Southern Comfort: Chandler's Story (The Southern Series Book 1)

by Shelley Stringer

  I knew I’d seen her somewhere before, and then it dawned on me. “You’re in my English class, right?

  She laughed. “Yeah, it’s hard to be sure with two hundred kids in every lecture class. I sit at the back, and I’m usually late.”

  “Well, it’s nice to see a friendly face, Brie.” I smiled at her. She smiled back, and I could tell it was genuine, not fake like the others.

  Out of nowhere, Tyson came swinging by and whirled her out on the floor in a waltz.

  “Shall we?” Jamie asked, taking a deep bow.

  I laughed. “Certainly!”

  He waltzed me around the floor to two songs, and then we found a table and returned to our drinks. He had remembered I liked margaritas, and after number two, I stopped him.

  “I have no intention of repeating our first meeting, thank you. I can’t afford a headache in the morning.” Nothing is spoiling one moment of this weekend with Banton!

  “Oh, but you were so much fun afterward. I really enjoyed the ride home, and the kiss.” He grinned at me.

  “What, my passing out, snoring and drooling all the way home?”

  “You were adorable. And you didn’t snore, you kind of…squeaked.”

  “Oh, great. That makes everything better,” I laughed.

  “Seriously, Tex,” he leaned closer to me, his eyes taking on a serious gaze “I would really like to revisit that kiss.”

  “Umm, I’m sorry, Jamie. I really like you. But I’m seeing someone right now.”

  “I should have known. The tall, dark-haired dude, right?”

  “Um, Banton, yeah. We just started seeing each other. I’m sorry.”

  “No, I’m sorry I didn’t call you the first week of school and head him off at the pass. That’s what I get for procrastinating. So I guess date number two is out of the question.”

  “Well, I guess it is. But we can still be friends, right?”

  “Yeah, that seems to be my curse. Everyone’s best friend.” He smiled at me, and didn’t seem too upset. Just then, we heard a table crash across the room, and I jumped. He stood up to get a better look, and I thought I saw a glimpse of sun-bleached hair and a muscular build…

  “Is that Chase?” I asked.

  “Yeah!” he answered, as he dove across the room to break up the fight. The room seemed to explode then. I backed up with Brie and some other girls against the wall. Tables began flying, and someone yelled, “Police! Cops are on the way!” I caught a glimpse of Jamie, with his arms around Chase’s chest, dragging him backwards out a side door. Brie motioned for me to follow. I paused a minute to let my eyes focus outside in the pitch black, and then I heard Jamie’s voice from across the parking lot.

  “Chandler, over here!”

  I ran across the parking lot, and paused, gaping at Chase’s face. His nose was obviously broken, and blood was streaming down his forehead from a deep gash. One of his eyes was already turning purple. Even Jamie’s lip was bleeding; evidently someone had gotten a sucker punch in while he was dragging Chase out.

  “Is he going to be okay?” I asked.

  “Yes, but I’ve got to drive him and Tyson home.” I peered into the backseat to find Tyson was holding his shirt to his forehead, obviously trying to stop the bleeding on his own head wound.

  Jaime took me by the elbow. “Can you follow me in my pickup, and pick me up when I get them home? Then I will take you home.”

  “Okay, sure.” I took his keys from him and turned to Brie. Jamie was already pushing Chase into the backseat.

  Brie asked, “Could y’all give me a ride too? They were my ride.” She pointed to the two semi-conscious bloody guys in the car.

  Jamie turned as he got into the driver’s seat. “Sure, Brie. Just ride with Chandler, and you can show her the way if we get separated?”

  “Sure, no problem,” Brie answered him.

  Brie and I chatted the entire way to Chase’s apartment, hitting it off immediately. She loved school, but only joined the sorority because she was a legacy. Her mother had pledged the same sorority, and had insisted she follow in her footsteps. I could tell by the way she talked her mom was pushy, and she just wanted some peace from all the society crap. She loved our English class as much as I did, and I told her about my house and my roommates. Before we arrived at our first stop, we had already made plans to have lunch together the next week and do some shopping. I finally had a female friend in Baton Rouge.

  “Well, did you two get well-acquainted on that little side trip?” Jamie asked as he drove me home. Brie was in the passenger seat, and I sat uncomfortably close to him in the middle.

  “Yeah, we even swapped cell numbers,” Brie answered.

  After a few moments of silence, Jamie changed the subject. “Well, no wonder the tall dude didn’t like me when we met. He has prior claim.” Jamie grinned. I had explained it all to Brie on the way to pick Jamie up, and she’d giggled when I’d described how Banton and John had grilled him.

  “It was awkward going out tonight, with us having just started dating. But I would have never cancelled on you, Jamie,” I assured him.

  “That’s all right, I’m just joking. Hey, we’re still drinking buddies, right?”

  “Right. The next time I feel like passing out, or watching a fistfight, you’ll be the first I call. Promise. By the way, does Chase do that a lot? Fight, I mean.”

  “Yeah. Chase gets a few drinks in him, and if Constance isn’t around he always picks a fight with someone. If he can’t be a lover, he’s a fighter.” Jamie rolled his eyes.

  “So he isn’t dating behind her back?” I asked the question I knew Constance would ask me first thing in the morning.

  “Heck, no. He’s in love with that girl. And he’s too afraid of her to cheat.”

  Jamie took me home first, and I was relieved Brie was still with us. It made driving up to my house easier somehow, having a third person in the truck with us. And the fact Banton was camped out on the front porch would have made it awkward if Jamie had walked me to the door.

  “Well, it’s been interesting. Jamie, I had a good time. Thanks,” I said, climbing out of the truck.

  “Hope to see you around on campus. And call me when Constance comes to visit. Maybe we can get together,” Jamie answered.

  “Yeah, sure. ‘Bye Brie.”

  “’Bye Chandler. See you Monday.”

  When I got out in the driveway, I heard Jamie’s door shut on the other side of the pickup. What was he doing?

  He walked beside me to the front porch, up the steps, and put his hand out to Banton to shake. “Chandler told me y’all are dating now. She’s great, and I wish you the best. Maybe we can all get together when Constance comes in?”

  I could tell this took Banton totally by surprise, and he seemed pleased I had actually told Jamie about our relationship. He smiled and shook Jamie’s hand. “Sure, anytime. Thanks, Jamie.”

  I looked adoringly at Banton as Jamie and Brie drove off. He beamed back at me.

  Banton checked his watch. “And only 9:15 - short date.” His eyes twinkled “Did he cut it short after you told him about us?” He grinned wider, showing me his dimple. My heart sputtered like it always did when he looked at me that way.

  “Technically, yes. But a huge fight involving Constance’s boyfriend kind of helped move things along, too. Jamie had to drive them home, and since Gabriella rode with them, he has to take her home too.”

  Banton’s eyes narrowed. “Fight? What kind of place were you in? Are you hurt?’ He fired questions at me as he looked me over.

  “I’m fine,” I assured him. “It was just frat party stuff.”

  “Well, I’m sorry there was a fight involved, but I’m glad it brought you home to me early.” He seemed to relax as he swept me up in his arms, and carried me through the front door.

  “Where is John?” I asked, peering into the living room.

  “He went out after he ate three platefuls of the wonderful dinner you left for us. I can’t believe you
did that. Anyway, he told me he couldn’t stand to watch me moon on the front porch like a lovesick calf.” He chuckled. “So we have the house to ourselves.”

  “Whatever are we going to do, just the two of us, alone?” I asked with my eyes wide.

  “This!” And he dove on the first piece of furniture he came to with me tight in his arms. He moved my body from under his, toward the back of the cushions, and then eased his weight to the outside of the sofa where he could gaze down at me. He lowered himself slowly, holding most of his weight as his lips found mine. He slowly tasted the inside of my mouth, and small chills ran up my spine. He caressed my shoulder where my sweater had fallen down on my arm, leaving my upper chest and shoulder bare. He bent to kiss my bare skin, moving slowly past my collarbone down my chest to just where the curve of my breast began and lingered there, going no further. My breathing stopped completely. I wound my fingers in his hair, and his lips came back to mine, caressing, slowly molding to the shape of my mouth. We exchanged kisses and whispered, our legs tangled together intimately. He caressed my arms, shoulders, neck – every inch of me was on fire. But he never crossed any lines. Just when I thought we had passed the point of no return, he pulled away, and sighed. I opened my eyes, and stared into his.

  “I’d better stop, before I lose full control. You are so beautiful, Chandler. It’s hard to stop myself with you.”

  “Then don’t!” I almost cried with wanting him. I’d never felt this way before with anyone.

  “Don’t be upset, Chandler. We have a long time to work this through. I’m taking my time with you, remember?”

  “Yes, I remember,” I sighed disappointedly as he leaned down to kiss me again.

  Then he rose and pulled me up into a sitting position. “How about a glass of wine, or a margarita, maybe? We could go upstairs together and pack for tomorrow morning.”

  “Sounds like a good idea.”

  “I’ll get the wine, you start packing. I’ll be up in a minute.”

  I started up the stairs while he went into the kitchen. Unexpected movement at the top of the stairs distracted me. Glancing into the darkness, I could see a cloudy shape. As I moved closer it seemed to move with me, leading me into my bedroom. I entered through the doorway, and watched it rise over my bed, up to the wall and on to the ceiling. My breath caught in my chest as it faded. Looking around, I thought something might be causing the glow I had just witnessed, like a reflection from a mirror. There was nothing. I flipped on the light, and still there was nothing. I suddenly felt silly.

  I walked over to the dresser, opened my lingerie drawer and began removing lingerie for my trip and placing it on the bed. Bending over the drawer a second time, I heard a whisper. “Chandler!”

  I turned, expecting to see Banton, but there was no one. Chills formed on my forearms and down my back. I walked out to the landing and called “Banton?”

  “Yes?” he answered from the kitchen. He wasn’t upstairs yet. I flew downstairs and down the hallway into the kitchen. He turned with the two wine glasses as I ran to him. “What is it, Andie?” He put the wine glasses down.

  “I…I think I just saw something. Upstairs.” I was visibly shaken.

  “Hey…you’re upset.” He pulled me to him, and kissed my forehead. “Let’s go see.” He handed me a glass of wine, and put his arm around me as we walked back down the hallway together and around the bottom of the stairs to climb them. “What did you see, Andie?”

  “I saw the white cloudy spot on the stairs again. It drew me into my room, and then it floated over my bed, up the wall and onto the ceiling. Then I heard someone whisper “Chandler!” and I thought it was you, but you were still downstairs.” Tears began to pool in my eyes. It was frustration more than anything else. Here we go again…I sound crazy!

  “It’s okay, Chandler. I believe you.”

  Beau bounded into the room behind us and immediately ran to my bed, sniffing all around it. Banton watched in amazement as Beau jumped to the middle of the bed. “Beau, get down from there. Get down. You know you aren’t supposed to get…” he trailed off as Beau pointed his nose straight at the ceiling and whined, wagging his tail like there was something he wanted. Then he rose up on his hind legs and barked at the ceiling.

  Banton looked back at me silently. We stood in shocked silence for several seconds.

  “Well, if I’m crazy, so is Beau!” I stated with amazement.

  “Neither one of you is crazy. That is the damnedest thing I have ever seen!” He walked around the room, watching the ceiling the whole time. Beau finally jumped down off the bed and circled around before plopping down on his usual spot on the rug beside the bed. Whatever had him stirred up was gone now.

  After several moments, Banton broke the silence. “Andie, finish packing.” He walked over and kissed me chastely. “I’ll be right next door.” He hesitated as he glanced around, and then went to his room.

  I hurried through my packing, wondering the whole time how I was ever going to sleep in my room by myself. But I refused to show my fear. I would wait till Banton was asleep, and then bed down on the sofa downstairs and fall asleep with the TV on. I nodded to myself nervously. Yeah, that was a plan.

  I nosed though the boxes and bags Everett had packed up for me, picking out a couple of dresses and a skirt, crop pants, a pair of jeans, and a couple of tops. I threw in my boots and some dressy sandals. The last box I looked in held something Everett put in because of my request for something sexy to sleep in. I didn’t expect Banton to see it beyond a goodnight kiss, but I could hope. It was a white satin nightgown with a fitted, semi-transparent bodice with delicate beading. The back plunged far past the point I thought was embarrassingly immodest, and I hoped I would get the chance to see if I dared to wear it. The skirt flared out slightly and ended at mid-calf. It was absolutely beautiful, and fit for a bride. I could wish…I also put in my pink satin pajamas, just in case it got chilly at night and I was sleeping alone.

  The whole time I was packing, I was constantly glancing at the bed and the ceiling. Beau was snoring away, so I didn’t think whatever it was upsetting us all was coming back anytime soon. Still, I was glad Beau seemed to prefer to sleep in my room. Banton stuck his head around the door so much, I was sure he was getting little packing done.

  He came back around the door for about the twentieth time. “Is everything still calm in here?” he asked me as he came over and wound his arms around me.

  “Everything seems to be fine now. And I’m all packed.” I nodded over to my suitcase I had zipped up and left on the end of the bed, along with my laptop case and books.

  “So am I. I’ll take everything downstairs. Are you ready to turn in?”

  “Yeah, I think so. What time are we leaving in the morning?” I asked.

  “About seven, if that’s all right with you.”

  “Sure, that’s fine.” I smiled at him as he leaned over and kissed me. He picked up my bags and carried them down the stairs. I donned my usual white cotton gown while he was downstairs, then took my hair down and brushed it out. I wanted to go downstairs and take a bath before I went to bed, but I was still shaken and I had trouble going into the bathroom after dark. Bathing was fine in the daylight, but I just couldn’t brave it in the dark. In the morning there was going to be a problem, too, because I had to be ready before the sun came up. I stood chewing on a nail, pondering what to do. I was still almost paralyzed with fear whenever I thought about what happened, what I saw through the window that night…what he watched me do…I shivered. Come on, Andie. You have to get over this. You can’t let this fear rule your life.

  “Andie?” Banton called softly from the doorway. I turned, and he looked at me questioningly. “What are you doing?”

  “I…uh, nothing. I’m ready for bed. Goodnight, Banton.”

  He watched me for a second, and then understanding dawned in his eyes. He walked over to me and cupped my chin in his hands.

  “I understand. You don’t have to explain a
nything to me. Why don’t I go downstairs and draw you a bath so you don’t have to bathe in the morning? I’ll leave the door open and I can lean against the wall in the hallway and sing along to the oldies while you bathe. I can come in and visit with you when you’re all covered in bubbles.”

  My eyes began to water. There is no way he could have read my thoughts any clearer, or come up with a better suggestion to keep me from being embarrassed. I rose up on my tiptoes and kissed him. He rubbed my cheek for a second, and then turned and went downstairs to run the bathwater. I heard the radio turn on in the kitchen, and he quickly tuned in to an oldies station. I donned my bathrobe and hurried down the stairs and into the bathroom. The bath was already half full, brimming with bubbles. He came back down the hallway with his glass of wine, and dropped down in the hallway to prop himself against the wall just outside the door. I glanced over to the window, and all I could see was the reflection of the candles and lights bouncing off the thick glass around the room. Dropping my robe, I stepped into the tub and sank into the bubbles. I quickly soaped my arms and legs, and washed my make up off with a rag. I couldn’t help but glance over at the window every few seconds, even though I knew nothing was there. My heart raced the whole time, and I had a knot in my chest. After a few minutes, Banton called to me, “Everything okay in there?”

  “Yes, everything is fine,” I sighed.

  “Are you covered in bubbles yet?”

  “Yes. You can come in.”

  I heard him stand, and he peeked around the corner at me. He smiled, and walked over and sat down on the floral ottoman by the tub.

  “You know,” he began, “this isn’t altogether an unpleasant thing to do every night before you go to bed. I could get used to this.” He smiled, leaning in to kiss me. I began to relax with him in the room, enjoying the warmth of the bathwater and the bubbles. I smiled, and kissed his dimple showing at the corner of his mouth. “I think that is the feature I love the most on you.” I said matter-of-factly.

  “What?” he asked.

  “Your dimple. It simply sends shockwaves through me every time you flash it at me.”