Stevie
The barn is bustling with activity, and my heart is swollen behind my rib cage. All the food and drink are laid out on two long rectangular tables, buffet style, so everyone can help themselves. Everywhere I look, people are enjoying themselves and having a great time. Laughing, talking, dancing, singing, eating, and drinking is happening in abundance, and I’m drunk on all the feel-good endorphins flooding my system. I was a little stressed out earlier. Worrying we wouldn’t be able to pull this off in time, but it came together better than I expected.
Garrick and I are taking a well-earned breather, sipping beers from our position at the side of the dancing area as we watch everyone having a good time. I’m pressed against his side, and his arm is around my shoulders, and I’ve never felt more content. Seeing everyone I love in one place is amazing. But the cherry on top is noticing how relaxed Nana is now. It’s like the weight of the world has been lifted from her shoulders. My eyes seek her out, finding her and Mom nestled in the center of the jiving crowd on the new hardwood floor. They are laughing as they loop arms and dance, and it brings tears to my eyes to see them so happy.
It's been a stressful few weeks for our family, and I’m glad we were able to put it behind us. It’s a shame Garrick’s dad and stepmom are on vacation. It would’ve been lovely to have them here. I’d like to meet them, and I know Nana wants to thank the man in person.
Shared tears of joy were shed this afternoon when Garrick’s crew finished the barn remodeling and we saw the wonders they had worked inside. Overhead, sturdy beams prop up the solid new roof. Rows of new lighting have been installed, illuminating the large space. New shelving units and matching tables jut against either side of the front of the structure, ready to house flowers, displays, and accessories.
The coffee area at the back has been completely transformed. An L-shaped counter runs the length of the back with a host of brand-spanking-new kitchen appliances fitted against the rear wall, ensuring it’s a complete kitchen so Nana can offer more than just snacks, if she chooses. Comfy chairs, tables, and couches occupy the long space on the left while two new customer bathrooms are tucked into the space on the far right.
Glistening wide hardwood planks cover the entire floor space. They are currently being put to the test by boisterous partygoers as they dance to popular country songs played by the talented band recruited by Garrick.
“Come on,” my boyfriend says, setting both our beer bottles down on the table behind us. “I want to dance to this song.” I let him steer me into the middle of the dance floor, looking around in amazement at the incredible transformation. The barn looks virtually unrecognizable now, and I still can’t wrap my head around it.
The Allen crew went above and beyond, and what they managed to achieve in a week is nothing short of miraculous. They had help from local tradesmen, who gave their time for free and provided parts at cost. Nana is well regarded in the town, and the way the community came out to support her only proves it.
My heart is so full tonight, and the fact it’s my twentieth birthday accounts for none of it. It’s all thanks to the man, twirling me around the dance floor, smiling at me like I’m a precious jewel. Garrick looks superhot in a plaid blue, red, and white shirt, open over a tight-fitting white tee. Dark jeans hang temptingly from his toned hips. Scuffed boots and a cowboy hat complete his ensemble, and I’m ready to climb him like a jungle gym.
Yanking his body into mine, I stretch on tiptoes and shout in his ear. “I feel like you should get lucky tonight. How else can I repay you for everything you’ve done?”
“Nice try, sunshine,” he says, wrapping his strong arms around my back and dipping me down low.
For some inexplicable reason, he’s started calling me his sunshine in recent days. In the past, I have always gagged at couples who have pet names for one another, but I can’t deny how much I love Garrick’s term of endearment. Cheesy as it is, I’m lapping it up like it’s manna from heaven.
“We’re not caving to wild monkey lust.” He straightens us up as his words and the resolve behind them burst the erotic fantasy bubble playing out in my head. “Anticipation. Remember?”
He cups my face in his large palms, and his mouth descends on mine before I can protest or attempt to convince him to throw away his plan.
I lose all semblance of thought, like I do every time he kisses me. My hands find purchase on his hard, warm chest, and I swoon as he devours my mouth in a very public display of affection. Garrick’s kisses consume me to the point where nothing else exists. I get lost in him and the powerful sensations he entices from my body until the only things I’m conscious of are his lips gliding against my lips, his tongue tangling with mine, the heat rolling off his body as he presses flush against me, and the possessive way he firmly holds my face as he makes love to my mouth.
Keeping his lips locked on mine, he lowers his hands to my hips and sways us in tune to the music. My arms encircle his neck, and a sigh of contentment eases through our joined lips. The band is playing a slower song now, and I grind my body against his, reveling in the feel of his hard-on against my stomach as we kiss and dance and basically dry-hump in the middle of a crowd of neighbors, friends, family, and coworkers.
Hadley must be proud.
When the song ends, whoops, hollers, and catcalls ring out, finally breaking us out of our little sexed-up bubble. Garrick’s chest rumbles with laughter as he breaks our kiss, holding me tight to his chest. “I think we might have been making a scene,” he mumbles against my ear, half laughing.
“I’m thinking I don’t really care,” I truthfully reply, but my words are muffled against his chest.
The song ends, and the band calls him to the makeshift stage. He drags me with him, but I don’t complain. I’d challenge anyone to physically separate us right now.
Mom, Nana, Hadley, Hudson, Ellen, Will, and Noah are crowded beside the side of the stage, grinning and screaming encouragement.
My eyes flick to Garrick as he grips my hand in one hand and accepts a guitar in the other. “What are you up to?” I ponder when he turns to face me.
“You’ll see.” His eyes radiate mischief as he rests the guitar against the stool propped in front of the mic and lifts me onto an adjoining stool. “Just hold still, and let me do my thing.” He kisses me, and it’s no chaste meeting of lips, and the crowd goes nuts again. Mom and Hads are jumping up and down while Ellen has her phone out and pointed at my face.
Garrick sits on his stool with his guitar on his lap. After adjusting the mic, he introduces himself. “Now, I know we’re all here tonight to help Betsy celebrate the relaunch of her business, but it’s a double celebration. Tonight is also my girlfriend Stevie’s birthday, and I want to sing a song for her.”
A chorus of oohs and aahs rings out around the room before a reverent hush descends.
“This song reminds me of you, babe,” he says, moving his fingers into position on the strings. “Of us. Happy birthday, my sunshine.” Tears well in my eyes with the way he’s looking at me, and how considerate the gesture is. Everything else fades away in this moment and Garrick is all I see. “This is ‘You Make it Easy’ by Jason Aldean.”
He starts singing, ignoring the audience as he stares into my face, pouring his heart and soul into the lyrics. It’s exquisite, and I’m enchanted. I haven’t heard this song before, but the words are beautiful, especially when sung in such a heartfelt way. Garrick’s distinctive husky voice wraps around me, and I’m reminded how talented he is.
When he gets to the guitar riff portion of the song, my chest is heaving, and I’m struggling to hold my feelings inside. A tear slips out when he sings about sunshine and being his better half, like God made me for him, and I can’t control my emotions anymore.
This guy is unreal.
