Jace (Kings of Country 1)

Jace tugged her hand into his lap. “Here’s the thing about Krystal. She doesn’t talk about people. Good or bad, she’s private. It’s one of the things I respect about her. So, yeah, I get a little defensive because he’s made stuff up, and since she won’t lower herself to his level, people assume he’s telling the truth.”

Molly appeared to be listening sincerely. “Why do you think Mickey Graham has said some of the things he’s said? He’s painted a pretty unflattering picture of you, Krystal.”

Krystal nodded. “I know. I think, sometimes, it’s easier to blame someone else when things don’t work out. Instead of owning your part in it.” Which was true. It was also true that Mickey Graham was just an attention-seeking bastard, but she’d keep that part to herself.

Jace pressed a kiss against the back of her hand. It would be easy to fall in love with Jace Black, if she were the sort of person who could do that.

“Viewers, I wish you could have seen them before the cameras were rolling. These two can hardly keep their hands off each other.” Molly shook her head, smiling. “But, you know, a lot of your fans are worried about you, Jace.” Krystal knew what was coming. “Most of the country was devastated when they heard your story. Your wife, Nikki, and your son, Ben. It must be hard to move on.”

Jace held Krystal’s hand in both of his, clearing his throat. “Yes, ma’am.”

Her heart ached for him. “He has this way of looking at things. Finding the best. Kind and…supportive. He’s a gentleman,” Krystal said. “I tease him a little—Gentleman Jace—because I’ve never met anyone like him.” More truths. Maybe this wouldn’t be that hard after all.

“When we met, I felt like I knew her. I could probably recite most of the songs she’s written—they helped me get through losing my grandmother. And my wife and son.” He shook his head. “Singing with her is special.”

“I’ve heard the two of you.” Molly nodded. “Your chemistry comes through. Why do you think you two clicked, Krystal?”

“Well…” She took a deep breath. “He wouldn’t give up, for one thing. I was worried, like his fans, about hurting him. I mean, he’s him. He has the biggest heart.” She looked at their joined hands. “He is the only person who sees me for who I am and believes in me.”

“He won you over?” Molly asked.

Krystal nodded, wishing this interview were over. It was a little too honest, felt a little too real. Because everything she was saying and feeling was real.

“Jace, are you excited to be performing at the Austin Country Music Festival? This is a pretty big deal for you.”

He nodded.

“Being onstage with some of country music’s biggest names. You’ll be singing your duet, won’t you?”

Which was news to her. She’d been planning on ducking out of the event. An impossibility if they were singing together.

“Yes, ma’am,” he answered.

“It has to be overwhelming, coming face-to-face with so many music legends.”

“Having coffee and donuts with Hank King?” He shook his head. “Kissing her?” He chuckled. “Not sure I’ll ever get used to it.”

He was so much better at this than she was. More comfortable.

“There’s a lot of buzz about Tiger Whitman’s award, a man so instrumental in so many performers’ lives.” She paused. “What do you think of his new protégé, Becca Sinclair? People are talking about how talented she is, for someone so young. Have you heard her?”

Krystal spent most of the time trying not to think about Tig. And, for a while, he’d laid low. But she’d never thought about this. He was mentoring a new singer? Her blood went cold. For a few seconds, her brain shut down. No hearing or thinking, just a terrible heavy coldness sinking into her bones. She’d let this happen.

“What do you think?” Jace asked, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

She blinked. Jace’s kiss helped pull her back to the present.

“We’d love to hear part of the single,” Molly said.

“Sure.” She forced a smile, doing her best not to panic when Jace let go of her hand. She had to fight against the panic, the crushing weight against her chest, until they weren’t in front of the cameras.

Jace was handed his guitar.

He turned his chair to face her. “Good?” He knew something was up.

She nodded.

They sang the first verse through, singing the chorus twice before Molly started clapping.