Southern Perfection Read online

  When our lips break apart, I look into her eyes, and she smiles.

  “Raegan, can I take you out sometime?” I ask. “Like, maybe tomorrow?”

  “Eager, are we?” She smirks. “I’ll have to check with Grandaddy, but I think it’ll be okay.”

  Inside I want to jump up and give a fist pump, but instead, I keep it bundled up inside and play it cool.

  “A’ight, want me to just call you tomorrow?” She nods in agreement. “Well, Miss Lowery, I might need your number first.”

  “Oh, yeah, probably so,” she says with a hint of excitement laced within her words. She tells me her number as I type it into my phone, and then I place it back into my pocket. She glances over my shoulder and searches the crowd. “I guess I better see what Jordyn’s up to.”

  “Are you sure?” I ask and move closer to her. She tilts her head toward mine, and this time she makes the move. Her hands reach for my chest as her soft, plump lips graze mine slightly, and then she removes them.

  “Yeah, I better,” she says shyly, like this is something new for her.

  “A’ight, let’s go find ’em.” I extend my hand toward hers; she glances at it, smiles, and takes it. There’s no doubt when I get home, a cold shower is going to be needed.

  Chapter 6

  Raegan

  As I lace my fingers within Emmett’s hand, I feel my world changing. I scan the crowd for Jordyn. It doesn’t take long until I find Ridge and her talking to a group of his friends. When she notices us, her eyes go directly to our hands.

  “Hey, y’all,” Jordyn says, but I can tell she’s about to die to know what is really going on.

  “Hey, Jordyn,” Emmett replies.

  “So, what’s the deal, pickle?” I ask her.

  I can tell she’s continued to drink the shine by her continuous giggle. “Maybe you should tell me?”

  “Oh, how I love you, J! Really, I just figured you were about to call it a night. Plus, I gotta be home tomorrow by lunch for work.”

  “Maybe thirty more minutes? I guess it’s really up to Ridge,” she says as she turns to him while he’s talking to his buddies in the crowd. “Let me go check and see what he wants to do.” Jordyn walks toward Ridge. She wraps her arms around his waist from behind. He glances over his shoulder and gives her his full attention. It’s super sweet.

  “Raegan, if you’re ready to go, I can take ya.”

  “Thanks, Em, but I can’t let you take me home because I’m stayin’ with J, and her mama will have a fit if I come home without her.”

  “I guess you’ve got a point.”

  “What?” I ask.

  “Em, huh?” he asks as a sexy grin escapes his lips.

  “Yeah, I guess so,” I say with a shrug like it’s no big deal. I didn’t mean to give him a nickname; it just kinda happened.

  When Jordyn returns with Ridge, I know it’s time to say goodnight to Emmett.

  “Come on. I’ll walk ya to the truck.” He guides me to Ridge’s truck, opens the door, and helps me inside. “I’ll call ya tomorrow. Night, Raegan,” he says, closing the door and making his way back to his truck.

  The ride back to Jordyn’s is full of her talking nonstop about anything and everything, but she absolutely can’t shut up about Emmett. I keep waiting for Ridge to comment, but nothing.

  Once we get back to her house, I begin to hop out to give them a little privacy when Ridge finally decides to speak. “Raegan, just be careful. Emmett seems to be a good guy, but you didn’t hear Jace runnin’ his mouth. He ain’t gonna let this go that easy. Just be careful.”

  “Thanks, Ridge,” I say as I make my way out of the truck. I stop on the front porch swing while I wait on Jordyn to peel her hands off Ridge.

  My mind continues to drift to Em. How can one moment in time make me feel so happy or alive, even? I’ve lived my life like I’m supposed to. I do exactly what is expected and asked of me, but right now, I want to be selfish and keep Emmett Bridges all to myself.

  The humidity from this late summer night is smoldering as I wait for Jordyn. I wish she’d come on. My phone buzzes in my hand. Who could this be? Glancing down, I read Emmett’s name on the screen and squeal with excitement. Em.

  Emmett: Just wanted to make sure you made it

  to Jordyn’s ok. I’ll call you tomorrow.

  Me: We did! K :)

  My reply is simple, because I don’t want him to think I’m sitting around waiting for him to call, even though I wanted to jump up and down like a crazy girl when his name lit up my screen.

  Quickly, I change his contact info to “Em,” and as I put away my phone, I see Jordyn making her way up the steps. “What you cheesin’ ’bout?” she asks.

  “Nothin’.”

  “Yeah, that’s what I’d say, too. Come on. I want the deets!”

  Jordyn and I walk inside her house and to her room. As soon as the door is shut, she starts her twenty questions.

  “Girl, you need to tell me what the hell happened out there tonight. I know you were makin’ your rounds, but holy freakin’ moly, you should have seen Jace’s face when you started dancin’ with Emmett. I thought he was gonna go over there and beat his face in.”

  With an eye roll, I reply, “Well, it’s not like I planned it or anything. J, there’s just something about him! I mean, never in my life has a guy caught my attention like him. He’s sweet, and ohmygawsh, have you seen that body? I’d swear Channing Tatum with blonde hair was standing in front of me!”

  “Since you put it that way, I totally see it! But, really, Rae, what are you gonna allow to happen between you two? I know you well enough to know your grandaddy is always first.”

  Grandaddy does come first, and right now, he needs me more than I need a boy.

  “I need to leave Emmett alone. Grandaddy does come first.”

  “Aw, hell to the no! He might come first, but there’s no way I’m letting you toss Emmett to the side, especially after what I just witnessed in that field.”

  Thinking of him perched on the tailgate makes the corners of my mouth lift, and I know she’s right, but I’m going to have to keep Grandaddy first until we know what’s going on.

  “J, I know you’re right, but Grandaddy needs me more than ever. I can’t just bring someone new into my life like that.”

  “For cryin’ out loud! He’s Cole’s stepbrother, and you know how much he loves Cole.”

  “True, but…”

  “No buts! Just listen to the beat of your heart for once. That’s all I’m askin’.”

  “Gah! A’ight! Now, I want to know about you and Ridge. I thought you weren’t gonna be around him all night.”

  “Like you can talk. Once you sat on that tailgate, I knew I didn’t have to guess where you were the remainder of the night.

  Emmett

  As I watch Raegan disappear into the night, I can’t help but wish I were with her. As I turn, I think about walking back to the crowd, but realize that could be a mistake while Jace’s eyes are on me. Instead, I give him a slight nod and make my way to my truck.

  By the time the tires hit the highway, images of Raegan sitting on the bed of my truck are all I can think about. There’s no way I can go to bed now. I text Cole, and he tells me where he’s partying, and I go to meet him.

  Once I arrive, I can’t stand it any longer. I know the rule of waiting at least three days to call a girl, but I couldn’t care less. I take out my phone and text her.

  Emmett: Just wanted to make sure you made it

  to Jordyn’s ok. I’ll call you tomorrow.

  I wait for what feels like an eternity, but then there is a simple reply.

  Me: We did! K :)

  Really? I shake it off and find Cole.

  “What’s up, man?” Cole asks as I walk to the fire pit.

  “Ah, ya know. Same old field party, just a different town.”

  “I bet. So, why didn’t you head home? You know your mama’s gonna wonder.”

  “I don’t know. She kno
ws where I am. So how ’bout another cold one?” I ask him.

  Shaking his head, he tosses me one. Then, he introduces me to the crew around the flames. I recognize a few guys, and there are three girls perched up on their laps. I take a seat beside Cole and pop a top. I listen to their conversation and put in my two cents when I can, but in reality, I’m only thinking about one thing right now—the look in Raegan Lowery’s eyes when she realized I’m not like the others.

  Around two in the morning, we make our way home. As we are walking toward the house, Cole finally says what he’s been thinking, “I take it Rae has your mind all tore up?”

  “I guess you could say that.”

  “Just remember what I told ya. Grandaddy comes first, but I’m tellin’ ya now, if you hurt her, I’ll personally whoop your ass and not give a damn.”

  I don’t say anything as we go our separate ways once we are inside the house. After making my way to my room, I decide a shower is definitely in order, because I can’t focus for anything. I need to clear my mind of Raegan, but she’s consuming me more and more by the minute.

  Chapter 7

  Raegan

  After tossing and turning half the night, I finally drift off to sleep. I wake up to the smell of coffee and pancakes coming from the kitchen. Yum! I love Jordyn’s mom! Throwing off the covers, I hear Jordyn grumble and roll over.

  “Come on, Sleepy Head! I smell pancakes!”

  “Rae! Five more minutes. That’s all I want,” she protests.

  “Yeah, and then that turns into ten, then twenty. Come on. I gotta get goin’ soon.”

  “Fine! But only because I love ya,” she says as she throws off the covers, and we make our way down for breakfast.

  “I know,” I say confidently, and we eat until our bellies can’t handle any more.

  After breakfast, I change, get my stuff together, and tell Jordyn I’ll call her later.

  “Girl, you better call me! I gotta know how this date goes tonight.”

  “Yeah, if I go.”

  “Hold up! Whatcha mean?”

  “Forget it.”

  “Like hell I will!” she exclaims, and we hear her mama yell for her to watch her mouth.

  “Look, I’ve got some things to take care of today. I need to make sure Grandaddy doesn’t need me tonight before I decide to go.”

  “Stop coming up with lame excuses. You like him; he likes you. Have fun.”

  “We’ll see,” I say, knowing good and well I’m going out with him tonight.

  While driving to the farm, I roll down the windows and let my thoughts drift to last night. Then, thoughts of Grandaddy and my conversation with him enter my mind, and tears form in the corners of my eyes. I brush them away and turn up the radio to try to focus my thoughts on something else.

  Putting the truck into park, I look in my rearview mirror to see if tears are evident. I have no evidence of my meltdown, so I grab my bag and go inside.

  “Grandaddy, I’m home!” I holler as I close the door behind me. I don’t hear him, but the closer I get to the rear of the house, the clearer I hear the radio playing. Opening the door to the back porch, I see him humming along and shelling pecans from his rocking chair.

  “There ya are,”’ I say as I take a seat beside him, place an old newspaper onto my lap, and begin to shell them, too.

  “Boy, they are good, ain’t they?” he asks as he eats a freshly cracked pecan. I smile for assurance. “So, how was it last night?”

  “Good, real good.”

  “Uh huh. I know you, Sunshine. Remember that. I know you don’t exactly like those parties, but you go ’cause people expect it. So, spill it.”

  After cracking several pecans, I finally find the words to tell Grandaddy. “I kinda told Jace McCoy to go to hell after the game.”

  “You’re shittin’ me.” He stops mid-crack. I shake my head no. “’Bout damn time. You know, you’re more like your mawmaw than ya know. She’d tell ya exactly what she thought and wouldn’t care who was around to hear it.”

  “Do you miss her?” I ask.

  “Everyday, but she’s smilin’ down on us. They all are; don’t ever forget that, Sunshine.”

  “When you met Mawmaw the first time, what was it like?”

  Grandaddy turns to me. “Rae, I’d known your mawmaw my entire life, but it wasn’t until I was about fifteen years old that I realized there was more to her than just a girl. She was always offering to help me do my homework and bringing me fried pies. Man, they were good. One day, she finally just laid it out onto the table. She never beat ’round the bush. She pretty much asked ‘are you gonna ask me on a date or what?’ I knew right then she was the girl for me. She never made me guess what she was thinkin’, she told it like it was, and she always let me know if she didn’t like what was goin’ on.”

  “Oh, okay,” I say as I continue to crack pecans.

  “What’s this really ’bout?” he questions.

  “I kinda think I like Emmett Bridges.”

  A wide grin covers my grandaddy’s face. “I kinda knew that already, and you know what? I think he kinda likes you, too.”

  “He asked me out tonight,” I say nonchalantly.

  “Well, Sunshine, what’d you tell ’em?”

  “That I’d have to check with you.”

  “What am I gonna do with you? You better go. This old man can survive a meal on his own for a night.”

  We both laugh, and I feel happy. Grandaddy approves, and I have a real date tonight with the Emmett Bridges. That is, if he calls.

  Emmett

  I woke up with the chickens this morning. I tried my best to doze back off, but it was pointless. I fell asleep with the image of Raegan Lowery’s eyes and woke up to them.

  Needing to clear my thoughts, I go for a long run. I bypass a shirt, tossing on only shorts and running shoes. After stretching, I take off down the country back roads.

  Even after almost three miles, thoughts of her still consume my brain, and that’s when I notice her truck stopped at the stoplight. I run a little faster to try to get a glimpse of my southern perfection, but the closer I get, the sadder she looks. She takes her hands and wipes away what I think are tears. What would make a beautiful girl cry? Does she regret last night? Has Jace done something? Anger fills my veins. I don’t want her to see me, so I turn and run home. I now have a decision to make. Call her or not?

  Once I’m back at the house, I hurry to Cole’s room. “Hey, man, you gotta minute?”

  “Yeah,” he says as he finishes tying his boots.

  “I just saw Raegan while I was runnin’. She was cryin’. Do you know why she might be upset?”

  “Dude, you got it bad. Rae’s a strong girl. She doesn’t bare her soul to many. I’m thinkin’ she was alone and was missin’ her folks. Sometimes when I’m at work, I catch her wiping away tears when she thinks she’s alone. I wouldn’t sweat it.”

  “Thanks, Cole,” I say as I back out of his doorframe.

  “Hey, Emmett, she likes you. Question is, does Uncle Dover?” he says with a laugh.

  “Shut up,” I reply and head to take another shower.

  The rest of the morning, I try to bide my time until I can call Raegan. I don’t want to sound too eager, but Mom’s starting to question whom this boy is in her house. I’ve cleaned my room, pulled weeds, mowed the grass, and did my laundry.

  “Emmett, are you okay?” Mom asks.

  “Yeah, I’m fine. Just tryin’ to stay busy.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Okay, well, George and I are going to a fundraiser tonight. I can get you an extra ticket if you wanna join us.”

  “Um, I might have a date.”

  “Emmett James Bridges, is that why you’ve been workin’ yourself to death this mornin’? What cute little girl has your nerves tore up?”

  “Mom, it’s no big deal.”

  “I beg to differ. You might not have been under this roof in a while, but I know you do
n’t keep your room clean, and your daddy had to beg you to mow the grass,” she says with her hands on her hips.

  “Fine. Raegan Lowery,” I tell her as I turn to grab my clothes from the dryer.

  She follows me into the laundry room, crosses her arms, and leans against the wall. “Is there anything you want to add to that?”

  “No, ma’am.” After waiting about thirty seconds, she takes the hint and turns to complete a few other Saturday morning chores.

  I carry my clothes to my room to fold them. When I glance at the clock, it’s only twelve-fifteen. I’ll wait ten more minutes. I fold my clothes as slow as possible, trying to pass the time. At exactly twelve-twenty-five, I grab my cell and call Raegan. The phone rings, and just when I think her voicemail is going to pick up, I hear her angelic voice through the receiver.

  “Hello?” she answers.

  “Hey, Raegan, it’s Emmett. Um, I was just wondering if you had time to talk to your grandaddy about tonight.” I hold my breath as I wait for the answer. I hear her shuffle something and tell someone, whom I assume is her grandfather, she’ll be right back.

  “Sorry, I was helpin’ Grandaddy shell pecans.”

  “Oh, okay.”

  “Yeah, I can go tonight. He said it was fine,” she says just above a whisper.

  “A’ight, then I’ll pick ya up ’bout six.”

  “I’m lookin’ forward to it.”

  “Me, too. See ya tonight,” I say as we both hang up the phone.

  Chapter 8

  Raegan

  While enjoying the warm breeze from the back porch with Grandaddy, I continue to stare at my watch.

  “Sunshine, don’t you know a watched pot never boils?” Grandaddy jokes.

  “I know. He said he’d call after lunch, and well, it’s after lunch.”

  Grandaddy shakes his head. “What am I gonna do with you? You gotta learn patience.” We continue to shell pecans. After I get a good rhythm going, I feel my phone buzz in my pocket. I almost jump from my seat, but I try to refrain from acting too excited. Hurry, Raegan, or it’s gonna go to voicemail! I grab it and hit Accept.