Noah (The Mitchell/Healy Family #1)(73)
Author: Jennifer Foor

My cousin especially was always a one man kind of woman. When she was in college and came to visit me, I’d always have to pretend she was my girlfriend so guys wouldn’t bother hitting on her.

Bells wasn’t just my plus one though. She was there for me, even more than my mom could be. She was my go-to, who knew every detail about my past. In the months she’d been living with me, I’d confided in her, as she’d done the same to me. In all of my life she’d been that one person that always had my back, and I loved her for it.

Still, Bells could get annoying when I didn’t live my life the way she wanted me to. Often she’d tell me what I was doing wrong, and become so pushy that I had to get away from her.

It had been six months since she’d walked out of my life. I remember it because it was the day that my heart shattered into pieces. My dad had finally come around and decided that it was time to give me more control over the ranch. I’m sure my mom was tired of me moping, but at the same time, I was ready for the challenge.

With him out of the picture for most of the day-to-day jobs, I felt that pent up anger going away. I also realized that the ranch was where I belonged. I knew it like the back of my hand, and my dad had instilled everything he knew in me since I was three years old.

I’d become grateful, and for that our relationship changed.

My mom was just happy that we could be in the same room with each other and talk shop without it becoming a world war.

On that night, exactly six months after my heart had been torn to pieces, and I’d written off women, my dad stopped by my place unannounced. He didn’t knock before he came walking inside.

“What’s up, dad? I have my phone on. You could have called.”

“Your mom sent me. We got some tickets from a friend to see that band your mother likes. You know the one with the guy and girl singer?”

“I don’t pay attention to what she likes.”

“Anyway, we’ve got four. She wants you and Bella to go with us.”

I sat up in the recliner and leaned my elbows on my knees. “Seriously? A concert with you two old folks. It sounds like a terrible time.”

My dad took off his John Deere ball cap and threw it at me. “We ain’t old. Your mother and I can party like you kids any day of the week.”

“What do I have to do to get out of this?” I was willing to do anything.

Bella came walking out of her bedroom. She had ear buds in, and was startled to see my dad in the living room, bent over to pick up his hat. “Hey, uncle Colt. I didn’t know you were here.”

“I came to ask you two to come to a concert with us tonight. It’s that band your aunt likes with the two singers.”

Bella laughed. “Oh my gosh, seriously? The one that sings that song about fishing in the pond with the mosquitos?”

He chuckled. “Yeah.” Turning his attention all to me. “See, she knows.”

“Whatever.” I shook my head.

“Noah, we’re totally going. Come on. Get your butt up and get ready.”

“It starts at eight, so we should leave here in about an hour. I’ll just give you the tickets when we get there. I think your mom stuck them in her purse.” My dad left without waiting to hear me agree to go. I was outnumbered.

“Thanks a lot, cuz.”

“Shut up and get ready. You need a night out. It’s a concert. You used to love going to them.”

I stood up and stretched. “Yeah, without my parents. I won’t even be able to drink a few beers without them givin’ me dirty looks. This night is goin’ to suck. Mark my word.”

“Just get ready. Hey, do you think I should wear my boots? You should wear your cowboy hat.”

I walked into my room ignoring the fact that she was even trying to dress me. She was worse than a wife.

An hour later my parents were picking us up. My dad was wearing a damn cowboy hat, and my mother was smitten over him already. I knew they were still so in love, but it grossed me out all the same. My cousin hopped in the truck after me, still trying to slide on her other boot.

The drive there consisted of Bella and my mother going over the lyrics to every song that this band sang. By the time we pulled into a parking spot I even knew them. My dad was quiet when we walked up to the gates. My mom handed the person our tickets and he let us all in, after stamping our hands and giving us backstage lanyards.

The night couldn’t get any worse. Not only were they dragging me to a concert with them, but I had to watch my mom and Bells fan-girl over some band afterwards.

Front row. How could my dad have not mentioned that the tickets were at the very front against the stage? The sold out crowd left for little room to stand straight, and my mother and cousin jumping up and down with excitement made the atmosphere even more unbearable.

An announcer finally came onto the stage when the first opening band was about to come on. Since I had no idea who was performing, I decide it was a good time to grab a couple beers. My dad went with me, eager to get some breathing room himself.

“It’s crowded,” he said once we got in line.

“Yeah. Why’d I let you talk me into this.”

“You’ll have a good time, Noah. Just get a beer and ignore your mom. She doesn’t get out much like this. I think having you here means a lot to her.”

He was right, and I knew I needed to stop complaining. I had my family and my health. I’d been in a six month rut and needed to wake up and realize that the only person in control of my future was myself.

I looked around the lines of people to see if I spotted any single females. It was time to get my game back on, even if I had to push myself to do it. Just as my eyes had finished coasting the first line, I heard something over the intercom that froze me in place.

“Thanks for having me here tonight. I’m a little nervous because it’s my first time opening up.” The crowds of people started screaming, and my heart began to beat a million miles a minute. I looked at my dad who was only smiling, as if he knew what I was thinking.

I handed him a twenty and ran back towards our seats. I had to know. I had to see.

“I’m going to start tonight off with a song dear to my heart. It’s my single off of my new album, titled, Broken Love Darlin’.” She looked down at the stage and closed her eyes. “Noah, if you’re out there tonight listening, this is for you.”

In the moment that I saw her standing on that stage the crowds of people surrounding me disappeared. I ran my hands through my hair and thought about jumping up there and having her in my arms again. She was so close to me, and I wondered if she knew I was out in the crowd, hearing her sing again.