Shotgun Pretty

Boots and No Beer

Later that night I sat on the edge of my bed buckling my brown boots, wondering if I should really go out and try to enjoy myself. Especially at a bonfire gathering where I knew people would be drinking, being rowdy, and everything else. Robbie would have been the first one to hop in his truck with a case of beer and be there.

"Well, if not for me, then for Robbie." I sighed to myself standing up and tucking my skinny jeans in to the tops of my boots better. I reached over to the back of my white wicker desk chair and grabbed my beige leather jacket. It was my favorite. If I wasn't feeling great, at least I was looking the part. I smoothed my brown locks before heading downstairs to meet Lauren, who was waiting in the kitchen talking to momma.

"Girllll, you look hot!" Lauren jumped up, making me spin around. I giggled a moment and did as I was told. "If those boots go missing, you know where they are. They are on point."

"Alright. Let's get going. Goodnight, momma. I'll be home at a decent hour." I embraced my mother in the tightest hug I think I have ever given her.

"You have fun, baby. It'll be good for your soul. Don't worry about what time it is. Just get home. Be safe. I love you to the moon and back." She whispered in my ear, smiling.

I pulled back and kissed her cheek. With that, Lauren and I headed out to her black Toyota Tacoma pick up truck. She agreed to be the designated driver tonight, even though I knew I wouldn't even think about having a drink. Not ever again after Robbie's accident.

We followed back roads for about fifteen minutes until we came to a big black rod iron gate. Lauren pushed the button on the intercom.

"Halt who goes there?" A deep southern voice asks, trying to be serious.

"Two hot bitches." Lauren replied. I laughed and shook my head. Lauren was such a straight shooter. Sometimes I wish I could be more like that.

"Well in that case, we have plenty of room. Come on in."

The gates opened and Lauren drove us up a long driveway before we came to a log cabin style beautiful house. We parked and I hopped out of the passenger side, looking around. I could see the orange flames dancing around in the distance. There were plenty of shadows and beer bottles clinking. As I shut my door, I heard another one open up on the deck.

"Ladiesssss." A seemingly drunk guy shouted over the railing.

"Oh, Cody. Drunk already is not a good look on you." Lauren chuckled, running up the stairs to greet her friend.

"Hey, Kolby's letting me stay here. I am taking full advantage. Talking about taking advantage, who is that lovely lady down there?" He said, pointing towards me. Oh good Lord. Should I hop in the truck and lock myself in there for the night already? I wasn't going to lie, the thought had crossed my mind.

"Hands off. That's my girl for the night." Lauren replied, "It's Nora." And then I could hear her not so quietly whisper that I was Robbie's girlfriend.

Cody mouthed oh very dramatically that I could even see it. Another guy came walking out of the door behind him shortly after, smacking him on the shoulder.

"Cody, leave these pretty girls alone. They don't want any of you."

Even that made me giggle. The gentleman looked down over the railing at me, "You can come up and talk to us. We don't bite. Well, I mean, unless that's what you are in to. Then I can make it work."

I blushed and made my way over to the stairs. I reached the deck and looked up at the 6 foot something guy with brown hair and a beard and goatee. He had a drink in hand as well, but was not visibly drunk. This made me feel a little more comfortable.

"I'm Kolby. And you are?" He actually extended a hand out to shake mine. I released my hand from my leather jacket pocket and took his.

"I'm Nora." I replied shyly.

"Well, Nora, it is nice to finally meet you. Lauren here is always talking about her best friend. I am glad to see you came out. Now, can I get you ladies anything before we head over to the rest of the crew over by the fire?"

Lauren and I both shook our heads and followed the two guys up the hill and across the small opening to join everyone around the fire.

"I am gonna go talk to some of the guys over there. Are you gonna be okay for a few minutes without me?" Lauren leaned over and looked at me.

"Go ahead."

She walked over to a group of guys, giving each one a hug, receiving a smack on the behind from one of them. She screeched and smacked his hand.

I looked around again at everyone before I headed over to a cooler and sat myself on it. Maybe I should have stayed in tonight. It was starting to make my head spin. The conversations seemed to be getting louder. A beer bottle crashed into an empty garbage can. Laughter piercing the night air. I suddenly got the nauseous feeling I had the instant Robbie had sped away from the party that night. I stood and turned on my heel, ready to run for the driveway. I had made it about halfway down when I ran right into something solid. Or someone.

"Whoa, the fire's that way, darlin'." A rough voice placed his hands on my forearms to steady me. The metal of his countless rings grazing my smooth beige jacket.

I looked up in to his green eyes. I recognized him from our hometown heroes newspaper. He had made it big in Nashville and gave back to our community plenty.

"I, I need to go home." I stammered. "I'm not feeling well." At that moment I heard Lauren yelling my name from the top of the hill.

" Nora, is it?" I nodded. "Nora, I think a pretty thing like you should stay."

I stood there staring at him. All I wanted to do is leave. Get out while I could. Go home and stay in bed for eternity.

"Hey..." His voice was at a low growl, sending chills down my spine. "Why don't you take a walk with me? I could use it anyway, not up for all the hype and partying."

"Okay..." I agreed after a couple of seconds.

"Brantley." He knew I was looking for his name to acknowledge him. He smiled slightly from underneath the black baseball hat he was adorning.

A/N: Sorry it has been so long since I have updated! A lot going on, but hope you guys are enjoying it! Thank you to CG1990 for the kind review! Keep them coming! Have a great day everyone!