In the Lyrics (44 page)
The best part about it have been the emails and tweets we’ve gotten from people that this announcement solidified that love is real, that happy endings do exist, that I’m not some phony country singer, and that the man I’ve been singing about missing, he’s real too.
LIFE CHANGED WHEN Colby waltzed into it unannounced. He shook me up and made me believe that love was real. Life was also real and hit us dead in the face with some curveballs, but we survived. In the end that’s what matters.
Colby walks towards me and places his hands on my shoulders. Tilting my neck to the side, he kisses me, and it’s as if the world shifts on its axis and it’s no longer Colby Grant and Hensley Bradley – it’s us, together as one. He is my home. I can make music anywhere, but I can’t live if it isn’t with him. He said it best when he said it in the lyrics – I’d do anything to make the last year disappear. The words are deep, but the meaning is simple. Everything else will sort itself out.
“Sunshine, you look so good in the kitchen cooking.” Colby’s deep Southern voice calls out as he stands behind me.
The little hairs on my neck stand upright as his warm breath blows on my skin. I’m tempted to push everything off the counter and have him right here and right now, but I know we won’t have time and his body is too good not to savor.
“You better stop it. Your parents are on their way and I want to make a good second impression,” I laugh as I spin around, so we are facing one another.
Staring into the eyes of the most handsome man on the planet, I’m reminded of the first time our eyes locked. It was then I knew I was a goner, even if I didn’t want to admit it at the time. This silly banter, his sexier-than-all-get-out twang, it all reminds me where we started, on a street corner with my guitar.
“All right, all right, but later on, you’re all mine.” He smirks while opening the refrigerator door and grabbing a bottle of water.
“While you’re in there, can you grab the butter?”
He hands me the butter, and then turns and walks through the living room, and hits the porch light switch to on.
“What are you doing? That wastes electricity,” I holler from my spot in the kitchen. “And it’s daylight out, goof.”
“I’m turning it on, because now that you’re home, I don’t ever want you to lose your way again.”
My heart flutters as a giant smile spreads across my face.
“You were always cheesy, you know that, right?
“Yeah,” he nods. “But I got the girl.”
THINGS HAVE BEEN great since Christmas and within the past few months since we found our way back to each other; we’ve healed, grown and forgiven. We’ve also been practicing a lot, and Hensley even installed a recording studio in the basement. It’s as if nothing has changed. We’ve all fallen back into our normal routines, and even Dusty has adjusted well. I let them have a few solo friend-dates without me. I knew that they had some stuff to work on.
Tonight we’re playing at Mitch’s. Since we were signed, I haven’t been bartending much, but it’s important to all three of us to stay true to who we are and where we came from. So I haven’t ditched the gig completely. Mitch loves it because we pack a pretty big crowd and I’m the most experienced bartender he’s ever had, well, besides old red.
Standing on stage remembering the last time we all played up here together makes my palms sweat. Not because I’m nervous to perform, but because I’m nervous as to what she’s going to say.
As Mitch introduces Chasing Strings, I grip my microphone tightly and interrupt him. “Hey y’all! We’re so pumped to play on our hometown stage tonight, but before we begin, I was hoping I could get your help with something.”
Hensley glances up at me, confused.
As if on cue the lights dim, and then Dusty hollers, “Now!” And the entire crowd holds their lighters up in their hands.
Hensley steps down off of her stool, and sets her guitar down. “What are you two doing?” She looks royally perplexed as she looks from me to Dusty to the crowd.
Stepping towards her, I bend on one knee.
Dusty plays the keyboard, and a soft melody fills the air.
Grabbing her hand, she chokes. “Hensley Elaine Bradley, I’ve loved you for as long as I can remember. You lit up my life like a ray of sunshine when I was in a dark place. You helped me cope, heal, and open my heart again. I know my brother is proud of me, and it’s all because of you. You helped make my dreams a reality. You are my dream. Will you please do me the honor of calling yourself Mrs. Grant? If you say yes, Sunshine, I promise you to be the best man, husband, and hopefully one day father that I could ever be.”
“Say yes!” the crowd slowly starts to chant.
They say when you’re about to die, your life flashes before your eyes. The good, the bad, it’s all there hanging in front of you, waiting for your body to spiral into the unknown. I’ve learned a lot about living and dying since I moved to town. But mostly, I’ve learned a lot about love. Music was my main love, but now it’s Hensley.
“Yes!” she shouts as tears fall down her cheeks.
Dusty extends his arm to me, and hands me a little black box. I open it and slide the ring onto her finger and then look into my future wife’s eyes.
“I love you, Sunshine,” I say as I stand up and take her body, pulling her closer to mine.
It’s Your Love
– Tim McGraw
Tell Me A Story
– Phillip Phillips
That Song in My Head
– Julianna Hough
If You Ever Get Lonely
– Love and Theft
Please Come Home
– Dustin Kensrue
Miss Me Baby
– Chris Cagle
I’ll Be Waiting
– Lenny Kravitz
Cowgirls Don’t Cry –
Brooks & Dunn
Southern Girl
– Tim McGraw
Long Way from Georgia
– Ryan Bingham
I Love You This Big
– Scotty McCreery
It Goes Like This
– Thomas Rhett
Long Distance Lullaby
– Martina McBride
The Story Never Ends
– Aaron Lewis
Nacole Stayton is twenty-something years young and currently resides in the Bluegrass State. She spends her days working at a local hospital in the billing department and nights writing vigorously on her current novel. She has a passion for helping others and wears her University of Kentucky gear proudly. While her husband loves all things outdoors, Nacole enjoys the finer things in life, like getting pedicures while reading on her Kindle Fire. She is passionate about her faith, family, and The Bachelor.
Connect with me:
Website:
www.nacolestayton.com
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[email protected]
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First and foremost, I want to thank God for blessing me on this amazing voyage we call life. He has made all things possible and paved the way for my dream of publishing this book become a reality.
Secondly, I want to thank my husband, for feeding me when I’ve been in my office too long, for washing my scrubs so I didn’t go to work every day smelling and looking like a homeless person, and for believing in me and supporting my dream to write. I love you with every fiber of my being.
And now for the rambling…I WOULDN’T be here doing this if it weren’t for my other half, Erika Ashby – thank you for giving me the courage to take this leap of faith, and thank you for jumping into the unknown with me. Thank you to Michelle Eck, Shanyn Day, Lisa Christman, Toski Covey, Sommer Stein, Danielle Hoover, Debi Barnes, Emily Lamphear, Carrie Horton, Elle Wilson, Lea Marika, Elaine Breson, Jennie Wurtz, Melanie Dawn, Julie Deaton, Kerri McLaughlin, Sam Stettner, Sarah Larson and my brilliant, beautiful, organized PA – Anna Coy.
There are too many blogs to name individually because I’ve become so close with so many of you, but please know that I thank each of you for supporting me and my fictional characters. The time and energy that you dedicate to the love of reading is beyond words. I’m here, doing what I love because of your selfless promoting, encouragement, and support. “Thank you” truly doesn’t seem like enough for what you do, but please know that those two words are packed with an immense amount of gratitude.
