CHAPTER 1

KAYLEE'S POV

I sat there on my back porch with a glass of iced tea in a mason jar, my lyric book in front of me, and guitar on my lap.

'Cause when you're fifteen and somebody tells you they love you

You're gonna believe them

And when you're fifteen

Feeling like there's nothing to figure out

Well count to ten, take it in

This is life before you know who you're gonna be

Fifteen

"Writing another song, Kay?" I heard Beau's voice say from behind me and I stopped playing as I looked over my shoulder to see him coming out onto my back porch.

"You know it, Beau," I said with a smile as I wrote something else down. "Shouldn't you be getting ready for your gig tonight?" I asked as he sat down on the empty chair beside me.

"I'm more than ready," he said with a smirk on his face. "What are you working on?" He asked as he grabbed my songbook.

"A new song. Don't make fun of me, Beau," I said with a small smile as he looked it over.

"Let's hear it," he said as he set my book back down.

"It might be a like shakey. I just wrote it, so go easy on me," I said as I sat up a little and started to play for him.

You take a deep breath and you walk through the doors

It's the morning of your very first day

You say "Hi" to your friends you ain't seen in a while

Try and stay out of everybody's way

It's your freshman year and you're gonna be here

For the next four years in this town

Hoping one of those senior boys will wink at you and say,

"You know I haven't seen you around before."

I sang and glanced over at him as we both smiled at each other. I continued to play for him.

'Cause when you're fifteen and somebody tells you they love you

You're gonna believe them

And when you're fifteen

Feeling like there's nothing to figure out

Well count to ten, take it in

This is life before you know who you're gonna be

Fifteen

"That's all I have for now," I said as I looked over at him. "What did you think?"

"It's good," he said with a smirk. "I like it," he added as our eyes met.

"You're lying," I said with a smile as I set my guitar down and leaned it against the stand beside me.

"Would I ever lie to you?" He asked as I took a sip of my iced tea.

"Possibly," I said as set my jar down on the table in front of me.

"Are you coming out tonight?" He asked as I rested back against the wicker chair I was sitting on.

"I'm thinking about it," I said as I looked over at him.

"You bringing your tag-along with you?" He asked, referring to my boyfriend.

"What do you have against him, Beau?" I asked as I kept looking at him.

"I don't think he's best for you, Kaylee. I have heard not so good things about him," he said as he had a serious look on his face.

"Beau Hutton, are you jealous?" I asked with a small smile on my face.

"I am serious, Kaylee. Come on, now," he said with a slight chuckle. "I have known you for what 10 years? This guy is not good enough for you," he said as he ran his hand through his hair.

"Well, time will tell," I said as I picked my jar up and took another sip of tea.

Later that night, I was in the bathroom doing my make-up. I had convinced Mike, my boyfriend, to go to the place where Beau was playing that night. He wasn't too thrilled about it, but I wanted to be there to support Beau.

"Are you about ready to go yet?" I heard Mike ask from the doorway and I looked over to see him standing there with a beer in his hand.

"Almost," I answered as I applied some more mascara.

"I want to get this over with already," he said as I finished up my make-up and put everything away.

I had to decided to curl my hair, just at the ends, and wore a pink and blue plaid top, a white tank top under that, and jean cut-off shorts. I walked out of the bathroom and went into our bedroom where I slipped on my pink cowboy boots. I grabbed my purse from the bed and headed out to where Mike was.

"I'm ready," I said with a small smile and I followed out of the house behind him.

We walked out to his pickup truck and I got in as he started it up. He pulled out of the driveway and started down the dirt road, heading towards The Stage.

"I don't know how long we're going to stay here tonight," he said as he continued to drive.

"Well, I would like to watch Beau's set," I said as I looked over at him.

"We'll see," he said as he tightened his grip on the steering wheel.

Mike didn't like when I mentioned Beau's or any other guy's name. He wanted me for himself and that was it. He didn't really want me having guy friends, but I wasn't going to let him ruin my life like that.

We arrived at the bar a short time later and I could see Beau's blue truck sitting in the parking lot. Mike parked in an empty spot and we both got out as we started to walk towards the entrance. I looked over as saw Beau and his band mates outside having a smoke. Beau saw me walking in and I quickly waved at him with a smile so that Mike wouldn't see me. He smiled and waved back before we walked into the bar.

"I need a beer," Mike said as he immediately headed over to the bar and I followed behind him. "Two beers," he said as he took his money out and I looked around. "Here," he said as he held one out to me.

"Thanks," I said as I took it and sipped it.

We made our way over to an empty table and I set my purse down as I sat down on the chair. Mike sat down beside me and I looked over at the stage to see Beau's band getting set up. I scanned the room and saw Beau standing over by the doorway. We made eye contact and both smiled at each other.

"How's everyone doing tonight?" I heard a guy ask on stage and I brought my attention over to him. "I said how's everyone doing tonight?" He asked into the mic and people started to clap and cheer. "We have a special guest tonight to perform for y'all. His name is Beau Hutton," he said and everyone started to clap and cheer again as I smiled and clapped my hands along with them. "Give it up, for Beau Hutton!" The guy shouted into the mic and I smiled as I stood up and clapped my hands for him.

"How's everyone doin' tonight?" Beau said with a smile as soon as got on stage. "My name is Beau Hutton and this is my band," he said as he motioned to the rest of the guys. "When I was a little boy, my mom used to play a portion of Merle Haggard every night before bed. Her favorite song was Silver Wings, so I figured I'd surprise her and learned how to play it," he started to say and I smiled as I continued to stand there. "And I played that song day and night until my fingers bled," he said and chuckled slightly. "Finally, when I sat her down to play it, she waited til I was finished and then she said that Merle sings it better, to keep trying," he said and I chuckled to myself. "So, I guess I will," he said and the band started to play.

"Come dance with me," I said as I looked over at Mike and reached my hand out to him.

Silver wings

Shine in the sunlight.

Mike and I walked over to the dance floor and I placed one hand on his shoulder and used my other hand to hold his.

Roaring engines

Heading somewhere in flight.

They're taking you away.

Leavin me lonely.

Silver wings

Slowly fadin outta sight.

I glanced over at Beau and we both smiled at each other and he continued to sing.

Don't leave me I cry.

Don't take that airplane ride.

But you locked me out of your mind.

Left me standin here behind.

Mike and I continued to sway along with the music.

Silver wings

Shine in the sunlight.

Roaring engines

Heading somewhere in flight.

They're taking you away.

Leavin me lonely.

Silver wings

Slowly fadin outta sight.

The band continued to play as we continued to dance to the music. I looked over at Beau again and we both smiled at each other as we made eye contact.

Silver wings

Shine in the sunlight.

Roaring engines

Heading somewhere in flight.

They're taking you away.

Leavin me lonely.

Silver wings

Slowly fadin outta sight.

Silver wings

Slowly fadin out of sight.

Slowly fadin out of sight.

Slowly fadin out of sight.

The guys finished playing the song and we stopped dancing. I stood there and clapped my hands along with everyone else before we made our way back over to our table.

"Thank you," Beau said into the mic as we sat back down at our table. "This next song is another new one. Hope y'all like it," he said and started to play as I took a sip from my bottle.

"Do we really have to sit here and listen to his? I'd rather be at home," Mike said before he started to chug from his bottle.

"Mike, he's only gonna sing one more song and then we can go, if ya want," I said as I glanced over at him.

Once Beau and his band was finished playing, he hopped down off the stage and made his way to the back of the bar to get a beer.

"Can we go now?" Mike slurred as he looked over at me.

"Yeah, I just want to say bye to Beau," I said as I grabbed my purse and walked over to where Beau was.

I stood there while a couple of girls said their hello's to him, but when he saw me, he walked towards me, causing the girls to head back to the dance floor.

"What'd ya think?" He asked with a smirk on his face as he held his beer in his hand.

"Not bad," I said with a smile.

"Maybe you can come up there with me next time," he said before he took a drink of his beer.

"Maybe," I said with a smile.

"Kaylee, I'm ready," Mike slurred from behind me and we looked at him to see him holding himself up at the bar.

"Well, I just wanted to say bye before I left. I guess I'll see ya later," I said and went to give him a hug.

"Be careful," Beau quietly said into my ear as he hugged me.

"Always am," I said with a small smile as I pulled back from him. "Bye, Beau," I said as I turned and walked away from him.

Mike and I walked out of the bar together and headed over to his truck. We both got in and he pulled out of the parking lot. As we started down the dirt road, he turned the radio on.

"Now...this...is real country music. Not that crap that your so called friend plays," he said as he swerved on the road.

"Mike, just pay attention to the road please," I said as I watched the road for him.

"Chill, babe. No one is out," he said as he started to swerve back and forth.

"Mike, stop," I said as I looked out my window and couldn't wait until we got back to the house.

We arrived at the house a short time later and once Mike got the truck parked, I got out and headed inside. I immediately walked back to our bedroom and kicked off my boots.

"Time to have some fun," Mike said as he grabbed my waist and tried to pull me to the bed with him.

"Mike," I said as I tried to get out of his grasp. "Mike, stop," I said and he ended up falling down to the floor.

He layed there and started to laugh as I looked down at him.

"You're such a tease," he said as he stared up at the ceiling.

"And you're such a drunk," I said as I started to take my jewelry off.

"What the hell did you just say?" He asked as he started to sit up on the floor.

"Nothing," I said as I took my necklace off and placed it on top of my dresser.

"No," he said as he got up from the floor. "What the hell did you just say about me?" He asked as he got closer to me.

I looked up in the mirror and saw his reflection. He had an evil look on his face.

"Nothing, Mike," I quietly said and he roughly grabbed my and turned me towards him, causing me to yelp.

"You said something," he said as he looked into my eyes.

"I said...you're a drunk," I quietly said in a terrified voice.

He strengthened his grip on my arm, causing me to wince.

"Don't you...ever...say anything like that again. Do you hear me?" He asked as he got into my face and I nodded my head.

He let go of my arm and I brought my hand over to the spot that he was holding as I rubbed it. He had never scared me like that before. Maybe that was what Beau was referring to about Mike not being a good guy.