29. Denton
DENTON
I’m sweating bullets, getting ready for our show tonight. I have a tingly sensation all over my body that won’t go away and I think my central nervous system is about to shut down.
Sorrel and I had an amazing night after her run.
We made love, cooked food with some of their rodeo friends, and hung out all night sitting in a circle sipping on long necks and telling cowboy stories.
I’m feeling more inspired than ever. I have so many ideas for new songs in my head it feels like it’s going to explode.
I can’t focus on that right now though because we're about to play one of our biggest shows ever. Tonight’s venue is the Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre in Phoenix, Arizona.
There'll be twenty thousand people watching us perform. I want everything to be perfect, which is the reason I’m so damned nervous.
It’s eighty fucking degrees here today and it’s only February.
I can’t imagine living here in the summer.
I don’t know how Sophia and her family do it.
We invited them to the show tonight with free tickets.
Sophia really grew on Sorrel. It’s sweet and I love how she’s such a good role model for young cowgirls.
I invited a few other people that Sorrel doesn’t know about. I think the surprise I have for her tonight is going to top the time I showed up at her family's ranch uninvited. I smile to myself thinking about it and look down at my watch to check the time. One hour until showtime.
“You ready for this?” Parker asks me and I nod.
“He fucking better be ready. This is serious shit!” Johnny butts in.
I know I’m ready. Hell, I’ve been ready since the first time I told her I loved her. I just hope she is too.
“Well, I hope she is or this is gonna be really fucking embarrassing.”
Grady gives Johnny a dirty look. “She is,” he says.
I’m thankful for Grady and his good sense. We’d all be so screwed without him.
“Thanks, Grady.” I say, giving him an appreciative grin.
Sorrel and Charli should be here soon. I wasn't sure if I should see her before just in case I give something away, but she might be suspicious if we don’t all hang out on the bus before the show like usual.
She said her and Charli were going to watch the last perf at the rodeo and then get ready and drive out this way.
We’re done with soundcheck now and everything has been running so much smoother now that we have our new tour manager Cash. He’s in his mid-forties, country type of guy, and he fits in great. When I told him what I wanted to do for tonight, he was all for it. He helped me plan everything out.
I’m rushing back to the bus now to shower and get ready before the gals get here. I’m already sweating again when I get out of the shower. Fuck, I guess it is what it is.
I put on Sorrel’s favorite shirt, my denim pearl-snap and my gray felt cowboy hat. I got a haircut, trimmed my scruff, and I think I look half way decent.
“Honey, I’m home!” I hear Sorrel's voice call out from the front of the bus.
Here comes that tingly feeling again and I think I might pass out.
I shake it off and stride over to her, picking her up in my arms and giving her a big kiss on the mouth.
“You look amazing, darlin’.”
She really does. She has on a short white mini dress, her nicer pair of boots, and her hair is in soft curls that flow over her shoulders. She already looks like a bride and I’d marry her just like this.
“Thanks, honey, so do you. That’s my favorite shirt, you know.”
I clear my throat. “Yeah, I know. Drinks?” I need something strong and need it bad.
“I’ll make ‘em.” She starts rummaging through the liquor cabinet and pulls out the bottle of Crown. She goes to the fridge and grabs a can of Sprite and some cranberry juice.
The rest of the group pile into the bus now, and she makes enough drinks for everyone.
“Look at you getting all fancy with those drinks,” Charli says to her.
Sorrel smiles and I just stand there watching her mesmerized. I’m still as enamored with her as the first time I ever saw her. A chill goes down my spine when I think in just a few short hours she’ll hopefully be my fiancée.
We all gather around and cheers.
“To our biggest show yet, let’s fucking go!” Johnny calls out, and we all toast to that.
“Time to go, babe. I’ll see you out there,” I say, leaning over and giving her a kiss on her cheek goodbye. I take a handful of her ass too. I can’t help myself in that damn dress.
“Hey!” She giggles, swatting my hand away. “Go kill it, baby!”
I’m quiet as we head to the stage.
“You gonna be like this all night?” Johnny asks me.
“No, just nervous is all. Maybe I shouldn’t be doing this in front of all these people.”
I planned on asking her alone at our spot by the waterfall, but it never worked out and I couldn’t wait any longer. I wanted Sorrel to be my wife yesterday. I’m so ready to start our lives together as husband and wife. We’d figure everything else out along the way.
“Hey, guys! You all look great!” It’s Cash. He has a bottle of Pendleton whiskey in his hands and he holds it out to me. “Denton, I thought you might need this.”
Good man, I think and open the bottle taking a swig. A little liquid courage—I’m ready to put on the show of my life and get me a wife.