Chapter Twenty-Nine
Nashville, Tennessee
Sage
When I stepped off of the plane in Nashville, the vibrant energy of the airport all but smothered me, it was chaotic, and I had forgotten how tormenting airports could be but the anxiousness I felt was soothed as Blue entwined his hands through mine as we maneuvered our way out the entrance. I had never been to Nashville before and I was so bloody excited, for the city, for Blue and to see my mom.
'Welcome to Tennessee!' My Mom's voice was heard before my eyes found hers.
'Mom!' I squealed, dropping Blue's hand to run to my Mom, her arms squeezing me and wrapping me up in a tight hug that took away all of the stress of a two-hour flight.
'It's like you've grown so much in the short time that you've been away from me.' She exclaimed, pulling back to take a look at me with a bright and warm smile on her face as she took in my appearance.
'Oh, Mom.' I pulled out of her hold, turning slightly to face Blue, 'You remember Blue?' I introduced them, I mean not that they needed an introduction because they have met before but.
'Well, you certainly have grown up from that little boy who couldn't quite leave my girl alone.' She teased, enticing a soft chuckle from Blue.
'Seems I still can't.' He teased her back, a smirk pulling on the corners of his lips, 'It is nice to see you again Mrs Walker.'
'Likewise.' She retorted, 'Now come on you have people waiting for you and I'm stealing your girl for a mother-daughter date.' She waved us towards a waiting car, An all-blacked-out windowed car, since when did my mother ride around in this?
'Is this yours?' I asked as she opened the back doors, motioning for me and Blue to slide into the back.
'Perks of being a signed musician. Make's you want to reconsider not wanting to perform like your Mama huh?' she teased.
'Mom.' I groaned, not wanting to rehash this conversation with my mother, a conversation that has been had between us on multiple occasions. But then again I can't lie, While I'm sitting in this lavish car in Nashville Tennessee it does make me reconsider not following in her boots, who knows maybe Nashville can change my mind. I glanced up front, my brows all but shooting up at the sight of a man in the driver's seat, wearing all-black attire. 'Mom who's the guy?' I asked, watching the smirk tug on the man's lips through the reflection of the mirror upfront.
'That's Joe, my driver, Joe meet my daughter Sage and her boyfriend Blue.' My mom swiftly dished out the introductions before closing the door and leaving the car with a deadly silence before she climbed into the front seat beside Joe.
'She has a driver?' I whispered to Blue, an amused smile tugging on his lips as he reached over, hooking my seatbelt securely into place. My mother was much like me, simple things were all I needed but this version I've met only a few steps into Tennessee was a whole new woman and I loved that for her. Joe set the car in motion and we were off, heading to the record labels headquarters for Blue to claim his dream, I prayed everything that happened today in the meeting that he was about to attend turned out to be everything that he had ever wanted for himself.
A girl full of pride
Sage
I had the most amazing day with my Mom, she took me to get a manicure and then we ate lunch in this fancy restaurant that offered the biggest steaks I'd ever seen in my life, before finishing off with a little browsing through a few quaint boutiques. We didn't buy anything just window shopped and it was fun, my Mom of course tried on a few of Nashville stunning clothing designs and I can't lie I tried on a few too. Of course, my Mom had questions for me, questions about how I was doing lately, questions about Blue and how I felt about him, and to my dismay, she had noticed the cut and the faint bruise that still donned my eye but was almost gone so it was easy to dull her concern. I wasn't one to lie to Mom, so I told her that Blue was performing in a bar, and I went with him resulting in me getting into a fight. I didn't tell her about getting arrested but neither did my Uncle Wade by the fact that she had no idea about any of this, so I figured it was something she didn't need to know about, not right now anyway. I had felt at ease all day, indulging in my mom's company but now that I was alone, I couldn't shake the anxious feeling that set in my bones, I had not heard a peep from Blue all day. I had no clue how the meeting went, or what was to happen next for him. I had bid my mom goodnight, she had just headed to her hotel suite because she had another show tomorrow night and was seeking out some much-needed sleep while I was currently riding the lift on the way up to mine and Blues hotel room, a room gifted in compliments from Daniel. The entire building seeped with lavishness, and it was so out of my comfort zone that I didn't know how to feel about it. Stepping out of the elevator it took me a moment to find the room number that matched the one on my key card. I hoped Blue was back because I was jittered with excitement to hear how today had been for him. What did Daniel say? What did they exactly do for nearly an entire day?
'Blue.' I called out as I slipped into the room, the room more like an apartment. Holey hell, why would anyone need such a big room to sleep in for only one night? 'Blue?' I called out again in the silence of the room.
'Darlin.' Blue's voice had me spinning on my heels to see him leaning against the door frame to another room, a bathroom maybe? Blue looked absolutely handsome but what made my heart flutter was the brightness of happiness that shined through his smile.
'How did it go?' I bit my lip with a mix of eagerness and impatience to find out if he had good news or bad news.
'Baby, I'm now a signed musician.' He grinned my way. Pride filled me with his words and I squealed the most ridiculous sound ever as I ran to him almost knocking him off balance to wrap my arms around his waist, his amusement rumbling a chuckle from his chest, and he squeezed me back with just as much strength.
'I'm so happy for you Blue.' I gleamed up at him, 'I'm a proud girlfriend.'
'You are huh?' He let out a soft laugh, his palms cradling my face and guiding my lips to his.
'I am.' I admitted, my lips brushing his with each word before he closed the rest of the distance. His lips molding against mine and sending me to heaven. God, I've missed him all day.
'I've got you something.' He said when our lips finally parted, and I raised a questioning brow at his words. A sly smile tugged the corners of his lips as he slipped his hand into mine, pulling me along as he guided us over to the sofa that was occupied with shopping bags.
'You went shopping? When did you finish your meeting?' I asked, if he had finished ages ago, he could have called me.
'A few hours ago.' He said, motioning for me to sit.
'Why didn't you call me?' I asked, doing as told and taking the seat he wanted me to take. I wouldn't have minded if he joined me and my mom, and I don't think she would either, she likes Blue.
'You were spending time with your Mama. Anyway, I get you all to myself for the night with no interruptions.' He gave me a knowing smile and boy did I like the sound of that. 'Now are you ready for your gift?' He added with an eager smile.
'What's the occasion? It ain't my birthday Blue Mercer.' I asked with a raised brow.
'Darlin, I don't need an occasion to treat you, so hush that pretty little mouth of yours and let me give you what I bought for you.' He grinned down at me from his tall frame standing before me. I pursed my lips, giving him the silence that he was requesting, and he took that as an opportunity to pick up the two bags before returning to face me and holding one out for me to take.
'What is it?' I asked, eyeing the outstretched bag before me.
'Just take it and find out.' He chuckled in amusement. Taking the bag from him I peeked inside, a shoe box? I glanced to Blue who only tilted his chin in encouragement to keep going and so I did, pulling out the box and opening it to find the pair of timberland high-heeled boots I'd been wanting since forever. How did he even know? How did he even afford these? Oh boy, this was too much.
'Blue these are like a hundred and fifty dollars.' I gaped up at him.
'I've been saving.' He shrugged, 'They're the ones you wanted right?' He asked, and I just sat there looking at the boy like he was crazy. I had mentioned these boots to both him and Mickey one day but that was like when I was sixteen. Did he remember that? Oh my god, if I could fall in love with this boy anymore then I would be falling so deep right now.
'I love them.' I grinned, dropping the box on the sofa and all but jumping on him. 'Thank you.' I kissed his jaw, multiple bloody times.
'Hold on, there's one more.' He chuckled and I pulled back. What on earth was he doing buying me gifts? Let alone more than what he had just given me. 'Open it.' He instructed, pushing another bag into my hands. I took a peek inside the bag before reaching in and retrieving the white floral printed fabric. Blue took the bag from my hands as I proceeded to unravel the material.
'It's beautiful.' I whispered; The white floral printed summer dress had the softest feel to its fabric I'd ever felt on a dress.
'So, you like it?' He asked, sucking his bottom lip between his teeth as he waited almost nervously for my response.
'I do.' I reached up and captured his lips with my gratitude and all-out love for the boy in front of me. I pulled back for a moment, just enough to tell him how I felt, 'I really do love you Blue Mercer, but no more buying me gifts okay?'
'Darlin, Try and stop me.' He smirked down at me, hooking a knuckle under my chin he guided my lips back to his.
More and more pride
Sage
The rhythmic hum of Blue's truck's engine beneath us, mixed with the light volume of the radio almost sent me to sleep. I felt exhausted and was for sure going to sleep when our journey back from Nashville was over. The flight was two hours, but I don't know why I felt so tired, I guarantee it was down to the airports being mentally draining. The trip had been a whirlwind of emotions, and now, with each mile that brought us closer to home, a comforting warmth settled over me. I glanced at Blue, his hands firmly on the wheel, and I couldn't help but marvel at him, the warmth in his eyes as he glanced at me back as if he could feel my eyes on him. The subtle smile playing on his lips spoke volumes to me and I admit I was one lucky girl to have Blue Mercer as my lover. I reached out, my hand finding his, fingers intertwining through his almost naturally. I was content right now, content to have experienced this part of Blue's life with him. The truck slowed as Blue pulled into his driveway and my heart skipped a beat with the laughter that fell from my lips as I noticed his mother standing almost huddled alongside Mickey waiting for Blue's arrival.
'Baby, you got yourself a welcome home party.' I grinned over at Blue who gave me a chuckle in response as he reached over to me, encasing my face between the palms of his hands and capturing all and every bit of my attention.
'Call me Baby again?' He smirked, a teasing glint in his eye. He had been nothing but smiles and utter happiness since I met him in the hotel room last night.
'What do I get in return?' I teased him back, his amusement only shining brighter at my response.
'Darlin, I'll give you the whole damn world, you name it.' He retorted, his thumbs brushing soothing motions across my cheeks.
'Oh, I don't need all that.' I paused, biting down on my lip to hide my smile. 'Baby I just want you to kiss me.'
'That's one thing you don't have to bargain from me.' He grinned, placing his lips to mine in the sweetest, gentlest movement of my life. I jumped pulling from Blue's embrace at the rapid knocking of knuckles to the window, my eyes catching on Mickey's. A laugh fell from my lips at the same time a groan fell from Blues, its tone filled with amusement. 'That is my queue, come on Darlin.' He reached over giving me a quick peck on my lips before opening the truck door and I quickly followed suit.
'So?' Mickey asked Blue as his mother rushed to his side.
'Come on sweety tell us the verdict?' She let out with eager anticipation.
'I signed the deal.' Blue gave them the answer they were searching for, enticing pure joy and excitement to fall from his family as they congratulated him with cheers and warm embraces. I watched this moment for him, the surge of pride that I felt for him was enormous, His success was written all over his face, and the happiness in his eyes was bloody contagious. I couldn't explain it to you other than to tell you that this moment here was another I was going to add to that treasure box of memories that I keep tucked away safe.