Deagan can think about twenty other things to do right now than going to a bonfire where she won't know a whole lot of people. Living in a small town one would think Deagan would know more people than she does. Deagan has always lived in Franklin, Tennessee which is approximately thirty minutes from Nashville. She's always had dreams of moving to a big city such as Los Angeles or New York City. She's never taken anything to deal with home too seriously including high school as she never bothered to get herself into a long term relationship.

    Another issue that Deagan does not agree with is the fact that now, being in college she has to commute back and forth since she still lives with her parents, not letting her move out until she graduates. With Degan not having a ton of friends, which she doesn't really mind, she only has three close friends: Grace, Danielle, and Victoria. Her friends decided they were going to go to a big bonfire of course wanting to drag Deagan along. Driving along the back roads, the only thing that Deagan loves, they drive until a farm house appears in the horizon. Deagan notices that it's a pretty nice sized house,  guessing it's on a few hundred acres, few stables and a huge barn beside it. Deagan can't help but think that this whole going to a bonfire/party is the opposite of what she wants to be doing on a Saturday night. Pulling up to the back of the house, a bunch of trucks and jeeps sitting on the property, the girls get out of the car, Deagan noticing the river running along the back of the property, big fire ball illuminating the sky as it's getting darker.

    She wonders if she is going to regret her wardrobe choice, jean shorts, teal razorback tank top, and cowboy boots as the sun continues to set. The girls walk closer to the bonfire, Deagan seeing a ton of people both equal in numbers, guys and girls. One thing she does love about Tennessee are the attractive men. She has noticed the guys at the bonfire, but one standing out more than the others. She can't help but look at the mystery guy noticing his features. Blonde hair, blue eyes, if she had to guess about 6'4 frame. He's wearing jeans that look a little worn out, a V-neck t-shirt, baseball cap backwards, a very close resemblance to Chase Rice, drinking a beer and talking along with his friends. They make brief eye contact, both looking away smiling. Looking back over at him as he walks over to the girls, a couple of beers in his hands. Deagan can see the edge of a tattoo on his bicep, taking note that he is very muscular, probably from all the physical labor he does on what she assumes is his farm.

    "Hey there, I think your boyfriend must be an idiot for not coming with you tonight," he says smiling.

    "Um I don't have a boyfriend," Deagan smiles, her friends noticing her mood change since he walked up.

    "Well, that's hard to believe," he says smiling, handing a beer over to her.

    "Thank you," Deagan says taking the beer from him and opening the cap, and sliding it in her pocket and taking a sip.

    "I'm Chase by the way," he says taking a sip of his own beer and holding out his hand for Deagan to shake.

    "I'm Deagan," she smiles sliding her hand in to Chase's.

    "Deagan huh? That's pretty unique, I like it. It's a pleasure to meet you," Chase nods his head.

    "Thank you, you don't hear that often. But it's nice to meet you too," Deagan smiles as they both walk back over to the big girl, taking another sup of her beer.

    "So why the long face?" Chase smiles.

    "I can think of a million other things to be doing right now."

    "Alright well lat it on me," Chase says taking another sip of his drink.

    "I don't know," Deagan smiles, "shopping, swimming, tanning, stuff like that," taking another long sip of her beer. "I just want to get out of this town in general."

    "Well, we can go swimming," Chase smirks pointing at the river, "but otherwise the sun is going down, so I can't help with tanning. There's no mall around here so I can't help with shopping and I don't have a plane so I can't get out of here. But, I can offer swimming, drinking, music, and hanging out with good people for tonight," he winks at you.

    "Is this your place?" Reagan asks assuming it's his place.

    "Yeah, my family moved down here just before I started high school and I bought this place after I finished college," he takes a sip of his beer. "It's a lot quieter here than where I grew up."

    "College grad huh? I wish I was done."

    "Yes, I'm sure you're also a few years younger than me though too," Chase says taking another sip of his beer. "And don't rush it, life gets complicated afterwards."

    "I'm 24. You?" Deagan smiling.

    "I'm 29."

    "Damn, yeah you are way older than me," Deagan winks at him and following him, watching Chase pull the tailgate down on his truck.

    "Gee thank you," Chase laughs pulling himself up on the tailgate. Dean pulls herself up also, watching everyone partying and getting drunk. "Do you want something other than beer?"

    Looking down at her half empty beer, "I'm good, thank you," she smiles taking another sip and looking out at everyone.

    "So until you get out of this terrible place," winking at Deagan. "What do you do for fun?"

    "Go out of town for one, um I horseback ride. My uncle owns a horse farm just west of here," placing her hands on the tailgate, swimming her legs around.

    "I have a few here," Chase nods.

    "You do?" Dean asks taking her hand off the tailgate and running a hand through her hair.

    "Yeah I do. Do you want go see them?"

    Nodding her head yes, both of them hopping off the tailgate as Deagan follows Chase away from the bonfire.

    Making their way up the dirt path, Chase can't help but wonder why she decided to come over. "No offense, because I'm glad you did, but what made you decide to come out here tonight?"

    "I was dragged out here," Deagan smiles, crossing her arms.

    "Well, don't sound too thrilled about it," Chase winks at her. Walking closer, Deagan hears Chase whistle, two black labs running out of the barn.

    Deagan smiles seeing the energetic labs run out and to them. "Hey," she says kneeling down and petting them. "You guys are beautiful," they lick Deagan's face with the compliment, wagging their tails.

    "This is Rex and Sid," Chase smiles, petting them both. "They're brothers. They love the horses."

    "Well, that's good," standing back up and following Chase to the stables. They walk into the stable, Deagan sees a few horses in their stables. She walks over to the closest horse to her, running her hand over the horse's neck and muzzle. The horse nudges and sniffs Deagan.

    "That is Scarlet," Chase smiles, handing a carrot to Deagan. "Maybe one day you can come by and take her out with me. She is the best horse ever."

    "Are you inviting me to ride with you one day?" Deagan smiles.

    "Well, I mean unless you manage to find another guy with a plane so you can get out of here first then yes," winking at Deagan and smirking a little.

     "Well, I will keep you in mind," petting Scarlet's neck.

    "Sounds good to me."

    "Do you want to head back?" Deagan asks as she is starting to get cold, really missing the big fire at the moment.

     "Yeah that sounds great," Chase smirks, noticing that she looks cold.

    "You actually look like you're having fun," Deagan's friend Victoria walks over, pulling herself up on the tailgate also.

    "Yeah it's alright," Deagan nods running a hand through her hair. Sitting on the tailgate drinking her beer, wearing a zip up hoodie she brought with her. The girls sit on the tailgate, watching Chase and a few other guys play some music, the fire still going strong.

    "Seems a little more than alright," Victoria winks at her, nudging her arm. Deagan looks over as her brother walks over, a few shot glasses filled with a mystery substance in it, never knowing with him. Both girls taking the shot with Deagan's brother and then handing the glasses back to him. Deagan is starting to feel really good by that point.

    "So he's why you're here," Chase smiles, walking up and referring to her brother.

    "Yeah that asshole is my brother," taking a sip of her beer.

    "Yeah well that asshole did most of my tattoos," Chase smiles, Deagan's brother being a tattoo artist.

    "Oh he has huh? Which ones did he do?"

    After taking another sip of his beer he sets the bottle down and pulls off his shirt, the first thing Deagan notices are the muscles in his chest and shoulders. Her eyes can't help but scan down lower, focusing on his abs and V cut. He turns around, Deagan seeing the big tribal tattoo on his back and Chinese letters on his side meaning, "strength."

"I think I remember him talking about the back one."

******************************

    Later on that night, the party is starting to wind down as everyone is feeling pretty good. Deagan has surprised herself that she has stayed as long as she has.

    "Do you guys need a place to stay for the night?" Chase asks, walking over to Deagan and her friend.

    "Yeah probably," they both giggle in unison.

    "Well, you and your friend can stay in my room if you want," Chase suggests.

    "I don't want to sleep in your bed. Where are you sleeping?" Deagan smiles.

    "I don't know I can sleep on the couch or something," Chase says, not feeling as good as Deagan and her friend are.

    "Just sleep in the bed with us," Deagan smiles.

    "Yeah come with us," her friend says grabbing Chase's hand.

    "You're making it hard for me to say no."

    "Yeah come on, one night won't hurt," Deagan winks at him.

    "Okay," Chase winks at both of them. They walk to the house, Deagan and Chase loosely holding each other's hands giggling. Stumbling into the house a little, Deagan's friend walking away and laying down on the couch passing out minutes later.

    "She's really drunk," Chase smirks.

    "Yeah she's going to hurt in the morning."

    "I'll bring her upstairs and you girls can still sleep in there."

     "No, you can still sleep in there, I wouldn't move her."

     "Okay then I'll bring you upstairs," Chase smirks picking her up like she weighs nothing, carrying her upstairs.

    Wrapping her arms around his neck as he brings her up she can't help but smile a little. Feeling her back hit the bed as she then watches Chase move beside her. She turns on her side facing Chase as he pulls the cover over them.

    "Thanks for the party," Deagan says, instinctively cuddling into Chase.

    "Thank you for coming," sliding his arm around her as he feels her move into him.

    The next morning Deagan is awaken by a pounding headache. Opening her eyes, she notices that Chase's lips are against her forehead, the covers are down over their hips, and his arm around her. She moves a little, trying not to wake him.

    "Hey," Chase groans a little and then stretches, smiling.

    "Um hey, we didn't...you...know...did we?"

    "No nothing happened, don't worry," Chase says sitting up and rubbing his eyes.

    "Okay," placing her hand on her head, pounding.

    "Coffee and some Advil?" Chase asks.

    "Um yes that would be great."

    "Sure I'll be right back," Chase says standing up still in his clothes from the night before.

    Chase heads downstairs, Deagan looking around his room. There are a lot of pictures hanging up, a guitar in the corner. Also, looking over at his open closet, she sees what looks to be some type of military uniforms and work clothes. After checking out her surroundings, also still in her clothes from the night before, her boots by the door she still can't believe they slept in the same bed. Deagan looks up a few minutes later, watching Chase step through the door. Carrying a couple coffee mugs and a bottle of advil, handing a mug to Deagan.

    "Your friend is still passed out and your brother is passed out on my hammock."

    "Who else is here?" Deagan asks taking two Advil.

    "My sister and a couple other people. They're in the other rooms."

    "I don't even remember how I got here last night," Deagan says, leaning back.

    Refreshing her memory, "well you and your friend wanted me to sleep in here with you both. She passed out on the couch and I carried you up here because I wasn't sure how you'd do with stairs, then we passed out."

    "Well, then I guess I should thank you for taking care of me."

    "You don't have to thank me, it was nothing," Chase smiles.

******************************

    For the next few years Deagan and Chase hit it off, beginning a relationship. But, with things between them getting pretty serous, Deagan can't help but feel Chase moving faster than her. The most nerve wracking thing that freaks Deagan out is when Chase pulls out the three worded phrase, "I love you."

    With her being freaked out she hardly says it back, causing concern for their relationship. The reason she doesn't say it is because Deagan does not want to get attached since she is still determined to move as soon as she graduates from college. Chase tries to convince her many times over not to leave, even throwing out the getting married card. But, Deagan doesn't take it. With the fast moving years everything is going to drastically change for everyone involved, hopefully they can handle it.