I'm Still Here

Highlight of Small Town Life

"You are full of crap if you think I am gonna believe that," Tiffany laughed grabbing the ends of my hair lifting then looking closely letting out a whistle. "Well, I wasn't expecting teeth marks. Look at BG go."

"Girls," Mama said with a laugh shaking her head. She narrowed her eyes at the field not agreeing with a call Daddy had made. "He should have run the ball!" I saw her debate calling his phone before turning her attention back to us. Wouldn't be the first time. I swear she knew the playbook better than the quarterback. A slim hand reached over patting my jean clad leg. "I was actually surprised to see you alone tonight honey. Figured you would have a date or something."

"Mama," I sighed rolling my eyes. "We aren't dating or anything. It's not..."

"Guess it could be termed as hooking up," Tiffany chuckled making me whirl around and smack her arm. Mama sighed as we battled back and forth before Tiffany shrugged her shoulders. "Sorry Mrs. H."

"It's something,' Mama laughed poking my arm putting her two cents in. "That boy made a beeline for you in church. And someone's Jeep stayed parked in their own parking lot for not one, but two nights in a row. Your own daddy almost ran his truck off the street yesterday morning seeing you hop off the back of a motorcycle to run into work late. So Susanna darlin, however you want to term it, there is something going on between you and Brantley."

"Well when I know," I said with a laugh leaning over to kiss her cheek. "You will be the first to know."

"Oh sweetie," Mama chuckled turning her attention back to the game. "Becky and I will know before you two. Haven't you figured out how the small-town gossip works yet."

I settled back against the bleacher getting absorbed in the game. Had been part of my life for years. A pair of jean clad legs settled on either side of me before a black leather jacket slipped around my shoulders making me turn my head and look up. Felt my heart skip a beat seeing that backwards black hat and a wide smile as Brantley leaned down brushing a quick kiss across my lips.

"Sorry," he said with a sheepish shrug confusing me on why he was sorry. He hadn't mentioned anything about seeing me tonight when he'd come into the bakery after the lunch rush trying to sweet talk a dozen chocolate chip cookies out of me. "I had planned on being here sooner, but I got held up on a conference call with my manager and my label president. Working out studio dates." He leaned over wrapping a long arm around Mama's shoulders hugging her. "Evening Mrs. H. looking lovely as always."

"Brantley, son," Mama snickered rolling her eyes. "When did you become such a kiss ass? Afraid I'll still get Mark to make you run laps?"

"More like wondering if he has been cleaning his guns," Tiffany snickered shoving Brantley's arm making him wink at her. "I mean you are chasing after his baby girl."

"That I am," he laughed slumping down on the bleachers stretching out his legs. Arms wrapped around my shoulders pulling me back into his chest. I tamped down a content sigh feeling warmer than I had been earlier. I knew without a doubt Mama snuck at least one picture when we weren't looking that I am sure hit Ms. Becky's phone in a heartbeat. At least three girls from the class above me in school strolled by giving me dirty looks over who was sitting with their arms around me. Won't lie made me feel a little smug. Sorry ladies, your potential husband number two was busy with me tonight.

I bit my lip listening to the conversation flowing around me wondering in some ways how I got lucky for something I had wanted as a teenager to happen finally did. Mama would tell me that there is a time for everything in life. I guess she was right. A soft kiss brushing along my cheek made me blush as the preacher and his wife walked by. Mrs. Shelia didn't even try to hide her raised eyebrows. I wanted to snap at her to take a picture it would last longer but the couple following behind them had Tiffany's jaw dropping and the chest I was leaned against rumbling with a laugh.