Along for the Ride

by Casey Peeler

  “Jake, you sure you want to go?” Curtis, my drummer, says.

  “Yes, I want to go. Heck, it might do me some good to go somewhere small.”

  “Maybe so, but it’s not like all the ladies aren’t going to recognize you. Plus, you did just play the racetrack. People know you’re in town.”

  “I’ve got it covered,” I say as I pull my phone from my pocket and text Mark, the manager. Within a few moments, I get a message back saying to come to the performer's entrance and he’ll take it from there.

  Curtis and I pull through Bojangle’s. Man, I’ve missed this. Arriving at Joe’s, the sun has already set and the line to get in is into the parking lot. We ease our way to the back of the building, park, and crack open a cold one and down it before going to the entrance.

  Giving it a firm knock, it swings open and I’m met with a sly grin from Mark then a handshake.

  “‘Bout time you came back ‘round. I thought you’d forgot about us.”

  “You know that couldn’t…” pausing mid-sentence, Curtis and Mark stare in my direction. I listen more closely and the voice that is moving through the building is unlike anything I’ve ever heard before. It’s warm yet firm and full of emotion. I can feel and believe what she’s singing like it’s her own story. “Who is that?”

  Mark begins to smile. “It’s amateur night, whatcha think?”

  “I think whoever that is is no amateur. What’s her name?”

  “Belle Montgomery. She works my merchandise table.”

  “You’re kiddin’, right? She’s got a voice like that and workin’ the dang merchandise? Why haven’t you hired her for the house band?”

  “I know she’s good but that’s why I hired her, and the house band isn’t ready for a girl to outshine them.”

  “Well, you’re an idiot,” looking at Curtis, he knows exactly what I’m thinking. I need her on my tour.

  Chase

  The moment she takes the stage is the moment I don’t give a crap about my job and what I’m supposed to be doing. I stand there like a love-sick puppy and watch her perform. She’s mesmerizing, her voice will make anyone stop in their tracks like it has tonight, but the way she looks so vulnerable and puts herself out there is what does me in.

  “She keeps gettin’ better, doesn’t she?” Mark says, placing his hand on my shoulder and scaring me out of my skin. “I need a favor. When she finishes up, I need you to escort her to the performer's lounge.” I start to question why and he shakes me off. “No questions, but I can promise you’re not going to want to miss this, and Laurel is going to be pissed she’s behind the bar.”

  “Yes, sir. I’ll take care of her. No worries.”

  Mark leaves my side and I can’t for the life of me figure out what is going on. I walk past Laurel, who gives me a strange look. Stopping, I tell her something’s up but I have no clue what’s actually going on then walk to the side of the stage. As she begins to sing one of her originals, I pause and watch her grace yet again when I feel someone walk up beside me. Glancing, I notice a guy about my age with a ball cap and turn back to watch. Then it hits me and I do a double-take because that can’t be. Nah. No way. Wait that’s Jake Bryant.

  “She’s good, isn’t she?” he states.

  “Good? She’s way past good. She’s perfect.”

  “That was my exact thoughts. I’m Jake,” he says, extending his hand and I do my best to not start putting together scenarios of why he’s standing here watching Belle. However, that’s almost impossible because Jake Bryant is standing beside me and is watching Belle like a hawk. It hits me. This is why Mark sent me over here.

  “You know much about her?” he asks.

  “I guess you could say that. We’ve known each other forever. Why?”

  “Curious. When she finishes up, will you bring her to the lounge? Mark told me to stay back there, but I had to see and hear her for myself.”

  “Sure,” I say as he vanishes behind the door.

  As she sings the final note, she places her guitar on the stand, takes a bow, and leaves the stage.

  She catches my eye as soon as she moves my direction and has a look of concern.

  “What’s up, Chase? Everything okay? Merchandise table havin’ issues or somethin’?”

  A smile spreads across my face at the fact she’s worried about work and has no idea who’s been watching her.

  “No, it’s fine. I think. Mark told me to bring you back to the lounge.”

  “Why?”

  “No clue. Don’t shoot the messenger.”

  She pauses and stares at me. “Bull!”

  “I have no clue what’s going on, honestly, so quit with the bull. But if I were you, I’d channel my inner self when I open that door.”

  Looking up at me, she looks puzzled and her mind is going a hundred miles an hour as I open the door.

  “Mr. Bryant, I want you to meet Belle Montgomery,” I say as she walks in the room, looks between Mark, Jake, and myself, but doesn’t say a word. “Breathe,” I say low enough for only us to hear.

  Belle

  Holly Hannah! Breathe, Belle, breathe. I blink twice and look between the three men in front of me. I know I heard Chase right, but there’s no way that is the Jake Bryant. He is country music’s hottest male right now, and he’s standing in front of me. Why?

  “Hey, Belle. I’m Jake and I wanted to let you know you were amazing out there. I’ve never heard anyone with a voice like that.”

  Glancing at Chase, he smiles and gives me a reassuring nod. “Thanks. I love to perform.”

  “How much?”

  “What do you mean?”

  Jake looks between all of us. “I have a spot on my tour. I’d like you to take it.” No, I didn’t hear him correctly. He didn’t just say that. Did he? My head becomes light and as I start to feel as if I’m going to pass out, a firm hand takes my arm and steadies me. “I understand this is a lot, but what I heard out there is nothing short of star material. Feel free to take time to think it over. I know I’d have to have a contract drawn up and all the ins and outs, but I feel certain that you’re the missing piece of this tour.

  Looking at Mark, he’s grinning and Chase is doing the same. “I’d love to. I mean, I’d want to know the details before I officially decided anything, but yes, I’d love to be on your tour.”

  “Great. We’re staying at the speedway tonight and tomorrow before the next stop. I’ll have my lawyer draw up a contract tomorrow. How can I get it to you?”

  “I only live about an hour from here. I can meet you tomorrow before I come here to work.”

  “Great,” he pulls out his cell and asks for my number. Once he has it in the phone, mine begins to vibrate in my back pocket. OMGeeee, I’ve got a country music god’s phone number. This just got real. “Y’all want to go have a beer at the bar?” he questions.

  Looking at Mark for the answer, he jumps in. “Of course, we need to celebrate. Not to mention Laurel is going to be pissed she missed this.” He’s exactly right.

  Walking out of the lounge, we discreetly make our way to Laurel’s bar. She smiles my direction and hurries to me with a beer in hand. “Girl, you killed it up there! That last one, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. Hey, why aren’t you at your station?” she questions Chase and then her eyes scan to the right. Quickly she looks back toward me. I nod. I can see the inner fangirl arising.

  “Laurel, meet Jake. He just asked me to join his tour.” Laurel looks up from pouring a mixed drink and pauses, continuing to pour.

  I point to Laurel, “Um, you better watch out.”

  “Huh?” she states before she quickly realizes what’s wrong as Coke begins to overflow from the cup. “Crap!” she announces and quickly begins to clean it up.

  “Sorry there, Laurel. I have that effect,” Jake says with a cute smirk.

  “I bet you do,” she replies with a laugh. “So, seriously? You’re going on tour?”

  “There’s a few things we’ve got to work out,
but yeah, I am.”

  She starts to squeal and do a happy dance behind the bar and when customers begin to look our way, Jake takes a step back in the shadows. It doesn’t do him any good because as soon as the house band takes the stage, they call him out and it’s time for him to perform one for the place that helped make him who he is today.

  Turning to face the stage, he takes the microphone in his hand, gives a killer smile that makes all the ladies scream, and with the first downbeat he plays his first number one hit. I prop myself against the bar and watch in awe. Is this really happening? Did Jake Bryant really ask me to go on tour or am I dreaming?

  “Hey, you,” a voice calls to me. “It’s not a dream, Bella Blu.”

  Turning to look up at Chase, I smile. There’s nothing about this moment and people in my presence that isn’t almost perfect. The only person I’m missing is my brother, and just like that my heart sinks a little.

  “What about Beau?”

  “He’s a big boy and will be just fine,” Chase says as he wraps his arm around my shoulder and pulls me in. He knows that’s easier said than done.

  Chapter 6

  Belle

  After last call, the lights have risen, and the bar is empty except for its staff. I look around and think about my life. Tonight, I walked into Joe’s like any other night, but when I leave through the back door, my life will have changed dramatically.

  Mark calls me to the side. “Belle, feel free to take tomorrow off if you like.”

  “Why would I do that?”

  “You might be packing and you should spend time with your family.”

  “Maybe, but if tomorrow is my last night to be in this place, I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

  A smile escapes as he looks at me. “Man, you know how to make somebody feel important, but if you change your mind, let me know.”

  “Mark, you’ve given me the biggest opportunity of my life. There’s no way I’d let you down tomorrow.”

  Chase, Laurel and I walk toward the truck. Exhaustion hits all of us as the clock ticks closer to four in the morning. Climbing inside the cab, we all let out a deep breath and buckle our seat belts as Chase drives toward home.

  “Y’all, I’m about to starve,” Laurel announces.

  “Me, too! Chase, can we hit up the golden arches?”

  “Y’all had me at starvin’,” he veers off at the next exit and we pull through the drive-thru. As the hot and salty french fries hit my taste buds, my mouth begins to water then add the caramel frappé and I’m in heaven. There’s only one thing that would be better. I take the french fry and dip it in the cool coffee concoction. Chase looks my way and smiles. “Want one?”

  “That’s always grossed me out.”

  “Don’t knock it till you try it,” I say as I take a bite and it’s the perfect mixture to tickle my taste buds. He refuses.

  “So are you going to go wake everyone up when we get home?” Laurel asks me.

  “I’m not sure. It is like four in the morning, but I’m too excited to sleep.”

  “Well, I’m about exhausted,” she replies which I guess is a plus since Chase is pulling into our driveway.

  “Night, ladies,” he says as we slide out of the truck.

  “See ya tomorrow. Let me know if you need help packing or going to talk to Beau.”

  “Prayer. That’s what I need,” I say as I shut the truck door, but pause to listen to him.

  “Hey, he’ll be okay.”

  “I hope so.”

  Chapter 7

  Belle

  Lying in bed, I’ve yet to sleep. My mind wanders to the thought of the road, opening for Jake Bryant, and honestly, I can’t even fathom what is about to happen. With the sound of the rooster crowing outside, I toss off my covers, take a quick shower, and grab my keys to my truck.

  Pulling up at my parents', my eyes soak up everything—the cotton growing in the field, my grandparents' house, my childhood home, and that tire swing out front. This is home, and I’m sure going to miss it.

  Closing my door, I see that Daddy and Beau are working at the barn on something. I wave their directions and walk inside to meet Mama.

  “Beau, can you take this by Liz’s later?” Glancing over her shoulder, she sees me then looks at her watch. “Belle, everything okay? You should still be asleep.”

  “Well, nice to see you, too, Mama,” I laugh. “Actually, I couldn’t sleep. I’ve got some news, big news to be exact.”

  “Spit it out then, suga.”

  “Might need to have everyone here for this one,” tossing the dish rag from her shoulder, we walk outside to the barn.

  Approaching Daddy and Beau, they stop what they are doing. “Belle, everything okay?” Daddy asks.

  “It’s better than okay. Last night at amateur night, Jake Bryant was there.” Beau’s eyes go wide. “Yes, Beau, the Jake Bryant. He wants me to join his tour.” Mama begins to clap her hands, Dad is speechless, but the look on Beau’s face hurts my heart.

  “Suga, that’s great! Now what?”

  “He’s supposed to call today and I’ll meet him before work, then I leave Sunday.”

  “Sunday?” they all say in unison.

  “Don’t you think this is a little fast?” Daddy questions. “You need to know everything about it before jumping on a bus and heading to who knows where.”

  “Daddy, I know this. Can you make sure that Mr. Horn is able to read the contract when I get it today?”

  “Sure. Well, now what?”

  “I’m going to fix breakfast,” Mama announces as I look between Daddy and my brother. Daddy must feel the tension. “I’ll come and help ya.”

  He leaves us standing there alone. “Hey, please don't be mad at me. I can’t stand it, Beau.”

  “How is it that I take off to Nashville, pursue my dreams as a songwriter, and you get discovered at our local country bar? How is that even fair?”

  “Beau Bear…”

  “Nah, don’t pull that card, it isn’t going to work today, Belle. I worked my butt off in that town for years before realizing it wasn’t for me, or more like my dreams weren’t going to come true. Instead, I move back home and help Dad on the farm. We’re Montgomerys and we sell cotton. That’s what I was born to do.”

  Tears fill my eyes, I knew this wasn’t going to go well, but he’ll come around. “Beau, you’re an amazing songwriter, your set designs are amazing, too. Don’t think if I have to pitch a song or if I’m given the opportunity to get you out there, I’m not going to. I love you, Beau, and one day you’ll make it out of here, too.”

  “I’m not holding my breath.”

  Taking a step toward him, I open my arms, insisting on a hug. “Beau Bear, hug, please.” He smiles and take a step toward me and squeezes me tight. When he lets go, he looks at me, “Belle, I’m so proud of you. It sucks for me, but go live your dream.”

  Chase

  Sleeping is a joke, but if I’m working again, I’ve got to doze off for a little while. After a few hours, I look at the clock and decide to see if Dad needs any help today. Sliding on my worn, ratty jeans and boots, I crank my dirt bike and ride across the farm to the barn.

  “Chase, what a surprise. It’s not even noon.”

  “I know, but I got something to tell ya.”

  He looks at me with fear in his eyes. “Bella Blu got discovered last night and is touring with Jake Bryant starting tomorrow.”

  “Shew, I thought you were going to say you knocked someone up or something,” then he begins to chuckle.

  “Dad, that ain’t even funny anymore. Plus you know I’m not even like that.”

  “You know I’m starting to worry about you.”

  “I’m fine. I swear. Just drop it. Jake came to Joe’s last night and pretty much said he wanted her on tour. He’s sending her a contract and the details today.”

  “That’s awesome, but how are you?”

  “What do you mean?”

  Placing a handsaw on the table, he l
ooks to me. “You’ve been in love with that girl forever. What are you going to do without her?”

  Then it hits me, he’s right. What am I going to do? What if she realizes life is better without me around?

  “Stop those wheels from spinning, but you might want to prepare yourself for what's coming. Her world is about to get very different than here.”

  Shaking my head in agreement, I walk toward him and we work on the frame for the new chicken house, my mind going a million miles an hour.

  Chapter 8

  Belle

  “Hello?” I answer as Jake’s name flashes on my phone screen.

  “Hey, Belle. It’s Jake. I’ve got everything you need ready. There is nine months left on the tour. I want you on every date, and my label is willing to sign you based on my recommendation after your first performance. There’s a contract stating salary, regulations, and all the mess we have to do. Can I email it to you?”

  “Sure. I’m going to have my daddy’s lawyer read over it, if that’s okay?”

  “Absolutely. We need it signed before you go to work tonight, and tomorrow your own tour bus will pick you up at eight in the morning. Our next stop is Lexington, Kentucky.”

  “This might sound stupid, but what all should I pack?”

  “Anything you might need for the next nine months, but your wardrobe for stage will be hand-selected for you.”

  “Okay. Thanks,” after giving him my email, we disconnect and I stare at my mail app. When a new notification comes through, my breath increases as I open it. This is real. Reading over the email, I understand most of the working, but some of it I have no clue. Walking to find Daddy, he calls Mr. Horn and we forward it to him. He promises to get back to us before I leave for Joe’s tonight.