The next morning, Hud drove Aimee Jo to the airport, and they said their goodbyes. On the way up, she’d lectured him on how he should go and visit Lisa and try to work things out with her. She hoped for both their sake, he listened.
The audition was tomorrow, but she no longer cared. It didn’t mean that she was giving up her dream of becoming a singer. She would just have to find another way, that’s all. She missed Luke something terrible, and she hoped Hud was right about him just being stubborn.
She thought about her asphalt cowboy and the days they’d shared together. Even though he denied it, he was her Prince Charming. Suddenly, the wonderful words to the song hit her. She dug in her bag and pulled out her notebook and pen. The song in her head would finally have words coming from her heart. At the top of the page she wrote the title, “Asphalt Cowboy’s Girl.”
After a five-hour flight, she rented a car and met Trooper Stephens at his station. He happily gave her the money and the rest of her belongings. He invited her to come for dinner and meet his wife and daughter, but she took a rain check. She wanted to hurry to go see Luke and the trooper understood. Once again, she thanked him and she was off to find Luke in Geneva.
Luke kissed his mama on the top of her head as he left her sitting by his dad. His dad was sleeping now and she sat there holding his hand. Her loyalty amazed him. He had witnessed time and time again his dad being an ass to her, especially after a night of drinking, but her she sat right beside him, for better or for worse.
Was this what being in love was all about, he wondered. You stood by your partner, no matter what? His thoughts turned to Aimee Jo. He had hated leaving her. The whole flight home he had missed her. Had he fucked up? Had he thrown away something good?
Last night he’d tried to call her, something he’d never done with girls in the past. There had been no answer and it had pained him. He’d wanted to hear her voice, to know that she was okay. He’d left her in the safety of his pal Hud. Would he sound like a jealous boyfriend if he called to check on her? Fuck it, he said to himself and started dialing.
“Speak,” Hud answered, and apparently hadn’t looked to see who was calling.
“Dude, it’s me.”
“Hey, how’s your dad?”
“He’s going to be okay. The doctors want to keep him a few more days.”
“That’s great, man. Happy to hear that.”
“How’s Aimee Jo?” Luke asked, hoping she was not too nervous about the audition.
“Yeah … umm … about that,” Hud said, not sure what he should tell him.
“Hud, what’s going on?” Luke demanded.
“Look, I was going to call you, but you had a lot already to worry about.”
“Did that asshole get out of jail? Did he come after her?” Luke asked as he feared the worse.
“No, dude. You know I wouldn’t let that happen. She left, Luke.”
“What do you mean, she left? Left when?”
“This morning.”
“This morning? Fuck, Hud, and you are just now telling me?”
“Like I said, I didn’t want to worry you.”
“Why did you let her leave?” Luke was pissed. He’d counted on his friend to watch after her.
“She isn’t a prisoner, Luke. I couldn’t stop her.”
“Fuck. Did she say where she was going?”
“I think the answer to that is quite obvious, if you think about it.”
“Why would should come here?”
“Listen, like I told her, ya’ll are made for each other. You were a dipshit for leaving her behind in the first place.”
“I had my reasons.”
“Yeah, and they are stupid reasons. Look, dude, I get it. The open road and relationships, they can be tough, but you two could make it work.”
“Well, she wasn’t jumping at the chance to come back with me.”
“Did you give her a reason too? Did you grab her up and tell her you loved her and tell her to stay with you?” Hud asked.
“No.”
“Exactly.” Hud was happy to get his point across.
“Are you sure she’s okay? You shouldn’t have let her fly out here alone. Did she fly to Dothan?”
“She’s fine. I put her on a plane myself. She flew into Mobile. She said she had to take care of some business there.”
“Mobile?”
“Look, asshole, just call her and leave her a message if you have to. Most importantly, quit being a jackass and tell the girl you love her. If you had done that in the first place, she would be there with you now,” Hud reminded him.
“But why Mobile?”
“Call her,” Hud demanded once again.
“Fine, all right. Thanks for helping her.”
“Anytime. She’s a great girl and if you don’t stop being a fuckboy, you are going to miss out on something good with her. I’m telling you, don’t let this one get away. Girls like her don’t come around very often. Trust me, I know.”
“Thanks, man. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Make sure I get a wedding invitation.” Hud laughed.
“Fuck you. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Later, dude.”
No sooner had he hung up with Hud than Jeanine was calling him. “Hey, kid, what’s up?” He wanted to hurry the brat along so he could call Aimee Jo.
“I’m in the cafeteria. Can you spare a few bucks? I forgot my wallet.”
“Why aren’t you in school right now?”
“We had early dismal. Just get down here, I’m hungry.”
“All right, I’ll be there in a second.” Luke started heading to the cafeteria. His conversation with Hud was still on his mind. If Aimee Jo had left, how come she hadn’t called to tell him? Maybe he hadn’t told her what was in his heart, but then, neither had she. If she would have said she loved him and wanted to be with him, he wouldn’t have turned her down. Not her—she was the only one he would have broken the rules for.
He made it to the cafeteria and finally spotted Jeanine sitting at a table talking with someone. Both of them turned to look at him and his chest tightened. It was her. It was his Aimee Jo. He made his way to her and grabbed her up in his arms, hugging her close to him. They shared a quick, but passionate kiss, before sitting down together.
Luke was about to speak but his kid sister was sitting right there, waiting to hear him declare himself to Aimee Jo.
“Here, take this.” He handed her his wallet. “Go buy something for lunch.”
“Can I go to the mall, instead?” she teased him.
“No, now get,” he said.
Jeanine smiled at both of them before going to the food line.
“Jeanine said your dad is going to be fine,” Aimee Jo said as they both sat down.
“Yeah, he was lucky. How did you know that was my sister?”
“I friended her on Facebook.” She smiled.
“Why did you leave? What about the show? Aren’t the auditions tomorrow?”
“Yes, but it doesn’t matter. It’s not important to me anymore. I have something I want to tell you.”
“No, wait. I need to say this first,” he interrupted her.
“Okay.” She paused and allowed him to go first.
“I was a fool. I should have never left you there with Hud. I should have told you that I loved you and that I want you to be with me. I tried to think of you like all the other women, but the problem is, you are not like the other women and you never were. I was just too dumb to admit that. I love you, Aimee Jo,” he said as he pulled her onto his lap and kissed her.
“I love you too, Luke,” she said as she hugged him close.
“Why do you love me?” he asked her.
“Just because.” She smiled before they kissed again.