Country Love Song. Pt. 3
I wanted Colt and Stacy's story to end in the way my rekindling didn't. I wanted Stacy to have the boy she always wanted. Thank you for sticking with Colt and Stacy through their adventure.
I’m almost ashamed to say I left shortly after Colt told me to stick around. I was just too afraid of what would be said (by him and by myself). So three weeks later, I was still moping around my apartment when Millie came barging through my door (who’s idea was it to give her a key anyway?).
“Okay sweetie, I’m breaking you out of this jail. Put your big girl pants on and lets go.” Millie looked at me with demanding yet understanding eyes. “It’s time we wipe off that Colt Harrison stank from you.” With that she grabbed my blankets and threw them off of me. Grabbing my arm, she dragged me towards my bathroom, “and take a shower for Julius’ sake, you smell something awful!”
Now I understand Millie just wants what is best for me, but I have a right to be angry. That boy acted like he was interested in me again. Its been three weeks without any contact. No texts, no phone calls, nor emails; at this point I would even go for snail mail. I am just tired of radio silence. You don’t act excited to see someone then not contact them after.
After my shower, Millie finally told me where we were going, “That one bar you like, you know, that one.” Millie at least had the audacity to look squeamish. She was talking about Petey's, the same establishment that I last saw Colt at.
“No way. No way in hell. I want to go to any other one. Any other one, Millie,” I plea with my best friend. I don’t want to go back there, not at all.
“It will be good for you, Stacy, you need to get out. All of this pouting because Colt didn’t contact you is silly. Its your 21st birthday, you need to get out! And I hear there is another live band tonight, it will be good for you.”
Oh did I forget to mention that? Its my birthday. Yeah, I know, congratulation. Whatever.
“Millie, I don’t want to go out. I want to stay in and watch Netflix. Grant Gustin wants me to stay in and watch the Flash! He wouldn’t want me to be uncomfortable on my birthday!” I knew it was a stretch, but where there’s a will there’s a hope…..
“Oh HELL no! I’m not going to let you pout and mourn the loss of the boy that you have loved since you were in high school. No trucking way, Stace. I will not have it. Now get your cute ass into gear because we are going out and I’m calling Jimmy to drive us.”
Who’s Jimmy you ask? He is the towns own uber driver. He picks you up and drops you off so you can have the time of your life without putting your life and other in danger. He’s a real doll. He was in our class too. If it wasn’t for Colt, maybe I could have liked Jimmy…..
So Jimmy pulls up to Petey's and I’m a nervous wreck again. I’m getting a real déjà vu feeling right now. I know there is no real reason to be nervous: Colt isn’t here.
I have no reason to be thinking about what he may be wearing, whether his muscles are bulging under the clothing, whether he will aim that brilliant smile my way when he sees me. But, alas, I am. All I can think about as we walk up the steps to the bar is, “Colt.”
Millie finds a great spot (thank goodness, because I’m a wreck). She sits me down and runs to grab me a drink. I’m browsing Facebook when the lights dim. I look up into the brilliant baby blues that have been haunting me day and night.
**********
Shit. Millie! How the hell did I not know that Three Hours Intoxicated was going to be performing tonight? How did Millie know but I didn’t? How did I let that little bit of information get past me? How can I sneak out of here without hurting Colt or Millie’s feelings?
Shit. Shit. Mega shit.
There is no way that I can leave, I’m in the front row (damn Millie did this on purpose). Shit, I don’t want to see Colt. There is a flock of butterflies in my stomach, whether they are happy or terrified, I do not know.
Shit.
But damn, does Colt look good up there. In a black tee, tight jeans, boots, and a ball cap, Colt is the definition of good looking. How a man can go wear a tee shirt and jeans and look like a million bucks is beyond me. Like come on. It is totally unfair. I should write a letter to someone, complaining.
As I'm oogling Colt, the band begins to play. No introduction this time, just straight into their rendition of “Cowboys and Angels” by Justin Moore. Also happens to be my favorite song.
Hearing Colt sings the lyrics that have spoken to be since day one is amazing. Those words that grip at my soul when Justin Moore sings them, rip my soul to shreds when Colt sings them. He has a voice that is warm and familiar, like being wrapped in your favorite blanket.
As the song comes to an end, Colt sings the last verse, “There's a want and there's a need. There's a history between, girls like you and guys like me, Cowboys and Angels.” His baby blues are staring a hole into my heart. How can he do this to me?
I'm beyond pissed. How can he make eye contact with me, singing this song, when he knows its my favorite? Beesides that, how can he sing my favorite song, while staring into my eyes, ON MY BIRTHDAY?
He didn't even send me a "happy birthday" text.
Just then, I feel the room's climate change. Instead of the fun, easy going feel that Petey's usually has, the room feels thick, heavy with emotion. I hear the deep, rich sound of Colt's voice come over the speakers.
"I want to wish the girl of my dreams a happy birthday. Stacy, I lost you once. I will not lose you again." His eyes are drilling a hole into my very soul.
Colt jumps off the make-shift stage, and saunters over to me. "Stacy, I've loved you since high school. I just didn't know it. When I hurt you at prom, it ripped my heart from my soul. That's why I left. I couldn't risk looking into your eyes and not seen the love that has always been there for me."
I'm crying now. I just can't help it.
"Stacy. Please, don't run away again. I thought I saw that love in your eyes the last time I saw you, but then you disappeared. I just want to be with you. Today. Tomorrow. Forever. I love you," Colt is whispering at this point.
I don't know what to say, so I do the only thing that feels right. I throw my arms around him and kiss him. I kiss him silly.
Some people don't believe in happily ever afters, but I got mine the day that Colt came back into my life.
The End.
age 20
