Chapter 24
Cash
“Hey there, Dolly,” Mike said as we stepped inside the diner. “Need any help?”
From the looks of things, that was a rhetorical question.
In the past week, Dolly’s diner had undergone a transformation.
During the day, business went on as usual.
But after closing the place had people going in and out at all hours of the night.
There were decorations strung everywhere, equipment set up, and flyers hung up all around town just to get ready for this karaoke fundraiser.
And by the buzz heard everywhere, it seemed like the entire town and then some were ready to show up on Dolly’s doorstep.
“Hell yes, I need help!” she called back, looking up from the massive roll of tickets she was prepping for the raffle.
She had a red handkerchief tied around her neck and a blue denim blouse on.
She kinda looked like that one guy from Jurassic Park.
“I need a couple more strong backs and preferably a pair of strong arms around me.”
Mike started laughing, but I just stared at her. The woman was ridiculous.
She gave us both a dramatic wink. “But seein’ as I know which street you two amble down, I guess I’ll just take some help with the tables. We’ve got about an hour before people start showin’ up.”
I felt my face heat up at her casual comment said loud enough that the entire diner could hear it.
I knew it was obvious we were gay, but did she mean something more than that?
We’d decided to keep things secret for now.
I shot a glance at Mike, who was trying to hide a grin behind his hand. Had he told her?
“Tables it is,” I said quickly, desperate to change the subject. “Where do you need ‘em?”
Dolly pointed toward the back of the diner where several folding tables were stacked against the wall. “Those need to go outside under the tents. And we’ve got more chairs coming from the church in about twenty minutes.”
I nodded and headed for the tables, grateful for something physical to do with my hands.
Mike followed, and together we started hauling the heavy folding tables through the back door and out into the parking lot where two large white tents had been set up.
I was told they were the same ones from Beau and Lucas’s wedding.
“You okay?” Mike asked quietly as we positioned the first table.
“Fine,” I muttered, not meeting his eyes. “Just didn’t expect the whole town to know about... us.”
“I didn’t tell anyone.” Mike’s hand brushed against mine as we unfolded the table legs. “Would it bother you if they knew?”
I considered the question as we moved to grab another table. A month ago, the idea of anyone in Sagebrush knowing I was sleeping with a man would have sent me running for the hills. But now...
“No,” I realized with some surprise. Things had been pretty easy so far. Not a single person had called me a faggot, so that was a good start. “I guess it doesn’t. I’m just not sure I’m ready to make any announcements.”
Mike’s smile was soft and warm. “That’s totally fine. But be warned, Dolly’s been dropping hints all week about how ‘cozy’ we look together.”
“Jesus,” I groaned. “That woman has no filter.”
“None whatsoever,” Mike agreed cheerfully. “But her heart’s in the right place.”
We worked in comfortable silence for a few minutes, setting up tables and arranging chairs.
Other volunteers started trickling in. There was Mrs. Henderson with boxes of decorations, a couple of younger guys I didn’t recognize hauling sound equipment, and eventually Brooks and Rowan showed up with arms full of raffle prizes ranging from dog treats to garden tools.
“Well, look who decided to help out,” Brooks said with a grin as he spotted me wrestling with a particularly stubborn table.
“Don’t start,” I warned, but there wasn’t much heat in it.
Rowan set down his box and came over to help me with the table. “Glad to see you’re sticking around for this,” he said. “Town could use more hands like yours.”
I looked at him sideways. “You mean stubborn and generally disagreeable?”
“I mean capable and willing to work,” he replied easily. “Though the stubborn part has its uses too. You and Brooks have that in common. Must be a family trait.”
Before I could respond, Dolly’s voice rang out from inside the diner. “Y’all better hurry up out there! I can already see cars coming down Main Street!”
Mike appeared at my elbow, slightly out of breath from hauling chairs. “Ready for this?”
I looked around at the transformed space.
The tents were strung with lights, the tables were covered in checkered tablecloths, and a makeshift stage was set up for the karaoke machine in the front so everyone could see easily.
It looked festive and welcoming, something I wasn’t sure Sagebrush could be until now.
“As ready as I’ll ever be,” I said, and realized I actually meant it.
The next hour passed in a blur of activity.
Cars started pulling into the makeshift parking area behind the diner, and folks began filtering in under the tents.
I recognized some faces from the church service, others from around town, and a few I couldn’t place at all.
Word had clearly spread beyond Sagebrush’s city limits.
I found myself standing near the back of the crowd, watching as Dolly took the makeshift stage to welcome everyone. She’d changed into a sparkly red dress that caught the string lights overhead, her blonde hair teased even higher than usual.
“Welcome, welcome, y’all!” she called into the microphone, her voice carrying easily across the gathered crowd. “Thank you all for comin’ out tonight to support our little town. We’ve been through hell and back with that tornado, but look at us now!”
A cheer went up from the crowd, and I felt something unexpected stir in my chest. Pride, maybe. Or belonging. I wasn’t sure which was more surprising.
“Before we get this party started,” Dolly continued, “I want to thank everyone who helped put this together. Our new pastor Mike Johnson, who’s been workin’ his tail off all week—”
She gestured in Mike’s direction, and I watched his cheeks flush pink as the crowd applauded. He gave a modest wave, looking uncomfortable with the attention.
“And our resident grump Cash Callahan, who I’m pleased to report has been almost pleasant to be around lately!”
My face burned as heads turned my way, but the looks I got weren’t hostile. More curious than anything, with a few genuine smiles thrown in. Mrs. Henderson even gave me an encouraging nod.
“Now,” Dolly said, clapping her hands together, “I’m gonna kick us off with a little song, and then we’ll get this karaoke train rollin’!”
The opening notes of “Jolene” started up, and Dolly launched into the song with surprising vocal skill. The crowd joined in on the chorus, voices mixing together in the warm night air. I found myself humming along despite my better judgment.
“She’s good,” Mike said, appearing at my shoulder.
“Yeah,” I admitted. “Better than I expected for an old waitress.”
Mike’s hand brushed against mine, just for a second, but it was enough to send warmth shooting up my arm. I glanced around to see if anyone had noticed, but everyone was focused on Dolly’s performance.
When she finished, the crowd erupted in applause and cheers. Dolly took a bow, then gestured toward the karaoke setup.
“Alright, who’s brave enough to go next?”
I expected an awkward silence, but hands immediately shot up around the crowd. This wasn’t going to be one of those painful events where nobody wanted to participate. These people were ready to make fools of themselves for a good cause.
“Cash!”
My blood ran cold as I realized Dolly was pointing directly at me.
“How about our local grump gives us a song?”
“Hell no,” I said, loud enough that several people nearby started laughing. “I don’t sing.”
“Come on!” someone called from the crowd. “Don’t be shy!”
“I’m not shy,” I shot back. “I’m realistic.”
Mike leaned closer, his breath warm against my ear. “It’s for charity,” he murmured, and I could hear the smile in his voice.
“Traitor,” I muttered, but I was fighting my own smile now.
The crowd started chanting my name, and I realized I wasn’t getting out of this. Dolly was already beckoning me toward the stage, her grin wide enough to split her face in half.
“Fine,” I said, throwing my hands up in defeat. “But don’t blame me when y’all need your ears checked tomorrow.”
The crowd cheered as I made my way to the front, my face burning with embarrassment. Dolly handed me the microphone with a wink.
“What’s it gonna be, sugar?” she asked, gesturing to the song list.
I scanned the options, looking for something I might actually know the words to. Most of it was country, which made sense for this crowd. My eyes landed on one that made me pause.
“That one,” I said, pointing.
Dolly’s eyebrows shot up. “You sure about that, hon?”
“Just play it before I change my mind.”
The opening guitar riff of “Friends in Low Places” filled the air, and I felt some of the tension leave my shoulders. If I was going to make an ass of myself, at least it would be to a song I actually knew.
I started singing, my voice rough but surprisingly steady. The crowd was with me from the first line, some of them singing along. When I got to the chorus, half the tent was belting it out with me.
Looking out at their faces, I saw something I hadn’t expected. Acceptance. Maybe even affection. These weren’t the same people who’d driven me out ten years ago, or maybe they were and time had changed all of us.
My eyes found Mike in the crowd, and the look on his face made my stomach flutter. He was watching me like I’d just performed a miracle instead of stumbling through a Garth Brooks song. The pride and warmth in his expression was almost too much to handle.
When I finished, the applause was thunderous. I handed the microphone back to Dolly as quickly as possible and tried to escape back into the crowd, but people kept stopping me to clap my shoulder or offer compliments.
“That was amazing!” a woman I didn’t recognize gushed. “You’ve got a great voice!”
“Thanks,” I mumbled, still trying to process what had just happened.
Mike appeared beside me again, his hand briefly squeezing my elbow. “See? That wasn’t so bad.”
“Speak for yourself,” I said, but I was smiling. I couldn’t help it. “Come on,” I added, grabbing him by the hand. “Come get a drink with me.”
We slipped away from the crowd, weaving through clusters of people toward the makeshift bar Dolly had set up near the back of one tent.
The whole scene felt surreal. There I was, willingly participating in a town event, holding hands with the local pastor where anyone could see.
A month ago, I would’ve been horrified. Tonight, I couldn’t bring myself to care.
“Two beers,” I said to the volunteer bartender, a kid who looked barely old enough to drink himself.
“Coming right up, Mr. Callahan,” he said with a grin. “Great song, by the way. My grandma’s gonna be talking about it for weeks.”
I accepted the bottles with a nod, handing one to Mike. We found a quieter spot near the edge of the tent where we could watch the festivities without being in the thick of it.
“So,” Mike said, taking a long pull from his beer. “How does it feel to be Sagebrush’s newest karaoke star?”
“Like I need another drink,” I muttered, but I was still riding the high of it. The way the crowd had sung along, the genuine enthusiasm in their faces… it was nothing like what I’d expected.
Mike’s fingers found mine in the shadows between the tents, intertwining briefly before pulling away. Even that small contact sent heat racing through me.
“I’m proud of you,” he said quietly. “I know that wasn’t easy.”
“It was terrifying,” I admitted. “But also... kind of amazin’? I can’t believe I just said that.”
Mike’s laugh was warm and rich, mixing with the distant sounds of someone attempting “Sweet Caroline” on stage. “You’re full of surprises, Cash.”
“I’ve got one more surprise just for you,” I grinned, holding out my hand. “If you want to have some fun.”
Realization dawned on Mike’s face. He knew exactly what I meant. “But we just got here,” he protested weakly. “We can’t leave yet.”
“I’m not sayin’ we need to leave.” My smile widened. “But there’s this nice little alley over here where nobody will see us.”
“I don’t know, Cash…”
“Come on, live a little!” I grabbed his hand, pulling him away from the tents. “Besides, we’ll be back in time for the raffle.”
Mike took a big swig of his beer, smiled, and followed me willingly into the dark.