Take Me There

Obligations and Worry Lines

Chapter Twenty One

 
 Nashville was absolutely breathtaking. It wasn't necessarily beautiful in the same way that California or some beach town is beautiful, though. It was beautiful in a historic, rustic way. It kind of looked like Dallas in some aspects, with the large buildings and high bridges.
 The second we crossed the sign that said Welcome to Nashville, my nose had literally been glued to the window. I probably looked ridiculous with my nose smushed against the glass like a little kid, but I didn't care. I wanted to soak in every single bit of Nashville in the limited amount of time that we would be here.
 When we arrived at our hotel, Kiptyn decided that he was rooming with Lincoln and I again, which I didn't mind at all. So as soon as Kiptyn handed me our room key, I headed towards our room, which was luckily on the second floor this time.
 I was currently changing into something appropriate for wherever Kiptyn was taking us for dinner. I'd already taken a shower, dried my hair, and put on make up. Sadie had given me a cute black backless dress to wear, so I quickly slipped that on.
 "Are you done yet?" Kiptyn yelled from the room.
 "Stop yelling," Lincoln said from her bed where she was trying to nap.
 I stepped out of the bathroom, slipping on my silver sandals as I did so. Kiptyn was sitting on the bed, flipping through TV channels. He was plain dark khaki shorts and a white button up, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. My eyebrows isntantly shot up.
 "I don't think I've ever seen you dressed so nicely."
 He turned the TV off and threw the remote down before tunring to look at me, a smirk on his lips. "I felt obligated."
 "Obligated?"
 He stood up and slipped on his flip flops, grabbing his wallet off of the dresser. "You always look hot so I figured I should too."
 I rolled my eyes. "That's a stupid reason."
 "Can I not just dress nice for a date in downtown Nashville?" He asked, wrapping an arm around my waist and pressing a kiss against my temple. I couldn't believe he was being so incredibley affectionate. It shocked me, honestly.
 Ten minutes later, we were walking down the sidewalk towards downtown, my heart racing with anticipation. We'd decided that we were going to eat out and then meet everyone at the gig when it was time.
 Since it was almost seven, the sun was starting to go down and it was asbolutely beautiful. All of the lights were gorgeous and the scenery in itself was completely stunning.
 "Where are we eating?" I finally asked, glancing at Kiptyn.
 "I figured we could go to 3rd and Lindsley"
 I rolled my eyes. "My parent's said that place is always slammed. It's one of the most famous bars in Nashviille."
 Kiptyn grinned. "I have special connections."
 "How is that?" I asked skepitically.
 "That's where we're performing tonight."
 I gasped, slapping his arm. "You guys are performing at 3rd and Lindsley?! Kiptyn that's incredible!"
 "Lincoln pulled some strings and got us in."
 "That's amazing."
 Suddenly Kiptyn was grabbing my hand and lacing his fingers through mine, causing my heart to start beating way too fast. I glanced at him, a small smile on his lips. I couldn't help but feel completely content.

 
 "This is so amazing."
 "You've already said that about ten times."
 I took a sip of my beer before looking back over at Kiptyn. "I just want you to know how amazing I think this is."
 "I'm glad you think so."
 I sighed, leaning back in my chair. We were sitting at one of the tables closest to the stage where a small band was performing, obviously gearing up for Crossing Lincoln. Kiptyn and I had already eaten a huge dinner and it was already eight, so I was sure everyone else would be getting here soon.
 The past hour with Kiptyn had been incredible. We'd gotten to the bar, ordered dinner, listened to the band, and talked about absolutely nothing but everything at the same time. He'd told me more about the trip to Europe, and I explained that I was really nervous about Memphis, which he quickly reassured me about.
 He even offered to go with me to meet her, which I thought was beyond sweet of him. I mean, this was Kiptyn Cross we were talking about.  
 "What are you gonna do?" Kiptyn suddenly asked, his eyes staring straight into mine, "When you meet her?"
 My mouth went dry at the mention of my birth mom. Even though we'd already talked about her, it was still nerve wrecking to even think about her. I finally sighed, shaking my head. "I don't know."  
 "Are you going to stay with her?"
 I shrugged. "I guess it all depends on how the meeting goes."
 His eyebrows furrowed. "So you're considering it."
 "I mean, yeah," I gave him a look, "She is my mom and I would like to get to know her. I don't think that's really possible in a day's time."
 "What about your parents?"
 "They'll be fine."
 "How will you get home?"
 I eyed him suspiciously. "Where is all of this coming from?"
 He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I don't know. I'm just worried about you."
 My expression softened. "I'm sure everything will work out."
 He shook his head. "I've never worried about a girl before."
 "Should I feel honored?"
 "Damn right," He said smirking before becoming serious again. "I mean it though, Dallis. You've been through a lot recently and I don't want it to all become too much."
 I couldn't help it, I smiled at him. "I'll let you know if I suddenly can't handle everything."
 "Don't get all gross on me."
 "You started it."
 "It's because you're making a pussy out of me."
 I laughed. "Are you saying you're whipped?"
 "I'm saying it's possible." 
 "Wow," I said, still laughing, "Who would have thought that I would be the one to pussy whip Kiptyn Cross?"
 He took a sip of his beer before pointing it at me. "Apparently everyone but us."
 "Lincoln was right about you," He looked back up at me, "You're really not too bad." 
"Don't let anyone else know that. It would ruin my asshole image."
 I leaned an elbow against the table. "What's the point in the asshole image anyway?"
 He thought for a second before shrugging. "I'm an asshole. So the image just fits."
 "But you're really not an asshole when you're not making an effort to be," I pointed out.
 "Stop reading between the lines," He said, a small smile playing on the corners of his mouth. "I'm an asshole and that's that."
 I thought back to the story he'd told me a few nights ago on the balcony. He'd literally poured his heart out to me about his entire background, which would really give any reason to someone to be an asshole. But I was starting to learn how to read Kiptyn, and I could tell that he was better than that. He was better than his past and he was better than his home life.
 I felt like I was really starting to know him with each small thing that he was saying. I was able to piece it together and the puzzle he'd been giving me the pieces to was finally becoming clear.
 "There's the group," I said a few minutes later, nodding my head towards the back entrance. Lyle was talking to some guy with a 3rd and Lindsley shirt on, Cealy right by his side. Jase and Sadie were talking to Lincoln, and I could tell by the expression on her face that she was beyond excited to be here.
 Kiptyn took the last sip of his beer before putting a fifty down on the table and standing up. "Looks like its time to head back there."
 I sighed, really wishing that we could have had another hour or two to just sit there and talk. I never would have expected Kiptyn to be someone that I could have such a comfortable conversation with.
 I stood up from the table and began to follow him towards everyone else, but when he suddenly stopped walking and caused me to bump into the back of him, I realized he had other plans.
 "What the hell are you doing," I muttered, stumping my toe against the back of his heel.
 He turned around and gave me a crooked grin, taking my breath away slightly. He grabbed the side of my face and placed a kiss on my lips. It was short and soft and sweet and absolutely perfect.
 "What was that for?" I asked whenever he pulled away.
 He shrugged. "For going out with me."
 I smiled, reaching up and placing another one on his lips.
 "What was that for?" He asked, grinning slightly.
 "For taking me out."
 He smirked. "I like you, Dallis."
 "I'm glad to hear that."
 Dear God, the butterflies in my stomach at that moment. How did I even come up with witty comebacks at this point?

 "So," Sadie said from beside me, "What was that all about earlier?"
 We were currently sitting at one of the tables in front of the stage, waiting for Crossing Lincoln to start playing. They'd already set up, so I was pretty sure they would be starting anytime.
 I looked over at Sadie, her eyebrows raised in anticipation. I finally shrugged. "He just kissed me."
 "You guys are getting serious really fast."
 I gave her a look. "We've been out twice and kissed a total of maybe five times. I wouldn't say he's about to walk me down the aisle or anything."
 "But you're getting serious about him really fast," She sighed, "The way you look at him. God, I haven't seen you look that way in a while."
 I turned my head in search of Kiptyn. Whenever my eyes landed on him, Sadie spoke again. "See? You look like a lovestruck teenager."
 "I'm not in love with him by any means," I said defensively.
 "Not yet," She said, "But for some reason, he has you hooked."
 "Do we have to talk about this?" I whined. "Just be happy for me. I really like him."
 "I know you do," She smiled slightly, "Just be careful."
 I raised an eyebrow. "What is there to be careful about?"
 "When you screw him. Make sure he uses a rubber."
 My cheeks immediatley went an incredibley dark red color and I could feel the heat radiating off of them. "I'm not planning on that anytime soon."
 Sadie smirked. "The sexual tension between you two is crazy, Dallis. It's coming soon."
 I shook my head in disagreement. "No. It's not."
 She stirred her straw around in her drink before looking back up at me, brushing a piece of hair out of her face. "It won't be a big deal if you do lose it to him."
 "I went almost three years without having sex with Drew. A week with Kiptyn is not going to change that."
 "You have to lose it sometime."
 I narrowed my eyes at her. "Can we stop talking about this?"
 Even though Sadie was trying to give me her version of advice, I was tired of talking about everything that involved Kiptyn. I liked him, I was pretty sure he liked me, and that was it. I was tired of going on and on about it.
 After a few minutes of silence between the two of us, I decided a change in subject would be nice. I took a sip of my beer before sitting it down on the table. "How are things with Jase?"
 She lets out a deep breath. "He asked me to go to Europe with the band."
 My eyebrows immediately shot up. "Seriously?"
 "Yeah," She leaned against the table, "Ever since I drunkenly made out of that guy at the bar, he's been crazy. It's almost pathetic sometimes."
 "He loves you, Sadie."
 "I love him, too. But I'm not in love with him," She frowned, "I know he would do anything for me, but I can't be with him when I'm still with someone else."
 "You're not with anyone?"
 She ran a hand through her hair, averting her gaze. She was quiet for a second before I spoke for her. "Are you talking about Austin?"
 Whenever she looked back at me, I could see the tears welling in her eyes and all I wanted to do was hug her. Sadie was the strong one. She'd always been the strong one. I knew she'd been hurting ever since everything with Austin, but she always held it in, so I never really knew how she was feeling.
 "Ever since you found out that he was with your mom, I can't stop thinking about him," She breathed, "It's like every time Jase touches me, I want it to be Austin. That's not fair to Jase."
 "I didn't realize that you still cared that much," I said softly, watching as she wiped at her eyes.
 She shrugged, trying to put her wall back up. "I just wish he knew what he wanted."
 Crossing Lincoln started playing then, ending Sadie and I's conversation. I turned to watch them perform as the people in the bar swarmed to the stage. I watched them mindlessly, not really paying attention.
 Instead, I was thinking about what Sadie had said. For me, it wasn't that I wished Austin knew what he wanted.
 I just wished he would have stayed.

A/N: I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I literally gained four pounds, so I guess you could say that I had a wonderful one myself. I'm shooting for this story to be about 30 chapters, so there's still a few more for me to write. Vote/Review/Follow!