You Found Me

Chapter 1

"Don't you ever get tired of all these random girls just coming in and out of your life" my coworker Loren asked as we were literally shoveling elephant shit. "Of course! I just haven't found the one I can't live without yet" I responded. Loren is my best friend and I don't know what I'd do without her honestly.

My name is Korie Hayes and I'm
27 years old from Baltimore, Maryland. A few years ago I moved to Denver, Colorado to get away from my crazy family and start off fresh. I met my very best friend at my place of work, Denver Zoological Park, where I work as an elephant keeper. And right now she is lecturing me on being a bit of a "player" when it comes to women.

"I want a relationship I really do. But most of the women I come across only want one night with me" I added. She shook her head at me "Well maybe stop taking girls home from your gigs at bars! Actually look for a decent girl!" She had a point there "Okay deal. You come to more of my shows and I'll stop taking home randoms."

We continued on with our day as it was only 7:00 a.m. and we still had a lot of cleaning to do and I had a training session with my favorite elephant Dolly. "I have a gig tonight by the way" I told Lauren. "Well tonight can be your last free for all. I have to babysit my nephews and my own two kids" she pouted. "Don't pout...you're too cute to pout" I laughed at her. "Well you'd pout too if you were me! My nephews are borderline psychopaths" she laughed. "Yeah but Jaden and Scott are angels" I pointed out. "That's because they're my kids" Loren stated.

"Well enjoy your time with the Brady Bunch. I'll be out capturing my last prey before you transform me into a saint" I said with a smirk. She told me I was disgusting and left me alone so I could do my training session with Dolly.

Dolly was a special case. She is an African elephant that was saved from a backyard circus. She has severe trust issues and so far is only comfortable with me getting close to her. The scars she has are horrendous but she's alive and we will give her the proper care she deserves.

"Dolly trunk" I spoke firmly as I held out my hand. She hesitantly placed her trunk in my hand and let me hold it. For that she was rewarded an apple. "Dolly open" I gestured for her to open her mouth "Hold" I asked quickly after she opened it. She held it and I rewarded her again with an apple. We worked for another hour until she grew tired and I left her alone so she doesn't get annoyed with our training sessions.

I made my way into the elephant barn office for lunch "I hear this is your last night out" Steve teased me. "Ha ha very funny. Really Loren? Must you tell everybody" I questioned. Steve then volunteered to be my "wing man" tonight. I politely declined the offer but he insisted and flashed tickets to my show for tonight. I rolled my eyes "Fine!" They both laughed "It will be a night to remember!"

After I got home from work I took a nap and then got dressed to go to my gig at the Black Bear Lodge. I wore my usual attire a black leather jacket, blue jeans, and my boots. "We going to a funeral?" Steve teased as he entered my house. I laughed "Fuck off!! You ready to go wing man?"

Soon we arrived at Black Bear and my band and I were setting up on the little stage. "Look...another groupie" my drummer spoke and pointed behind me. I turned to see this stunning woman approaching our stage.

She had beautiful red curly hair, green eyes, freckles, a fit figure, tan skin, and seemed a bit shorter than me. But to say the least she was way out of my league. "Hello" her voice broke my thoughts. I stammered "Uh...hi" was all I managed to muster out. She stood before me and smiled at my awkwardness and that's when I noticed her adorable dimples when she smiled. "I just wanted to say I love your music and wanted to see if you maybe wanted to have a drink with me before you start?"

I stood frozen staring at her when my drummer, Ben, elbowed me. "Ouch" I said grabbing my side. "Answer the lady and stop staring at her" he whispered. "Oh. I'm so sorry! Yes, I would love to get a drink before we start" I finally answered.

We walked side by side to the bar and she ordered two whiskey and cokes "I like your drink choice!" She smiled "Yeah you don't look like a strawberry daiquiri kinda girl." I laughed because she was right about that! I hated fruity drinks.

We began talking and she said she had been to a few of my shows and that she really loves our music. She asked me if music was all I do and so I told her that I'm a zookeeper full time and that this is just for fun. Turns out she is quite impressive when it comes to her career as she is a pediatric surgeon.

"Who is this lovely gal" Steve asked walking towards us. It was then I realized I never got her name! "I'm Meghan Hart" she introduced herself to Steve. "So you a fan of my girl here" he smiled? She then gave me a strange look "Yes, I love her voice." Steve talked for a little while then dismissed himself to go chase a girl I assume. I was just glad he wasn't interested in her.

"Your boyfriend seems nice" she spoke. "Oh no. He's my coworker! I'm not into men" I informed. "Oh. Well that's good for me I guess" she winked. I was caught off guard by her comment! Ben then came to ruin the
moment "We start in five minutes Korie. We should get ready." I rolled my eyes "Guess I should go. But I'd love to talk to you more. Would it be too forward of me to ask for your number?"

She smiled a gorgeous smile and asked for my phone. I watched as she put her number in "Hope you enjoy our show tonight." She handed me my phone back "I always do. Have fun up there."

With that she walked away and I rushed to get myself together before the show started. "So you going home with that redhead tonight" Ben asked playfully. I rolled my eyes "No. I'm done doing that sort of thing. I want something real." He said she was cute and I one hundred percent agreed! "Alright let's go out there and have fun as always! I love you guys" I said to my band before we took the stage.

We started playing and I began scanning the crowd to get a glimpse of Meghan. But there was no luck until I looked in the very front row! She stood below me on the floor dancing and having fun with her friends. Once I found her I couldn't take my focus off of her. She was so cute down there having a good time!

She soon noticed me looking at her and she gave me a smile as she danced slower with her girls. We held eye contact for a bit and I got tongue tied in the middle of my song! I quickly stopped paying attention to her for the rest of the night so it didn't happen again. "Good save by the way" Ben spoke to me after the show "I wasn't sure you'd recover from that mess up!" I rolled my eyes at him "I'm good at my job...everyone gets distracted" I responded before heading home.

When I got home I couldn't get her out of my head so I texted her.

K: Hey this is Korie. Just wanted to text you so you have my number as well.

M: I was wondering if you'd text me tonight or not. Your show was amazing...as always ❤

K: Thanks! You seemed to have fun with your friends.

M: Yeah they're a rowdy bunch but I love them. It's hard for me to keep up with them.

K: What do you mean?

M: Idk...I like going out but not always to clubs and bars. I like visiting museums, national parks, or having movie nights. I'm not much of a partier.

K: I LOVE MOVIE NIGHTS!! Disney and Harry Potter are awesome!

M: See!! My friends hate staying in unless the weather is bad.

K: Aww. How about we have a day out and a movie night soon?

M: Are you asking me out?

K: Would that be a bad thing? If not how about this Saturday I can pick you up at noon for a day out and a movie night after?

M: I'd love to!! Where are we going?

K: It's a surprise...but I'm sure you'll love it! Text me your address and I'll see you Saturday at noon. Goodnight Meghan 😊

M: Ok! Goodnight Korie❤