Chapter 25

25

Kara

Getting ready for this show has been the most stressful, thrilling, and exhausting time of my life. Every detail has to be perfect, but since I’ve never done anything like this, it feels like putting on an amazing show is next to impossible at times.

Silas and Nikki have been huge helps, and even Lana and Katy have put in their two cents when I share ideas—after they have their homework done. I know asking young kids for advice is not the best business move, but it’s been a huge motivating factor in getting their homework done faster, and I love seeing their excitement about ideas I share.

When Heather told me she bought the whole family tickets to see the concert, I was over the moon, and the girls are counting down the days until the show on their big calendar on the wall.

My parents arrive today, and Silas has a big dinner planned at his place, but first, I need to head to the amphitheater to check on any last-minute changes or details for tomorrow night.

When I arrive, Mike from Sweetwater is standing on the stage, directing others to move some of the equipment to the side so he has more room. He sees me and heads my way.

“Kara, glad you’re here.” He gives me a hug hello.

I’ve worked closely with him and the other band members, and I’m still in awe of the bond we’ve created. They have truly opened their world to me and guided me through things I never would have thought of.

“We’re setting up the stage, and we just want to make sure if we leave these things here, you’ll have enough room to do what you want?” he asks.

I let out a small laugh and shrug my shoulders. “It’s just me until your guys come out, so as long as their equipment is correct, then I’ll be just fine.”

Just the mention of his guys coming out tightens my chest with excitement that I can barely contain. When they offered to play with me, I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. It’s always just been me and my guitar. I didn’t know anyone I could form a full band with when I arrived in Tennessee, and I figured I’d have to prove myself as a singer first. Hearing they believed in me and wanted to show the crowd what I could do with a full band was a moment I will never forget.

We are going to do two songs, one cover and one original. They’ve been so gracious to me as we worked through the original song to get it just right. Their collaboration really added to the song, and we went back and forth, adding key notes they could provide.

The other guys in the band come join us where we’re standing and all give me hugs as their hellos.

“You ready for tomorrow night?” Kurt, the drummer, asks.

My eyes open wide as I inhale a big breath. “As ready as I’ll ever be!”

“You got this,” he responds. “The crowd is going to be eating out of your hands. Don’t you worry.”

“Lord, I hope so.”

“You’ll do just fine,” Marcus, the lead guitarist, says as he nudges me with his arm playfully.

We go over a few more details, and then I leave with a nauseous stomach, full of nerves and anticipation. I honestly don’t know how I’m going to make it through this without throwing up. I’ve never been this nervous before.

I head to Silas’s place to help him get ready for my parents’ arrival.

“Hey, beautiful,” Silas says from the kitchen as I walk through the front door that he left open for me.

“Smells amazing in here,” I say as I walk up to give him a kiss hello.

“Mmm,” he says when I linger a little longer than a quick peck. “Don’t get me all riled up. Your parents will be here shortly.”

“They’re still an hour out. We have time.”

He laughs out loud. “I really don’t want to meet your dad for the first time when all I can think about is how I was just inside his daughter”—he pulls me closer to him—“no matter how tempting that sounds.”

“Yeah, not something I want to think about with my parents here.” I giggle as I push him away. “How can I help?”

He grins as he goes back to getting some seasoning ready to put on the potatoes he has cut and in a baking dish. “Everything is pretty much ready to go.”

“What did you decide on?”

“I have a tri-trip on the smoker with some roasted potatoes, asparagus, and a salad.”

I grab the packages of cranberries and sliced almonds on the counter. “Are these for the salad?”

He kisses my cheek as he walks by me. “Yep. I have blue cheese crumbles in the fridge too.”

“Boy … you went all out, didn’t you? Are you trying to impress them or something?”

“You only get one first impression, so, hell yes, I am. I need them to approve of me dating their daughter, don’t I?”

He’s measuring out the spices into a small bowl, so I walk up behind him and wrap my arms around him.

“I know they’re going to like you. I’m not worried one bit.”

He holds my hand to his stomach. “Glad I have your vote.”

I laugh as I release my grip and grab a glass from his cupboard, then fill it from the receptacle in the fridge. As I take a sip, I sit back and take in the man in front of me. Not only is he super good-looking, but he cooks, and he’s been nothing but supportive of my music. Now, I’m about to introduce him to my parents. This feels like such a big life event, but not one part of me is questioning if this is the right move. Everything about us being together has felt natural since the day we met.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” he asks.

I grin. “Just thinking how lucky I am to have met you.”

He heads toward me, wrapping his arms around my waist and bringing me toward him. “I’m the lucky one.” He kisses me, then turns to leave. “But I don’t want to ruin the meat either.”

I playfully smack his arm as he gives me a sexy grin in response.

Before I know it, I get a text from my mom, saying they are ten minutes out.

I show Silas the text. “You ready for this?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be.” He chuckles.

We do any extra cleanup that is required from cooking and step outside to meet them out front when they arrive.

When they pull up, anticipation gets the best of me, and I run to the car, excited to hug my mom. I haven’t seen them since I moved to Tennessee, and knowing they are coming here to watch me perform causes so much emotion to flow out of me that I can’t help but cry in her arms.

“Hey, sweetie,” Mom says as she hugs me back.

“I’m so glad you guys are here,” I say through my tears.

My dad walks to the passenger side, where we are hugging. “Come over here, baby girl.”

With his words, I cry harder as I hug him as well. “Thank you both for coming.”

“We wouldn’t have missed it for the world. Now, introduce us to this lovely gentleman,” Mom says.

“Sorry.” I step back from them and walk to Silas as I wipe my eyes dry. I hold his hand and say, “Mom, Dad, this is Silas.”

He holds his hand out to my dad first. “Mr. Parsons, it’s great to meet you.”

They shake as my dad replies, “Please, call me John.”

Mom opens her arms wide to Silas. “And I’m Cindy. It’s so nice to finally meet you.”

Silas isn’t shy at all and hugs my mom back as if she were his own.

“Here, come in.” He motions for them to follow us into the house.

“You have a lovely home,” Mom says as she looks around.

“Thank you. I’ve been fixing it up one project at a time. We can head outside. Can I get you anything to drink?”

“I’d love a beer if you have one,” Dad says.

“I’ll just take a water,” Mom replies.

“One beer and a water coming up.”

Silas heads toward the fridge, and I guide them toward the backyard.

“Isn’t this lovely?” Mom stops to look around as I lead them to the couches.

“Yeah, this is his favorite spot.” I take in a breath, loving the fresh air.

“I can see why.” Mom nods, then joins me on the couch, grabbing my hand in hers. “He sure is a handsome fella.”

I laugh out loud. “You totally sounded like Grandma there.”

She shrugs with a smile. “I know. She said that to me when I first brought your dad over to meet them.”

I don’t know why, but this melts my heart so much. I miss my grandparents more than I could ever imagine. They were such a big part of my life, growing up, and I feel like there will forever be a tiny hole in my heart with them gone.

“One beer and a water,” Silas says, handing them to my parents. “I poured you a glass of wine too.” He gives it to me.

“Thank you.” I reach for it, take a sip, and set it down. Normally, I love wine, but something isn’t settling right in my stomach, so I’m not sure how much I’ll be drinking tonight.

We all sit and talk about everything under the moon—from my childhood, to his upbringing, to the concert tomorrow. The night couldn’t be more perfect, and when dinner is ready, we all dive into the tenderest, juiciest meat I’ve ever tasted.

After everyone has eaten, my mom and I get started on the dishes while Silas and my dad head back to the backyard for some guy time.

“You sure didn’t eat much,” Mom says to me as she dumps my half-eaten meal in the trash. “Everything okay?”

I place my hand on my stomach. “It’s just nerves for tomorrow.”

She rubs my shoulder. “Don’t be nervous. I know you’ll do fantastic.” She wraps her arms around me in a hug. “I’m so proud of you. To see you living your dream with your music and finding this wonderful guy just really makes me so happy.”

“Thanks, Mom. It’s been wild for sure. I can’t believe all of it happened so fast—and basically at the same time.” I take a deep breath. “I’m just trying to remember to breathe through it all.”

“Enjoy it. You’re only this young once. All the excitement and worries and unknowns of your young adult life will be over before you know it, and then you’re stuck in what feels like Groundhog Day of day-to-day monotony.”

Her bluntness makes me laugh.

“Groundhog Day?”

She tilts her head to the side and raises her eyebrows, nodding her head. “You’ll see what I mean. You’ll look back at these days and think, Those were the days . Once you have a family of your own, your world changes.” She places her hand on my arm. “Don’t get me wrong; raising you was the best. It’s just different. Your life revolves around someone else. Right now, you get to live for you. And it’s the most amazing thing as a parent, getting to see your child follow their dreams.”

She’s right. Most people thought I was crazy to move to Nashville, but my parents were super supportive. They knew my dreams of being a country singer were a long shot, but they pushed me to try my hardest to get what I wanted out of life.

I give her a hug. “Thanks, Mom. I’m so thankful to have you and Dad as my guiding force.”

She hugs me back as I blink away tears, realizing just how lucky I am.