19. Denton
DENTON
The soft knock on the door stirs me awake. I blink against the morning light filtering through the curtains, Sorrel still tangled in my arms.
“Morning, beautiful.” My voice is husky, a gentle smile tugging at the corner of my lips.
Her eyes slowly begin to flutter open. Before she can respond, knocking comes again from the front door.
“Just ignore it,” she says, pulling me into her, but the knocking doesn't cease, louder this time.
Sorrel groans, untangling herself from me.
“I’ll get it. You stay here,” I tell her.
I wrap a blanket around my waist and pad to the door, then pull it open to find Sutton standing there, a mixture of amusement and disbelief in her eyes.
What the fuck was I thinking opening Sorrel’s door half naked? Thank God it wasn't her dad or I’m pretty sure I’d have a shotgun pointing at me right about now.
“Dash got out again,” she says, wrangling the squirming dachshund by the collar. “And he somehow made it all the way over to our place. Is Sorrel in there?” she asks suspiciously.
I glance back over my shoulder.
Cheeks flushing, Sorrel pulls on my shirt, her hair a wild mess of blonde tangles. I give her a wink as she comes to stand next to me.
Sutton’s eyes flicker between us, a knowing grin spreading.
“Well, well, looks like I’m not the only one enjoying some company this morning.”
Sorrel groans softly. “Sutton, it’s not what it looks like.”
Sutton laughs, stepping inside. Sorrel takes Dash from her. He licks her face, little tail going a million miles a minute.
“Relax, Sorrel. It’s about time you two stopped pretending there’s nothing between the two of you.”
I start laughing, turning it into a fake cough as Sorrel gives her sister and then me a dirty look.
I shrug and then put my hands up. “Guess we got caught,” I say as my blanket falls to the floor and I stand there, butt-ass naked in front of the Saxxon sisters, absolutely mortified.
Sutton doesn’t even bat an eye, just laughs. “Don’t let her scare you off,” she says, shutting the door behind her.
I turn to Sorrel, embarrassment written all over my face. Her sister just saw me naked.
“Don’t worry about her. Dad made her live in the bunk houses one summer with all the cowboys when she went through a wild phase in her twenties. She’s seen it all, trust me.”
“I still don’t want your sister seeing all my goods.”
“Your what?” She bursts out laughing.
“Yeah, my goods, I know you remember them from last night, darlin’,” I say with a wink.
She throws a pillow at my face. Chuckling, I pull her in for a deep and breathless kiss.
Last night was out of this world. It felt like two souls made for each other finally coming together as one.
For the last few months, I’ve been trying to hold my feelings back for Sorrel.
But now I finally feel as free as a stallion running across the Montana mountain range. No one holding back my reins now.
I still need to tell her how I really feel. That I’m falling in love with her.
I look into her turquoise eyes. They’re so full of hope and no longer full of trauma and fear. I brush loose locks of her white-blonde hair out of her face and marvel at her.
My phone starts buzzing from my pants that are still in a wet pile by the front door.
“Are you gonna get that?” she asks me.
“No, no way,” I say going in for more kisses.
We’re both smiling into the kiss while we make out, our teeth clacking together, not even caring.
I have a feeling whatever is on the other end of that phone is going to take away from this blissful high I’m on and I ain’t willing to risk that for a damned thing right now.
But before I have the chance to stop her Sorrel pulls away from me, leaving me feeling un-whole again.
She grabs the pants and rummages around for my phone. “It’s still ringing. Just answer it so we can go back to bed.”
“If that’s my prize, your wish is my command love.”
Rolling her eyes and grinning wide, she hands me the phone. I look at it and cringe.
Jake Agent:
Missed call
Missed call
Missed call
5 iMessages
Johnny:
Denton what the fuck is going on?
Grady:
Jake told us about the tour we got offered. Why didn't you tell us?
Parker:
That’s fucked up man.
Johnny:
Band meeting NOW! We're coming to get you Denton.
Fuck.
—
The next day I borrow Sorrel’s Dodge Cummins to drive into town for our band meeting. I figured it’d be best to meet on neutral ground, back where we started this adventure. The boys were serious considering they hopped on the first flight out and got here this morning.
I enter into the hazy little bar and sit at the same table we sat at all those months ago. I haven't been back to the Wagon Wheel since the night Kenzington showed up and ruined it all.
We were having a blast up on that stage, and in a way, I felt at home up there.
I could picture myself living at the ranch with Sorrel and coming into town every weekend to play here at the Wagon Wheel.
Sorrel would be sitting at that table in the corner with Charli, watching us and sipping on their whiskeys.
I’m sure the pay wouldn't be great, but we’d be having fun and I'd be happy.
We could keep playing at rodeos too in the summer.
No, it wouldn't be the big stage dreams we’ve always had but maybe it would be enough.
Is that what the other guys want though? Well, I guess I’m about to find out.
There they are—everyone except Ray—rolling in like a pack of pissed off hyenas. I can practically hear them growling. I’m smart enough to have four long necks sitting on the table ready for them. I hope it’s enough to ease some of the tension.
They all sit down and I put my arms on the table ready to let them have at me.
“Well, have at it, y’all. Who wants to start?” I gesture to Johnny knowing it’d be him.
“You done playing cowboy yet, Denton?” Johnny asks.
I don’t mean to, but I take up a defensive stance squaring my shoulders at him. “I’m not playing, Johnny. Never was.”
“Yeah, sure,” he says, crossing his arms.
“Why didn't you tell us about the tour?” Parker asks.
“I was going to. I meant to already. Things got crazy here at the ranch and then the fire happen—”
Johnny cuts in, talking over me. “Yeah, the fire Sorrel’s crazy fucking ex started that almost cost us everything. What if your vocal cords had never healed Denton?”
“There are no what-ifs. They did heal and I can sing just fine,” I say firmly.
Everyone is talking at once now and I can’t hear myself think. Grady slams his fist on the table, bottles falling over and beer spilling. A stillness comes over everyone. Grady has always been the quiet one of the group but also the most level-headed.
“Look, everyone, it sounds like Denton has been through a lot. He didn't mean no harm and wasn't hiding anything from us purposefully. Right?”
“Right,” I say back.
“So, tell us about the tour and where your head is at. We can work out the rest later,” he finishes.
I start to explain how Jake called the second day we were at the ranch and that’s when we got the offer.
I didn't know at that time if it’s what I wanted anymore.
I wasn't sure I could still picture myself living that life—the fame, money, and everything else that comes with it.
I know it wasn't fair to hide it from them. I tell them so.
Johnny looks like he wants to knock the stupid right out of me.
“Dent, this was always the plan and everything we’ve been working for. Don’t let some chick get in your head and ruin it for us,” he says.
My jaw clenches at the way he’s talking about Sorrel and I need to think before I speak.
Very slowly I say to him, “This ain't about her, Johnny.”
He rolls his eyes at me like he doesn't believe me. Do I really blame him though?
“If he says it’s not, then I believe him,” Parker says.
I nod in thanks to him.
Letting out a long deep breath, I put my face in my hands. How did this all get so fucked up?
“We’re giving you until tomorrow, Denton, to make a decision. If we have to find a new lead singer, we will. This is what the rest of us want and nothing is going to get in our way,” Johnny growls.
I unclench my fists and lay my hands flat on the table. “I understand. I’ll let you know by tomorrow.”
The bar is quiet now and I push my stool out making a loud screeching sound. I bump my fist on the table and take them all in with genuineness
“I’m sorry, y’all.”
None of them say a word.
Before I leave, I take in the bar one more time, staring at the stage. Imagining what might be a new dream forming in my heart. I have a lot of thinking to do on the drive back to the ranch.
My mind is a scrambled mess. Sorrel and I have just started something and how would it look if I just took off on a tour now?
She would never forgive me for gaining her trust and then taking off.
But she has to understand this isn't just about me and what I want.
I have other people to think of here and this is about their livelihood.
This tour would be life-changing for all of us.
I press my foot harder on the throttle. I have to get back to the ranch and get all of this off my chest.
Could I do another year on the road, chasing the dream that has consumed my life for so long?
But then there’s Sorrel. Strong, stubborn, and fiercely tied to this land that is nothing like the flashy world I know.
The way Sutton looked at me this morning when she caught us together, the quiet support she offered us—it hit me hard.
These women aren’t just part of some story I would write about and turn into a song. They’re my people now.
Can I really do this? Leave the tour behind or slow down? Could I live without the roar of the crowd and the adrenaline of the stage? And how could I ask Sorrel to share a piece of me when I barely know how to hold it myself. Hell, if there’s even a piece left. Performing takes everything from me.
I grip the steering wheel harder winding around the mountain now that overlooks the Saxxon Ranch. I want to give Sorrel what she deserves—peace, safety, and a life worth holding on to. I could see it in her eyes—she believes in me, even if I’m not sure I deserve it.
Maybe there’s a way—split the time, bring the tour closer to her, slow down enough to actually live. But the tour is calling—loud and relentless. Not figuratively but literally as I look down and see my agent Jake is calling again. I can’t keep ignoring him. I answer this time.
“Hey, Jake, what’s up?” I ask casually.
“Denton! What’s up, man? Really? I’ve been trying to get a hold of you for weeks. I thought you went MIA at that dude ranch or something. Not fucking cool, man, that’s what’s up.”
“It’s not a dude ranch,” I say flatly.
“Whatever you want to call it, I don’t care. It’s time to make a decision, Denton. Are you signing this contract or not?”
Fuck me. I thought I would have until tomorrow. I thought I’d be able to talk to Sorrel about this first. What the hell am I gonna do?
“Listen, the guys said I had until tomorrow and I need to talk to my girl—”
“No! None of that bullshit, Denton. Your girl? I don’t give a shit about your girl. Decision needs to be made now.”
I clear my throat, already dreading what comes out of my mouth next.
“Fine, we'll do it.”
“That a boy—”
I cut him off before he can finish. “On one condition.”
He lets out an exasperated breath. “Here we go. Fucking musicians. What is it?”
“I want to shift the tour venues to be in or near towns where there are pro rodeos. She’s on the rodeo circuit, and if we’re in the same town, when we’re traveling, it’ll work.”
Jake chuckles. “You’re serious? You want to plan a tour around a rodeo? This tour is nationwide. Do you really think she’s gonna follow you all over the country?”
“Yeah, I am serious. This isn’t just a fling, Jake. I want to make this work and this is the only way I think it will.”
I can hear the reluctance in his voice.
“Fine. Just know I don’t think it’s a good idea and there better be no drama.”
I let out a sigh of relief.
We talk logistics—dates, venues, and routes. The road won’t be easy, but I’m determined to make this work with Sorrel. I hang up, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders and pull up the band group chat.
The crew
Denton:
Tour is on.
. . .
As I pull up to the Saxxon Ranch, I stop in front of the gate. I sit here for a moment trying to find my bearings before driving in. A lump forms in the back of my throat and I’m nervous as hell to find out what Sorrel is going to think of all this.