Love's Broken Road

Chapter 2 - New Friends

Shea’s P.O.V.

“Where are we heading?” I asked.

“Not much farther. One of my friends is having a bonfire,” Jayden said as he turned his truck onto a long gravel driveway.

“Will there be many people at the party?” I asked as I began wringing my hands.

I started dating Jayden a few days ago, and he was taking to meet his friends. Most times, I date the clean-cut guy, but he was a tall and skinny country boy. Jayden was a real smooth talker and persistent to boot. I tried to hide from him twice when he can to the restaurant where I worked. I can’t count how many times he asked me out until I gave in to him.

“Not too many. Don’t worry, Shea. They won’t bite.” he laughed.

I tried to relax. I am outgoing and could make friends with no problem. But tonight, my nerves had taken over.

The truck crested a hill into an expansive field with a bonfire burning in the middle. The fire had about a dozen cars and trucks parked around it. They had the music cranked up loud as girls were dancing in the truck beds. I hope that everyone wasn’t Jayden’s friend.

Jayden parked the truck and hopped out, and I hesitated to get out.

“Shea, are you going to get out? I told you they don’t bite.” He smirked.

I took a deep breath, smiled at him, and hopped out. He took my hand as we walked towards the fire. He led us over to a cooler where there was a group of girls chatting. One girl standing there turned and waved to Jayden as we walked in that direction.

“Hey, Mel. Shea, my sister Melody,” he said.

She smiled and hugged me, “Nice to meet you. Do you want a drink?”

“No, thanks. Not much of a drinker.” I fibbed.

I never touched alcohol in my life. That’s my little secret.

“No date tonight?” Jayden asked.

She gave him an annoyed look and huffed, “No, you and Dakota scared the last one away.”

“Oh yeah.” he chuckled, “Speaking of which, have you seen Dakota around tonight?”

Her eyes softened, and she frowned, “Yeah, he’s over by the fire.”

“Hey, at least he came. That’s an improvement. I don’t think he’s been out since it happened.” he said.

“You should go talk to him. He’s still not handling it very well, but please don’t say anything stupid.” Melody warned him.

“Yeah, yeah. Dakota’s a big boy. He will be fine.” Jayden mocked.

If looks could kill, the look Melody gave him could have killed him.

I wondered to myself, what happened? Jayden started heading over towards the fire. Two guys were sitting on a large log set up for seating around the fire. One of them was sitting there staring at the fire.

Jayden walked up behind the one staring at the fire. “Quit your moping, asshole.”

That’s a hell of a way to greet someone.

“Where the f**k have you been?” he said as he stood up and hugged Jayden.

My fault, the classic ‘I can’t find a thing to wear.’

“I was picking up Shea. Shea, Dakota.” Jayden said, turning to me.

Dakota is cute. His straw cowboy hat sat atop his head, the front bent to cover his eyes. He was wearing faded blue jeans, cowboy boots, and a sleeveless t-shirt. A dark tan covered the parts I could see from many hours out working in the sun. Tall, with broad shoulders but on the skinny side. He had black hair that curled from underneath his hat. OK, so he wasn’t cute. He was hot! Oh god, what am I thinking?

“Hi,” he said as he stuck his hand out.

He was nervous, which was cute.

I shook his hand, “Nice to meet you.”

When his hand touched mine, I had to fight back a blush. He kept looking at my eyes, and I could see his eyes were a green color with bits of brown in them. His eyes looked towards the ground as if he got caught doing something wrong.

“He didn’t kidnap you, did he?” he asked with a sly grin.

I laughed, “Why do you say that??”

“Someone as hot as you shouldn’t get caught with him,” he joked.

My face immediately turned bright red as butterflies formed in my stomach. Why am I feeling this way when I just met him?

“Alright, asshole, look who’s the one that’s here by himself,” Jayden stated as he punched him in the arm.

Dakota looked as if someone had punched him in the gut when Jayden said that. The pain washed over his face.

Jayden realized what he said, “Ah s**t, man, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it that way.”

“It’s alright. It’s time I live my life again,” Then he downed his beer. “I believe it’s time for another,” Dakota said and excused himself.

I waited for Dakota to get out of earshot and smacked the back of Jayden’s head.

“Ow, what was that for?” he yelped.

“Real smooth jack ass, your sister told you not to say something stupid,” I growled at him.

“Yeah, I have a real problem with that sometimes.” he chuckled.

“I don’t find it funny. What made Dakota act that way?” I queried.

“His fiancee dumped him two weeks ago and started dating one of her ‘friends.’” the other guy on the log said as he stood up and turned toward us.

Well, that explains a good bit. No wonder Dakota’s mood changed when Jayden said that. He must be heartbroken.

“Hey Coby, Shea, Coby, Dakota’s brother,” Jayden said.

Coby gave a wave. He was a scant shorter than his brother but in the same build. Jayden took a seat on the log, grabbed my hand, and pulled me in front of him. I took a seat in his lap, the warmth from the flaming bonfire washing over me.

“Has he said much tonight?” Jayden asked Coby.

“No, he keeps staring at the fire. He has said little in two weeks. I had to force him to come out tonight. The b***h messed him up good.”

“How long were they together?” I asked.

“They have dated for four years. Nicole has a habit of dumping him. He tried to move on after she dumped him the first time. As soon as he started dating a nice girl, she came back with a sob story. She kept playing him for a fool. She came back saying it was a mistake to leave him, asking for a second chance. He fell for it even though we tried to warn him. Then they got engaged six months ago.” Jayden said.

If she’s done this before, why did he take her back?

“Then she sent him a text two weeks ago saying it wasn’t working and started dating a guy we know. I’m sure she was screwing around behind his back.” Coby added.

Wow, how can someone be so cruel? It sounds as if she did more than break him. I looked around, and I saw him talking to Melody. I felt sad for him, even though I didn’t know him.

“OK, she is a b***h. How could you do that to someone?” I said.

“She didn’t care,” Jayden said.

The guys continued chatting, but my thoughts went to how heartbroken Dakota is. He doesn’t deserve to get treated that way. He was still talking to Melody. They look cute together. Maybe what he needs is someone that cares for him and will help him forget that b***h. I smirked when an idea popped into my head. I believe they need a nudge.