Covering the Carolinas

by Casey Peeler

  “Well, damn. Looks like we’re gonna have to haul ass if you don’t want to jump.” I throw the truck in park, and we sprint to the trestle. Chase is right behind us, and I know it’s gonna be close. Chase runs past me and closes the gap on Jake. Once he’s past him, Jake slows his sprinting to a jog until I catch up.

  “Just so you know, I wasn’t gonna let you jump alone,” he says.

  “Well, I’m a big girl, and there’s nothing like the rush you get when you jump. I can promise ya that.” And with that statement, I take off, leaving Jake in the dust.

  We are all huffing and puffing at the trestle when Jake arrives. “That was so wrong, Belle. So wrong.”

  “What can I say? You fell for it, Mr. Country Music God, but if you want me to, I’ll jump with ya.”

  Lyndsay and Chase look at each other. “That ain’t in the rules, and you know it!” Lyndsay says.

  “Rules are meant to be broken, and sometimes they are worth it,” I say as I turn toward Jake.

  As we make our way to the middle of the trestle, we reminisce about the last time we were here. It was the night I found out about the tour. Lyndsay, Chase, and I came out here to celebrate, and I put on a private concert for the two of them. We drank a case of beer, and then Lynds got a call from her boyfriend at the time. She ditched us, and Chase and I had the best night of our lives…. alone.

  Chase and I have always been friends, but that night almost crossed the line. We don’t talk about it, but as much as I try to deny that he has feelings for me, I know that Jake is right. He does, but I just can’t go there. He’s my best friend, and I can’t mess that up. If that relationship ended badly, I’d never forgive myself. I pull myself from those thoughts, and notice that Chase is looking at me. He’s thinking the same thing. Lyndsay and Jake are both oblivious to our exchange of glances and engaged in their own conversation.

  Once we reach the middle, it’s do or die for Jake.

  “Aight, country music god. Let’s see ya do it,” I say.

  “Y’all are really gonna make me do this?” We all nod in agreement.

  “Aight, let me remove all forms of technology,” he says as he removes his phone and all the contents from the pockets of his jeans. It’s almost a replay of earlier today, and I look at Lyndsay who is totally drooling. I nudge Chase, and he laughs at her.

  “What?” she asks. “Chase, you can’t possibly tell me that if Carrie Underwood were standin’ here right now, you wouldn’t have to pick up your mouth off the ground.”

  “See somethin’ you like?” Jake asks Lyndsay.

  Standing with the confidence that only she can possess, she replies, “Damn right I do!”

  “Aight, quit putting off the inevitable and jump already!” I say.

  Jake makes his way to the edge of the trestle and peers over. “Y’all sure this water is deep enough?” I can see the worry on his face.

  “Yes!” we yell.

  “But if you want me to, I’ll jump with ya, regardless of the rules,” I say while removing my shoes and emptying my pockets. Not giving him a chance to respond, I grab his hand, count to three, and we jump off the top of the trestle into the river below.

  As soon as our feet leave the track, my adrenaline increases, and it is pure bliss as we make our way into the water. Jake never lets go of my hand, and when we surface, he lets out a holler.

  “That was amazing,” he tells me as he stares into my eyes. “Just like you.”

  Not giving him a chance to make a move in front of Chase and Lyndsay, I pull him to the bank where things are a little more private before giving him permission to finish what he started in the water.

  Understanding exactly what I’m doing, Jake takes me into his muscular arms and brings my lips to his. His hands begin to roam my body, and everything inside me heats up. It’s very evident that he feels the same way.

  As the heat increases to the point of combustion, I hear Chase holler for us. “Y’all comin’?”

  I unwillingly pull away from Jake and answer, “On our way!” Then, he pulls me in for one more sizzling kiss.

  Once we are back at the trestle, I see Chase and Lyndsay seated on the edge of the track talking in-depth about something, and if I have to guess, it has to do with Jake and me. Chase and his damn overprotective self.

  Hearing us approach, Chase says, “‘Bout damn time!”

  “What? Are you mad I won’t ever jump with you?” I ask with my hands on my hips.

  “Never mind. Just get your ass over here before Lynds and I start arguing.”

  I shake my head and smile. They fight like brother and sister. Jake and I make our way to the middle and have a seat. Chase gets a case of beer from the truck, and we all pass them down and pop a top.

  Without saying a word, we each take a long pull and sit there quietly. I can hear the water moving below, the hot summer breeze blowing through the trees, and the sound of crickets surrounding us. This is the perfect way to end a great night. Feeling that someone is staring at me, I glance to my right, and sure enough, Jake has those baby blues right on me. I smile back and take another swig of my beer.

  “So, Belle, do you think you’ll ever come back home for good?” Lyndsay asks.

  I search my heart and soul for the answer. “I love Lattimore, but I don’t think I’ll ever come back home for good. I mean, I’d love to, but it doesn’t look like it’s in the cards for me. It’s kinda funny how Beau is dying to get out, and I’d love to stay here forever.”

  Chase doesn’t say a word as he crushes his beer can, tosses it into the water and begins to walk toward the other side of the track. Lyndsay motions for me to go see what the hell is his problem.

  “I’ll be right back,” I tell Jake. Getting up, I finish my beer and grab two more before going that way.

  I don’t holler at Chase to stop; instead, I walk to catch up with him. Chase isn’t one of many words, and whatever is bothering him must be pretty big for him to walk off like that. As my feet leave the track, I can see he’s sitting on an old pine stump.

  Once I reach him, I hand him another beer and have a seat beside him. We open our cans and just drink for a minute.

  “Chase…” I start to say as he interrupts me.

  “Don’t, Bella Blu. Just don’t,” he pleads with hurt in his voice.

  So I don’t. I don’t say it. I don’t tell him that I wish he could go with me, that I hate not seeing Lyndsay and him every day, and how I wish there was a way for me to have the best of both worlds.

  Instead, I take another drink of my beer, look at him, and turn off my emotions. “Chase, what do you want me to do? I can’t believe you’re acting like this. It’s not like I can change my life. This is all I’ve ever wanted.”

  Glaring at me, he shakes his head. “Tell me, Bella Blu. Does he make you happy?” With a deer in the headlights look, I’m speechless. “That’s what I thought. When he hurts you, I can’t promise I’ll be here to pick up the pieces,” he says as he stands to leave, and then we feel it. The shaking of the earth below us. We look at each other and run as fast as we can to the trestle.

  As we get on the trestle, we hear the sound of the whistle. It’s coming; the train is coming. Lyndsay and Jake are sitting in the middle as I start to run toward them and yell for them to run. Chase takes me by the arm and stops me from running toward them.

  “Train! Y’all run!” I shout a heart-wrenching scream as he pulls me to safety.

  “Chase! Let me go! We can’t just stand here and watch,” I say as tears form inside my eyes.

  “Yes, we can, and we will. I’m not letting you go.”

  Fear consumes my body as I watch Jake and Lyndsay run hand in hand across the track. They should just jump. Why didn’t I say that? I can see the headlight of the approaching train, and tears begin to stream down my cheeks. No longer able to see Jake and Lyndsay, I turn and face into Chase’s chest as a sob escapes my lungs. He places his hands in my hair and consoles me.

  “Bella Blu,
they are gonna be okay. I promise.” As I stare up into those chocolate eyes, my tears continue to fall as I nod in agreement. Then, he kisses my forehead. Closing my eyes, I wait for it to be over, praying that when I open them that I’ll see two people standing on the opposite side of the trestle alive and well.

  With the train now in the distance, we step back on the trestle and make our way to the other side. With a well-lit sky from the full moon above, it’s very easy to notice that there isn’t a body on the other side, let alone two. Chase looks at me with fear in his eyes, and we follow the track across.

  Once we reach the other side, panic sets in because they are nowhere to be found. Glancing both ways, we begin to yell for them, and after what feels like forever, we hear voices from below. Chase and I lean over the trestle and see them standing on bank soaking wet. Relief enters my body, and I begin to shake as happy tears begin flowing from my eyes.

  Chase approaches me and pulls me in for comfort. When I finally get myself together, I look up at him and smile. “Thanks, Chase.”

  “You know I wouldn’t have it any other way,” he says as his eyes tell me so much more.

  As I’m about to tell him the truth about what I want in life, Jake and Lyndsay appear on the trestle.

  Running for them, I can’t get there fast enough. Lyndsay and I meet and cry together. Then, Jake takes me in his arms.

  “Thought that didn’t happen often?” he questions.

  “It doesn’t. That has only happened to us one other time, but it’s never been that close. I swear I was terrified when I couldn’t see you. What if something would have happened to y’all?”

  Taking my face in his hands, he responds, “There are no what if’s. We are okay, and if anything, this has brought me back to reality.” He places his forehead on mine.

  “Um, I think it’s time we get outta here,” I say with everyone in agreement. We make our way back to the vehicles while the overwhelming feeling that something is different is definitely in the air.

  “We’ll see y’all tomorrow night at Joe’s, right?” Lyndsay asks me as she eyes Jake.

  “Yeah, but remember that we want to be incognito,” I say in a questioning tone.

  “We will do our best, but no promises,” she says as she gets into her car and heads home.

  Chase is still standing there as she leaves. “What was that?” he asks.

  “I dunno, but you know Lynds.”

  “Exactly. I’ll see y’all tomorrow. Just text me when y’all get there, and I’ll let you in the back.”

  “Thanks, Chase,” I say as I give him a hug goodbye, but hoping he understands why I’m thankful.

  Jake and I make our way to the truck, and he opens my door like earlier tonight, but he’s not the same as he was before the train. Once Chase is gone, I tell Jake to hold up a minute.

  I slide onto the seat beside him and notice an unsure look in his eyes. “Jake, is everything okay? Really okay?”

  Turning off the truck, he turns toward me. “Yeah, everything is just fine. Come here.” He motions to me. I do as he says and come within inches of his godlike face.

  “I’m here. Now what?” I say with a smirk, as there is no distance between the two of us.

  “Do you know what I thought about when I saw the train coming?” I shake my head no because I am uncertain. “I thought about life, us, Lattimore, and what it would be like to never get on a stage again. I can’t imagine not having any of that, but I will tell you what, I don’t know what you would do without Chase and Lyndsay in your life. It’s very evident that they mean more to you than you realize.”

  At this point, I’m unsure of what Jake is trying to tell me, but I’m pretty sure my heart already knows. He puts the truck in reverse, and we drive quietly back to the farm.

  Chapter 5

  As we drive back to the farm, it seems that I notice the little things that I love about this town, like the way one light is missing in The Depot sign, how you can always hear a cow mooing in the distance and the smell of country air.

  Once we are back at the house, we make our way to the front porch. “Hey, Jake. Thanks for coming home with me,” I say. He turns around and looks at me.

  “Belle, this has been the best couple of days of my life. I always knew you were special, but now I realize why. You… Belle… are the real deal. You are what every guy dreams about. You take life by the horns and just live it. You have friends, family, and a support system that I can only dream about having.”

  “What do you mean? I thought your family was great.” We turn and sit on the steps.

  “My family is great, but they don’t get it. My dad always wanted me to enlist, but that wasn’t what I wanted. Music has been a part of my life since I can remember. I knew that someday it would be my life. They are proud of me, but my dream isn’t my dad’s. Sometimes I wish I could have been that person for him, but this is my dream. He’s only been to one of my concerts since I started headlining. Mom, on the other hand, loves it, but she’s kinda caught in between. She just tries to keep everyone happy. One time, she surprised me by showing up. Belle, it made my day. I think that’s the best show I’ve ever had. Just be thankful you have your family’s full support.”

  “What do you mean? Did something happen between you and your dad?” I ask.

  Looking up into the sky, Jake replies, “Ever since I can remember we were told we would enlist, make him proud, and carry on the tradition. He always supported my music until he realized that was what I wanted for my future. He’s proud of me, but his pride gets in the way.”

  Placing my hand on his lower back, I move in closer. “I wish there were something I could do to fix that, Jake. I couldn’t imagine not having my family behind me one hundred percent. Please let me know if I can do anything for you. If you ever need someone to lean on, I’m here for you.”

  He lifts my chin for me to look into those baby blues, and then he brings his kissable lips to mine.

  “Thank you, Belle. I knew the day I heard that sweet voice of yours on stage, it would be more than just a song. It’s the sound of a relationship that will last an eternity.” He brings his lips to mine again. The kisses are sweet, soft, and tender this time, almost as if he’s trying to relay a message of what I really mean to him.

  As headlights pull into the drive, we separate. Squinting, I notice that it’s Beau. When he gets out, he joins us on the porch for a few minutes, noticing our wet clothes. He knows exactly what we have been up to.

  “So, she made ya jump, huh?” Beau asks.

  “Twice,” Jake answers, and Beau seems confused.

  “Um, there was a train comin’. Jake and Lynds had to jump,” I say timidly.

  “Dammit, Belle! That’s why I always tried to keep you away. Wait. Where were you if he jumped with Lynds?”

  Staring at the solid wood below my feet, I try to avoid this conversation. “I was talkin’ to Chase. He got his panties in a wad, and I had to smooth things over.”

  He shakes his head. “When are you gonna grow up, Belle? You can’t run after him every time he get’s upset. You’re not gonna be around forever.” Ouch, that hurt.

  “Shut up, Beau! You’re just mad because I’ve made it out of this podunk town, and you haven’t. You got so much talent it’s ridiculous how you waste it around here!”

  Jake looks at us like we are about to throw punches and then starts to laugh.

  “What’s so funny?” I ask.

  “Y’all. It’s like you’re five or something. Cute, I’ll tell ya… real cute. I’m gonna get outta these clothes,” Jake says as he walks inside.

  Turning toward Beau, I say, “You know, he’s exactly right. We both need to grow the hell up.” I go inside and head straight to my room to get ready for bed.

  As I get ready, I let the events of the night replay through my brain. My emotions are a mess. Jake and I are taking things to a different level, and it’s getting hot fast. Chase is telling me he doesn’t want to be without me.
Lyndsay is the same old Lynds, and Beau is my obnoxious older brother who will never change and will always wish he could be more like me. What a freakin’ night.

  After I finish getting ready for bed, I check on Jake. Walking next door, I knock gently before he answers for me to come in. As I enter the room, I notice he’s standing there wearing only a pair of gym shorts and glistening from a fresh shower.

  “Sorry about that, Jake,” I say as I close the door.

  “Come here,” he says as we make our way to sit on the edge of his bed. “Look. I just had to get away from you two. Y’all are at each other’s throats more than you realize. Be thankful you have Beau, but also remember that you’re holding part of his dream. I wish there were a way we could make it a reality for him.”

  Stunned by what Jake just said, I decide to tell him my idea for Beau if I ever get to headline. “I’ve always wanted to take Beau with me on the road if I got my own tour. That way I’d always have family with me and help him live his dream as well.”

  Jake hovers over me and forces my body against the mattress. “That’s the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard, but definitely not as sweet as you. You need to tell him that; he needs you to give him hope.” His lips touch mine, and I begin to feel the heat rise once again. I beg for Jake to move closer, to make me feel him against me, and to cross the line of no return. Instead, he walks the line, pushes the limit, and makes me only crave him more.

  “Belle, I want you. Don’t think that I don’t, but this isn’t the place or time. You deserve so much more.” Continuing to worship me, he trails soft kisses from my neck down my arm and to my hand, where he ends the kiss like only a prince would… or should I say… a country music god.

  Chapter 6

  After pulling myself out of my country fairy tale, I leave Jake and go to my room, only to toss and turn for hours. My mind races to thoughts of Jake and me at the creek, Martin’s, the trestle, and that bathroom, which is only inches away. What the hell am I doing?

  Giving up on sleeping, I throw on a pair of cutoffs and tank top before making my way out to the tire swing out front. As I swing, I get lost in thought. My brain wonders to all the thoughts that had me tossing and turning. Ever since I can remember this is where I would go to clear my mind. It followed all the rules growing up, but felt like an escape.