Our Song (5 page)

“Bella Blu, they are gonna be okay. I promise.” As I stare up into those chocolate eyes, my tears continue to fall as I nod in agreement. Then, he kisses my forehead. Closing my eyes, I wait for it to be over, praying that when I open them that I’ll see two people standing on the opposite side of the trestle alive and well.

With the train now in the distance, we step back on the trestle and make our way to the other side. With a well-lit sky from the full moon above, it’s very easy to notice that there isn’t a body on the other side, let alone two. Chase looks at me with fear in his eyes, and we follow the track across.

Once we reach the other side, panic sets in because they are nowhere to be found. Glancing both ways, we begin to yell for them, and after what feels like forever, we hear voices from below. Chase and I lean over the trestle and see them standing on bank soaking wet. Relief enters my body, and I begin to shake as happy tears begin flowing from my eyes.

Chase approaches me and pulls me in for comfort. When I finally get myself together, I look up at him and smile. “Thanks, Chase.”

“You know I wouldn’t have it any other way,” he says as his eyes tell me so much more.

As I’m about to tell him the truth about what I want in life, Jake and Lyndsay appear on the trestle.

Running for them, I can’t get there fast enough. Lyndsay and I meet and cry together. Then, Jake takes me in his arms.

“Thought that didn’t happen often?” he questions.

“It doesn’t. That has only happened to us one other time, but it’s never been that close. I swear I was terrified when I couldn’t see you. What if something would have happened to y’all?”

Taking my face in his hands, he responds, “There are no what if’s. We are okay, and if anything, this has brought me back to reality.” He places his forehead on mine.

“Um, I think it’s time we get outta here,” I say with everyone in agreement. We make our way back to the vehicles while the overwhelming feeling that something is different is definitely in the air.

“We’ll see y’all tomorrow night at Joe’s, right?” Lyndsay asks me as she eyes Jake.

“Yeah, but remember that we want to be incognito,” I say in a questioning tone.

“We will do our best, but no promises,” she says as she gets into her car and heads home.

Chase is still standing there as she leaves. “What was that?” he asks.

“I dunno, but you know Lynds.”

“Exactly. I’ll see y’all tomorrow. Just text me when y’all get there, and I’ll let you in the back.”

“Thanks, Chase,” I say as I give him a hug goodbye, but hoping he understands why I’m thankful.

Jake and I make our way to the truck, and he opens my door like earlier tonight, but he’s not the same as he was before the train. Once Chase is gone, I tell Jake to hold up a minute.

I slide onto the seat beside him and notice an unsure look in his eyes. “Jake, is everything okay? Really okay?”

Turning off the truck, he turns toward me. “Yeah, everything is just fine. Come here.” He motions to me. I do as he says and come within inches of his godlike face.

“I’m here. Now what?” I say with a smirk, as there is no distance between the two of us.

“Do you know what I thought about when I saw the train coming?” I shake my head no because I am uncertain. “I thought about life, us, Lattimore, and what it would be like to never get on a stage again. I can’t imagine not having any of that, but I will tell you what, I don’t know what you would do without Chase and Lyndsay in your life. It’s very evident that they mean more to you than you realize.”

At this point, I’m unsure of what Jake is trying to tell me, but I’m pretty sure my heart already knows. He puts the truck in reverse, and we drive quietly back to the farm.

AS WE DRIVE BACK
to the farm, it seems that I notice the little things that I love about this town, like the way one light is missing in The Depot sign, how you can always hear a cow mooing in the distance and the smell of country air.

Once we are back at the house, we make our way to the front porch. “Hey, Jake. Thanks for coming home with me,” I say. He turns around and looks at me.

“Belle, this has been the best couple of days of my life. I always knew you were special, but now I realize why. You… Belle… are the real deal. You are what every guy dreams about. You take life by the horns and just live it. You have friends, family, and a support system that I can only dream about having.”

“What do you mean? I thought your family was great.” We turn and sit on the steps.

“My family is great, but they don’t get it. My dad always wanted me to enlist, but that wasn’t what I wanted. Music has been a part of my life since I can remember. I knew that someday it would be my life. They are proud of me, but my dream isn’t my dad’s. Sometimes I wish I could have been that person for him, but this is my dream. He’s only been to one of my concerts since I started headlining. Mom, on the other hand, loves it, but she’s kinda caught in between. She just tries to keep everyone happy. One time, she surprised me by showing up. Belle, it made my day. I think that’s the best show I’ve ever had. Just be thankful you have your family’s full support.”

“What do you mean? Did something happen between you and your dad?” I ask.

Looking up into the sky, Jake replies, “Ever since I can remember we were told we would enlist, make him proud, and carry on the tradition. He always supported my music until he realized that was what I wanted for my future. He’s proud of me, but his pride gets in the way.”

Placing my hand on his lower back, I move in closer. “I wish there were something I could do to fix that, Jake. I couldn’t imagine not having my family behind me one hundred percent. Please let me know if I can do anything for you. If you ever need someone to lean on, I’m here for you.”

He lifts my chin for me to look into those baby blues, and then he brings his kissable lips to mine.

“Thank you, Belle. I knew the day I heard that sweet voice of yours on stage, it would be more than just a song. It’s the sound of a relationship that will last an eternity.” He brings his lips to mine again. The kisses are sweet, soft, and tender this time, almost as if he’s trying to relay a message of what I really mean to him.

As headlights pull into the drive, we separate. Squinting, I notice that it’s Beau. When he gets out, he joins us on the porch for a few minutes, noticing our wet clothes. He knows exactly what we have been up to.

“So, she made ya jump, huh?” Beau asks.

“Twice,” Jake answers, and Beau seems confused.

“Um, there was a train comin’. Jake and Lynds had to jump,” I say timidly.

“Dammit, Belle! That’s why I always tried to keep you away. Wait. Where were you if he jumped with Lynds?”

Staring at the solid wood below my feet, I try to avoid this conversation. “I was talkin’ to Chase. He got his panties in a wad, and I had to smooth things over.”

He shakes his head. “When are you gonna grow up, Belle? You can’t run after him every time he get’s upset. You’re not gonna be around forever.” Ouch, that hurt.

“Shut up, Beau! You’re just mad because I’ve made it out of this podunk town, and you haven’t. You got so much talent it’s ridiculous how you waste it around here!”

Jake looks at us like we are about to throw punches and then starts to laugh.

“What’s so funny?” I ask.

“Y’all. It’s like you’re five or something. Cute, I’ll tell ya… real cute. I’m gonna get outta these clothes,” Jake says as he walks inside.

Turning toward Beau, I say, “You know, he’s exactly right. We both need to grow the hell up.” I go inside and head straight to my room to get ready for bed.

As I get ready, I let the events of the night replay through my brain. My emotions are a mess. Jake and I are taking things to a different level, and it’s getting hot fast. Chase is telling me he doesn’t want to be without me. Lyndsay is the same old Lynds, and Beau is my obnoxious older brother who will never change and will always wish he could be more like me. What a freakin’ night.

After I finish getting ready for bed, I check on Jake. Walking next door, I knock gently before he answers for me to come in. As I enter the room, I notice he’s standing there wearing only a pair of gym shorts and glistening from a fresh shower.

“Sorry about that, Jake,” I say as I close the door.

“Come here,” he says as we make our way to sit on the edge of his bed. “Look. I just had to get away from you two. Y’all are at each other’s throats more than you realize. Be thankful you have Beau, but also remember that you’re holding part of his dream. I wish there were a way we could make it a reality for him.”

Stunned by what Jake just said, I decide to tell him my idea for Beau if I ever get to headline. “I’ve always wanted to take Beau with me on the road if I got my own tour. That way I’d always have family with me and help him live his dream as well.”

Jake hovers over me and forces my body against the mattress. “That’s the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard, but definitely not as sweet as you. You need to tell him that; he needs you to give him hope.” His lips touch mine, and I begin to feel the heat rise once again. I beg for Jake to move closer, to make me feel him against me, and to cross the line of no return. Instead, he walks the line, pushes the limit, and makes me only crave him more.

“Belle, I want you. Don’t think that I don’t, but this isn’t the place or time. You deserve so much more.” Continuing to worship me, he trails soft kisses from my neck down my arm and to my hand, where he ends the kiss like only a prince would… or should I say… a country music god.

AFTER PULLING MYSELF OUT
of my country fairy tale, I leave Jake and go to my room, only to toss and turn for hours. My mind races to thoughts of Jake and me at the creek, Martin’s, the trestle, and that bathroom, which is only inches away. What the hell am I doing?

Giving up on sleeping, I throw on a pair of cutoffs and tank top before making my way out to the tire swing out front. As I swing, I get lost in thought. My brain wonders to all the thoughts that had me tossing and turning. Ever since I can remember this is where I would go to clear my mind. It followed all the rules growing up, but felt like an escape.

As I swing higher and higher, I jump out of my skin when I hear Chase’s voice. Glancing over my shoulder, I see him. “What the hell, Chase?” I inquire with a little anger in my voice.

“I just wondered if you were having the same problem I was having.”

“And what would that be?” I ask like a smartass as I come to a complete stop on the swing.

Chase approaches me and begins to push me on the swing. As he pushes me, I relax and think about all the times we used to do this. “The thought of you and me.” Planting my bare feet on the ground, I abruptly halt myself mid-swing, jump up, and face Chase.

“No, that’s not what I was thinkin’ about! Not you and me! More like Jake and me!”

I can see the hurt in Chase’s eyes and the anger bulging from his veins. As he gathers his thoughts, he doesn’t look at me. Once he has his feelings and thoughts in check, he tells me exactly what he’s thinking. “When are you going to wake up and realize that this is just a getaway for him, Bella Blu? Did you not see him checking out Lynds tonight? Lord only knows what happened when they jumped, if you know what I mean.”

I take a step toward him to show him I’m not going to back down. “You asshole! Don’t you dare say that! He’s different. I know I shouldn’t have crossed that line, but it’s been crossed whether you like it or not,” Then I back away and walk toward the house, leaving Chase standing there alone.

Once I’m in my bedroom, I glance out the window toward the swing. I see Chase sitting there, but not swinging. Not wanting to apologize, I crawl into bed, only to toss and turn even more than before. I shouldn’t have said that to Chase. It was spiteful and not how I am. Letting my conscience get the best of me, I grab my phone, send him a quick text to tell him I’m sorry and hope he’ll still save me a dance tomorrow night at Joe’s. When he doesn’t respond, a tear falls from my eye and eventually I drift off to sleep. Tonight has ended in disaster.