Tutus & Cowboy Boots (Part 2) (22 page)

“What can I say? I like my view,” I say as
he bends over to attach the cups to the cow.

I help him for a little while and then get
ready. We are to be at the high school by eleven for graduation but
we will start in the stadium at noon. I have no idea why they
picked the hottest time of the day. I look in my closet for
something light yet trendy. Seeing Barrick’s favorite color hanging
in my closet, I take the blue romper from the hanger and find the
perfect pair of shoes.

I slide it on and as I remove the curlers
from my hair, I hear a knock on my door.

“Come in.” I call expecting Mom or Gran, but
I can’t believe my eyes when Dad is standing in front of me.

“Dad!” I exclaim as I run to hug him. The
smell of his woodsy cologne hits my nose and it’s a smell I’ve
missed. “You made it. Where’s—”

“Take a seat, Cadence,” he says and I feel
my heart in my throat. Something is wrong.

“Mindy isn’t here. She lied. The baby wasn’t
mine.”

“What?”

“Apparently she had been seeing someone
else. I didn’t know until we got to Sweden. I caught her in a few
lies and then did some digging. She’s been gone about two months
now,” he says and I can see the hurt in his eyes.

“Dad, I’m sorry. I know you loved her,” I
say, honestly.

“Yeah, I did, but it goes to show you can’t
start a relationship without honesty. I shouldn’t have hurt you and
your mom like I did.”

“Does this mean you’re moving back to the
states?” I question.

“No. I really enjoy it there. There’s a lot
of room for advancement and with it being only me, I know I’ll have
time to put in the hours. Plus, it’s an awesome place for you to
visit.”

“Yeah I’m ready for that.” I sit and ponder
a minute. I wonder if this means that my parents stand a chance at
a future?

“Cadence, I know what you’re thinking but I
doubt it’s going to happen. I know your mom has forgiven me but I
don’t know if I’ll ever win back her trust,” he says.

“She still loves you. I know she does.” He
doesn’t respond and just gives me a hug.

“I’ll let you finish getting ready. I’ll be
waiting downstairs.”

Once I’m ready, we all ride together to the
school. Never would I have imagined we’d all be in the same state
again let alone the same vehicle. Once we get there, I go to the
gym to find my place in line while they take their seats. When we
take our spot on the field, all I can do is scan the crowd for my
family and Barrick while I listen to the boring speeches. It
doesn’t take long for me to find them, but when I see the smile on
Barrick’s face, I melt. That boy has stolen my heart, and I can’t
wait for our future to begin.

Once the valedictorian has announced our
class, we toss our hats and wait for everyone to swarm the field in
excitement. We spend the next hour or so taking pictures and
celebrating with our class. Looking around, I’m amazed by the
people who have entered and changed my life. The fact that I’m
standing on a football field instead of in an auditorium shows how
much my life has changed. It has changed for the better and as much
as it hurt when my dad messed up, I need to thank him. His stupid
decision made me find myself in the delightful town of Delight,
North Carolina.

After I celebrate with my class, I meet up
with my family and Jade’s. As we are talking I take Barrick’s hand
and introduce him to Dad. “Dad? This is my boyfriend, Barrick.
Barrick this is my dad, Zack Lewis.” They shake hands and exchange
greetings.

“Thank you for taking care of my Cade,” Dad
says and it makes me want to cry. I never expected him to thank
Barrick. I had no idea he knew so much. Mom must have kept him in
the loop when I didn’t want him anywhere near the loop. Now that
he’s back in my life, I just wanted him to know who had my
heart.

Barrick

I’m exhausted as we enter the local
auditorium for the end-of-the-year recital. Last night I partied
like it was my graduation. I hope Jade and Cadence were able to
rest for their performance today. If not, Ms. Lyndsay is going to
kill them. I take a seat in the middle section beside my parents as
we wait for the recital to start. Ms. Lyndsay comes to the
microphone and welcomes everyone as the recital begins. I try my
best to pay attention but let’s face it, it’s boring unless your
family is up there.

I dose off a time or two only to have my mom
elbow me to wake me up. As Cadence and Jade take the stage, I sit
up straight and pay close attention. I’m amazed at how they have
continued to grow in their performance. As they finish, I place my
fingers in my mouth and whistle loudly. Cadence smiles in my
direction.

After intermission, Mom takes a package of
tissues from her purse and I know what’s coming. It’s the part
where they celebrate the seniors. I can’t wait to see what they
have planned.

First, they begin with another senior, Tina.
She and Jade have done a duet together, but they were never the
best of friends. I vaguely listen. Then I hear them mention Jade. A
slide show begins and it shows her on the farm in a pair of cowgirl
boots and a tutu. There are so many memories of her on stage. My
baby sister is growing up and going to live out her dream; I’m so
proud of her. The final picture is of her at ECU for her audition.
She’s going to be famous on Broadway one day; I know it. Mom is a
crying mess, and Dad isn’t much better. I look at them both and
smile. They are cheesy but I love them.

Ms. Lyndsay steps to the podium and speaks
before it’s Cadence’s turn. “Cadence Lewis was brought to us this
year and as an instructor I couldn’t have been more blessed. Life
isn’t always easy, but it’s what you make of it that matters.
Cadence, I’m blessed you chose Stars Dance Academy even if you were
reluctant at first. We love you and are so glad that you are a part
of our family.” Ms. Lyndsay steps away from the podium as the
pictures begin to play on the screen.

My heart feels like it’s going to explode
when I see a picture of Cadence as a toddler. She had poise and
grace even back then. As the pictures continue, I get a glimpse of
her past. As the pictures come to this year, I smile at all the
shots Ms. Mae took without her knowing, but there’s one that leaves
me speechless. It’s the day I thought she was going to walk away.
Ms. Mae captured a moment in time that changed our lives. I feel
Mom put her arm over my shoulder as I stare at the picture. Cadence
is dancing while I stand in the distance watching. That’s the day I
knew I’d fight for her even if she didn’t want to fight for
herself.

As I glance over at Ms.
Mae, she gives me an innocent smile. I need to thank her for that
someday. I see Cadence on stage crying in front of everyone. All I
want to do is go to her, but as I stand, Mom tells me to sit. As
the final image appears, it’s Cadence at the studio in a purple
tank top and booty shorts. I read the shirt… Pirates.
She’s going to ECU too.
Looking at Mom, she starts to smile.

“You knew?” I question and she smiles with a
nod. Let the screaming begin.

Cadence

I try my best to look out into the audience
for Barrick. He had no idea which school I had chosen. I decided
ECU just felt right. I haven’t gotten into the dance program yet,
but there are more auditions this fall. I’m taking things one day
at a time and Jade will be by my side.

The screen retracts into the ceiling and Ms.
Lyndsay takes the podium again to announce the finale. When we are
finished, I look at Jade and we hurry off stage for a
record-breaking wardrobe change while Ms. Lyndsay takes the
microphone once more to award the final trophies.

After sliding on a pair of cut off jean
shorts, a fitted Stars Dance Academy shirt, and my boots from
Barrick, I check the mirror and quickly run back to the side of the
stage with Jade. “We have one final performance for you tonight. A
few of our seniors felt they wanted to share a special piece with
you. I hope you enjoy,” Ms. Lyndsay announces as she steps to the
side of the stage.

The lights go black as we find our places
and as the first down beat of Luke Bryan’s “Move” hits, I look
toward Jade and Tina and smile. We have worked our asses off for
this moment and we are having the most fun we’ve had in a while. On
the last verse, the rest of the studio joins us and I show the
audience that a girl from up North can get down like a country girl
on the farm.

When the last note is sung, we pause and
wait for the applause. What they don’t know is that it’s not over.
Jade and I quickly toss off our boots and take center stage
alone.

“We got this,” she whispers as the spotlight
hits us. The guitar begins to play and we take our duet from
competition and perform it in a completely new element.

As “My Church” plays, we don’t miss a beat.
We fall in rhythm with the music and I fall more in love with the
words. My life has changed and during that change I grew into a
woman who knows exactly what she wants.

As the song ends, Jade and I catch our
breath as I hear boots hitting the wooden steps at the base of the
stage. I turn and see Barrick walking up them with the biggest
smile on his face.

Barrick

As the music comes to an end, my eyes land on
hers. This girl in front of me is my heart and soul. She’s my
church; she’s my saving grace who pours faith into me every
day.

I run up the steps and take a few strides to
meet her as she jumps into my arms while the music starts again. I
let her body slide down mine as her feet land on top of my boots
and we sway to the music. Jade’s arms engulf us as she starts to
sway with us as well. Before I realize what is going on, everyone
that Cadence and I care about is on stage singing and swaying with
us. I thought she was my church, but as I look around I realize
that a church would be only a building without the congregation. We
are both blessed to have all these people in our lives.

Epilogue

Cadence

Barrick pulls his truck up in front of the
Cotten Residence Hall at ECU and I can’t believe that this will be
Jade’s and my home for the next nine months. Mom, Gran, and the
Carpenters are behind us. The sweltering Greenville heat hits me as
I open the door, but the excitement that fills my veins is
electric.

Jade and I walk up the large flight of
stairs to the front door and sign in. We hurry back to the truck
and everyone grabs a box to carry to our room.

I’m surprised when I see how small the room
actually is. Jade looks at me and then sprints toward the bed on
the right.

“Called it!” she squeals and I laugh.

“I can’t believe this is it,” I say to
Barrick as he comes to stand by me.

“I know. It’s going to be an interesting
year, that’s for sure,” he says.

We finish unloading his truck and Mom’s
Suburban and then it’s time for everyone to leave. We all hug Gran,
Mom, and Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter.

“Are you sure I can’t help you with
anything, Bare?” Mrs. Carpenter pleads.

“I’ve got it Mom. It’s just two buildings
down.” As tears form in her eyes, he gives in. “Okay. Come help
me,” he says and her tears suddenly stop.

I hop into the front seat and Jade slides in
beside me as we drive two buildings down to the Garrett Residence
Hall to help Barrick move in. When he surprised us after the
recital with the news that he got into ECU as well, I knew we’d
always be together.

When the final box has been placed in his
room, we say goodbye to our families once more. Our moms cry, Mr.
Carpenter tries his best not to show any emotion, and Gran steals a
piece of my heart.

“Y’all two behave yourselves, ya here. Don’t
do anything I wouldn’t do,” she says with a wink.

“We won’t,” I say to her as I wrap my arms
around Barrick’s waist.

As the Suburban fades into the distance,
Jade is squalling like a baby. I open my arms and she falls into
them as I look at Barrick.

“How am I going to live with you two?” he
questions, pulling us in for a group hug.

After Jade calms down, she excuses herself
and goes back to our room. I walk Barrick back to his room. As we
stand in the doorway, I wrap my arms around his neck and feel pure
joy in my soul.

“I can’t believe this is real,” I say as he
bends down and briefly kisses my lips.

“Oh it’s real. I’d follow you to the end of
the earth, Cadence Lewis. I’m head over boots in love with you,” he
says as he seals my lips with a kiss.

Tutus & Cowboy Boots Playlist

“Welcome to New York,” Taylor Swift

“Wicked Ones,” Dorothy

“Nothin’ Like You,” Dan+Shay

“Hurricane,” Dustin Lynch

“Talk Dirty,” Jason Derulo feat. 2
Chainz

“Middle of Nowhere,” Dustin Lynch

“Heartbeat,” Carrie Underwood

“Family Tradition,” Hank Williams, Jr.

“The Day You Stopped Looking Back,” Thomas
Rhett

“Tuxedo,” Clare Dunn

“My Church,” Maren Morris

“Move,” Luke Bryan

“She Wants A Cowboy,” Dustin Lynch

“Head Over Boots,” Jon Pardi

Acknowledgements

First and foremost, I want
to thank
you
for
reading Tutus & Cowboy Boots, because without each of you, I
would have no purpose.

Every blogger out there, thank you so much
for your support! You help spread the word every day for each
author you love, and I will be forever grateful. Southern Charms
and Boondock Betas, I can’t thank you enough. You go out of your
way each day to support me.

JD Rivera and Kristen Hope Mazzola, thank
you for always being there! I’m blessed to have such amazing author
friends.

Southern Belle Book Blog, thank you so much
for helping spread the word about this book. Your dedication to
authors is amazing!