18. Chapter 17
Raegan - The Past
Button down plaid. The Raegan Carter trademark, or so I’ve been told. And jeans. Everything goes with jeans. But they’ve got to be bell bottom or parachute pants. Whatever you call them, those are the ones to wear. And yes, I did start wearing them because of Lainey Wilson.
I just don’t know which shirt to wear, or which pair of pants. Stone washed? Maybe the dark ones? And how in the world do I do my hair?
Austin has a special birthday planned for me today, and for once I want to actually put some thought into my outfit, and maybe wear a little more makeup than I normally do.
Jaimie and Chrissy are over and will drive me to the Rolling R, where they will chaperone, from a distance, my birthday dinner. Then join us for a bonfire after.
“Ugh, y’all, I don’t know what to wear. Or what to do with my hair.” I spin in a circle and throw my arms up in a dramatic gesture. Did I accidentally drink Chrissy’s coffee this morning? This is her type of move, not mine.
Chrissy stops my spin, her hands on my shoulders.
She cocks her head and looks me straight in the eyes.
“Girl.” She pauses for dramatic effect, her mom is the drama teacher at school after all, then blinks her eyes multiple times.
“Let Jaimie and I handle this. We’ll have you looking amazing in no time. ”
I narrow my eyes at her. “If I let you handle it, I’ll end up wearing a dress. And it’s not Sunday.”
“And would that be so bad?” She props her hands on her hips and stares me down, humor glinting in her eyes.
“I guess not.” I finally mutter. Shrinking under her gaze.
She lifts her chin in an I win motion.
“I’m so nervous!” I flop back onto the pile of clothing on my bed. “We’ve hung out like a thousand times, been officially a couple for four months, and I’m getting cray-cray over a little birthday picnic.”
Chrissy takes charge. “Jaimie, you figure out her hair and makeup while I raid the closet.” She throws open the folding doors to my closet, causing them to shake and creak.
“Don’t break my closet.” I say with a laugh.
“Do you have anything in here that isn’t plaid?” Chrissy sighs.
“I have a few t-shirts with horses on them. And dresses for church, and maybe a skirt or two and like one blouse.” I kick my dangling legs against the side of the bed. “I keep it simple.”
“Are we dressing her first, then doing her makeup?” Jaimie asks from her spot by the dresser. She’s gone through my sparse collection of makeup items, tossing them all over the dresser.
“Dress first, then we’ll do hair and makeup.” Chrissy’s voice is muffled from her spot in the closet.
“You have like no makeup, hope you’re cool with using some of mine.” Jaimie stuffs my makeup back into my drawer before leaving the room. She carries a purse full of makeup in her car. She’s more country than I am, but somehow she wears more makeup than Chrissy and I combined.
“I’m just naturally beautiful,” I tease her. “I don’t need much makeup.” I raise a hand to my face, holding it horizontal under my chin while I bat my eyelashes. My best model pose.
Chrissy turns from the closet holding a dress I’d shoved to the side. It’s a dark purple, with a flowing, whimsical skirt. “Raegan,” She cooes, “this one is gorgeous. I think you should wear this one.”
“Sorry, that’s my Easter dress.” I sit up, and look it over closely. “I hid it, because I wasn’t too sure about it.”
“Of course.” Chrissy rolls her eyes.
“But it’s a picnic. Why can’t I just wear jeans and a normal shirt?” I screw up my nose.
“Raegan.” Chrissy dances over to me and smushes my cheeks then gives me the mom face. “This is your birthday picnic with your boyfriend. You will not show up in just jeans and a t-shirt.”
“I still think that dress might be too fancy. I’ll compromise and wear a blouse with my jeans, instead of my usual plaid.” I choke out the word blouse. I hate that word, it’s just such a weird word.
Chrissy huffs. “Fine.” She replaces the dress.
The hangers scrape and bump as she continues her search.
“Aha.” She whirls from the closet, a triumphant look on her face.
In her hand she holds a pastel purple boho blouse.
“I have never ever seen you in this shirt, Raegan Marie. And I want to know why.” She props a hand on her cocked hip and gives me a Trunchbull look.
“Ya know.” I pause, partly out of fear, I’ve never seen Chrissy like this before.
And partly because I don’t remember the shirt.
“I honestly don’t have a good reason.” My face morphs from fear to a sheepish grin. “I think I forgot that I owned it.”
“Well, you’re wearing it tonight.” She waves a hand at me like I’m a servant. “Now figure out which jeans you’re wearing with it.”
“I think my stone-washed ones would go best. And I can wear my white Cavendars.”
The door bangs against the wall as Jaimie bursts back into the room carrying a makeup bag the size of my one and only purse. This is her car makeup bag, the one she keeps at her house is even bigger.
I shake my head and laugh. “I won’t need that much makeup.”
“Get dressed, then I’ll decide how much makeup you need.” Jaimie says breathlessly.
It takes me just a few seconds to throw on my jeans and the flowy blouse. Okay, I’ll admit, the flowy shirt combined with my favorite jeans is pretty cute.
“Sit at the desk, and face me.” Jaimie points to the chair.
“Please, I don’t want a ton of makeup.” I whine as I plop into the seat.
“Don’t worry, I’ll go lightly.” Jaimie angles me just right and gets to work.
It feels like it’s been an hour, but I know it’s only been like five minutes. I’ve got some blush, mascara, and a light layer of eyeshadow that matches my shirt. Jaimie assesses me from every angle, declaring my makeup perfect.
“Now, for your hair.” Chrissy slides her fingers into my thick mass of honey-blonde hair. “What if we just curl it, then pull it half up?” Jaimie agrees.
“Simple and pretty. Works for me.” I’m glad they didn’t want to go all out on my hair.
Once my hair is done I pull on my white cowboy boots and we walk out the door.
My skin tingles with nervousness and anticipation. Like someone set a thousand butterflies loose and they’re walking all over me. “Y’all, is it obvious how nervous and excited I am? Please tell me that he won’t know.” I almost want to slink down in my seat.
“It’s your first ‘big girl’ date, it’s okay to be nervous.
” Chrissy teases. Austin and I have been out plenty of times, but always with a friend or two.
Always sticking to our dating boundaries.
Though our friends will be with us, for a while it’ll just be me and Austin, alone while we eat our dinner.
Jaimie and Chrissy spying on us from Jaimie’s truck.
I trust Austin. I trust myself. I’m not worried about slipping up and crossing our boundaries.
I just worry that I’ll start being all awkward, or that I won’t know what to say.
Or maybe I’ll just want to kiss his face off.
Or run my hands down his chest. Ugh, I need to think about something else now.
“Want to pray before you go over? Just to thank God for this awesome experience?” That’s the Chrissy I know. Bringing it back to God.
“That’s a really good idea, Chris. Might help me feel less anxious.” I squeeze her hand as she reaches forward from where she sits in Jaimie’s back seat.
“God, thank you for Raegan, and for Austin. Thanks for the fun date that they get to have. Help them to have a good time and to honor You. Amen.”
After we hop out of the truck, Chrissy squeezes my shoulders and gives me a push toward the porch of the Rolling R where Austin stands beside a table covered in a checkered cloth with a picnic basket set on top.
I suck my lower lip into my mouth as I walk across the grassy front acreage of the Rolling R. Austin looks as amazing as ever. He’s even wearing his cowboy boots today, and I know that he’s not a fan of them. The fact that he wore them for me causes my stomach to start somersaulting.
His boots tap across the hardwood as he steps forward and greets me.
His hands are warm on my forearms, and I stand toe to toe with him, my hands splayed on his chest. A shiver of anticipation works its way from the top of my head to the tips of my toes as his eyes move to my lips, and he leans toward me, his nose brushing mine.
I tear my eyes from his and look at his smooth red lips.
They part slowly and hover over mine, then slowly close as his lips meet mine.
My eyes refuse to stay open any longer. His lips caress mine slowly at first, sweetly and gently.
My hands make a lazy trail up to his neck as our lips start a dance of give and take.
Clutching the collar of his shirt, I’m begging for more. My heart gallops in my chest, and I want to stay this way forever. His teeth nibble my lower lip, startling me. It’s a new sensation, and I like it.
Heat begins to pool low in my belly. This new territory is terrifying and exciting all at once. If I like him nibbling on my lip, he’d probably like it if I did it to him. Tentatively I nip his upper lips with my teeth. He sucks in a sharp breath, telling me that he enjoyed it as much as I did.
“Okay, enough kissing y’all. Get to eating.” Chrissy’s voice from across the yard startles us, and we jump apart. Our cheeks sport matching circles of crimson. A sheepish smile covers Austin’s face, and he clears his throat before gazing once more at my lips.
“This way, m’lady.” He says with an exaggerated wave of his hand.
I grab his hand and we head toward the folding table with its red and white gingham tablecloth.
Paper plates and covered dishes are neatly arranged and complemented by mason jars filled with a light pink liquid.
A vase full of wildflowers sits in the middle, and perfumes the air.