Another Cold State Line

"Matt?" I couldn't believe it. Was this shit for real? The man I had loved more than anyone else, the man who I thought I would wind up with was standing in front of me. It had been five years since the last time I had seen him, but it was like I had seen him for the first time. He was more handsome than ever with long hair now. I couldn't help that my mouth dropped open a little bit at the sight of this man I would give anything for. So much of me wished I hadn't walked away from him.

Matt smiled softly and hugged me. His scent was still as wonderful as it had been all those years ago. He was so freaking handsome. "It's good to see you, Hayley. We should catch up!"

"Yes, we do." I quickly wrote down my number. "Give me a call sometime. It was good to see you, Matt." I hugged him again, reveling in the feeling of being in his arms again.
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My house was finally coming together. I had it all decorated the way that I wanted and was finally actually putting food into my fridge for the first time. My ranch hands had all moved in and my cattle and horses were where they needed to be. The only thing that could make it better was if I was sharing it with someone I loved.

After seeing Matt today, all I could think about was what would have happened if I had never walked out on him five years ago. If I had stayed with him, we would maybe still be together. I always thought he would be my forever, but I had ruined that by deciding to put myself first for once. Not only I had I left him heartbroken, I had last myself broken and alone. The thing was even though those five years had helped, I still found myself looking over my shoulder for Clay.

Just as I was pulling out the ingredients to start some chili for me and my ranch manager, my phone rang. It made me jump a little since I was so used to it being on silent. During treatment, I had made sure to stay as far away from my phone as possible.

"Hello?" I put the phone between the crook of my neck and shoulder as I opened up the can of beans.

"Hayley?" It was a voice I would recognize anywhere. "I'm just calling to see if you wanted to maybe get some dinner with me, catch up?"

Matt sounded nervous which made me smile. The lead singer I knew never was nervous. "Of course, I would. Where do you want to meet?" I set my beans down and started to put away my chili makings. This could wait for tomorrow. Matt was more important than anything right now.

"Let's meet at Miguel's at 7," Matt said, "Does that work?"

"Sounds wonderful." I hung up. Miguel's was the only nice restaurant in town which meant I should wear something other than my normal jeans and button down tonight. I might even do my hair and put on some makeup.
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Seven rolled around and Matt parked his truck just as I stepped out of my car. He looked handsome in a button down shirt and some black jeans. I was so used to him in a cut off band shirt that I actually gasped when I saw him.

"You look really nice, Matt." I smiled at him, tucking my hair behind my ear.

"I think you've left me speechless." Matt started at my white skirt and purple tank top. Since the last time he saw me, I had actually went out and got some tattoos. I had a sleeve and a half and was working on finishing up some pieces to cover up the scars Clay had given me.

"Well, thank you." Matt nodded and guided me into the restaurant, even pulling my chair out as we sat down.

It was so weird to be on a date. I hadn't dated in so long that it felt like this was actually a joke. But once we had ordered a margarita, some chips, and pork tamales, I was feeling so much better. The only thing that would have made this date perfect if Matt and I had been together and not just run into each other.

"I didn't expect to see you here," I said, playing with the straw to my drink.

"Yeah." Matt rubbed the back of his neck. "I didn't really expect to see you either. I thought you moved up north to clear your head."

"I did."

His hazel eyes met mine. "For five years? Hayley, we never really talked about that, but you just left me. I know you needed to see who you were, but that hurt. I... I was in love with you."

"I know, Matt. You have no idea how much I regretted it. While being in Montana helped me, it would have only been better had you been with me. But I could never take you away from your music or your family. Matt, you were born to play music. I only knew barrel racing, and it was something I never loved after what Clay did. I needed to find myself without a man there."

Those dimples flashed. "I hope you did, Hayley. You know, I thought about you a lot. After Jimmy died--"

"Jimmy died?" My eyebrows crinkled as I stared at the handsome man before me. His brow furrowed and he looked at me. I could see immense sadness in those beautiful eyes. He was so sweet despite the imposing look.

"You hadn't heard?"

I sighed. I never really wanted to tell people what exactly I did in Montana, and I wasn't about to tell anyone now. Even Tina didn't know the full reason I had picked Montana in the first place. "No, Matt, I didn't." I reached out and grabbed his hand. "I am... so, so sorry."

"You know, everyone apologizes when they hear. As nice as that sentiment is, it doesn't change the fact that he's gone. It's been nearly five years now, and it gets easier. But he was my best friend, and I do miss him." He squeezed my hand. "The album after his death really helped us through."

"Oh, Matt. Jimmy was such a great guy. I wish I had been there for you."

"Me too, Hayley." He took a sip of his drink. "But, I don't want to talk about his death. It's still too hard sometimes. What are you doing here?"

I laughed. "I bought a ranch, actually. It's a wonderful little place and perfect for my cattle."

"You do cattle ranching now?"

"Yeah, my bulls are pretty popular in the rodeo circuit right now. A lot of people want sperm. What about you?"

Matt cocked an eyebrow. "Sperm? Jesus, Hayley. I'm here to clear my head before we go back on tour. It's gonna be our first real tour without Jimmy. Sorry, I gotta stop talking about him."

I shook my head. "No, you don't. Matt, he was your best friend. It would be weird if you just pretended like he didn't exist."
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Dinner ended and Matt walked me to my car. "Hayley, I want to see you again. I've missed being around you."

I smiled up at the singer. "That sounds absolutely delightful, Matt. Let's make it happen."

Notes

And so they talk... but it is Hayley so how much drama will happen?