A Fighting Heart

Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Chase picks me up at six Tuesday night and refuses to tell me where he’s taking me. He just keeps repeating “normal” and “boring”, and it’s beginning to really get on my nerves. Finally, after a thirty minute drive I get my answer. 

“You brought me to a drive-in?” I ask, raising my eyebrows. Chase just smiles and backs into a spot. Then he reaches into the back seat and pulls out pillows and blankets. 

“This is the cheesiest thing ever,” I say shaking my head. 

“You wanted normal and boring,” Chase says kissing me quick. Then he jumps out of the truck and heads to the back. I follow him and let him pull me up into the bed. We put down the pillows and make ourselves comfortable. 

“So.. when does this movie actually start?” I ask as Chase wraps his arm around my shoulder. We look around at the nearly empty lot. 

“Yeah... I might not have looked up movie times...” Chase says, suddenly becoming very interested in a patch of rust on the truck. 

I can’t help it. I burst out laughing. “Well, did you at least bring...” Chase cuts me off by reaching into the back window and pulling out a bag of burgers and fries. “How did I not notice all that stuff in the back!” I say exasperatedly, throwing up my hands. Reaching over and grabbing a fry I pop it in my mouth. 

Chase shakes his head, chuckling. “You might be the strangest girl I’ve ever..” he trails off, registering the look I’m giving him. “Had a fun, non consequence thing with,” he finishes quickly. 

“Well you’re not too bad yourself,” I say, leaning my head on his shoulder. I feel him sigh, and frown. “What’s wrong?” 

Pulling back and looking up at him. “You know, I don’t know much about you. All I really know is that you like things to be fun fun and you like to go fast,” Chase says, furrowing his brow. 

““Well, that’s a bit insulting,” I say pouting, “We’ve been hanging out for what, two weeks now?” 

““Seriously,” he says nudging me, “You wanted a normal, boring date. Well I want to know the normal, boring stuff.”

“Dumb stuff,” I ask, looking at him incredulously. 

“Yes, dumb stuff. Like... your favorite color.”

“Really, that’s what you’re going with?”
“Just answer the question!” 

I roll my eyes. “Red,” I say finally, shrugging.

“Red?” Chase asks, eyes growing wide. 

“Yes, red. Is there something wrong with that?” 

Chase shakes his head, a smile growing on his lips. “It’s mine too.” 

I pause, opening my mouth and closing it again, eyes wide. “So is this the part where we get married and have kids..?” I say trailing off. 

“You’re ridiculous.” 

After two hours without a movie, Chase and I jump back in the truck. “Where to now?” I ask. 

“We’re going to get dessert,” Chase says. I watch as he looks out the window, hands tight on the wheel. 

“What’s the catch,” I ask suspicious. 

“Dessert may or may not be with my family...” Chase says, trailing off and looking at me carefully. When I don’t answer, he sighs and grabs my hand. “It’s ice cream, not a marriage proposal.” 

Sighing, I shrug. “Normal, boring date, huh?.” 

When we pull into Chase’s driveway, I get a look at his house for the first time. “You live here?” I ask, taking in the white pillars, manicured lawns, and four floors. 

Looking to Chase for explanation, I get a blank face in response. “Spill,” I say, folding my arms over my chest as Chase stops the car. 

“So my dad may or may not own some of the biggest whiskey distilleries in Texas..” he says, cringing at my expression. 

“And you say you don’t know anything about me!” I say amazed. “Let me guess, you’re dad is letting you bull ride because it’s you dream, and he was probably pressured by your mom, who is the perfect house wife. She makes pot-roast and potatoes every Sunday. But, she’s also well educated, and charitable. You have a younger sibling who loves all of you like crazy. You’re future is planned out, and when you’re finally done riding, or can’t do it anymore, you’ll intern with you dad and one day take over the family business. How am I doing so far?” 

Chase looks at me with wide eyes. “Pretty much spot on,” he says, sighing and shaking his head. 

“Well,” I say, opening the door to the truck. “I am definitely not dressed for this introduction, but what the hell.” Hopping out and making my way to the other side of the truck, I wait for Chase to step down. Leaning against the hood, I let him kiss me softly. 

“You keep acting like this, I’m not going to be able to keep this ‘just fun’.” Chase doesn’t let me respond. Instead he takes my hand with a grin, pulling me towards the house.