Free Four (Their Dead Lives,1) by Zack Scott Page B

Kale. “Do it again. Hit me again,” he slurred.  
    “Enough!” Jeff stepped past Sadie, rushing between them. He grabbed Kale’s shoulder. “Get off him.”  
    “What, you’re on this guy’s side now? He doesn’t even trust you!” Kale released his grip on Scot, dropping him to the floor. “I trust you, Homer. I believe you.”  
    Scot fell limply to the hardwood floor. While he was still in the process of collapsing, Angela was already running to his aid.  
    Kelsey stood stiffly next to Sadie. Wanting to make sure she stayed put, Sadie latched onto Kelsey’s arm. We should not be involved in this.  
    Kale swung Jeff’s hand off. “I’m out of here. Howard, Let’s go.” He stormed for the exit.  
    Jeff chased after Kale, trying to placate him. “I’m on all your sides. He doesn’t deserve a beating. He might be an asshole sometimes but—”
    “But what?” Kale looked directly at Kelsey. “He thinks we fucked. That’s why he left you. That’s why he took my Brit from me. He’s a selfish prick and you deserve better. Don’t ever go back to him.”  
    Atta boy, Kale. Before Kelsey could respond, he left, walking briskly to the parking lot.  
    Howard staggered after him, dropping a glass. “Bro, legendary!”  
    Sadie went to the doorway to watch.  
    Jeff stood on the patio, while Kale fumbled for the keys to his truck.  
    “You’re too drunk!” Jeff called.  
    “Screw off, Homer. Tell Scot he can screw you off too!” Kale hopped in the truck and started it. Kicking up dirt, he sped for the exit. The truck made it a mere 10 feet before it abruptly swerved off the road and careened into a telephone pole. The front of the truck collapsed and crumbled, smoke rising from the wreckage.  
    Alec rushed up behind Sadie and Jeff. After he saw the crumpled truck, he yelled, “Holy shit,” then grabbed his mouth, worried that Nicole had overheard.  
    She’s still against swearing?  
    Jeff raced off the patio, sprinting for the truck. Alec followed. Soon, Nicole and his brother hurried out, attracted by the commotion, Brian cursing at the sight of the smoking truck.  
    Enough people were helping Kale and Howard, so Sadie went back inside the bar for Kelsey. Oh, damn it, girl. She was next to Scot in the lounge area, while his actual girlfriend was busy getting ice.  
    “So you think you’re Rambo all of a sudden?” Kelsey smiled at him, examining his bleeding face.  
    “You should see the other guy.” He smiled weakly, his head wobbling.  
    Kale never suffered a scratch.  
    “Look, Scot,” Kelsey sighed, “you think I cheated on you? With Kale?”  
    “That’s what your phone said.”  
    Kelsey’s lips thinned in irritation. “You’re so far from correct it’s ridiculous.”  
    “I saw what I saw.”  
    “No, you always see what you want to see. You should’ve stayed and talked to me, not stuck your dick in Kale’s girlfriend.”  
    He stubbornly avoided all eye contact. “I need to go.” Struggling to stand, Angela returned in time to help, dropping the ice, and giving Kelsey an equally icy stare. She then helped Scot hobble to the doorway. He gave Kelsey one last look, mouthing, “Goodbye.”  
    They left, passing Sadie without a word. Smart kid.  
    Kelsey sighed and slapped her thighs. “Well, let’s get the hell out of here.”  
    “Finally.”  
    Jerry trotted up to them, slurping his orange juice. “I don’t know about you two, but this night is fantastic so far.”  
    “Oh, hush, Jerry.” Sadie grabbed their arms and marched them outside.
    Jeff and Alec were helping Kale and Howard out of the crumbled truck. They both seemed fine.
    “Let me go.” Kale yanked away from Jeff.  
    “Listen, bud.”
    Kale threw both hands at Jeff’s chest, but his aim was off and the shove was weak.  
    Jeff is a beast. You can’t move him. His cold blue eyes dug chillingly into Kale’s dark brown ones. “Buddy—”  
    “Get away from me, Homer!”