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Adriana

Krystal’s funeral was two weeks later, after
the autopsy. It was revealed that she’d been raped and then strangled.
Unfortunately, they didn’t have enough evidence to arrest anyone and so the
investigation was still open.

Trevor and Tank both attended the funeral, even
though Krystal’s mother had tried banning anyone associated with the Gold
Vipers. She blamed them directly for her daughter’s murder. When the time came,
however, she allowed them to attend, too grief-stricken to care about anything
else other than the fact that she was burying her daughter.

When it was time for me to speak, during the
eulogy, my eyes met Trevor’s for a brief second. He nodded, but I looked away,
my heart heavy for everything that I’d lost in the last two weeks.

“I met Krystal in the sixth grade,” I said,
reading off of the piece of paper in front of me. I knew the words by heart,
but I couldn’t look at anyone. I knew I’d start to cry. “I was new in school
and very nervous. After the teacher introduced me in class, I went to go take a
seat, when a boy stuck out his foot. I tripped, landing on my face, dropping my
books and everything else. Of course, everyone laughed. Well, everyone but the
teacher and Krystal, I guess.” I smiled through my tears and went on. “She beat
him up, after school that day. Actually punched out one of his teeth, because
of the way he’d tried to humiliate me. The funny thing was, they were going
steady.”

Some people chuckled.

“That was Krystal, though. She had a heart and
she’d stick up for you, no matter what.” I sniffled. “If you were her friend,
you’d be so for life. If you were a guy, in her life, well, you didn’t want to
piss her off or you might have ended up with dentures.”

More chuckles.

“Anyway,” I looked up. “Although she’s gone, I
know she’s looking down at us today, wondering if her hair was done right or
they used the right color of lipstick.” I smiled sadly and looked over at
Tiffany and Claudia. “Remember when she went through that phase of wearing blue
lipstick? I still don’t know what that was about.”

They both nodded, smiling through their tears.

I took a deep breath. “Anyway, Krystal, we’re
going to miss seeing you laugh and smile, but we’ll always feel you in our
hearts. Always. I love you and I already miss you so very much,” I said, my
voice cracking. “I only wish I would have told you how much when you were still
alive.”

My eyes were blurred with tears and I couldn’t
read the rest. Wiping my face with the back of my hand, I picked up my sheet of
paper and hurried away from the podium.

“You did good, Honey,” whispered my mom as I
sat down next to her. “I’m sure Krystal thought so, too.”

I didn’t say anything, I was too choked up.

When the funeral was over, we all drove to the
cemetery, and she was laid to rest. As I put a rose on her coffin, I looked up
to find Trevor standing on the other side, watching me. I had to admit, he
looked incredibly handsome, especially in the dark suit he was wearing. 

I quickly looked away.

“I have to get back to the shop,” said Vanda,
as we walked back to the car with Jim, who’d also attended the funeral. They’d already
been on a couple more dates, and were becoming very close, already. I could
tell from the way that she looked at him.

“I’ll drive you,” he said. “That way, Adriana
can go to the reception.”

“Thanks,” she said, digging into her purse.
“Here are the keys. Are you okay to drive?”

“Yes. Of course.”

She looked past me and her eyes hardened. “I
still can’t believe that those two had the audacity to show up.”

I turned around to see Trevor and Tank walking toward
their motorcycles. Tank’s expression was unreadable now, but I had seen tears
in his eyes when they lowered her casket. He’d definitely had feelings for her.

“I can’t believe they’re riding bikes in this
weather,” said Jim. “It must be forty-degrees. That’s got to be cold.”

I shrugged.

“He didn’t try talking to you, did he?” she
asked, as we reached the two cars, which were parked next to each other.

“No,” I said. He’d been respectful to my
wishes, even though he hadn’t understood them.

“So, that’s it? You don’t want to see me
again?” he’d said, after I’d given him the news.

“I just can’t see you again.”

“Why?”

“Because of what happened. Krystal is dead.
DEAD. I can’t get caught up in that kind of… world.”

“You know I’d never put you in any kind of danger.”

“Trevor, your entire world is ‘danger’. Whether
you want to admit it or not.”

“I’m not ready to let you go,” he’d said, his
eyes burning into mine. “You’ve gotten under my skin. You’re all I think
about.”

“You know what I’m thinking about? My best
friend. She’s dead and why? Because of some senseless gang warfare that she
didn’t want any part of, either. I don’t want to be next. I don’t want to die”

“You aren’t going to die.”

“How can you be certain?”

“I won’t let them near you
.”

“That’s a gallant thought but you can’t protect
me every hour of the day.”

“They’re going to pay for what they did and
then, I promise, you won’t have to worry about it.”

“See, that’s exactly what I do have to worry
about. Retaliation. First them and then you. It’s going to go on and on. I just
want to live my life without
having to worry about getting
kidnapped or shot, Trevor. Don’t you understand?”

He sighed.

“Trevor, please… respect my wishes and… stay
away from me.”

“That’s just it. I don’t know if I can do
that.”

“You have to try. If you’re not even willing,
then you’re not the man I thought you were.”

“Ouch.”

“I’m serious.”

He’d finally relented, even though it had been
hard for both of us. I knew that I wasn’t in love with him, but there was
something between us. Something fierce.

She nodded. “Good. I’m glad.”

I sighed. “I’ll see you tonight.”

“Be careful. Don’t drink and drive.”

“Yes, mother,” I said, my voice hollow.

“Don’t drink too much and drive,” corrected
Jim, smiling. “One glass of wine won’t hurt.”

I winked at him and got into the car.

Mom waved at me as she slid into Jim’s car.

Stealing another glance across the parking lot
at Trevor, I tried ignoring the pangs in my chest. I wasn’t a fool. I knew that
I longed to be with him, even after everything that had happened.  Feel his
arms around me. But, it was over and both of us had to accept it.  

I started the engine and drove to the
reception.

Adriana

The reception was held at a local bar. As I
walked toward the entrance, I ran into Detective Stone. I’d seen both him and
Detective Williams at the funeral, but was surprised to see him at the
reception.

“Hello, Adriana,” he said, holding the door for
me.

“Detective Stone. I didn’t know you were going
to be here.”

“Please, call me Jeremy.”

I smiled. “Sure.”

“I wanted to pay my respects,” he said, walking
behind me. “How have you been holding up?”

I glanced at him over my shoulder. “It’s been
hard.”

“I can only imagine.”

“How is the case going?” I asked as he moved
next to me.

“Slow.”

“Can’t you find any DNA or fiber matches to
convict any of the Devil’s Rangers?”

He grinned. “You’ve been watching CSI?”

“Of course,” I said, smiling sheepishly.

“Well, they’re still working on it. That’s all
I can really say,” he said as we entered the area that was reserved for the
reception. I noticed that Tiffany, Monica, and Amber were already there,
ordering drinks.

“Thanks for coming,” said Krystal’s mother, Bonnie,
who looked like she was about ready to start crying all over again. “Both of
you.”

“Of course,” I said, hugging her.

“You, too, Detective. Have you found the people
who’ve done this, yet?”

“Please, just call me Jeremy. We’re still
working on it. You’ll be the first to know if we do, though.”

“I’m counting on it,” she said, blowing her
nose.

“Hi, Adriana,” said Tiffany, walking over with
two glasses. “Here, I bought you a Rum and Coke. Figured you’d need it after
giving that speech. You did great, by the way. I was balling my eyes out.”

“Thanks, Tiff. I missed the last part of it,” I
said, taking the drink from her. “I was too choked up to continue”

“How can you not be? At least you had the balls
to get up there. I’m sure Krystal was proud of you, though.”

“I hope so,” I said, getting choked up again
myself.

“And, who is this?” she asked, smiling up at
Jeremy.

I was going to introduce him as Detective
Stone, when he jumped in.

“Who me? I’m Jeremy Stone,” he said, smiling.

“Are you two…?” she asked, pointing to both of
us.

“No,” I said quickly, realizing what she meant.
“We’re not dating.”

He laughed.

She smiled at Jeremy. “I wasn’t sure. You’re
not wearing a ring and I’ve never seen you before. I know that.”

Oh my God, she’s interested in him,
I
thought, not sure if I should be amused or horrified.

“Nope. No ring,” he said, holding up his left
hand. “Not anymore, at least.”

“Oh, were you married before?” she asked.

“Engaged. I guess you could say, it fell
through.”

“Well, you know what they say – if it’s not
meant to be, it’s not meant to be,” said Tiffany, taking a drink of her
Screwdriver. “You’ll probably find someone much better.”

It was then that I realized he was actually a
very nice looking man. I hadn’t thought much about it before, but I could see
why Tiffany was interested. He was tall, with brown hair, and caramel colored
eyes, and a goatee. I pegged him to be in his late twenties and he obviously
kept in very good shape.

“How did you know Krystal?” she asked.

As he began explaining, I glanced over to the
bar and noticed that Trevor was standing next to it, ordering a beer. My
stomach knotted up.

What was he doing here?

“Excuse me,” I said, moving around my friends
and toward him. When I reached the bar, Trevor turned to me, smiling.

“What are you doing here?” I said in a
not-so-friendly voice.

“Well, hello to you, too,” he said, the smile
falling.

I looked around. “Is Tank here, too?”

“No. He’s taking it pretty hard. He just wanted
to be alone.”

I stared at him for a few seconds, my foot
tapping anxiously. I had to admit, that he looked so handsome that I wanted to
jump his bones again. But, I was more pissed than horny. “You shouldn’t be here,
you know.”

He frowned. “Why? I knew her too, you know. I’m
just here to pay my respects.”

“You did that at the cemetery.”

He grunted and shook his head.

“What?’ I asked.

“Why are you being such a bitch?” he said
angrily.

“Excuse me?” I said, shocked.

“You heard me.”

My eyes narrowed. “Maybe, because you bring
that out in me.”

“Why? I haven’t done anything to you,” he said,
taking a drink of his beer.

“You’re here, Trevor.”

“Yeah? Why is that a problem?”

I lowered my voice. “I thought you were going
to stay away?”

He laughed coldly. “Oh, I see. You think this is
about you. Well, Kitten, it’s not. This is about paying my respects to Krystal,
who I was friends with too, believe it or not.”

“Really?” I snapped. “You’re not here for
anything
else?”

“No, I’m not. And,” he sneered. “In case you
don’t remember,
you
approached me, I didn’t approach you.”

I clenched my jaw. I was so angry. I wanted to
slap the asshole grin right off of his face.

“So, feel free to unapproach me,” he said,
looking away.

Trying not to make a scene, I turned around and
walked back over to the others.

“Isn’t that Trevor Larson?” asked Jeremy.

“Yes,” I said, taking a drink of my cocktail.
“Yes, it is.”

“Is everything okay?” he asked, leaning closer
me.

I looked over at Trevor, who now was staring at
Jeremy, looking pissed.

“It’s fine,” I said, looking away.

“Adriana, we’re going across the street to
Gibby’s later. You want to join us?” asked Tiffany.

“I don’t think so,” I said, staring down at my
drink.

“Come on,” she said. “Just for a couple of
drinks and some dancing. You know that’s what Krystal would have wanted. To see
us together and having fun. This will be our big send-off, for her.”

“I don’t know…”

“Come on, I’ll even drive you home,” she said. “If
that’s what you’re worried about.”

“Right, you drive? You’d better quit drinking
now,” I said, smirking.

“Tell you what,” said Jeremy. “I’ll drive all
four of you home, if you want. I don’t work tomorrow and I have nothing better
to do.”

“You would?” squealed Tiffany. She grabbed his
arm. “Thank you
so
much.”

I sighed. “You don’t have to do this.”

“I know. But, I want to,” he said. “Like
Tiffany said, this will be your tribute to Krystal. You may as well have fun.”

I saw the way he kept glancing at Tiffany and
wondered if he was doing it for other reasons as well.

“Well, I’m game then,” I said, still watching
Trevor from the corner of my eye. He was talking to Krystal’s mother, now, and
she was smiling at him.

“I’m going to grab a soda, does anyone need
anything?” asked Jeremy.

“No, I think we’re all good,” said Monica,
holding up her drink.

“So, who is this Trevor Larson?” whispered
Tiffany, as Jeremy walked away. “He’s hot.”

“Somebody you want to stay away from,” I said,
taking another drink.

“Are you sure?” she said, licking her lips. “I
wouldn’t mind inviting him over to Gibby’s with us. Something tells me he knows
how to move those hips like a boss.”

An image of Trevor moving his hips between mine
flashed through my brain and I felt a quiver down below. Forcing those intimate
thoughts away, I cleared my throat. “That’s Raptor,” I said. “He’s part of the
Gold Vipers.”

“Raptor, the biker?” she said. “Oh, yeah.
Didn’t you and he…?”

“Almost,” I said, turning to her. “Why are you
asking about him when you have your eye on Jeremy?”

She grinned. “He’s cute, too. But, he’s too serious.
The only kind of serious I want tonight, is a seriously good fuck.”

“Is that all you ever think about?” asked
Monica, shaking her head. “I mean, we’re at a funeral.”

“This isn’t the funeral. It’s the celebration
of our friend’s life. We’re supposed to remember her with fondness and have
fun. That’s what she would have wanted,” said Tiffany.

“She’s right,” said Amber, who was texting on
her phone. “Although, I can’t believe you’re already thinking about who you’re
going to have sex with tonight. It’s not even seven o’clock.”

“I like planning ahead,” she said, taking a
drink of her cocktail.

“Look at you, Amber. You’re probably setting up
a booty call yourself, right now,” said Monica.

“This is different. It’s Paul. My fiancé,” she
replied. “Sex is a given.”

“Why isn’t he here?” I asked.

She shrugged. “He’s working. Like usual.”

“Are you still going to Gibby’s?” I asked.

She nodded and put her phone away. “Yeah, for a
little while. I’m not going to drink much, though.”

“What about you?” I asked Monica.

“My mom is babysitting. I’m definitely going
out and partying my ass off tonight. Especially, if he’s driving.”

Jeremy returned with a soda.

“So, what’s it like being a detective?” asked
Tiffany, sidling up to him again.

He began talking about his job and I listened
with one ear, while keeping my eye on Trevor, who seemed to be in the middle of
a conversation with Tiffany’s aunt, Jenna, who was a beauty consultant for a
popular makeup company. Jenna, who Tiffany had always referred to as a ‘cougar’,
was definitely intrigued with whatever they were discussing.

“That’s fascinating,” said Tiffany, who was also
hanging on to every word that Jeremy was saying. “What made you want to get
into law enforcement?”

I didn’t hear his response because Jenna was
laughing at something that Trevor had said. It started a fire in my stomach. An
angry, jealous one.

I finished my Rum and Coke. “Anyone else need
another drink?” I asked.

“Sure,” said Tiffany, holding up her glass,
which was almost empty. “You know what I like.”

“Yeah, me too,” said Monica. “I’ll take a Vodka
Collins.”

I walked over to the bar and ordered the
drinks. As I waited, Jenna walked away from Trevor and up to the bar. I had to
admit, with her long blonde hair, flawless skin, and lithe figure, she didn’t look
anywhere near thirty-eight. She looked like a twenty-something, Pamela
Anderson, double. 

“Hi, Adriana,” she said, smiling at me somberly.
“How are you holding up, Kiddo?”

I shrugged. “I’m okay. What about you?”

“It’s been tough. Really tough. Bonnie is
barely holding on. She blames herself for not being a better mother to
Krystal.”

“That’s not what killed her,” I said, although
I knew that Bonnie hadn’t been the best parent. Krystal had gotten away with
murder.

“No, but if she would have been a stricter
parent, when she was growing up, things might have been different.” She shook
her head. “Bonnie let that girl get away with too much.”

“Yeah, but that doesn’t mean she wouldn’t have
been where she was that night.”

“Maybe. Maybe not. Guess, we’ll never know.”

“I guess.”

She sighed and looked over at Trevor.

“You know that guy?” I asked, nodding toward
him.

She smiled. “No, but I’d love to, you know what
I mean?”

I certainly did.

“He’s a biker,” I said.

“I know. We were talking about it. I told him
that I just bought a Harley Switchback and he was impressed.”

“I bet. I didn’t know that you were into
bikes,” I said trying to stifle the green monster growing inside of me. Deep
down, I knew that there was no reason for me to be jealous. I had no claim on
Trevor and she was a very nice woman. If they got together, that was none of my
business.

“My ex-boyfriend got me interested.”

“What happened to him?”

She sighed. “Found out he was married.”

“You didn’t know?”

“Well,” she smiled. “I did. He said that they
were getting divorced, so I thought they were separated. Come to find out, they
really weren’t either.”

The bartender set my drinks down. “Here’s a
tray. I doubt you can carry all four drinks by yourself.”