Hunter Hayes Imagines

When You Think Youve Made It....

You're a small town girl from Louisiana. Not just any small town girl, Hunter Hayes' ex girlfriend. You two were the epitome of music duos around town. Though when he decided to go on to Nashville, he broke it off after one argument and stormed out, never to be seen again. He left you for Nashville and so..you decided that no one would get in your way of getting there too. You finally got there with determination and you're playing the Opry at the Ryman show tonight. You passed people on the way to your dressing room when you stopped and saw him. He looked different but his gaze was never changing. Your breath caught in your throat and someone touched your shoulder. "(Y/n)?"

"What?"

Your drummer Tyler points in the direction of the dressing room. "They need you right now."

"Yeah, thanks." Your cheeks color and you duck our head, not looking at Hunter again.

The dress you end up choosing is a sleeveless, deep blue dress with small yellow and red rose print lining the hem and collar. The full skirt billows out as you do swift turns in front of the mirror and you are mesmerized by the movement of a perfect circle as it flares out. You giggle a little in anticipation, almost not believing you've made it this far.

"Well... Fancy seeing you here."

You turn at the uninvited voice and see Hunter, arms crossed. He's leaning on the door frame and his eyes flick over your form. Immediately you feel unnerved.

You swallow and turn to look at him, "Hi.." You brush the ends of your skirt and your heart beats fast. Did he know that he still had an effect over you? His face fell and placed his hands in his pockets, "..how are you?"

You suck in a breath and give him a sad smile, "I'm okay..you?"

"I'm doing okay.."

"Good." A stage hand bumps in and tells him he's got to go get ready cause he's on in five.

"Uh..(Y/n), can we talk later? I really need to talk with you." He didn't seem want to be very talkative the last time you saw him, but it didn't stop you from saying, 'Okay.'

'Young and In Love' has confused you since you first heard it on Spotify the day Hunter released it. It sounded so familiar to you and yet to distant at the same time. Listening to him sing it now on stage is both distressing and perplexing. You watch intently, learning from his style and trying to fight the emotions back. Trying to remember what it was you guys last conversation turned fight was about, the reason was clear before but it's gone now. 'Don't cry, you'll ruin your makeup.' You scold yourself quietly as Hunter enters the last verse, then he looks at you and you freeze as he sings and it seems like he's singing to you. "The mess that I made
What you mean to me
Oh but I'll make it up
Get down on my knees..."

You swallow hard and bite your lip, trying to keep composure. Your eyes show the emotional mess you are inside and your eyes don't leave his. He's the one to break the gaze to look at the audience but you can still feel the gaze on you, making you shiver.

You look down at your mandolin as you hear cheers for him and he thanks the crowd. You feel him move beside you but you don't look up as you feel a hand brush your bare arm, sending shocks through your body like when you were seventeen.

You try so hard to keep your mind focused on the stage as you ignore Hunter and walk out onto the stage to set up. Once you get all ready you wait for your cue and you take a few deep breaths. You can't help it you look off to the side of the stage and see Hunter's shoes. You should have stopped there but your eyes travel up to his face and he looks so remorseful that you tear up. Then you are being told to start and you need to clear your mind, you blink into the lights and feel a wash of anger and sadness come over you. Why does he have to be here? Tonight of all nights! He's ruining everything! Just like before.