Hearts on Broadway (Book 2)

Chapter 17 - Re-starting

The soft hum of the studio surrounded Georgie as she adjusted her headphones. Pete, her longtime producer and one of the people who had always believed in her, gave her a nod from behind the soundboard. The air felt different—calm but purposeful. It wasn't just about recording music anymore. This album meant more to her than anything she'd ever done. It was a reflection of the journey she had been on, and she was only creating it with people she trusted completely.

Her bandmates, who had been with her since the very beginning, were there, ready to play their part in bringing this project to life. Sitting quietly in the corner was her manager, the person who had stood by her side through every high and low, giving her the freedom to heal when she needed it most.

"You ready, Georgie?" Pete's voice crackled through the speakers.

She nodded, smiling at him. Pete had seen her through everything, from her first studio sessions to the whirlwind of her rise in country music. He had been there when her world fell apart, and now, he was here to help her put it back together. "Yeah, I'm ready."

The soft melody of the song filled the room, and Georgie closed her eyes, letting the music wash over her. This song, like every other on the album, was deeply personal. The lyrics spoke of finding strength after feeling broken, of rediscovering parts of herself that had been lost during the toughest months of her life. As she sang, she could feel the weight of everything she had been through falling away, her voice carrying the emotions she had kept locked inside for so long.

When the final note faded into the air, she removed her headphones, her heart still racing from the intensity of the performance. Pete gave her a thumbs-up through the glass. "That was perfect," he said, his voice warm and encouraging.

Her bandmates exchanged smiles, clearly proud of her. She stepped out of the booth, feeling lighter, as if the act of singing had lifted a burden she didn't even realize she was still carrying.

"You're really doing it, Georgie," her manager said, offering a supportive smile. "This album is going to change things, for you and for your fans."

Georgie smiled back, feeling a sense of pride she hadn't felt in a long time. She had come so far from the fragile woman who had left Nashville eight months ago. Now, with therapy, medication, and the time she'd taken for herself, she was finally in a good place.

She had poured every emotion into this album. The struggles with mental health, the moments of doubt, the fear of being broken beyond repair—it was all there, woven into each song. The album wasn't just about her, though. She knew that her story could help others who were battling the same demons. Music had always been her way of connecting with people, and this album was her way of reaching out to those who felt lost and alone, just as she once had.

One of the songs on the album had been especially hard to write. It was about self-forgiveness—something Georgie had struggled with for a long time. She had blamed herself for so much: for walking away from Morgan and Jackson, for feeling like she wasn't enough. But through therapy, she had learned that before she could truly love anyone else, she needed to learn to love herself again. The song wasn't a traditional love song, but it was the most honest thing she had ever written. She hoped that one day, she'd have the chance to share it with Morgan.

As she left the studio and drove back to her apartment, her thoughts drifted back to Nashville. That pull toward home had been growing stronger lately, and it was harder to ignore. She missed Morgan. She missed Jackson. The guilt of not being there for Jackson during some of his biggest milestones still weighed heavily on her heart.

She had watched every video Morgan sent—Jackson's first words, his first steps, his little giggles. They were beautiful moments, but they also broke her heart because she wasn't there to experience them in person. It was as though she was watching from the outside, disconnected from the life she had once been so deeply a part of.