TWO MONTHS LATER
The December afternoon was crisp, the sky a perfect cornflower-blue dotted with white, puffy clouds. Clay leaned back on the headrest of the Delta Comfort seat and smiled knowingly at Katie who was sitting beside him. Her cheeks flushed as she smiled back, making his groin twitch. She reached up and touched a small curl over his ear, his hair finally grown out, much to her pleasure. Somehow through her sweet, Southern coercing, she had managed to convince his stylist that he looked much better with longer hair in a style she dubbed, the “thoroughly-just-fucked-look.”
“You wanna join the mile-high-club?” he asked cheekily.
“Clay! We just boarded!” she chastised with wide eyes.
They were on their way to New York City for the first show in a three-week Christmas tour with two other Warner Music touring artists, the shows selling out in a matter of hours. Fans were going nuts over the song, “What Would Happen If” which had been sitting in the number one spot on country radio for several weeks. The label execs were thrilled with the new album and the Ryman Anniversary Special that catapulted Clay’s career overnight, fans anticipating the official release and tour with feverish excitement.
Katie had inadvertently been catapulted herself after her introduction to the world on national TV. Calls and messages inundated her from friends and family, including a message from her boss who politely apologized and offered her job back. By then, she had already received another offer from a Mr. Clay Watkins and politely declined.
The two of them were as thick as thieves, Katie by his side for weeks as he rehearsed for the tour and made publicity appearances marketing his debut album. The fans were always kind and polite, curious to see Katie as well as Clay, much to her chagrin. Their families celebrated the Thanksgiving holiday together in Atlanta; both sides thrilled for the happy couple. Birdie Watkins outdid herself in Katie’s mother’s kitchen, helping the hostess put on the best feast this side of the Mississippi. Stacey and Brent joined the festivities, showing off Stace’s new engagement ring, the entire home filled with music, laughter, and love. Hartford was more than happy to stay in Katie’s condo as a live-in house-sitter while she was on the road with Clay. Her brother was taking his time looking for his next job and enjoying some freedom of his own for a change.
“Buddy got us a room at the Waldorf Astoria. We’ve got all day tomorrow to explore the city before sound check.”
Katie inhaled deeply and smiled broadly. “I can’t believe it’s happening. I’m finally traveling and it’s not for work.”
Clay kissed the knuckles of her hand he was holding. “You deserve it, baby. I’m so glad you’re doing this with me. I can’t imagine doing it alone. I’d be lost without you.”
Leaning in, she kissed his earlobe, tugging on it between her teeth making him moan. “There is no other place in the world I’d rather be than with you, Georgia Clay. I love you,” she whispered.
The Boeing-737 aircraft engines revved and soon they were speeding down the runway. Clay happily gripped Katie’s hand, realizing she would never again have to look up at the sky and wonder where a plane was headed. She was on the plane, with him. And together, they were flying into their future.
THE END
FREE SONG DOWNLOAD!
Original Song featured in:
Georgia Clay
Southern Promises – Book One,
“What Would Happen If…”
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KATIE & CLAY’S PLAYLIST
The story of Katie and Georgia Clay could not have taken place without the influence of contemporary country music. Here are a few favorites that inspired my writing:
Do I Make You Wanna – Billy Currington
Springsteen – Eric Church
Wanna Be That Song – Brett Elderedge
Greatest Love Story – Lanco
Every Time I Hear That Song – Blake Shelton
In Case You Didn’t Know – Brett Young
Black – Dierks Bentley
God, Your Mama & Me – Florida/GA Line & the Backstreet Boys
For Her – Chris Lane
Hurricane – Luke Combs
Unforgettable – Thomas Rhett
Humble & Kind – Tim McGraw
I Could Use A Love Song – Maren Morris