completely shattered.
The memory of the horrific accident Jason had witnessed weeks ago, the mangled metal and the shattered lives, flashed before his eyes. His voice rose as he pinned Chris tighter against the Jeep, "You think you're invincible, huh? That you can do whatever you want? It just takes one wrong decision, and your life, or someone else's, could be over. I saw it happen, Chris, two weeks ago. Three people." He paused and snapped his fingers in front of Chris' face, making him flinch. "Gone. Just like that. Because some drunk idiot like you got behind the wheel without a second thought."
Chris, stunned by Jason's outburst, could only nod in silence. "I'm sorry Jase… I didn't know."
Jason released him and shoved him into the passenger seat. "Oh forget it, you'll never learn anyways, and Kelsi's waiting for me. I'll get you home." As he drove to Chris' place, he couldn't help but feel overwhelming frustration and disappointment. His jeans were still feeling tight after leaving what he and Kelsi had started and now his blood was boiling. After practically throwing Chris through his apartment door, he drove home in a huff, trying desperately to calm down. Kelsi didn't deserve any of this and he determined he wouldn't take it out on her.
When he slipped back through the door, a black piece of fabric sitting on the bottom step caught his eye. He kicked off his sneakers and picked it up. One of Kelsi's silky bikinis. He looked further up the stairs and saw another piece of fabric, the distinct red could only be his Wildcats t-shirt. When he got to the top of the stairs he found her matching bra lying in front of the door to their room. He gently opened the door to find Kelsi reading in bed, the comforter pulled up just enough to hide her bare chest.
"Hey," she said softly, putting down her book on the nightstand. She eyed the clothing items in his hand and a grin broke across her lips. "Ah, I see you found my breadcrumbs."
Jason crossed the room fast, ripping off his shirt as he went. "You set that up for me?"
"Yeah, I went down to get a drink and thought I'd leave a little trail on my way back up, just in case you were still upset when you got home. I hoped it would help you know right away that I was waiting up for you."
Jason stopped and stood by the nightstand, shaking his head in amazement at her. He put one hand on his hip and the other to his brow, "Kels, you are the best a man could ask for. You know that, right?"
"I try," she giggled.
"Damn, woman," Jason groaned, turning his hips towards her, "you better get my jeans off before it's impossible."
Kelsi sat up to reach for his belt, the comforter falling to reveal her naked chest. Jason's eyes followed, growing darker until he swallowed hard. Once she had him free of his pants, he leapt into the bed with her, eager to pick up where they had left off.