His cheeks flushed with embarrassment. “I was escorted out of the party by security, humiliated in front of my peers… and my boss. The hot girl begged her father not to pummel me on the spot. I was let go the next morning.”
“Oh, my god.Whydid you even think that was a good idea to have sex in this man’s office? I mean, that’s like something out of a horror movie!” Katie couldn’t help but think back to the previous weekend when she and Clay had fornicated in the bathroom at the recording studio. It wasn’t the same, but it still made her blush.
“Katie, I was pretty drunk, and she was egging me on! I felt…invincible! All I wanted to do was celebrate. I wasn’t thinking… well, with my brain anyway.”
Katie smirked trying to keep her giggles from escaping her mouth. It didn’t work. “No, dear brother. You were not thinking with yourbrain.”
Knowing what happened made her feel better. There had been no fraudulent behavior or harassment which meant nothing would go on his permanent HR record. His behavior at a party of that significance, however, was highly unethical, especially for a client of that standard. Hart wasn’t a troublemaker—he was a thirty-two-year-old grown ass man making good bank and sowing his wild oats. Katie knew he had been lonely, always working, much like herself. He made a mistake. His career was still young enough that he could move on without too much drama. “At least you got a severance. They could have fired you on the spot for that kind of behavior.”
“Yeah, I know. I’m grateful for that. I’ve brought them a hell of a lot of revenue over the past couple of years. If it hadn’t been the client’s daughter I was screwing, it might have turned out differently.” The expression on his face softened as he looked at her with the same Parker eyes she had. “I’m sorry, baby girl. I know I’ve let you down.”
“Hart…” Standing, she crossed the small space between them and looked down at her older brother. “I’m more disappointedforyou, not at you.” Pulling him up by the hands, she stood on her tiptoes and wrapped her arms around his neck. “You’re my successful big brother, and I love you. Something better is going to come along. It may seem like you’re in a deluge of rain right now, but the sun will rise tomorrow.” She kissed him on the cheek and wrinkled her nose. “You need to shave.”
Hart smiled, giving her another bear hug and making her squeal. “You sound like Scarlett O’Hara. Don’t be tellin’ Mom and Dad about this, okay?” His face showed concern.
“I won’t. But don’t leave your crap all over my house anymore. Get yourself together, Hart. You’ve had a week to grieve. It’s time to get on with your life.”
“Yes, ma’am! Tomorrow is another day!”
***
Clay paced in the kitchen area of Studio B at Blackbird Studios, keeping an eye on the decorative, giant clock on the wall. They were breaking for dinner before pulling an all-nighter, trying to get the last of the songs recorded. The past few weeks had flown by, nearly every tune on the record finished and highly praised by Trent, Buddy, and some of the other bigwigs who curiously visited the studio to take a listen. It seemed like everyone at Warner Music wanted to come by and see what all the fuss was about with their new artist, Georgia Clay. Listening to the playback of songs was very surreal. Clay was used to listening to other artists sing and play his songs. Hearing his own playing and singing on his original arrangements gave him an incredible sense of accomplishment, his career in Nashville finally feeling like it was falling into place how it should. The one agonizing drawback was not being able to see Katie. How he wished she lived closer. They spoke every day on the phone, but it wasn’t the same. When he told her they were going to have to miss yet another weekend together, she became extremely quiet which disturbed him.
“I know I promised we’d see each other this weekend. It just can’t be helped, Katie. The Ryman show is in less than ten days. We’ll have that entire weekend, and by then, the recording will be finished.” When there was no response, he thought maybe the phone had died and pulled it from his ear to make sure he was still connected. “Katie? Are you there?”
“Yes. I’m here.” Her voice was small.
The drummer and bass player walked into the kitchen, having an unusually boisterous conversation. Clay nodded at them before going into the hallway where it was quiet. “Baby, I said I was sorry. I had no idea it was gonna be this intense to start. Rest assured, it won’t be like this forever.”
“I know,” she sighed. “I just miss you so much. Ten days isn’t that many. We’ve already been apart for several weeks, so what’s ten more days?”
Hearing her say out loud that she missed him sent a rush of emotion to his heart. When his mind wasn’t on the music, it was definitely on her. “I miss you too, Pretty Girl.” The ache he felt was real. “Promise me you’ll wait. Promise me you won’t let the distance become an issue.” Closing his eyes, he waited for her response.
“I promise.”
