Meant to Marry Me: Nashville Country Dreams Part 1 novel Chapter 14

Summer was over in the blink of an eye, but when Bree moved back to college for the fall, she moved back into the dorms. Dating Sam was one thing; living with him was something else entirely, and she’d realized after seeing Trent at the convenience store that she didn’t want to take the chance at moving in with someone and having him break her heart halfway through the first semester. Then, she’d have nowhere to go.

She’d just finished unpacking her things when her dorm room door opened. A tall woman with long dark hair and a smattering of freckles across her nose practically galloped in. “Oh, hey. Sorry. I would’ve knocked if I would’ve known you were here already.”

“That’s okay,” Bree said, smiling. “I’m Bree.”

“Melissa. I guess I’m your roommate.”

“Cool.” Bree shook her hand. “Are you new here?”

“Yeah, I just transferred from Illinois State. I grew up in Paducah, and my parents just wanted me closer to home.”

“That makes sense. Are you a senior?”

She shrugged. “I’m starting my fourth year, but, I’m not gonna graduate in May.”

Bree nodded, not thinking it was her business to ask why not. “What’s your major?”

“Uh… education.”

She stepped back into the hallway and brought in a couple of boxes while Bree tried to figure out why she didn’t immediately know what her major was. “What do you want to teach?”

Again, Melissa seemed unsure. “Probably kids. I don’t know. I just like to have fun.” She dropped the boxes on her side of the room. “I’m going to go get the rest of my boxes.”

“Do you need some help?” Bree asked.

“Nah, I’ll find some dudes.” She smiled and disappeared out the door.

Bree dropped down on the edge of her bed. Melissa was definitely nothing like her last roommate, Lilly, had been, and something told Bree this could go very badly if Melissa didn’t take school seriously and was out partying all night, coming in drunk and waking her up. Maybe she should’ve moved in with Sam after all.

A few minutes later, Melissa came in with a bunch of guys carrying boxes. They dropped them on the floor where she pointed for them. With a cute grin, she said, “Thanks guys! Where are we hanging tonight?”

“We usually go to High Life around nine,” one of them said.

“I’ll be there.” Melissa sure knew how to use her body as a flirtatious weapon.

“Bring you friend,” another one of the guys added, looking at Bree.

“I will also be there,” Bree said, though not in the same tone.

“Cool,” a third guy said. “Save a dance for me, beautiful.”

“I can’t…. I’ll be playing the music.”

“No way!” Melissa exclaimed, spinning to look at her. “You’re a rock star?”

Laughing, Bree said, “Not exactly. But I am a musician.”

“Get out of town!” Melissa seemed genuinely impressed. “That’s way cool. Do you play the guitar?”

Bree’s case was leaning against the wall by her closet. “Yeah,” she said, nodding at it.

“Well, I can’t wait!” Melissa said with a grin. “And I can’t wait to see you fellas there either. I’ll be sure to save enough dances for all of you.” She winked at them and the guys practically fell all over each other as she ushered them out of the room.

Melissa shut the door on them and then came back to her bed. “They were hot. Which one did you like the best?”

“I don’t know. I have a boyfriend so….”

“Really? Man, I’m learning all sorts of shit about you, Bree. Is he cute?”

“Yeah, I think so.”

“Awesome. I love cute guys. What’s his name?”

“Sam. He’ll be there tonight. We play together.”

“Oooh, we’re going to watch you play together?” She winked, and Bree wished she’d chosen different words.

“You can listen to us play music together.” Desperately wanting to get away from the strange new girl, she said, “I’m going to go see if he’s moved into his room yet. I’ll see you later.”

“‘Kay,” Melissa said, kicking one of her boxes out of the way. It didn’t look like she was in any hurry to unpack.

Bree walked down the hallway, dodging people coming in with boxes and friends reuniting. She didn’t think Sam was there yet, or he would’ve called her, but she was hopeful. It had been a long time since she’d seen him, and she desperately wanted to, but she also wanted an excuse not to go back to her room.

She found the room number he’d given her and knocked on the door. A redheaded guy with no shirt on opened the door. “Hey. What’s up?”

“Uh… hi. Is Sam here yet?”

He looked around him and then turned back to her. “Nah, I don’t think so.”

Confused, Bree asked, “This is his room, isn’t it?”