I fall back asleep, wishing his warmth were around me. This is the easy part. Once he begins to tour, we will have less time together. I have a feeling that is going to happen sooner than he imagines.
“To my band!” Cash holds up his shot glass and smiles broadly at all of us.
“Cheers,” everyone says in unison, and we all take back our shots of Jack. Tomorrow is the day they have been working hard for. Although just one opening act may seem like a small feat, Tyler Hunt is one of the big guys in the industry, and there will be thousands of people at his concert tomorrow night.
We are celebrating with Rebel Desire before they go up on stage tomorrow. Not that these guys need a reason to celebrate anything, anyway. They party it up when they want to.
“Are you still going to love me when I have my own tour?” Cash puts his arms around me loosely.
“What happened to the humble artist?” I tease.
Chuckling, Cash says, “I’m still me, babe, but I’m excited.”
“And had a few too many shots?” I focus on him.
“Yeah, maybe.” He runs his hand through his hair, brushing it to the side.
“You’re cute.” I lean up and kiss him.
“Mmhhmm,” he sighs into the kiss.
“Let’s go dance.” I laugh at his expression.
We move to the music blaring through the speakers, singing along to some of the songs that come on. Cash holds me close and dances slowly, even when the beat is fast, singing into my ear. His voice has always been distinct. Some people criticize the route Rebel Desire has taken in country music, but they’re different in a world where following the crowd is celebrated.
We dance and drink some more before we head home. The guys need to be completely ready for tomorrow and staying out any later can ruin their chances.
“Good morning.” Cash smiles over at me.
“Hey,” my voice is raspy and I clear my throat. “Are you excited?”
“Hell yes.” He leans in for a quick kiss. “I need to go in a few.” I nod and get up.
We have a quick cup of coffee and he hands me my ticket. “I’ll see you there.” He winks.
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” I kiss his cheek. There is no way I would miss his performance. Jen and I are going later. We plan to grab a couple of drinks before the show and then arrive at the theater a little earlier than show time.
“I love you,” he whispers. He’s extra sensitive today. I know a lot of it has to do with the concert and the nerves that everything runs smoothly. They were on edge when they first heard about the potential of opening for Tyler, because of his drinking reputation. Seems like that all worked out and Tyler has cleaned up his act, bringing a new sound to his music that the audience is dying to hear.
“I love you, too,” I tell him and kiss him goodbye.
I spend the rest of the morning lying in bed being lazy. We drank a lot more than usual last night and more sleep would be fabulous.
After hours of laziness, I shower and get dressed, putting on a loose dress with a fall print and high neckline. Once I slip on my boots, I head downstairs to wait for Jen. She comes down right after me, wearing a tight dress and heels. Our difference in style is comical.
“Ready, hot stuff?” she says.
“Yes, ma’am,” I reply.
“You get hot stuff, and I get ma’am? There’s something wrong with this.” I laugh and make sure I have our tickets in my purse.
We arrive at a small lounge near the theater and order some drinks and appetizers. Jen and I talk about the concert and how excited we are for the guys. It seems like a few people had the same plan as us, and we see small crowds having drinks and talking excitedly about seeing Tyler Hunt.
The anticipation of waiting for the concert to begin is gnawing at me. I’m nervous for Cash, but also ecstatic to see him up on stage. I haven’t seen him at a bigger stage since County Fest, and I was a little drunk and a lot annoyed about what he did. This is so different, and I can’t believe in just a few weeks we are in the place we are.
Once they come on stage, everyone cheers, including Jen and I. They open with their usual song, “This Feeling.” They go on from there, following their standard set until the song he sang at Country Fest starts up. There’s no way he sees me among this crowd, but I know he’s searching. Then, Cash sings something new. I listen intently, not familiar with this song. It’s a song about firsts. I smile as some of our firsts are included.
“Ladies and gentleman, thank you so much for partying it up with us! I want you to meet someone.” He takes a deep breath and looks at the crowd. “Olivia Young, I know you love to leave me hanging on stage, but I’d love if you came up here.” I stand, shocked.
The crowd begins to clap and yell wildly. I hate him in this moment. Jen pushes me forward, making sure I actually get up there. She guides me out of our seats and up towards the side of the stage. When I feel a hand guide me around the stage and up the steps, I see Cash from the wing of the stage.
“You see, ladies and gentleman,” he’s still talking. “I met this woman who has turned my world upside down. I kinda like her.” The crowd laughs and cheers. “So I want her up here when I sing this next song titled ‘Call You Mine.’”
He looks to the side as if sensing me and gives me my smile. The smile he saves for me. I walk towards him and he reaches out a hand for me to take and he twirls me around once. I smile as my heart risks jumping out of my body.
“There you are,” he says into the microphone. The audience is so loud, but I can barely see a thing with all the lights shining on us. I’m grateful for that. This way I don’t have to imagine them naked and laugh nervously while doing so. He kisses the top of my hand and pats a stool that is on stage. I sit and wait, twisting my fingers together.
“This one’s for you, babe.” Music begins to play and it’s another tune I don’t recognize. I sit still and watch him as the words come out.
Oooh, oooh, oooh, oooh
I’ve never known a feeling so true,
Never thought I’d find someone like you
Until you crashed into my life
Putting my heart in overdrive.
You build me up and tear down my walls.
When I look into your eyes
I feel those same butterflies.
The way you look at me
Like I’m all you see
Makes me proud to call you mine.
You knock me down with your beauty,
So subtle and pure.
No mistaking I want you for life,
I want to live with you by my side.
When I look into your eyes
I feel those same butterflies.
The way you look at me
Like I’m all you see
Makes me proud to call you mine.
I sit and listen, laughing nervously and trying to hold in my emotions. A tear escapes, and his thumb wipes it away. Once he finishes, he takes his time to kiss me, as the audience explodes into cheers.
“I hate you right now,” I whisper.
“Don’t lie, you love me,” he teases.
“Thank you. The song is beautiful.”
“It’s yours, and so is this.” He places my hand over his heart and I feel the thumping in his chest. After a few beats, he turns to the crowd and says, “Miss Olivia Young, my one and only.” I kiss him on the cheek and exit the stage, praying I don’t trip on the way. Instead of going back to my seat, I wait for Cash on the side of the stage.
“That boy is crazy about you,” Peyton says next to me. I nod. “Keep him whole.”
“I plan to,” I respond.
“Dude! You one upped me out there!” I turn to see Tyler smiling widely at Cash and try not to fangirl.
“Sorry, bro, but I had to show my lady off. Good luck out there.”
“Thanks, man. He’s one of the good ones,” Tyler tells me, patting Cash’s back.
“I know.” I smile at him. “What was that abo
ut?”
“Just some guy stuff.” He kisses my cheek. “Don’t hate me for making you go up on stage.”
I put my arms around his neck and get on my toes, “You’re lucky I like you a whole lot.”
“I love you, Olivia.”
I smile slowly. “I love you, too. Even when you embarrass me in front of the public.” He kisses my nose and squeezes his arms around me.
I am on top of the world. The rush surging through me is unbelievable. The crowd was amazing, the guys were amazing, our music was on point. We showed up and rocked the house. When we are performing, we always put our heart and soul into it. Tonight was no exception. It was surreal hearing people sing along to our songs and the uproar when we introduced the new ones. This time I had planned on bringing Olivia up on stage. I had talked to the guys and Peyton about it. I wanted to introduce her to everyone as mine. What better way than with music she has inspired?
Seeing all the emotions on her face as I sang to her struck me. I never want to stop making her feel this way. I want her to share this experience with me. She’s my muse.
The guys and I celebrate our performance. “That was fucking fantastic,” Cole says.
“What a rush,” Jason adds.
We all smile and look at each other. This is the beginning. This is what we have worked hard for. Getting a taste of something greater than music festivals and bars will feed our motivation. This is the moment we have always dreamed about.
My heart is still racing with adrenaline and I can’t stay still. Everything is going on so fast around us, yet I’m stuck in slow motion. Tyler already started playing on stage and the crowd is beyond wild. We thought they were excited with our performance, that was nothing compared to their reaction to Tyler. He is the man they came to see, and he is proving to us why, right now. I look at him for a second from the side wing and watch him put on a damn good show. He’s a performer, not only a singer. We can learn a thing or two from him.
I look to my side and see Olivia smile. I pull her in and take her mouth with mine. I kiss her fast and hard, just like the feelings that are inside of me. I know she doesn’t really hate me for calling her up, but I also know she hates being the center of attention. I don’t care. She’s my center, and I want everyone to know it.
“That was the most amazing thing I’ve ever experienced,” I tell her.
“You guys did great.” She looks at me with pride.
“We did.” I nod. “Those guys.” I nod my head in their direction. “I wouldn’t be where I am without them. We’re a team.” She smiles slowly and hugs me.
“I’m so proud of you,” she whispers into my chest. I tighten my arms around her, still in awe about what we just experienced. I know we did great. Now time will be the judge of our next step.
We walk into the small room they set for us to wait in, and grab some water. I sit Olivia on my lap and notice Jen has snuck in as well. I chuckle to myself. She wasn’t going to miss this. Peyton clears his throat, and we all look at him.
“You guys did a great job. I’m proud of you boys. I know what you’re feeling right now, but I need you to keep your heads on straight. This doesn’t guarantee anything, but it’s a start. We can’t get overly confident. You guys rocked, and I’m positive there’s more where that came from.” He smiles at us in approval.
When I met Peyton, all those years ago, I never expected to be sitting with him in this room, on the way to success. We were two hopeful guys, struggling to be seen in the music industry, but he never gave up on us. He has stayed by our side through the good and the bad, and I’m forever grateful to him for that.
There is a monitor in the room that plays the concert as it is happening. We all watch as Tyler sings song after song, completely sober. I was able to talk to him a bit today, and he’s actually a decent guy. He’s had some tough moments in life, but it seems he has his life back together. I hope he keeps it up throughout the rest of his tour. And throughout his life, really. Seems he has the right support system, and I smile as I look around and realize I have my own support system.
I squeeze Olivia’s thigh and she looks down at me, her baby blues smiling at me. “I like these,” I say as I run my finger around the skin that dips into her cowboy boots. She smiles beautifully and shrugs. She looks gorgeous—her hair half up, part of it falling just below her shoulders. I caress her arms and keep my focus on her eyes.
“Cash,” Peyton distracts me.
“Yeah?” I look up at him with hesitation, not wanting to break away from my beauty.
“Your parents are here.” I feel Olivia stiffen, and I smile broadly.
“Great! Thanks, Pey.” I look at Olivia. “Let’s go.”
“Where?” her voice is panicked. It’s kind of cute.
“I want to introduce you to my parents. They already saw you on stage.” I challenge with my eyes. She sighs and stands. That sigh was more of a reassuring breath than annoyance.
We walk out of the small room, her hand in mine, and make our way down a narrow hallway. I see my parents in the distance and pick up my speed. I give them both a tight hug when I get to them.
“We’re so proud of you, son,” my dad says, his smile showing off his excitement.
“You did amazing!” My mom beams and smiles at Olivia, then looks at me expectantly.
I chuckle. “Mom, Dad, this is Olivia. Olivia these are my parents, Leah and Keith.” I introduce them.
Olivia holds out her hand and says, “Nice to meet you,” shaking my mom’s hand first and then my dad’s.
“It’s very nice to meet you. We’ve heard so much about you.” My mom smiles at her.
“Mom . . .” I warn.
“Oh hush, Cash.” She dismisses me and looks back at Olivia. “My boy seems to be very taken with you.”
Oh, God. I groan loud enough to get a side-eye scowl.
“We’re happy to finally meet you. We would love to take you both to dinner tonight, if you don’t have any prior commitments.”
“I gotta ask the guys,” I say.
“Hey!” I hear Gavin’s voice. I look behind my parents and smile when I see Gavin, Luke and their wives.
“What are you guys doing here?” I ask, as I hug my brothers.
“We couldn’t miss your first real show,” Luke says.
“Real show?” I hear Olivia giggle, and I squint at her. She just shrugs. “I’ve been doing real shows for some time now.”
“And we haven’t missed one,” Gavin says. “We took a little longer to get back here because Amy wouldn’t stop staring at Tyler.” He looks over at his wife, who blushes.
“What? You have your celebrity crushes. Tell me he’s amazing,” she says to me. I nod and laugh. My brother could kill someone.
“Well, because of Amy, we had to show some childhood pictures to convince security we were related. Got some of those throwback photos still on my phone.” Gavin laughs.
“Thanks for that,” I say. “Guys, this is Olivia. Olivia, these are my two brothers, Gavin and Luke. Amy and Maddie are their wives.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” she says, smiling shyly.
“It’s great to finally meet you,” Amy says and everyone else follows. I swear she’s the most focused one out of the four.
“I was telling Cash and Olivia before you arrived that I wanted to go to dinner after the concert,” my mom tells them.
“Yes, I’m starving,” Maddie says louder than I think she meant to. “Sorry, this kid is hungry.”
“You’re hungry all the time,” Luke teases her.
“You did this to me,” she fires back.
“And I’d do it all over again.” He smiles charmingly at her, and I hear Olivia laugh.
“Okay, so do you guys want to meet after the concert? If I don’t take Amy back out there she’s going to withhold sex from me.”
“Gavin!” My mother scolds him.
“Oh, sorry, Mom. We don’t do those things.” He smiles mischievously, and Amy slaps
his shoulder.
“It’s called privacy,” she tells him and shakes her head in disbelief. “We’ll see you guys later. It was great to meet you, Olivia. We’ll have more time to chat during dinner.”
“I’ll call you guys as soon as I finish here,” I tell my family and walk back towards our waiting room.
“Your brothers are funny,” Olivia says.
“We’re a bunch of idiots,” I tell her, including myself in there because those two aren’t the only ones with that blunt humor.
“Eh, that’s neither here nor there,” she jokes. I turn to her and hug her.
“That wasn’t so bad,” I lean down and whisper in her ear. I smile when she shivers.
“It wasn’t. Your mom intimidates me.”
“My mom?” I laugh. “She’s the least intimidating person I know. She just loves to rat me out.”
“You’re her little boy.”
“Actually, that’s Luke. I’m her middle child.”
“Still, she has three boys and boys are mommas’ favorites.”
“We’re all close, but she’s not one of those to judge based on what others say. She joked that she read the news, but she also knows not to believe everything that’s on there.” Olivia nods and tilts her head.
“You knew they’d be here and still called me up.”
“So? I have nothing to hide. I didn’t know my brothers would be here, but I’m glad they are. My family has been my number one supporters, so I try to get them tickets for everything I have.”
“I like that.” She leans in and kisses me.
“Let’s go back, before I take you against the wall. I’m pretty sure there are cameras and that’s one thing I don’t want to share with anyone.”
We walk back into the room and find the band with drinks in hand and Peyton talking to one of Tyler’s people. They’re both smiling, so I take it the conversation is a good one. I sit back down with Olivia next to me and join in on the conversation with the guys.
I have no idea where we’re going to go for dinner, at this time of night, but my parents are still set on it. Gavin suggests this twenty-four-hour diner, and we meet them there once the show is done. Amy is gushing about Tyler’s performance, and I know it is partly to annoy Gavin. Olivia relaxes after some time and joins her, expressing what a big fan she is, also. I smile as I watch them talk on and on about how great he is. It may annoy Gavin, but it does not bother me.
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