Chapter Forty-One

Tim FREAKING McGraw

I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Tears formed in my eyes. I missed her. I missed her like crazy. All I want is to be in her arms one more time. Hear her tell me how much she loves me one more time. Have a late night 'girl talk' about Chris on my bed in our pajamas and fall asleep together when we can no longer stay awake. Get embarassed when she shows Chris old baby pictures of me and wrestles me to get the book back after I take it. Hibernate in the house when she calls in sick on a Saturday and watch chick flicks until our eyes pop out. All I want is to relive the old times with her again. And all I want is for her to be back with me again. Celebrate with Chris and I on our wedding day, fight to hold her first grandchild in her arms, figure out ways to spoil my child behind my back and teach them things that neither Chris nor I ever could. All I want, is my mommy to come home.

"Oh baby," Chris sighed as a tear dripped down my cheek. He wrapped me up in his grasp and held me tight like he'd never let go.

"She was my best friend" I cried into his chest "they took my best friend!"

"I know honey I know" he cooed.

I hated seeing her like this. I've done everything I can to avoid talking about mum for too long. I know that doesn't sound quite right, but I hated seeing Nicole upset. I hated it. She was such an amazing girl, she didn't deserve to have to feel this way. She didn't deserve her best friends moving to other countries. She didn't deserve losing her mum; her rock. She didn't deserve her father leaving her and coming back only to leave her again. She didn't deserve any of it. The least she deserved was a completely perfect life with both parents happily in love, all the friends she could ever need right by her side at all times, and the perfect boyfriend who didn't bring all of the baggage that I did. The army, my parents and all that shit. I know she could do better. But she chose me. And I couldn't be happier about that. I would never make her regret that.

Nicole and I had an interesting relationship. We rarely fought and when we did, it lasted no longer than an hour, we kiss and make up and that's the end of it. No grudges, no secrets. We tell each other everything. We stay up until the early hours of the morning just talking. I love that we never run out of things to talk about. I could just sit and talk to her for days and the same topic wouldn't reoccur once. I've liked her from the second I saw her sitting on the beach, and I've loved her since that night at the fair. And I would love her with all of my heart until the world comes to a stop.

I love her laugh, I love her smile, I love the way her wavy hair falls over her shoulders, I love the way her voice sounds in the morning and every second of every day. I love the dimple above her lip, I love the face she makes at me when I've made her mad. I love everything about her.

I wiped the stray tears from her cheeks and kissed her forehead. I know how much she misses her mum. I know because I was in her position when my parents died. I never thought life after that would get better. I never thought I would see the light of day again. Addison, Ryan and I would stay cooped up in our house for days upon days only leaving to walk down to the grocery store to re-stock the fridge. That lasted an entire summer and ended when we had to return to school. Every summer for four years consisted of the three of us hiding away from our lives. Then, Ryan and I joined the army the summer after senior year. Addison stayed behind and lived with one of her friends from high school while she attended UC Berkley to get a degree in health studies. She then got a a job as a dietician back in Roseville; ten minutes from Beckton. But when I got shot in the hip, she wasn't at work for a little while and her boss wasn't understanding at all. He had her fired. I don't think she didn't talk to me because of her job, I think she didn't talk to me because I got badly hurt and I went back and risked having that same thing happen again. That really got to me because she wasn't the type to hold a grudge. But when I heard that she had secretly been calling Ryan everyday, I knew I hadn't lost her.

"You okay?" Nicole snapped me back into reality.

"What? Oh yeah I'm fine. I was just thinking"

"What were you thinking about?" She asked smiling.

"Just about mom and dad, then Addison" I chuckled.

"Oh"

I didn't like keeping secrets from Nicole but I had one last late-anniversary present for her. I loved spoiling her. I recently got a ton of money from health insurance and I saved most of the money I got when my parents died so I was looking for someone to spend it on. I wanted to keep it a surprise.

"Hey baby doll"

"Yeah honey?" She replied grabbing Jasper and petting him.

"I have another surprise for you"

"What? Chris honey, you don't have to keep-"

"I want to Nicole. I haven't been able to spoil anyone in my life. Just let me spoil my baby girl. Please?"

"You're not gonna take no for an answer are you?" She asked smirking.

"Absolutely not" I laughed.

"What is it?"

"Well, I wanted it to be a surprise but I guess I can tell you" I chuckled "I know you have a thing for country music"

"Yeah..."

"Well, I think I'm gonna keep it a surprise" I smirked.

"You can't do that!" She exclaimed slapping my arm "you already brought it up!"

"Um I think I just did. And I'm not gonna tell you. I want you to be surprised"

I had her surprise scheduled for this Friday night and I was sure she was going to love it.

The next four days went by quickly and consisted of Nicole and I doing mostly nothing and watching movies with Jas.

I made a few last minute calls to make sure that the surprise was still okay and on schedule.

I made Nicole dinner and we left the house at five thirty. It was already starting to get dark out so I declined the idea to blindfold Nicole.

"Will you please tell me where we're going?"she pleaded.

"Nope. Sorry darlin'" I said grabbing her hand.

"C'mon. Please?" She gave me puppy dog eyes.

"Sorry love. You're just gonna have to wait" I chuckled.

"UGH" she flopped back into her seat. I let out a bark of laughter.

About five minutes later, we arrived at our destination. I made sure to over Nicole's eyes when we passed the sign for the place we would be walking into in a matter of minutes. I drove into the underground parking zone and paid for parking. I took Nicole's hand and stood by the stairwell to enter the building next to us. The parking lot wzas barely busy, there were only a few other cars parked in it at the opposite end of us.

"I'm guessing that you would like me to tell you what your final surprise is"

"Yeah that would be great" she replied sarcastically.

"Well, like I said the other day, I know you have a thing for country music"

"And..."

"I got us tickets to see Tim McGraw in about two hours"

"Oh my god. Really?!?!" She wrapped her arms around my neck and hugged me.

"But, wait. I'm not quite finished yet"

"Are you kidding? What could be better than that?" She asked rhetorically.

"I actually got us VIP passes. This entitles us to a meet and greet, front row seats right in the middle, and access to the backstage area after the show"

She was speechless and looked at me with a gleam in her eyes. She shrieked and threw her arms around me. I picked her up and spun her around while she had a mild fangirl attack.

"You're serious?"

"Yeah I am. Turns out, one of my dad's buddies is Tim's tour manager"

"Oh my god you're amazing!!" She exclaimed.

"I know I know"

I handed her the VIP laminate, took her hand and lead her through the doors.

I could not believe that Chris was taking me to Tim McGraw. I was going to meet Tim McGraw. Tim FREAKING McGraw!!!! I love him!!!!

After my mild case of fangirling was dealt with, I somehow managed to regain my cool. Chris and I walked into the stadium that was being set up for the show that would commense in about two hours. We walked to the centre of what would be the floor seating and there he was. Mr. Tim McGraw was going for a run around the massive stadium in grey sweats, a beanie and a white muscle shirt. I may be engaged and he may be forty something but he looked damn good.

"Hey!! Jerry!!" Chris shouted at a man in a grey button down shirt and dark wash jeans.

"Hey Chris, how ya doin?" The man who I assumed was Jerry stuck his hand out for Chris to shake.

"Who is this lovely lady on your arm?" Jerry asked gesturing toward me.

"Nicole Collins" I replied shaking his hand.

"My fiancee" Chris said happily slinging an arm around my shoulder.

"Oh congrats you guys!! How long you known each other for?"

"Just over a year now" I responded.

"Well ya'll look really happy together" Jerry noticed.

"We are" I smiled.

We continued to make small talk until the man everyone was here to see showed up in his classic black v-neck tee and a pair of bootcuts with his cowboy boots and signature black cowboy hat. I was uttered speechless once again.

"Hey Mr. Christopher how are ya?" Tim came and gave Chris a 'man hug' as if they'd known each other for ages "who is this pretty little thing?"

I froze. Tim McGraw was my favourite artist in the history of my mum and I and he was referring to me as pretty.

"This is Nicole Collins, my fiancee. Nicole, this is Tim McGraw" Chris introduced me with a smile on his face; enjoying my expression as Tim pulled me in for a hug.

"Nice to meet you" I managed without stuttering.

"And you as well" he said giving me a kiss on the cheek.

"Watch it Mister" Chris laughed.

"Sorry kiddo just messin' with ya"

Tim gave us a tour around the stadium and around backstage. I met Tim's wife Faith and his daughters Audrey, Maggie and Gracie. Gracie was the oldest, Maggie was the second oldest; a year younger than Gracie, and Audrey was the youngest; she was four years younger than Gracie. I was only a couple years older than Gracie but she was very mature for her age.

I talked with the three girls for a while and they were going to join Chris and I when we went to watch their father perform. Faith made sure that Tim was in line for the show and the five of us headed to our spot on the floor. Chris was right. These spots were amazing. The fans around us were going nuts and I can't say I wasn't. Even though the three girls must have seen him perform a thousand times, they were just as excited about the show as I was. I had no idea that Chris was into country music either. He was my fiancee and I didn't know that he somehow knew all of the lyrics of the songs and sang them along with me, Gracie, Maggie and Audrey.

The concert was a hoot. During the middle of a set, Tim called Chris, Maggie, Audrey, Gracie and I up onto the stage. The six of us danced and sang along to the lyrics of the song for the rest of the night. Some of the girls that were sitting near us kept giving me the evil eye as if I had done something wrong. After the show, all of us went backstage and hung out until I couldn't keep my eyes open anymore. I fell asleep on the couch backstage after I received everyone's phone numbers. I fell asleep lying on Chris with my head in his lap and my feet across Tim's lap. He was slowly turning into another big brother even though I've only known him a day.He was tons of fun, and so was his family and crew. Touring seemed more like a party every night rather than a job to them. It seemed like a lot of fun.

Before I fell asleep, another good looking man walked into the room. He immediately looked familiar but I couldn't put a name to his face. After a few minutes, I finally realized who it was. It was Hunter Hayes. I was also a big fan of his. I knew all of his songs as well as Tim's.

"Hunter! Long time man!" Chris stood from the couch and gave him a 'man hug'.

"Yeah great to see you Chris! And who is this?" He asked gesturing towards me.

"This is my fiancee Nicole. Nicole, this is Hunter Hayes"

"Nice to meet you" I smiled.

"You too" he said.

"What are you doing on Tim's tour? I thought you were opening for Lady A" Chris said.

"Yeah I was. Well, Hillary had to stay home with the baby so we had to postpone a few of our shows. I am gonna play some shows with Tim until his tour's over"

"Aw it would've been great to see you play" I said.

"Well we can all play now if that's okay with everyone" he said.

"That would be awesome!" I squealed.

"Yeah absolutely, I'll grab my guitar!" Tim said "want one Chris?"

"Yeah dude I wouldn't miss out on a good jam session!" Chris laughed.

"Whoa whoa whoa. You play the guitar?" I asked Chris.

"Yeah...I thought you knew" he said.

"No, you never told me"

"Well, maybe that's because I haven't played since mum and dad died"

I gave him a hug. He needed one. Just then, Tim walked in with the guitars and handed one to Chris. I happily bounced on the couch and crossed my legs looking over at Chris, Hunter and Tim, excitedly awaiting the performance that they were about to give.

They played some of Hunter's songs, and some of Tim's songs. Everyone sang along to 'I Want Crazy', 'Wanted', 'Whatcha Gonna Do', and 'Wild Card'. Along with "Shotgun Rider', 'Diamond Rings and Old Barstools', 'Live Like You Were Dying' and 'Meanwhile Back at Mama's'. During 'Meanwhile Back at Mama's' I leaned my head on Chris's shoulder as he was strumming away and singing to the music. I was softly singing along with everyone and I slowly fell asleep on Chris's shoulder.

I woke up in the car on the way home with my phone vibrating in my pocket. It was Hunter.

"How did Hunter get my number?"

"Everyone exchanged numbers and you were asleep so when he asked for it, I gave it to him. And I made sure to gracefully lift you off the couch and kiss you on the forehead because was eyeing you up sweetheart" he took a huge breath after saying this all too fast.

"I love you" I said kissing his cheek.

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YAY this chapter is like, my dream-come-true. I wanna be Tim McGraw's little sister! I want Hunter Hayes to look at me like I'm eye candy. Haha I can keep dreaming. And by the way, I'm sorry if Tim McGraw isn't your cup of tea. I love him and I really wanted to incorporate a real life character into a fictional book.

Well, this chapter is a little longer but I just couldn't find a way to end the chapter any earlier.

Well, keep commenting and voting!

Happy reading!

Eagle_Eye_13 xx