I wrote this bonus chapter of Strawberry Wine for the Wattpad Block Party many years ago. It's written from Jake's POV, and gives a little insight on how he ended up spending the summer in Lakeside, Georgia.

Since then, I've added a few more. There's no posting schedule, I just write them whenever I feel like it, and as long as readers enjoy them, I'll continue. Let me know your thoughts!

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Bonus Chapter 1: Jake's POV

Sometimes, life could be one cruel son-of-a-bitch.

Working at some farm in the middle of friggin' nowhere was not exactly how I imagined spending my summer vacation, but I needed an escape and options were slim, so Lakeside, Georgia it was.

My aunt and uncle were kind enough to convince their good friends, Henry and Maggie Monroe, to take me on as a farmhand, playing up the experience I'd accumulated during high school working at a small twenty-one acre farm outside of Houston, Texas. The Monroe's owned over a thousand acres of corn and soybeans and really didn't need the extra help, but they'd hired me as a favor, most likely feeling sorry for my messed-up ass. The pay was decent but the work would be backbreaking, not that I was afraid of getting my hands dirty.

I'd just dropped the last of my bags into the bed of my pickup when I received a desperate text from my best friend, Cooper Thompson. "C'mon, man, don't go! I stocked the bathtub full of ice and beer—and yes, Mr. Clean, I scrubbed the tub out first. It's gonna be one helluva summer kickoff party! Don't leave meee!"

Beer on ice in an apartment bathtub rented by a couple of college guys? No thank you.

If my roommate knew how to throw a proper party I wouldn't have been so concerned, but sadly that was not the case with Cooper. The last party he hosted at our place we ended up having to fumigate. It was a week before the exterminators let us go back inside.

I shook my head as I called him back, ready to go over the "House Rules" one last time before hitting the road. Cooper picked up after the first ring, as if he'd known I was going to call.

"Cooper's Porno Palace. What's your pleasure?"

"Cooper, you douche-bag. What's wrong with you?" I laughed, unable to stay mad at the guy for long. "I swear to God, when I get back into town our apartment better be in one piece. Don't make me have to kill you, bro."

"Whatsa matter, Jakey-Poo. You don't trust me?"

"Hell no, I don't trust you! What kind of dumb-ass question is that?"

Cooper was silent for a moment before responding, and when he did the teasing tone was gone. "Then I guess maybe you should reconsider leaving."

Holy shit, not this again.

"We've already gone over this, dude," I answered with a sigh. "I just need some space, that's all. I'll be back before fall semester. You won't even have time to miss me."

"Running away is not going to bring that girl back."

I stilled, the weight of his words heavy on my shoulders.

Not in the mood for this conversation again, I leaned against the side of the truck and finally said, "For the last time, I'm not running away." Lie number one. "And it's not about her." Lie number two.

"The hell it isn't! Look, I know you Jake. You blame yourself. But that girl's death is not your fault. Leaving town isn't gonna change a damn thing. The same shit will be waiting here for you when you get back."

My stomach twisted as Cooper's words sunk in. Dammit, he was right. I hated when that happened.

"I know it's not my fault," I answered slowly. Lie number three. "I just need to get away for a while. I think some distance will do me good. Plus, I need to make money. It's going to be an expensive year with graduation and all."

Now, that part wasn't a lie. The scholarships I'd acquired didn't cover all my expenses, and working as a lifeguard at the University pool was no longer an option. But I kept that part to myself.

"If you say so," Cooper relented, not sounding convinced. "I just hope your little vaca helps. I have to admit, I miss Good-Time Jake. I'd like to have the old you back again."

I felt the familiar sting of irritation course through my veins. Taking a deep breath, I tried to calm my nerves. Cooper didn't mean to be annoying, he was just trying to help. And I'd blown up at him one too many times over the past few months. We'd been best friends and roommates since we made the swim team our sophomore year, and he didn't deserve the attitude I'd been giving him ... but the stress had me on edge. And that was no excuse. I knew my agitation was displaced, which was one more reason why I needed to get the hell outta Houston. Hopefully a change of scenery would be just what I needed to put this whole mess behind me. Yes, distance would definitely be a good thing. Maybe I'd finally be able to stop beating myself up. And maybe, just maybe, I would no longer have to see the look of horror cross that girl's face as she flailed around in the water every time I closed my eyes. Unease continued to swirl low in my gut, and I shook my head in an attempt to chase away the unpleasant thoughts.

"It's not a vacation," I reminded him. "I'll be working on a farm, remember? Which is a hell of a lot more productive than what you'll be doing this summer."

"What?" Cooper gasped in mock horror. "I'm offended! I'll have you know, I plan to be very productive this summer. Party every night, waking up with a new girl every morning. My schedule's hella-full. I'd say that's a very fruitful way to spend the next several months."

I let out a laugh, unable to decide if I was impressed or disheartened by my roommate's innate ability to slack off. "I take it back, Coop; you're nothing if not ambitious."

The fact that my roommate's parents took care of all his bills was annoying as shit. It wasn't fair that he got to sit back and enjoy his time off while I would be up to my ass in horse manure. A few months ago, I'd had my summer all mapped out. Working at the pool and hanging out with friends were at the top of my to-do list. But those plans had changed.

"Damn straight!" Cooper belched loudly into the phone before I heard the unmistakable pop of a cap. The bastard had already started celebrating. Lifting my wrist, I glanced at my watch ... it wasn't even noon yet. Cooper let out a deep sigh and I knew the conversation was not yet over. "You know, I'm not trying to sound like a vagina, it's just--I know you've been struggling lately. If you have to leave town, I hope you're able to find some peace, man. Carrying around that kinda guilt isn't good for you, especially when--"

It was at that moment my mother decided to make an appearance on the front porch. She stared at me mournfully, her blue eyes puffier than normal. "Look Cooper, I have to go. I stopped by my mom's to grab a few things before taking off and I think she wants to say goodbye. Again."

Cooper laughed loudly into my ear. "Okay, bro. Say bye to Mommy. And have a good time. Remember--don't do anything I wouldn't do."

"And what is it exactly that you wouldn't do?" I asked sarcastically, unable to imagine where my roommate drew the line.

"Behave."

I lost it, realizing for the first time how much I was going to miss that asshole. "Take care of yourself," I said after I was able to stop laughing. "I'll see you in a few months."

After hanging up with Cooper, I headed toward the porch, studying Mom's face as I closed in on her. Dammit. She'd definitely been crying. "Mom," I began with a moan. "I'll only be gone for a few months. It's nothing to get all worked up about."

She smiled at me as I took the stairs two at a time to join her. "Don't mind me, honey. I'm a mom. This is what we do," she said, dismissing her tears. With a wave of her hand, she brushed it off as if that was supposed to explain everything.

I wrapped my arms around her waist, lifting her high enough so her feet left the porch. "Love you, Mom. Don't worry; I'll be back before you know it."

"I love you, too, Jake." I heard her voice crack slightly, but she covered her emotion with a cough, hoping I wouldn't notice.

"Show off," she said with a grin. I set her down and stepped back, blocking her hand as she lifted it to swipe playfully at my shoulder.

She'd never admit it, but I knew she loved it when I hugged her that way. I think she got a kick out of it because she used hug me the same way when I was little, but now the tables had turned. I'd been towering over her petite frame since I was thirteen-years-old, and now I had the muscles to accommodate my height.

"I'm just going to miss you, is all," she said. "I've never gone three months without seeing one of my boys."

"Speaking of the boys ... where's Justin and Jack?" I asked, referring to my younger brothers. They were both still in high school but were growing like weeds. Every time I saw them I could swear they'd shot up another foot. "I'd like to say goodbye if they're around."

"They're not home. Justin's at work and Jack's with Loryn."

"Loryn, huh?" I asked with raised eyebrows. "He hangs out with Loryn quite a bit these days, doesn't he?" It seemed every time I called home, Jack was always with his new girlfriend.

"Well, you know how it is. First love and all." She gave me another smile before asking the question I knew burned at the tip of her tongue. "And what about you, sweetie? Is there a special girl who'll be missing you this summer?"

I felt the corner of my mouth lift, and I pushed a hand through the dark waves that had fallen over onto my forehead. "Nope. Not since the other day when you asked."

Her eyes twinkled mischievously as her smile turned into a smirk. "I'm sorry, sweetie. I'd just love to know when you're going to bring a girl home for us to meet."

I closed my eyes and shook my head. "That was ... subtle."

Mom brought a hand to her mouth, failing to disguise her laugh. "You must be seeing someone," she asked, continuing her maternal prod. "You're a great catch. And handsome too, if I do say so myself."

Shrugging my shoulders, I turned away, not wanting to meet her gaze. The last thing I needed right now was a serious girlfriend. They had a tendency to ... complicate things. And I was already dealing with more emotions than I knew how to handle. "Yeah, I'm seeing lots of someones. Just no one worthy enough to meet the family. Don't worry, you'll be the first one I tell when I find Miss Right," I deadpanned.

Turning back to her, I studied my mother's face as her expression changed and I knew instinctively there was something more she wanted to say. No doubt she wanted to travel the same road I'd just been down with Cooper.

"You know," she finally began. "I know why you're leaving."

Bingo.

"And why's that?"

"You're running away from what happened a few months ago." She paused, scrutinizing my reaction carefully. "And honestly, I can't say I blame you."

Wait. What?

"Really?" I asked. Even I could hear the intense skepticism with my question. Was this that reverse psychology bullshit parents used with their kids when all else failed?

"I'm serious, honey. I think getting away for a while sounds like a great idea. Some distance might help you clear your head. With any luck, you'll be able to tackle your final year at the University of Houston feeling refreshed. Actually, I admire what you're doing, Jake," she said, shielding her eyes from the intense midday sun that now shined down onto the front porch.

The Texas thermostat was on the rise, making the air feel as thick as a sauna. She gathered the long, dark hair that cascaded around her shoulders and pulled it up into a ponytail, fastening it with the hair band that was a permanent fixture around her wrist.

"Giving yourself time to reboot and unwind is very important. It'll also be an opportunity to find yourself and figure out what you want. Pretty soon you'll be on your own, finding a job and starting your new life. You deserve this time, and I'm happy you're taking it."

The surprise of her words ripped at my soul. I didn't think my mother of all people would understand my need to get away. But she did. Maybe parents weren't as clueless as I'd always assumed.

"Thanks, Mom," I said gratefully, giving her one final hug. I appreciated her words more than she would ever understand, but I didn't want to talk about what had happened. I knew she'd respect that. "I love you. I'll call you when I get there." I started down the steps, turning around to wave one last time.

"I love you too, honey. Tell your Aunt Kathy and Uncle John I said hello. And give them a hug from me."

"I will," I promised, hopping into the driver's seat of my old blue pickup. Grabbing the worn cowboy hat that sat waiting on the passenger seat and settling it on top of my head, I turned the key in the ignition and watched from the rear-view mirror as Mom waved goodbye.

This was it. A summer filled with hard work and hopefully a new perspective. I was more than ready to get away for a while.

Lakeside, Georgia ... I hope you have what I'm looking for.

Truth be told, I wasn't sure what I was looking for in Lakeside other than a fresh start. And I had absolutely no idea what would be waiting for me once I got there.

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Hello and thanks for stopping by! I thought I'd surprise you with some bonus chapters from Jake's point-of-view. What do you think? Would you be interested in reading them? If you enjoyed this chapter, please leave a vote/comment — I'd love to hear your thoughts! XO