Along for the Ride

by Casey Peeler

  “Why can’t y’all work through this mess? Jake, it’s not healthy. You need to work through this.”

  “Mom, do we have to do this now?”

  “Yes, it’s time I quit watching you two piss your relationship away. Both of you need to get over your stubborn selves. One day I’m not going to be around and you’re going to have to get along.”

  “What do you mean? There’s nothing wrong, is there?”

  “No, but it’s the truth. I know he’s not happy about your decision not to follow his footsteps, but he does love you even if he doesn't show it. Remember that, please.”

  Deep down, I know she’s right. I love him, but neither of us are good at admitting we’re wrong or being the first to apologize.

  “I’ll work on it. Oh, and when the tour over, I’m coming to visit or y’all are flying to Nashville.”

  “That sounds perfect. Now, tell me what’s really going on with you and Belle.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Don’t play dumb. Mama’s know things. Spill it.” Laughing, I give her a brief rundown of what’s up with Belle and me. It feels good to talk with her. I’ve always gotten along with her. Heck, growing up it was mostly the two of us because Dad would be gone overseas for months at a time.

  “Well, I better run. We’re going to some pool hall tonight.”

  “That sounds interesting,” she says with a laugh. “Oh Jake, your dad just walked in, hold on.” Holding my breath, I get ready for the cold tone.

  “Jake. How are things?”

  “Great, actually. Got a few days off then it’s back on the road late Sunday.”

  “That’s good. Any chance you’re coming home soon?”

  “In a few months for sure, or I mentioned y’all coming to Nashville.”

  “I’d love to but duty calls.”

  “You know you can take vacation.”

  “Not in my line of work. Make time to come see your mama. She misses you.”

  With no goodbye or anything, the line goes silent. I look at it a moment then hit end. Why should I expect anything different? Taking my things, I start to head toward the shower. Walking into the bathroom, I realize there are no towels in the linen closet. Leaving my stuff, I walk toward Belle’s room.

  Chapter 21

  Belle

  As soon as I’m in my room, I turn on the radio, start my shower, check the water temperature, remove my wet clothes then wrap a towel around me as I walk to my duffle bag to pick out an outfit for tonight. Glancing in the bag, I’m suddenly wishing I had packed cuter underwear. Quickly, I grab a matching bra and panties set and an outfit for tonight when there is a light knock at the door. Assuming it’s Mama, I yell for her to come in. Turning over my shoulder, I realize it’s Jake and a lump builds in my throat.

  When his eyes land on mine, they scan to the floor as his mouth falls open. “I’m sorry, Belle. I just didn’t know where the towels were.” Smirking, I think about handing him mine, but realize that is a bad idea. My mama, brother, and daddy are downstairs.

  “Oh, hold on." I turn around to go to my bathroom to get him one. Taking a towel and washcloth from underneath the sink, I turn and come chest to chest with the country music god.

  “We could share, you know.”

  Biting my lip, I reply, “I know, but I don’t think that’s a good idea. I mean, we just crossed this line, and you think I’m gonna get naked with you?”

  “Belle, we’ve been tryin’ not to cross this line since the day you started on tour, but I’ll let you off the hook this time.”

  Chapter 22

  Belle

  Ohmygosh! Jake Bryant! Get it together, Belle! He’s just another guy. Standing in the shower, I don’t move until the temperature turns cold. Once I turn off the water, I step out and try to process how I’m gonna walk out of the room with a straight face when all I really want to do is jump into Jake’s arms. It’s obvious that I lost at my own game.

  Shaking the thoughts from my mind, I decide to focus. What am I going to wear tonight? Glancing at what I pulled out of my overnight bag, I’m not sure. I can’t overdo it because it’s just Martin’s, but I definitely want to make Jake sweat all night long. Rummaging back through the bag, I grab a pair of Rock 'n Roll Cowgirl jeans and a fitted Shug and Honey tank top.

  Once I’m dressed, I begin do my makeup and hair as the radio continues to play in the background. As the song ends, that’s when I hear the first beat to my newly released song, “Some Kinda Heartbreak.” I drop my blush and scream at the top of my lungs. My door swings open as Beau about knocks it off its hinges. Mama, Beau, and Jake are all standing there as if they are about to enter a crime scene.

  “OHMYGOWD! Y’all, that’s my song!” Tears fill my eyes. I know it’s being played, downloaded, and moving up the charts, but this song is mine. I wrote it and it released last week. I have yet to hear it on the radio, and didn’t expect to hear it for the first time in my own house.

  Mama and I start singing while Beau stands there with a proud smile plastered on his face. My smile grows even more knowing my big brother is happy for me. I know this has been hard on him, even if he doesn’t want to talk about it. Mama takes advantage of the moment as she extends her hand for him. He takes it without a second thought and when he pulls her into his arms, she dances with her baby boy while Jake takes the towel in his hands and briefly dries his hair before tossing it onto the bed and approaching me, still damp from the shower and shirtless. My, oh my! I have died and gone to country girl heaven! He asks for my hand and we dance like no one is watching to my song in my old bedroom. Closing my eyes, I soak up this moment. Jake catches me off guard as he begins to sing, “You’re some kinda heartbreak, the kinda mistake that I want to hold on to…” As I gaze up into those eyes, my heart melts.

  When the song ends, we are brought back to reality. Jake winks at me and steps away, just like he would any other day. Mama gives me a hug and begins to cry. “I’m so proud of you, Belle, and the best is yet to come.” By this point, I’m in tears as well, and Beau wraps us both in a bear hug. “Y’all are gonna have to stop or I’m gonna have to fix my mascara again.” We laugh as we separate and they leave me alone to finish getting ready for Martin’s. Lord knows it’s gonna be a long night if we have to play it cool because after that, we are anything but cool.

  Jake

  Walking out of that bedroom, I’m blessed to have witnessed what happened inside those four walls. Hearing a song on the radio for the first time is amazing, one you wrote even better, but hearing it at home with the people that love you most, that’s the best. I’ll never forget the time it happened to me. It’s the only time I’ve ever heard my dad congratulate me on this journey in music. I believe at that point he knew it was real. I was living my dream like he was his. It didn’t change things, but I’ll never forget the proud look on his face and the fact he took us out for supper that evening.

  As I go back to the guest room, I pull out a pair of worn jeans that are still considered nice, along with a solid color t-shirt, slide on my boots, grab my ball cap and glance in the mirror. I’m ready for tonight and I’m hoping it allows Belle and me to get to know each other a little better.

  Once I’m ready, I walk downstairs and take a seat with Beau in the living room.

  “So, y’all are an item,” he states.

  “What?”

  “Look, she’s my sister and I get her. I know what she’s up to before she does most days. I don’t know what you’re thinking or what your plan is, but if you so much as make her shed one tear, I’ll beat you. Got me?” he says as he takes the remote in his hand and switches the channel.

  “Got it,” and no other words are spoken until the newest episode of The Hunt with Gage Holden begins.

  “What kind of name is this for a show?” Beau questions.

  “I know, right? I guess they couldn’t come up with anything original.”

  “Good point,” I add. “Must be nice to get discovered one
day. Can you imagine all he did was shoot one arrow in a contest?” Beau looks at me and it hits me. That’s exactly what happened to Belle. “She’s different.”

  “Yeah, she is, and she did get lucky. I want what’s best for her, don’t get me wrong. It does, however, suck to be stuck here day in and out,” then he stands to excuse himself.

  Wonder what was up with that?

  Watching a few more minutes, Belle walks into the room and she takes my breath away with the simplicity of her outfit and yet how she will make every guy in the room take notice. “You look amazing,” I say as I stand to walk toward her.

  Closing the gap, I lean in and kiss her cheek briefly. It’s nothing over the top, but I want her to understand how amazing she not only looks, but is as a person.

  “That all you got there, Mr. Bryant?”

  Looking down at her, I turn her chin up to mine and kiss her soft lips gently.

  Chapter 23

  Belle

  Mama insists that we eat supper before going to the pool hall. We all come together at the table—Mama, Daddy, Beau, my grandparents, Jake and I. Mama has outdone herself again with fried chicken, mashed potatoes, corn, green beans, and homemade biscuits. Mawmaw brought her famous peach cobbler, and we are stuffed by the time it’s over.

  We take a few extra minutes to enjoy their company, which is something that we don’t have often on the road. Jake takes every chance he can to brush the side of my leg with his hand and it is driving me crazy. The sooner we get out of here, the better.

  I excuse Jake and myself from supper, and we make our way to the truck. He catches me off guard by opening the door and helping me inside before heading to the driver’s side. Once he closes the door, he looks my way and smiles that perfect, up to no good, but I'm loving it kind of grin.

  “Belle, come here.” Sliding closer to him, I lay my head on his shoulder. I could get used to this, especially on the road. To know that I have someone at every stop would be amazing, but if I’m being real, I not sure how this is going to work when we go back on tour.

  Putting the truck in reverse, he drives to the end of the driveway then looks my direction. “Oh yeah. You might need directions. Take a right and go left at the stop sign. When the blacktop ends, keep going.”

  Driving down the old roads, I take in my hometown. I miss this place but love who I’ve become on the stage.

  As we leave the pavement and hit the dirt road, Jake looks my direction. “You weren’t kidding, were ya?”

  “Nope. This road isn’t supported by the state, and it’s been this way since I can remember.”

  As Martin’s Pool Hall comes into view, not one thing has changed. Chase’s truck is here along with Laurel’s car. Glancing around, I recognize a few other cars, including Jerry, the bartender’s.

  “Come on. Let me show you how it’s done in Lattimore,” I say, sliding out the passenger side.

  As I go to close the truck door, strong arms wrap around me. Looking up to meet his eyes, I don’t say a word. Instead, I lean up on my tip toes and make the first move. My mind is going a million miles an hour as my lips find his and when they meet, the intensity increases. I know we can’t continue this out here, but I don’t want to stop. It’s as if he is reading my mind as he opens the truck door and lifts me inside the cab. My hands start to roam and as his do the same, my mind begins to talk sense into me. I try to avoid what it’s telling me, but I start to pull away and as I do, he slows his kiss, tucking my hair behind my ear. He kisses my forehead gently before lowering me from the truck, taking his hand in mine as we walk to the wooden screen door.

  As I open the screen door, the smell of stale beer and cigarettes tickle my nose. Jerry is in his usual spot behind the bar. He whistles when I walk through the door. Leaving Jake at the entrance, I run to Jerry, throwing my arms around his neck. I can’t believe I’m actually home. Jerry lifts me into the air and spins me around. Finally, he puts me down and looks between Jake and me.

  “You gonna introduce me or what?” he says with a laugh.

  “Jerry, this is Jake. Jake, this is Jerry,” I say, motioning between them. Jerry asks what we want to drink and makes his way back behind the bar. As we walk toward Chase and Laurel, I introduce Jake to the others that are hanging out. They don’t act like he’s a big deal. Instead, they treat him like people around here always do. They treat him like he belongs right here with us. Once we reach Chase, a smile meets his face when he sees me but fades when he sees Jake. I can’t help but wonder what is up with him. Shaking it off, I look to the pool table. Chase has it racked and ready to go.

  “Knew I could count on you,” I say to Chase with a smile.

  “You can always count on me, Bella Blu,” he says with a hint of sarcasm, but I can't help but feel that there’s more that he isn’t saying. I try my best to avoid his eyes, but when I look up they are piercing straight through me, and something inside is telling me that when Chase finds out about Jake, craps going to hit the fan.

  As Jerry motions toward us, a sigh of relief floods my body as I lose contact with Chase and a bucket of beers comes into view. Laurel and I crank up the jukebox with our favorite country songs before choosing teams based on our scientific method of rock, paper, scissors. Jake and Laurel are paired along with Chase and me. Looking around, I wonder if Beau and Sarah are really coming or not.

  “You know they aren’t comin’, Bella Blu,” Chase says.

  “But why not? He’s never been one to say one thing and do another.”

  “You ain’t been ‘round for the past six months. He’s different.”

  I pause with my pool stick in my hand. “Whatcha mean?”

  “Never mind. Let’s play pool.”

  An uneasiness fills my body when I think about my brother. This isn’t how it was supposed to be. I catch Chase looking my direction as he sets up to take the first shot. “Bella Blu, shake it off. He’ll come ‘round.”

  I nod and take a pull of my beer. Jake looks between us and then his eyes land on mine. I smile and he gives me a questioning look. I take my beer and place it on the high-top table and walk toward him. “I’m good. We don’t think Beau’s going to show tonight is all.”

  “Oh.” He walks up to the table and sinks a ball into the top corner pocket. I squeal with excitement and wrap my arms around him without thinking. He stiffens and I realize what I’ve done, and in this moment I realize I shouldn’t have to tip-toe around our relationship. Now the question is, do I act or keep it on the back burner? He looks down to me, “You gonna let me go or what?”

  “What happens if I don’t?”

  “Trouble, that’s what happens, and I don’t see you being the kind that likes to find trouble.” Something about those words make me second guess us and I start to pull away from him, but not before he bends down and kisses my lips briefly.

  “Bella Blu, you’re up,” I hear Chase state flatly behind me and I know that now this is about to get sticky. Making my way to the pool table, I line up the white ball with a striped ball within my range and make contact. When the ball sinks into the pocket, Chase gives me a grin and high five. “There’s my girl. Sorry, Jake, you got the short end of the stick with Laurel.”

  “Hey! What’s that supposed to mean?” Laurel says with a laugh while Jake acknowledges Chase with a slight chuckle.

  After the second game, Jake is realizing Chase was right. Laurel has yet to make a shot, and Chase and I are a team that’s been playing together for the past several years.

  “How ‘bout we change up teams?” I say, looking between everyone. Jake has a grin on his face that makes me think he wants me to play with him, but before I can say anything Chase jumps in.

  “I say let’s do girls versus boys.”

  “Oh yeah! Let’s show these boys how it’s done, Belle.” All I can do is laugh at this point, I know we’re doomed so I motion toward Jerry.

  He keeps the beers coming and by number five, I’m starting to feel a little tipsy. Laurel and
I are horrible as a pair, but regardless we’re having a great time. I’m pretty sure Jake and Chase are both getting a good laugh at the two of us. When Laurel goes to shoot, she attempts to line up and as she pulls back, her stick flies out of her hand. She covers her mouth and we both begin to laugh hysterically then the boys do the same.

  “How’d you even do that?” I question while she shrugs her shoulders. We stop laughing abruptly as the jukebox begins to play Tim McGraw and Faith Hill’s “It’s Your Love.” I know what is coming and I’m unsure of how Jake is going to like what he’s about to see.

  Chase wraps me in his arms and we dance in the middle of Martin’s. Quickly, I glance around the room and see that all eyes are on us, including Jake’s. He has a look of confusion, but doesn’t make a move which shocks me.

  As the music continues to play, Chase and I sing every word to each other and exaggerate our emotions. As the song comes to an end, Chase kisses the top of my forehead, and we go back to drinking our beer as if we didn’t have our own version of karaoke in the middle of Martin’s.

  Chase

  The moment that song begins to play, I want to thank the jukebox god. All night I've watched those two eye each other, and I'm positive there's something going on with them. However, this is our song. This is who we are, and I refuse to let Jake Bryant get in the way.

  Looking at only Belle, we sing and don't care who is watching. Instead, I focus on her, hoping she'll understand what I want in life. For me, it's simple. I want her. The past six months have been torture. I've buried myself in work in order not to focus on her all the time, but a man can only do that for so long. It's time I prove to her that we are more than friends. In fact, she's the reason I haven’t dated anyone or done anything of that nature because what's the point? No one will ever live up to her in my eyes and heart.

  Jake

  What in the world have I just witnessed? I try my best to shake the image from my mind, but I know I won’t be able to.