A Fighting Heart

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Walking into a party in Texas is like waking up in Vegas. 

Basically, in Texas you do not throw ordinary house parties, no, for that to be true, there’d need to be an ordinary house, not a four story mansion. And just when I was starting to get a hang of the dress code, everything changes! Goodbye cowboy boots and blue jeans, hello pearls and high heels. 

“Hey!” I hear Gigi cry out. She walks over, hanging on Ty’s arm. Like usual, I can’t tell if she’s happy drunk or alcoholic drunk.  

“I finally understand what you meant by cowgirl or pageant queen,” I say raising my eyebrows. 

“Oh I know, it’s crazy right!” she yells over the music. Then a concerned look crosses her face. “Where is Chase?” 

I point over to the home made bar where he’s suppose to be getting us drinks, just in time to catch a leggy brunette throwing herself on him. Any normal girl would probably be jealous, but I can’t help laugh, observing the pained and uncomfortable look on Chase’s face. When he finally pulls himself away and comes over with the drinks, I pout. 

“We just got here and you’re leaving me already,” I say in my best girl voice. Chase just rolls his eyes and hands me my cup. 

“Don’t even start,” he says pulling close to his chest. I shrug and sip the drink he’s made. 

“What is this?” I ask, taking another sip. 

“Whiskey and sweet tea,” he says, taking a sip that empties nearly half his cup. Standing on my tip toes, I kiss him, catching him off guard. 

“Tastes good,” I say as I pull away, biting my lip. Shaking his head, Chase downs his drink and grabs mine, putting it on the counter. 

“We need to dance. Now.” 

Laughing, I let him pull me out onto the makeshift dance floor. The place is packed. Pressed together, my hips move with his, swaying back and fourth. He grabs my hands and spins me out, and then back in to his arms. “Not bad cowboy,” I say with a wink. He turns me so my back is to him and kisses my neck. I tilt my head back giving him better access, sighing, content. 

“You wanna get out of here?” he hums into my ear. I answer by taking his hand and pulling him towards the doors. Blowing Gigi and Ty a kiss as we pass, they whistle and raise their glasses to us. 

Once we’re outside, Chase picks me up bridal style and brings me to the car. I’m still laughing when he places me in the passenger seat and shuts the door, running around to the other side. It takes him seconds to get the car started and then we’re back on the road. 

“Where are we going now?” I ask, pulling off my heels. 

“You ever made out in the back seat of a truck?” Chase asks with a smile.

I give him a look and point to myself. “East Coast,” I state, and he smirks. 

“Well, East Coast, I think you’re going to enjoy this.” I don’t disagree. 

***

“This is beautiful,” I breathe, staring out at the lake. When I look back at Chase, I cover my eyes. “What are you doing?!” I ask, peaking through my fingers, watching him strip down into his boxers. 

“Late night swim,” he says raising his eyebrows and tossing his shirt at me. I laugh again, shaking my head as I strip down to my underwear. Chase starts walking over and we’re inches apart when my dress finally hits the ground. 

Looking me up and down, Chase gives me a cheeky grin. He reaches forward and snakes his arm around my waist, pulling me to his tanned chest. “You’re beautiful, you know that?” 

“I know,” I say with a smirk. 

“Now you’re suppose to say I’m beautiful,” Chase says, furrowing his brows. 

I reach up and run my fingers through his hair. “If you weren’t beautiful, this wouldn’t be as much fun.” 

Nodding, satisfied with my answer, Chase plants a quick peck on my lips and then picks me up over his shoulder, carrying me towards the lake. I brace myself when we get to the shore and he jumps, submerging us both in the cool water. I sputter as I come up for air, choking out a laugh. 

Chase swims over to me and pulls me to him. I wrap my legs around him and lean back, letting him hold me as I skim the surface on my back. Staring up at the starry sky I sigh and pull myself back up. Leaning in I kiss him deeply, slowly. “You know, a lake is better than a truck,” I say softly, teasing. 

Chase chuckles and runs his hands down my sides. “Darling, the truck comes later.” 

When we finally get back to the house, it’s a little past two a.m. “Are you free on the fourth?” Chase asks as he helps me down from his truck. 

“I have to ask Grandma Barbie, it’s her favorite holiday,” I say. “But they seem to like you so, who know.” Chase grins, nodding. Then he leans down and presses his lips to mine. Stepping back against the truck, I snake my arms up around his neck, pulling him closer. When he finally pulls away I can still taste him on my lips. 

“Call you tomorrow?” he asks, as I start to head to the door. Turning back I shrug. 

“The cool thing about ‘fun’ is that you don’t have to. I mean, if you want to, I will pick up, but you don’t have to.” With that I wink and turn back to the house. 

“You amaze me, you know that!” he calls. I just raise a hand in a wave, and open the front door.