Page 113 of Fresh Tracks
What makes him so special is that he doesn’t feel the need to impose his will on me. He respects and even idolizes my need to make my own choices and decisions. That’s what makes him a man — the one I love, the one I married.
We drivetoward the main road to town, heading to meet our family and friends at Gloria’s for a second attempt at a big family dinner. Tommy drives, keeping both hands firmly on the wheel, for me, while I look out at the mountains around us. Spring is almost here, but the Tetons are still snow covered after another late season storm.
I hear the turn signal click on and I look over to see Tommy turning onto a side street going the opposite way from downtown Jackson.
“Are you lost? Town’s that way.” I hitch my thumb over my shoulder pointing the other way. “Oh my god, please don’t tell meyou’re going senile already.” I clasp my hands to my face in mock horror.
He shakes his head and rolls his eyes. “I know where I’m going.”
I look up again to see The Chairlift coming into view. Sure enough, he pulls right into the bar’s parking lot. “Come on. We’re here.”
I give him a curious look and he grins back at me, looking way too pleased with himself. “Did you plan this or was this a last minute change? Because if it was a last minute change, you know Sutton’s not going to be happy when he finds out we’re not?—”
A knocking sound on the window nearly makes me jump out of my seatbelt. I turn around to see Lizzy, Veronica, and Josie standing outside of the car. All of them are watching me, making googly eyes and kissy-faces at me.
OK. Not a last minute change I’m guessing then.
I hear Tommy laugh and turn back to see him still grinning in the driver seat. “Can we go inside now?”
I nod and hop out of the car. Looking around the parking lot, I see Tanner’s truck and Lizzy’s Bronco among the other familiar rides.
Josie comes up to me, wrapping me in a tight hug. She’s still in town for another night, so I’m glad I get to see her today. I will forever owe her for saving my life that day on the mountain. She was already my best friend, but seriously, how do I repay her for that?
She looks up at me and smiles softly, like she knows where my head is at. “Kayleigh’s inside waiting for us. She’d come out, but the wheelchair is less than ideal and she didn’t want to get her cast wet.”
I follow her, noticing that Lizzy and Veronica are already talking with Tommy. I don’t hear everything, but I definitely catch the wordssummerandmusicfestival.
I follow Josie into the bar, right on her heels since she’s practically dragging me along. When I look around the room, I see that we must have the entire place to ourselves for the night. Everywhere I look, it’s our family and friends. I see Sutton and Slade sitting together at the corner of the bar. My grandparents are sitting together at a table against the wall.
I can’t look them in the face without blushing now. It was only a couple days ago that Josie told me that doctors did X-Rays while I was unconscious, and that’s when my whole family found out about all of my piercings. Josie thinks it’s hilarious, but I’m still not sure my grandparents or Dad will ever look at me the same way.
On the other end of the bar, Tanner and Clay sit with Dad, stubby beers in hand. Even Kelsey from Cowgirl Coffee is here since we’ve been reconnecting now that I’m in Jackson again.
Along the back wall of the bar are a few long folding tables, and sitting on top are box after box of Big Red’s pizza. On one end of the table are a bunch of big sodas and reusable aluminum cups, ready to pour. I’m glad he’s taking my request to offset his carbon footprint seriously.
I stand there, shocked until Tommy comes up beside me, resting his hand on my lower back. I look up at him, still stunned. “Was this your idea? How did you know I love pizza parties?”
He shrugs. "I do seem to remember you telling me that over breakfast. But no, this wasn’t my idea.”
“Then who—” I start but don't finish the question. He tips his chin and I follow his eyes to Tanner, who’s standing beside us now.
“This was your idea?" I look at my older brother and watch the warm smile spread across his face. Veronica comes up next to him and he pulls her to his side.
She stands up on her toes, kissing him once before turning tome. “Consider it a late wedding gift from both of us. We never really got to celebrate you two properly.”
Tanner reaches out with two fresh beers, handing one to each of us. “I’m happy for you two.”
We clink our beers together before they head back to the bar. I watch them walk away, feeling like another weight has been lifted off my shoulders seeing Tanner accept us like that.
“I do have one surprise for you though.” Tommy’s smooth, deep voice snaps my attention back. He points across the room, past the long tables of pizza. Standing in the corner of the room is a pair of microphones and a karaoke machine.
“No. You didn’t.”
He laughs, rubbing my lower back. “Oh, yes. Yes, I did. Don’t think I forgot about that time in Bend. I told you I’d get you back for dragging me up there with you. So later tonight, your whole family gets to watch.”
Tommy still grins at me and I know he might think this is funny. Right now though, the idea of my whole family watching us, as mortifying as it should be, actually makes me happy. I know Mom isn’t here, but looking around the room, I can’t help but feel like her fingerprints are over all of this.
Every choice, every decision, I’ve always been thinking of her and everything she taught me. All of those little choices and moments — the verses and choruses of life — have led me to being here, right now, with my whole family.
