Page 190 of The Song We Lost

Luke looks at me immediately and I understand the question instantly.

Do I want this?

If I want him gone, he’ll walk off this stage.

If I want distance, he’ll give it.

If I want this moment without him…

He’ll let me have it.

But suddenly the idea of him leaving feels unbearable.

So instead I start singing. The opening line of Wild Again cracks slightly through my tears while the videos behind us keep rolling.

Me stealing Noah’s cider. Jackson singing to Sadie’s belly. Noah singing loudly around the bonfire, Rhett joking about my giggle and Luke watching me when he thought I wasn’t looking.

A life.

Our life.

Luke joins me on the chorus. By the final note the entire crowd is standing. Crying, cheering and screaming. Then the screens fade one final time. A single photo fills the arena. A group picture of the last night Sadie was alive. Words appear slowly beneath it.

In Loving Memory of

Sadie Mercer

Beloved Mother, Sister, Daughter & Friend

The arena explodes as the stage goes dark and my legs finally give out. Luke doesn’t hesitate as he scoops me up and walks with me off stage.

And for the first time in a long time, I don’t feel alone.

what they say

COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS – BAILEY BROOKS STUNS VIEWERS

What was expected to be Bailey Brooks’ highly anticipated return to the stage became something entirely different.

The opening performance, dedicated to Brooks’ late sister Sadie Mercer, left the audience inside the arena visibly emotional, with multiple artists seen crying during the live broadcast.

Brooks performed alongside Luke Carter, Jackson Reed, Rhett Hayes and Noah Carter during an intimate set featuring unreleased footage of Brooks and her family.

@cmadaily

I genuinely do not think country music will recover from that performance.

@reply

I have never seen an award show audience THAT quiet.

@reply

You could literally hear people crying.

@reply

When Sadie’s voice started???? Absolutely not.