Out of the Blue

Better Chances

The sun was shining brightly through the dark wooden blinds,  chirps ringing out in the beautifully warm weather. It was half passed way too early in the morning. There was not enough caffeine in this household to support me today. I sat at the island in the kitchen, sipping my coffee diligently as I checked my phone for emails on leads for a new job. Mama came waltzing in to the room from the back of the house, carrying my blush pink weekend bag over her shoulder. 

"What are you doing with that?" I questioned, pointing a finger from the hand that was holding my porcelain white coffee mug. 

"A little birdie told me that you would need to bring this with you today." She smirked proudly, placing the bag at my feet. 

I furrowed my brows, placing my coffee safely on the white marble counter top. I sighed as I realized what she was referring to. And there was no way it was happening. I would not be spending any nights with Brantley, especially if they were out of town. At least, that is what I was assuming we were going to be doing at this point by the look on mama's face. 

"If that man thinks I am staying anywhere with him, he has another thing coming." 

Mama rolled her dark brown eyes, glancing up at the clock on the wall behind her. "You need to shoo and get going. Come on." She waved her hands frantically at me. 

I didn't even have a chance to protest. She followed closely behind me to make sure I made it through the front door and to my vehicle without turning around. I looked up at the front porch of my childhood home as my mother waved like a lunatic, smiling from ear to ear. 

I continued on down the road, trying to remember which way Kolby had gone last night. I came to the familiar stop sign, looking toward the right. My heart sinking a little as the same feelings came flooding back. I knew I needed to make a left here. I kept my eyes peeled for a wood and iron gate. After a few minutes I came to a halt, almost missing the driveway completely. I rolled in slowly, pulling up to a little keypad. Well this was great. I didn't bother to ask for the code and this thing looked foreign to me. Just as panic set in, the gate opened. I swallowed, continuing through them. I followed the light gray cement driveway all the way up, the expansive house coming in to view. It looked different in the sunlight. Serene even. Only one vehicle in the driveway instead of a whole slew of them. No commotion coming from the dawg house. Actually, I wasn't even sure anyone was home. 

My suspicions were squashed when I saw the front door open and someone come out to the front porch, standing tall and firm on the top stone step. His army green tee shirt clingy to his torso and broad shoulders. A baseball cap on backwards, blondish hair peaking out. Tattoos on full display in the morning sunlight. My heart began to climb up in to my throat, making it harder to breath. 

He smiled, pointing toward the empty spot next to his jacked up truck. I did as I was instructed and came to a stop, turning off the engine almost immediately. I pulled the keys out and opened my driver's side door, firing him with questions before I even stepped a foot on the ground. 

"Do you really think I am going to go anywhere for more than a day with you?" I came a stand, folding my arms across my chest. My keys dangling from one of my clenched hands. 

"I was taking my chances. I knew I had better odds if I asked your mama to pack you a bag than if I left it up to you." Brantley chuckled meeting me in the middle of the driveway. 

I wanted to tell him I still wasn't going to go with him, but his green eyes caught the light, bringing my attention to him. His grin turning up at the corners of his mouth. His lips a soft pink. As much as I tried against it, I could still get lost in this man's facial features. They always brought me back to the better times. 

I huffed, letting my arms fall down beside me. "So, where are we going?"