Run Wild Horses

Chapter 33

You leave home, you move on
And you do the best you can
I got lost in this 'ole world
And forgot who I am
I thought if I could touch this place or feel it
This brokenness inside me might start healing
Out here it's like I'm someone else
I thought that maybe I could find myself

As the next couple of months passed, things were still going good between Ryan and me. Better than good in fact. Our near breakup had become a thing of the past, and I was happier than I had ever been in my life. I couldn't wait for him to meet my mom, so when the next off week arrived, we decided to take a trip to Louisiana. I had not seen my mom since long before I left Louisiana, and we had a lot of catching up to do. Courtney and Chase were actually arriving the day after us, as Courtney had not seen her dad in several months as well.

Once we landed in Baton Rouge, I was a bit surprised to feel a little wave of excitement rush through me. I guess I had missed this place more than I thought. When I had left all those months ago, I had been bitter. Full of anger and resentment. Convinced I never wanted to come back here again. Funny how much things had changed. How I had changed. I snapped a selfie and captioned it "Coming home," with a song playing in the background. I tagged Ryan, then posted it to my Instagram story.

As I drove the rental car to my childhood home, I took in the familiar sights, pointing out various places to Ryan. Watson Louisiana, where I grew up, was a tiny town approximately fifteen miles southwest of Baton Rouge. Not a whole lot to see, but it was home.

When we pulled into the circular driveway of the two story colonial style house where I grew up, I was hit with an overwhelming sense of nostalgia. This would always be my home. To my surprise and delight, my uncle Randy (Courtney's dad) was there to greet us along with my mother.

"What are you doing here? You know Courtney won't be in until tomorrow." I said, as he wrapped me in a warm hug.

"I know, but I was anxious to see my favorite niece." He said.

I laughed. "I'm your only niece."

As we stood on the front porch hugging and making introductions, I shared a long, overdue hug with my mother. There were a few tears shed, but good tears.

Before we could even make our way into the house however, I saw the familiar black Mercedes pull into the driveway.

"What the hell is he doing here? How the hell did he know I was here?" I said angrily. I looked at my mother.

She shook her head in disbelief. "I have not talked to him in months Sam, not since that day we talked shortly after you moved to North Carolina." My mom assured me.

"He must have been stalking our Instagrams." I muttered to Ryan, shaking my head.

Before anyone could think of stopping me, I left the porch and stormed to the Mercedes, where the driver was getting out of the car. He was still as lean and fit as ever, dark hair perfectly in place. Sure he was attractive, but he was just too perfect. He almost didn't look real. What had I ever seen in him?

"What the fuck are you doing here Steven? What does it take to get you to leave me the hell alone?" I shouted at him.

"It's about time you came home Samantha." He smirked, looking me up and down. His arrogant smirk then turned into a dissatisfied sneer. "You really let yourself go. You look as if you've put on at least ten pounds, and what's with the ponytail and no makeup? You looked like hell."

"What do you want Steven?" I sighed.

"I came to tell you that I'm willing to take you back. I'm sure with a little work we can get you back to looking like your old self in no time."