The Perfect Ride

Chapter 18

***
Another week had passed. It was May 14th. We were in California now and Roz was 8 weeks. We had a show today, but before then, Roz and I went out shopping. We would be in Montana next week and I was going to be seeing my family for the first time in two months, so I wanted to get them gifts from tour. We were in the heart of LA, so it was kind of perfect.

"Let's go in here" I say pointing to a little cafe. We hadn't eaten today. She agreed so, we went in and got seated.

"So, next weekend we'll be in Montana. Are you excited?" She asks.

"I am, but I'm nervous too" I say. "I mean, I've never had a boyfriend before, so I've never had to bring him home. What if my parents don't approve, or Ellie hates him. You know, she hasn't talked to me in 2 months. Since Jess and I started dating".

"I'm sure she's just busy, Sadie. They don't even know him" She replies.

"Yeah, I know" I say.

"How the hell do you think my family will feel? Left Tennessee with no care in the world and I'm coming back with a baby" She says.

"Yeah, I don't envy you" I say.

"Ellie and your parents will love him. How could they not?" She asks.

"Well, I know I do" I say. She smiled.

"Does he know that?" She asks.

"We've never said it" I say. "But, the feeling is strong. He's just amazing".

"He is great. And, you guys are great together. It's like...you were made for each other" She says. I smiled.

"Sometimes I think that too. I know if I have anything to do with it, I'll be with him until the day my heart stops" I say. I meant every word of it.

"I know that's the truth. I hope you get that with him" She says. I knew she wished she could've had that happen for her baby.

"Well, you and little one will be there with us. Every step of the way" I say. "Like I told you, you're part of mine and Jess's family. That won't change".

"I know we are. And you are my best friend. That won't change" She says. I smiled as our food arrived. "Thank god, this baby is hungry".

"This Sadie is hungry" I say.

"Well, maybe I'm not the only one-".

"Oh, no. Don't you go there. I know I'm not pregnant" I say.

"You guys still haven't...".

"Nope. We've come close, but not yet" I explain. Jess knew I was a virgin, so I knew he wouldn't pressure me into anything.

"Well, maybe that's a good thing" She says.

"Yeah, I'll need some birth control" I say. We both laughed. "Man, imagine if I was and I went home and had to tell my parents. I'd be dead".

"Well, we're already outta my home state, so I'm lucky. Plus, my family is so big that my parents probably won't care" She says. I shake my head.

"Not true. Just embrace the pregnancy" I say.

"I know. And I promise I'm excited. I can't wait to be a mom" She says. I knew she was excited, but I think there was some truth to the snarky comments she made.

"I know you are" I say. It was quiet for a minute. "Why don't we get outta here?". She nods and we pay before walking out.

"Ooh! Can we please go in here?" She asks and points to a little baby boutique. Before I could agree, I heard a voice.

"What would sweet Sadie Rosen and Raunchy Roz White need in a baby store?" A voice says. I turn to see Maggie Wyler and Hailey Kinsel.

"What do you want, Maggie?" I ask.

"I wanna know what you're doing at a shop for babies? Oh, I bet I know! Now, Roz, tell me if you agree...Cody rides best when he doesn't wear a condom, but...he can just never pull out" She says. I could see steam rolling from Roz.

"Or maybe it's for Sadie. Jess was never good at pulling out either" Hailey adds. My heart sank. "Oh, you didn't know? Yeah, before your boyfriend was riding bulls, he was riding me. Guess he isn't the perfect boy you thought you knew". Roz gave me a sad look. I felt tears rush to my eyes. I turn around and walk away.

"Fuck you, Kinsel" Roz says before running to catch up with me. "Sadie! Sadie, stop!". I got around the corner and let my back rest against the building. "Hey, don't do that".

"He was with her? He fucked her!" I shout. I never cussed like that, but I was so heartbroken.

"I know. I know" She says. I was sobbing. "Hey, stop that and come here". She wrapped her arms around me and squeezed tight. Minutes later, I pulled away.

"I've got to see him" I say and storm down the sidewalk. I could hear Roz shouting my name behind me, but I was so mad that Jess never told me about he and Hailey. Especially since she was friends with Maggie and Maggie and Cody hurt Roz.

"Sadie, stop!" I hear. I listen to her. "What are you gonna do?".

"Hell if I know" I say storming into the hotel. I walk upstairs and into our room with Roz following closely. I push the door open and see Jess sitting in the bed.

"Oh, Hey-".

"Don't you fucking talk to me! When the hell were you going to tell me you fucked around with Hailey Kinsel? When did we start having secrets?" I shout. He moved off the bed to come close to me.

"Baby, just let me-".

"Uh, Jess. I wouldn't" Roz says. He moved back.

"Babe, I didn't think to say anything" He says.

"You didn't think to tell me you were with her? You know she's bestfriends with Maggie, right? The Maggie who hates Roz. Then, I have to find out this from her? Do you have any idea how that can make a person feel?" I ask.

"Baby, I didn't say anything, because it didn't mean anything. This was last year on the last tour" He says.

"Oh, boy" I hear Roz say.

"So, I'm just the girl you're using this go around?" I ask. Obviously jumping to conclusions.

"Sadie, no! Hailey is nothing like you! She's a whore, and easy, but you-".

"I'm what?" I ask in the harshest tone I possibly could. His face went soft, and his eyes became glassy.

"Sadie, you're...you're the girl I'm in love with". My heart sank. He took my hands in his. "You are the most beautiful girl in the world and I'm so lucky because you're my girl, and I am so in love with you that it makes me crazy sometimes. I love the way you smell like lemons, the way your lips always taste like raspberries, the way you kiss me to wake me up in the morning. I love that costume you wear, and how proud you look riding Buck. I love how you always wear your hair in a bun or braid except for when you ride. I love the way you say my name or..how you call me baby. I love the sound of your sleepy voice when it's just a little deeper than usual, and the way your eyes sparkle. The list could go on and on. I love you, Sadie Rosen. Only you. And it will be only you until the day my heart gives out on me. Do you get that?". Tears rolled down my cheeks.

"Jess...." I say with a shaky voice. He cupped my cheek in his hand and pulled me close. "I love you too".