Shotgun Pretty

Same Old Song

Later that afternoon I found myself wandering aimlessly around town. The weather was beautiful. The sun shining on my face as I pushed my sunglasses in to place felt so nice at the moment. I was feeling like such an outsider right now. Everyone seemed to be on Brantley's side, even Lauren. I had called her after the whole fiasco at my house this morning and all she could say was, "You know he's right. Move on, Nor." I had hung up on her and decided to spend the day alone wondering what my next move should be. That's when it had hit me. Maybe I should move. I had been thinking about getting my own place for awhile. Maybe now was a better time than ever for a change like that. Sure momma would be sad. Her baby leaving the nest. But her and my father always said it would be good for the soul to move on with my life and do what I felt was right.

I peered up at the front of Cream & Shuga and decided to go in. I opened the glass entrance door and placed my sunglasses on top of my head. I looked around for a minute and then stopped in my tracks. That familiar laugh cut through me like a knife. At a table in front of the window sat four friends laughing and having a grand old time. Their conversation came to a halt when one of them looked up at me.

"Nora...." Lauren waved weakly.

I smiled and nodded. I wasn't about to go join her, Kolby, Jana, and Brantley in their little love session going on. I took a deep breath and continued on to the counter to order.

"Hey, Morgan." I said to a tall redhead standing behind the counter. "I'll have a small iced coffee with extra cream and sugar please."

"Coming right up!" She grinned brightly, her freckled nose wrinkling like the sides of her eyes did when she smiled. I stood there tapping my pointer finger on the counter top, trying to distract myself from the ongoing chatter from that table. God dammit. Of course I knew this was going to hurt and be rough. But really. Morgan handed me a nice cold iced coffee. I paid and tipped her and made my way out the front door without stopping. I could feel those same two eyes on me that were staring me down this morning. I looked back as I put my sunglasses back upon my face. Those piercing green eyes boring in to me as the other three laughed and talked. I sighed and continued on my way through town.

My phone began to ring. I stepped out of my closet and reached over on my desk to answer without even seeing who it was.

"Hello?"

"Oh, good. You picked up...." Lauren's voice rang from the other end.

"I didn't look at caller ID." I stated flatly. "What?"

"I want you to come to a bonfire at Kolby's tonight. Brantley and Jana left town after the coffee shop incident today...... I miss my best friend..... pleassseeee."

Her whining didn't even justify a complaint from me. I rolled my eyes, "Fine."

Lauren shrieked and hung up. I had nothing better to do and standing in my closet cleaning it out and being bitter was going to be no help to the matter anyway. I threw on a jean jacket over my white tee and my Yankees baseball cap on. I pulled on my rubber boots over my skinny jeans and headed downstairs. By the time I got in my Tahoe and started it I had received a text.

"There's a bonfire at the house tonight. I won't be there so it is safe to go. Have fun."

Really..... was that necessary of him to send. I didn't even reply. I was out of the driveway and down the road when my anger started to set in. I was about to turn around when I found myself pulling up to the gates that were open. I didn't even hesitate to continue on to that familiar spot where I always parked. I turned off the Tahoe and hopped out in one quick motion. The fire was really going and there were a ton more people than usual. I pulled my jacket around me a little tighter and adjusted my hat down a little further to cover my eyes. I spotted Lauren in the distance giggling and whispering in Kolby's ear as she sat on his lap. I decided to get myself a drink first before I even tackled that first conversation of the night with them. I walked over to the Yeti cooler on the grass by the side of the house. As I was about to open the cooler someone knocked in to me, sending me tumbling forward. I braced myself against the house.

I turned around quickly, "Hey asshole. Watch what you are doing."

"I am so sorry, miss. I was walking backwards deep in conversation and didn't realize you were there. My apologies."

I brushed myself off and looked up at him. His 6'4" frame towered over my tiny 5'00 self. His blue eyes smiled down at me.

"Chase." He offered his hand.

"Nora." I shook it, smiling back. I could feel the tension from just one touch of him. He had this air about him that drew me in in an instant.

"Here Nora, let me grab you a drink since I so rudely walked in to you." Chase bent down and grabbed me a Coors Light out of the cooler. He popped the top and handed it to me. I tipped it towards him as he did the same with his and we both took a sip. Maybe this wouldn't be the same old bonfire like every other Friday night.

A/N: Thank you for the support! I hope you guys are enjoying this story as much as I am writing it! I have some curve balls coming up so be prepared, lol! I recently got to meet a certain country singer named Chase. Could that be who I am introducing into the picture??? Vote, Comment, keep on reading xoxoxo