CHAPTER ELEVEN
Every fiber in Katie Parker’s body was on high alert as she watched Clay make his way toward her through the dispersing crowd. She stood with shaking knees and gripped the side of the table finding it difficult to breathe. When he was close enough, she unexpectedly flung her arms around his neck and pressed her face into his skin inhaling his warm, sweaty aroma with tears pricking her eyes.
“Hey,” he whispered. “Hey… what’s wrong?” He pulled her into a tight embrace, his voice filled with concern.
“You were…wonderful,” she managed to mutter into his neck. She was mortified that her emotions were getting the best of her.
“I’m glad you enjoyed it.”
She could feel his fingers stroke the back of her hair and shook her head. “I don’t know…it was an emotional experience, watching you. I’m overwhelmed… and star-struck.”
Clay pulled back from her; his eyes narrowed and intense. “It’s just me, Katie. It’s me.”
She nodded staring into his caramel eyes, bashfully wiping her cheeks with the back of her hand, embarrassed by her outburst. The presence of a large, burly man in a conservative button-down shirt caught her off guard.
“She’s right Clay. Your performance is an emotional experience. You could touch a hell of a lot more folks if you took your show on the road.”
Clay wrapped his arm around Katie’s waist and snickered. “This is my annoying friend, Buddy Collins. Buddy, this is Katie Parker.”
Katie looked up at the big man through her damp lashes, trying to pull herself together as she stuck her hand out to shake his. “Hi. It’s nice to meet you. Don’t pay any attention to the emotional woman in the room.”
Buddy laughed and stuck his hand out to shake her hand firmly. “Don’t worry. I’ve seen this happen more times than not. It’s what occurs when you’re in the presence of true talent.”
She watched Clay shuffle his feet as if he were uncomfortable with his friend’s praises, his grip tightening around her waist.
“Just hear me out Clay, then I’ll be out of your hair so you can enjoy your friend. I have a spot for you in September—at the highly acclaimed Warner Music Nashville anniversary show. It’s at the Ryman.”
“The famous Ryman Auditorium?” Katie interjected excitedly.
Buddy offered her a brilliant smile. “Yes. The famous Ryman Auditorium. The same place Clay’s daddy always wanted to see his boy perform one day.”
Clay glared at his friend with piercing eyes. “Buddy, that’s enough. You know I’m not interested.”
Katie was shocked at his outburst and pulled back from his hold to look at him. “Are you kidding me? Why wouldn’t you be interested in performing there?”
“It’s complicated, Katie.” A pained expression crossed his brow.
“Just think about it. This would be the perfect venue to introduce the world to the brilliant performing artist that you are. Everyone in Nashville already knows it. It’s time for the world to know it too. I’ll need an answer by next month.” He turned to Katie and smiled again. “It was a pleasure meeting you, young lady. Hopefully, you can talk some sense into our boy.” He looked at Clay with purpose one final time. “Seriously, really think about this. It’s a step in the right direction, and you know it. You’re ready, son.” He patted Clay lovingly on the shoulder before he turned and walked away.
Clay ran his hand up and down the back of his neck while looking at the floor, obviously out of sorts. “I’m gonna grab my gear, and then we can go. Give me a few,” he mumbled.
“Okay.” She watched him walk back to the stage before glancing toward the door where Buddy was paused laughing with the doorman. Quickly, she strode across the room to him.
“Hey, Buddy?”
He looked at her with surprise. “Yeah. What’s up?”
Katie quickly glanced over her shoulder to make sure Clay wasn’t watching. “So, why would Clay be so adamant about not doing your show? What’s going on?”
Buddy sighed, shaking his head. “He’s got some personal issues that go way back darlin’. It’s not my place to discuss it with you without his permission. Maybe you can talk about it while you’re here visiting? He needs to move on from his past and concentrate on his bright future.”
Katie nodded, unsure of what Clay’s past might include. “Thanks. I’ll definitely ask him about it.”
Buddy smiled before pushing open the door and walking out into the night. Katie headed back to the stage where Clay was clasping the latches on his guitar case.
“Are you almost finished?” she asked tentatively.
He looked up at her with a boyish grin, all traces of his previous somber mood gone. “Yeah. Let’s get out of here.”
