My Casey

He’d not been able to be a very good boyfriend this week. Next week, his father was coming back to town, and well, he needed a break.

His father had already agreed for him to take a week off, and he needed it. He still had to convince Casey to stay, and he couldn’t do that sleeping on his ass.

Walking into town, he saw there were already so many tourists. This was a food event where people could show off their home cooking, but also for diners and fast food places to set up. There was a lot opening up in town, and they had to take a vote on the businesses they wanted to open up. This was part of their town. Rusty didn’t know if every single town did this, but he recommended it.

There was no risk of a business closing down if it had customers, and seeing as those would be the townsfolk, they got a say and a vote in what they wanted.

Of course, this was also just another reason or excuse to enjoy good food.

“Can you even eat anything here?” Rusty asked.

“I’m sure there will be something for me to eat. Don’t you worry about that. Let’s get some food in you. I’m betting that’s why you’re grouchy.”

No, he was grouchy because he didn’t get a lot of sleep last night, and well, lack of sleep was starting to catch up with him, and that was why he was here now.

He didn’t argue with her. “Feed me, baby,” he said.

She laughed, and he loved her laugh.

“Come on.” She marched him from one stall to another.

He was starting to get the sense she was nervous about something. Now his heart started to race as he thought about the past week. He hadn’t been around her every single second of every single day. Fuck!

What if his absence had made her realize just how much she hated living here? He didn’t even consider that. Work had come first, and now, he could lose her.

Gritting his teeth, he took a bite of the pie she’d handed to him.

Did she intend to stuff him and leave him?

Running fingers through his hair, he stared at the crowd she’d just left him through and couldn’t see her.

“Casey!” He yelled her name.

A couple of people stopped to look at him.

Walking past the booth, he saw she was gone.

Okay, he had fucked up. Royally fucked up.

Walking down the long queues, he knew he could fix it.

Just as he was about to head back and find her parents, someone cleared their throat, and he looked toward the stage where a band had been playing just a few moments ago. It was why he’d been able to shout for her and not be heard.

Looking to the stage, he saw Casey there.

What?

“Hey, everyone. I hope you’re having an awesome time. Don’t worry, I won’t keep you all for long. I know you want the band back on because they are totally rocking it today, aren’t they?”

There were a few cries and agreements.

She chuckled. “So, I’m Casey Jones. Some of you people know me because I grew up here. Sorry, I did have an entire speech prepared, but I left it at home, with my bag. You see, my boyfriend, he didn’t want to come today, but some of you know I really needed him to come.”

People were looking at him, but he kept his gaze right on the stage. What was this?

“After graduating high school, I left for college, and came back a few months ago. My car broke down not too far from here, and none other than Daniel Locke came to get me. Most of you know him as Rusty. Well, Rusty and I, we started dating, and I haven’t been a very good girlfriend to him. I’ve been afraid of commitment. Of failure. You see, I didn’t make anything of myself in the big city, and well, I’m messing up this speech now.” He saw how nervous she was, and he just wanted to go and hold her. “Rusty has been really busy this week. You guys and your cars don’t know when to stop.” She laughed. “Erm, but I got talking to his best friend, Buster, and I realized something. Something really important that I have never said to another human being before in my entire life.” She took another deep breath, and he needed to know what it was that she was going to say. This had never happened to him before. “Rusty, Daniel, I’m in love with you.” She laughed. “I know I’ve been a pain in the ass. I know I’ve not been the best kind of girlfriend because I’ve been afraid and it has made me do crazy things, but I can tell you, in front of the whole town and tourists, I’m not going anywhere. In fact…” She stopped speaking, and right there in front of the town, she got down on one knee. “I was hoping you’d do me the honor of becoming my husband.”