Page 35 of Forever Country (Forever Bluegrass #24)
At some point, Cassidy came back and took her seat.
Annaleigh didn’t know when, she just turned and there she was.
Cy had come back during the first commercial break.
Commercial breaks were the biggest times of stress for her.
It was pandemonium. The second they were told they were at commercial, everyone in the auditorium thought it was a fire drill.
People were up and out of their seats, hurrying to talk to their friends, or take a selfie with other celebrities.
People came at them from all directions.
It was hard to stay calm, but Maddie helped a lot.
Especially when Evie and Sloane joined in.
Holt talked to his brother a lot as Trey and Taylor were trying everything they could to reassure Annaleigh that everything was going to be okay.
“These songwriters are the heart and soul of country music,” the newest young heartthrob singer announced before listing off the names of the nominees.
Holt reached out and grabbed her hand. They smiled when they knew the camera panned to him, then Annaleigh held her breath waiting for the winner. “And the winner is...”The young man fumbled a bit with the seal and laughed. “Holt Everett for Whiskey Dreams .”
Holt squeezed her hand, but three rows of Keenestonites were up and cheering.
Annaleigh stood, leaning back so Holt could kiss his mother.
However, instead he kissed her first before leaning over and placing a kiss on his mother’s cheek, and shaking hands with his father and brother.
“Thanks for being with me, sweetheart. You’re my good luck charm,” Holt whispered in her ear before turning and walking up the stairs of the stage to the cheers of the auditorium.
Annaleigh watched with her hands clasped over her heart as Holt accepted his SCMP award. He thanked Morgan, Henry, his family, and his town, which sent the three rows jumping up again to cheer. “And a special thank you to my girlfriend, Annaleigh Astore. Love you, sweetheart.”
Annaleigh blushed as hoots and hollers were heard throughout the auditorium. The crowd then quieted down for the first artist of the year performance. Each artist who was nominated would be singing. Holt would be too, but he was slated to sing last.
Aniyah stepped around her husband and took Holt’s empty seat next to her. “I thought you’d want company.”
“Thank you. It does feel strange to be apart from Holt when all I want is to celebrate this milestone with him. I’m counting down the minutes until he gets done with the press and comes back.”
“Well, I’m hangry. I had to starve myself for the past twenty-four hours to get into this dress after having my babies.
So, don’t take anything I say to heart. Although, you look perfect.
Not like that guy. What was he thinking wearing that cowboy hat?
That’s not a real cowboy hat. That’s a designer cowboy hat.
It looks ridiculous. It’s not even scuffed.
I want my cowboy hats like my men. Rough, dirty, and fits just right.
That hat tells me he has a small wee-wee.
Like men who drive those really expensive sports cars or trucks that are so lifted you need a ladder to get into them.
” Ahmed cleared his throat behind them and Aniyah leaned back to look at him.
“Not you, sugar. You’re roar worthy, and that includes your engine. ”
The commercial break sent people playing musical chairs again, but not Aniyah, and Annaleigh was thankful for it.
Maddie and Aniyah hit it off like a house on fire.
Cody grimaced and slammed his knees together when Aniyah pulled out a small tube of oil and gave it to Maddie.
Sebastian and Greer joined them so Greer could move around a bit and Annaleigh was struck by how completely different everyone was in Keeneston, yet they all got along.
They cheered on those differences and celebrated each other.
“Annaleigh!”
Annaleigh turned to find Jackson blocking Paisley Collins. “This is Holt’s mentor, Paisley Collins. She’s good people,” Annaleigh told Jackson.
“I know who she is, but I don’t know if you want to see her or not. Holt told me no one gets through me unless you want them to.”
Paisley’s eyes widened, but with amusement. “So, do I hear church bells?”
“God willing. I’ve reserved the church for next weekend,” Father Ben called out, not looking like a priest at all since he was wearing a tuxedo.
“You can let her through. She’s a good friend,” Annaleigh said.
Paisley gave her a hug and told her she looked beautiful while Annaleigh told Paisley the same.
“I was hoping you’d do me a favor,” Paisley whispered.
“I’d like to meet the rest of A&M Agency.
Holt told me about the deal he got, and well, let’s just say I’m very interested in doing the same.
Is that something you could help me with? ”
“It is. Morgan has filled me in on what she’s done so far. We intend to work together going forward so I can offer both traditional and more modern ways to produce music to our clients. But, you’ve been with your agent for decades. I’m not going to poach. I’m the wrong Astore for that.”
“First, you won’t be an Astore long by the way Holt looks at you. Second, my agent told me this morning that this is her last SCMP. She’s retiring in December.”
“Well, then. Meet the team,” she turned, “Maddie? There’s someone I want you to meet.”