“Thanks,” I reply, walking away before I do something impulsive.“It was nice to see you.”
“Bye,” he says as I hurry out of the shop, dodging furniture and displays in my rush for fresh air.Once I am out the door and back onto the quiet street, I stop and take a deep breath with my eyes closed before exhaling slowly.
“Are you alright?”Kelly asks, walking over to me.
“Yes, I’m fine,” I respond, pushing down my feelings.This is not the time to dwell on the past.Chase belongs there, and that’s where he should stay.
CHAPTERSIX
Chase
Fuck me.
I stare at the gallery door, still in shock after Bayleigh’s departure.I had known it would be strange to have her back in town, but I never expected to keep running into her like this.And each time, she affects me deeply.
We are no longer kids.We have both grown into adults and are living our own separate lives She shouldn’t still have such a strong hold over me.
Growing up I only had eyes for Bayleigh.No other girl could compare to her when it came to her beauty, intelligence, and passion for music.We were only ten when she announced we were starting a band, and she gave me the choice of playing guitar or drums.Guitar seemed like the easier and cheaper option, so I learned it.But practicing never felt like a chore because I loved the instrument and loved playing alongside her as she sang.Making music together felt like the most natural thing in the world, and even when her little sister Harper joined us, I didn’t mind sharing the stage.With Bayleigh’s soprano and Harper’s alto voice blending perfectly together, they turned heads whenever they performed.It was clear their talent ran in the family.
Then they asked me to harmonize as well.It added another dimension to our music, taking us to new heights of seriousness.We began dreaming about our future musical careers, confident that success was within reach.With every performance and practice session, we inched closer towards our goals.But then it all fell apart.In the blink of an eye, everything changed.One moment was all it took.One single moment to shatter our dreams.
I survey the store, filled with my handmade wooden creations.It had started as a way to keep myself busy after I stopped playing music, but it quickly turned into a passion.People began commissioning pieces from me and before I knew it, woodworking had become my main source of income.Then my dad passed away and everything changed.My mom had wanted to sell the ranch multiple times, even receiving a generous offer once.But the thought of losing this stable childhood home is unbearable to me.I moved back to the ranch and now, I divide my time between hard labor and solitary days and nights in the barn, creating new pieces.Each one holds memories of Bayleigh, which I keep close to my heart.
The images on the woodwork, whether they result from her music playing on the radio or just remind me of that first carving I made her long ago, always bring her to mind.Our bond had been unbreakable, even after we were physically separated.I can’t help but wonder if she felt the same way.That undeniable chemistry and connection that we shared had seemed timeless.Although she had moved on with her new life in Nashville, social media made it difficult for me to not keep up with her career.I listened to her first single, watched her make her debut at a big show, and celebrated when she played at the Grand Ole Opry for the first time.Her journey has been like a reality TV show, with all its highs and lows broadcasted for everyone to see.Her name is constantly making headlines in town.
I don’t envy her all the publicity; I value my privacy too much.While she is under constant scrutiny, I can do whatever I want without anyone reporting on it.But if we had followed through with our plans for the future, I would have faced the same level of scrutiny she has.
We might have still been together now, enduring everything side by side.
Sometimes I wonder what it would have been like if she hadn’t left.If she would have allowed me to be in her life.Maybe she wouldn’t have turned to drinking and drugs.Would she have needed to escape the pain?I run my hand through my hair, lost in thoughts of what could have been.But dwelling on the past won’t change anything; all I can do is focus on the present.Whatever happened was meant to happen, whether it was part of a greater plan or just random chance.
I pick up the local newspaper that arrived that morning and see a photo on the front page of Bayleigh on stage at Monty’s last night.In the picture, I am behind her, playing guitar.I briefly wonder if anyone could tell there was tension between us from watching our performance.Just seeing the picture makes my heart race a little faster.
The headline, printed in big black letters at the top, reads, “Local songstress plays old haunt.”
I pull up a stool and sit down to read the article.Might as well torture myself some more.
Grammy-winning country artist Bayleigh Gilmore returned to Sweetgum Valley this week ahead of her upcoming drought-relief charity concert this coming Saturday.
Locals and visiting tourists at Monty’s last night were treated to an impromptu performance which reunited the star with her childhood sweetheart and bandmate, Chase Tutton.
Ms.Gilmore, daughter to Marilyn and Paul Gilmore, was born in Sweetgum Valley and attended the local schools until her move to Nashville when she was sixteen years old.The star hasn’t been seen in town since, but with such a busy career, who can blame her?
Bayleigh and Chase are reported to have been inseparable in their childhood and were members of a group which performed at open mic nights and other shows.
Mr.Tutton, owner of Tutton Ranch and part owner of Sweetgum Arts & Crafts, is a talented performer in his own right…
I skim to the bottom of the article before crumpling the paper into a ball and tossing it into the garbage bin beneath my desk.I have no interest in reading about my own past, especially not in such a public forum.I can’t help but wonder how Bayleigh feels when she reads these types of articles, or if her team even allows her to see them.Thankfully, they haven’t mentioned Harper or the real reason Bayleigh left town before graduation.It’s surprising that this story hasn’t made headlines yet; I’ve often wondered how she’s managed to keep it out of the press for so long.But I have no desire to profit from such a personal experience.
The first two years after Bayleigh left were the most difficult.Every day, I went to school not knowing where she was or if I would ever see her again.I grieved as if she had passed away and accepted that she was gone for good.Her parents told me she didn’t want to be found, didn’t want anything to do with our town or its people anymore.So, I learned to live without her, but she had always been my guiding light.Without her, I felt lost.
Right before graduation, I saw her name on a poster for a concert in Nashville.I skipped out on the ceremony and went to see her perform.
As I watched her on stage, there was a sadness in her eyes and a rawness in her voice that hadn’t been there before.It was then that I realized she was on a different path—one that didn’t include me.
So I’d watched her, then left.By the time I’d driven the four hours back to Sweetgum, I’d resolved myself to the idea of living without her.After all, if she wanted me in her life, she knew where I’d be.
And just in case she ever changed her mind, I stayed right here in this town.Exactly where she’d left me.
