Chapter Ten

Ever since I left Whiskey, I soon became almost inconsolable. I was beating myself up over the decision I made. God, it was the worst decision I had made in all of my twenty-one years of living. Why did I choose to go instead of stay? Why? I knew that I had to do what was best for me, but the only thing that seemed like it was the best for me was Whiskey. He made me feel like a changed person. A person who was ready to accept their guilt and accept who I really was. He made me feel satisfied that I was getting through life just fine.

If it hadn't been for him, I would've been left struggling in ruin for the rest of my life.

When I first met the charming cowboy Whiskey, I was still struggling with the grief of what happened to poor Devin. I was struggling with love at the time, being unsure if I was ready to fall in love when I just suffered the biggest heartbreak anyone could ever feel.

Now, I had made acquaintances with a whole new kind of heartbreak.

As I arrived in D.C, I knew that it might've been too late to turn back already. The pain was too overwhelming. I couldn't join the Secret Service and spend an eternity trying to put Whiskey out of my mind. I love him too goddamn much to ever forget him. I had to go back, but what would the president think? Would he think that I was a selfish human being who didn't want to do their willful duty to their country? Or will he be reasonable with me?

While I was in D.C, I couldn't help but keep in touch with an overwhelming feeling. Something that made me uncomfortable and unsafe. Without Whiskey being at my side, I was uncomfortable and couldn't function worth a shit. I was basically inconsolable. No one would be able to lift me up. Even if everyone in the world tried to, they would do it to no avail. Only Whiskey would be that person—-that treasure—that would lift me up. Even in the darkest moments of my life, he would be my rock that would support me and lift me up to my very best level.

The president showed me around the White House, giving me exquisite details about each and every part of the historically wonderful landmark. After showing me into the Oval Office, I sat down on one of the couches as he sat across from me. I was on edge, mainly because I was:

One, in an unfamiliar place, AND

Two, I was not sticking to Whiskey's side.

The president rambled off the duties of the Secret Service, including the benefits, requirements, and risks being involved. I only picked up on half the words he was spewing out because my mind was wandering elsewhere. I rose up from the seat abruptly, which shocked the president.

"I'm sorry, Mr. President," I said. "I can't."

"What are you saying?" he asked.

"I can't do this. I can't be in the Secret Service," I confessed. "Over the course of the mission that I was on, I not only found my true calling but also fell madly in love with Agent Whiskey. My true calling is the Statesman, and I see myself working up the ladder at that level."

The president nodded, acknowledging my confession.

"You can go ahead and give this opportunity to someone else. Someone who deserves the work. Someone who has the drive and motivation to put their life on the line for their country and their president," I added.

"I appreciate your honesty and good will, as well as your willingness to give this opening to someone else more deserving than you," the president said, shaking my hand firmly. "No matter what, though, you're still a national hero in my eyes. And I hope the rest of the world sees that, as well."

I nodded. "Thank you."

"I'll send a jet to fly you back to Lynchburg. Agent Whiskey will be more than happy to see you."

"I bet that he will," I said.

And so, I was off back to Lynchburg, awaiting for the moment to reunite with Whiskey.

* * * * * * * * * *

Excitement riddled my body as I arrived back in Lynchburg. I would constantly imagine Whiskey's reaction to when he saw me at that front door. Maybe it was excitement. Maybe he would let the happy tears stream out of his eyes. I had no way of knowing for sure, but I knew one thing definitely. He was going to be very thrilled to see me, and he would welcome me back with the most open arms anyone can have.

From a reasonable distance, I used my binoculars to peer into the window of the conference room, and what I saw made my heart cry. Whiskey was standing at the window, looking out of it with morose eyes. He was on the verge of crying as he appeared almost heartbroken. He was acting like me. It was then I realized that he couldn't live without me. I had impacted his life in an indescribable way, and it made my heart happy knowing that I did that for someone.

Clad in a green leather jacket, blue denim jeans, and my favorite black cowgirl boots, I confidently walked up to the front door and knocked firmly four times. I backed up a few feet so I could be ten feet away from the door, and so Whiskey could see me clearly. It took a few minutes of what seemed like nothing before the door cracked open. There, I saw Whiskey, this time with hopeful eyes instead of heartbroken ones. He looked around for a bit, apparently missing me clearly.

Then, he and I locked eyes, and our worlds collided once again.

HIs jaw dropped, and the corners of his mouth pointed upward. He was happy. He was the happiest I've seen him in a long time, and it made my heart sing with the utmost joy. Seeing him so euphoric made me happy.

"Hey, cowboy," I said. "Did you really think I was gonna leave ya hangin' like this?"

"So you're stayin' for good?" he asked.

I chuckled. "Hell yeah, I am."

He swung the door open all the way, not shutting it on his way out to me. In a burst of joy, he sprinted toward me and used his strength to pick me up, spinning around in such great exhilaration. We held onto each other tightly as we stopped spinning around, not wanting to let each other go again. Not wanting to be put down, I wrapped my legs around his waist, making damn sure that I was secure in his grasp.

"So you ain't ever leavin'?" he asked, gaining his breath back little by little.

"Like you said a while ago," I said. "I don't ever intend on leaving."

His smile widened with the biggest ebullience I've ever seen personified. He was the happiest I'd ever seen him. Then again, he was keeping his joy relatively under control.

As I allowed him to run one of his hands through my long brown hair, his lips softly brushed against my own. I could feel the familiar soft, vaguely warm breath escape from Whiskey, as well as a subtle scent of whiskey. It made me feel safe, and it brought me back to my second home.

Eventually, he managed to muster up the courage to build off of brushing against my lips. Instead, he firmly—and intentionally—twisted his fingers into my hair, pulling me closer to him. With authority, Whiskey forcefully pulled me into him as we engaged ourselves in a long, fiery kiss that sent my heart fluttering with joy. I was swooning for him. I had been since I first encountered Whiskey, really.

When I first met him, I was so afraid of falling in love. I was afraid of committing to a hefty responsibility. Committing to a continuation in my life, even. Grief had forced me to remain fixated on the past and not move on. Now that Whiskey whisked into my life in a way that I least expected, I now have the confidence to move on and continue to make my whole family—especially my twin brother—proud. If it wasn't for Whiskey, then where the hell would I be now?

Probably off crying myself to sleep every night, thinking about the tragedy that broke me.

But now, I don't have to do that because of Whiskey and his charming personality. He made me feel safe and comfortable with being who I am today. I was finally able to become comfortable in my own skin, thanks to him.

Even though Whiskey and I have to go on the run from the monstrous asshole known as Balor Devlin, I'm glad to be going on the run with him…because I'd have the rest of my life to fall head over heels for him time and time again.

Like my daddy would tell me:

Life will never not be perfect. There's always something that's gonna come along and try to send you back, but you can't let that stop ya. Do whatever you think is going to propel you forward. Lean on people who are going to raise you up when you're at your lowest point. They're gonna help you to recognize these setbacks and consequences and keep moving along in the roller coaster known as life.

No matter what you tell me about my private love life, the man that I believe is perfect for being my perfect prince—my rock— as well as spending the rest of my life with is Whiskey. It will always be Whiskey.