"And this year's Female Artist of the Year goes to..."

Jenna's heart is beating so hard in her chest that she's sure the guy sitting next to her can hear it.

"Jenna James!"

She exhales a deep breath and a relived smile lights up her face. She looks over at Morgan who gives her a thumbs up from his table. He's been a huge help for the past year; she's sure that she wouldn't be doing what she's doing without him.

They've been friends- strictly friends and nothing more than just

She weaves her way through the tables and up to the stage, her dress held by one hand and the other holding Luke Bryan's hand to guide her up the stairs.

She crosses the stage to the mic to Carly Pearce who gives her a huge hug before handing her the award.

Jenna grins at the award in her hands with tears in her eyes as she stands in front of the mic. She was bouncing between the ideas of keeping a speech short and simple like Joe Pesci but she knows she has to address her family at Big Loud.

"First off, I wanna thank everyone for voting." Her eyes run over the crowd and stop at Michael, sitting next to Morgan. How could she not notice that? "Next everyone at Big Loud; Aaron French, Bryson Davis, Joey Moi, Morgan Wallen, Ern, Sean Stemaly but most importantly," She feels her face heat up. "Michael Hardy because without him, I sure as hell wouldn't be up here today without him. Thank you." She turns and exits the stage, tears now slipping down her cheeks.

She makes her way back to her seat, smiling at everyone who congratulated her.

After a few more awards, there is a set coming.

Jen gets another drink between set changes, the alcohol finally doing what it's supposed to. She feels loose and relaxed now.

She watches her ex cross the stage to the center mic and adjust his hat. He slides his hand up the neck of the guitar, his eyes on Jenna.

After playing his first song, A Rock, he's setting his guitar down and taking a few deep, calming breaths.

"Well, this water colored sunset's gonna fade right into dark and this tailgate's gonna rust and this old truck will run out of starts. Whether I go first or you do, girl, one day we won't be together. When you look at me, I just don't believe some things can't last forever..."

She brushes away a stray tear and looks down at her name card, rolling the edges of it anxiously.

"I'll quit loving you when country roads don't wind and curve, when cold beer don't quench your thirst, when there ain't an "Amen" in church. Baby, I'll quit loving you when the sun sets to the east, when the sky turns evergreen. Baby, don't you ever think that I'll quit loving you, yeah..."

She looks up and sees him looking right back at her.

"Yeah, I'll quit loving you when the Mississippi river runs dry when Colorado Rockies ain't high, when the Tennessee moon don't shine..."

He repeats the chorus but when the song ends, he shoots her a bashful smile with a cocky wink.

She blushes, looking away quickly.

After a couple more awards, it's Jenna's turn to perform and wow is she nervous but thankfully, she got to change out of that floor length dress and into cut off shorts and a Hail State tank top with no shoes of course.

She shakes her nerves off and her heading out on stage. Something about performing in front of chartmakers makes her want to throw up but the liquid confidence in her belly helps.

What if she forgets the words?

What if she trips and falls?

What if she chokes!?

She takes a few calming breathes then she's out on the stage, her heart pumping adrenaline through her veins.

"It was Sunday drive blue sky weather. It was two names carved in a heart on a tree. It was him and me thinking it was gonna last forever. It was looking like a real deal diamond ring. Oh I'm talking picture perfect Polaroid put it in a frame. Oh but it's lookin like it's all done changed..."

She searches the crowd for Michael but he isn't in the crowd.

"Roses on the counter are wilted now, nail holes where I took the pictures down, right side nightstand looks a little bit dusty. Heartbreak makes pretty ugly. Mascara running down a made up face. Clouds rolled in now it always rains. It was beautiful up until he said he didn't love me. Heartbreak makes pretty ugly..."

She swallows hard, her eyes on her guitar.

"I'm usually a little more put together but I can't quit wearing his worn out shirt. Missing him's still sitting front and center and I can't even hide how bad it hurts..."

It's taking everything in her to not breakdown right there in front of A-List country stars.

She gets through the rest of the song and needs to pump up the vibes, now.

"Yeah, a small-town girl oughta know better than to ride through town on a Friday night, go haulin' 'round stuff that belongs to another and leanin' on over at a red light that's right

Yeah, a small-town girl oughta grow up knowing that 'round here you can't be a liar. One little spark gonna wind up smoking and gonna spread like a wildfire..."

She starts feeling the song and puts on a damn good set. She loves doing this- she feels great and can't wait to party afterwards with her friends.

When she closes her set, she heads off the stage with the biggest grin she's had in a while. She practically tackles Bryson, her manager, in the biggest hug ever.

"Jenny." She looks behind her and sees Michael standing there in his fancy suit. "Hey."

She turns on her bare heel to face him. "Hi."

He smiles to himself and looks down at his boots. "You did amazin' out there."

"Thank you. You did too."

He takes a few steps closer to her, his fingers finding her hand. She smiles too, leaning closer to him as she slides her hand up his arm. He nudges her chin up and kisses her, her arms wrapping around his neck as she kisses him back.

Jenna pulls back and clears her throat. "You goin' to the after party?"

"Yeah. You?"

"Yeah."

Morgan had told Michael what he did like the hour after he learned Jenna came clean. Michael was furious, rightfully so, and Morgan told him to beat the shit out of him if he wanted to, he wouldn't fight back.

Michael hit him twice and that got enough anger out.

He then told Morgan that he still loves her, he never wanted her to leave but it's what was best.

Since then, they started coming up with ways to get her back and a lot of songs came out of it.

Every song that Jenna put out after their break up made him realize she still loves him too. He wanted to wait for the right moment to get her back and that moment is now.

"Great, I'll drive you." Michael says, looking her over again.

"Great." She smiles back, her cheeks pink. "I think the show's almost over so I'm gonna head outside for a smoke."

"I'll come get you when it's over." He promises, licking his lips before kissing her again. Her hand comes up to grasp his jaw gently, kissing him back hard. "See ya in a few."

+++

It's crazy at this after party. Jenna had no idea Morgan knew all these people but once the word got out amongst the musicians, it got packed.

Shoulder to shoulder people but Michael's hand is still tight around Jenna's as they walk around the in ground pool.

Morgan booked a house- a huge house and everyone chipped in a couple hundred to help with the cost.

After getting more alcohol in her, Jenna's feeling frisky as hell. She kisses Michael sloppily before she suddenly starts to lean back.

Michael reaches out for her hand before she falls but he's too slow.

Jenna plunges into the pool, laughing when she resurfaces. Shortly after her, everyone else jumps in- still in their suits and dresses from the show.

Nights like these are legendary.

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