River Lane

Chapter 2

Chapter Two

            Once I was outside I sat down on the wooden porch swing. Tugging my boots on, I looked up to see a cloud of dust, bellowing up the road towards the house. I stared at it for a minute, until through the dust I could see the old blue Chevy I’d seen a million times growing up. In it was one of my two best friends, Levi, who happened to be dating Allie. I couldn’t be more excited. I needed a happy face to clear out the angry one that was disturbing my thoughts.

The truck door came swinging open with a loud rusty creak at the same moment he slammed the brake on the truck. He barely had it turned off before he leaped out of the truck and ran towards me, swinging me up into a breath taking bear hug.

            “Man oh man, Nayvee; I didn’t think you’d ever get here!” He said, as he dropped me back to the ground.

            “Apparently word travels fast in a small town; I barely got here last night” I said to him, rushing to get the words out.

            “Yeah, well, I was a little over anxious when you told me you were coming. Allie was about tired of me talking about you, but she was just as excited as me. She’s at work or she’d be here with me.”  

            “Well come on, let’s go for a walk. I haven’t even got to really see the place yet.” We started walking through the orchard, weaving in and out of the trees, just enjoying the moment. I could see the birds flying from tree to tree, and a few on the ground digging for worms. The smell of blossoms was fresh in the air, as a few drifted down from their branch havens, and landed softly in the spiky grass.

            After a few minutes’, Levi decided to break the silence. “You know who else is anxious to see you”. He glanced over at me with a mischievous look in his eyes. I merely looked over, choosing to not speak, and waited for him tell me. I hate guessing games.

After realizing I wasn’t going to play along, he answered his own question. “Brady”.

I was stunned. That wasn’t exactly the answer I was expecting.

            Brady was Levi’s “male” best friend. They had been friends since they were little kids. Levi had made it an art on how to hang out with either me or Brady, but usually not together. Brady’s the tall, blonde, sporty type. Football being his specialty. From working his dad’s farm, he’s muscular and lean, not to mention good looking, and he knows it. The worst part was every girl in this school and many others fully agree with him and aren’t afraid to tell him so. It brings on a lot of over-confidence into his already pompous head.

            In the last few years, he had taken notice of me, and even though he definitely isn’t my dream guy, he is good looking, and knows how to have a good time. The last time I was down to visit, I went to a party at Brady’s farm. Previous to that, he had been trying for months to get me to date him. The party was his last attempt.

When he couldn’t convince me that it was a good idea, he got mad. Alcohol playing a large part in his anger, he told me to get the hell away from him. He had changed his mind, and (in not so nice of words)  decided I “Wasn’t worth the chase and he didn’t need me. I was just a dick tease and he could have his pick of any girl in the county”. I kneed him in the privates and I hadn’t heard from him since.

       Bringing myself out of the thought chain and back to the present, I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts.

“Why in the world would Brady be anxious to see me?” I asked, extremely perturbed.

Levi looked at me as though I was stupid.                                                                                       

            “You honestly don’t believe that he meant what he told you at the party do you?” He asked, doubt sounding clearly in his voice.

            “Actually yeah, I kind of do, and even if I didn’t it was enough to show me how big of an ass he really is and glad that I got him to leave me alone before I was stupid enough to actually date him.”

            “Ok clearly I’m going to have to explain this to you, which is weird because you are my best friend, and also I thought you were observant of these things. There aren’t very many girls around here. You are sort of a new girl, and you’re gorgeous. You happen to be extremely fun, and know how to have a good time. You’re not afraid of anything, and you’re a temptress. You have this inexplicable way of being completely independent and mysterious, and there’s a million other things’ about you that make you desirable to most men, me being the exception. Do you understand now why Brady is anxious to see you? You’re the perfect catch for him, or for any guy, and he would gladly have you to show off if you gave him the chance. I don’t blame you for avoiding him in the past and wanting to continue now though. He really is an ass.”

            “Yeah, I don’t believe much of what you said, but you’ve made your point. Let’s talk about something else. Actually I have a question for you. Do you know Garrett, the kid who is living here?” I said it blunt and straight forward, but tried to be nonchalant so he wouldn’t realize the hidden intentions behind it. Even though my first encounter with him hadn’t been the best, I couldn’t help but be intrigued by him.

            “Yeah, I’ve met him a few times. I spent a few days working with him when Jared needed my help with a few things. He seems like a pretty good guy, he’s a good worker and he’s really good with horses too. I’ve seen him do some amazing things with them.”  

             Just like a typical guy. Work being the only thing that comes to mind when talking about other guys. I quickly learned I’d have to find someone else to give me better details.

            Deciding that was all I was going to get out of him, we sat in silence for a bit. Looking over towards thebarn, I noticed Garrett working with a little bay filly. I decided to watch him for myself and see just how good of a horseman he really was.