Along for the Ride Read online

  “Look at you always on top of things.”

  Kissing his lips once more, he walks me to the wooden steps and I walk toward the front door. As I close it behind me, I pause for a moment and soon realize that someone is still up.

  Walking into the living room, all lights are off as well as the kitchen, and that’s when I hear the back door open and I’m met by Beau.

  “Where you been?”

  “Where you think?” The trestle. I’m sorry I didn’t make it tonight, but I couldn’t watch that happen to you.”

  “You knew, too?”

  “Sis, we all knew.”

  “How?”

  “Don’t worry about that, but I take it that the way things looked from the tire swing, you met that prince.”

  “Yeah, funny thing is I’ve known him my entire life.”

  "Told ya," he says with a smirk.

  Chase

  Watching her walk through that door was torture. I’m not sure why. I’ve had to watch that view since I can remember, but knowing that life has changed makes me want to make up for all the times I’ve wished it would come along.

  Pulling up to my house, I check the clock and realize that it’s pointless to go to sleep. Instead, I pack my bag, make sure all my bills are on auto-pay, and look to Sadie, my hound dog. Now what am I going to do with her?

  “Girl, I’m going on the road. Someone’s going to take good care of you.” She looks up with a questioning look. “I promise. Beau won’t leave you here, but guess what?

  “I’m going on the road with Bella Blu,” she barks. “That’s right. All those nights you had to listen to me run off at the mouth and sound like a pansy worked out. She’s my girl.” Sadie whimpers, “Awe now, you’ll always be my best girl. No one can catch a bird like you.” She begins to wag her tail as I walk down the hall to start packing.

  Looking around, I have no idea how to pack for the road, and it’s as if she’s reading my mind as my phone chirps and her name comes across the screen.

  Bella Blu: We have a washer and dryer. Pack for all occasions and if you forget something, we can buy it or have Beau ship it to us. See you soon.

  Me: Are you a mind reader?

  Bella Blu: Maybe. Bring Sadie in the morning, too. She can stay here.

  Me: Yup. You’re a mind reader.

  Tossing my phone on the bed, I make sure to pack for multiple occasions, and when the clock says five-thirty, I call my parents.

  “Chase, are you okay?” Dad questions.

  “Yeah, I’m great. Y’all up?”

  “Well if we weren’t, we are now,” he laughs.

  “Great. I’ll be by in ten.”

  “You positive everything’s okay?”

  “Dad, it’s better than okay, and you're not going to believe what I'm about to tell you.”

  Looking around the room, I make sure all the plugs are unplugged, double-check to make sure I have everything, lock the door, and walk to my truck. Glancing back at my small little house at the edge of my parents' farm, I call for Sadie. She runs to the truck and jumps into the front seat.

  Driving down the dirt road, the light in my parents' kitchen is on. Opening the door to the truck, Sadie jumps out after me and we walk to the back door. Turning the doorknob, Mom is standing there cooking breakfast and Dad is drinking a cup of coffee, ready to start the morning duties.

  “You’re leaving, aren’t you? Spill it,” Mom says as she turns the bacon on the stovetop.

  “How’d you know?”

  “I’m your mama, but the fact that Sadie is with you is a dead giveaway. Not to mention she’s pouting. What did you tell that poor dog?”

  “Well, I told her that someone would keep her, and I’m sure Beau will.”

  “Oh hogwash. She’s staying here. Isn’t that right, Mel?”

  “Whatever you want, honey. So the bigger question is where are you going?”

  “On the road with Bella Blu.”

  Dad puts his coffee down, Mom pauses, and I’m not really sure what is about to happen. “What do you mean? This isn’t you chasing after her, is it?” Mom says with her hand on her hip.

  “No, Mom. In fact, there’s a lot I want to tell you but I don’t have much time. We’ve got to be ready to get on the road by nine.

  “Well, sit down and start talking.”

  “Okay, for starters, I’m not a teenage boy. I’m a grown man and know what I want in life. Last night, she finally got the memo. She also needs a bodyguard, or maybe that’s her excuse to have me with her twenty-four seven. I mean who could resist me,” I say as I flex my biceps.

  “Stop it, Chase! This is serious. You’ve been in love with her your entire life. What makes you think one trip into town with that Jake Bryant and she’s ready to give you a shot? Just think this through.”

  “Mom, it’s not like that. I swear. Of all people, I thought you’d be happy for me.”

  She turns the stovetop off and walks toward me. “I am, but you’re my baby boy and I worry about you is all. Mel, what do you think?”

  “He’s grown and I say go for it, son. What’s the worst thing that could happen? Liz, do you not remember us at that age?”

  “Yeah, we were married already.”

  “Maybe so, but you were my best friend growing up and it was the best decision we ever made. My only caution is be careful on the road. That’s different than small town Lattimore. There are going to be people that don’t like you together, but I’ve got faith in y’all. I always have. Now have a seat and let’s eat.”

  Mom pulls the bacon, eggs, and toast to the table. I grab the fresh strawberry jam from the refrigerator and take a seat.

  We each fix our plates and talk about the local news, Mom volunteers to check my mail and the house a few times a week, and when we’re all stuffed the reality sets in. I’m leaving them.

  “Y’all okay with this?”

  “What choice do we have?” Dad chuckles.

  “True.” Glancing at the clock, I know I’ve got a few more minutes before it’s time to go. “Oh, before I forget, I’m swinging by Laurel’s to take her car today.”

  “Where’s she?”

  “Jake Bryant’s bus.”

  Mom chokes on her coffee. “Do none of y’all ever think before you jump head first?”

  “He’s a good one, I promise.”

  “Maybe so, but there’s no way I’d shack up with someone on night one.”

  Dad starts to laugh, “Nah, it was more like night four.”

  “Mel! Don’t tell our secrets,” she says as she swats his arm.

  “On that note, I’m out. I love y’all.” Mom looks as if she’s going to cry. “Don’t do that. Come here, Mom.” Opening my arms, I give her a big bear hug. Dad gives me a quick one and then I look to Sadie, rubbing her behind the ears. “Come here, girl. Nana is going to take good care of you, but stay out of the chicken coop.”

  Walking out the door, I look over my shoulder and wave as I get in the truck, put it in reverse, hustle to Laurel’s for a vehicle switch, and drive a little quicker than I should to Bella Blu.

  Chapter 34

  Belle

  I’ve literally laid in bed and have yet to fall asleep, but when I see the sun begin to rise, I jump out of bed like I’ve had the best night's rest yet. Quickly, I take a shower, get ready, then I go to the guest room and pack Jake’s stuff. Once I’m finished, I leave it outside the door and begin to pack mine, when there’s a slight knock on my door.

  Glancing over my shoulder, I see my mom standing there. “Where’s Jake?”

  “He went back to the bus last night.”

  “Chase bring you home?”

  “Don’t act like you weren’t in on it, too.”

  “Nah, I’d never do that, but I might have been cheering for him from the sidelines. So, what’s next?”

  “He’s going with me.”

  Mom stills and is searching for the right words. “Don’t you think that’s a little fast?”

 
; “No worries, Mom. I hired him as my bodyguard. He’s sleeping with the crew.”

  “Okay on the first part, but do you think I was born yesterday?”

  “No, but he does have a spot there, if it makes you feel better.”

  “Just be careful. If you really hired him to protect you then he’s going to have to keep his distance to make it work and understand this life is different than what he’s used to.”

  “Mom, what are you trying to say? You think I made a mistake? I swear I thought y’all were all Team Chase.”

  “We are, but you’ve been out there. He hasn’t. Keep that in mind, please, and use protection. Like I said, I wasn’t born yesterday.”

  My face turns crimson red, “Mom! I’m a grown woman. I’m not an idiot. Not to mention that's not something I take lightly.”

  “Well, love will make you do some very stupid things, and the last thing you need is a baby on the road…just sayin’.” She tosses her hands in the air and I laugh.

  “I’m sure gonna miss you.”

  “Same here, sweet girl. I’ve got breakfast almost ready. See you downstairs in a few.”

  Taking a few moments to myself, I think about what Mom said about Chase. She’s reading too much into this like she always does with everything. Shaking it off, I check my room once more, and when I look at the side table, I smile. Grabbing the photo of Chase and me at the Harvest Festival dance, I slide it in my bag. He's never seen this photo, and I can't wait to see what he thinks about it.

  Entering the kitchen, Mom has outdone herself and awfully early, I might add. Taking a seat, my family eats and enjoys each other as there is a sound of a vehicle coming down the road. A smile starts to escape my lips when Mom smiles my direction as well. “Go on,” she motions and I drop my fork and hurry out the front door and down the wooden steps to see big, swole Chase stepping out of Laurel's car, which is cute and comical.

  As he shuts the door, he smiles my way, standing there in a pair of worn jeans, a Parker’s Peaches t-shirt, and ball cap like he’s about to go dirt bike riding for the afternoon. Trying my best to refrain from getting overly excited, I toss that over my shoulder and say screw it. Hurrying toward him, I pick up my pace as I get closer. He walks toward me with his hands in his front pockets, trying to act nonchalant, but when I’m within a few feet he opens his arms and I jump as he catches me and spins me around.

  “Miss me much?” he says with a slight laugh.

  “Just a teeny bit,” looking down to him, he grins again and leaning down, I kiss him sweetly. He kisses me back and slowly lowers me to the ground. “Where’s Sadie?”

  “Oh, Mom wasn’t having her anywhere else.”

  “I bet. What did they say about you going with me?” He stiffens for a second, “Oh gosh, you got the same talk I did, huh?”

  “Maybe? Pretty much they want us to be careful and not jump head first or something like that.”

  “Well, Mom called BS on me when I told her you were sleeping with the crew, but then I rephrased it and told her you had somewhere to sleep with them. She wasn’t happy, but she gets it.”

  “Yeah, I think it’s going to be different for all of us. What if I told you I wanted to stay with the crew?” What the what did he just say? “Hear me out before you get all crazy on me, but this is new and I have a job with you. Not to mention, this isn’t a sprint. It’s a marathon. I plan on taking things slow with you. My parents raised me right, and I want to respect you.”

  “Oh, hogwash! You’ve respected my wishes my entire life, and look where that got us.”

  “It got us right here, Bella Blu.”

  “I guess you're right, but please stay with me at least one night a week, or at least on the couch.”

  “I thought you’d never ask. I might have thrown a few movies in my bag. I don’t have any issues with you asleep in my arms out there.”

  “Come on. Let’s go tell them bye.”

  Chase

  Walking with Belle into the Montgomery house was very different this morning. In fact, I thought I was going to hyperventilate when I saw the eyes that Beau and Mel gave me, but those soon disappeared and smiles replaced them.

  “Hate I missed the show last night,” Beau says, smacking my shoulder.

  “Well, it was that, all right. I thought I was going to have to call you for bail money.”

  “Oh and I’d have brought it, too, but I couldn't watch y’all get all sappy like that. Dude, it's my sister.”

  “Listen, I’ve had to watch Sarah and you be loved up for how long? You’d have gotten over it.”

  “Not with my sister. Yuck!”

  “Who are you kiddin’? You’re immune to that talk. You've been hearing it for years.”

  “Maybe so, but that was all talk. Now it’s a reality,” he pretends to shiver. “Nah, man. I’m happy for ya.”

  “Thanks. It’s like I said. She was never prom date material.”

  “She better not be. What else y’all gotta grab?” Motioning toward the bags at the front door, we both grab one and walk outside.

  Within a few minutes, we’re loaded and ready to roll. Belle gives everyone a hug. Of course, she and her mom cry before she walks to the passenger seat. I let her parents tell her bye once more and close the door for her.

  Rolling down the window, her mom hugs her again, and then she looks to me. “Take care of my baby, please.”

  “Nothin’ less.”

  “We love you, too, Chase.” Smiling, I nod as I put the car in reverse and look to the most beautiful girl in the world.

  “Let’s do this, Chase, but first we promised them breakfast.”

  Jake

  Waking up with her in my arms is unlike anything I’ve experienced. Laurel is stunning in nothing but my t-shirt beside me. Last night was anything but amazing, but I didn't hit a home run. Instead, we stopped for a late-night order of fries and a milkshake. Arriving at the bus, everyone was shocked to see me and with someone that wasn’t Belle. We sat outside and talked by the small fire pit until we both couldn’t keep our eyes open. I offered to sleep on the couch, but she wasn’t having it. What was killing me was her in my t-shirt. The way her long, tan legs peered out under the hem had my mind thinking very inappropriate things, but this isn’t one night. I have a feeling that this is more than I ever imagined, even if she doesn’t know it yet.

  Looking down, I move her long hair from her eyes and watch her sleep.

  “That’s creepy, you know,” she whispers.

  “Sorry, it’s hard not to watch you. You look so peaceful.” Opening her eyes, she looks up at me and that’s when I realize I was wrong. This is the most beautiful moment in the morning. The moment her eyes meet mine, she smiles.

  “I did sleep pretty amazing last night, but it could be the shirt.”

  “Just the shirt? I’m hurt.”

  “Yes, the shirt. What else would it be?” Without thinking twice, I begin to tickle her and she starts to squirm.

  “Are you sure?”

  “It’s the shirt,” she continues to laugh, and that’s when I pull out the big guns. I get up and walk away. “What are you doin’?”

  “If it’s the shirt, I’m gone, but I could have sworn last night that it had nothing to do with the shirt.”

  Looking at her, she bites the side of her lip and smiles. “Okay, so maybe you had something to do with it.”

  “Maybe?” I continue to look at her.

  “Maybe a lot?” she smiles larger.

  Walking toward her, I take her by the hand and she sits up in the bed. I take a seat in front of her. “Can I be honest?”

  “Sure. That’s kinda what I like.”

  “I want more of this.”

  “Well, I’m not going on tour with you, Jake Bryant.”

  “That’s not what I meant. Something happened this weekend, and I might sound crazy but hopefully, that’s not the case. This life is hard and being in Lattimore this weekend made me realize that life is more than the stage. I
told Belle last night when this tour is over, I want to take some time off. She’s going to be headlining and I need to figure a few things out.”

  “Like what?”

  “Where we go from here. This world is hard to survive as a couple.”

  “Couple? What are you talking about? I mean, I know we’ve got chemistry, but up until a few hours ago everyone thought you were head over heels for my best friend, and I know you made out with her yesterday, too.”

  Taking her hands in mine, I look her directly in the eye. “It meant nothing. You knew what kind of act I was going to have to put on. You know as much as I do that something happened that night with the train. Those words I spoke weren't lines I was feeding you. In fact, I felt it before we jumped, but that helped to confirm it. We felt it when we landed, or at least I did. Tell me you did the same.”

  Looking down at her hands, she doesn’t say a word. Taking my hand, I guide her chin up so that I can see her piercing emerald eyes. “I felt it, too, but thought I’d never stand a chance with a guy like you.”

  “There’s nothing special about me. I’m a guy that grew up chasing a dream and got his wish. Problem is, now that dream isn’t what it’s cracked up to be without someone to share it with.”

  She nods, “I get it, but let’s take things slow until the tour is over.”

  As much as I don’t want that to be the case, I know it’s best. “I can live with that,” I say and as I pull her lips to mine, there’s a knock on the bus door.

  “Rise and shine, it’s touring time!” I hear Belle yell from outside. Laurel begins to laugh, and I roll from the bed as she starts to change. Sliding on my shirt and jeans, I open the door to find Belle and Chase standing there with breakfast in hand.

  Chapter 35

  Belle

  The moment I see Jake’s face, I know that Laurel must be somewhere naked in his bed. “Where’s she? Please tell me you didn’t make her your sex slave last night!” He starts to laugh as Laurel appears behind him in her cutoffs and his shirt, her hair looking like she’s spent all morning getting ready. I look at her with question and she shrugs me off. Oh, she will talk.