CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
“I keep trying to get my girl here to come back to class, but she’d rather sit in front of her computer all day and night, working on her next promotion. If you haven’t noticed by now, work is Katie’s first love.”
Katie rolled her eyes as she sat across the table from her best friend and Stacey’s new-old boyfriend, Brent. Clay had his arm stretched out across the back of Katie’s chair and was slowly making circles with his thumb across her bare shoulder.
“I just don’t care for yoga, Stace. It’s not my first choice in exercise. You know that. And yes, I love my job. I like to work. Work is my exercise.”
“Oh, yeah,” she replied, laughing. “If you call walking down the hallway to get a cup of coffee at the office exercise!” It was apparent Stacey was tipsy from their pre-dinner drinks at the bar.
They were interrupted by a couple of waiters bringing out beautiful plates of food. The foursome had decided to experience their first double-date at the upscale steakhouse, Flemings. Even though Stacey was adamant about not eating red meat, the fine-dining establishment offered delectable seafood options, which made her happy.
Katie smiled as a waiter placed a petite-filet in front of her looking like a picture out of Bon-Appetit Magazine. Clay refilled her glass with the 2013 French Bordeaux he had chosen for the table, offering her a comforting smile.
“Thanks,” she said softly, looking over her shoulder demurely at him. His warm lips grazed the skin of her shoulder with a kiss.
Stacey went on and on about the truffle-poached lobster she had ordered, pausing to feed Brent a bite, his expression displaying pleasure before he dove back into his steak.
The food was delectable, the conversation flowing. Katie was surprised that Clay chimed in on more than one occasion, answering questions about the music business. Brent became wide-eyed and in awe, blown away when he realized that Clay had penned his all-time-favorite country song.
“Do you have any idea how many times I’ve listened to that song? I can’t believe that you’re the one that wrote it! Can you believe it, Stacey? Out of all the songwriters in the entire world, I’m sitting across from the one who wrote the best song of all time!”
Clay shook his head as if embarrassed by Brent’s enthusiastic outburst. “I’m happy you like it. It’s a special song about enjoying life to the fullest. Tim McGraw did a great job recording it.”
Brent’s face was animated as he lifted his amber beer bottle up into the air. “Cheers to Tim McGraw and Georgia Clay, man!”
The rest of the table followed suit clinking their glasses with Brent’s. “Cheers!” they said in unison. Katie was about to burst with pride.
“So, what’s next for you? You got any new songs coming out I should know about?”
“Yeah,” Stacey chimed in. “How often do you release a song? Is there any special time-table involved?”
Clay licked his lips after taking a sip of the expensive wine. “I never really know until a record label contacts my publisher. They usually give me a call to let me know one of my songs has been picked up by an artist for an upcoming album. It’s always a surprise.”
“God, that’s so cool,” Brent said, nodding.
“And why don’t you record your own songs?” Stacey asked making Katie suddenly bristle.
Clay averted his eyes, Katie realizing how much he hated the question people always asked him. It didn’t matter that he was one of the most successful songwriters in country music. People always wanted to know why he didn’t record his own songs and assumed he couldn’t sing.
“He does sing his own songs, Stacey. I saw him perform last weekend at the Bluebird. He’s incredible.” She squeezed his thigh under the white tablecloth making him smile slightly at her.
Clay cleared his throat before explaining. “Here’s the thing. I’m a writer first and foremost. I didn’t expect any of my songs to be huge hits. No one can anticipate something like that. When it does happen, it makes you re-think a lot of things. I’ve been in talks with a couple of labels over the years that want to put me on the road as a recording artist.”
“That’s huge! What’s stopping you?” Brent asked leaning in with intensity.
Clay looked down at his plate and shook his head. “It’s a big decision. I’m just taking my time.”
“Well, I say it’s time for dessert,” Katie interceded, changing the subject and rescuing her boyfriend. She knew how hard this decision was and wanted to protect him from the conversation.
“Mmmm, dessert! Something chocolate, for sure!” Stacey grabbed the small dessert menu and leaned into Brent, chatting about their choices.
Clay turned to Katie and whispered in her ear. “Thanks for stopping that runaway train for me.”
She nodded and felt his lips graze her earlobe, her heart surging with want. “I’ve always got your back. You know that,” she replied in a hushed tone, biting her lip as their eyes met. His face softened, and he nodded. When he purposefully kissed her on the mouth, she palmed his cheek and pulled him closer, their kiss intensifying, unaware that Stacey and Brent were watching the whole time.
“Isn’t that sweet,” Stacey muttered. “My best friend knows how to French kiss.”
***
Katie pulled in deep breaths, her bare bosom rising and falling with effort as she looked down at Clay, his naked body sprawled underneath her on the bed. His throbbing hardness was still inside her, the slickness of their bodies thick and warm. She grabbed her long hair and pulled it off her sweaty neck with both hands holding it on top of her head, arching her back. The soft light of her bedside lamp threw her shadow across the closet wall.
Clay ran his hands up and down her chest making her arch even more.
“God. You are so beautiful.”
She relaxed out of the stretch and let her hair fall over one shoulder. “Thank you.” Lacing her fingers with his, he continued to rub her breasts using her hands. They had both come undone and were relishing the aftermath of their intense orgasms, enjoying every intimate second.
Stacey and Brent had overstayed their welcome at Katie’s condo until way past one in the morning, playing several rounds of poker while consuming more wine and beer. When Stacey insisted they turn their game into strip poker, Katie knew it was time to call them an Uber ride home. She had selfishly wanted to come back after dinner out, alone with Clay, and was annoyed at her bestie for infringing on their precious time. As the front door clicked shut and was locked tight, she and Clay could barely get out of their clothes fast enough, leaving a trail of fabric in the front hallway up the stairs and into the master bedroom.
Clay pulled Katie forward, helping her lie next to him, his flaccid penis sliding out of her with ease. “That was incredible.”
“Yes, it was.” They were nose to nose. “Thanks for putting up with my friends. Stacey can get out of control when she’s had too much to drink.”
“Yeah. I wasn’t so sure about playing strip poker with them.” He lifted his arm above his head and gently ran his fingers through her hair at her temple. “I’d play strip poker if it was just you and me.”
She smiled. “Oh? I’d totally win.”
He chuckled and closed his eyes. “Yes, you probably would.”
Her eyelids were heavy, and her body felt limp as she relaxed from the continuous stroking of his fingers. “I don’t want tonight to end.”
“I know, baby. I’ll be right here in the morning.”
“Okay…”
They fell asleep sprawled on top of the sheets, their bodies glistening in the aftermath of their love-making.
*
Clay realized the best part of his day was waking up next to a sleeping Katie Parker. He loved to drink in her beauty and watch the innocent way she tucked both hands under her cheek, sleeping peacefully. The way her lips parted as little puffs of air came out in a steady stream. He could stare at her all day. When she stirred and opened her big doe eyes to look at him, his heart skipped a beat.
“Good morning, Pretty Girl.”
Her soft cheeks perked up with a lazy smile. “Good morning, Cowboy.”
He couldn’t get the recent conversation with his mama out of his head and decided now was as good a time as any to talk to her about it. “I wanna ask you something,” he whispered. “You don’t have to answer right away if you don’t want to.”
“Okay…” She furrowed her brow looking at him with intensity, trying to wake up. That was one of the things he liked best about her—the way she gave him her undivided attention.
“I think I’ll be able to make my big decision as long as you agree to something.”
“Me? What is it?”
Clay swallowed nervously and couldn’t help himself, reaching out and touching her bottom lip with his index finger. “I need you. I need you to be at the Ryman performance in September. If I can get through that, I think I can do this touring-artist thing.”
“Really?” She sat up quickly, wide-awake with excitement.
Clay had mulled over the pros and cons in his head for days. Over the past couple of years, he had to admit to himself, he thought about being a touring artist—a lot. Every single time he performed at the Bluebird his confidence level rose because of the reaction of his fans to his songs. He liked performing. He liked making people feel something. There were a handful of songs in his catalog that had been butchered by other artists over the years. It broke his heart and made him mad. He was the only person who could honestly play his songs the way they were meant to be; “Georgia” Clay Watkins himself. The hardest part was going to be debuting as an artist at the Ryman. The sentimentality of the place pierced his heart like a dagger. What if he broke down thinking about Big Daddy missing his moment in the spotlight in the very place that meant so much to him? What if he got so nervous he started stuttering like an idiot? Katie had a calming effect on him, no doubt. If he could look out and see her beautiful face on the most important night of his life, he knew he could get through anything.
“Clay, you don’t even have to ask. I’ll be there in September no matter what. Anything for you.”
He slowly sat up, relief sweeping over him like a gentle ocean wave coming ashore. “Well then…I guess I’ve made my decision.”
Katie bit her lower lip as if to suppress a smile. “I guess you have.”
They stared at each other for a beat before she threw her naked body into his arms and peppered his cheeks and neck with little kisses. “I’m so proud of you!” She muttered in his ear before clenching her arms around his neck. He gripped her tightly, not sure if he could ever let go.