Page 2 of Major Love

Cash, Casey, and Jason… three guys who meant so much to me, all for totally different reasons.

And, no matter what happened, I would never regret loving any of them.

I could see why Casey wanted to follow in Cash’s footsteps, and I knew that Jason had people close to him who had also served our country.

They had felt that awe-inspiring pull, and it would be cruel to try and deter them.

And, besides, Casey wasn’t the only one who had been influenced by Cash.

Because if Cash hadn’t been in our lives, I wouldn’t be preparing to go toNashville.

I haven’t been to Nashville before, but we’ve got a plan. When Cash gets back from deployment this time, he’s taking us to Tennessee.

And he’s going to show me the bar that he’s about to propose to my mom in.

They’ve been visiting it once a year since they first started dating – a tradition that began after he’d flown her there for their first official date.

It’s one of the smallest bars on Broadway, but Cash says it’s different from the rest.

The country songs they play are slower, the string-lights are a little darker, and there’s a romance in the air that makes the whole place feel like home.

Rich wood, red neon, live bands that you can slow-dance to…

It sounds freaking magical, and I can’t wait for him to take us.

And even without having stepped a single cowgirl boot through the door, I’ve already decided that it’s going to be the place for me. When I graduate from high school I’m going to move to Nashville, get a job at that tiny bar, and turn it into something that Cash will be forever proud of.

And because one ofmygreatest joys in life is making our step-dad proud, I can’t exactly dissuade Casey from wanting to do the same.

I can’t stop Casey from joining the Army, and I can’t stop Jason, either.

Even if, secretly, I really,reallydon’t want him to go.

But we still have tonight – the first time that he’s officially asked me out – and I know what it means for us to be seen together at our prom.

In front of my brother, in front of his friends…

Jason is telling everyone how it’s going to be from now on.

That we’re making this thing official before he leaves for the service academy.

The handsome smiles that he gives me from across the football field, the way that he always saves me a spot at their table in the cafeteria… even when I’m feeling shy, Jason is always looking out for me, giving me rides and holding doors open like I’m the centre of his world.

So I’ve gone all out tonight, for our first and final prom. I carefully gathered my accumulated pocket money and bought the most beautiful dress that I can afford.

Sparkling tulle straps, a perfectly fitted bodice, and a stunning ball gown skirt that goes down below my knees, all inthe softest baby blue fabric that I can barely keep my hands off as I finally race out of my room, ready to hitch my ride.

My skin is sun-kissed, my curls are fluffed, and I’m even wearing mascara to extenuate the length of my lashes.

I feel happy – truly happy – and so ready for Jason to see me.

I’m about to tumble into the living room in a haze of baby blue sparkles and tulle, when my mom suddenly steps out, holding our home phone against her chest.

And it takes me less than a second to register the fact that something’s wrong.

Casey already left the house half an hour ago, and it’s just my mom and me left at home.

What could have possibly happened in half an hour?I think to myself.

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