Chapter 13: Spring Break to Summer

Sore and stiff from the playoff tournament, Cory climbs into Rick's Man-Van. He's pulled inside when Tara reaches out taking his battered and beaten body. He can't even cry out in agony before she plants a prolonged kiss on his lips.

"Oh yeah, now that's sexy!" Kayla taunts staring back at them.

Groaning from her squeezing his body, Cory breaks away from the kiss to sit upright in the seat. "Ugh, I hurt all over. Sorry sweetie, but I took a beating this weekend."

Tara instantly releases her grip, sliding back against the arm rest. "I didn't know, I'm sorry."

"It's fine love, just got to be gentle for a few days. The entire team is feeling it, but damn it was worth it."

Rick roars up, yelling out the window.

"Yeah, state champs' baby! Team captain right here, Cold Cory Dubois, leader, lover, and best friend people. Right here in the RiverCreek Man-Van! About to go out to the Disgraced Thru Grace concert!"

Cory's confused by the last part of the announcement. "Who is Disgraced Thru Grace?

Rick rotates his eyes to speak.

"Oh man, they're touring with F.O.W.L., which uh is Freedom Over World Leaders. F.O.W.L., they're a radical 90's gangster rap group that never signed to a major label. Figured I'd treat everyone to the show. Tickets were cheap and we're front row. Plus, Disgraced Thru Grace is a new rock band that's doing the fair tour with them."

Listening to Rick explain about the group, they listen to one of their CDs on the way to the fairgrounds for the concert.

After parking over in the grass, the kids get out, marching along the gravel road. They stop at the gate, where Rick pulls out four tickets, handing them over to security.

"Thank you. Enjoy the show, kids."

Rick hands each of them a ripped ticket stub after they walk onto the open field. The front row is standing room-only down by the elevated stage. The crowd gathers swiftly, causing the noise to be louder than any of them expected.

Shortly after the lights turn on, a voice emanates from behind the stage.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for attending today's show. Please give a round of applause for the opening performer. Straight out of the Dirty South, from Atlanta, Georgia, he is known for stirring up havoc on a microphone. Give it up for J-Faktur."

The crowd gets loud as a Caucasian young adult male with brown and bleached-blond hair, wearing an Atlanta Thrashers jersey with baggy Paco Jeans, walks out on stage.

"Hello, St. Paul. Sup? Y'all ready to get this party started and outta control?"

The crowd roars louder when the first beat begins.

"Hey, uh, yeah, uh let me get a feel of the spill. Here we go, it's a thrill to seal the deal of the rap game, so I'm here to build my name, making y'all think that I'm insane. I'm just OC that's outta control, being straight with ya, ya know. Gonna put it down in this town with a sound like ya never heard when ya listen to my words. Hitting the road with my band expanding my brand, can't keep my head in the sand cuz I gotta plan. Gonna set the stage ablaze at the sound of my name. It'll make ya go. Outta control, don't ya know."

Rick begins to get into the song, waving his hand in the air. "He's pretty good huh, Core," he shouts over the beat.

"Yeah, not too bad. Sorry, I'm not that into it yet, I feel like hell, man, but thank you for this."

Rick gives him a thumbs-up gesture, returning his attention to the stage.

After the song is finished, J-Faktur removes his earplugs to address the crowd.

"Y'all like that one? That was 'Outta Control,' one of my newest hits. Anyway, it's great being here and having a great time. Just got in town to watch today's hockey finals. Anyone of y'all see that wicked fucking game?"

The crowd pops back with cheering and booing. Rick begins, pointing to Cory trying, to get the performer's attention.

"Hey, you here in the front, was you there?" he asks finally, seeing Rick waving his arms.

"Hey, y'all, chill for a minute. Let this man speak."

Rick barely gets out, "My boy here is the team captain of the winning team."

Motioning that he could just make out what he says, there's a surprise announcement that follows.

"Captain, you say. Well, how about I give you and your friends a chance to really enjoy the show from the best seats in the house. Backstage with me? I love hockey, and it would be my honor to talk to a future pro player. Security, guide them back!"

The four of them are left speechless as they wait for security to escort them back behind the scenes.

"All right. Let's make some noise!"

The next song begins when the kids get backstage.

"Hey little man, congrats on the win!" One of the F.O.W.L. members calls out, watching in the wings of the stage to see how the crowd reacts.

"Hey, Zamaal, he's got two songs left. Get everyone ready!"

Rick's reaction is priceless when he sees the other three members of the group gather by the curtain.

They wave to them before they take off for the stage. Once they're out on the stage, Disgraced Thru Grace come out next to gauge the crowd and give the foursome watching from the other side a thumbs-up and a wave.

"Holy shit, I got to see them up close." Rick squeals, bouncing up and down on his heels.

"Chill, Rick!" Kayla says, pushing on his arm.

The kids wait around for the opening act to finish, introducing and interacting with the crowd so they can chat with him for a bit.

Backstage, J-Faktur waves them all over.

"Hey, thank you for bringing us backstage," Cory begins to say, feeling privileged.

"Nah, it's nothing y'all. I seen that game today, and wow, talk about some hard-hitting, almost nonstop action. I thought f'real that it was going to OT when that shot got off."

Cory admits something out loud. "I thought so too at first, but when the buzzer went off and the light didn't flash to signal a goal, I knew we had it."

Extending his arm, J-Faktur shakes Cory's hand. "You all got a ton a heart to keep going like y'all did. I see ya here with ya gal and whatnot, standing tall. Hell, yeah, son, I figured you was beaten to a pulp. Another reason why I brought ya backstage. Relax and have some fun. Need anything, let security know."

He pats Cory on the back and mentions one final thing before he leaves.

"It was excellent, but please, y'all, make yaselves comfy. Stand here to view the stage and enjoy the show. I got me some um, business, to handle. I just wanted to tell you up close congrats on the 'W' dawg. Peace, y'all."

The four of them wave goodbye to him, seeing him stride to his trailer with an escort on each arm. He looks back and winks, picking up his pace.

After the show is finished, Rick stands there waiting to meet the group.

"Holy shit, what a show!" the lead hip hop artist claims, taking his earplug out.

"Yeah, that was a show."

They turn to see Rick standing there with a smile not even a stick of dynamite could destroy.

"Sup, little homie. Gotta pen handy?"

Rick pats around, trying to find anything in a pocket.

"Here, kid." Dakota from Disgraced Thru Grace hands over a piece of paper and a marker.

The group take their time signing each of their names, causing Rick to act like an excited child on Christmas morning. They hand over the autographed paper, and the band gets a good glimpse of Kayla coming up getting her clutches on Rick.

"That ya girl? She's fine homeboy. Gotta love a white blond chick. And what deep chocolate brown eyes you have, miss. Y'all be careful out there in the real world. Ain't so nice seeing a mixed couple."

Rick takes his advance with a grain of salt.

"We will do, sir, thank you!"

They stand there and watch as the ensemble of artists walk away, leaving them there to wait around for Cory and Tara to return from listening to the Southern rock band that's getting into their first song.

"Hey, I have something to tell you later," Cory says, trying to break the news about getting an offer to visit Miami.

"Can it wait? I just wanna enjoy this." Tara struts up to him, hiking up her shirt, showing off her flat stomach.

"Right now, I wanna give my champ the kiss he deserves." She pins his sore body up against the wall, giving him a seductive kiss.

Grunting when his back slams against the wall, Cory pulls her away. "You gonna have to wait for a minute, doll. It hurts to even move right now."

Her hand against his glides down the side of his face. She smirks and helps him off the wall. They return to where Rick and Kayla are still waiting for them.

"Come on, you two. Let's hit the road. Gotta haul back to town," Rick calls out, waving them to get a move on.

With a sigh in frustration at not being able to get his exciting news out in the open, Cory tries to hide it by acting distraught.

"The Man-Van looks different with your back seat actually put back in it," Cory mentions when they approach the van.

"Yeah, well you need a ride home, and your folks didn't think you'd want to be seen with them."

The four of them crack up laughing and climb inside.

"I know one thing: it'll be nice to get home and soak in a hot tub full of Epsom Salt. Oh, yeah, I have something I need to tell you all." Cory tries for a second time to spill his news, but Tara ensures that it's not to be discussed.

"It can wait, babe? For now, let's enjoy the ride home. This place is beautiful without snow."

Cory huffs, with more frustration building within him. Relaxed in his seat, Cory buckles himself in and finds a way to get comfortable enough to fall asleep after about twenty minutes.

Waking up when Rick pulls over, Cory is surprised to be home already.

"Hey, Cory, wake up, man. You're home."

Sitting up wiping the droll from his chin, Cory looks around.

"What, home already? Didn't we just leave? Hey, where are the girls?" he babbles trying to gain his senses.

"Well, I dropped them off over at Kay's. Come on, I'll help ya pack ya stuff inside."

The boys head inside to toss Cory's belongings in his room. Locking eyes on the bed, Cory stumbles over flopping face first and passes out immediately. After a few hours, when he finally reenters the world, Cory gets up to the smells of food emanating from down the hallway.

Walking stiffly into the kitchen, Cory gets his sights on Tara, standing there with her back to him.

"Hey, you didn't have to come over and cook. I can make something to eat on my own.

Startled, Tara jumps holding her hand over her chest. "You jerk! You scared me, oh, good Lord, Core. Anyway, yes I did need to cook. Your parents are out enjoying a night to themselves and, well, reheated leftover pizza just ain't dinner."

Up against the doorway laughing, Cory finally notices that his girl is standing in there in an apron and her bra.

"Looking pretty good, baby girl."

She ducks her head down a bit, smiling. "Wanted to give you something special. Ya know, to have for dessert later."

"Oh, not tonight. My body is way too ravaged and smashed to fool around. I love the thought, but we can't."

Tara returns her attention to her food on the stove. "I understand, but hey, at least you liked the view."

Cory surprises her with what he says next.

"I love that view, and I love you."

He walks away, which leaves her speechless.

The rest of their evening after dinner is spent on the couch watching classic movies.

"Did you mean it?"

Cory looks over to her with a confused glare in his eyes. "Mean what? I haven't said anything since dinner."

Tara explains what she means.

"Exactly, you said I love you and walked off on me. Did you mean it? You know I've been burned before, so don't lie to me."

That strikes a chord with Cory.

"I would never lie about that. You know I was cheated on lots of times by—" He stops when a knock comes from the door. "Who in the world ...?"

Motioning for him to stay seated, Tara answers the door. The instant she opens it, her eyes can't believe who's standing there.

"Oh, hi, there, I'm looking for my boy toy, Cory. You must be the side slut, Terror Ho Bag."

Without even thinking, Tara hauls off, nailing Venessa directly in the nose.

"You bitch!" Venessa screams, grabbing her blood-soaked nose.

"Get out of here or else your jaw is next."

Cory tries to rush the door to get between them, to play peacemaker. "That is enough, Vanessa. All you do is cause trouble. Go sleep with Frankie or someone else and leave us alone."

He slams the door in her face and checks on Tara's partially swollen red knuckles.

"Are you okay?" he asks, examining her hand.

"Yeah, just sore. I promise, I'm fine." She smiles as he takes her hand, kissing each knuckle.

"Well, then, let's get back to our movie."

They return to the couch cuddled up and eventually fall asleep, until Cory's parents arrive and send Tara home. His mother places a blanket over him to let him remain asleep where he's comfortable.

Using the last day of the weekend to rest, Cory's spring break is spent working with his father over at the garage. He details cars after they're repaired. It is one way he works for the extra money to save for items he wants to install on his car.

Together with Rick, on days he isn't busy with try outs for the track team, they work feverishly for tips. Each vehicle they work on together, they flip between the exterior and interior.

During the week for Tara and Kayla, they work together at the store. While Kayla maintains her position at the register, Tara is the working customer service desk and also does the movie and video games rental services.

Knowing the kids head back to school soon, their parents give them Friday off to spend together to enjoy a picnic down by the point where they all hang out.

Parked and walking down to the edge of the water, the double couple prepare for a bit of fun.

"Hey Core, grab that corner and straighten it out, please and thanks, sir," Rick mentions.

When Cory leans down, Tara takes advantage and jumps on his back, sending them both crashing to the ground where she begins tickling him.

"Okay ... okay ... okay ... you win!" Cory cries out, barely able to breathe.

Standing there with the cooler in her hands, Kayla nearly falls trying to get the bulky oversized cooler onto the blanket.

"Thanks guys, I got this," she barks, out of breath, resting against the cooler.

"Sorry, honey bunny, I was gonna go back and get it."

With a roll of her eyes, Kayla curls her lips. "Now you tell me!"

Scooting over to rest up against Rick, Kayla flops her head against his chest. "I love sunny days like today. Just so peaceful and nice to relax in the sun. Hey, Tara wanna sunbathe after we get back?"

Removing the lid from the picnic basket, Tara looks up with a simple "yes," then reaches inside, taking out the paper plates and cups.

"Hope y'all like fried chicken, potato salad, coleslaw, cornbread, and baked beans."

Bewildered by the selection, the three of them gaze over to Tara.

"Say what, I don't think I've had any of that together," Rick admits, observing each container now in the middle of the blanket.

"Trust me, she's a great cook," Cory says, waiting for the lids to open as Tara starts to blush.

"If you say so, brother man."

Rick takes his plate from Tara's grip, along with a plastic spoon, getting a sample of everything she mentioned. He stares at it and lifts it up to his nose, shutting his eyes to inhale the home-cooked goodness.

"Mmm'mmm, now that smells good," Rick admits before he tastes it.

With the first bite, Rick's taste buds are overwhelmed when the sensations explode on his tongue. "Holy shit, that's the stuff right there!"

Extending his hand, he waits for Tara to give him a high five.

"Thanks, handsome," she mumbles with a smile stretched over her face.

While they bask in the sun, the kids eat and joke around for a while. It isn't until they hear the crack of thunder coming that they realize the fun must come to an end.

"Guess that means it's time to head inside," Cory says, pointing out over the horizon, where the dark clouds begin to blow in the musky scent of the approaching storm.

"Yeah, looks like a good one too. Girls, go ahead and get in the cars. Core, let's hook and book it."

Helping Tara to her feet, Cory begins tossing everything together, cramming it into the cooler, and runs it up to the Man-Van.

"Better hurry. That storm isn't coming in slow," Kayla tells Cory, keeping her eyes locked on the growing darkness overhead.

"Sure thing. Just gotta get the blanket and trash."

Running back to Rick, the boys quickly put the last of it all in the middle of the blanket to tie the corners together and haul ass back to their cars.

Rushed into the Celica, Cory starts it up trying to get home before the rain hits. After the second crash of thunder roars down from the sky, Rick picks up the first lightning strike from the corner of his eye.

"Wow, it's coming in fast," he whispers, slamming the side door shut, then climbs over the blanket to get to the driver's side.

Wasting no time, Rick fires up his van, racing Kayla home.

"Looks like we made it in time," he comments, pulling into her driveway.

"Yup, hey wanna come in for a little while, or at least until the storm passes?" she asks, gently playing with his arm.

"Sure thing, sugar. Got anything in mind?"

Playing hard to get, Kayla looks away. "Guess you'll have to wait and see."

Rick reaches over, pulling her in for a kiss. Once he's made his point with his lips, he puts his forehead against hers.

"C'mon and show me. You know you want to."

Only able to giggle at the thought, she escorts him inside. Just as she closes the door, the rain makes its presence known, pounding against the house.

"Made it in time. Now, come on, let's head to my room," she orders, taking charge over, Rick wanting to make the most of an opportunity on a rainy day.

It's another opportunity that they make the most of as they continue their new intimate game, riding out the storm as it spends a few hours hovering over town.