Staring at the Sun - Jason Aldean

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CHARLIE

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It was getting colder day by day; we were officially in fall. October came so quickly; I don't even remember September. It seems the days pass so quickly when I'm enjoying life.

Apple season was upon us; more tourists were coming to Ellijay daily, and my family needed every bit of help they could get. They were selling more apples than they were picking.

Everyone heard about the poisoning. Those two orchards were found guilty on multiple accounts. If they thought they were hurting for business, they are as hell are now.

I hadn't heard any update from Troy or the others. We aren't sure if they still sat in a jail cell or if they are watching our every move.

After a fresh coat of paint on the apple barn and two hundred more apple trees shipped from all over the United States, our farm was headed in the right direction. The entire community warmed the attacked orchards with donations and helped in removing the poisoned trees.

People didn't seem concerned about us selling poisoned apples, which we weren't. My parents closed off that section of the orchard to be positive there would be no surprises if any more were to die. We thoroughly inspected almost every damn tree on these hundred acres to be positive there was no more damage.

Colt and my dad seemed to be bonding. He has been a huge help the past few weeks in getting the farm ready. Makes me love him even more.

This weekend was the anniversary of when we met, which means we were headed to the Luke Combs concert in Alabama. I was beyond excited because Knox and Brooke were coming too.

My father was taking care of Lucky and the animals for us while we were away. He wanted to know what his life would be like if he could have owned an animal farm instead of an apple farm. I know he will hate it the moment he has to muck out Major's stall. He's a filthy pig. He shits in his water bucket and pees on his hay. He definitely does it on purpose to keep us in check.

It will be nice to get away for the weekend. We are staying at Knox's farm. Colt said we could sleep in his old apartment above the barn, but he hasn't returned since the accident. I honestly was surprised he even suggested it. Personally, I'd rather stay in there than in the house with the screaming baby. It's up to Colt.

The leaves began to change as we drove past them, leaving the Georgia Mountains. I honestly didn't want to leave. I've grown to love my small town since Colt moved here. I fell in love with it again. I wanted nothing more than to get the hell away from here and move to the big city since I started high school. But now, all I want to do is make Colt turn the truck around and take me back home, where we can ride and be free.

"Do you think you could ever ride English?" Colt asks randomly as he drives.

"Like jumping?"

He shrugged, "Yeah. I dunno; I was watching some videos from the Olympics last night. It looks interesting."

"I think I could jump, but definitely nothing like they do in the Olympics. Maybe over a small log."

"Ember seems to like jumping over things. I watched her jump over the creek the other day. She did it a few times. I think she was enjoying herself."

"Colt, no offense, but I would laugh if I ever saw you in an English saddle."

"It was just a thought, Charlie. No need to be critical," he sneered.

I ran my fingers up his arm, "Although I would pay good money to see you in a pair of tight-fitting breeches. God, the girls would go wild."

"Maybe I'll dress up like that for Halloween."

"Colt, I will give you twenty bucks and a blowjob if you do it."

"Tempting."

We joked the rest of the way to Montgomery and soon enough pulled into Knox's farm. We find Brooke and Knox in the yard, sitting on a blanket with Bella. They looked happy together—their beautiful family. We walked over to them silently, trying not to wake Bella.

They both stand, leaving the sleeping baby on the blanket. "You excited for tonight?" Brooke asks, pulling me in a side hug.

I nod eagerly, "So excited. Can I get ready with you in your room?"

"Always. It'll be like old times. I told Knox we should go to the bar afterward. I guess it depends on how tired I am after the concert." Like old times. College didn't end long ago, just a short five months ago. She hadn't been able to enjoy the old times since a year ago before she got pregnant. "Are you staying in the house?"

I turn to look to Colt, who is talking to Knox, "I think he wanted to try out the apartment. So we may try it and see how trashed Levi has made it."

She laughs, "He sure isn't as clean as Colt, that's for damn sure."

Colt walks over to us, grabbing my hand and pulling me away, "Uh, okay. See you in a bit!" He drags me towards the barn with a soft smile. "What are you doing?"

"I gotta get it over with, Char. And I don't wanna do it alone." I don't know why I asked. I knew exactly why he was dragging me over towards the barn.

We take the first step into the barn, our feet hitting the concrete floor. I took a breath, leaning into Colt. The memories that were held here. I loved the smell of barns. The mixture of the shavings, wood, hay, dirt, and shit made it smell homey, just like our barn in Georgia.

We continued to walk inside the barn, Colt leading me to where Diesel's stall was. It had been replaced with a new horse. All that was left was the memories of seeing him peek his head out the window. I remember him nickering every time he saw Colt. Those two loved each other to death.

Colt runs his fingers along the wood, patting it once and stepping away. He walks away, not saying anything, and heads for the loft apartment upstairs. He knocks once before twisting the knob, stepping inside. "Holy fuck," he mutters as he walks inside.

Levi had trashed the place, to say the least. Trash littered across the rooms, smelling like the manure pile downstairs. I choke on the smell, coughing. "Levi?" Colt calls out.

"In the bedroom," he shouts. We follow him into Colt's old bedroom, where Colt slaps the hat off his head, "Nice to see you too, Colton."

"Levi, it smells like fuckin' ass in here. Why are you living like a roach?"

The ends of his lips curve up, "This is just how I live, buddy."

"Do you like not know how to clean?" I ask.

"Yes, Charlie, I know how to clean, thanks. Haven't had time."

Colt pats Levi on the shoulder before walking out of the bedroom, "Yeah, we will stay in the house. Jesus Christ."

I almost wanted to grab a trash bag and dump everything into it, but the smell was overbearing, so I ran to the door, threw it open, and exhaled once the fresh air hit me. We find Knox and Brooke in the yard still, watching us come out of the barn. "Couldn't stand it, could ya?" Knox jokes.

"Dude, what the hell?" Colt rolls his eyes. "He needs to be evicted. It can't be safe to live in there."

"We've tried to get him to clean. He won't."

"Okay, whatever," Brooke says, grabbing my hand, "We are going to get ready. Knox and Colt, you're on Bella duty."

She drags into the house, which is cleaned immaculently. I know it's because of Brooke; she doesn't have much to do besides clean. I wish she would get a job and leave here for a few hours a week, but that's not my business.

I open my bag with all my clothes, grabbing the outfit I brought to wear. It was a white jumpsuit, and I paired it with a western chain around my waist. I took my hair out of the French Braids, letting the tight curls fall down my back. I did my makeup and was ready within thirty minutes since I didn't have to do my hair.

I waited for Brooke to be done, then found Colt on the porch with Bella in his arms. He wore what he drove here in jeans and a black Carhartt polo. He looked adorable with the baby in his arms. He looked up at me, smiling, "Well, don't you just look beautiful."

I grin back, rubbing my thumb along Bella's short, dark hair. She had Brooke's hair, for sure. It was already darker than Knox's light brown. "You holding her makes me want one."

"You say that every time I hold her."

"And every time, it makes it harder to continue taking my birth control pills."

"Yeah, but if I were the one to throw your pills away, you'd be mad."

I roll my eyes as Knox's mom, Brooke, and Knox come out of the house. His mom reaches for Bella, "Time to eat, baby girl." Colt hands her over. "Y'all best get goin' unless you wanna be late."

We begin to walk towards Knox's truck, where we are all riding together. He pulled the short straw of being the designated driver since he had horse duty in the morning. It'll be nice not to get up so early for one day.

The drive to the stadium wasn't too long. I'm sure Brooke and I were annoying the piss out of the boys, though.

We find our seats when we arrive and wait for Luke Combs to arrive. He brings out Lainey Wilson, who is so good live by the way, and Riley Green, who is so damn hot.

When Luke finally comes out and begins to perform, I dedicate all the love songs to Colt and me.