Lou said she'd be happy to have you! You have the job! You start Monday. We'll send the jet out to pick you up. Can't wait! xx Harry

I sighed and slipped my phone back into my pocket, discreetly, hoping my boss wouldn't see. She'd been extra naggy today and I didn't want to give her any reason to focus her negativity on me.

I went to the kitchen to pick up a round of food. My mind was everywhere. I had the job, now I just had to break the news to everyone here. No one knew yet and I'd been back home for three days, now. I was insanely excited to go and take this job, just also insanely nervous about telling my family and Connor.

I finished up my shift and made my way home just in time for dinner.

"Have a seat, honey!" My momma kissed my forehead as I came through the front door.

"How was work?" My daddy smiled, seemingly in a good mood.

"Tiring." I sighed.

"Well, you can quit it soon I hope. You and Connor are doing good this time around." Daddy continued on with his supper. I rolled my eyes. Things with Connor were good on the outside, but on the inside, I was ready to get out of this town and find myself. I didn't think Connor would like that too much, and if he didn't support me, I didn't care what happened to us.

My brother and his fiancé giggled amongst themselves while my momma, daddy, little sister and I sat quietly munching on our food.

"Can I talk to y'all about something?" I spoke up and everyone at the dinner table looked at me. "I've had a job offer." My daddy set down his fork. "As a beautician." Landon cleared his throat. "It's good money and I'll get to travel the US for a month." Momma looked at me and her eyes lit up. "It's with that band that Gracie likes." My daddy slammed his fist on the table.

"Loren, what do you think you're doing? Running off with a bunch of foreign boys you don't even know when you have all you'll ever need right here in front of you! I won't allow it!" He picked up his fork and began to eat. His body language screamed anger and I wanted to get up and leave.

"Loren, honey. Maybe we just all need to talk about this." Momma spoke up.

"That's what I was trying to do." I spoke sternly.

"We don't have to talk about it. She's not going." Daddy threw his napkin onto his plate and went out the front door. Tears flooded my eyes and I sprinted to my room. I slammed the door and flopped down on my bed.

Hey darlin! Mud bog with everyone tonight? ;) Connor

I threw my phone in the floor. I didn't want anything to do with Connor. He was the reason my daddy wasn't listening to me. I cried into my pillow for awhile before logging onto my computer. I got onto Twitter and saw a tweet from Harry. Don't let anyone keep you from your dreams. I'd never responded to his text from earlier so he'd probably thought I was second guessing myself. I retweeted him and kept scrolling, but Skype interrupted me. It was Harry. I missed him and I probably needed to talk to him, but I ignored the call. I had to get everything straightened out here before I gave him my final answer about the job.

I turned off my computer and curled up in bed. One thing was for sure, I wasn't going to let anyone stand in my way anymore. Someway, somehow I was going to get out there and discover myself.

++

I woke to the sound of our pesky rooster crowing. It was Thursday - only four days away from my new job and I had the day off. I was all smiles as I got ready and went downstairs to help with breakfast.

"Mornin' Momma!" I sang and she hugged me tight.

"You have to do what makes you happy." She whispered in my ear and gave me a quick wink as her way of approval of my new job. I loved that woman. I grinned from ear to ear and helped her set the table.

Daddy came down the stairs and sat in his usual spot at the table. "Good morning everyone." He spoke.

Momma and I replied and kept about our business. Soon, Landon and Gracie had found their spot at the table and we said the blessing.

"So, about my new job." I began. "I leave on Monday for LA. I'll be back exactly one month from then. I'll call every chance I get and if we're anywhere near, I'll stop by." I lied. I wouldn't stop by.

"I don't know why you keep entertaining this silly thought." My daddy chuckled, and looked to Landon, but Landon didn't laugh.

"It's not silly and I'm going. You'll see Monday when I take off." I smarted off and continued picking at my eggs. A quick knock sounded on our front door.

"Well, you'd better tell your boyfriend. He might like to go with ya." My daddy made a face at me and I got up to answer the door.

"Connor, hey!" I forced a smile. "Can we talk?" He nodded as I guided him to the swing on the front porch.

"I need to talk to you, too." He smiled.

"Well, you first then." I felt bad and wanted to hear whatever he had to say, praying he might've cheated again so that it would make me leaving a whole lot easier.

"Um, okay." Connor began. I'd never seen him so nervous. Something was definitely up. "Well, Loren, it's taken me some time to realize - ten years to be exact. But, I love you. And I want to spend the rest of my life with you." He moved down to one knee and opened a tiny black box. I saw his grandmother's gorgeous, vintage, diamond ring shimmer in the morning daylight. "Will you marry me?"

Notes

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