Chapter 34
Indie
T oday is finally the day. I’ve been anxious all week waiting for this. The weather is cooler than I thought it would be, making the hot cocoa and apple cider the perfect drinks to sell at the stand with the baked goods. It’s typically not this cold this time of year, but I’m normally cold anyway, so I’m always prepared.
The pavilion is strung up with lights, which will be perfect for making the grassed area of the park glow in the growing darkness. The stage is small, but it’s plenty big enough for just me and my guitar to perform a few songs tonight for the fundraiser.
Since I couldn’t choose an opening song that felt right for the event, I decided to write one. When I sang it to Wren the other day, tears welled in her eyes as she told me how perfect it was. But anyone who knows that woman knows that she’d never say a mean thing to anyone. It did feel good, though, to write something that felt more personal for today.
As I step out of my SUV, I wrap my olive-green scarf snugly around my neck and make my way to the rear of the vehicle. Reaching into the back, my fingers find the familiar shape of my guitar case before closing the hatch.
Leaves crunch under my feet as I walk toward the stage, where I see Megan filling out papers on a clipboard as she talks to a group of people.
“Hey, I made it,” I announce as I approach them.
She looks up from the clipboard, and it takes her a few seconds to realize it’s me.
“Indie! Oh, I’m so happy to see you,” she says, relief clear in her voice.
“Am I late?” I ask, wishing I had my phone on me but realizing I left it in the SUV.
“Oh no, you’re not late. I’ve just been running around like a chicken with my head cut off,” she laughs. “This is my cousin, Piper, and her friend, Peyton. They’ll be helping us with the food and drinks tonight.”
“Hey,” I wave. “It all smells amazing. I’ll have to come grab some of whatever has that strong cinnamon smell.”
“That would be just about everything over there,” the blonde laughs, nudging her friend. “Piper doesn’t bake much without it,” she teases.
“Sure don’t,” the brunette laughs. “You should come get a cup of Pey’s apple cider before you get too busy. The little caramel-dipped spoons are to die for,” she adds, placing a hand on my forearm.
A nice warm drink does sound good—especially a sweet one.
“Yeah, that sounds great. I’ll swing over there here in a bit.”
The two girls walk off, arm in arm, just as a few more volunteers come over. Megan quickly hands them lists, and they each walk off toward the different booths.
“I could definitely use some help if you’re able,” Megan says, clutching her clipboard to her chest.
“Okay. Just let me set my things down, and then I’ll be right over to help.”
I hurry over to the stage and set my guitar case beside the wooden stool next to the microphone stand. I’m thankful I didn’t have to bring much and that she was able to find someone to provide the necessary equipment.
Coming back over to Megan’s blue cloth-covered table, she hands me a small piece of paper with a few items jotted down.
“If you could just check that these things are done, that would be such a huge help,” she says, sounding overwhelmed. “I have to go make sure Becky was able to get logged into our app.” She lets out an exaggerated sigh. “Technology always hates me at the worst possible times,” she laughs.
“No problem at all,” I reply, scanning the tasks on the paper in my hand.
The list is short and easy enough to complete. The entire time I’m working, I keep an eye peeled for Wilder. I know he’ll be here, but I’m anxious to see him all the same.
After I finish everything on the list, I look out across the park and notice how many more people are here now. Stage fright isn’t something I’ve ever struggled with, thankfully.
Glancing to the parking lot, I spot Lucy’s SUV slowly circling the area, no doubt searching for a vacant place to park.
Coming up right behind Cal and Lucy, I see Carson’s truck, Wren sitting happily in the passenger seat.
The site of my friends all taking time out of their busy lives to be here for me tonight overwhelms me with gratitude. Just because I was born into a small family doesn’t mean it had to stay that way.
Walking back to the stage, I grab my guitar from the old, worn case.
“You about ready to get started?” Megan asks, coming up next to me.
“Yup, all ready,” I say, placing the capo on the neck of the guitar.
Wild still isn’t here, but this event is supposed to last a few hours, so I know there’s still plenty of time for him to show up.
“Okay, why don’t you go back behind the stage, and I’ll introduce you? I’ll just welcome everyone and say a few words first.” She pats my back with a friendly smile before turning to grab the microphone from the stand.
Taking a deep breath, I step off the stage and walk around back, an anxious flurry of butterflies beginning to flutter in my stomach. I never get nervous, but this feels a bit different than any other time I’ve performed. This time actually means something deeper to me.
A slight breeze sweeps through, and goosebumps blanket my arms beneath my coat. Glancing up, I see the branches swaying gently in the wind, much like the day I sat with my mom a few weeks ago.
I smile as a new calm comes over me, feeling her presence here. If I told anyone that, they’d probably think I was crazy.
“Well, if that ain’t the prettiest redhead I ever did see,” a familiar voice says from beside me, startling me.
When I look over in the direction of the voice, I shriek in excitement and take my guitar off over my shoulder, placing it on the cold ground. Taking two steps toward the man, I squeeze him tight in my arms.
“What are you guys doin’ here?!” I ask my dad and then throw my arms around my aunt standing next to him.
“We wouldn’t miss this for the world, Pumpkin. We’re so proud of you,” my dad says, swinging his arm over my shoulder and pulling me into his warm chest again.
“How’d you even know about this?” I question, glancing back and forth between them.
I purposely haven’t said anything about me actually performing tonight to either of them. They knew I was helping out, but I didn’t say anything about singing because I knew they’d feel obligated to show up. I didn’t want either of them to make that long trip just to hear me sing for the thousandth time.
“Wilder called me,” my dad responds, patting Wild’s shoulder as he pops out from behind them.
My eyes meet Wild’s, and my heart stops beating. I take a mental picture that I’ll keep forever. If I were any good at painting faces, I’d try to recreate this moment. The way the lights from the stage beside us cast a shadow over his features. The way the glow illuminates his deep, hazel-green eyes… And then he goes and cracks a smile, making that deep dimple on his left cheek appear. My heart damn near explodes from the love I feel for this incredible man. He’s sweet, caring, selfless, sexy as hell … and most importantly, he’s mine.
“We wanted to surprise you,” Auntie June states, pulling me in for another tight hug, rubbing her hand up and down my back.
“I’m so happy you’re here.” My voice cracks, sending the waterworks into action as I glance between the two.
“We’ll always be here for you, Ind.” My dad’s eyes sheen with unshed tears.
“That’s what family does, Bug. We show up.” My aunt pats my shoulder and squeezes me tight against her side. “Even when you don’t invite us,” she teases in my ear, causing me to laugh. “Now get up there so I can hear my niece sing. It’s been too long.”
“Here, before you go,” my dad reaches into his coat pocket, “you know I can’t miss a chance to get you some of these.”
Taking the little rose-colored box from his hand, I open it carefully—the shiny gold hoops inside twinkling in the stage light. Taking them from the box, I examine the turquoise and red beads that are wrapped around the metal, popping to life.
“These are beautiful!” I throw my arms around my dad again, squeezing him tighter. “Thank you.”
A smile lights my face, matching my dad’s.
“You’re welcome, Pumpkin.”
I quickly take out the studs that were in my ears and place the new earrings in each lobe.
“Now, go give us a show.” My dad rubs my shoulder before they both turn to leave.
I smile, watching the pair make their way back to the grassy lawn in front of the pavilion beyond the brick wall that separates the areas. I’m very blessed to have the family that I do—both by blood and by choice. I know I can always count on my dad and my aunt, but I also know that Wild, Wren, Lucy, Cal, and even grumpy Carson will be here for me anytime I need them, just like I will be for them.
Wild
“I can’t believe you called them,” Ind says once her dad and aunt are out of earshot.
“You ain’t mad at me, are you?”
That was never the plan. I knew that there was a slight chance she’d be upset with me for a second for going behind her back to plan this, but her happiness at seeing her family would wipe that away real quick.
“No,” she whispers, shaking her head. “Thank you, Wild.”
A fresh coat of tears lines her lower lid, and she quickly wipes them away.
“You’re welcome, baby.” Leaning down, I softly kiss her forehead.
The smile that lights her face is one I’d like an artist to permanently ink onto my skin. It’s a view I will never tire of seeing.
While lost in the view before me, Indie steps forward, wrapping her arms high over my shoulders. My hands instinctively slide around her, going into the back pockets of her jeans and pulling her even closer.
She tilts her head back, looking up at me with those gorgeous amber eyes that have driven me crazy from day one.
“I have to go sing now, but maybe you could sing for me tonight?” she playfully smiles in question. “We can go to the karaoke bar if you want. If anyone tries to get handsy with either of us, you can let me take care of it this time.” She playfully pokes at my chest. “I have some built-up anger I need to work off from the last time someone put their hands on me, and I didn’t get to fuck their shit up,” she laughs.
I let out a laugh as my head lifts toward the sky.
“Sure thing, little firecracker. I’ll serenade you any time you want.”
Leaning in, I plant a kiss on her waiting lips. The taste of peppermint lip balm lingers on my mouth.
“Or we could just go home.” I smile down at her, loving the fact that we share a home.
“I think I like the sound of that even better,” she admits with a shy smile.
I kiss her lips once more, and she spins to walk away, guitar in hand.
As I watch her make her way to center stage, I wonder how I got lucky enough to love someone as wild as her.