Shotgun Pretty

Let It Ride

I let the warm water run over my body as I stood there, tired as all hell, in the upstairs bathroom. I kept tossing and turning the previous night. I couldn't get what Brantley had said about wanting to talk to me and the nightmares of Robbie's accident out of my head. It caused me to get only about three hours of sleep in total. I lathered my hands up with my lavender scented shampoo and washed my chocolate brown hair. When I was done, I stepped out, wrapping a big fluffy tan towel around my body. I walked across the quiet hall to my bedroom, shutting the door lightly. I rummaged through my closet and found a pair of ripped jeans and a plain teal long sleeve top. I was just pulling my top on over my white lace bra when I heard the door creek open.

I spun around and just about screamed. I know my expression gave away how surprised I was. "Brantley, what are you doing here?" I shifted, making sure my body was fully covered.

"Don't worry darlin', I didn't see a thing." He chuckled, noticing my pink flushed cheeks. "I was on my way in to town and thought I would drop by. I needed to talk to you anyway. Kill two birds with one stone so to say."

I swallowed a little too loudly because I noticed Brantley give me a half smile, "It's nothing bad, so you can calm down."

"I'm fine. So what is it you wanna talk to me about?" I asked, sitting on the edge of my bed, placing my small hands in my lap.

He cleared his throat as he pulled out my desk chair and sat on it backwards with one big movement. "It's awards season," He began, rubbing his jaw while his rough voice continued, "And I have to go to Vegas next week for The ACM Awards. My brother doesn't make the best date, you know, he doesn't have the legs to pull off a dress. But I noticed you have some mighty fine legs..." He chuckled, trailing off.

"Are you trying to ask me to be your date or are you trying to get in my pants here. I can't quite tell." I deadpanned, staring at him.

He let out a great big belly laugh. It was such a great sound and so contagious that I couldn't help but giggle myself.

"I am not trying to get in to your pants. I am a gentleman, Nora. You should know that. Although, I won't lie, I am hoping that'll happen sometime. I am simply asking you to be my date to the awards." He looked at me, placing that damn black hat of his on his head backwards. I looked in to his green eyes as they searched mine. I didn't know whether to be flattered or offended because he said he wanted in my pants at the same time. I had to admit though, he looked like a little kid waiting to see if he could go outside and play in his new sand box. I stood up and walked the two feet over to him, closing the distance between us. I placed my hands on his shoulders, looking down at him.

"I would love to be your date, but I have nothing to wear." I replied.

"Don't worry, darlin'. We can take care of that. I am going to have one hot date."

I smiled down at him, placing a kiss on his forehead. He grinned, grabbing my cheeks and pulling me in for a real kiss. It was short and sweet, but I could feel the energy between us. I backed away and thanked him for inviting me. He told me it was his pleasure, but he had to get in to town to help his momma before she whooped his behind. I walked him down the stairs to the front door. As he left, I couldn't help but rethink if I should actually go or not. I mean, we hadn't specified if we were a couple, I still had nightmares about Robbie, and I felt like this was all moving so fast. On cue, my phone dinged in my back pocket. I reached for it and read the text message.

'Thank you for agreeing to be my date again. And don't think too much in to this. Let it ride.'

It's like he already knew me so well. I smiled to myself, placing my phone back in the back pocket of my jeans and pulled on my camo rubber boots. I headed out the front door and walked around the house to the garage. It was beautiful out and I wasn't going to waste any more time thinking about it. I was gonna let it ride like Brantley had said. I opened the garage door and hopped on my four wheeler. I turned it on, letting the engine hum beneath me, ready to ride out through the woods to enjoy it.

A/n: Sorry it has been awhile to update! Thank you thank you thank you to everyone who has been reading and liking and commenting! You are what is keeping this story going! I can't thank you enough :)  More updates soon, I promise!