Along for the Ride

by Casey Peeler

  Wrapping my arms around his waist, I rest my head on his chest for a few moments. We remain quiet until I break it, looking up to him.

  “Chase McSwain, I love you, and today, I want you in there with me. I can’t do this alone.”

  “Are you sure? I don’t need to know all of your business.”

  “Yes you do, because it’s going to impact both of our futures, but mostly I need you there for me. I need you to be by my side.”

  “I’ll always be by your side, always,” he says as he brings his lips to mine.

  *****

  Breathe, Belle, breathe, I tell myself as Chase opens the door to the label. The receptionist greets us and we take a seat. A small little brunette opens a door and escorts us back to the boardroom. Walking in, I’m met by my manager, Joe, and the heads of the different areas of the label including touring, media, accounting, and the room is slam full. Looking over my shoulder to Chase, he smiles my direction then takes a step up beside me. They motion for us to take a seat.

  “Belle, you have outdone yourself on this tour with Jake. We had no idea what would happen, but it’s obvious that people are coming for both of you now. We’ve got a few ideas we’d like to run by you.” Looking to Chase, he slides his hand on my leg for reassurance. “Jake’s tour was his best yet, but we believe you are part of the reason.” There is no way it’s because of me. Jake is amazing. “We’re offering you a six-month tour starting in February and running to August, then possibly extending it if it goes as we believe it will. We’d like to pay you an advance of 1.3 million dollars.” What the what? I’ve obviously heard correctly when Chase squeezes my leg.

  “But how? I know how that works and there’s no way I’ll bring in that amount.”

  Joe looks to me, “Belle, Jake took in over $31 million. Country music is in love with you. $1.3 is nothing compared to what you’ll bring in now and in the future.”

  “So what all does this mean?”

  “Once the tour is over, you’ll return to Nashville to prepare for it, record new music, and get ready for a ton of publicity, interviews, and to become a household name.”

  “Okay, I have one stipulation, actually two.” Buster Miller, head of my label, looks at me with question. “Chase will be hired to work on the set design with your team, and my brother, Beau, will be added to the crew as head of lighting.”

  “Belle, those aren’t decisions you get to make,” Joe states.

  I start to stand, but Chase pulls me back down and whispers to me, “What are you doing?”

  “I know people don’t usually demand those types of things, but they are deal breakers. Either they both are part of the team or I walk.”

  Sitting there a moment, the young girl that’s head of marketing looks my direction. “Is your brother Beau Montgomery, songwriter?”

  A smile covers my face, “Yes, he is, but he’s even better with lighting and things like that.”

  “Buster, I don’t want to step on any toes, but we’ve got to have him. When I was in college, I heard him at a bar off Broadway. His writing is amazing.”

  “Of course it is, who do you think wrote 'Some Kinda Heartbreak'?”

  “You didn’t do that?” Buster asks.

  I shake my head, “Nope. Chase can vouch for him, too.”

  “Give us a few minutes to talk things over.” They huddle together at the end of the table and we can hear almost every word. “Okay, we’ll grant your wishes, but they are on a trial basis. Your advancement is still the same, and we expect you back in Nashville one month after the tour ends. We all know y’all need a break.”

  Sliding several pieces of paper my way, I look to Joe. He’s already seen it and has had our lawyer review it. Taking the pen in my hand, I attempt to sign it with shaky hands as Chase holds his hand gently on my leg for support.

  Standing, we shake everyone’s hand and they tell Chase that he will have a contract in the next twenty-four hours as well.

  Walking out into the warm Nashville air, I let out a breath, and Chase never lets go of my hand. “We’ve got to call Beau,” I say as tears start to form. Chase takes me in his arms and holds me tightly then kisses the top of my head.

  “You did it, Bella Blu, you did it.”

  Looking up at him, I say, “No, we did it.” Taking my phone, I call my brother.

  “Hey, sis, how’d it go?” Beau questions, almost out of breath.

  “Um, what are you doin’?” I ask.

  “Helping Dad load the truck with some fence post, why?”

  “You might want to sit down.”

  “Spill it. I’m good.”

  “Start packing your bags because in four short months, you’re moving back to Nashville.”

  “What?”

  “I got exactly what I asked for today at my meeting. You’re going to be working with lighting and Chase with the sets. Want to know the best part?”

  “What?”

  “You left your mark when you were here. A young girl recognized your name and was able to be the testimony we needed to make it happen. We’re both going to get our dream.”

  Chapter 43

  3 months later

  Belle

  Arriving in Las Vegas, it is amazing. I swear it’s like our nearest beach on steroids but without an ocean. It’s insane. Tonight is the last stop on the tour and I can’t wait to go home for a break. The question is, is that Lattimore or Nashville? I’ve got one month off before starting to record and prepare for my very own headlining tour that I still can’t believe is actually happening.

  “This is crazy, Bella Blu,” Chase says as the tour bus drives toward the arena. “Too bad we won’t have time to enjoy it.”

  “Maybe we’ll come back for vacation or something.”

  “Actually, I think this is the perfect time for us to come to this place. The national rodeo championship is going on.”

  “Oh my gosh! I almost forgot. You think we’ll get to watch Oliver?”

  He takes his arms and pulls me tight. “I hope we’ll get to watch him, but I understand why you’ve forgotten. Your life has been pretty chaotic over the past few weeks getting ready for this. It’s hard to believe that this is the end to the start of your career. Jake and I got us tickets, but not positive we’ll be there when Oliver’s riding.”

  “What?”

  “Yeah, get ready. We’re not riding back. We’re flying home.” He smiles at me and all I want to do is dance around the bus like a crazy girl. So I do exactly what I want to do. I stand, squeal and do a little happy dance while Chase laughs right in my face. “Now, don’t get all crazy on me, but I knew this could be fun.”

  “Crazy? This isn’t crazy,” I laugh as I take a seat on his lap, wrap my arms around his neck, and kiss his lips.

  Pulling into the back of the arena, the bus comes to a stop, forcing me to remove my lips from Chase. Stepping off the bus, we see Jake doing the same.

  “Hey, Jake! I think I’m going to drop that four-letter word.”

  “Don’t you dare!” he says as he walks toward a car approaching. Looking to Chase, he grins like he knows who’s in the rental car.

  “It’s not,” I try to say without getting too excited.

  “It is!”

  A squeal escapes my lips and as I start to take off for her, Chase pulls me back. “Give them their moment.”

  Jake

  The moment I got a notification that Laurel was on her way, I was more nervous than I have ever been my entire life. Chase knows she’s on the way but Belle has no clue. For me, I haven’t seen her in three months. We’ve talked every day and we’ve tried to make a date work for her to fly out to visit, but it wasn’t doable with her work schedule and touring.

  Without seeing her face to face, I’m unsure of how this will actually play out. We’ve gotten to know each other, and I’m hoping that everything will be like it was when she drove away.

  As a car comes into view, my feet begin to walk quickly toward her as I'm trying my be
st not to take off in a full out sprint. The driver puts it in park and starts to open her door when I meet him, sliding him a tip. He nods and walks to the trunk to get her luggage. Opening the door, I’m met by the most perfect girl in the world. Her smile lights up the world and her eyes glisten when she sees me.

  “Well, if it isn’t the country music god himself,” she says with a voice that sounds like honey as she smiles. Taking her hand, I guide her from the back seat and don’t say a word. Instead, I pull her to me and kiss her. Her body fits flawlessly against me and her lips are perfect as they dance with mine. Losing ourselves, we continue to make out in front of everyone without one care in the world.

  With the sound of the trunk closing, we jump then pause for a moment, before I toss her over my shoulder, tell the driver to leave the bags at the door, and run toward my bus with her. “Put me down!" she yells as we step toward the bus, and I oblige once we’re on the bus away from everyone else.

  Looking into her eyes, I get lost. “Gosh, I’ve missed you,” my hand slides behind her neck and my lips meet hers. This time they are slow, deliberate, and making up for lost time.

  Chase

  Watching those two makes me want to do the same with Bella Blu. Without thinking twice, I swoop down and toss Belle over my shoulder, and she squeals as we walk back on the bus. Putting her down, she doesn’t move; instead, she looks me in the eyes.

  “Chase McSwain, I love you.”

  “Bella Blu, I love you, too.” Pushing herself up on her tip-toes, she kisses my lips and I burn this moment in my memory. It’s the simple times like this that matter most. The ones where we are alone, just us, and the world doesn’t get to see.

  As she lowers herself back away from me, she asks, “You think it’s safe?”

  “Doubtful.”

  “Well, let’s go.”

  “Bella Blu, they ain’t seen each other in three months.”

  “So,” she smirks.

  “I’m gonna tell you right now. If we were in their place and got interrupted, I’d be fightin’ mad.”

  “You, mad? You know if that was Laurel, you wouldn’t be that way.”

  “You’re right. It might not look like I was pissed but on the inside, I’d be thinkin’ a lot of things.”

  “Oh really? I don’t understand why that would be the case,” she questions with a smirk and I know exactly where this is going.

  “If that was me, I’d want to be alone with you. Don’t get me wrong, I love Laurel, but not being able to touch you for three months…I’d have major withdrawals and you’d be the only fix. It’s pure torture.”

  “You survived when I left.”

  “That’s different.”

  “We weren’t together then,” she says as if it’s no big deal.

  “Maybe for you, but not me. Why do you think I called you every day or at least texted you until you were too busy for me?”

  Sliding her arms around my waist, she looks up at me. “So, if we were Jake and Laurel, what would you have done when you saw me?”

  Looking down at her, her eyes wait for an answer but instead of speaking, I show her exactly what I would have done. Moving my hand to the base of her neck, I bring her lips to mine and kiss them slow and sweetly before showing her exactly how I would have reacted. Without breaking our kiss, I scoop underneath her and pull her into my body.

  Chapter 44

  Belle

  The moment that Chase scoops me in his arms, my body knows exactly what is going to happen. My body is set on fire as his lips continue to caress mine. He lays me on the bed and as he removes his shirt, I can’t help but stare.

  “What?”

  “Tucker Jones ain’t got nothin’ on you,” laughter escapes my lips. Why did I say that?

  He pauses, looking at me, “No, he doesn’t have nothin’ on me, never has and never will. Now, let me prove it.”

  “Thought you’d never ask.” Smiling, I look up to the man that I love, and realize how truly lucky I am.

  *****

  Chase takes me by the hand as we walk toward Jake’s bus. He stops in the middle of the parking lot.

  “Everything okay?”

  “Were you really comparing me to Tucker back there?”

  Turning to him, I reply, “It kinda popped in my head. Not really sure why, but can I let you in on a secret?”

  “Do I want to know?”

  “You do. Sometimes I’d catch myself checking you out when we were younger, and it used to tick me off.”

  He starts to laugh, “You're kiddin’, right?”

  “Nope, especially after the dance. Why do you think I was always so game to go swimming?”

  “That’s sneaky right there, but I hate to tell ya, that was a win for the both of us.”

  “Good point.”

  Walking to the bus, the door swings open and Laurel and Jake walk out with smiles on their faces. Laurel sees us, leaves Jake standing there and I do the same to Chase. Reaching each other, we hug and it’s crazy how much I’ve missed her.

  “I can’t believe you’re here!”

  “You think I’d miss Vegas? Well, and the last stop on the tour? There’s no way. Did I mention there’s this country hottie god I’ve got a thing for, too?” she says, looking back at Jake who’s now approaching us.

  “Yeah, and bless him. He’s been like a lost puppy.”

  Her mouth gapes open. “He has not!”

  Chase chimes in, “She’s right. He talks about you all the time.”

  Jake meets us and Laurel looks to him, “You know what?”

  “What?” he questions.

  “I might drop that four-letter word.”

  His eyes go wide as he looks to me and I toss my hands in the air, attempting to not look guilty, “What? You did miss her.”

  Smiling, he looks to Laurel, “Missed you like crazy.” Wrapping his arm over her shoulder, he pulls her in and kisses the top of her head and it’s so stinking cute. I’m so happy for them.

  “So, what now?”

  “Um, I hate to state the obvious, but y’all have a show tonight,” Laurel says with confidence.

  “Yes, but we’ve still got time. Y’all wanna go grab a bite to eat?” I question.

  “I’ve got a better idea,” Chase says like he already has plans. Taking his phone out, he sends a text but refuses to let me see. I pout and he still refuses.

  “Come on, stop that mess. I’ve gotta surprise and I promise you’re both going to love it.”

  Walking down the strip, I’m caught off guard by the adults that are confused that today is not Halloween, and some look like they should be working a pole somewhere. Chase opens a door to a bar and when I look to my right, Laurel and I do a double-take. Oliver Fox is sitting at a table with a few other riders and motioning for us. Looking to Chase, he smiles and he’s right. This secret was worth keeping.

  He stands as we approach, giving Chase a handshake as Chase introduces him to Jake. Laurel and I both hug him and can’t believe it. For some reason, seeing him run the mechanical bull, I never really put two and two together. I knew there was a chance we’d see him ride, but not actually hang out.

  “Y’all, meet Skip Townsend, Garrett Biggers, and Lane Cole.” After introducing ourselves to each other, we take a seat, order a round of beers, burgers, and enjoy the moment of being normal people in Sin City.

  Chase

  The looks on Belle and Laurel’s faces were priceless when they saw Oliver. Belle knew that he was here, but I don’t think she believed that we’d see him except from our seats at the rodeo.

  Walking back to the tour bus, she takes a seat on the couch and I’m confused. It’s time for her to get ready.

  “Uh oh, you’re doing that thing again. What’s going on in the pretty head of yours?”

  “When we leave here, where do I go? Nashville or Lattimore?”

  We’ve talked about this a lot, and I know she already knows the answer.

  Taking a seat beside her, the a
nswer is simple, “Nashville.”

  Looking up to me, I see water in her eyes, but I'm not sure why she’s so upset. “Tell me what’s wrong.”

  “I was afraid you wanted to go home.”

  Taking her hand in mine, I reply honestly, “I am home…with you.” Her eyes meet mine and they melt my heart. “Do you want to go home? For a visit?”

  A single tear streams down her face, “Yeah, I need some grounding, and I really wanna see my mama.”

  Taking his thumb, he wipes away the tear. “Well, it’s simple. We’ll fly home and drive my truck back to Nashville after a few days. Not to mention, I’ve got to get my bike and Sadie, too. I mean, if it’s okay if she comes with us.”

  She throws her arms around me and I hold her, taking that as a yes.

  Chapter 45

  Belle

  With the first down beat from the band, the spotlight lands directly on me. Counting the beats until it's time, I look in the crowd and begin to sing. Moving around the stage feels like home, and the energy from the crowd is amazing. It’s hard to believe that this is the last stop on my first tour and that I’ll be headlining in a few short months.

  Looking into the crowd, I spot Laurel and Chase in the pit. Walking their directions, I give Chase a wink while continuing to perform. He smiles my direction and I can’t help but want to jump off stage and into his arms. It’s amazing how in love with him I truly am in such a short period of time.

  As I slow things down a bit, the entire crowd sings with me, and catches me off guard. This moment is epic and one I will never forget. The words get harder to sing and when I can no longer form the words, I turn the microphone toward them as they sing for me and I try to keep the tears at bay as long as I can. Chill bumps rise on my skin, and a few tears escape before I’m able to gather myself. This moment is what this career is about. It’s not about the money, sold out crowds, or hearing your song on the radio. It’s about the fans. The ones that work nine-to-five and buy a seat then sing along to each and every word, stealing your heart one word at a time. That is how you know you’ve made it in this business. Turning the microphone back to me, I sing with all my heart as they sing along with me. Song after song, they continue to sing, dance, and I’m burning all of this to memory.