She would miss this.
Not the long nights or the constant motion, but the feeling of being part of something bigger than herself. The girls and late-night giggles, stolen moments of normalcy in the chaos. And Clayton.
Damn him.
Despite everything, the thought of not seeing him every day left a hollow feeling in her chest.
She shook it off. There were more pressing things to worry about. She had to figure out where to live. Her exams were in two days. And she still had to record the Osmonds’ song.
At least there was one thing she could look forward to: Poppy.
But for now she’d crash at Shorty’s penthouse, focus on her exams, and get through the recording session. Everything else—where she’d live, what came next—she’d figure out later.
At least that’s what she told herself.
When it was time for soundcheck Buddy and a security guard boarded the bus and escorted Jamie and Clayton inside the Bridgestone Arena.It was maybe a thirty-second walk, and the whole thing felt ridiculous. Were they expecting a mob to appear out of nowhere?
Backstage Shorty tipped his hat. “Last show of the tour.”
“Going to miss it,” Clayton said, his gaze locked on her.
Jamie forced a shrug. “I won’t,” she lied, then turned and headed for the stage.
Soundcheck was uneventful, just the way she liked it. Hometown shows were stressful enough without technical problems, and while Nashville wasn’t her home, the guest list tonight was extensive. Even Birdie and Doc were coming, which Clayton said was unusual.
After dinner Jamie started getting ready in her dressing room. She’d refused a glam squad for the tour, preferring to do her hair and makeup herself—well, with Ruth’s help. But her assistant was nowhere to be found so she started without her.
A familiar knock sounded at the door—Clayton. He had a habit of stopping by before her shows, always pretending he had something urgent to tell her, but it was always something completely irrelevant.
“Enter,” she called, dabbing highlighter onto her cheekbones.
“Look who I brought,” Clayton said.
She turned and smiled at the Langleys.
“Hi, sugar.” Birdie walked in first, arms open.
Jamie stood to hug her. “I’ve missed you.” The words slipped out before she could stop them.
“We’ve missed you too.” Birdie squeezed her before stepping back.
Doc followed, offering a half-hug. “Has this guy”—he jabbed a thumb at Clayton—“been giving you any trouble?”
“All the trouble,” Jamie said, rolling her eyes.
Doc chuckled. “That’s what I thought.”
“He better not be,” Birdie warned, eyeing her son. “Or I’ll whoop his ass.”
Jamie laughed, momentarily stunned. “Did you just say ass?”
Before Birdie could reply Charlotte and Emily burst into the room, Ruth and Nolan trailing behind.
“Granny!” Charlotte flung her arms around her waist while Emily hugged Doc.
Birdie rested her hands on her hips. “You girls been behaving?”
“Yes, ma’am,” they said together.
