Outlaw Country (27 page)

“I feel the same way. Sorry it took a verbal slap around from my brother for me to really understand that, babe.” Colton sunk down in the dim light of his truck. Resting on one knee, he looked up at Gracie. She looked heavenly, her big doe eyes sparkling reflections. “I’m yours. That’s the bottom line. I’ve got a notion that without you, I’ll die. No lie. I need you like a guitar needs fingertips.”

Gracie’s hands were at her mouth. Her eyes went wide.

“Bottom line is that I love you, Gracie Hart. I love the pop sensation. I love the goofy, young woman no one else gets to see. I love the private and brilliant person that you share with no one but me.” Colton stared up at her, his own heart beating harder than he could ever remember. The back of his neck was prickling with sweat. He’d never taken such a big risk in his entire life. A breeze could have shattered him.

After a few seconds of silence, he pressed her. “I ain’t sayin’ you gotta burst into tears or nothin’, but I’d love to hear that million-dollar voice say
something
.”

She couldn’t hold back any longer. Gracie burst into laughter and tears mixed together. “Oh Jesus. Colton, I love you, too! You’re a brash, dumb idiot from time to time, but there’s nothing in this world that could stop me from loving you!”

She pulled Colton to his feet and kissed him hard. When he held her against his body, they could feel each other’s speeding hearts.

“Brash, dumb idiot? I can tell just how much you care.” He lifted her and spun Gracie around.

Back in the truck, Kitt had a moment as he watched his brother take the leap. When Kitt saw Colton throw his arms around Gracie, he figured it was good news.

The lights of the truck flashed on and off, and the horn sounded a few times. Kitt’s way of congratulating the couple. Gracie laughed, feeling nothing but free.

It was dawn before the two Wade brothers and Gracie headed back into the city. Knowing that there was a shitstorm waiting for them, they decided a night of telling stories and sipping beer in front of a lake was just what the doctor ordered. As the sun began to creep up from the east, Gracie and Colton drive her mom's SUV and followed Kitt back into Nashville.

Even after a long night together, they couldn’t keep apart as they pulled up the hotel. The second they stepped from the truck, their fingers were interlaced, and she leaned her head against his shoulder. They were both overjoyed that the paparazzi wasn't waiting for them at the hotel. Colton had ignored his phone, but Gracie checked hers. The punch had gone viral on YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook. As much trouble as it would cause, Gracie couldn't help but feel pride at what he had done.

She tried to show him, but Colton pushed the phone away. He lifted up his knuckle. "I don't need to watch it, again. I was there."

Shaking her head, Gracie put her phone away and wrapped her arm around Colton's as they headed into the hotel. The doorman's face made them realize that the couple looked just like they had spent the night in the wilderness. A day earlier, a different doorman had greeted them by name. Gracie just smiled, loving the feeling of being a "nobody”.

Kathleen and Roger were waiting for the singers in her hotel room. The night before, they hadn't worried about Colton and Gracie for long. For a change, the two managers had made the hard decision to enjoy a night to themselves. As Colton and Gracie came into the hotel room, Roger made a mad dash to hide the two empty bottles of champagne on the night stand. He thought that he was experiencing the feeling of a step-dad to be. He and Gracie didn't interact much, and it sure felt like Roger and Kathleen were going to be seeing plenty more of each other.

It was something he’d figure out, but at present, they had a bigger problem on their hands. “Come on in, you two.” He tried not to sound mad, but he knew that Kathleen would be upset for disappearing overnight.

He was surprised that Gracie’s face didn’t give away any shame or guilt. From what he had seen, the young singer wore her emotions on her sleeve. Instead, she and Colton were glued at the hip, and she had a bleary smile on her face.

Colton spoke first of the pair. “Apologies for the radio silence. I’m sure y’all had your hands full last night, and I —we— abandoned you.”

Kathleen smiled and sat on the edge of the bed. “Colton, it’s all right. Emotions were high. I can understand needing some time to recuperate and get away. We’re just glad you two are back. That being said, we do have some important things to discuss.”

“Figured.” He spun a chair out from a desk for Gracie and leaned against the wall beside her. “I’ll face whatever consequences I need to. I’m sure that prick is going to press charges.”

Roger nodded. Shepard’s manager had already gotten into contact with him to inform him of the impending lawsuit.
 

“I ain’t got the money to pay my way out, so I’ll do the time.”

Roger spoke, “Admirable. Stupid but admirable.”

“Huh?”
 

Roger laughed at Colton. The kid may have been a rock star and a charmer, but he had a hell of a lot to learn. “You really think we’re going to let you do that? Your career will crumble down in the flames of bad press, and by the time you’ll get out, you’ll be back to playing bars. Not to mention the fact that Gracie will surely have moved on by then. I mean, come on, she’s a catch. People are asking for dates from her on live television.”

“What do you mean ‘let me’? Every dollar I earn goes straight back into the band.” Colton raised an eyebrow at his manager.

“We’ve had some time to think, Kathleen and I. We think that it’s best for you, for Gracie, and for your careers if we pay for any legal fees and bail. It’s the right thing to do.”

Colton was back upright. “Nah, nah, nah. I can’t let y’all do that. I don’t need my hand held as I head to the principal’s office.”

Kathleen spoke up. “Colton, don’t be silly.” She had been furious with Colton for what he had done to embarrass Gracie, until Roger persuaded her thinking. Gracie was as pure as the driven snow, and her image was even more pristine. With Colton knocking Shep out, Gracie came off looking like a real badass, but there would be no fallout for her no matter the consequences for Colton.

“You and my daughter are tied together now, if that’s what you want. We can’t release an album of you two singing together and then just send her out on tour. It wouldn’t exactly go over so well. This is one of those times I’d advise you to put your pride out to pasture. You need our help. Shepard has been all over social media talking about getting you arrested. I know him. He’s as stubborn as he is cocky. It
will
happen. Something tells me with the amount of community service hours you’ve gotten, there’s a chance that they won’t hesitate to throw the book at you.”

Colton knew that Kathleen was fierce. She fought hard for her daughter, as he had seen firsthand when Kathleen did everything to keep him from Gracie. She was also smart, and he had to relent. As Gracie looked up at him, praying that he’d see reason, Colton nodded. “All right. I will be in debt to y’all for the rest of my life, but ya make a hell of a case.”

“Not just to us.” Roger had a smirk on his face.

“Oh lord, who else?”

The manager held up his phone. “I got off the phone with Arvin and Moonshine not too long ago. They know this record is going to be huge, and they can’t have half of the duo incarcerated. They are putting their full faith and support behind you.”

Gracie squealed. “I can’t believe it!” She reached over and took Colton’s hand. He gave it a squeeze.

Roger’s phone buzzed, and he spoke with a tone that sobered the whole room. “I think it’s time for Colton to turn himself in. The last thing we need is TMZ with a picture of him in cuffs. I’d much rather see him walking into a police station with his head held high.”

“And his girl by his side,” Gracie added.

Kathleen was looking at Roger. “With his girl by his side, indeed.”

Six Months Later

"Mother, I can't believe how beautiful you look." Gracie teared up, but she knew that it would spark her mother to cry, too. She turned away so Kathleen wouldn’t see her carefully wipe her eyes. After having a make-up artist come in to do Kathleen up, the last thing they needed was a few tears to ruin all the hard work.

Gracie slid the veil down into her mother's braids, folding the tulle down over Kathleen's face. She stood back, tears welling up in her eyes, regardless of all she did to keep herself together. It wasn't just her mother's wedding that had Gracie all choked up; she had a secret of her own.

There was a soft knock on the door before it opened. The wedding planner stuck her head in and gave a smile. "Fifteen minutes, Miss Hart." After Kathleen nodded, the planner dipped out and closed the door behind her.

"Thank you for everything, Gracie." Kathleen’s voice wavered. The Hart women had come together to keep each other sane through the jam-packed six months. The wedding had been thrown together in the span of two months, because it was one of the only times that Colton and Gracie's camp was free. The album was at number one on the billboard charts, and they were going non-stop. Tour dates, late-night TV appearances, and endless interviews filled the hours. Colton and Gracie had another album's worth of material, including a few songs that they had contributed to the major label debut of one Raylene Evans.

Gracie couldn't keep her news inside much longer, but she tried to keep the moment and the day about her mother and the wedding. Ever since Kathleen and Roger had made themselves known, Gracie had seen the change. Kathleen was filled with a bubbly, nervous energy; constantly smiling and laughing, even when Roger wasn't around. It had been a whirlwind six months for everyone between all the press surrounding the album, Shep's charges, and the few moments that Gracie and Colton had to themselves.

“I’m crazy about Roger, and I think he's absolutely perfect for you." Gracie loved her mother's smile. Kathleen knew how Gracie felt, but it was her wedding day, so every emotion was beyond intense. Gracie went on, "Mother, I don't want to take anything away from you..."

Kathleen straightened up, her eyes widening. "But? But?" She had her daughter by the shoulders. "Oh god, pregnant with twins! I knew it!" She turned away with as much melodrama as she could muster, the back of one hand at her forehead.

Gracie rolled her eyes. "Come on, Mother. Even on your wedding day, you're going to try and embarrass me? I'm being serious."

"I know, I know." Kathleen brushed a lock of her daughter's hair back behind her ears. "Go ahead. I'll shut up, dear."

After a heavy breath, Gracie spilled the beans. She reached into the pocket of her bridesmaid dress and pulled out the ring that Colton had given her just the night before. It was gold with a line of diamonds to show off along the top of the band. Kathleen's eyes went wide. Before Gracie could even tell her mother, Kathleen threw her arms around her. As if Kathleen's day couldn't get any more special. She squeezed Gracie hard.
Too
hard.
 

"Mother." The word barely came out.

Gracie felt like a balloon close to popping. The sequins on her mother's wedding dress were cutting into her shoulders, but she was still giggling silently. It had been an even better reaction that she could have expected.

Kathleen squealed a little as she released Gracie. She rocked back and forth as Gracie slid the engagement ring back onto her finger. "Amazing! Gracie I'm so happy! I'm doing everything I can not to cry. Girl, you're trying to ruin my make-up."

"I'm not, honest! I didn't want to take anything away from you, but--"

With a raised finger, Kathleen cut off her daughter, "This is the best wedding gift I could ever ask for. Tell me, tell me, tell me! How'd he propose?"

Gracie's cheeks ached from the smile. "Well, he had already gotten down on one knee after the awards show, so I didn't suspect anything when he did it. Colton asked me to look through a few new pick designs. Some had his band name on them, some had is initials, and one had 'Will you be my wife, Gracie?' on it. I almost passed out. When I looked down at Colt, he had the ring out."