Hearts on Broadway (Book 2)

Chapter 19 - Moving Forward

Georgie stared at her phone, her heart pounding as Morgan's message sat unread in her inbox. Her fingers hovered over the screen, wanting to open it, to read his words and try to make sense of everything. But the image of another woman answering his phone was burned into her mind, and the hurt was too much to bear. She hadn't expected this. She hadn't expected Morgan to have moved on.

She had left to heal, to find herself again, and part of her had always believed that when the time was right, they would find their way back to each other. But the reality of hearing another woman's voice in the background shattered that hope. Georgie felt a sharp pang of betrayal, even though she had been the one to leave. It wasn't fair, she thought, but the feelings gnawed at her nonetheless.

She couldn't bring herself to respond. Not yet. The pain was too fresh, too raw. Instead, she pushed the phone away, ignoring the buzz of her emotions, and made a decision. She wasn't ready to face him, not with all the questions swirling in her mind. So, she would focus on the only thing that had ever made sense—her music.

The studio had always been a place where Georgie could lose herself, and now was no different. It was her refuge, her sanctuary from the confusion and pain. She threw herself into her work, collaborating with Riley Green, a fellow country star who had been a breath of fresh air during this chaotic time.

Riley was laid-back, easygoing, and didn't pry into her personal life. He was exactly what she needed right now—someone who didn't know the details of her relationship with Morgan, who wasn't invested in her past. In the studio, there was no pressure, no expectations. It was just music, pure and simple.

They had been working on a few tracks together for her new album, and Riley had been a great collaborator. His style meshed well with hers, and their writing sessions had produced some of the best songs she'd written in months. The music was raw, filled with heartache and resilience. Every lyric, every melody seemed to pull from the deep well of emotions Georgie had been holding in since she left Nashville.

They'd just finished recording a new song when Riley leaned back in his chair, grinning. "That was killer, Georgie. This album's gonna be something special."

Georgie smiled back, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. She appreciated Riley's energy, his optimism, but inside, she was still wrestling with her own demons. "Thanks. I feel good about it."

"You should," Riley said, running a hand through his hair. "You're putting your heart into this. People are gonna feel that when they listen."

Georgie nodded, but her mind was already drifting. It wasn't just the album that was weighing on her. It was Morgan, the woman who answered his phone, and the endless questions she didn't have answers to. Was he really moving on? Did she even have the right to feel hurt, after everything?

"Hey," Riley's voice broke through her thoughts, pulling her back to the present. "You all right? You've been a little quiet today."

Georgie hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just... a lot on my mind."

Riley didn't push. He wasn't the kind of guy to pry, and Georgie was grateful for that. He simply smiled and stood up, stretching his arms. "How about we grab some food? We've been in here for hours, and I'm starving."

For a second, Georgie hesitated. She wasn't sure she was up for going out, not with everything weighing on her. But Riley was right—they had been working for hours, and maybe a distraction would help. "Yeah, sure. Let's go."

They left the studio together, walking a few blocks to a small restaurant that Riley swore had the best burgers in town. It was a casual place, dimly lit with a relaxed vibe that made Georgie feel like she could let her guard down, even if just for a little while.

As they sat down at a booth, Georgie felt some of the tension in her shoulders ease. Riley's lighthearted conversation kept her distracted, and for the first time in days, she felt a flicker of normalcy. They talked about the album, their upcoming projects, and shared a few laughs. It was nice, easy.

But even in this moment, the thought of Morgan lingered in the back of her mind. She couldn't shake the image of the woman who had answered his phone, couldn't push away the question of whether he had moved on. It hurt more than she expected, but what hurt even more was the realization that maybe she had waited too long.

By the time they finished eating and left the restaurant, Georgie felt a little lighter, her mind clearer. Riley had always had that effect on people—he had a way of making things feel simple, uncomplicated.

As they walked out, they didn't notice the flashing cameras from the corner of the street. Paparazzi, always on the hunt for a story, had spotted them leaving together, laughing and looking close. The clicks of cameras went unnoticed by Georgie and Riley as they headed back to their cars, unaware of the storm that was about to hit.

By the time Georgie woke up the next morning, the internet was buzzing with rumors and speculation. Her phone lit up with notifications, messages from friends, and news articles with headlines screaming about her and Riley.

**"Georgie Day Spotted with Riley Green: New Romance Brewing?"**

**"Georgie Day Moves On with Riley Green After Split with Morgan Wallen!"**

Georgie stared at the headlines, her stomach dropping. She hadn't expected this. They were just friends, working on music together, but the photos made it look like so much more. Paparazzi had caught them at just the right moments—laughing together, walking close. To the outside world, it looked like they were more than just collaborators.

Her hands shook as she scrolled through the articles. Fans were speculating about her personal life, making assumptions based on the photos. Some were supportive, happy that she seemed to be moving on, while others were critical, accusing her of using Riley to get over Morgan.

---

**@CountryFan123:**
*Good for Georgie! She deserves to move on after everything with Morgan. Riley's a good guy! #TeamGeorgie*

**@WallenGeorgieForever:**
*What is Georgie doing with Riley Green?? I thought she'd get back with Morgan. This is heartbreaking. #WallenAndGeorgie4Ever*

**@RileyGreenFan:**
*Riley and Georgie? I can get behind this. They look cute together! #RileyAndGeorgie*

**@CountryGirl87:**
*This feels wrong. Georgie just left Morgan and Jackson, and now she's out with Riley? That doesn't sit right with me. #Disappointed*

---

Georgie put her phone down, her head spinning. The last thing she needed right now was more public scrutiny. She had been trying to focus on her music, trying to move forward, but now it felt like everything was spiraling out of control.

She hadn't even talked to Morgan yet. They hadn't had the chance to figure things out, and now the media was painting a picture that wasn't even close to the truth. It made her feel trapped, like no matter what she did, the world would keep speculating and judging her decisions.

Riley called later that morning, his voice cheerful as he asked if she'd seen the news. "Looks like we've stirred up some drama," he said with a laugh. "You okay with all this?"

Georgie forced a chuckle, though it didn't reach her eyes. "Yeah, it's fine. Just didn't expect it."

Riley, always the optimist, didn't seem fazed by the headlines. "Don't worry about it. People are always gonna talk. Let them. We know what's real."

She appreciated his easygoing attitude, but something inside her still felt unsettled. Riley was a good distraction, and the collaboration had been exactly what she needed to focus on something other than her heartbreak. But now, with the media frenzy swirling around them, she felt conflicted.

Despite everything, her feelings for Morgan hadn't disappeared. They were still there, lingering beneath the surface, tangled up with the hurt and confusion. She wasn't ready to move on, not really, and the idea that the world thought she was only made it worse.

She couldn't help but wonder what Morgan thought when he saw the headlines. Had he seen the photos of her and Riley? Did he think she had moved on? The thought made her heart ache, but she still couldn't bring herself to reach out to him. Not after everything.

For now, all Georgie could do was keep moving forward, even if she didn't know where that path would lead.