hell of a year // parker mccollum

1

2020 ———july

i took a breath as i walked into a random bar in nashville tennessee. i wasn't from no where near here. i'm from a small town in montgomery texas, conroe.

if you think of any country artist that are from conroe texas you'll probably think of parker mccollum, and a lot of people will ask me if i know or knew him. and the answer is yes.

we used to be best friends back in high school, but he moved to austin as soon as we graduated. almost 10 years ago.

now we are both country singers, small world? absolutely not.

"hey man" i sat in front of my writer, john "got anything yet?"

he shook his head "nope"

i narrowed my eyes at him and said "that's because you haven't had a drink yet, you know us, we work better while drunk"

"no miley mae, that's all you" he told me, i let out a soft laugh and stood back up

"in fact im gonna go get us both drinks, hang tight" i walked toward the bar, standing by some really tall dude that had a cap on his head

"what can i get you pretty lady?" the bartender asked making my eyes squint in cringe

i ignored it and leaned my arms against the bar "2 coors light and a shot"

"you got it" he said "can i have a name"

since when does a bar need my name

"miley mae" i told him, i felt the dude next to me stiffen. i took my card out of my back pocket "can you just open a tab, i have a feeling i'm gonna be here for awhile"

"yes ma'am" the bartender walked away

"miley mae?" the man next to me ask, i looked up at him for the first time and my mouth flew open " can't believe it's really you"

i couldn't speak, well i don't know if i wanted to though, he left me without saying a goodbye

"what are you doing here parker?" i asked sounding slightly upset

he looked at me with a confused look "i'm getting drinks"

i rolled my eyes " i mean in nashville, thought you lived in austin"

"your still on that? i'm sorry that i wanted to pursue my dreams" he sighed, looking down at me

" it's not about that parker, it's just" i looked at the bartender as he put the drinks down in front of me. then i turned back to parker " you didn't say bye" i said sadly

i grabbed the drinks and walked back to john , while parker called out my name

" you know parker mccollum" john asked me, taking a swig of his drink

" used to" i told him, i grabbed my journal and flipped the pages " so this is all i got so far with 'last name'" i have him the book

"no this is really good miley mae" he smiled at "can you sing it"

i looked around the bar, there's not that many people here. except parker, and that's a big deal

"really?" i looked back at john. he nodded making me sigh " last night i met a guy on the dance floor ave i met him call me baby" i stood up, feeling myself

yup the shot has kicked in.

"and i don't even know his last name, my momma would be so ashamed" i twirled while laughing "it started off hey cutie where you from then it turned in a oh no what gave i done and i don-"

i was cut if by clapping around the bar, i did a courtesy as a joke and smiled widely

i plumped back in the seat and stared at john as he talked " we need to get you back on tour"

"that means more songwriting, which means more nights like these" i smirked

———

i sat on the curb outside of the bar, god. why am i so stupid, i took an uber and my phone is about to die

"hey" i turned around and saw parker waking towards me "need a ride home?"

i don't even care at this point, i just wanna go home

" yes please" i stood up and walked with him towards his truck