Page 24 of She's My Kind Of Rain

“I hadn’t even noticed,” I say. “I wonder if that means he also does rodeos? You don’t think he would wear one just because of how some women react to them, do you?”

“Maybe, but I doubt it. As much as I don’t like him, he doesn’t seem like the kind of guy who would need to draw girls in with fake buckles. Now that asshole we ran into at The Westmore...he’d be the type to do that to try and get a girl.”

I laugh at the idea. Wow, who knew there was so much drama with cowboys and rodeoing. Not that I knew much about either, besides how to properly wear a hat—thanks to my dad. My cheeks flush with embarrassment, and I can’t help but feel like I need to defend my lack of knowledge. “I’m sure you can tell that cowboys and rodeos aren’t really as huge back in Tansy. Honestly, The closest person to a cowboy I’ve ever had experience with is my dad.”

A soft smile returns to her face. “Yeah, sounds like there is an exception to the general rule that cowboys suck. And that exception’s name is Hank Holloway.”

I smile at the kindness in my friend’s heart even after all the hurt she’s been through.

Kaylee’s expression shifts from tender back to her normal mischievous self. “You know what? The girl I know came here for an adventure, so let’s give her one.”

We make our way down the sidewalk on Broadway. For the first time since starting my job at Telluride, I actually take in my surroundings. This street never seems to sleep. Every corner has a different performer singing their soul out to whoever will listen. There are groups of friends and family cycling between restaurants, bars and shops, cowboy hats as far as the eye can see, and neon lights of every color competing for attention. It’s probably one of very few places where someone is always praying to have their dreams come true right where they stand, which is beautiful and heartbreaking all at the same time, and yet it’s the very place that brings my soul to life.

Unlike most days that we have gone out, today is for fun, not for business. We each went overboard with our outfits, but that makes this day all the more enjoyable. Kaylee looks like she was taken directly off of a Country Music stage. Her black top is tight-fitting and bedazzled with little silver rhinestones outlining the boning of its structure. She chose a cute little denim skirt and the most amazing matching cowboy boots that are the same shade of denim as her skirt with rhinestone tassels cascading from the top—every bit as beautiful as they are impractical.

Luckily, my best friend has a wardrobe filled with outfits made for the stage. I chose a silky white v-neck button downtank that just covers my belly button, slightly distressed bell bottom jeans, and a pair of white cowboy boots that are embroidered with pink flames up the sides, as well as on the welt. I’m the furthest from it, but in the outfit I’m wearing, I feel like a total badass cowgirl.

We both wear our hair straight, Kaylee has her’s in a bump holding back her grown out bangs, and I wear mine half up in a claw clip with my front pieces hanging out. Honestly, we look like we fit in with half of the stars Telluride Records represents and something about the thought of that imprints a permanent smile upon my face.

“Rhett didn’t say where they were going to be tonight. We should have grabbed his number,” I mention.

I had thought of it when he brought up the invitation, but I couldn’t read his intentions and I truly don’t want to lead him on just in case he thinks I’m interested in him.

“If we see them, great. If we don’t, equally as great because there are plenty of other people we could meet tonight that are just as exciting as Sawyer, and definitely more exciting than Rhett.” Her words drip with sarcasm.

At this point, I can’t tell if she’s trying to convince me or herself that no matter who we see this will be fun, but the experience alone is something new and exciting for me. Especially since I, for once, am not worried about proving myself or finding the brightest star in a sea of many.

I loop my arm in hers and we head into yet another bar we haven’t been to named Opeachies. It’s filled with a younger crowd than that of The Red Fern, and even more so The Westmore. Since we’re both only twenty-three, I wouldn’t say we’re the oldest, by any means, but you can tell that the people in this specific bar are here for the party more than the music. Something I’ve always been the opposite of. The ambiance is fun, upbeat, and overall happy. And in the spirit of letting go andhaving a bit of fun, I do my best to give this place a chance, even though I find part of me screaming to leave.

We grab drinks and wander through the crowd toward the stage. The bar is packed to the point that we have to nearly force our way through, but, luckily, once we get within a few feet of the band playing, there is space to breathe. They start their next song and I stand in the most upbeat crowd who all sings along.

Opeachies is a nightmare. At first, it started out really fun and the crowd seemed overall rather happy-go-lucky, but the longer we have been here, the more it’s gone wrong. Some of the patrons have been well overserved and I’ve had to politely walk away from a number of men that probably can’t even see me because they are so trashed. Multiple fights have broken out amongst the crowd, and I’ve seen more girls crying than I can count. This place is not my place, and all I want to do is leave.

Hopeful that my best friend feels the same, I set down my third drink of the night, suddenly feeling like maybe I, too, have had a little more than I could handle so quickly. It has been about five minutes since she left to go to the bathroom, so I decide to shoot her a text, not something I do too often because I went for the cheaper plan when initially signing up for mycell service. Something I should probably now adjust, since it’s Kaylee’s favorite form of communication.

HEY, WHERE R U?

I type out and click send, hoping she will reply sooner rather than later so we can be anywhere but here.

A large man bumps into me, not even excusing himself, but I’m way too intimidated to say anything. So, with a squeaked apology, I try to scooch myself even closer to the bar.

A hand grasps my shoulder and I turn, ripping it away as an immediate response to the unwelcome touch. An apologetic look replaces Kaylee’s smile and she leans in to scream to me over the loud music.

“Let’s leave. I think we’ve both had enough of this place for one lifetime.”

I nod and grab her hand. Snaking through the crowd toward the front door, we do our best not to stop until we reach it, but fall about fifteen feet short. There in front of us, is Russ, this time not getting away with being a prick. He’s yelling at a man twice his size that he can flirt withwhatever hoes he wants to. The bouncer rushes to separate the argument, and probably even save his life.Not that he deserves it.What he lacks in couth, he makes up for in luck. I let out a buzzed giggle, imagining if Kaylee had hit him the day he pissed her off. Not a moment later, he’s being taken out of the building and Kaylee and I do everything in our power not to be seen by him. Luckily, he heads in the opposite direction on wobbly legs, making a phone call to who I can only assume is his mom.

We scurry as fast as we can to the right and make our way toward The Westmore.

“Okay, I’m not gonna lie, I’m glad we weren’t any prick’s target tonight in that bar. I think I’ve had maybe a little too muchalcohol, a little too fast, to deal with someone as disrespectful as him.” Kaylee releases a huff and continues, “I could use a tall glass of water, and for once, I just mean that.” A hiccup makes its way out of her mouth, followed by a drunken giggle.

“I agree, on both parts, but specifically the water and maybe a seat,” I add, considering how wobbly my legs feel—probably from all the dancing, not necessarily the buzz I currently have. “When I moved here, I thought it was nearly impossible to see the same person twice. I hope that was the last time we see that loser.”

“Hah, yeah, most of the time that’s true, but we keep running into Rhett too. I’m surprised he wasn’t mixed in with the Opeachies crowd. Seems like his kind of people.” She scoffs. “But then again, that doesn’t seem like his friend’s type of people, so maybe he picked where they landed tonight.”

We continue down the street, the warm, inviting glow of The Westmore looming before us with its red velvet curtains and beautiful guitar pillars.

Stopping short of the entrance Kaylee turns to me. “I’m going to go to the restroom, the other bar’s was filled to the brim with people, and it was honestly rather disgusting, so I was going to just hold it. Get us a spot on Nancy’s side of the bar. Might as well enjoy the company of at least one person tonight.” Another drunken giggle makes its way out.

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