Cold State Line

Haylee was by far one of the sweetest and cutest women I had ever met. She and her friend had taken us all over the fair, hitting up their favorite rides and taking us to get tasty treats between the rides.

"Where to next?" Jimmy asked. The guy was on a high. It was like when he'd first smoked a joint back in high school. Jimmy got hyper not the munchies like I did. He was absolutely enjoying the fair.

"Well, the rodeo is closing up," Anna said, smiling at him. "But we can do one last ride: the Ferris Wheel."

The other guys ran ahead with Anna while Haylee and I hung back. She smiled at me, and forth the hundredth time that night, I was amazed by how bright and beautiful her smile was.

"Any reason we're lollygagging?" I asked.

"I hate heights."

I smirked at her. This was perfect. "Don't worry... I'll hold your hand if I have to."

"Promise?" She actually sounded concerned.

I nodded and took her hand as we hopped in line behind the others. Zacky and Anna had paired up, leaving Johnny, Brian, and Jimmy to one carriage and Haylee and me to the last open one. As we climbed in, I realized how cliched this was. How many people had dates on a Ferris Wheel? We weren't in the fucking Notebook.

"Why are you making a face?" Haylee squeezed my hand as the ride took off.

"Just realized how stupid Ferris Wheel dates are."

She quirked an eyebrow at me. "Is this a date, Matt?"

I rubbed the back of my head sheepishly. Oh shit, what I had I just done? "Um... yes?"

Before she could answer, the ride took off. We were shooting into the sky, high above the fairgrounds. Everything looked so small from up here. I could even see the horse stables, and those big guys looked like toy ponies. Haylee's grip on my hand tightened as we reached the zenith and then went back done.

The stars were bright. I suddenly understood that song "Deep in the Heart of Texas." The stars at night are big and bright... how accurate could George Straight be? Without mountains or smog, everything seemed so much bigger here. Chuckling, I realized why they said "everything's bigger in Texas."

"Why are you laughing?" Haylee looked up at me.

"Everything really is bigger here. Don't tell the others I said that."

She laughed and then gasped as the ride stopped at the top. "Ugh, I want off. This fucking sucks."

I held onto her hand. "What usually helps you calm down?"

"Music."

I squeezed her hand. Good thing she got stuck up here with the lead singer of a band. Although, she was so cute, even if I couldn't sing, I would sing to her. She seemed to really hate heights.

"Her hazel-green tinted eyes..." I began singing softly.

Haylee's eyes connected with mine, recognition finally lighting up in her eyes. I couldn't believe it had taken this long for her to realize I sang the song she barrel raced to. The ride moved again as I finished the second verse. Haylee kept staring at me in awe.

"You remind me of someone..." she tapped her chin. "I can't place my finger on who."

Licking my lips, I helped her out of the carriage. "Truth be told, I am a singer. The guys and I are in a band... we're kind of famous."

Haylee took my hand again as we followed after the others. Anna was leading us out of the fair and back to the parking lot. "What are you doing in Houston?"

"We were performing earlier tonight. Normally, we do night concerts, but we wanted to be up early tomorrow. We're going to Dallas."

Her brow raised again. "Dallas also has a rodeo." She winked at me. "What band?"

"I thought you would have recognized us. You use our song for your race."

Haylee's smile dropped off her face as she stopped walking. She looked at me like I was crazy. "Avenged Sevenfold???"

I nodded but couldn't speak before she was pacing and talking again.

"So, you're M. Shadows?"

"Yes. Is that okay?" Flashing my dimples, I really hoped it would be. She was cute, and I needed a girl... a woman... to be okay with my fame for once. Val didn't like that I was getting famous and not able to be around her. And then every other girl seemed only interested in being fucked by a rock star. It was total bullshit.

"Yeah, it is. Now let's catch up with y'all's friends." She held her hand out to me. So far, so good. But it's not like this would last.

Notes

New chapter. What's gonna happen?

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