Page 72 of Wasted

"You know," she said, her gaze distant, "Cole's dad and I were high school sweethearts, just like you two. He dreamed of moving to Florida, becoming a NASCAR driver." She paused, swallowing hard."

"What stopped him?"

She raised a shoulder, tilting her head toward it as her eyes filled with tears. "Me." She swallowed hard as she swiped away a tear that fell. "I was terrified of leaving Bridgewater. My roots,my dreams were here. So he stayed. For me. He's happy, but sometimes I wonder..." She trailed off, but she didn’t need to finish; I knew what she meant.

"At least he doesn’t resent you."

She smiled. "No, but it could have easily gone that way. He was happy watching me accomplish my dreams, but I know there was always a small part of him that wondered what it would be like if he'd followed his dreams." She cleared her throat. "So I guess I respect what you did for Cole." My eyes filled with tears. "So, if I'm still invited, I would love to stay at the wedding."

Swallowing past the lump in my throat, I nodded. "Of course."

"I think... maybe we could talk more sometime. When things are less... hectic." I nodded. She reached forward, jerking a tissue from the box on the table beside her, and handed it to me. "Don't cry, dear; you'll ruin your makeup."

"Thank you," I sniffled. "Thank you for coming and trying to understand."

"Come on, let's get you married before your husband disowns me."

Ten minutes later, the church doors creaked open, and a wave of faces turned towards me. The violins blared, and the wedding march filled, but all I could hear was the thundering of my own heart. With each step down the aisle, the blur of faces sharpened until I could see only one - Cole's, his eyes shining as he watched me approach, his face spreading into the biggest grin. He was so incredibly handsome in his black suit and boots. Stopping at the end of the aisle, my chest swelled with happiness as I took Cole’s hand and walked up the few steps to the altar to marry my best friend, my soulmate, in the wedding venue I'd only ever dreamed about.

As I stood there, Cole's hand warm in mine, a memory floated to the surface. Suddenly, I was back in that dingy bar, Mr. Robinson's voice ringing in my ears. The contrast between then and now hit me, and I felt my lips curve upward. As Cole slipped the ring onto my finger, I thought back to what he’d said; 'It would take a miracle to save this land.' I met Cole's eyes, saw the love shining there, and smiled. Mr. Robinson had been right about one thing - it did take a miracle. And that miracle's name was Cole Montgomery.

Epilogue

Taylor

One year later...

The pulsing bass reverberated through the floorboards, up my legs, and into my chest as Cole commanded the stage, his voice electrifying the air. Cole's infectious energy radiated outward, and his body moved perfectly with the driving rhythm. The crowd, a sea of cowgirl hats and glittering tops, erupted in a deafening roar that drowned out the final chord.

As the final notes faded, Cole thrust his fist skyward. The spotlight caught a bead of sweat on his temple, glistening like a diamond as it traced the sharp line of his jaw before disappearing into the collar of his sweat-darkened shirt.

His eyes, electric blue under the stage lights, scanned the crowd before locking onto mine. The transformation was instant—his performer's smile softened into something intimate and real. The women screaming his name, throwing their bras on stage, and holding handwritten marriage proposals on posterboards didn't bother me because that was how he looked at me—like I was the only woman in the room.

I twisted the simple gold band on my finger. Our marriage was our little secret, hidden from the world's prying eyes. Almost all of Cole's life was public, but we'd managed to keep this secret.

Even in the quieter moments, the arena hummed with energy. The low murmur of thousands of voices created a constant undertone, punctuated by occasional shouts, 'I love you, Cole Montgomery.'

"Alright, guys," Cole said into the mic, slightly breathless. "I have a special surprise for you guys tonight."

This was the fourth show on his tour and the first time he'd mentioned a special surprise. I glanced behind me where Wyatt stood. His cryptic smile told me he knew something I didn't.

Curious and slightly uneasy, I edged closer to the stage entrance, my eyes never leaving Cole. The energy in the arena shifted, a ripple of anticipation running through the crowd. As I reached the threshold between backstage and the blinding lights of the performance area, I could feel the heat from the stage lights warming my skin.

"Ya'll, today is a real special day," Cole continued, his voice carrying clearly through the speakers and washing over me. The crowd fell silent, hanging on to every word, but I had a feeling he was about to break every girl's heart in the room. Well, except mine. Today was our one-year anniversary.

"Today, one year ago, I did something that I kept a secret from everyone except close family and friends because we wanted a little privacy, but yesterday I got the best news ever, and I can't keep it to myself. I know there's been a lot of rumors and speculation, so I'm going to clear it up now. One year ago today, I married my best friend in a small venue on our family's property where we decided to get married when we were only kids." It took the crowd a second to register what he'd just said,and I held my breath as I waited for the tears to fall, to hear the hearts literally break, to hear them boo, but they didn't. The excitement roared through the crowd.

My eyes widened. "I need y'all to welcome my wife, the love of my life," he turned his gaze, meeting mine, "my soulmate, out onto the stage." It took the crowd a minute to register what he said, and I waited for the booing, but it didn't happen. Instead, they all started cheering.

I glanced down at my well-worn jeans, the knees ripped, and my simple white tank top that clung to my curves. My fingers brushed against the loose hair that escaped my hastily assembled messy bun, starkly contrasting the carefully styled fans in the audience.

My head snapped up, glaring at him as I backed away from the stage entrance, shaking my head vigorously. My hands grew clammy as I looked for an escape route, any excuse to avoid walking out on that stage.

"She's a little shy, guys." He laughed. "Come on, Taylor." I shook my head again. "Wyatt, help me out, man."

I whipped around to find Wyatt, Bailey, and Kylie standing behind me. "Don't you dare." I pointed at them. "I'm not going out on that stage. My hair, my clothes," I shook my head, "Nope." I crossed my arms over my chest.

"He chose you over all those girls dressed in cowgirl hats and boots, rhinestone tops, and mini skirts," Kylie said. "He chose you over the girls who spent hours doing their make-up and hair."

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