Page 53 of Nashville Lights

Stop it.

Daisy runs up to him asking for a quarter for the gumball machine and I start to fully register that the music the boys are playing is…reallygood.

Luke’s on the lead guitar and Leo’s on the bass. They’re much more polished than I might have expected. The two of them have clearly been playing together so much they can practically read each other’s minds. They’re amazingly in sync. They’ve got a natural rhythm and it’s easy to see that they’ve put in their ten thousand hours, which takes their talent to a whole different level, as obsessive practice tends to do.

Luke starts singing, his voice smooth and melodic, and when Leo joins in, my jaw drops. Solo, they’ve got decent voices, but together they sound incredible. And this is original music.

I’m already thinking about record labels and how I might pitch them. A younger, hotter Florida Georgia Line. Sexy, suntanned twin Morgan Wallens.

A whole cluster of girls is now up at the front, some dancing and singing along, some just staring with lovestruck awe.

This music would sell. The whole package of the good looks, the easy country boy charm, the way they play off each other with self-assurance, good humor and musical finesse…wouldsell.

“They’re incredible,” I say to Betty-Ann and Aunt Lou, who both beam at me like they’re so proud they could burst.

We all watch them play another song. And another. More people are dancing now and the whole party is havingfun, like people can’t help but do when music is this catchy and this good.

Dakota and Tobias both come over and stand next to Nate. Tobias sees me and grins at me devilishly. He mouthsI love you sister. You okay?

Love you more,I mouth back. And I barely nod.

It’s theyou okay?that gets me.

I love them all so much. I want to stay here and live my life here. So much I feel like bursting into tears.

Get a grip, girl.

I’m feeling weirdly emotional.

There’s no reason to cry, or want to.

Unless Nate Boone turns out to still be the player he once was.

Can I trust him? Did that woman in the green dress trust him?

Maybe I should have thought this whole thing through a little more carefully before I saw him for five minutes then jumped into bed with him and threw all caution to the wind.

Yes, you should have.

My anguish at the thought of him with someone else feels disproportionate, already. It feels like more than a human heart would be able to withstand.

I’m so in love with him.

I can weather some storms but what kind of hurricane are we talking about here?

I guess he’ll just have to convince me (again) tonight beyond a shadow of a doubt. Or I’ll be on my way, broken-hearted. With a baby.

Jesus, Roxie, calm down and listen to the music. Stop getting so worked up just because your heart is on overdrive.

The twins hit their final note and the crowd cheers.

“We love you, Sugar Falls,” Luke drawls into the microphone. “Tell all your friends about the Sugar Mountain Lodge. It’s going to bethedestination in Tennessee.”

“Goodnight, y’all,” Leo follows. “And don’t go anywhere. We’ve got a special guest playing tonight. Some of you might know him. He’s shy so make sure you give him a Sugar Falls welcome.”

With that they take their bows to their screaming fans and leave the stage.

“Who’s the special guest?” I ask Dakota.

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