by Casey Peeler
Once her eyes fall upon mine again, I make her hold her stare until I can’t stand it any longer. There is no doubt she feels what I feel, but it’s a matter of whether or not she acts on it. I don’t do well with coming in second place. I never have and never will.
I stand confidently and make my way to her, but I’m surprised when she meets me in the middle. I decide a warning about Cole is what she needs, because quite honestly, I want her to keep her head clear and away from Jace.
Before I can control what’s happening, she turns to leave. I do the only thing that feels right. I offer to give her a ride, just like she did me. Hopefully, she sees it as an opportunity like I did, but at this point, I’m unsure.
I retreat to my truck for another beer as I watch her give Jordyn the jar. Interesting. She’s quit drinking. Either she feels guilty or there is a reason she doesn’t want the drunken truth to come out.
Over the next few minutes, I watch her make her way around to all the different groups of people. She is honestly the most breathtaking creature I’ve ever seen, but the fact she cares about everyone is beyond hot. It’s almost as if she knows all eyes are focused on her; she knows her reputation, her expectations, and it’s almost routine.
With each group of people, she gets closer to me. The thought of going to talk to some guys has now fled my brain. There’s no way in hell I’m skipping a little one-on-one with Raegan Lowery.
“Hey, Raegan,” I say.
“Hey, havin’ fun yet?” she asks.
“Tons,” I say sarcastically. “It’s a lot better, now,” I answer with a half-smile.
“Emmett Bridges! Are you flirting with me?” she asks as she crosses her arms.
“Nah, I’m just stating the obvious.”
“Whatever,” she says as she hops up on the tailgate.
Damn, this night is about to get interesting.
Chapter 5
Raegan
It’s my duty to walk around, talk to everyone, put on a smiling face, and play the role of “Miss Perfect,” so I do exactly that. What I don’t expect is to catch myself standing in front of Emmett Bridges, looking like he just stepped out of latest Buckle catalog. Yeah, we talked earlier, but now that the shine is gone from my hands and the absence of the others, I realize how beautiful he actually is. His sandy blonde hair is covered with an Atlanta Braves ball cap with the ends peeking out the sides. As he sits on the tailgate, I can see every muscle bulging from his arms as they press into the tailgate, and his chest is broad as the river. His eyes, however, are what stop me. The crystal blue not only looks like an ocean, but it also tells a story — one of need and desire.
I stop in front of him as he says, hey. This is my chance, and I have just enough liquid courage running through my veins to follow through with my craving to be close to him.
After a brief amount of small talk, I take a seat on the tailgate beside him. When the silence is too much, we begin to talk about random stuff. Then, we get quiet again as he opens another beer.
“Dang, how many did Cole give ya?” I question.
“This is the last one,” he says as he grins and brings the can to his lips. As I watch those lips touch the can, my body feels like it’s one hundred degrees hotter. What’s going on with me? That’s when I hear my song. The one I pray the country station plays, the one I sing to the top of my lungs, the one about the kind of guy I need in my life, and the one that makes me forget reality. I jump from the tailgate, grab Emmett by the hand, and pull him with me.
“Come on! It’s my song!” I say to him with excitement in my voice. He plants his heels firmly onto the ground. As Dustin Lynch’s “Where It’s At” echoes through the field, I place my hands upon his chest, close my eyes, and pray the song never stops playing.
As Emmett begins to sing the lyrics, I open my eyes and look into those baby blues. He takes a step back and points his finger at me on beat motion as he sings, “Yep, yep, that’s where it’s at.” Then, he removes his ball cap and places it upon my head as he takes me into his arms and begins to move like he’s been waiting to dance with me all night. He smiles, and I know in this moment that one boy and one song have made their mark on Raegan Lowery’s personal timeline.
When the chorus begins to play again, I follow right in beat with him, sway my hips a little harder, and let my shoulders fall on beat with the “Yep, yep.” I turn to him, and we both sing like no one is watching, but in reality, all eyes are on us. I’m okay, though, because that’s where it’s at.
As the song ends, he pulls me in for a tight hug, removes his cap, places a kiss on the top of my head, and then laces his fingers in mine. Every part of my being feels like it’s coming alive.
“Thank you,” I say as we walk back toward the truck.
“No, thank you. If I’d known it was gonna go like that, I wouldn’t have resisted,” he says as his shoulder brushes into mine.
“What can I say? I can’t help it when I hear a song I like. I don’t care who’s watchin’.”
“So, you do that often?” he questions.
“What? Dance?”
“No, drag a guy off a tailgate when you hear your song.” He smirks.
As the heat begins to rise in my cheeks, I respond, “Um, no, that was a first.”
He takes a step toward me and places his hand upon my cheek as my rear bumps onto the tailgate. “I’m glad that was a first, and I hope there are more where that came from.” He closes the distance with his full lips pressed against mine, and I let go of the responsibilities, the what-ifs, and the unknowns that have been racing through my mind since I can remember and just live in the moment.
Emmett
The last thing I expected was for Raegan to hop up on my tailgate tonight. Hell, I’d been hoping for it, but from the way everyone talked, she was like the big catfish in the pond you hear stories about, but no one can catch. For some reason, she’s letting me in, and I’d be an idiot not to act on it.
The silence between us is awkward until she makes pointless conversation. What is it about girls and their rambling? I pay attention as much as possible, but it’s not until she gets quiet again that my mind begins to race. Each time I look at her, I fall harder and harder for the girl I used to kiss on the playground. That’s when I see a spark in her eye, and she’s yanking me from my tailgate. I see the excitement in her face, and her voice confirms it. Shit! I’m gonna have to dance. Not that I mind it, but I really hadn’t planned on drawing much attention to us, because I know come tomorrow morning, I’m going to have a not-so-friendly visitor. As quickly as the thought enters my brain, I toss it aside. I don’t give two shits about Jace.
I recognize the song within a few eight counts. As Raegan laces her hands through mine, I can’t get close enough to her, so I wrap my arms around her waist and pull her flush with me. She closes her eyes and ventures to another place.
When the chorus approaches, I decide it’s time to bring her back to the present. I sing each word, and her reaction is more than I could have imagined. That’s when I pull out the big guns and show her why she should be here with me. As we move to the beat, I take my ball cap and place it upon her head. Maybe it’s a move I shouldn’t have done, because there’s nothing sexier than a girl in your cap. She must be reading my mind as she begins to dance with more intensity. It takes every ounce of effort to control the reaction my body is having while she moves against me, but when she sings, I swear I’ve just had a glimpse of Heaven right here in front of me.
At the last beat of the song, I pull her into the tightest embrace possible, place my ball cap back upon my head, and lay a soft kiss on the top of her head. I let my lips linger as the smell of strawberries tickles my nose, and I’ve now found my most favorite smell in the world. Not wanting this to end, I pull her to the truck and press her fine ass against my tailgate. I make my move, and I don’t give a fuck if Jace is watching. I stake my claim on the only girl I’ve ever cared anything about, the girl that meets me in my dreams, and
when my lips touch hers, I feel peace within my soul.
When our lips break apart, I look into her eyes, and she smiles.
“Raegan, can I take you out sometime?” I ask. “Like, maybe tomorrow?”
“Eager, are we?” She smirks. “I’ll have to check with Grandaddy, but I think it’ll be okay.”
Inside I want to jump up and give a fist pump, but instead, I keep it bundled up inside and play it cool.
“A’ight, want me to just call you tomorrow?” She nods in agreement. “Well, Miss Lowery, I might need your number first.”
“Oh, yeah, probably so,” she says with a hint of excitement laced within her words. She tells me her number as I type it into my phone, and then I place it back into my pocket. She glances over my shoulder and searches the crowd. “I guess I better see what Jordyn’s up to.”
“Are you sure?” I ask and move closer to her. She tilts her head toward mine, and this time she makes the move. Her hands reach for my chest as her soft, plump lips graze mine slightly, and then she removes them.
“Yeah, I better,” she says shyly, like this is something new for her.
“A’ight, let’s go find ’em.” I extend my hand toward hers; she glances at it, smiles, and takes it. There’s no doubt when I get home, a cold shower is going to be needed.
Chapter 6
Raegan
As I lace my fingers within Emmett’s hand, I feel my world changing. I scan the crowd for Jordyn. It doesn’t take long until I find Ridge and her talking to a group of his friends. When she notices us, her eyes go directly to our hands.
“Hey, y’all,” Jordyn says, but I can tell she’s about to die to know what is really going on.
“Hey, Jordyn,” Emmett replies.
“So, what’s the deal, pickle?” I ask her.
I can tell she’s continued to drink the shine by her continuous giggle. “Maybe you should tell me?”
“Oh, how I love you, J! Really, I just figured you were about to call it a night. Plus, I gotta be home tomorrow by lunch for work.”
“Maybe thirty more minutes? I guess it’s really up to Ridge,” she says as she turns to him while he’s talking to his buddies in the crowd. “Let me go check and see what he wants to do.” Jordyn walks toward Ridge. She wraps her arms around his waist from behind. He glances over his shoulder and gives her his full attention. It’s super sweet.
“Raegan, if you’re ready to go, I can take ya.”
“Thanks, Em, but I can’t let you take me home because I’m stayin’ with J, and her mama will have a fit if I come home without her.”
“I guess you’ve got a point.”
“What?” I ask.
“Em, huh?” he asks as a sexy grin escapes his lips.
“Yeah, I guess so,” I say with a shrug like it’s no big deal. I didn’t mean to give him a nickname; it just kinda happened.
When Jordyn returns with Ridge, I know it’s time to say goodnight to Emmett.
“Come on. I’ll walk ya to the truck.” He guides me to Ridge’s truck, opens the door, and helps me inside. “I’ll call ya tomorrow. Night, Raegan,” he says, closing the door and making his way back to his truck.
The ride back to Jordyn’s is full of her talking nonstop about anything and everything, but she absolutely can’t shut up about Emmett. I keep waiting for Ridge to comment, but nothing.
Once we get back to her house, I begin to hop out to give them a little privacy when Ridge finally decides to speak. “Raegan, just be careful. Emmett seems to be a good guy, but you didn’t hear Jace runnin’ his mouth. He ain’t gonna let this go that easy. Just be careful.”
“Thanks, Ridge,” I say as I make my way out of the truck. I stop on the front porch swing while I wait on Jordyn to peel her hands off Ridge.
My mind continues to drift to Em. How can one moment in time make me feel so happy or alive, even? I’ve lived my life like I’m supposed to. I do exactly what is expected and asked of me, but right now, I want to be selfish and keep Emmett Bridges all to myself.
The humidity from this late summer night is smoldering as I wait for Jordyn. I wish she’d come on. My phone buzzes in my hand. Who could this be? Glancing down, I read Emmett’s name on the screen and squeal with excitement. Em.
Emmett: Just wanted to make sure you made it
to Jordyn’s ok. I’ll call you tomorrow.
Me: We did! K :)
My reply is simple, because I don’t want him to think I’m sitting around waiting for him to call, even though I wanted to jump up and down like a crazy girl when his name lit up my screen.
Quickly, I change his contact info to “Em,” and as I put away my phone, I see Jordyn making her way up the steps. “What you cheesin’ ’bout?” she asks.
“Nothin’.”
“Yeah, that’s what I’d say, too. Come on. I want the deets!”
Jordyn and I walk inside her house and to her room. As soon as the door is shut, she starts her twenty questions.
“Girl, you need to tell me what the hell happened out there tonight. I know you were makin’ your rounds, but holy freakin’ moly, you should have seen Jace’s face when you started dancin’ with Emmett. I thought he was gonna go over there and beat his face in.”
With an eye roll, I reply, “Well, it’s not like I planned it or anything. J, there’s just something about him! I mean, never in my life has a guy caught my attention like him. He’s sweet, and ohmygawsh, have you seen that body, not to mention those lips? I’d swear Channing Tatum with sandy blonde hair was standing in front of me!”
“I totally see Channing Tatum! Wait? Lips? What did I miss?”
“So you didn’t see the kiss?” Jordyn looks at me clueless. “J, when we were dancing. As the song ended, he kissed me. Right there in front of everyone. I swear I never want anyone else to touch these lips… ever!”
Jordyn begins to giggle. “Don’t you think that’s a little dramatic?”
“Uh, hell no. Not to say I have the most experience in that area, but I know enough to know that I think I saw stars.”
Jordyn takes a minute before she speaks again, “But, really, Rae, what are you gonna allow to happen between you two? I know you well enough to know your grandaddy is always first.”
Grandaddy does come first, and right now, he needs me more than I need a boy.
“I need to leave Emmett alone. Grandaddy does come first.”
“Aw, hell to the no! He might come first, but there’s no way I’m letting you toss Emmett to the side, especially after what I just witnessed in that field.”
Thinking of him perched on the tailgate makes the corners of my mouth lift, and I know she’s right, but I’m going to have to keep Grandaddy first until we know what’s going on.
“J, I know you’re right, but Grandaddy needs me more than ever. I can’t just bring someone new into my life like that.”
“For cryin’ out loud! He’s Cole’s stepbrother, and you know how much he loves Cole.”
“True, but…”
“No buts! Just listen to the beat of your heart for once. That’s all I’m askin’.”
“Gah! A’ight! Now, I want to know about you and Ridge. I thought you weren’t gonna be around him all night.”
“Like you can talk. Once you sat on that tailgate, I knew I didn’t have to guess where you were the remainder of the night.”
Emmett
As I watch Raegan disappear into the night, I can’t help but wish I were with her. As I turn, I think about walking back to the crowd, but realize that could be a mistake while Jace’s eyes are on me. Instead, I give him a slight nod and make my way to my truck.
By the time the tires hit the highway, images of Raegan sitting on the bed of my truck are all I can think about. There’s no way I can go to bed now. I text Cole, and he tells me where he’s partying, and I go to meet him.
Once I arrive, I can’t stand it any longer. I know the rule of waiting at least three days to call a girl, but I couldn’t care less
. I take out my phone and text her.
“What’s up, man?” Cole asks as I walk to the fire pit.
“Ah, ya know. Same old field party, just a different town.”
“I bet. So, why didn’t you head home? You know your mama’s gonna wonder.”
“I don’t know. She knows where I am. So how ’bout another cold one?” I ask him.
Shaking his head, he tosses me one. Then, he introduces me to the crew around the flames. I recognize a few guys, and there are three girls perched up on their laps. I take a seat beside Cole and pop a top. I listen to their conversation and put in my two cents when I can, but in reality, I’m only thinking about one thing right now—the look in Raegan Lowery’s eyes when she realized I’m not like the others.
Around two in the morning, we make our way home. As we are walking toward the house, Cole finally says what he’s been thinking, “I take it Rae has your mind all tore up?”
“I guess you could say that.”
“Just remember what I told ya. Grandaddy comes first, but I’m tellin’ ya now, if you hurt her, I’ll personally whoop your ass and not give a damn.”
I don’t say anything as we go our separate ways once we are inside the house. After making my way to my room, I decide a shower is definitely in order, because I can’t focus for anything. I need to clear my mind of Raegan, but she’s consuming me more and more by the minute.
Chapter 7
Raegan
After tossing and turning half the night, I finally drift off to sleep. I wake up to the smell of coffee and pancakes coming from the kitchen. Yum! I love Jordyn’s mom! Throwing off the covers, I hear Jordyn grumble and roll over.
“Come on, Sleepy Head! I smell pancakes!”
“Rae! Five more minutes. That’s all I want,” she protests.
“Yeah, and then that turns into ten, then twenty. Come on. I gotta get goin’ soon.”