Southern Secrets: A Southern Contemporary Fiction Novella

By Casey Peeler

Jordyn knows what her future holds—a proposal from her high school sweetheart and a happily ever after...or so she thinks.

Real life has other plans as secrets are revealed one night at The Loft.

What happens when her world is rocked with not one but two bombshells? Will she overcome the obstacles she now faces or will she hold onto the past with her whole heart?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Casey Peeler
• Release date: Aug 14, 2020
• ISBN: 9780463360200

Casey Peeler

Casey Peeler grew up in North Carolina and still lives there with her husband and daughter.Growing up Casey wasn't an avid reader or writer, but after reading Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neal Hurston during her senior year of high school, and multiple Nicholas Sparks' novels, she found a hidden love and appreciation for reading. That love ignited the passion for writing several years later, and her writing style combines real life scenarios with morals and values teenagers need in their daily lives.When Casey isn't writing, you can find her near a body of water listening to country music with a cold beverage and a great book.

Book preview

Southern Secrets

A Southern Contemporary Fiction Novella

by Casey Peeler

Edited by Chelly Peeler at Ink It Out Editing Services

Digital ISBN: 9780463725351

Copyright © 2021 Casey Peeler

All rights reserved.

This book is a written act of fiction. Any places, characters, or similarities are purely coincidence. If certain places or characters are referenced it is for entertainment purposes only. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

The author recognizes all copyright and trademarks that are mentioned within this work of fiction.

ALSO BY CASEY PEELER

FULL CIRCLE SERIES

Losing Charley

Finding Charley

Loving Charley

TUTUS & COWBOY BOOTS SERIES

Tutus & Cowboy Boots Part 1

Tutus & Cowboy Boots Part 2

STANDALONE NOVELS

Crashing Tides

Southern Perfection

Boondocks

Lion Eyes

Worth the Ride

Along for the Ride

STANDALONE NOVELLAS

Our Song

Beyond the Lights

Drake Brothers Box Set

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Epilogue

Southern Perfection Excerpt

About the Author

Chapter 1

Jordyn

As I place the pearl stud earrings in my ears, I glance at the clock and realize I have just enough time to have a glass of wine before my date with Ridge, my longtime boyfriend. It’s hard to believe that we’ve been together for almost four years. He still makes me smile and my heart does flip-flops each and every day. Secretly, I keep waiting on the day he asks me to be his wife.

Glancing at my phone, I see a text from Raegan, my best friend. She and her husband, Emmett, are meeting us out tonight at The Loft, the local country bar in the upper end of our county, and I can’t wait. It’s been way too long. Between school and work, I’ve not seen much of her lately.

Taking a seat on my front porch, I sip my wine and relax as I wait for Ridge.

Within a few minutes, I see Ridge’s blue Chevy pulling into the driveway. He steps out in a pair of fresh jeans and button-up. Man, he’s hotter than usual. He strolls my way and a smile escapes my lips.

Hey, babe, he says, giving me a quick kiss as he sits beside me on the swing.

How was your day at the shop? I ask, grabbing his beer from the cooler ready for tonight.

Pretty good. Jeremiah’s got his hands full. The kids were at the shop and into everything. I’m not sure how he and Landry do it. Those monsters scare the heck outta me.

Giggling, I know he’s not serious. He loves kids, but them in an auto body shop makes him nervous.

Now, Ridge, you know if they were yours you wouldn’t feel that way.

He looks at me puzzled, Yeah, I would. There’s too much that can go wrong on the floor. I mean when they are a little older, sure, but not when they aren’t even in school yet.

I guess you’ve got a point. Other than that, how was your day?

Good, we’ve got a few new restores to do, that seems to be the new norm. I like it and it’s way better money than an oil change.

Placing my head on his shoulder, we swing and sip a few minutes before heading out.

Arriving at The Loft, Katie Ann greets us and takes us to the table where Emmett and Raegan are waiting.

Hey, y’all! Raegan says as Ridge pulls out my chair and I take a seat. As we scoot toward the table, Mavis, the waitress, heads our way.

What can I get ya? she asks.

Ridge looks to me first. Can I get a bottle of Woodmill Semi-Sweet? Flavor doesn’t matter. She nods and looks at Ridge.

I’ll take a bucket of PBRs, he says, looking to Emmett, knowing they will be splitting them.

Within a few minutes, she takes our food order and we sit around and chitchat. Once Abott and Zeek finish their game of cornhole, Ridge and Emmett head toward the cornhole boards and play a round with them while Rae and I catch up.

Girl, Ridge is looking extra dapper tonight. Do you think tonight’s the night? Rae questions.

Honestly, I don’t know. I’ve kinda quit wishin’ for it. Ya know, like if I don’t think about it maybe it will happen?

Yeah, I can remember being that way, and I’m thankful that Em didn’t beat around the bush. Y’all have been together for a hot minute, so it will be sooner rather than later I’m sure. Maybe I can get Em to do some diggin’? Smiling toward her, I nod. She’s always got my back.

As the food arrives, the guys finish up their game and head over, taking a seat. We enjoy conversation, laughter, and once our table is cleared, we sit back and listen to the house band.

Weaving my fingers through Ridge’s, he looks my way and winks and as the song moves to a slower beat, he stands and pulls me to the dance floor.

Pulling me in close, I place my head on his shoulder as we sway to the music. Right here, right now, everything is perfect. Getting lost in this moment, my heart flutters but is brought back to life when I feel him pull away as someone taps me on the shoulder. Maddie Everhardt. You’ve got to be kidding me. Why?

Yes, Maddie? I question, looking at her. She’s always been one of those mean girls. I swear, thank goodness I went to Cleveland High instead of Lawndale High. There’s no way I’d want to cross her path day in and out.

Can I cut in? she smirks. Rolling my eyes, I look to Ridge for the answer.

Maddie, I don’t think so, Ridge says and it’s like there’s something he’s not saying.

Oh, really? Well that’s not what you said last week when Jordyn was taking exams or while she’s been living the college life, now is it? Wait, what? Looking toward Ridge, his demeanor shifts and he pulls me closer. He starts to speak, but when I look at Maddie, I know she’s right because my gut tells me so.

Pulling back from Ridge and shaking my head in disbelief, my eyes cut between the two. Maddie...why her? Of all the girls in Cleveland County…why that stupid hussie?

Seriously? Ridge starts to answer but I yank my arm from his grip.

Jor, wait! I can explain.

Riiighhht…I’d like to see you try. Spinning around and turning toward the table, my feet do not fail me as I grab my purse and begin to walk toward the door, not looking back. I refuse to let the tears fall until I’m out the door.

Cole

What in the heck is going on? I stand from my stool near Zeek and Abott. I swear, things are always interesting when Maddie Everhardt is involved, and who the heck even knew she was messing with Ridge? I sure as hell didn’t or I’d have had a word or two with him already. Jordyn has been a part of my life since she and my cousin, Raegan, were knee-high to a grasshopper. She is too good for him and always has been.

Dude, you think it’s about to go down? Zeek questions to Abott and I turn toward them to see what they are talking about.

Hope not. That’s not fair to Jordyn, Abott states. He looks back to Jordyn and I go between the two of them. He freakin’ knew.

This isn’t good, Zeek says.

No, it’s not. How in the world did you know? Better yet, how do you both know? I question.

Look, late night 9-1-1 calls allow us to see things we shouldn’t in town and this is one of them. I knew Ridge was stupid, but Cole, it’s not our place to butt in.

Pausing, I try to decide, is this my place? Should I get involved? It’s Raegan’s best friend. She’s special and I’d do anything for her. When I see Raegan behind her, I decide to let her handle it.

Chapter 2

Jordyn

Pushing the door open, I suddenly realize I don’t have my car and I’m stuck. Glancing over my shoulder, a single tear escapes and I brush it away, refusing to walk back inside. Taking my phone, I text Raegan and ask for a ride, but before she