Country Girl at Heart

Chapter 16

I wanted to spend my last few nights curled into Dawson's side in his trailer, but we are sadly interrupted by dozens of calls from Beau. We figure out he is trying to make sure his friend remembered the party tonight for his birthday. Dawson's freaked out expression tells me he totally forgot. I remember Beau mentioning it at the rodeo but we've been so caught up in... us.
Beau catches on with a furious growl about how he hasn't said anything about not seeing Dawson at all this summer because he's been giving him time with his 'new girl', but he will personally come down here and drag him to the party if he has to.
    "I'm not goin'." Dawson says for the last time. We've been sitting outside Wren's house for the last 20 minutes as he debates with himself. "I can just tell him I-"
    "What? Got handcuffed to the bed by your new girl?"
    His face distorts. "I was gonna say got a flat tire. I think he'd appreciate that too much and let me stay."
"Just go already." I hop out from his truck. "Before I actually do it."
    "Hey." He gets out and walks around to meet me. "I'll only be there a little while. Then I'll be right back here."
    "It's fine, seriously. Your friends miss you and you've spent enough time with me."
    "You really mean that?"
    I allow a tight grin to form. "No."
    He wraps his arms around me with a chuckle. "I wish you could come."
    "Me too. But I don't want to risk it. A bonfire in the middle of a field is one thing but a full on house party? I can't get caught there."
    "I know. You're doin' the right thing. I'm gonna miss you is all."
    I give him a hug stronger than necessary then wrestle out of his embrace. "Come through my window when you get back."
    He glances up the hundred foot wall. "Really makin' me work, aren'tcha?"
    "Tonight I am, yeah. Now go!" I push his chest enough to cause him to take a step a back. His hands signal a surrender as he backs up to the truck.
The truth is... I don't want him to go anymore than he does. After the unnecessary lecture from Mom I've been attached to his hip. Why is it the more you want something the harder it gets to actually have? I'm learning that when that something becomes off limits, it automatically obtains a stronger value. Making you want it even more. My something is a someone. I want Dawson Priest. I can see his value and all the ways he continues to prove himself. But I can't have him for forever, only the next two days. So being apart is killing me even more than I want to admit.
    I watch him drive away before going inside. The stairs are calling my name, wanting nothing more for me than to go to my room and sulk about being alone tonight. My attachment issue to him is scarier than I thought, especially with my mood being down since the lecture.
    Wren and Becky are in the living room when I come sauntering in. Both of their faces are shell shocked at my presence. Becky looks worried and Wren is stone cold still. Jeez, they look like they've seen a ghost.
    "Well hello there, Lexi," Becky speaks first, "and what do we owe this great pleasure?"
    "I'm just seeing what you guys are up to."
    "We're watching tv. I think the more important question is what are you up to?"
    "Can I sit?"
    "Please."
    Wren flicks the channels before landing on Wheel of Fortune. "Somethin' wrong? Where's the boy?"
    I slouch into the sectional. "At a party."
    "Oh! He must be at Beau Hammon's birthday party. Alabama was telling me all about it. I can't believe those kids are still into bounce houses," Becky laughs.
    "What?"
    "Bounce houses... like the kiddie kind. Those kids are still so innocent."
    Oh god. What other bullshit did Ali feed her? And how on earth does Becky act so woke yet thinks her daughter is 'innocent'. She is quite literally the exact opposite. Out of respect for Becky I'm not going to tell her Ali is lying about the bounce house. She's probably on her fifth beer along with Lyla and Jessica, talking smack about the closest victim. I wonder who their target will be since I'm not there. "What else did she say?"
    "Somethin' 'bout silly string fights and grape juice pong."
What in the actual hell. "Sounds like fun."
    "Makes me wonder what you're doin' sittin' here watchin' reruns'a Wheel'a Fortune with us ol' farts for."
    "I can't go." I eyeball her. "I'm on probation." She should know that.
    "Oh dear... I'm so sorry for bringin' it up. I figured it's the other kinda parties you can't go to."
    "Becky," Wren looks at her with a solid gaze, "You know that girl is pullin' your leg with that bounce house BS, dontcha?"
     "What do you mean?"
    He scoffs. "Those kids aren't innocent. I guarantee they've got plenty'a beer and any liquor they could snag from their parents stash."
    "Alabama?" She gasps, horrified. "Why would she lie?"
Because she's a lying, backstabbing, bitch... that's why, Becky.
    "She's a teenager. That's what they do best."
    "Is that true, Lexi? You think she's lyin'?"
    As much as I want to rat out my current worst enemy, I'm not a snitch. "I don't know what or who is going to be there. So I'm not risking it."
    "Smart girl," Wren approves, "although I can't help but think... it's your last night tomorrow. The boy really ditched ya for some party?"
    "No, I told him to go."
    "And he listened?"
    I shrug, not knowing where he's going with this. "It's his friends birthday."
    "It's not like you to not get what'chu want."
I sink lower between the cushions, trying to hide.
"You two get in'a fight?" Becky prods.
"No."
"Than what in gods name has you actin' like a beat dog?"
Becky smacks Wren's arm for that. "Watch your mouth!" She looks at me. "Does it have to do with what we talked about in the garden?"
"What'd you talk 'bout in the garden?" Wren is curious.
"Nothin' that concerns you. It was private girl talk."
I grin at Becky's loyalty. I know I can trust her. "I talked to my mom... about Dawson."
"Oh, what'd she have to say?"
Wren clicks the tv to mute before saying, "I'm willin' to bet nothin' good."
"I got her side of the story... the one you told me the other day."
"I see. I'm willin' to bet she really had nothin' good to say 'bout that."
I don't want to give full detail, so instead I keep it short. "She didn't. About either. She basically threatened me with my life that if I'm not on that plane home she will personally come and get me. Or send the national guard. I wouldn't put it past her."
"Me neither," Wren knows exactly what I'm dealing with, which is comforting.
"Lexi," Becky tilts her head curiously, "you weren't plannin' on stayin' were ya?"
There's no way I can stay, so there's no reason for them to know I was considering it. Even if it was to be with a boy and not them, they would have definitely reaped the benefits. I don't want them to be as disappointed as I am. "No," I lie, "I think the situation hit a little too close to home for her, so she freaked out."
"I get it." Becky surprises us both. "She spent her whole adult life tryin'ta raise you'ta not make the same decisions she did... I can imagine her reaction findin' out you're gettin' close to doin' just 'bout that."
"I guess..."
"Maybe you should go to that party after all."
I furrow my brows at Wren's suggestion. "I can't."
He sits forward in his chair and looks at me with a stern expression. "This is one'a the last nights you're ever goin'ta see that boy again, or at least for a long, long time. I would go if I was you. Screw the probation."
I'm so shocked I don't know how to respond.
"You're sure that's the best advice, Wren?" Becky is worried.
"I think Lexi is the type'a person to go after what she wants, and not let anyone tell her otherwise."
    Wren is the last person I thought would be tempting me to go to this party. If anything, I figured I figured it would be Becky. She knows how bad I want to be with Dawson. I must have underestimated Wren's ability to understand where I'm coming from. "What if something happens?" I ask.
     "I'm not worried 'bout ya. I know you're capable'a makin' good decisions. As long as you're not doin' drugs or drinkin' I don't see why not. 'Sides... this here is a small town and I just so happen to know the sheriff," he winks.
    I'm jittery, fighting my instinct to sprint upstairs and get ready, and staying put because my prison sentence is almost over and if I screw it up now I'll be in real prison doing real time. But Wren made a point... if I'm not drinking or allowing myself to be anywhere near bad behavior I should be okay... besides, he knows the sheriff.
    "Just go already," Becky laughs.
    "You're sure you're okay with me going?"
    Wren turns the sound back on to the tv as he grumbles, "Better hurry up 'fore I get a grip on my sense and change my mind."
    Without a word I skip down the hall, stopping when I hear Becky ask, "You sure that was a good idea?"
    Wren says with confidence, "No. But I trust the girl. No point in punishin' her more than she already has been."
    "Even with her history?"
    "What history? You know as well as I do she didn't do a damned thang."
    "I know. Lexi is a good girl."
    "Damn right she is."