Outlaw Women

What in the Back To The Future Are You Wearing?

Ashlyn’s POV:
It's official. I was dying. Or at least that's how I felt anyway. For nearly 4 days, it has taken every ounce of energy that I have been able to spare to even climb out of bed to use the restroom. Why you ask? Well, two days after Christmas, Brantley and I both came down with the flu and have been stuck in bed. Here it is New Year’s eve and neither Brantley nor I one have enough energy to sit up in bed to watch the ball drop. I sure hope that old wives tale about whatever you were doing when the ball dropped is what you will be doing for the rest of the year. No way in hell was I spending a whole year bed ridden and sick. If that's the case, just take me out back and shoot me now. Go on and put me out of my misery. 

In the middle of my wallowing and self pity, a light knock sounded on the bedroom door just before it swung open. If I wasn't so sick, I would find the sight before me comical. But in my current state, my flu brain was having a hard time processing what I was seeing. Stopping at the foot of the bed, I looked up at my best friend. But that wasn't what I was having trouble wrapping my head around. No, that would be the full hazmat suit he was wearing, complete with an oxygen cylinder. He honestly looked like Micheal J. Fox in Back to the Future, only a lot taller. 

“What the hell are you wearing Chasey?” I said weakly, feeling Brantley move on the bed beside me. 

“Not going to let you two ring in the new year alone. We always spend New Year’s Eve together and this year won't be any different. Well, minus the massive alcohol consumption and this get-up” said Chase as he waved a hand over his outfit, adding a little pizazz to his wave, reminding me of the contestants on Drag Race. For the first time in nearly a week, I smiled -even if it was a very weak one. But that smile got even more genuine when the man lying beside finally lifted his head to see just what Chase was wearing.

“What the fuck man? You gonna tell me your name is Darth Vader and that I need to ask Loraine out to the spring formal?” Leave it to B to reference the movie I’d instantly thought of upon seeing Chase. I knew what he and I would spend the day doing tomorrow since we were both pretty much bed ridden.

“Maybe I am.” Chase said with a smile as he slid the chair in the corner over to the bed and grabbed the remote before plopping down in it. I snuggled into Brantley’s side as Chase flipped through the channels looking for the Times Square New Year’s Eve show. No, tonight wouldn't be a typical New Year’s Eve, but it was going to be one that I would remember for the rest of my life simply because I had the two most important men in my life here to spend it with me.  

***

“Happy New Year!” yelled Chase, his voice muffled by his hazmat suit but still loud enough to startle me. I’d been struggling to stay awake while B had given up the fight pretty much as soon as the show had started. He was so sound asleep that Chase’s outburst hadn't even phased him. 

“Happy New Year.” I said, sleep and exhaustion lacing my voice as I rolled to my side so that I was facing Chase. Stretching my arm across the king sized bed, I held my hand out for Chase to take it. “Thank you for tonight.” 

“You're welcome bestie. I wasn't going to let you and BG spend it alone. Plus, as long as I am here, even if I have to wear this ridiculous outfit, I’m staying out of trouble. Something that I’m going to strive to do in the new year.” said Chase. “Lord knows I stirred up enough this year for all of us.”

“Not gonna lie, that Cheyenne stuff was enough for a couple years.” I said, giving him a weak smile. “Have you heard from her since then?”

“She’s called, but I’ve ignored her.” Said Chase, his shoulders shrugging. Or at least he tried. The suit really didn't move much. “I’m past that stage in my life, Ash. These past few weeks, seeing how you and B are with each other, it's made me want the same thing. Me and Lauren have been talking a bit but were not rushing into anything.”

“Chasey, you will find someone that will knock you completely off your feet one day when you are least expecting. I know you and Lauren had that back in the day and if she still makes you feel that way, then you have to tell her that you see y'all being more than friends. That's what it took with me and B. We had to be honest to stop fighting what we both wanted” I said, looking into his gray eyes. Even though the plexiglass of the helmet he was wearing, I could see that my words had resignated with him.

“You don't know how much that means, Ash.” said Chase. “She's coming into town tomorrow on her way to Tampa for a nephew's party. She’s going to stop and spend the day before getting back on the road.” 

“Then make sure to show her that while you're still the same lovable guy deep down, you have grown up from the kid you were when yall split up. You might not believe this, but I hate that I am sick and won't be able to see her.”

“Okay, I think you are sleeping and need to get some rest. Never have you ever given the impression that you even remotely liked her.” said Chase with a chuckle.

“It wasnt that I didn't like her Chasey. I didn't like that she tried to change you into some sort of preppy school boy to better fit in with her crowd. All that being said, if she can't accept who you are now and not try to turn you into something you're not, then by all means, I will give her a shot.” I said, squeezing his hand. “But if she hurts you, just know she has to deal with me. I just need to get better first.” 

“Duly noted.” said Chase, a smile splitting his face. “Anyways, I’m going to get out of here. Get some rest. I’ll call to check on you tomorrow.”

“Talk to you tomorrow.” I said, feeling the pull of sleep flowing through my system. 

“Love ya Ash.” said Chase as he was about to walk through the door. 

“Love you too Chasey. Lock up when you leave.” I said, earning a nod in response. 

I laid awake until I heard the door shut downstairs and the roar of his truck as it started in the driveway. That night, I went to sleep thinking about how lucky I was to have such an amazing man in my life and to have such an amazing best friend. Life really couldn't get any better.