Epilogue
Taylor
O ne 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 poster boards 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."
"He doesn't care how messy your hair is," Bailey added. "Go out there and let the world know he's your man."
"Otherwise, I'm going to have to drag you out," Wyatt added.
'Taylor. Taylor. Taylor.' The chanting rattled the walls.
"His fans are calling for you," Kylie smiled.
My jaw clenched. I narrowed my eyes at each of them in turn, a promise of future retribution in my glare. "I'm going to make you all pay for this."
I inhaled deeply, the scent of sweat and excitement thick in the air. Squaring my shoulders, I stepped onto the stage, slowly strolling to the center of the stage where Cole was waiting for me, the heat from the lights immediately washing over me, making my skin prickle.
The arena stretched out, a cavernous space filled with tiered seating that seemed to reach the ceiling. Overhead, an intricate web of lighting rigs and sound equipment hung like a high-tech chandelier.
"Here she comes," Cole said. The crowd erupted into a symphony of cheers and whistles that hit me like a physical force. Blinking against the dazzling lights, I managed a smile and a wave, my heart hammering so hard I was sure the front row could see it. "I want to introduce the world to my wife, Taylor Montgomery."
I rolled my eyes at him but took a dramatic bow.
"Guys, I met Taylor when I was five years old. I was standing on the hill on my property that overlooked hers. She was wearing this little pink dress, and her blonde hair was in pigtails with matching pink bows." My chest swelled as my eyes met his. He remembered what I was wearing. "She was the prettiest girl I'd ever seen." The crowds swooned. "I knew right then that I was going to marry her. It didn't go as planned because when I ran down that hill and introduced myself and told her that I wanted to marry her someday." He paused, laughing as he dropped his head. "Well," he raised his head again to the audience, and I laughed, "well, she told me boys were gross, and I smelled like cow poop." I couldn't help but smile, and everyone laughed. "She shattered my dreams that day, but I was persistent. I knew I was going to marry that pretty little blonde someday, and boys are still gross, and I still smell like cow poop sometimes, but I wore her down, and she said yes. And now, one year later, we found out we are expecting our first little miracle, and I hope he or she has their momma's smile."
He leaned in, pressing his lips to mine. In that moment, I forgot about the crowd, the cameras, and the world. "I love you," I whispered against his lips as I pulled out of the kiss. "But I'm getting off the stage now."
"I love you too."
I made a beeline off the stage, the crowd's roar fading to a dull buzz in my ears. My plastered-on smile melted away as I reached Wyatt, Bailey, and Kylie, their knowing grins. "You guys knew he was going to do that, didn't you?"
They all nodded, and I flipped them off.
"We didn't know until just before the show," Bailey laughed. "He's excited."
I turned around as the band started to play. "This one is dedicated to my beautiful wife."
"And just to think it, all we had to do was convince her he needed her." Kylie laughed.
My jaw flexed, and I rolled my eyes.
"Yeah," Bailey agreed. "It worked like a charm."
"All we had to do was get them in the same room, and boom, sparks flew."
I whipped around. "We knew you were playing us." I smirked sarcastically. "Not right away, but we figured it out." They all laughed.
As I watched Cole on stage, his voice filling the arena, a rush of warmth toward our meddling friends washed over me. Their scheming faces flashed in my mind, and I couldn't help but smile. Without their push, this moment—this life—might never have happened, and for that, I would be forever grateful.