Big Tex Read online

  "I'm sorry Willow. I didn't mean to bring it up. If I'd have known…" Brody said and reached over and grabbed her hand.

  "So, we're here, let's go!" Willow said and jumped from the SUV, wiping her eyes and hoping no one noticed.

  The three others followed Willow into the bar and saw her talking to the bartender already. She had ordered beers as well as shots for everyone. "Ok, let's just have some fun tonight!" Willow said.

  "Will, let's sing something." Sierra said and Willow nodded.

  "I supposed we have to sing something country, huh?" Willow asked. Sierra nodded. "Ok, we can do one together, then one each alone. I pick yours, you pick mine?"

  "You got it. I got the perfect one for you already! Oh, hey, are you guys singing?" Sierra asked Brody and Micah.

  "You bet. Would we be here if we weren't?" Brody asked.

  They all went and signed up for their songs. While they waited to be called, they got some more drinks and played a few rounds of darts, with the girls beating the guys each time.

  Finally the girls names were called to go up and sing. Together they sang "Any Man of Mine" by Shania Twain. After they finished, the crowd roared with applause. Willow and Sierra made their way back to Brody and Micah. Micah kissed Sierra lightly and said "Ok, that's it, I'm not singing. You guys are going to make me look horrible. No one is going to sound good up there after that performance."

  "Ha-ha, whatever joker." Willow said.

  "That was unbelievable!" Brody yelled and picked Willow up in a hug and swung her around.

  Just then Micah's name was called and he went up and sang "Don't Take the Girl" by Tim McGraw. Sierra stood rooted to her spot, amazed at how good of a singer he was, and how beautiful the song was. By the end of the song she had tears in her eyes.

  "Unreal!" Sierra said to Micah. She put her arms around his neck and kissed him long and hard. When she finally released him from the kiss, her knees were weak and his eyes were glossed over.

  "Get a room!" Willow teased. She was really happy for Sierra, but worried at the same time since they were leaving soon. She didn't want to see her best friend get hurt by having to leave someone she cares about.

  "Next we have Sierra Lockheart!" The guy who was working the karaoke announced.

  Sierra broke away from Micah and turned to Willow. "Will, what did you pick for me?"

  "Something really appropriate. You'll find out when you get up there." Willow told her and pushed her towards the stage.

  When Sierra heard the first few notes of "Cowboy Take Me Away" by Dixie Chicks, her eyes started to tear up. Willow always knew the perfect songs for the perfect moments. Sierra just hoped she could make it through the song and not mess up too bad.

  Sierra sang beautifully. Micah was so impressed with her voice. When Sierra and Willow sang together, they sounded good, but apart, he could hear how strong Sierra's voice was. He met her at the stage when her song was finished and hugged her tight. They were both grinning from ear to ear.

  They were calling for Willow to head up to the stage, and she looked at Brody. "Why haven't you gone yet Country Boy?"

  "I asked them to let me go last. Not a big deal. Get up there!" Brody said.

  Willow's heart almost stopped when she realized what song Sierra had chosen for her to sing. "Thinking About You" by Trisha Yearwood started playing. Boy, did Sierra ever know her, but she didn't want Brody to know that she had been thinking about him. It was going to be hard enough to forget him without Sierra pestering her about him, and without him knowing she was interested.

  Willow sang the song, and as hard as she tried, she couldn't look away from Brody. Her eyes were glued to him, as his were to her. Even after the song finished and she was walking back to where they were all sitting, she couldn't look away from him. Her face blushed a thousand different shades of red. When she reached their table, Brody stood up and hugged her.

  "I've been thinking' 'bout you too." He whispered in her ear as he held her close. She just smiled and sat down as Brody made his way to the stage.

  "Ok, I know this is a country bar, but I'm going to break from tradition and sing something other than country." Brody spoke into the microphone. "Here's one for Willow." He said. The song he had chosen to sing was "Time of Your Life" by Green Day.

  "Wow, Will, looks like you aren't the only one who knows how to pick good songs!" Sierra said. "He's really good!"

  "Yeah, he is. I'm shocked!" Willow said.

  "He's been singing since high school, just for fun. I've never seen him sing with such emotion though." Micah said. "You must have really touched him Willow."

  The song ended and no one else had signed up to sing, so the DJ started playing music. Micah and Sierra got up to dance and left Willow sitting at the table alone, to wait for Brody. When he showed up, he had another round of drinks for everyone.

  "I was wondering where you went to." Willow said.

  "I thought I'd give ya'll a few moments to yourself. Looked like you had a lot going through your mind." Brody told her.

  "Yeah, thanks. I do have a lot going through my head. You know, you're making it hard to leave, but it's something I have to do. I have a life back in New York. I have a job where I am finally getting some recognition, and I have friends. I love New York. I am not meant to live in the south. I'm a northern girl. It just wouldn't work between us, you know?" Willow explained.

  "Are you trying to convince me or yourself?" Brody asked.

  Willow ignored his remark. "I'll be visiting my mom every now and then, we can be friends. We'll talk on the phone and stuff, it’s not like we'll never speak again." Willow said with tears in her eyes. "Come on Country Boy, let's dance." Willow pulled Brody onto the dance floor, and when he pulled her into his arms she said, "Thank you."

  "What for? For dancing with you?" Brody asked.

  "No, for the time of my life." She said and smiled as she looked into his eyes. "I really have enjoyed the time that I've spent with you. I promise that when I come visit my mom, you and I will spend some more time together…that is, if you want to." Willow said.

  "I'd like nothing better." Brody said and kissed her cheek.

  "Ah, how cute!" Sierra teased. "You know, I hate to break up a really fun night, but we have a plane to catch tomorrow morning at 9:00 and neither one of is packed yet."

  Micah and Brody both groaned. "You can't leave yet. What if we kidnapped ya'll?" Brody asked.

  "Nice try Country Boy. Like you have a mean bone in your body. Besides, I told you that we have stuff that we need to get back to. Our boss would kill us if we didn't show up on Monday. Vacation is over." Willow said.

  "Will, you are always too sensible. Maybe we aren't feeling well." Sierra said.

  "Yeah, you're funny. Just call me the responsible one. We have to be on that plane tomorrow." Willow said.

  "Ok, let’s get ya'll home then." Brody said.

  "Oh, hey, do you need a ride to the airport in the morning?" Micah asked, grasping at straws.

  "No, we still have the rental car, and we have to turn it in at the airport. We're saying good bye to my mom at home so she doesn't have to drive all the way there in a separate car." Willow explained.

  "Ok. Just a thought." Micah looked sad.

  The guys drove the girls home. Before Brody let them out of the car, he made them write down their phone numbers and e-mail addresses. Him and Brody did the same for Willow and Sierra. They all got out of Brody's SUV and hugged each other. Micah took his time hugging Sierra and saying good bye to her. He kissed her tenderly and she promised to call him as soon as she got home the next day. Tears poured out of Sierra's eyes as she said good bye.

  Brody took Willow in his arms and hugged her tight. She put her forehead on his shoulder and tried to stop the tears from coming, but it was no use. Brody tilted Willow's chin up and looked into her watery eyes, with tears of his own forming. "It's going to be ok. We'll talk on the phone and stuff, this isn't good bye." He told her. He leaned down and took
her lips with his. It was a soft and gently kiss, but one filled with so many emotions.

  The two 'couples' broke apart and switched hugging partners. Brody hugged Sierra, and she told him to keep an eye on Micah for her. Brody told her to keep an eye on Willow for him. Little did they know the same was being said in the other hug.

  When they released each other, Willow turned to Sierra and hugged her and Micah jokingly pulled Brody into a hug. The girls walked to the front door and turned to wave at the two guys standing outside the SUV.

  "This is harder than I thought it would be!" Willow sighed and opened the door.

  The next morning, Willow and Sierra said good bye to Lauren through hugs and tears. Willow didn't want to leave her mom, and she wasn't sure when she would be able to visit with her again. She had never been very far from her mom in her whole life, so it was hard for her to think her mom wouldn't be close anymore. The same thoughts were hitting Lauren hard too.

  The ride to the airport was a quiet and solemn one for Willow and Sierra. They dropped off the rental car and went to the terminal to wait for their flight to be called. "Everything will be all right Sierra. It has to be!" Willow tried to reassure Sierra, though she wasn't so sure herself.

  Just as their flight was called to begin boarding, Willow thought she heard someone call her name. She turned to look behind her and found Brody and Micah running towards them. Willow grabbed Sierra's sleeve and pointed in the guys' direction, unable to speak.

  "We had to see ya'll one last time. There was something I didn't get to do last night." Brody said to Willow.

  "What is it Country Boy?" Willow asked as his lips came crushing down hard on hers. Willow froze at first, shocked by his kiss, but then relaxed and opened her mouth to allow his tongue to rub against her.

  When he released her, she looked like she was in a daze. "Wow!" was all she could say.

  "I agree!" Brody whispered, unable to find his voice. "If I'd have known it was going to be that good, I'd have done that a whole lot sooner!" He teased. They both looked over to Micah and Sierra and found them kissing too.

  "Come on and walk us to the gate." Willow said as she grabbed Brody's hand. "Let's go Sierra!" She yelled.

  "Oh, this is for you." Brody said and handed Willow a long stem white rose.

  "Thank you. I can't believe you came to say good bye!" Willow said. "You just wanted to see us cry again, didn't you?"

  "I never want to see you cry Willow. Trust me on that one." Brody said sincerely.

  They all reached the gate and shared one last hug and kiss before Willow and Sierra disappeared down the hall to get on the plane. Each one was hoping this wouldn't be the last time they saw each other.

  Chapter 5 New York State of Mind

  The plane ride home was relatively quiet, with both girls lost in their own daydreams. When they landed in New York, they hailed a cab and went back to their apartment.

  "Sierra, I think I need to break up with Joshua. Not just because of any feelings that I may or may not have for Brody either. Did you see how much of a puss he was when we were moving my mom's stuff in? Not to mention he didn't call me a single time after he left. What kind of relationship is that?" Willow said.

  "Will, you need to do what is right for you. I have always had my doubt about how Joshua has treated you. It just seems like he serves the purpose of being comfortable to you, rather than a boyfriend." Sierra told her.

  "I know you're right, and maybe I've been thinking this for a while. I just don't want to hurt him. It’s not like he's done one single thing wrong per se, I just don't feel like we were meant to be together. You know what I mean?" Willow asked.

  "You are too worried about his feelings and not enough about yours. You need to do what is going to make you happy for a change!" Sierra said. "Now, as for me, I'm going to go and call Micah to let him know we made it home alright."

  "Ok, I'm going to shower, then I'll go talk to Joshua." Willow said and walked to the bathroom.

  "Hey Brody, it's Sierra. How are you guys doing?" Sierra said when Brody answered the phone.

  "Hey Sierra, we were wondering if you had made it home yet. We're just sitting her eating one of Lisa's fabulous meals. How's Willow?" He asked.

  "Well, she's trying not to take leaving her mom too hard, but she's struggling a little. I think she just needs a little time to really accept it. She's kind of going through some other stuff right now that is taking her mind off her mom a little though, so that helps." Sierra answered.

  "Well, let her know that I miss her and any time she needs to talk, she can call me, ok?" Brody offered.

  "I'll let her know. How are you doing…missing a certain girl I know?" Sierra asked.

  "More than you know. It’s surprising actually, how much I do miss her. I know that we don't know each other well, but I just feel this connection with her, and its hard that she had to leave so quick, before I really got to know her. But hopefully tomorrow will help take my mind off her a little when I meet my new boss." Brody said with a sigh.

  "I know what you mean about the connection. But good luck with the new boss tomorrow. Knock him dead!" She teased.

  "I hope so. I have no clue what the boss's name even is. Well, I'll let you talk to Micah now." Brody said before handing the phone to Micah.

  Micah and Sierra talked for another half an hour, and by the end of the conversation, Sierra had tears in her eyes. She didn't think it was fair to meet someone so perfect for her and to have him live so far from her.

  Meanwhile, Willow made her way to Joshua's apartment. She wanted to surprise him by coming by without calling. Truthfully, she just didn't want to call him and have him hear the sadness in her voice. She never did well at hiding her emotions when she felt she was going to hurt someone.

  Willow let herself into Joshua's apartment with the key he had given her a few months before. She searched the living room and kitchen for him, but didn't see him, so she made her way back to his bedroom.

  She knocked on the door lightly and opened it before she was invited in. When she looked towards the bed, she got the shock of her life. There lay Joshua, a woman with flaming red hair, and an older man with gray hair, all naked with their bodies intertwined.

  Willow was in shock. When she gasped Joshua's name, all three participants turned to look at her. She mumbled an apology and turned to leave. Before she got out the door, she turned and looked out the bed and started laughing. Joshua was scrambling, trying to get out from between the other two people and grab some clothes. He kept yelling "Willow, it's not what you think, let me explain!"

  Willow began walking out of the apartment when she felt Joshua's hand on her shoulder. She turned and looked at him with a smile on her face. "Sorry, I didn't mean to barge in on you." She said to him.

  "Willow, I can explain. Let's sit down and talk." He said and led her over to the couch. "I know what you saw looked bad, but-…"

  Willow held up her hand to stop him from speaking. "Seriously Joshua, its ok. I actually had wanted to talk to you about our relationship when I came over here. I was so worried about hurting you, but I guess you aren't going to mind what I have to say. I just don't think this is working out for us, and it’s obviously not working out for you." Willow said and then chuckled. "Now, go back to you friends. I'll leave my key on the table and see myself out." She squeezed his hand and got up from the couch.

  "So, wait, you aren't going to freak out about this?" Joshua asked worried.

  "No, why should I. It's pretty obvious we weren't meant for each other. I just want you to be happy. If what you were doing makes you happy, then so be it. Enjoy yourself Joshua. That's what life is about." Willow said and kissed him on the cheek. She took his apartment key off her key ring and laid it on the kitchen table and left his apartment. The whole time Joshua stared after her with his jaw dropped in shock.

  Willow laughed the whole way home. When she got in the apartment, Sierra was on the couch waiting for her to make sure she was ok. Sie
rra gave her a worried look when she saw tears streaming down Willow's face, and couldn't understand why Willow was laughing.

  "Will, are you ok?" She asked.

  "Yeah, I am. Unbelievably ok. I got us some food on the way home, I figured you'd be hungry." Willow said and wiped the tears from her cheeks.

  "How did it go? Did he take it bad and that's why you're crying?"

  "Huh? Oh, no! Actually, I have been laughing so hard since I left his place that my eyes have been watering. I must have looked like some loon at the restaurant when I was getting the food. People were probably pointing to me saying 'Look at that psycho laughing so hard all by herself. I bet it's the voices in her head making her laugh!' But really, I'm perfectly fine. I think he took it well, but there was really no choice in the matter for him." Willow said, still chuckling.

  "Ok, so are you going to let me in on this little joke?" Sierra asked.

  Willow proceeded to tell Sierra what happened at Joshua's apartment. By the time she was done, Sierra was laughing too. The girls were laughing so hard they thought the food would come out their noses.

  "So, I talked to Brody tonight. It might be nice for you to call him and say hi. He sounds like he's really missing you. I guess he's a little stressed about tomorrow too, so a friendly voice might be nice for him to hear." Sierra said.

  Willow knew she was right, so she went to the phone and called Brody. A woman answered the phone and threw Willow off guard. "Um, hi. Is this Lisa?" She asked the woman.

  "Yes it is, who may I ask is calling?" Lisa said rather shortly.

  "Oh, hi Lisa, this is Willow. Is Brody there by chance?" She asked nervously.

  "Yup, he's right here." Lisa said. Willow could hear her tell Brody in a whisper that the phone was for him and who it was. It sounded like they were really close together for Lisa to be able to tell him that quietly and that quickly that the phone was for him.

  "Hello, Willow?" Brody asked as he got on the phone.

  "Hey Country Boy. Just wanted to call and say hey and tell you we were home. Am I interrupting something?" She asked.