Run Wild Horses

Chapter 34

You should be here, standing with your arm around me here
Cutting up, cracking a cold beer
Saying cheers, hey y'all it's sure been a good year
It's one of those moments, that's got your name written all over it
And you know that if I had just one wish it'd
Be that you didn't have to miss this
You should be here

Stunned, shocked, flabbergasted. That about summed up my initial feelings on the bomb that had just been dropped. About that time our waitress arrived at our table with our drinks. My mouth and throat were so dry I couldn't speak. I really wasn't sure I wanted to speak. I took a long swallow of my sweet tea, really wishing I had something stronger. I tried to flag our waitress down, but she had already disappeared into the kitchen.

"Sam, say something please." My mom pleaded.

"Uh...I'll be back. I need a drink." I shoved my chair back and jumped out of my seat so fast I nearly stumbled.

I made my way to the bar, my palms sweating, heart racing. Thinking about it now, I really shouldn't have left Ryan alone at the table with my mom and uncle. I'm sure that was uncomfortable as hell for him, but I had to get away. "What can I get you?" The bartender asked.

"Maker's straight. Make it a double." I replied, looking hurriedly back to the dining area to make sure no one had followed. I just needed a moment to myself.

"Rough day beautiful?" The voice was oddly familiar, but the last thing I wanted right now was to be hit on by the bartender. I was certainly not going to spill all my troubles for sure.

"You could say that." I muttered under my breath.

"Samantha McCoy, did you forget how to say hello to an old friend?" The voice was teasing .

I looked up into a pair of twinkling brown eyes, and couldn't help but smile. "Jordan Guidry. Hot damn, it's been a while. Nice to see a friendly face though." I greeted my former classmate and friend.

"Are you okay?" He asked as he poured my drink and set it in front of me. I downed the contents, my eyes watering as the straight bourbon burned a trail down my throat and into the pit of my stomach.

"Yeah. Just some family drama." I replied with a slight sigh.

"I heard about your dad. I'm really sorry Sam. He was a good man." Jordan said sincerely.

"Thanks. He really was." I replied. I looked around nervously. Not that I didn't want to catch up with Jordan, I just didn't want Ryan to come after me and get jealous that I was talking to another guy, even though Jordan had been a friend and nothing more.

"I'm actually surprised to see you. I would have thought you would have left this town a long time ago." He looked at me with a curious expression.

"I did. Well, I lived in Baton Rouge for a few years. I moved to North Carolina about six months ago. What about you? Last I remember, you went to McNeese on a football scholarship."

"Unfortunately, my football career ended almost as soon as it began. Tore my ACL in my second start. Said I'd never play again, so I lost my scholarship." He replied.

"Damn Jordan. I'm sorry to hear that."

"Nah. Don't be. It all worked out for the best. I transferred to Southeastern, Amy and I got married, had a baby, got another on the way. We actually manage this place." He grinned.

"Good for you. I always knew you and Amy would end up together. I'm really happy for you."

"Thanks. So what about you? Married? Kids? What are you doing with yourself these days?"