Bring It On

Chapter 20

Reaper's POV

I have never once been to church, but I went for Anna-Lee since she asked me too. She wore a pair of nice jeans, and her dress black cowgirl boots. She wore a white long sleeve blouse and even did her hair and make up. I knew we would be doing the whole church thing so I brought my nice jeans and a black button up. I wasn't going to do a tie, and she seemed perfectly fine with that. 

She let her eyes run over me once I was dressed, "You clean up good." I gave her a smirk before kissing her. We went downstairs and saw her mother and father had already gone ahead. "Mom went to take the muffins she made for the church breakfast," Tanner said as he fixed his collar on his blue button up. 

We left and got to the very large church. I saw her mother talking with a bunch of women and her father talking to a group of men. Anna-Lee didn't walk over to any groups, simply kept her fingers laced with mine. A woman wearing tight jeans, a pink turtle neck, and white boots approached us. She had that cheerleader smile that always put me on edge. 

"I'm surprised you came back Anna-Lee," the woman said. Anna-Lee gave the woman a bored look over, "I wanted my parents to meet my boyfriend." 

The woman then looked at me. I then recognized the look in her eyes. It was of lust and jealousy. "I didn't think you were the boyfriend having type," the woman said as she looked back at Anna-Lee. 

"Come on now Brooklyn, I'm not entirely a whore like everyone thinks," Anna-Lee said with a smirk. "Unlike some people I know. So tell me, have you figured out if you have herpes or if you just weren't cleaning up right?" 

The woman's face became bright red with embarrassment. "What are you talking about?" 

"Before I left I heard you talking to Jessica at the pharmacy about how-" Anna-Lee began until the woman cut her off by walking away. 

I chuckled softly but didn't say anything. Once in the worship room Anna-Lee chose a pew in the center of the church. Throughout the service she was very active in participating. I knew she wasn't deeply religious but when she did take part, she was very serious about it. 

After the service everyone went to get breakfast while Anna-Lee took my hand and lead me towards the doors. "I got Tanner's keys," she said to me. "I'm need of some actual food and not deal with the who made the better muffins contest. Tanner will ride with my parents, or worst case scenario, walk home." 

We got in the truck and she drove us out of town to a nearby city. She took us to the IHop that was thankfully not busy yet. We sat in the truck and enjoyed a cigarette before going inside. 

"So Brooklyn," I said once we sat in a booth. 

"Lusts after every man I have interest in," Anna-Lee said. "We had been best friends as kids, but then she slept with my boyfriend sophomore year of high school and our friendship went to shit." 

I nodded, "I see. If it means anything, she's not my type." 

She raised an eyebrow with a sly smirk on her lips, "Oh? And what is your type?" 

"A southern woman who enjoys a nice ride and a good drink," I answered. 

She bit her lip, "What kind of ride are we talking about?" 

I chuckled softly, "I'll leave that up to your imagination." 

A waitress then came and took our orders. 

"Before we go back home, is there anything you want to do while you're here," I asked her. 

"I'm gonna go see Priest," she answered softly. "Bring him his Christmas gift." 

I gave her a nod, "You wanna go alone?" 

She nodded, "Yeah I think I do." 

I nodded in understanding, "If you change your mind, I'll go with you in a heartbeat." 

She smiled, "Thank you." 

After I paid and we left we went back to the house. Her mother on the phone talking about how someone's muffins were bland and dry while her dad and Tanner watched sports. Anna-Lee and I went out to the barn. "Ever been riding," she asked me curiously. 

I shook my head, "I'm a city boy remember? There are no horses to ride." 

She smiled, "It's fun." 

She then showed me how to saddle up a horse, check their shoes, and such. I was going to ride on her father's horse, Windigo, who was much more tame. She then showed me how to get into the saddle. It was different than riding a bike that's for sure. I loved how easily she made it all seem. She was clearly in her element and it was nice to see. 

She lead us out to the field and she showed me the land. They had a bunch of hay bales set up where they had done their target practice when their father was teaching them how to shoot. They also had a decent sized lake too that had sun bathing chairs beside it.

As we strolled, she told me various stories of her childhood. 

We stayed out for a while then took the horses back to the stables. We took our time putting them in their stalls, putting the gear away and giving them treats. I took her hand as we left the stable and made our way back to the house. Her mother was pulling a pie out of the oven while her dad and brother were watching TV. It was strange to me. They were like one of those families you saw in those old shows, except Tanner and Anna-Lee broke from that to become their own people. 

At dinner we all sat at the table. "So what do you plan to do tomorrow Anna-Lee," her mother asked her as we ate. 

"I'm going to Oakley for the day," Anna-Lee answered, not looking up from her plate. "Why would you go there," her mother asked her. Her eyes had darted to Tanner and I, probably praying we didn't know Anna-Lee's past. 

"Don't play dumb mom," Anna-Lee told her. "You know I have a friend I'm going to see there. I'm going to give him his gift. I've done it the last couple of years." 

I watched as Tanner's jaw clenched and unclenched, but he didn't say anything. He probably doesn't want to say anything with Anna-Lee here. I worried about what her mother would say with her here. 

I know I just met these people, but Anna-Lee was my woman, and I will come to defend her no matter what. I placed a reassuring hand on her thigh under the table and gave it a squeeze. She placed her hand over mine and threaded her fingers with mine. 

After dinner, Anna-Lee sat on the porch, with her in my lap, one arm wrapped around her, the other holding a cigarette. Anna-Lee smoked one of her own. "Try not to start a war while I'm gone," she said with a soft smile. 

I kissed her cheek, "No promises. If a war is started though, it will most likely be started by your brother." 

She sighed, "I think you're right there." 

"I can't promise a war won't be started but I can promise there will be no casualties," I told her. 

She nodded, "It's better than nothing." 

We stayed outside till we finished then went to bed for the night.