Chapter 38
Waking up in the arms of Chase assures me that this is real. It’s been one month, two days, and a few hours since we’ve been on the road. It’s been amazing, and never gets old. We’ve had some amazing moments both on and off this tour bus, but none compare to our first night together. Having him day in and out is exactly where I want him to be. However, I believe he’s getting stir crazy being on the road and in this confined space. He’s accustomed to a farm, his truck, and going as he pleases. This way of life is different.
Looking out the bus window, we’re in motion for Nashville. We’ve got two shows starting tonight at the Ridgestone Arena that are both are sold out, which my mind can’t comprehend. Sold out, that’s crazy. My world is changing which is why the label insisted we meet Monday morning before we leave again on Tuesday. I cannot wait to walk into my little rental house and enjoy a night in my own bed. Glancing over at Chase, I smile knowing he’ll be with me.
Sliding from my bed, I walk to the kitchen and start the coffee when arms wrap around me. Small kisses tickle the side of me neck as I turn around to look this handsome man eye to eye.
“You ready?”
Raising his eyebrow, he asks, “For what?”
“Get your mind out of the gutter. Ready for Nashville.”
“Yeah, I’ve never been there. I don’t know what to expect.”
I kiss his lips gently, “It’s the best place on Earth. There’s bars and country music on every corner, but the people there are genuine. I have to say, the countryside there is amazing as well.”
As the coffee finishes, I pour myself a cup and Chase turns his nose up. He doesn’t understand how I can drink it black or at all.
Taking a seat on the couch, we turn on the TV and relax for the remainder of the ride. Driving down the interstate, signs for Nashville come into view.
“I’m gonna go get ready,” kissing his lips, I stand and he smacks me on the butt as I walk away.
Looking around my room, I grab something stylish yet comfortable before showering, apply my makeup and toss my hair up in a wet, messy bun. Tonight, this bus will drop me off at home. I. Cannot. Wait.
******
As the exit sign comes into view, I start to get giddy and excited. “Bella Blu, are you okay?” he asks.
“You have no idea how okay I am! We’re going home,” but the look on his face is confused.
“Chase, we’re going to my house. My little cute farm house that has all of my stuff, my bed, and a little front porch swing.”
“It’s strange hearing you call it home is all.”
Looking up to him, I reassure him, “Lattimore will always be home, Chase, but you know what I mean. I cannot wait to take a shower with that water pressure. Lawd have mercy!”
He starts to chuckle, “I get it. It’s just different.”
Glancing out the window, I see it. “Actually, it’s not that different. See?”
He looks around me and I wait for his reaction. “That’s almost identical to the house you and Laurel lived in.”
“Exactly. Now you know why it feels like home.” He starts to grab a few of his things and I stop him. “We won’t be here long, but take what you don’t need tonight. They’ll drop us back after the show tonight.”
We each take a suitcase of things we don’t need. The bus comes to a stop in front of my house and when the door opens, the Tennessee air hits my nose as the sun beams down. I’m home.
Chase
As the door opens, she tells her driver we’ll be back in a few minutes. Stepping off the bus, the sun beams down on her, and all I can do is stare. She’s beyond gorgeous. This is my favorite look on her and always has been. Belle in a pair of cutoffs and some random tank top, but that hair just thrown up and a little bit of lip glass is what does it for me. Throw in the countryside and I’m done. She doesn’t need the glitter, makeup, or the newest fashion trend.
“You comin’?” she questions and I realize I’ve yet to step off the bus. Taking both suitcases, we walk toward the house. Turning back toward the house, a truck catches my eye. It’s almost like mine, but it’s newer. “Who’s is that?”
“Mine,” she says with a smile.
“But your truck is at home?”
“Yes, and I’ve got to be able to get around when I’m here. Jake knew someone getting rid of her, and I bought her. What?”
“I don’t know. I guess I thought you’d be chauffeured everywhere or something.”
She shakes her head, “Silly boy, that’s not how it works, but I wasn’t about to spend my money on some fancy car. That’s crazy.”
“That’s my girl.”
She unlocks the door and as we walk in, it’s nothing fancy, but it has her own southern twist to the decor. It’s full of teal and grey with the feel of cotton throughout, but there aren’t any photos which is strange. She’s always been one of those girls who loved pictures. As we go down the hall, I follow her as she takes a step into a bedroom. “Well, here we are, unless you want the couch.”
“If that’s what you want,” knowing I’m not sleeping on the couch. Placing the luggage in the corner, I look around at the room.
“I’ve not had time to make this place what I want. I mean, my stuff was shipped here and I signed the lease on the road.” She almost sounds ashamed or embarrassed.
“It’s perfect, Bella Blu.”
“Not quite, there is so much I want to do to this place, but I was on a bus and was gone before I was even able to do anything. I rented this place from Jake’s best friend from pictures after my first performance, and Jake’s housekeeper hit up the Hobby Lobby to decorate for me while we were on the road. Who does that?” she says as she begins to talk with her hands. “I’ve got some ideas for a few things, but without knowing how long I’ll be here, I didn’t want to go crazy. But, I do have something. Close your eyes.” The look in her eye tells me she’s up to something. Obeying her wishes, my eyes close as I hear the sound of her feet move away from me and a zipper sliding.
Her feet return to me as she takes my hands and places something that’s cool and metal in them, “Open up.” Looking down, my eyes are playing tricks. It’s a picture. One I know but have yet to see. That’s us from the dance, but it’s not the one where we share the photo with Beau or one by the barn. It’s one that we didn’t know had been taken. It’s candid and perfect.
“How?”
“Mama. When she got them developed, she put the formal ones in a frame downstairs and gave me this one. She didn’t say anything, but it’s been up in my room for years.” Thinking back, it’s been so long since I’ve walked in her room that I don’t recall seeing it. “Chase, I can remember seeing this photo when she had the envelope full of them, this photo captured so much that neither of us knew at the time. It’s like that swing holds all of our secrets.”
“Well, it is where you go to tell all or follow the rules, as you used to say.”
“It is, but every time I’ve looked at this picture over the years, it made me think about that night. The dance, the trestle, what happened after, and I’d ask myself what if. Sometimes it would piss me off and I’d put it in my dresser, but within a few days, I’d pull it back out.”
“Why would it piss you off?”
“You know all that talkin’ y’all used to do?
“It used to piss me off and sometimes I’d thank God that I didn’t have sex with you that night.”
“I’m so sorry, Belle. I had no clue. I thought I never really stood a chance.”
“Why did I wait so long for what was meant for me? For us?”
Taking a step toward her and holding the photo in one hand, my eyes meet hers. “Because life isn’t on our time, it’s on His and this is how it was supposed to play out.”