Page 75 of Playing With My Heart Strings

“Maybe we ought to get you on the show next. I’d pay good money to see you fall in love.”

She sputters out a laugh, dismissing the suggestion. “That’s all right. I like seeing you on my television a lot more than I like seeing myself. Well, I’d better let you go. Good luck out there. I’m proud of you, D.”

We share a quick hug, and then she slips out the door.

“You’re Dusty Wilder, international country music superstar,” I whisper the mantra to myself again as the door clicks shut.

“Chattanooga, how’re you doing tonight?” Jarrod greets the crowd, who roars in response. “Welcome to the first stop on theHeart Stringslive concert series! We’re down to the final four women who have been vying for Dusty’s heart and a record deal with Ace High Entertainment. Give it up for our women—Katherine, Sage, Baylor, and Valerie!”

That’s the cue for the women to enter the stage. The band starts to play the intro to “9 to 5,” the song the ladies chose to open the concert with. The audience is already into it, clapping along to the beat as Katherine starts singing the first verse. She’s a natural out there; her stage presence is lively and engaging. Even with the small amount of space she was given in blocking, she’s able to work the crowd, a sign of a great performer.

The final four women are a force to be reckoned with, all equipped with powerful vocals and their own unique style. I’m pleased with the choices that led me here.

Once the first number is complete, all the girls except Katherine exit the stage. I wasn’t informed what solos they would be performing, but when one of the stagehands brings out a stool, I know her song’s going to be slower.

Katherine’s style has stayed true to classic country roots. It’s what she’s good at, no doubt, but part of me wishes she would branch out a little. Experiment. Be brave.

“Hey,” a feminine voice distracts me from the performance on stage. When I turn over my shoulder, Valerie places a hand on my arm. “How are you feeling?”

I’ve always appreciated the way she checks in on me. We’ve developed a sort of friendship outside of what was expected to be a romantic relationship in the past few weeks.

“I’m excited. It’s been a while since I’ve done a full concert, but I’m ready to go back out on tour. This at least scratches that itch until the finale is over,” I explain without meeting her eyes. By this time, Katherine’s finished her song and Sage has already replaced her.

Both of us are watching the stage, and I can’t decide if she’s not looking at me because she’s genuinely interested in Sage’s performance, or because she wants to avoid what’s become inevitable. Although Valerie and I have a good relationship—I could see a musical partnership working between us—there aren’t sparks. AndHeart Stringsis about more than finding a business partner. From the beginning, it’s been about finding someone to navigate musicandlife with.

“How are you?”

Her eyes shift to the floor then back up. “I’m just grateful to be here. I want so badly for this to work out in the end, but I’m soaking up every moment just in case.”

Guilt twists her knife a little deeper into my chest. I’ve tried my best the past few weeks to stay engaged in my other relationships for the sake of the show, but trying doesn’t make the situation any less unfair. On my last solo date with Valerie, she brought up her concerns about leaving the show alone, and I wasn’t able to give her the validation she was seeking. Not without it being a bold-faced lie. I told her I want her to find love and success, whether it’s with me or not. If she understood the deeper meaning, she didn’t show it.

“You deserve to be on this stage, Valerie.” I reach down to give her hand a quick reassuring squeeze, not too quick, but nothing lingering either.

She tilts her head up, and as her eyes meet mine, she gives me a soft smile. “I’d better get ready. Baylor’s about to go on.” She gestures toward the stage.

Sure enough, Sage finishes her song and the lights dim as Baylor walks out. My breath hitches in my throat at the sight of her, even from backstage. Her hair falls down her back in loose curls, her jeans hug her curves in all the right places, and her black top is cropped above her belly button, showing off her toned midriff. She’s my dream woman in more ways than one.

When the lights come back up, cheers rise from the audience, evidence that she’s cemented herself as a fan-favorite over the last few weeks.

I’m not the only one whose eyes are glued on her throughout her performance. Producers and other crew members pause in their tracks when they hear her voice. The song is over too soon, but as she exits the stage with a beaming grin, I intercept her, pulling her in for a kiss.

“You were incredible out there,” I murmur against her lips.

“You think so?” she hums.

“May as well be a Baylor concert, not a Dusty concert,” I tease, pulling away slightly. “You’d think you were the headliner with how the crowd was reacting.”

A flush creeps into her cheeks, and she shakes her head. “We all know they’re here for you. Half of them probably wish they were up on stage singing instead of me.”

“You don’t give yourself enough credit, darlin’.” I kiss her forehead. “Seriously, you were amazing out there.”And I look forward to the day it’s both of us performing an entire show together.I, of course, leave that part out, even though it’s probably written all over my face. Baylor deserves to be reminded of how much I care for her, though. How much I want it to be us at the end of all this.

“Thank you so much, Chattanooga! You’ve been incredible so far tonight!” I take the microphone out of the stand so I can walk around the stage. “I’ve got a few more songs for you, but first, I wanted to invite back to the stage another one of the incredible women here on the show with me. Y’all went crazy for her earlier, and I expect the same energy again.”

A few laughs rise from the audience.

“Give it up for Baylor!” I extend my arm toward the side of the stage as she walks toward me.

We’re nearing the end of the concert, and I’ve already had the opportunity to sing my duets with Katherine and Sage. Both of them performed really well tonight, but the song I chose for me and Baylor—with a little help from Brooke—is going to be a hit. I can just feel it.

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