I'm Still Here

No Choice Given: Part II

Susanna's POV

Walking down the street from our hotel, I tugged my shorts down one more time glaring over at a snickering Sadie. Should have known better than to let Steph pack my bag. Well, not like I had known I was taking a trip. Why the hell she packed me so little I dunno. Already told Sadie we were going shopping tomorrow before we did anything else in Nashville. Evil woman wouldn't even tell me what concert we were going to. Only my dear sweet cousin or Tiff would find the skimpiest shirt and shorts that I own! The chiffon hunter green halter top was at least light weight and comfortable. Really did go well with my brown cowboy boots and cut off shorts. I looked like half the college coeds mingling around Nashville.

"Hurry up," Sadie said motioning for me to walk faster. Her brunette curls bouncing with each step like a woman on a mission. Thought we were up here to relax. "We are gonna be late."

"Which you still won't tell me what for!" I snapped knowing I was acting like a two-year-old. They were right. I did need a break even if I didn't want to admit it. Getting out of town away from the memories I was slowly drowning in was a welcome change. It was even worse if I knew Brantley was home. We followed a group of chattering girls while Sadie dug two passes out of her shorts pocket draping one around my neck before I could read it. I knew we were going to a concert and something told me she'd gotten Luke to hook her up. Hope for her sake we were seeing him because even though she hid it, I knew she missed him.

Threading her arm through mine I grinned over at her as we made our way to a white tent. Curiosity finally got to me so I looked down at the pass to see what it said only to have a picture of Brantley staring back at me. Shit! No! I growled lowly in my throat making Sadie throw her head back laughing. "I'm going to fucking kill you Sadie. I can't do this.''

"Ohhhh yes you can," she teased. She at least had us in the back of the room. I could hear the excited screams when a moment later Jesse walked on the small stage with a guitar followed not even two seconds later by Brantley. The black hat backwards. White tank top with a pair of ripped black jeans. I felt my heart pounding out of my chest torn with the desire to get the hell out of there before I was spotted. He more than likely would be pissed that I was there. Sadie reached out squeezing my arm leaning in to whisper in my ear as they started to play. "No, he doesn't know you are here. Luke got Kerri to handle the passes and tickets for the show. It's up to you in a way if you see him."

"But it wouldn't hurt either of you," a voice said from beside me making me jump. I turned to see Ben leaning against the wall near us giving me a smirk. "He misses you Suzie Q. Won't say it but he does."

"Doesn't matter," I murmured turning my attention back to the man at the front of the room as he started answering fan question. The flirty smile to the blonde in the front that yes he was single made my chest ache. But I couldn't get upset. I had given up the right months ago. Biting my lip, I looked at my booted feet feeling Ben wrap an arm around my shoulders while Sadie sighed. Guess they all had been in on this scheme. Lifting my head, a gasp lodged in my throat when I locked eyes with the green ones staring intently to the back of the room. They widened seeing me before he let professional cool take over. Unable to take it, I pushed away from Ben ducking out of the tent with he and Sadie both trailing me. I whirled around outside blinking my eyes to fight against the tears. "I can't y'all please don't make me. Bad enough now that he knows I am here."

"That's a good thing!" Sadie snapped growling at me. "Stop being a chicken shit walking away from the damn man. You need him."

"I can take you back with me," Ben told me gently as he jerked his head towards the buses. "Find somewhere quiet for you two to talk. You need to Suzie Q. It's past time and here you don't have the bakery to hide behind."