Page 94 of Playing With My Heart Strings

The chords shift during the second verse, and as though they’ve caught on to the tone of the song, the band starts to back her up.

The moon to the tides, you keep pulling me in

You’re the glue that puts me back together again.

And like my favorite song, I can’t get you out of my head.

Something draws me to you, there’s an invisible thread.

When she starts the bridge, phone flashlights start popping up in the arena one by one until the crowd is a sea of lights swaying back and forth. Something most artists can only dream of happening.

I’ve been told saying goodbye is the hardest thing to do.

But I never really believed it until I met you.

Even if we end up miles apart, you’ll always be there like a tattoo on my heart.

Her song ends on a haunting note, and the audience wastes no time to erupt into whistles, claps, and cheers. Like they’re trying to send me a message.

“Thank you, Knoxville.” She waves as she exits the stage.

“How about those performances?” Jarrod gets the crowd going again. “I hope you’ve enjoyed your evening, but we’re not quite done yet. We’ve got one last thing to do tonight and that’s an elimination. Dusty, my man, come stand next to me.”

I walk to the spot next to Jarrod. I’m standing face-to-face with three women who I deeply respect. But only one of them stands out as someone who I could truly love.

“You’ve got a big decision to make, my friend. Who is moving on to the finale?”

You could cut the tension in the arena with a knife. The arena that once teemed with energy and a roaring crowd falls silent, eagerly waiting for my decision.

“The first woman who I want to move on is…Valerie,” I say with as much confidence that I can muster.

Valerie smiles. Since the beginning, she’s been someone I know the label would want me to choose. And I can see a partnership with her working out. She’s confident, but also kind. And her voice is powerful. She was an obvious choice, and the nods and smiles from the audience tells me they agree.

Katherine and Baylor look at each other. Baylor has now been in this situation for two weeks in a row. And it’s been a trend this season that anyone who’s been in the bottom two in consecutive weeks has been sent home during live voting. But this time, it’s my decision and mine alone. Not the viewers’.

Both Katherine and Baylor would be amazing music partners. Katherine has proven time and time again that she’s here for me. Not for a job, not to simply advance her career. But Katherine doesn’t stir my heart the way Baylor does.

Baylor makes me want to be better. Not only for myself but for my family, my fans. She may have come into this experience with motivations that had nothing to do with me, but I can’t deny the connection and the chemistry we have.

And she’s still here, isn’t she? If she truly was here just to save her job, wouldn’t she have left after Aspen revealed the truth? Why would she have continued to fight for me? For us?

I hope I’m making the right decision.

“Baylor.”

Both the crowd and crew backstage let out a collective gasp. I think the producers are just as shocked as the viewers seem to be. No one saw this choice coming, not even Baylor nor Katherine. It’s evident by the looks on their faces.

I walk over to Katherine and pull her in for a hug. “I’m so sorry,” I murmur into her hair.

“I get it, Dusty. It’s okay. I wish nothing but the best for you,” she tells me. Looking into her eyes, I know it’s genuine.

39

dusty

Full of Hot Air

I gotan earful from Rob for choosing Baylor in Knoxville. The producer he called looked like he was about to shit his pants before he handed me the phone.

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