She's Only Seventeen: A Novel of Sex, Drugs and Rock & Roll by K. M. Ellis Page B

have done that,” he said breathlessly.
    “Why?”
    “You know why, Kat, I told you before, we agreed, it wouldn’t happen again.” He managed shakily.
    “I don’t care, Tom. I wanted it.” I said, rolling to face him on my side.
    He reached out and touched my face and smiled. His smiled turned onto a frown as he sat up. He paused before standing and pulling up his jeans. He threw mine to me, I put them on slowly.
    “Come on, Tom,” I begged
    “Come on what?” his voice low.
    I wrapped my arms around his waist and buried my head into his chest.
    He untangled himself from me. “You need to get back to Shane, Kat. We can… you can… you can come to practice tomorrow.”
    “Thank you, Tom.”
    He looked down at the ground, “I…” he started. I realized what he was going to say, for it was on the tip of my tongue too.
    “Don’t Tom,” I walked over and kissed him once more. “I’ll see you tomorrow, I promise.” I let go of him and left.
    I didn’t realize I was shaking until I got into the car.
    Thomas
    September 1985
    She came to practice the next day where everyone was grateful to have her back, myself included, as much as I didn’t want to admit to anyone. She was back to normal, flirting with James and Ian, even throwing glances at me, which I had to stop myself from glancing back. She breathed sexuality, and was, as far as Shane and she had told me, involved in a very healthy, sexual relationship. Still, I could see she wasn’t a hundred percent happy. Something was missing.
    “I have to go meet Shane’s parents next week,” she said after we were done practicing.
    “Getting serious?” I asked casually
    “I don’t know… I hope… but then again… I’m so bad with commitment; the whole idea makes me… ugh.”
    “Then don’t marry him if he asks you, simple.” I answered
    She shrugged. “If I marry him, then I can’t have you anymore,” she smirked
    “I don’t think we should be doing it anyways, Kat.”
    “But you want to?” she asked, coming closer to me.
    “That’s enough, Kat.”
    She pouted, “Okay, forget I said anything” she said as she moved away from me, readjusting the scarf on her microphone.
    “Is it lucky yet?” I asked
    “Always,” she whispered meeting my eyes and smiling.
    Shane
    October 1985
    “I’m excited to meet your parents!” Kat exclaimed.
    “Me too, Kat,” I assured her
    In truth I was nervous. I knew my father would love her, but my mother… she was another story.
    “What are their names again?” she asked innocently.
    I smiled, “Bob and Susan.”
    “Bob and Susan,” she repeated.
    We were driving about an hour and a half north to my hometown and would be staying with them for a week. I wanted them to approve of Kat. I almost felt as if I needed it before I proposed to her.
    “Shane,” my mother cried, teary eyed. She pulled me close into an embrace. Laughing I hugged her back before turning to my father.
    “This is Kat.” I said introducing her.
    “Hello,” she said softly.
    It was almost arousing to see her so shy, a rare trait for her.
    I watched my father look her up and down and my mother’s eyes fixate on him.
    “Well, she’s quite a looker, Shane.” He nodded in approval.
    Kat blushed as my mother stood there stony eyed. “Yes,” she said after a period of silence, “she sure is.”
    We walked into the house carrying our bags.
    “I hope you don’t mind,” my mother said, “but I’ve set you in separate rooms, I don’t expect there to be any ‘activities’ going on here.”
    Kat laughed unexpectedly. She quickly covered her mouth when I shot a look at her. “You’re serious?” she asked.
    “I sure am,” my mother continued, “now, Kat you can have the guest bedroom while Shane, your old room.” She turned beaming at me. “Oh it’s so good to see you, honey,” she exclaimed hugging me again.
    She turned to Kat, “Dinner will be ready at 5:00, I expect you to be freshened up by then.”
    She