Hope on the Rocks

Big dreams and a strong heart

Jason's pov

Today I'm a security guard at one of Luke's concerts. You know the guys holding fans back in the front row yeah that's me. I grab a bottle of water and hug Miranda. "Stay backstage. The fans can get a little crazy. I don't want you caught in the crossfire." "Okay. Stay safe. Love you." "Love you too sweetheart. And by the way this is the easiest part of my job." I head out and take my place while my best friend rocks the stage. Half of me wishes I kept on trying to become a singer like Luke but oh well. Everything happens for a reason. Sometimes Luke lets me come onstage with him so I still get to have some fun. I lean back against the stage since the fans aren't being as crazy as they usually are. I bob my head to the music. "Yo Jason!" Luke calls. I smile as he holds a hand out to me. I gratefully accept and he passes me a guitar. We sing drunk ass home together. I play the guitar while we both sing. "It's time to take my drunk ass home. I drank all the whiskey and my money's all gone. Hit on all the girls sang every song! Yeah it's time to take my drunk ass home!" He clasps my shoulder. "Give it up for my badass brotha from anotha motha. Jason Aldean!" It is great to have a famous best friend! I see my girlfriend at sidestage, her jaw dropped. I laugh and fix my radio on my shoulder. "Luke Bryan everybody!" I head backstage. "Wow! Jason! You kicked ass out there!" She gasps. I smile. "Yeah that's what I almost did instead of being a cop."

*the next day*

We're having a lazy day on the couch with Sierra asleep in the playpen. Miranda's legs spread across my lap. "Do you wish you were a singer like Luke?" "Well, sweetheart, if I did I never woulda met you and Sierra. So nope." "Well, hypothetically speaking. If you could still have us, would you?" I definitely would. "Yeah it was the first big dream of mine." She scoots closer and we cuddle on the couch a little. "I think you should try to become a singer again." "Nah, it's too late in my life." She sits up, looking right in my eyes. "It's never too late to follow your dreams Jason." I want to. I really do. I think I should. Problem with most people is they don't even try cause they're afraid to fail. Well not this cowboy. "Ok baby. I'm gonna go to the bars tomorrow and play some." "Yay!" I laugh and we kiss.

*later*

Luke's pov

Jason calls me. I set down my guitar and answer. "Hey bud, guess what I'm about to do." "What?" "I'm going to try and get a record deal again." I jump up surprised. "Wait! Really you're gonna follow your dreams!?" "Yeah, my amazing girlfriend convinced me earlier." He says and laughs. "Yeah baby I'm talkin' to him. "I'm glad you're getting back out there, officer Friendly." I tease. I know if I was standing there, he probably rolled his eyes. I gave him that nickname a few years back when he came to a call about a fan who somehow got my address and wouldn't go away. He sweet talked her into going on a date with him to get her to go away and ever since then I have called him that.

~flashback~

Jason's pov

I show up at Luke's. "Ma'am, you need to leave. I'd rather not arrest you!" She starts crying. "Hey hun, there's no reason to cry. How about you come with me to Luke's concert. I'm working there next weekend." "Okay!" She gets in her car and leaves. Luke comes out. "Way to go officer friendly. Now you've got a date with a fangirl." I shrug. "It got her to go away." I reply, putting my hands in my pockets.

~flashback over~

He never let me live that down. Just then my radio springs to life. Uh oh. A school shooting! "Oh man! I'm on my way!" I grab my keys and put my pistol in its holster. I guess following my dreams will have to wait. "There's a school shooting. I have to go help out. I'm a cop first and a singer second babe." Tears well in her eyes. "Please stay safe." She says. "I will sweetheart don't worry." I kiss her goodbye and hug Sierra. "I'll be back before you know it." I try to assure her. She's still worried. Does she even know I've been shot multiple times? I guess I'll ask her when I get back. I get to the school. I've been told it's one shooter who has an M-80 and several hostages. Chief gives me the go ahead so I sneak in the back with my pistol drawn and ready. I find the room he's in. "Put your hands where I can see 'em!" I order, jumping in. He drops the gun in surprise. One of the students gets a hold of it. "Great job kid. You might have just saved everyone in this room." I turn to the shooter. Fury consuming me as I shove him against the chalk board. "You think it's fun to shoot innocent kids!?" I yell furious. He doesn't reply so I punch him, knocking him out. Everyone cheers except for a 10 year old girl crying over a dead boy. I fight back the waves of nausea. I wasn't fast enough to save everyone. A new cop takes the shooter and I walk over to the little girl. By now everyone else has filed out but she remains sobbing. "I'm sorry I couldn't save him." "What who's there?" She looks around terrified. I just realized she's blind. "It's okay. I stopped the shooter." I say. She calms down a little. "Come on sweetheart let's get you outta here." "No! I can't leave my brother!" She cries, throwing herself over him. I get on my knees beside her. "You aren't leaving him. Someone else is here to take care of him." "He's dead isn't he?" She whispers. "I'm sorry sweetheart he is." I pick her up and walk out of the school fighting back tears. A woman ducks under the tape, crying hysterically. I'm guessing it's her mom. "Oh Cassie, thank God you're okay!" She cries. "I reckon you're her mom?" She nods and I hand her to her. "I'm sorry to have to tell you this ma'am but your son didn't make it." I say, taking my hat off. She stares at me confused. "I don't have a son." Now I'm confused. "But she said it was her brother?" "Oh shit! You're probably talking about Eric. They aren't really brother and sister but they're close enough! He's dead!?" "I'm sorry ma'am. He got shot. He didn't make it." Just then one of the officers bring his body out. The woman and girl cry over his body. Chief walks over. "You did great, Jason." I glare at the ground and throw my hat down. "I couldn't save him!" "Yes but you saved everyone else." "But I didn't save everyone." I mutter stomping away.

Miranda's pov

Jason walks inside looking shaken. "What happened?" I ask. He sits on the couch, his head in his hands. "I couldn't save him." He whispers. "What do you mean?" "The little kid. I couldn't save him. He's dead!" I hug him. "It's not your fault." "You shoulda seen the little girl crying over him. I wish I saved him." "Nobody blames you Jason." "Nobody but me." He mutters, standing up and walking to the bedroom. I guess I'll give him some privacy.