Chapter 1
Spring time in Oklahoma. The grass was green, the birds were playing, the sky was clear... the wind was blowing and the ground was flat. Her long, brown hair whirled around her as she strolled through the field on her horse, Jasmine.
“Isn’t it a nice day?” She petted the white spot on the head of the otherwise black horse. “Too bad this’ll be our last ride together, Jas.” She sighed.
The horse trotted around as if ignoring her master’s words.
“Kenzie!” A faint voice seemed to be carried by the wind. She turned around to see her father waving from the barn.
“C’mon, Jasmine. Let’s go see what Daddy wants!” She turned the horse around and sprinted to the big red barn.
“Whoa girl!” She giggled as the horse stopped just a few feet from her father.
“Are you ready?”
“Yes, Daddy.”
“Mackenzie, you are the Valedictorian! You’ve got to set an example for the entire school.”
“Like I ever did before.” She took her sunglasses off to reveal her exotic blue eyes. “I’ll improvise.”
“Kenzie!”
“Daddy!” She smiled brightly. “I finished my speech this mornin’.”
“You better not be lyin’, little girl.” He crossed his arms.
“Cross my heart.” She leaned down and kissed his cheek. “Have you finished decoratin’ for the party?”
“Yes dear.”
“Promise?” She raised her eyebrows.
“Well... almost.”
“Ah ha!” She dismounted from her horse. “And ya wonder who I act like!”
“Go get ready for tonight.”
“I’m already dressed.”
“Mackenzie, put your new dress on.”
“What is with all the orders?”
“It’s not everyday my little girl graduates from high school.”
“It’s no big deal, Daddy. I’m just gonna graduate again in four years.”
“Only then you’ll be in California.” He gritted his teeth.
“It won’t be so bad.” She kissed him. “I promise.”
“Go on.” He pointed to the house.
“Yes, sir.”
“Today is the day we become adults. Most of us will go on and leave our parents in order to begin our own lives. Some of us will get married and begin our own families. This is the first step that everyone must take to prove their worth. I am taking that step in order to be a leader in my society. And with my peers, together we can make a difference for our generation and those to come.” Mackenzie looked around at the 683 other graduates and smiled. “Good luck. May all your dreams come true.”
Everyone applauded wildly as she stepped away from the podium. As well as being the smartest girl in the entire school, Mackenzie Brianne McIntyre was the most popular, the most active, and the wildest.
That night, at her graduation party, she and her friends sat around the pool and talked. There were two girls and three boys. “So, what’s up for this summer?” A tall, blond headed boy with green eyes and a strong physique looked around.
“I’m stayin’ here until August.” A red headed girl with blue eyes flirted with him.
“I’ve got summer camp.” A brown-headed boy answered. “Football practice starts in two weeks.”
“How about you, Kenzie?” The tall blond boy asked while rubbing her leg.
“I’m leavin’ Wednesday.” She took a drink of her beer.
“What?!” Everyone gasped.
“Why so soon?” A brunette with hazel eyes sat up quickly.
“Why stay here? I’m gonna start takin’ summer classes and get on with my education.”
“And when were you gonna tell me about this?” The blond boy looked heartbroken.
“Josh...” She paused. “It’s somethin’ that I’ve gotta do.”
“And what about us?” He pouted. “We’ve been steady for two years now. You’re just gonna up and leave?”
“I... let’s talk about it later.” She turned back to the rest of the group.
They all returned to the party a few minutes later to see that most of the others were passed out. Her father met her in the kitchen.
“Kenzie, your Mama called.”
“And?” She grabbed a fresh beer.
“She’s sorry she missed you tonight. She and Stan decided to stay a few more days in Cancun.”
“What a surprise.” She huffed.
“She’ll mail your gift to your new address.”
“Okay.” She leaned against Josh.
“I’m gonna go to bed. We’ll clean up in the morning.”
“Okay, Daddy.” She kissed his cheek. “Good night.”
“Goodnight, sugar.”
They were playing drinking games when Josh whispered in her ear. “Why don’t we go to bed?”
“That sounds like a pretty good idea.” She giggled. “Night guys!”
“If your dad catches him in your room, he’ll kill both of you!” The red head slurred.
“Oh Tamera, hush.” The other girl slapped her arm.
“And how is he gonna find out?” Josh looked around.
“Good night!” Mackenzie waved as they walked up the stairs. As soon as her door was shut, Josh began kissing her. Clothes flew everywhere as they made their way to her bed. A few minutes later, sheets went flying as well. They made love quietly and quickly and then dressed again.
“Kenzie, please don’t go.” He lay across the bed with only his jeans on.
“I’m goin’.” She stood in the mirror and brushed her hair.
“I love you.”
She sat on the bed next to him. “This is somethin’ I have to do.”
“What? Going to UCLA is so drastic. You can study communications at OU, can’t you?”
“No, I can’t. And if you can’t understand that, then maybe we shouldn’t see each other anymore.”
“Okay, okay.” He held her hand. “Just promise me you won’t see anyone but me.”
“I promise.” She kissed him.
* * *
“So, how was your first week in the City of Angels?” Her father spoke over the phone.
“It’s great, Daddy! I’m sharing a suite with a girl named Shanna from Denver and two girls from San Francisco named Samantha and Melinda. They call me Mack here. Anyway, my classes start Monday and I think I’ve already found a job.”
“Really? Where?”
“A record store at the mall. It’s called Herrington’s.”
“That’s great, babe. I’m glad you’re happy.”
“I’m havin’ a blast, Daddy.”
“Well, I know someone who’s not. He calls every day to see if I’ve heard from you.”
“He knows my number.”
“Yes, but he’s a guy, Kenzie. He can’t show emotion.”
“Whatever.” She sighed. “I better go.”
“Okay, hon. Be careful.”
“I will Daddy. Bye.”
“Good-bye.”
The summer went by quickly. Between classes and work, Mackenzie barely had time to party. She did, however, make time.
Soon, the fall semester began, and before she knew it, Christmas break came along. She went home to Oklahoma to visit her relatives.
They all sat around the table and ate. Her father, her Aunt Jess and Uncle Carl, her cousins Kerri, and Krista, and her grandmother Renee. The phone rang as they talked and caught up with Mackenzie. “Kenzie, it’s your Mama.”
“Okay.” She walked into the kitchen. “Yeah?”
“Is that any way to answer the phone?”
“Sorry, Mama.”
“How are you, darling?”
“I’m good. And you?”
“Fabulous! We just got back from Hawaii and my tan is perfect!”
“Hawaii? Where did you fly out of?”
“LAX.”
“And you couldn’t see me?”
“Uh, well... we didn’t have much of a layover, hon. By the time we changed planes, ate lunch and checked in, it was time to board again.”
“Oh.” She sighed.
“So are you coming over Christmas Day? Your father and I have a surprise for you.”
“Step-Father.” She mumbled under her breath. “Uh... sure.”
“Great. See you then.”
“Bye, Mom.” She hung up.
“Merry Christmas!” Stan answered the door wearing a bright red sweater.
“Wow!” Mackenzie laughed. “Let me get my sunglasses!”
“Yeah.” Her mother laughed her fake laugh like she always did.
“Here are you presents from the family.” She carried them to the tree where gifts had already been opened. There was baby furniture and toys everywhere.
“Surprise!” Her mother hugged her. “We’re gonna have a baby!”
“What? When?”
“I’m three months along.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“We wanted to surprise you, Mackenzie. We thought you’d like the idea of being a big sister.”
“I’m almost nineteen years old. I’ll be more like an Aunt than a sister.”
“That’s what’ll make you a great sister. You can baby sit and everything.”
“Oh, can I?” She sighed. “Congratulations.”
“Thank you, sweetie.” Her mother hugged her.
That evening, she went to Josh’s house for dinner. They watched television while his parents cleaned up. “I’ve missed you.” He smiled nervously.
“You too.” She watched the movie.
“Uh... I have your Christmas present.”
“Yours is in the hallway.” She smiled.
He sat down on his knee and looked up at her. The smile on her face quickly disappeared. “Mackenzie, I love you.”
“Josh...”
“I know we’re young, but I want to promise myself to you.” He opened a tiny velvet box to reveal a heart-shaped gold ring.
“A promise ring?” Her heart raced as a lump grew in her throat. “Uh, why don’t we talk about this?”
“Talk about it? Why?”
“I’m not ready for this, Josh.”
“Not ready for what? We’re still together, aren’t we?”
“Wh... yes, but...”
“I love you, Mackenzie.”
“Josh...”
“And you love me, I know you do.”
“Well...”
“C’mon, if you can look me in the eye and honestly say that you don’t, I’ll take the ring back.”
Her hands were sweating as she looked into his eyes. The smile on his face quickly disappeared. “I don’t love you, Josh.”
“Then why have we been together for so long?”
“I like you a lot. And you’re fun to be around. You’re bright, athletic, and a great guy.”
“But I’m not the guy for you.” He pouted.
“I’m sorry.” She stood and walked away.
* * *
“So, how was Okieland?” Shanna asked while Mackenzie unpacked.
“It was home.” She sighed.
“And? Did you break up with Josh?” Melinda asked.
“Yes.” She smiled.
“Great! There’s this guy I want you to meet.” Samantha walked in with her hair up in a towel.
“Oh no! You’re tryin’ to fix me up?”
“Well? You don’t have to marry him, just go out with him.”
“A blind date? N... no. I hate blind dates.”
“You’ve dated the same guy for almost three years. How do you know?”
“I know.” She lay across her bed. “No.”
“Please Mack. The only way I can get Ty to go out with me is if you go out with Chris.” Samantha pleaded.
“Man!” She whined. “You owe me.”
“Yes!”
“Mackenzie McIntyre, this is Chris Bowman.” Samantha introduced them.
“Hello.” She shook his hand.
“Hi.” He stared into her eyes. “I’ve been wanting to meet you for months.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. I was in your English class last semester.”
“Why didn’t you just introduce yourself?”
“Uh... I just never did.” He blushed.
“Oh great.” She mumbled to Sam. “Shy guy.”
“Just be nice to him.”
They went to a place called the Comedy Store where they watched comedians from all over the country perform their stand-up acts. A famous comedian called Pauly Shore, whom the girls recognized from MTV, was a performer.
“He’s not as cute as he looks on TV.” Samantha spoke.
“Oh, hush.” Mackenzie laughed.
“Shh.” Ty nudged Samantha. “I’m can’t hear him.”
“He shushed us?” Mackenzie looked at her roommate. “I don’t think so.” She stood up at the table. She just happened to catch the comedian’s attention.
“Well hello. Are you trying to leave in the middle of my set?”
“No.” She smiled. “I’m just lookin’ for another table.”
“There’s one over there.” He pointed.
“Thank you.” She grabbed her purse and walked over to the other table.
Pauly Shore announced a new comedian and then joined Mackenzie at the table. “So, can I buy you a drink?”
“Sure. I’ll have a Foster’s.”
“A beer girl. All right.” He smiled. “So why did you leave your friends?”
“I didn’t like the company. They were suffocating my aura.” She laughed.
“Well, I’m Pauly Shore.” He held his hand out.
“So I’ve heard.”
“My mother owns the Comedy Store. I just come back every now and then to help her out.”
“What a nice son.” She smiled as she looked over her shoulder. Samantha was motioning for her as Ty and Chris walked towards the door. “Looks like my group is leaving. It was nice to meet you.” She quickly guzzled down her beer.
“You too.” He watched her. “I didn’t catch your name.”
“I didn’t drop it.” She quickly left the table. “Thanks for the beer.”
“Anytime.” He watched her leave.
* * *
“Hello?”
“Hey! Are you coming home for Spring Break?”
“Tamera... I don’t know.”
“Hey, we might go down to Dallas and get some fake ID’s.”
“I already have one. Besides, I really don’t wanna go back home. Oklahoma isn’t exactly as exciting as LA”
“Is this because of Josh?”
“What?! No!”
“Because he’s gone on with his life and so should you.”
“Tam, I’m the one who broke up. I didn’t want to be with him anymore.”
“Oh.” She quieted for a moment. “So what do you wanna do then?”
“I wanna go to the beach, hang out with a few friends, and party hard. Real hard.”
“Wanna catch a few fishies while were at it?”
“Not really. I’m just not in the mood to deal with guys right now. I don’t want one and I certainly don’t need one.”
“What has California done to you?”
“Brought out the best in me. I swear, Tam. I’ll be fine.”
“I hope so, Kenzie. Well, have fun, I guess. I’ll call you when we get back.”
“Okay.”
“Are you comin’ home for the summer?”
“For a few weeks to visit my daddy.”
“Can we all go out then?”
“Sure! Maybe I’ll even throw a party or two.”
“Or three or four.” She giggled. “See ya later.”
“Later.” Mackenzie hung up and looked at her watch.
“Mack! You’re late for work.” Shanna walked in with her hair in a towel.
“I know.” She quickly jumped up. “I want to throw a party.”
“In our dorm room?”
“Think about it.”
“Okay.” She laughed.
“Sorry I’m late, Jimmy.” She ran in and grabbed her nametag from the pegboard in the manager’s office.
“Got good reason?”
“No, not really. Want me to make somethin’ up?”
“Anything would be better than the truth. You know I’m not used to hearing that.” He chuckled.
“There was a wreck on the highway and there was a backup. It’ll never happen again.” She used an excuse that one of the other employees used frequently.
“That’s better.” He handed her a memo. “We’re having an autograph session Friday.”
“Anybody interesting?”
“Cheap Trick.”
“Cool! Can I work it?”
“Well, considering you’re my top sales person... duh!”
“Oh. Okay.” She laughed. “Do we have enough coffee?”
“I don’t know. Why don’t you set up for everything and I’ll authorize your use of petty cash? Make it look like a rock star would want to be here.”
“You got it, boss.” She immediately entered the break room and began taking inventory. “Hey Jim! Does that include drinks?”
“Make a list and I’ll get it.” He walked down the hall and onto the sales floor.
“Beer.” She spoke while writing the first item down on her list. “Three cases.”
By Friday, she had transformed the employee break room into a greenroom. There was a small buffet spread on the table, wine and cheese on the counter, and beer chilling in the refrigerator. There were a few plants in the corners, making the atmosphere seem a little more relaxing.
“What ever happened to paper plates?” Christy, a sales associate asked while Mackenzie washed a few dishes.
“It’s informal. You don’t eat on paper plates at home, do you? I’m going for relaxed formality, not picnic.” She finished setting up.
“Kenzie, this is great.” Jimmy looked around nervously. “You pull this off and I’m making you a shift manager.”
“You got it!” She smiled brightly.
Just then, there was a knock at the back door. Jimmy quickly opened it to see four men dressed in black wearing sunglasses. “Is this the session?” A guy with blonde hair looked around.
“Uh, yeah.” Jimmy stood back and let them in. “Please come in.” He escorted them to the break room. “This is Mackenzie McIntyre and she’ll be taking care of you this afternoon.”
“Hello.” They all introduced each other.
“Well, we’ve got about thirty minutes before you’re scheduled, so help yourself to the buffet. There are beers and sodas in the fridge and white wine and cheese in the corner. There’s also a cappuccino bar down the mall if you want me to bring you anything other than coffee.”
“Thank you, Miss McIntyre, but I think this is quite enough.” The blond, which Mackenzie recognized as the lead singer, spoke.
“Call me Mack, please. I’ll also be around to bring drinks and snacks throughout the autograph session. Mack’s a lot faster to holler out.”
“You’re not from around here, are you?” The guitarist spoke.
“No. I’m from Oklahoma. I’m goin’ to school here at UCLA.”
“Wow, how old are you?” The drummer asked.
“Is that important?” She laughed.
“Well, it’s just that you’re quite a long way from Oklahoma.” He smiled.
“I’m 19. Still a baby.” She mocked them before they even said anything. They all laughed at her gesture. “Well, I’m gonna go make sure Jimmy has everything set up. See y’all in a bit.”
“Okay.” They waved her on.
The session was an overall success. The store sold out of all Cheap Trick CDs, tapes, and memorabilia, the band was happy, the fans were happy, and Jimmy was ecstatic. The members of the band were so impressed with Mackenzie, that they invited her to a party later that night.
“I’d love to, but I’ve been puttin’ off a lot of things to put today together and I really need to catch up on some homework. Thanks anyway.”
“Sure thing. Maybe the next time we’re in town.”
“Sounds like a plan.” She smiled as they exited the store.
“Mackenzie McIntyre!” Jimmy hugged her. “You are amazing!”
“What?” She laughed.
“We made almost $20,000 today!”
“We did that well?” She looked around at the bare store. “Wow.”
“Girl, not only are you gettin’ a promotion, you’re gettin’ a raise!” He gave her a high-5. “And you are now my hostess!”
“Wow, Jimmy. I didn’t expect it to go this well.”
“Well it did. You’ve got the gift of gab, sweetheart. Don’t ever forget that! Go on home and we’ll clean up.”
Chapter 2
“Let’s go out tonight.” Samantha walked in after classes a few months later.
“Where?” Mackenzie looked up from her computer.
“I don’t know.” She sat on her bed.
“The Comedy Store.” Melinda turned the television off.
“I’ve done that.” Mackenzie sighed.
“We haven’t.” Shanna and Melinda spoke simultaneously.
“C’mon, Mack. Just the four of us.” Samantha smiled. “Mel will let you wear her silk shirt.”
“What?” Melinda quickly looked at them. “Oh, okay.” She sighed.
“Alright, I’ll go.” She stood up and looked at Melinda. “Where’s your shirt?”
“Hey Mack, your friend’s here again.” Samantha smiled as the girls sat at a table.
“Friend?” Melinda looked around.
“Pauly Shore hit on her the last time we were here.” She snickered.
“Really?!” Shanna’s eyes widened. “Can you introduce us?”
“He won’t remember me.” Mackenzie laughed. “I didn’t even tell him my name.”
“Well now’s a great time.” He walked up behind the table.
“Oh.” She quickly blushed.
“So blue-eyes? You gonna tell me or do I have to guess.” He knelt beside her.
“I think you should guess.” She looked down at him and smiled.
He looked around at the other girls. “What are your names?”
“Melinda.” She shook his hand.
“Samantha.” She followed.
“Sh... Shanna.” She squealed. “I’m a big fan of yours.”
“Thank you.” He looked at his beautiful mystery girl. “Sabrina?”
“Nope.” She crossed her arms.
“Then I’ll buy the first round of drinks.” He pointed to the waitress.
“Yeah Paul?” The scantly clad blonde smiled at him.
“Five shots of Rumplemintz.”
“Are they all legal?” She chomped on a piece of gum.
“They are tonight. I’ll take the heat.”
“Gotcha.”
“Can you tell me what letter it starts with?” He pulled up a chair between Samantha and Mackenzie.
She thought for a few moments. “No. But it’s between A and Z.”
“You’re so mean.” He smiled. “I just want to know your name.”
“And why is it so damn important?”
“Because I might want to call you sometime.”
“Call me for what?” She decided to continue with the mind games.
“For dinner, or a movie, or... you know, a date.”
“But I’m not datin’ right now.”
“That’s alright. I’ve been told that I’m a pretty good friend.” He stared into her eyes.
“It’s between L and P.” She finally gave in. “You’re never gonna get it.”
“That’s alright. I can run a tab.” He looked at the stage for a moment. “Nicole?”
“No.”
“Is it in the N’s?”
“No.”
“L?”
“No.”
“M?”
“Yes.”
“Megan?”
“No.”
“Shit. That’s... four more shots I owe you.”
“Better order ‘em.” She laughed.
An hour later, everyone at the table was extremely intoxicated. Mackenzie and Pauly were still playing the guessing game.
“Melinda?”
“No, that’s her.” She pointed to her roommate, who was leaning against Shanna.
“Shoot.” He handed a bottle of Jack Daniel’s to her. “Mandy?”
“Not even close, Paul.”
“Damn it.” He thought for a moment. “Mercedes?”
“Not!”
“What the hell kind of name do you have, anyway? I’ve named off every normal M name there is.”
“Maybe I’m not a normal girl.” She smiled.
“Can I have a little hint?”
“No.” She sighed.
“Hey Mack, where’s the bathroom?” Shanna sat up.
Mackenzie looked at her in disgust. “Gee, thanks.”
“Mack.” He thought for a minute. “Mack...”
“Mackenzie.” She finally told him. She shook his hand in defeat. “Mackenzie McIntyre.”
“It’s nice to meet you.” He smiled.
“Ditto.” She yawned.
“Hey Paul, we closed about 30 minutes ago. The bartender wants to go home.” His mother walked up to the table.
“Okay, we’ll go to my house.” He stood up. “Mom, this is Mackenzie McIntyre.”
“Nice to meet you.” She smiled. “Now go home.”
Mackenzie woke up the next morning in a strange bed. She quickly sat up and looked around. She was alone and fully clothed. That was good. The room she was in was totally white with black and red furnishings. After sitting up for a minute or two, she stood and began searching the house for her roommates.
The rest of the girls were on couches in a large room at the center of the house. They were all asleep and fully clothed too. Even better.
“Good morning, sunshine!” Pauly walked out from his room and began opening blinds.
“Ugh!” The girls moaned.
“Did you sleep well?” He looked at Mackenzie.
“I guess so.” She smiled.
“Good, I guess. Does anyone want breakfast?!” He yelled and then chuckled.
“No!” Melinda threw a pillow at him.
“I’ve gotta get home and get ready for work.” Samantha sat up.
“Me too.” Mackenzie sat next to Shanna.
“Do you need a ride to your car?” He drank a glass of orange juice.
“No, we took a cab to the club.” Melinda yawned.
“Smart girls.” He smiled. “I’ll call you a cab.”
“Thanks, Paul.” Mackenzie smiled at him.
“Thank you, Mackenzie McIntyre.” He winked at her.
Before leaving, they all exchanged numbers.
“We’ll have to do this again sometime.” Samantha spoke while walking out the door.
“Only we’ll need to come up with another reason to drink.” Pauly smiled.
“You need a reason to drink?” Mackenzie laughed.
“Sometimes.” He watched her. “I’ll see ya around.”
“Gotcha.” She winked at him and then walked out to join the others in the cab.
* * *
“Hello?” Melinda answered the phone a few weeks later.
“Hello Mel.”
“Hey Paul. How’s it goin?”
“Great. What are you all doin’ this weekend?”
“Studying. Finals are next week.”
“Bummer. I’m throwin’ a party and wanted you ladies there.”
“I’ll ask around, but we’ve all been studying.”
“Oh... is Mackenzie around?”
“No, she’s at work, why?”
“Oh... just wondering. Call me later, alright?”
“Sure.”
“Bye.”
“Bye.”
Later that night, he was watching television while writing some material for a special for MTV he was doing. The phone rang around 11:00.
“Hello.”
“You certainly picked a hell of a time to throw a party.” It was Mackenzie’s voice at the end of the line. Just the sound made him tingle inside.
“Sorry Charlie. Can you come?”
“Maybe for a little bit. I’ve got a huge Physics final first thing Monday morning.”
“I can postpone it until next weekend.”
“Well, I’m goin’ home next Friday.”
“Home?”
“To Oklahoma to visit my Daddy.”
“For how long?”
“A couple of weeks.”
“What are you doin’ over the summer?”
“We’re all lookin’ for a house or somethin’.”
“All four of you?”
“Maybe three. I think Melinda’s gonna stay in the dorms.”
“Well, I could be on the lookout for you.”
“That’d be great, Paul. Thanks.” She yawned.
“Sounds like I better let you go.”
“Before I fall asleep on ya.” She laughed. “When’s the party start?”
“Saturday at 10:00.”
“I’ll stop by after work for a while.”
“That would be great.”
“See ya then.”
“Bye.” He hung up.
She wore a black knit tank dress and heels to the party. Pauly was on the lookout for her and sprinted to her the moment she walked through the door.
“Hey!” He hugged her. “Thanks for comin’.”
“No problem.” She smiled.
“Come on and I’ll introduce ya.” He led her through a mob of LA socials, stars and brats. She met Charlie Sheen, Brandon Frazer, River Pheonix, Axl Rose, Mary McCartney the daughter of Paul McCartney, Brooke Shields, and Brett Michaels of Poison, just to name a few. Instead of being awestruck like some would expect, she struck up intelligent conversations and asked them thought-inspiring questions that would make interviewers envious.
Pauly was smitten with her.
“I better go.”
“Already? You just got here.” He pouted.
“I’ve got to study, Paul. I’m sorry.”
“When can I see you again?”
“I’m not sure.” She looked at him. “I’ll call you when I get back in town, okay?”
“Yeah.”
“Bye.” She quickly kissed his cheek.
“Bye. Be careful.” He watched her leave.