Almost Maybes

Party for Two: Part 1

Chase’s POV:
Even though it had been a week since I confronted BG and asked him what his advice would be to make Hadley mine, I hadn't made my move yet. Part of the reason I hadn't was my fear that even after I admitted my feelings for her and that I couldn't see my life without her in it, she would still fight me and toss what was left of our friendship to the side as if it was yesterday's trash. But then there was the anxious side of me. I wanted to make sure that I had a foolproof plan to make her mine. That plan involved a private listening party to my new album, a private party that I wanted to make so special that there was absolutely no chance of Hadley refusing to meet up with me and no chance of her shutting me down when I told her how much and for how long I have loved her. 

And not to brag or anything, but this album has the potential to be the best one I’ve recorded yet. My producer says it's because I’ve learned my limits as far as my voice, but u think it's more along the lines of just about every song on the album holds a special place in my heart. Not all the songs on there may have been written about Hadley, but that didn't mean that I didn't see her blonde hair and blue eyes, her curvaceous body, and her gorgeous smile every time I pictured the female that the songwriter had been imagining when he had penned the song. Plus there was the fact that I added a like message at the end of the album, on that would be on every album released, letting everyone who purchased my album know that I was completely and utterly, head-over-ass in love with her. Just thinking about that message took me back to the look my producer had on his face when I added it. He and everyone else knew Hadley, had even ragged me about not making her mine, but upon hearing my words, he’d told me flat out that there was no way that Hadley would deny being mine with the words that I had spoken.  

That message was the main reason I needed this private listening party to be absolutely perfect. In the past, Hadley had always been the first person outside of my label to hear my new stuff. She even heard it before my mama, which should have told her something years ago about what my feelings were for her. Especially considering the fact that a southern man’s mama was the be-all-end-all when it came to anything he did in his life.  Then again, even though I had been in love with Hadley for as long as I could remember, I was content having her as a friend versus not having her in my life at all, even if it meant that I had to watch her go on date after date and get her heart broken over and over by someone that she really liked but she was ultimately too much woman for. But there was no question about it, Hadley Grace Sawyer was just the right amount of everything for me. 

The ringing of my phone pulled me from my thoughts. Glancing at the screen, I smiled when I saw it was Mama. She always seemed to know when I was thinking about her. Swiping the screen, I settled into the sofa and accepted the facetime request. 

“Hey mama.” I said, giving her a smile.

“Hey baby boy. What are you doing?” she asked. 

“Oh, just trying to think of a way to plan only the most perfect private listening party for Hads.” I said. After I’d finished recording,  I’d called Mama and finally admitted every single feeling I had for Hadley. Of course, Mama had known it for years, even swore that Hadley felt the same, but she had never heard me put them into words or spill my feelings like I did that day. 

“Need any help?” said Mama, once again pulling me back from my thoughts of Hadley.

“I need to make it special mama.” I replied.

“Baby boy, let me help you. But it’s going to involve you coming home for a few days. Do you have the time to do that?” she asked. 

“Actually I do since we finished recording so quickly.” I said. 

“When can you be in?” she asked. “Do you have a copy of the album yet?”

“Yep.” I replied, leaning forwards and grabbing the CD off my coffee table and waving it in front of the screen. We’d simply named this one ‘The Album’ since in every song, it was a glimpse at my life. “As far as me coming home, I have nothing planned for the next few days. I can come in tonight if that works for you.”

“First off, you know dang well that works for me. Anytime you want to come know, you know you can.” said mama. “As far as that private listening party, I think I can have something planned by tomorrow night. Just as long as Hadley is feeling okay.”

“What's wrong with Hadley?” I said sitting up straight, my heart pounding. My damn ticker was doing its best to beat right out of my chest with worry for Hadley. 

“She's had a stomach bug the past week or so. I went over yesterday and carried her some soup, helped her do some light cleaning. Little Miss Stubborn had been since for a week and had not so much as called anyone to help her out.” Upon hearing her words, I climbed off the couch and practically ran to the bedroom and started packing some things. “Chase Daniel, listen to me. She's okay. I promise you. No need to be in such a sure fire hurry to get to her.”

“I’m going to stomp a mudhole in her stubborn ass when I get my hands on her. Stomach big or not, she should have called you. She should have called me!” I said, haphazardly grabbing things and tossing them into my black duffle bag, not caring about wrinkles or if any of it even matched. I had one thing on my mind and that was getting to Hadley and seeing for myself that she is okay. 

“You’re going to do no such thing.” said mama, her tone telling me to cool my jets.

“But mama-”

“But mama nothing. Listen to me Chase. I wont have you going over there and going all Tarzan on her. Do you hear me?” said Mama, cutting me off. 

“Yes ma'am.” I said sullenly. Here I am, 36 years old, and still getting lectured by my mama.

“Good. Now please be careful coming home. Don't want to worry about your safety for the next few hours. I’ll see you when you get here. By then, I should have something in motion for tomorrow night.” said Mama. 

“Yes ma'am. See you in a couple hours. Love you mama.” I said, zipping my bag and making my way back downstairs. 

“I love you too baby boy. See you in a couple hours.” said Mama.

Ending the call, I shoved my feet into my nikes and tossed on my hat and hoodie before grabbing my keys off the kitchen counter. I had one thought on my mind and that was getting to Hadley. I needed to see her, to hold her, and make sure she was okay. Locking up, I stalked to my truck and climbed inside. I’d make some calls on the way to arrange for the feeding of my bison for a few days. I’m sure the guy who took care of them while I was on the road wouldn't mind picking up a few extra days.