Chapter 1
Belle
“Come on, Laurel! We’re gonna be late!” I holler down the hall of our cracker box of a house.
She walks out of her bedroom with cutoffs and a tank that looks like it’s been spray-painted on. “What?” she announces as she grabs her purse and we hear the horn of Chase’s truck honking nonstop. “I don’t know why he’s in such a dang rush. They can’t get the party started without us anyways.”
“Good point, but you know he gets his macho panties in a wad if we are two seconds late.” We both make our way out the door and I grab my guitar on the way as Laurel locks up.
As we hustle toward Chase’s truck, he’s got the window down and is telling us to hurry up. Laurel begins to walk at a snail’s pace as I gently toss my guitar in the back seat, then sit shotgun of his extended cab. Closing the door, I see that she’s still taking her time. If she doesn’t come on... Quickly, I move toward Chase, who is confused as I invade his space.
“What in the world, Bella Blu?” he mumbles as I stick my head out the window, using him as a prop.
“Hey, cracker, come on! Some of us gotta make some money so hurry up!” I say with a laugh.
Laurel glances over her shoulder like she’s looking at her own butt. She’s crazy, but gosh I love her.
“I guess you’re right!” she says with a smile and picks up the pace. I laugh a little harder as I push myself off the window sill and Chase’s shoulder. As I do, I lose my balance and quickly go to catch myself. Without realizing what I’m doing, my hand lands directly at six and I’ve totally just copped a feel of Chase’s junk. He lets out a whelp and quickly moves my hand. “Ohmygosh, I’m so sorry,” I say as I ease myself back into my seat.
Chase takes a few deep breaths to undoubtedly get himself back together. “Dang, Bella Blu. If you wanted to get in on the action, all you had to do is ask.” Looking at Chase, he’s different than he was as a kid. He’s every definition of tall, dark, and handsome. He not only works day in and out with his dad in construction, but works as a bouncer at Joe’s. Needless to say, even though he’s my best friend, I can’t help but notice the guns as arms and a washboard stomach that will make you think twice about crossing out of the friend zone. Oh wait, we’ve been there before and there are moments I try to erase that memory, but it’s impossible. It was the most eventful night of my life in more than one way.
As he begins to laugh, I punch him in the shoulder, but dang it hurts my hand. I want to curse those hard as a rock muscles and the manual labor that built them. Bringing my hand back a second time, he grabs it and holds it in place. Why does he have to be so strong? All of a sudden, I hear a teacher voice behind me.
“Now children, keep our hands to yourself or if not, at least get a room.”
In unison, we both turn our heads toward her, “Shut up, Laurel!”
Without another word, Chase puts the truck in drive, I crank up the radio and we cruise down the interstate to Joe’s. It’s time to leave the small town of Lattimore behind like we do each and every Friday and Saturday night.
Chase
The moment Laurel pulls that mess, I know it’s time to go. There is no reason to even keep my hopes up about Bella Blu and myself. The closest I’ve ever gotten to a date with her was at the Harvest Festival dance when we were seventeen. Oh, who am I kidding? That was the best night of my life, until she woke up and friend-zoned me again. Here we are as grown adults and still best friends. She’s made it very clear that’s all we will ever be, but there are moments like what just occurred that make that little piece of hope trapped inside my heart begin to flicker. I know what her perfect lips taste like and the look in her eyes when she wants more than what she’s willing to admit. Did I mention that sucks?
I’m trying to focus on the radio, but it’s no use. When her sweet but sultry voice sings along, my manhood starts to spring to life. Down boy. She’s off the market for us. Glancing her way, I can’t help but stare because she’s the simple kind of beautiful. She’s one that doesn’t realize that when she walks into a room, all the heads turn. When she takes her guitar and begins to sing, all eyes go to her, but most importantly when she spends her free time helping young kids in our community learn to play the guitar, she steals everyone’s heart. Problem is…she stole my heart a long, long time ago.
As Miranda Lambert’s newest release, “Tin Man,” plays through the speakers, I know I’m done for. Laurel taps me on the shoulder, knowing this is about to be amazing. She’s right and so am I. As she closes her eyes and takes in only the music, I watch as she becomes one with the song. The hurt, soul, and power that comes through that sweet person beside me shows how truly powerful she has become.
When the song ends, she is transported back to reality and looks my direction with a smile. “ You singing that one tonight?” Laurel questions.
“Maybe,” she says, holding my eyes a moment too long.
“If you do, there won’t be dry eye in the house,” she finishes.
“I think you’re right, Laurel. That’s the perfect song tonight for amateur night. If it doesn't make the crowd stop in their tracks, I don’t know what will.”
“Oh stop it, y’all! I’m not that good.”
“You keep tellin’ yourself that because one day, Laurel and I are going to say we knew you when.”
She shakes it off like she always does, but there are big things in her future.