It was a foggy night in any town USA. You were late, as you were most of the times.
You put on your boots, grabbed your guitar and ran like hell.
You passed by porches with their christmas lights still on, cadillacs parking next to barber shops and small cinemas, couples holding hands and teenagers having fun.
You reached the small bar you were aiming for just like every other day. The air was filled with smoke and the smell of tears drowned in whiskey glasses.
"Sorry I'm late Ed.", you told the bartender under your breath while taking off your denim jacket while making your way to the small hard wood floor stage, a lonely spotlight already on the mic.
A thousand thoughts ramblin' through your head...which song did you want to start with ? You tripped-
"Woah be careful girl", a guy said and catched you and your guitar mid air. You looked up to him "Thanks man" and noticed his soft blonde curls and piercing eyes "Next drinks on me."
You had busted your ass in this honky tonk now for over a year and things were still going nowhere. Sure you got paid, but you started to loose your happiness and that can't be when you're doing what you love.
You adjusted the mic and checked on your guitar, you had been lucky that guy had helped you out. He looked over to you and raised his glass of whiskey to thank you for it.
The first song you did was a Waylon cover, the second one a self written one you always sang and by the third one, a song from Emmylou's Sally Rose album, you had fallen for the handsome green eyed cowboy who listened to your voice like it was the only thing that mattered.
You finished your set and told the people good night. You walked up to Ed to get your cash. "I'll give it to you tomorrow, double it when you help waitin' the tables before and after for two hours.", he said cockily. "I know you got it here, you just don't have anyone to wait the tables cuz everyone's calling in sick after dealin' with your ass. I'm outta here." "You can't just quit and leave Y/N. You need the money." "Shove it !", you yelled and grabbed your guitar.
You went out into the cold night. Sky already hung with thousands of beautiful stars. How could it be that you had such a shitty night when nature was so beautiful you wondered.
"Hey I think you forgot your jacket."
You turned around. It was the blonde cowboy. Now this could be just a dream.
"Thank you", you said becoming shy all of a sudden.
"I- I couldn't help but listening to what just happened in there and I just wanted to let you know that I think you're better off without this 'ole honky tonk." , if you didn't know it any better you would've guessed that he was kinda nervous himself.
"I'm Adam", he smiled and reached out his hand for you to shake it. "Y/N", his hands were strong and rough.
It became silent for a bit. The wind was howling outside the town where the moon graced the open fields with it's gentle light.
"So where you headin' to ?", you asked the cowboy.
"Heading out to Texas.", he said nodding to his car.
You had always loved the country music scene in Texas, it was real and honest. Just like you.
"And what you doin' there ?"
"I'll whoop somebody's ass.You gotta know I'm a pro wrestler."
"I used to go to a lot of local wrestling shows with my grandpa.", you admitted.
"Yeah, I always wanted to sit front row but I was just 5 or 6 and grandpa was afraid that I might get squashed."
He laughed. Almost the entire time you had been looking at your boots, trying to avoid his picture perfect eyes. You already were lost in them, but you didn't wanna let it show. Even though you could sense that he was feelin' kinda the same way. As if it was a fairytale. It was unreal. Stupid. You just met. Yet the connection was so deep you could nearly grasp it.
"Oh I thought I heard you outside talking", a voice puffed from the door. It was Ed, all worked up. "I'm done with it.", you nearly hissed.
"You can't just go !!! You rely on me and the money. I wanted to give you extra work cuz I know you need the cash and that is your thank you ?"
"No you only think about yourself and your profit, you never cared about me. I was always just a cheap worker for you and I'm so much more than that.", you said proudly letting all the dissapointment and frustration out.
"You ungrateful little -"
Just as Ed had gotten closer Adam had punched him straight in the face. Ed went down, holding his bloody nose.
"C'mon", Adam said and took your hand leading you to his car.
He closed your door and walked around the car to the drivers side. He wasn't a man of many words but of action and you liked that.
"How about you sittin' front row in Texas ?"
He started the engine as you watched all your worries become smaller and smaller in the rearviewmirror.
The two of you exchanged some shy looks from time to time and as you began holding hands a well known song was played on the radio station, as if it was your heart that was speaking out loud.
"I said, I wanna touch the earth
I wanna break it in my hands
I wanna grow something wild and unruly
I wanna sleep on the hard ground
In the comfort of your arms
On a pillow of blue bonnets
In a blanket made of stars
I said, cowboy take me away
Fly this girl as high as you can into the wild blue
Closer to heaven above and closer to you
The both of you drove for many miles and miles and you were inseperable ever since.
