We also hired the best lawyer money could buy. He got Tally out of the complicated contract with Dalton and her complicit record label, ensuring they’ll never see another dollar from her earnings. The clever bastard spun the law so skillfully, Dalton even owed Tally money.
Then we launched a class action lawsuit with the other talents he abused. When we were finished with Dalton and those aiding his schemes, he was a shell of his former self. Brokeandbroken behind bars.
Just like he deserves.
During that time, Tally and I officially announced our upcoming album as Kentucky Skies. We got countless offers from record labels, but in the end, we didn’t accept any of them.
With the help from our new legal team, we founded our own label. Right now it’s just us, but in the future, we plan to sign and support young country artists. We hope that way, no singers will be taken advantage of again like Dalton abused his talents.
Soon we were in the studio, recording an album as a duo for the first time. ‘Country, Crimes & Second Chances’released at the start of summer.
Then there were talk shows. Press tours. Photoshoots. Radio interviews. Live sessions. Festival appearances. Red carpets.
The press dug up our failed first attempt as Kentucky Skies and tried to spin our divorce into a scandal, but thanks to our new PR advisors, we brushed it off. Instead, we released a raw and real documentary, telling our side of the story.
The truth.
Our upcoming winter tour sold out in twenty minutes. We had to add more dates, but they sold out instantly as well.
Everything happened so suddenly. Some days—and especially nights like these—it still doesn’t feel real. I still worry I’m gonna wake up alone in my bed.
The host’s voice booms through the speakers, yanking me into the present. “The winner is… Kentucky Skies!”
The room explodes in applause. ‘Love’s an Outlaw’echoes through the hall and the video wall behind the presenters changes from swirly gold graphics to a splitscreen.
The left side shows our album cover. It’s a simple design, but it’s perfect. Just the restored polaroid from our first wedding taped together and the title underneath.
The right side shows snippets from our music videos. Highlights include the Boot Scootin’ Seniors dancing in a barn and Tally and I sitting on the tailgate of my F150, gazing into each other’s eyes as we sing.
Tally throws her arms around my neck, nearly knocking my hat off. “You’re shakin’ again,” she whispers. “Are you okay?”
“I can’t get over how stunning you are.”
She giggles. “Stop trying to distract me with your flattery. How many wins is it gonna take to make you believe you deserve this? I already thought you were gonna faint on the red carpet.”
I tap her nose, grinning. “You’ve been doing this for over a decade. Give me a few years to catch up, Trouble.”
As I let Tally go, Erin hugs her. Then she gives my arm a squeeze. “Congratulations… again!”
Caleb wraps me in a bear hug and kisses Tally’s cheek. “Go get your shiny awards! They should’ve kept y’all up on stage if you were gonna win ‘em all anyway!”
Hand in hand, we climb the glowing stairs toward the smiling presenters holding out a crystal trophy. Tally accepts it and we approach the mic. My heart jumps into my throat, but my poker face has gotten plenty of practice in the past months.
I casually wrap my arm around Tally’s waist and let her speak first.
“Wow, thank you! We’re a little speechless.” She pauses, dazzling the cameras with a smile. “There are so many brilliant artists nominated in this category and they all deserve to win, but we’re honored to take the trophy home.It feels extra special to be the first duo to receive this award since the nineties.”
Applause rises.
I clear my throat, putting on my best stage smirk. “We’d like to thank our friends and our whole team, everybody involved with inspiring and recording ‘Country, Crimes & Second Chances’and every fan who played our album as their summer soundtrack. It’s been a heck of a year. Thank you. We love y’all to the holler and back.”
Cheers wash over us and I wait until they’ve peaked before I speak again.
“I’d like to express special thanks to the woman who made it possible for me to be here. She believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. She gave me courage to chase this dream. Please give a special round of applause for my wife, Tally.”
The crowd goes crazy. I meet Tally’s eyes and see tears glittering in them.
She leans in to the mic. “And I’d like to thank the man who helped me get my spark back and reminded me that I’m enough—exactly as I am. My husband, Rust.”
