Katie closed her eyes and shook her head. “My boss says I have to go to California or I’ll…I’ll lose my job.” She opened her eyes and pleaded with her brother. “How can I do this to him? He doesn’t deserve this. Hart, he was counting on me.”
He leaned back on his heels keeping one hand on her knee. “Katie, Clay’s a grown man. He’ll be disappointed, for sure, but he wouldn’t want you to lose your job. I don’t know him as well as you do, but surely, he’ll understand.”
No, Hart didn’t know Clay as she did. Clay was a sensitive artist who had overcome so much in his life. He was on the cusp of something extraordinarily big and she was about to taint it with her selfish motives.
“You’re right. He’ll understand. He’s a good guy.” Tears welled in her eyes again.
“Can I ask you a question?” The look he gave her was serious. She nodded, pulling sheets of toilet paper off the roll next to her and blowing her nose.
“Do you love him?”
Katie fingered the damp tissue in her hands averting her brother’s eyes. It was a question she had been mulling over and over for days. She thought for sure she was in love with him. But if she really was, how could she do this to him? Was what she was feeling truly love or something else? Had she landed or was she still circling?
“Cause if you love him, you gotta go. No job is worth losing the love of your life, baby girl.” His words resonated and her lower lip trembled as she mulled over what he said. Once again, she was speechless.
“I saw the way he looked at you, and the way you looked at him. If this is some booty call that happens every time the guy comes to Atlanta to visit his mom, then that’s one thing. But if this is something more…something you will regret losing, something that’ll break your heart into a million pieces, then maybe you need to rethink your current job situation. Katie, no job is worth the risk of losing the love of your life. Your track record is impeccable. Why, I’ll bet you there are fifty companies in Atlanta, or Nashville for that matter, who would hire you in a heartbeat. They’d be lucky to have you on their team.” He lifted her chin up with his fingertips to look directly into her eyes, his chiseled features hard and serious. “If you love him, go to him.”
***
Clay’s lungs burned as he pushed himself hard along the sidewalk perpendicular to the Cumberland River. He’d slept well and was up at sunrise, electing to go for an early morning run to calm his excited nerves. It was a huge day for him, a day he knew he would never forget. Over the years, he had learned how to cope in times of stress and excitement. Running had always been a stress-reliever, especially as he tried not to overthink the millions of people tuning in to witness his introduction as a major player in the country music game. The onslaught of well-wishes from friends and family during the week was overwhelming. It had always been a struggle to accept accolades and praise. It embarrassed him, causing him to shut down and wait shyly for the subject to change. When he won his first Grammy, he mumbled something incoherent, focusing on what was written on a notecard, hardly looking at the cameras or huge audience, thinking he was going to keel over from a heart attack. But he got through it—and he didn’t stutter at all. He had come a long way thanks to his parents, his therapy, and his maturity in the music biz over the years, but he still had a deep-seated fear that he was going to lose it again on a much bigger scale. He was more than ready to have the emotional Ryman performance behind him. If he could get through that, he knew he could get through anything.
The Church Street corridor was waking up as he made his way back to his condo, the Batman building towering overhead keeping watch over Music City. The strength of a superhero was what he needed to get through this day—that, and a pretty girl from Atlanta. He couldn’t help the smile that spread across his face when he thought about her. The time he spent with Katie Parker was magical and he couldn’t imagine his life moving forward without her in it. Celebrating this milestone with her by his side was what he looked forward to most.
As he jogged back to his condo, he ran his hand across his buzzed neck, his recent short haircut something he was still getting used to. The stylist had done wonders with the clothes and the hair, making him look like a real player in the game. No offense to the real cowboys in country music, but he drew the line when she tried to make him wear a cowboy hat, insisting that his head was too big, and he wasn’t a hat-wearing kinda guy. His new, fresh look made him feel confident and polished, ready to meet the public as the new Warner Music country artist, Georgia Clay. He hoped Katie liked the changes too.
As he chugged a bottle of water, looking out the wall of windows of his home, his cell phone started ringing. “Good morning, Mama.”
“Good morning my sweet boy. How are you?” Birdie Watkins’ southern drawl was warm and comforting. She sounded like home.
“I’m good, Mama. Getting psyched for tonight.”
“Well, you’re gonna do just fine. I know it! The staff is arranging the great hall like a movie theater so we can watch you on the big screen.”
Clay crushed the water bottle he had emptied and tossed it in the kitchen waste basket. “Really? That’ll be fun. Don’t be getting all emotional in front of your friends.”
She giggled. “I might. That’s a mother’s prerogative. Someday, you’ll understand.”
“I know.”
“You relax and enjoy every moment. There are a lot of people rootin’ for you. I don’t want to put any pressure on you, but you make us all very proud.”
Sitting on the edge of the sofa, Clay sighed. “I appreciate it. I hope I don’t do anything to embarrass you…”
“Hush now. You were born for this. Don’t you forget it. I love you, son.”
“I love you too, Mama. Enjoy the show and I’ll call you tomorrow, okay?”
“Okay.” She paused, her voice tinged with emotion. “Big Daddy lived for this day. I just know he’s looking down on you and bursting with pride.”
Clay swallowed hard, tears brimming in his eyes. “I’m countin’ on it.” He knew she would bring up his daddy. Instead of feeling anxious or stressed, he felt a warm rush of love surge through his being.
