by KG Fletcher
Knowing that might possibly be the last romantic getaway with him rocked her to the core. How could he ever forgive her for not showing up? She couldn’t bear to burst his happy bubble and bit her lip to hold back tears, memories of their time together fading like the last golden orbs of the shimmering sun at dusk on Lake Burton.
“Katie? What is it?”
Sniffling, she took in a deep cleansing breath before answering. “I’m just…”
“You’re just what, Pretty Girl?”
Every single time he called her “Pretty Girl,” her heart skipped a beat. Listening to him say it now only added to the angst during the toughest week of her life. “I’m just…so proud of you,” she managed to utter.
“Oh, baby. I’m proud of you too.” He paused, and she could hear him talking to someone, muffling the phone with his hand. “Katie? Buddy’s calling after me. He wants me to meet another Warner rep who’s flown in for the show. I’ll see you tomorrow at the Ryman, okay? Don’t forget, your name is on a guest list so just tell the guy at the stage door who you are, and they’ll bring you to my dressing room.”
It was now or never. It was time to break his heart and tell him she wouldn’t be coming. She hesitated not wanting to ruin his excitement, the words caught in her throat. Her heart pounded in her chest as she blinked back tears, the mere act of breathing difficult.
“It’s going to be a hectic day tomorrow, so I may not be able to call you. Text me if you need anything, okay?” He paused. “I’m so glad you’re with me on this journey, especially tomorrow night. You have no idea what it means to me.”
Katie could feel her heart shattering, the pain unbearable. “I know….”
“Goodbye, Pretty Girl.”
“Goodbye.”
The line went dead, and she stared at the phone in her hand, wishing the situation was different. This was going to crush him—she knew it. How could she let him down? What if he panicked and couldn’t go through with it? It would be her fault! He was going to be performing in front of a live audience for a televised event, streaming into millions of people’s homes. To put him at risk of a panicky, stuttering attack would be cruel after he specifically asked her to be there for support. How could she go through with it? But she couldn’t get fired either, not after every rung of the corporate ladder she had fought and clawed her way up. She was going to have to lie to him—texting him that she was on her way—making up a story about traffic, or a death in her family—anything but the truth.
The phone slipped out of her hands and she fell to the floor, an agonizing sob bubbling up from deep within. Her body ached for Clay—it ached for what might have been. Choosing between her career and Clay was the hardest decision of her life. She teetered on the fence, desperately wishing she could choose both, knowing that wasn’t an option. Shaking her head, she realized she had to go with her gut and not her heart—she’d worked too long and too hard to get to where she was. When the dust settled, she hoped Clay would ultimately understand. But the thought of hurting him; breaking her promise and lying to him, not showing up at his performance was something only a coward would choose to do. And that is what she was—a big, fat, ugly, workaholic coward! She would never blame him for turning his back on her and prayed that wouldn’t actually happen. But if it did, she vowed the rest of her life would be nothing but all work and no play. She could never allow herself any pleasure after what she was about to do.
“Baby girl? What is it? What happened?”
Her brother, Hart was kneeling in front of her trying to look at her face, cupping her cheeks flooded with tears. He must have heard her cries through the bedroom walls. She lunged at him, clinging to his chest sobbing uncontrollably.
“Katie? Katie, please! Stop crying and tell me what’s going on!”
She couldn’t bear to look him in the eye. Hart peeled her off by the arms and had such a look of genuine concern and love; she couldn’t keep the tears at bay.
“Oh my god, you’ve got to calm down!” He hoisted her over his shoulder and walked quickly to the bathroom, setting her down on the lid of the toilet. She was crying so hard she thought she might throw up.
“Lean forward,” he requested, pushing her long hair over one shoulder. The touch of the cold compress he placed on her neck made her jump. Their eyes met as he knelt in front of her. His face was ashen as he swiped the last of her tears off her cheek with a towel.
“I’ve never seen you like this? Tell me, what happened?”
Her groveled voice filled with emotion. “I…I can’t be there for Clay’s show tomorrow,” she stuttered. “I have to go to… California.”
Hart’s brow was knitted with concern. “Wait a minute. I thought you took vacation days so you could go to Nashville?”
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.
CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN
The cold air blasted downward from a tiny spout in the ceiling of the Delta plane directly into Katie’s face, keeping her nausea at bay. Dale sat beside her, chatting ninety-miles an hour on his cell phone to a friend he was looking forward to seeing while they were on the West Coast. She numbly watched each person as they entered the plane, wondering why they were going to California and if they were happy they were going there. She most definitely, was not.
Shifting in her black pencil skirt and crossing her bare leg in the more than ample space in front of her first-class seat with her pointy, patent-leather shoes, she picked up her Tanqueray and tonic that was in a real glass and took a long pull. Alcohol was absolutely going to be on the menu this weekend and she was starting early.
“Hey. How are you holding up?” Dale shifted so he could look directly at her. He was impeccably dressed and sipping on a mimosa in a champagne glass. When he found out they were traveling together, flying first-class, he insisted on picking her up in the car service he always used so she wouldn’t have to go it alone to the airport. He promised to be by her side, even offering to stay in the same hotel room if she needed him to.
Sighing, she managed a tiny smile, glad that he was such a good friend. “I’m numb,” she uttered before the waterworks started again. She had cried at least three times before they were seated on the plane, nervously checking her phone over and over for a message from Clay, the mere mention of his name sending her into an emotional tailspin.
“Kathryn, please. Don’t start again.” He picked up his cocktail napkin and gently dabbed at her face. “There’s still time.”
“No,” she interrupted, shoving her cell phone in the seatback in front of her. “Please, it’s over. I’ve made up my mind.” She grabbed the napkin and held it to her mouth trying to regain her composure. Texting a lie to Clay earlier to let him know she was on her way had been one of the hardest things she’d ever done. She still couldn’t quite get to that final moment when she would have to break the news to him that she wasn’t coming at all.
People kept piling on the plane while several babies screeched, and the attendants talked loudly over the speakers, explaining how to get luggage into the overhead compartments quickly and efficiently. It felt like she was in an obnoxious, loud nightmare. Her hand trembled, bringing the glass up to her lips again, wishing the alcohol would kick in sooner rather than later.
“It’s not worth it, Katie.”
He had never called her Katie before. She looked at him, her eyes wide with surprise. “You never call me that.”
Looping his arm with hers, he snuggled against her. “You know that I love you, right? You’re my work-wife and I would never do anything to hurt you or guide you in the wrong direction.”
“Okay…”
“I thought long and hard about this last night. Screw Mr. Taylor and his ultimatum. You’ve been a tremendous asset to this company and he knows it. I can handle the conference. You need to handle your life. There’s still time.” He picked up his phone off the tray table and showed it to her. “With a couple of clicks, I can get you on the next plane to Nashville. I can have a rental car waiting for you and you’ll be in Clay’s arms before the show starts…”
“Dale, please.” She jerked back, her heart pained by his offer, looking away in anguish. Her mind was reeling, the urge to throw caution to the wind for once in her life very real. The crossroad was before her—Dale was right. There was still time. She could feel him smoothing the nape of her bare neck below her tight, over-sprayed corporate bun.
“I’m dialing the number now.”
Keeping her face turned away, she didn’t dare move listening to him speak to a Delta gate agent on her behalf. Her heart was pounding out of her chest and she froze to the chair. She didn’t stop him. Even though she was a nervous, emotional wreck, she was somehow glad Dale had taken over the situation. Was she really going to do the unthinkable and give up her job?
Her eyes followed a young couple who had just boarded the plane—they looked to be college age, fresh-faced and energetic with their hands all over each other. They obviously didn’t have a care in the world. The line was backed up out the door as they stood right next to her, the young man nuzzling the woman from behind and whispering something into her ear making her giggle. Katie stared up at them, yearning to be that couple at the moment, her mind racing with snapshots of her and Clay in happier times.
“I like your necklace,” the young woman said, startling her out of a daydream. Katie quickly fingered the jewelry around her neck, the smooth silver achingly familiar. It was a gift from Clay; a simple piece made by a local silversmith on the mountain. He had surprised her with it on their last morning together at Lake Burton, clasping it around her neck while they lay naked in bed. She had touched it often in the past week, often rubbing it between her fingers as if it were a magic lamp hoping a genie would appear granting whatever her heart desired in one fell swoop.
Their eyes met. “Thank you,” she whispered, aware that her fingers anxiousl
y caressed the small silver heart attached to a simple, black string. No genies appeared, but in a split second, Katie realized she was about to dodge a morbid arrow into her own heart. Cupid’s arrow came down hard hitting her square on the head. She loved Clay Watkins. She loved him and no job in the world was going to keep her from the man of her dreams. She eagerly smiled back at the couple who had no idea that their love had brought her back into the light, out of the darkness that had almost kept her from making the biggest mistake of her life. Bolting upright, she grabbed her purse and downed the remnants of her cocktail with purpose. Dale was right beside her quickly giving instructions on where exactly she needed to go to catch the next plane to Nashville.
“I’ll text you with the rental car info. Don’t worry about your luggage—I’ll get it when we land in California. Guess you’ll have to do some shopping with Clay?” His grin was infectious. She grabbed his face and surprised him with a hard kiss on the mouth. His astonished expression was priceless.