Stars on Broadway - Morgan Wallen

Chapter 10 - Keeping Distance

Morgan leaned back in his chair, the dim lighting of the bar casting long shadows over the half-empty glasses on the table. He swirled his drink absentmindedly, his mind drifting back to the night he first saw Georgie perform at Kid Rock's bar. It had been one of those nights where he wasn't expecting much—a quick drink, some live music, and a chance to unwind after a long stretch of touring. But then she had stepped on stage.

He remembered the way her voice had filled the room, pulling him in before he even realized what was happening. She wasn't just singing—she was commanding the stage in a way that made you stop and pay attention. Her voice was rich, soulful, with that perfect blend of raw emotion and confidence. He had seen hundreds of artists, but something about Georgie had made him stay. He had been transfixed by her, not just because of her voice, but because of the way she owned the stage, like she was born for it.

And yeah, he wasn't blind—he'd noticed how gorgeous she looked up there under the lights. Her dark hair falling loosely over her shoulders, her easy smile that seemed so genuine, the way her eyes sparkled with a mix of joy and determination. She had a presence, one that made it impossible not to be drawn to her.

But it was more than that. There was something real about Georgie, something unpolished and raw, and Morgan had known right then that she was different from the other aspiring artists he had seen in Nashville. That's why he'd talked to his manager, why he'd insisted the label listen to her demo. He had seen her potential, not just as an artist, but as someone who could go far in the industry if given the right opportunities.

Now, months later, she was on the verge of releasing her first EP, and the buzz around her was bigger than anyone had anticipated. She was talented, no doubt about it. But the more time Morgan spent around her, the more he realized it wasn't just her voice or stage presence that had caught his attention. It was her.

Morgan exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair as he leaned forward. Across from him, Hardy sat nursing his drink, raising an eyebrow as he watched Morgan wrestle with his thoughts.

"What's on your mind, man?" Hardy asked, breaking the silence.

Morgan glanced up, his lips curving into a half-smile. "It's Georgie," he admitted, shaking his head slightly. "I've been thinkin' about her a lot lately."

Hardy smirked, leaning back in his chair. "The girl you helped get signed? That Georgie?"

Morgan nodded, the memory of that first night flashing through his mind. "Yeah. I saw her perform a few months back at Kid Rock's bar. She blew me away, man. I knew she had something, so I pulled some strings to get the label to pay attention. And now she's got her EP coming out next week."

Hardy's smirk softened into something more curious. "So what's the deal? You like her or somethin'?"

Morgan sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I don't know, man. I mean, yeah, I like her. She's talented, she's real, and she's... beautiful. But it's not just that. I feel this connection, you know? Like we're on the same wavelength. But at the same time..."

Hardy leaned forward, his voice lowering. "But at the same time, you're worried."

Morgan nodded slowly, swirling the ice in his glass. "Yeah. I've been burned before. My last couple of relationships... they were all about the fame. They saw the spotlight, the lifestyle, and they wanted in. I'm not tryin' to go through that again."

Hardy nodded, his expression understanding. He'd been around Morgan long enough to know the toll fame could take on relationships. "You think Georgie's like that?"

"No," Morgan said quickly, shaking his head. "She's not like that. She's real. Down-to-earth. I don't think she'd ever use someone like that. But still... I'm cautious. I've gotta be."