A ripple of recognition ran through the audience, followed by a hush so complete it felt like the entire venue had frozen. As Emily’s voicerang out, pure and haunting, not a single phone light flickered. No distractions. Just listening.
Jamie couldn’t tell if they loved it or hated it. The silence was unnerving.
But when the final note faded the crowd erupted. Cheers, whistles, a standing ovation. Some people even wiped their eyes.
Jamie hugged the girls. “You did it.”
As the house lights came up they hopped off their stools, hand in hand, and took a bow.
It was the sweetest gift of all.
At the side of the stage Clayton and Shorty were waiting, both visibly emotional.
“That was so much fun!” Emily beamed.
“I’m so proud of you two,” Clayton said, then winked at Jamie. “You three.”
Charlotte bounced on her toes. “It went by so fast! Can we do it again?”
Clayton chuckled. “You’ll have to ask Miss Jamie.”
Jamie turned to Shorty, raising her brow. “Well, what did you think?”
He pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed his eyes. “I think you should play it every night.”
She’d won him over. But there was still Doofus to deal with.
Jamie stayed to watch Clayton’s set with the girls by her side, all of them riding the adrenaline high. She’d never seen them this giddy—not even a sugar rush could match the thrill of performing.
When Clayton’s set wrapped up, it was her turn. She hesitated. Were they making a mistake with the Osmonds’ song? The night had been perfect and she didn’t want to ruin it. If Doofus weren’t here she mighthave pulled the plug. But she had something to prove. And she was nothing if not stubborn.
They kicked off the encore with “More Bad Days Than Good,” then followed with “I Did a Good Job of Drinking.” The crowd raised their beers, shouting the lyrics back at them.
Then Clayton met her eyes and gave a slight nod. It was time.
Johnny played the opening chords. No introduction. No warning. Just music.
“I’m a little bit country . . .”Clayton sang.
And then—chaos.
The crowd erupted. Every single person knew the words. The women took Jamie’s lines, the men sang Clayton’s.
Jamie’s heart pounded as she sang her first line, and when she glanced at Clayton he was already watching her, eyes filled with something unreadable. When they hit the chorus Clayton leaned in, a teasing smirk tugging at his lips as he sang his part. Jamie rolled her eyes but couldn’t stop the small grin that slipped out.
The second verse came, and when she sang her line she gave him a playful nudge with her shoulder. He chuckled and the sound was caught by his mic, sending a ripple of laughter through the crowd. By the time they reached the bridge their energies were feeding off each other. She lifted her brow as she belted out her line, daring him to match her. His answering look said,Oh, I see how it is,and when it was his turn he hit the note with extra flair, making her laugh mid-song.
Their chemistry was undeniable.
When they hit the last note the fans were losing their minds. Jamie and Clayton took a bow to deafening cheers. It was the best show of the tour, hands down.
Backstage, Doofus was waiting.
Jamie smirked. “Well? What did you think?”
Doofus sighed, shaking his head. “I think you should record it as a single.”
“My idea, by the way,” Arthur said, grinning. “We’ll get you two in the studio as soon as you’re back in Nashville.”
