“Text us, when your home.” I hear the girls shout as I turn on my heels. I don’t even bothersaying anything to anyone else or looking anywhere but the exit.
Trying to squeeze my slender, yet curvy frame through the crowd, I notice something. The crowd are loving him, even at my fucking expense. Even after the stares and the looks.
So-called small-town loyalty.
I mean I’ll give it to them all, they’re all drunk and overcome with God knows what emotion from seeing him again.
Reaching the door, I look over my shoulder one more time. Maverick’s now gotten louder with a tighter grip to the microphone; eyes shut tight, like he isn’t able physically open them, or just won’t.
I don’t think he’s noticed that I’ve left the spot that I was standing in next to the bar. If that song’s for me and I’ll bet good money on it, by this evenings events, amongst everything else that it was for me, then it’s such a dick move to make.
Let’s all laugh at the girl who had her whole life and future ruined when he decided I was no longer good enough for him. Without even a word to let me know.
Just‘poof’disappeared.
Pulling the door open, a loud thud escape’s as itbounces back off the wall, I then walk towards my truck. I’m very aware I shouldn’t be driving, but I no longer care.
Get me out of here and get me home.
I knew I shouldn’t havecome out tonight.
What a mistake that was.
Ten
Maverick
Holy shit.
I’ve forgotten how good this feeling is.
Standing up on a stage, people who’re no longer glaring at me, but enjoying my singing.
The feeling of discomfort very quickly dissolves, and the thrill off being back on a stage returns.
Jake and I would sing together all the time when we were younger. Around a campfire, he’d join me for high school events and the big Fourth of July celebration at the Riggins property.
Any opportunity to play, we would.
However, I notice Jake’s not playing along with me like I presumed he would have, ifanything he looks uncomfortable at my song choice from where he sits on the stool set already on the stage for his comfort.
Sam Hunt’s - Outskirtsbeing my current feeling and hence why I chose it to sing. I don’t blame him with my song choice, or any choice I’ve made along the way.
Looking back out into the crowd, I manage to catch Mabel’s eyes again, the once tear-stained eyes now turning into balls of fire; her face struck with anger.
Fuck.
I’ve seen that look from the fireball herself plenty of times, although it was never usually aimed at me, I was always too smart to get on her bad side. That is until now.
I start going back into the sheepish feeling I had on her porch this evening. Deciding to look away from her and into the crowd, the audience move their heads along and bodies begin to sway along to my song.
Choosing to ignore my old group in the corner, none of which look overly pleased with me at the moment. A new habit of a lifetime I’m starting to realise.
Fuck it…
If I’m on everyone’s shit list; I’ll finish off big.
What do I have to lose by this point?
