Page 114 of Broken on the Mountain
By the time we stumble into Timber Tavern that evening, my feet are killing me and I've talked to approximately eight hundred people about the festival.
The bar is packed—standing room only, with Charlie working the taps and that ancient jukebox in the corner playing something twangy and perfect. The stone fireplace crackles with warmth, and the whole place smells like whiskey and wood smoke.
"There she is!" Charlie calls out when he spots us. "Stone River's newest resident!"
The crowd erupts in cheers, and I can't help but laugh as Chase guides me through the press of bodies toward the bar.
"Up you go," he says, and before I can protest, he's lifting me onto the bar top like I weigh nothing.
"Chase!" I yelp, grabbing his shoulder for balance. "What are you doing?!"
"Speech!" someone shouts.
"You people and your speeches," I mutter, cursing at Chase who's folded his arms across his chest, looking smug as hell.
Charlie hands me a beer, and I take a long sip for courage before addressing the crowd.
"Okay, okay," I say, and the tavern quiets. "So. Summer festival. Who's in?"
The response is overwhelming and pretty soon, I'm outlining the plan.
I can’t help but smile as I look around. This place, this life, it feelsright. For the first time in forever, I’m not just going through the motions, pretending to be someone I’m not.
Here, in Stone River, I’m allowed to be Piper. Messy, imperfect, and all.
I glance over at Chase, who’s leaning against the bar with that crooked grin of his. He knows. He sees me, the real me, and he still wants me. The thought makes my chest ache withsomething that’s not just love, but a kind of gratitude I’ve never felt before.
Chicago will soon feel like a memory, a life I lived for other people, not for myself.
This? This is what I’ve been missing. This is where I belong.
Behind me, Charlie tacks my crooked poster to his bulletin board, right next to theCome for the beer, stay for the gossipsign.
"We'll need volunteers," I continue. "For setup, for staffing booths, for cleanup. This only works if we all pitch in."
"I'm in," Travis calls out.
"Me too," says a woman with dark hair. She's tucked under Knox's arm, looking up at him with obvious affection.
Um. When didthathappen?! Who the hell isshe?!
Knox catches me staring and grins, raising his glass and winking like he's going to be the next one Etta and Mabel set their romantic sights on.
"To Piper," he announces. "For choosing Stone River and giving us all a reason to party!"
Chase helps me down from the bar, his hands steady on my waist, and when I'm back on solid ground, he doesn't let go.
"You're amazing," he says, low enough that only I can hear. "You know that?"
"I'm terrified," I admit. "What if I screw this up?"
"Then we'll fix it together." He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. "That's what we do here, Piper. We show up for each other."
Someone cranks up the jukebox, and the crowd shifts toward the makeshift dance floor. Chase pulls me close, swaying even though the song is too fast for slow dancing.
Times blurs, and soon, it's past midnight by the time we stumble back to Chase's apartment.
My suitcases are stacked haphazardly in the entryway, labeled like moving boxes, with my neat handwriting: BOOKS. CLOTHES. KITCHEN STUFF I'LL PROBABLY NEVER USE.
