Chapter Text
The Big City
July
Waverly could feel the beads of sweat rolling down the small of her back as the aggressive sun beams assaulted her tanned skin. She dressed for the balmy temperature in a tied-off tank top and a pair of denim cutoffs. The weather wasn’t the only thing making Waverly feel miffed. She had yet to hear back from her boyfriend after he stood her up for an impromptu “day with the boys.” Clicking the side button on her phone, she illuminates her home screen, revealing a lack of apology from Champ. With a heavy exhale, she shoved the phone into her small satchel; out of sight, out of mind.
Normally, she wouldn’t leave a location with air conditioning this time of year, but she promised her sister she would support her as the eldest Earp’s band made their debut at Big City Summer Fest. Their time slot was said to be amazing for a first-time act, although Wynonna took it upon herself to tell a few white lies while she acted as the band’s publicist, so it’s really no surprise she weaseled her way into the illustrious spot.
The brunette took a bandana from her pocket and swiped at the sweat accumulated underneath her festival lanyard before bringing the fabric up to her forehead, ultimately deciding to tie it there. She watched from the wings as Mercedes and Beth Gardner set up their equipment, her sister and her drum kit nowhere in sight.
As if on cue, she heard a familiar voice from behind the makeshift velvet curtain acting as a backstage area. “Oi, Ginger Spice! Watch where you’re walking, I’ve got drinks here!”
Waverly turned towards the sound, watching her sister emerge from the jumble of fabric clutching four tall cans of Pabst Blue Ribbon with one arm. She gave her sister a pointed glance as she took in her attire: biker boots, ripped black skinny jeans, a white deep v-neck underneath a leather jacket. Rolling her eyes, she rushed over to help, grabbing two of the cans. “How are you not dying in that? It’s like, 100 degrees out here.”
Wynonna scoffed. “It’s all about the image, Waves.” The older sister raised the beer can in her right hand to her lips, taking a hearty drink.
Mercedes made her way over to the sisters, plucking the beer can out of Waverly’s left hand. “Nice of you to show up to help, Wyn.”
Again, Wynonna scoffed, “Please, like I would deprive John Henry the honor of setting it up for me.”
In that second a mustachioed man, rolled the crate housing Wynonna’s drum kit on stage and began to meticulously assemble it; no snare out of place.
Mercedes swigged her beer as she took in the view of the roadie Wynonna swindled into doing all her work. “I don’t know how you do it, Earp. But thank you for providing the eye candy.” She lifted her beer can to Wynonna as they both openly objectified the man.
Beth migrated over to the group once her keyboard was properly set up. She tried to grab the extra beer from Wynonna but was stopped by a swift slap to the wrist.
“Ow! What the hell, Wynonna?!” The youngest Gardner clutched her wrist, feigning injury.
“Sorry, kiddo. The beer tent only let me take four at a time and you know mama needs her juice for the stage.”
Beth huffed as she crossed her arms.
“Here, you can have mine.” Waverly offered with an outstretched hand, the condensation rolled off the can and fell to the pavement. “I can always go back and get another before you guys start.”
Beth’s eyes softened. “Are you sure?”
Waverly nodded as she offered a warm smile, feeling parched from the lack of drink. “Of course. You guys don’t go on for another fifteen minutes, right?” After receiving nods of confirmation, she continued. “Then I’ll be back in a few.”
“Th-thanks, Waves!” Beth called out at the younger Earp’s retreating form.
Waverly waved back in acknowledgment before she ducked between the velvet curtains. As much as she wanted to support her sister, she didn’t want to be stuck in the same space as Beth Gardner for too long. Ever since Waverly drunkenly kissed her a few months ago when she and Champ had broken up for the umpteenth time, Beth had been hopeful, making Waverly feel like an asshole. While she was attractive, Waverly could not see anything past a physical one-night thing with Beth. So, she went back to Champ. She guessed she was a creature of habit in that way.
After navigating the few turns to get out to where the concessions were, Waverly located the beer tent and began shuffling into the crowded space. Soon enough she was at the front of the line, putting her change back into her purse. Just as she zipped up her bag, someone bumped into her side, causing her to be thrown off balance. As some of her beer sloshed from the can, she huffed and turned around to see Pete Yorke with an apologetic look on his face.
“Oh hey, Waverly. Sorry I bumped into you, you ok?” The tall man grasped her left shoulder with his right hand.
Waverly looked up at Pete, then saw his brother Kyle standing next to him. Confused, she looked back at Pete. “I thought you two and Champ were having a “boys’ day” today.” Her jaw clenched as she took in the absence of her boyfriend, knowing in the back of her mind that he was probably with Stephanie Jones. Again.
Pete and Kyle panicked, glancing back and forth trying to come up with an alibi for their friend.
“W-well,” Kyle sputtered before Waverly cut him off.
“Don’t even bother.” Waverly turned, her body immediately colliding with a tall, flannel clad person. Her beer can fell to the ground, unceremoniously emptying the foamy contents. “Fucking perfect.” She huffed.
“I’m so sorry. Can I get you another beer?” A soft, smooth voice filled her eardrums.
But Waverly was seeing red; furious at her boyfriend once again and her current circumstance. She needed out of there. She needed to be away from the crowd, so she shoved her way past, not even answering the inquiring person before her. Waverly let a few tears shed as she weaved her way back through the velvet maze. She allowed herself a few moments to calm down, to push her emotions aside so she could act like the perfect supportive sister.
She looked to the stage and saw the band take their places, Wynonna behind her drum kit, Beth behind her keyboard and Mercedes in front of a microphone stand with her electric guitar slung around her neck. Waverly peaked out and noticed a sizable crowd had been drawn.
Mercedes’s voice boomed over the sound system as she grasped the microphone. “How are you all doing, Big City?” She waited for a collection of whoops and hollers before proceeding. “We’re happy you decided to come and rock out with us today. We’re Widow Wives and here’s the first song we ever wrote, titled Whiskey Made Me Do It. One, Two, Three, Four!”
After the count off, a fast, punk-influenced song passed through Waverly’s eardrums. She was really impressed, never having heard the act outside of a garage. Watching her sister rhythmically tap on the drums in both a meticulous and unbridled fashion filled her with joy. Having never seen her sister put much effort into anything, Waverly was thrilled that she seemed to have found her place in the world, if only for a moment, lost in the music.
During the last song of the set, Waverly felt a light nudge to her side as she swayed back and forth to the rhythm. Glancing over, she was met with a familiar flannel pattern and a smile that put a Crest advertisement to shame. Next to her stood a tall redhead with her hair pulled back and soft brown eyes. Waverly let her eyes fully take in the stranger, noticing her red cut-off flannel shirt which showcased pale but strong arms, grey skinny jeans and dirty white Converse. Strapped to the woman’s back was a soft guitar case and in her hands were two tall cans of Pabst Blue Ribbon.
The woman cautiously leaned down into Waverly’s space. Waverly naturally gravitated towards her, letting the stranger’s warm breath hit her ear as she spoke loudly to be heard over the music. “Sorry I bumped into you earlier. I wanted to replace the beer, you looked like you needed it.” She offered one of the cans to Waverly.
The brunette graciously took it before pulling the girl closer, later popping the tab on the can. “Thanks, that’s very kind of you. I’m Waverly.”
The music built to a crescendo before fading out which was promptly followed by a surprisingly loud ovation. Waverly looked back at the redhead as John Henry and other volunteers helped to reset the stage, her sister’s band already gone. They were most likely already ducking into the beer tent by now.
“Nicole.” The redhead smiled back, once again showing off her dimples.
“Did you really spend a half an hour looking for me just to replace a spilled beer?” Waverly quirked her eyebrow as she gazed inquisitively at the tall redhead.
“Big City Music Fest, let’s give it up one more time for Widow Wives!” Both women looked towards the announcer on stage. After another short round of praise, the announcer spoke again. “Now, welcome to the stage, Big City’s own, Nicole Haught!”
A decent swell of applause surrounded them as Nicole turned back towards Waverly, her tongue popping out to wet her lips. “Well I kind of have a habit for chasing gorgeous girls.” She winked subtly before hitching her thumb towards the stage. “But I guess I had another reason to be here. Sometimes life is serendipitous like that.”
Waverly smiled back at the other woman’s contagious joy. “I guess so.”
Nicole smiled once more. “I hope to see you again soon, Waverly.” She turned her back and made her way to the stage before Waverly could say anything more.
Waverly watched as the redhead quickly unzipped her gig bag and pulled out a beat-up Yamaha acoustic-electric. Waverly noticed the stickers littering the body of the guitar, as untrimmed guitar strings poked out of the headstock. Nimble fingers swiftly plugged the guitar into a lone amplifier. With minimal feedback, the redhead began tuning the guitar while making small talk with the audience. She cracked a few self-deprecating jokes as the audience laughed along. Waverly found herself chuckling and rolling her eyes at the woman’s antics.
“Anyway, that’s a story for another time. So, uh- again, I’m Nicole Haught and I’m honored to be here today with all of you beautiful people. I hope everyone is staying hydrated and has applied an appropriate amount of sunscreen. I know my pale ass will be looking like a lobster later, so let’s make it worth it.”
Waverly giggled, enamored by the other woman’s natural ease on stage.
“I’m gonna start off with a cover by an artist I admire. Sing along with me if you know the words.”
Nicole began strumming the strings with a flourish, her left fingers fretting a chord progression that Waverly recognized. After a few proper measures, Nicole’s sultry, deep singing voice filtered through the amplifier. “Slow burn. Yeah, I’m alright with a slow burn. Mhmm.”
Waverly mindlessly started swaying back and forth as the subtle twang of Nicole’s voice filled her eardrums. She stepped towards the stage to get a better view and to see how the crowd was reacting. Just as she expected, Nicole had the crowd under her spell too.
Nicole sang the next line, some members of the audience joining in. “Good in a glass, good on green,” The redhead glanced to the stage wing and locked eyes with Waverly, “Good when you’re putting your hands all over me.”
Just like that, in 100-degree weather, Waverly immediately felt a chill run through her whole body. But it left as quickly as it arrived, when Nicole turned back towards the crowd, beginning the chorus with a knowing smirk.
“I’m alright with a slow burn
Taking my time, let the world turn
I’m gonna do it my way, it’ll be alright
If we burn it down and it takes all night
It’s a slow burn, yeah.”
When the song ended, Waverly clapped along with the crowd carefully watching as Nicole placed her capo on different fret, preparing for her next song.
“Holy shit, Ginger Spice is pretty damn good.” Wynonna’s voice boomed next to Waverly, giving her younger sister a fright.
“Jesus, Wynonna! Wear a bell or something!” Waverly clutched at her heart.
Wynonna widened her eyes at her sister’s strange reaction. She shook her head, deciding not to comment on it. “John Henry’s throwing a raging bonfire tonight with a lot of the performers. You game?”
Waverly’s forehead wrinkled as she reached for her phone in the front pocket of her bag. Again, she had no messages from Champ. With a huff, she dropped the phone back in place. She looked around and watched the redhead on stage for another moment. Now, Nicole was fingerpicking to one of her originals, one Waverly thought was catchy as hell. Considering her sister’s words that there would be a lot of the musicians at the party, she decided she wouldn’t mind running into a certain one again. “We’re going to change clothes before, right? ‘Cause I’ve got a major case of swamp ass and refuse to stew in it all night long.”
Wynonna’s lip curled into a scowl. “Just when I think you must’ve been adopted because you’re better than me, you go ahead and say something like that.”
Wynonna threw her arm around her sister’s neck, leading her out. Waverly took one more look at the redhead on stage, subtly biting her bottom lip before deciding to give her sister her undivided attention. “You guys were great by the way.”