Tailgates and Whiskey

Chapter 11

She felt a tear trickle down her cheek. She put the letter down and buried her face in her hands. She shook violently, biting her lip to keep the sob in.

It didn't work, and she broke down crying. She fucked up.

Her mother immediately came to her side, shocked.

"What's wrong baby?" She asked, looking at her daughter.

"Mama, I fucked up. I hurt him...and I love him. But I pushed him away and lost him." Hadley sobbed.

Her mother wrapped her arms around her, sitting on the bed and stroking her back.

"Oh Hadley..."

"I can't forget him. Not with all these letters...and my everlasting guilt."

"You will never forget him because you love him. You will always love the colour of his eyes and you'll search for someone with the same contagious laugh. You're never going to fully get over him, as he's your first love. You're going to have those nights where all the regret and pain comes rushing back. You're going to miss him with all your heart." She took a deep breath. "But you'll be okay."

"...You're right..." Hadley whispered. "I'll be okay...he'll be okay..."

But she won't be okay. Never. She lost the first guy that she could see a future with, and that shit hurts.

"I need to go for a ride.." She mumbled, climbing out of her mother's arms and slipping a hoodie on.

She tacked up her horse, and decided to ride the path along the fence line.

That trail led to the lake where she and Cade had their first date.

For an evening in July, it was cold. The sky was clouded over, and it seemed as if it would rain.

She was distracted in her thoughts, so she didn't notice the certain cowboy on his horse approaching.

Except, she heard his gasp. And that pulled her out of her trance.

She halted her horse, staring at the man.

"Hadley..." His tone was soft, almost a whisper. He felt so many emotions at once.

She only stared at him with shock. Tears were pooling in her eyes.

He stared back, a tight feeling in his chest.

"....Cade..." Her voice cracked, and she felt tears run down her cheeks.

Immediately, he was off his horse, running to her side and wrapping his arms around her, pulling her down to the ground.

He buried his head in the crook of her neck, trying to prevent himself from crying.

Then suddenly, he kissed her. Without warning, permission. Without even deciding to do it, but simply because he couldn't have done anything else.

She puts her hands on either side of his face, and the world falls away. He had never gotten so lost in a kiss before.

His heart kept missing beats and his hands could not bring her close enough to him.

He has kissed before, but it didn't burn him alive like this kiss did. Maybe it lasts a minute, maybe it lasts an hour. All he knows is that kiss, and how soft her skin is when her hands brush against him.

When they finally broke apart, he kept his arms around her, holding her close. He pressed his forehead against hers.

"I missed you..." He mumbled.

"I'm sorry Cade, I really am. I thought.." He cut her off with a kiss.

"I don't care...your mother filled me in," He closed his eyes, a tear falling. "But all I ask...is that you stay. You come back. To me, and make me the happiest man ever..." He leaned his head on her shoulder.

"That's all I want...a future with you, for you to give me all of you. Not just what the world sees, but the broken parts you hide so well. The parts that pull at my heart, the ones I want to love the most." He whispered.

"Cade.." She whispered.

"Please...please, please, Hadley. I can't live without you."

He shook in her arms.

"For I love you too much to let you be the one who got away."

Hadley stepped into the living room, being greeted by her brother and his bride to be.

"There you are! Hadley the wedding is in two days and we haven't discussed your hair," Faelyn spoke, rushing over and picking up a strand of Hadley's soft hair. "Or your nails, and oh my gosh you're make-"

"Have you been crying?" She asked. Jackson immediately stood up, coming over to her side.

"Hadley, what's wrong?"

"Nothing, it's from the wind."

Her mother walked over, shooing away the others and placing her hands on Hadleys shoulders.

"You ran into him, didn't you." She spoke in a quiet tone. Hadley nodded.

"So, what's the deal?"

"I'm coming home mama."