The Bad Boy's Second Chance

Chapter nine

Casey

I pulled at my collar for about tenth time. I looked at my reflection in the mirror. Here, I am the guy who wears sweatpants, shirts and, sneakers. But, not tonight. Actually, these past few weeks I have been wearing button up shirts, boots and, jeans. And, it doesn’t bother me that much. “You surely know that you can wear a plain t-shirt.” I heard Abby say. “I just thought.” I started to say turning around when I found her standing in the doorway. Dressed in a floral skirt that reached her knees, with a jean vest and, boots. “No, jeans?” I asked looking at her.

“I don’t always wear jeans.” She unfolded her arms and, walked over to me. She stopped a few inches away from me and, pulled my shirt from my jeans. Then she started “popping” the buttons of the shirt, starting at the bottom and, making her way up. She then spread the material and, pushed it off my shoulders. She drew her lower lip between her lips as she brushed her fingers across my naked chest. “Would you stop doing that?” I asked lifting my hand to her face to pull her lip free. “Or, I’ll have you on that bed in less than twenty seconds,” I told her.

She smiled at my reaction, pushed herself onto her toes and, pressed her lips against mine kissing me softly and, deeply. “Before you guys decide to stay and, do other things. We need to go.” Her father suddenly interrupted making us break the kiss. “We’ll be down in a sec.” She told her father walking over to my closet taking out a shirt. “Hmm-mmm.” He mumbled looking at me and, then making up his mind leaving us alone. “10 seconds!” He yelled as he walked off.

Abby stood in front of me holding up a shirt, I slipped my head and, arms through and, let her pull it down my body. “There you go.” She said placing a kiss to the corner of my lips. I grabbed my phone and, the rest of the necessary things and, headed downstairs. We all got in the truck and, her father drove us into town.

I frowned to myself when I found her father pulling the car up to a barn. “The party is being held in a barn?” I asked Abby. “What did you think we hold our parties in the City hall?” She asked with a chuckle. I was surprised when we entered the barn, it was completely different. As if, it has been rebuilt and, remodeled. The entrance of the barn was designed to be an under roof eating space. And, moving towards the back, a huge dancefloor was installed including a small stage for a band.

“I think I am really starting to like Tennessee,” I told Abby. “Why’s that?” She asked with a smile. “The way you do things out here. It’s different from the City.” She nodded as she understood. “We too have a city but, it’s a long drive.” She told me. “Have you been in the city?” I asked her. “For, Colleges.” She answered. “And?” I asked. “If you are trying to find out if, they have an Art school then you should know, it’s not what I had.”

“I don’t know why you can’t continue.”

“The farm is my first priority right now.”

“But, surely you have free time on your hands to paint and, draw.” She shook her head. “I don’t have the love for it like I used to.” She admitted. “But, you are so good. Abby.” She only pulled up her shoulders. I grabbed her by her arm bringing her to a stop. “Look at me and, tell me the truth. Why did you stop?” I asked. “I don’t have inspiration after Sandy died and, I left you. My dad is starting to give up on the farm and, it feels like you expect me to leave everything.” She said making me frown.

“How did I ever do that?”

“You are here trying to win me over and, I’m afraid you believe that I will go back to the city. But, I don’t want to. I belong here on the farm.”

“I will never ask you to leave your home. Never. You are my cowgirl. You’re strong, independent and, you are capable of achieving the unbelievable.” I told her cupping her cheek. “And, I’m not here to take you away. I’m the one thinking of staying right here with you.” Her eyes widen and, I immediately saw the conflict in her eyes. I pressed my lips against hers to silence her. “Tennessee has a basketball team and, they have called me to ask if, I want to join their team.”

“But, New York is your team. The place you grow up in. Your family and, friends are that side.” I shrugged. “But, you are here. And, I see you like my new family. I can make this my new home and, we can always go visit them.”

“I can’t believe what I’m hearing.” She said with a sad smile. “Just believe that I love you,” I told her. She nodded and, then peck my lips. “Let’s go dance.” We have been practicing on my moves and, I was excited to show them off. Even if I wasn’t a real cowboy yet.

I’ve never imagined myself enjoying a party as much as a Tennessee party. Line dancing with people you don’t quite know. Dancing to country music that I never thought that I would admit it’s cool. And, I never thought it would turn me on to watch my cowgirl dance. If, people back could only see what I see. A girl with a handful of talents, she draws, she used to be a jockey, she fixes fences on the farm, she tames horses and, she can line dance.

A girl, I never thought that I would fall in love with. A girl that turned out to be the right kind of woman I need.

I smiled to myself when I grabbed her hand and, twirled her. Her smile lit the room, it healed the broken pieces inside of me. My heart started to beat again when I heard her carefree laughter as I pulled her towards me and, wrapped my arms around her. My whole life was described in this one moment with this woman in my arms, smiling and, laughing.

“My t-shirt is soaked.” I told her on our way back to the track. It was after midnight when the party finally came to an end. “That’s the life of a good party.” She replied slapping me on the butt. “How often do they throw parties like this?” I asked getting into the truck beside her father. “As much as they want.” She said getting in too and, sitting down next to me.

“I never thought I would say this but, this was fun.” Abby chuckled, her father included. “Well, son. That’s what Tennessee does to a man.” He said starting the truck and, driving us home.

We said our goodnights and, headed up to my room. Abby was already in my bed after I stripped out of my clothes. “You know, I truly like this image right here,” I said climbing onto the bed and, crawled over her. “What’s that?” She asked with a giggle when I grabbed her on the sides. “Going to bed each night with you lying next to me.”