Southern Charm

Chapter 14

JESSIE

For the first time since the incident, I was dressed up to feel a little more like myself. The crutches were the only thing I wish I didn't have to add to my look.

Since it was summer, I could wear a dress. I was wearing a red and white striped dress, white cowgirl boots, and a white hat. I loved dressing country, and my closet was filled with tons of boots, hats, belts, and fringe. It was customary to wear all of this stuff when you lived in Texas, but I noticed that if you go elsewhere, like up north, you get a weird look, as if these clothing items were something you created yourself.

"Well, hey, good looking," Trace said, standing in our bedroom doorway. He gave me a once-over and smiled.

My cheeks warmed at the sound of his voice. He always made me feel so special, no matter the occasion, and I loved that. That was a feeling I never wanted to go away.

"Hey, does this all look okay?" I asked. "Even with the crutches and cast sticking out underneath the dress?"

"You look beautiful, honey. Dressed in my favorite color, and it's perfect for your nickname." Trace walked over to me and kissed me. "If only I could spin you around on a dance floor."

I smiled. "Guess we will probably have to save the dancing for the wedding day. Not much longer, and I'll be healed up. Time is going by slowly, though. You don't know how painful it was to get into a dress by myself."

Trace chuckled. "I could always help you out, you know?"

"Mhm, I know you could. Is everyone ready to head over to the stadium?" I asked.

"I think so. Meghan is all decked out like you and is more excited tonight than last night. Dane showed her the horses again because she didn't want to go alone."

Hmm. Dane was showing her the horses, huh? I knew I saw a little spark between them. Wouldn't it be unbelievable if they fell in love?

"Well, I'm ready. Now, the challenge is getting into the truck again. It won't be painless, so I better brace myself."

I began the journey to the truck with Trace, Meghan, and Dane tagging behind. Trace's parents took a separate vehicle to the stadium and left first since it would take me more than a few seconds to get situated.

Meghan held my crutches while Trace lifted me into the passenger seat of his truck. I always knew he was strong from the looks of his body, but man, was he fit. I didn't weigh much, but it was impressive for him to do it so simply.

At the stadium, I ran into little Miss Sadie, wearing her favorite hat I signed the other day, and lit up pink boots to match her hat.

"When can I come ride a horse?" Sadie asked.

"Soon, sweetheart. If it weren't for this leg injury, you could come tomorrow. You can always come by and meet the horses first if you'd like," I said.

Naomi smiled at her younger sister and bent down to her level. "Do you hear that, Sadie? Jessie said you can meet the horses before you ride them. I think it's a good idea because you haven't seen a horse up close. They're big animals."

Sadie nodded. "I wanna go see horses. I like horses. They neigh."

I chuckled. "That's right. They do neigh. They'd love to meet a cute kid like you." I glanced at Naomi. "Tell Parker whenever you want to bring her by. He can give you my number, too, and we will make sure she has loads of fun. You can always ride with us sometime."

Naomi smiled. "I'd love that. Parker always tries to get me on a horse, but I'm slightly nervous."

The announcer began speaking, and everyone headed toward their seats. Meghan was next to me again tonight, and Bailey was here too. Bailey seemed to love Meghan, and I was glad. First, my best friend was dating my brother, and now my fiancé's sister would perhaps date my brother. Crazy right?

According to the program, Parker was riding tonight, and I had no idea. He hasn't mentioned anything about bullriding over the last week, so seeing him out there and killing it took me by surprise.

"Woo! Go Parker!" I yelled after he'd done a great job at eight seconds. Naomi was a few rows back cheering for him, too.

Next was some guy I didn't know, and he didn't do so well. The bull tossed him off in a matter of four seconds, and it made me feel bad for him. Trace went next, and I was cheering the whole time. He succeeded, and then it was Dane's turn. He succeeded, too, but the bull threw him off again, and when he landed, Dane didn't get up immediately.

"Please, Please get up," I said, standing on my good leg.

Dane moved and slowly got up. He seemed okay, and that was good. It must've been a brutal hit. I didn't want to venture back out to the hospital, but if someone I love were hurt, I would.

Meghan and I went to the gates to wait for Dane and Trace. Bailey left to go out with Bennett. They had a date night scheduled. The second Meghan saw Dane; she ran off like they were already dating.

"Hey Jess," a voice said.

I knew that voice but hadn't heard it in a couple of years because they hadn't spoken to me. Why now, I wondered.

I saw Max Lane standing before me, wearing a black cowboy hat, blue jeans, a gray button-up, and boots. Why was he suddenly talking to me after all this time?

"Max," I said. I would've crossed my arms, but I couldn't because they held my crutches up so I could stand better. "Something I can help you with?"

Max glanced around and back at me. I was sure he was checking to see if Lainey was around. She hated my guts, and for what reason, I don't know. She was the one who cheated with my boyfriend, not the other way around.

"I was wanting to see how you were doing. I know the incident was quite nasty," Max said.

"I'm doing fine. I don't know why you decided to talk to me after I'd been hurt. It's been two years, and I was hurt way before that," I said, turning to face the other direction.

Max grabbed my wrist and spun me back toward him, almost making me fall. "Hey! Easy now!" I pushed my hand onto Max's chest, pushing him back when Trace stepped between us.

"Is there a problem here?" Trace asked, his voice more profound and more intense than usual. Trace stepped closer, and I put my hand on his chest. We did not need a fight. Max's eyes darted to the ring on my finger, making him shake his head and keep walking in the opposite direction.

"Are you okay, firecracker?"

I nodded. "I'm fine. He's never grabbed me like that, making me wonder what's happening. That was the first time Max had talked to me since we broke up."

"Well, if he tries anything like that again, his face will be on the ground."

"Hey, calm down. I'm okay. He was seeing if I was doing well after the incident, and I got irritated because it was the first time he'd spoken to me. I doubt it will happen again."

"You ready to get out of here?" Trace asked, putting his arm around me and kissing my cheek.

"Yeah, I'm exhausted. This walking around on crutches is no fun. I want to crash on the bed and maybe watch a movie while eating popcorn."

Trace chuckled. "I can get behind that. Sounds like a great idea."

Trace and I left the stadium, and all I could think about was how Max never knew about me being pregnant. He could've been a father and possibly chose me to be with. If I'd told him right then and there, maybe I wouldn't have overworked myself. I could be a mother right now, but I'm not. I didn't think about my unborn child, and that's why they don't exist.

Once we got home and Trace helped me into the bed, he noticed I wasn't talking much. He sat on the edge of the bed and grabbed my hand.

"Jess, what's got you so quiet? I haven't heard much from you since we left the stadium. Is it Max?"

I shook my head and buried it in my hands. "I'm such a horrible person. I didn't bother to consider my unborn child that day, and that's why they're not here. I killed my kid," I sobbed.

Trace pulled me in close and wrapped his arms around me. "Shh, it's okay."

But was it okay? My past would get caught up with me one day. Max would find out, and how would he react?

Maybe I should tell him.

After all, they say honesty is the best policy.