“Garrett, are we going to number one?” Cleo’s voice goesup a level.
Garrett chuckles down the phone. “You are about to go to number one with your debut single.”
“You’re joking!” Cleo jumps up.
“This can’t be real,” Peyton shrieks.
“Your real-time streams on Spotify are going up in the hundreds by the minute. It is all about streaming these days, so these numbers are valuable to climbing the charts. Since your appearance last week, SiriusXM has had thousands of requests to play your track. You’re trending on TikTok. The song it’s gathering serious momentum.”
“I can’t believe this.” Peyton gawks. “I’m shaking.”
“Well believe it,” Garrett says.
“We’re currently predicted to take number one? But that doesn’t mean we’ve got it. What are the chances?” Cleo asks. She paces back and forth.
“The official chart updates tomorrow, but I can only see this snowballing. The data works in your favour. All I will say is promote it now! Marisa and the label are doing what they need to do, but you need to show your faces on all your platforms. Encourage people to stream and download, share it with their friends, etc. We need the final push over the course of today, and you will have yourself a number one hit.”
Shit.
Peyton can barely think straight.
“Is this really happening?” Peyton whispers.
Garett ends the call with strict instructions. Cleo wraps her arms around Peyton’s waist and lifts her up.
“This has to be a dream.” Peyton buries her head inCleo’s neck.
“You deserve this.” Cleo puts her back downon two feet.
“We deserve this,” Peyton corrects her.
EPILOGUE
TwoYears Later
IntimatewithThe Landrys.
It’s in bright lights—Tonight at 7:30 p.m.—above the Tower Theatre in Philadelphia. Just one stop on their tour around America. It feels surreal. Peyton links her arm with Cleo’s and there’s nothing to do but admire the view. She snaps a quick picture for their daily tour post. The glare of the lights adds a red ambience to the photo. It looks vintage, fitting for a venue built in the 1920s.
The past two years have been a whirlwind. They released their first single which went to number one on the country music charts, and their two follow up singles debuted in the Top 10. Nine months later they released a twelve track studio album that debuted at number one. It was officially certified as platinum. They were nominated for several awards, including the Top New Female Vocalist award. They didn’t win, but the nomination was evidence they were carving out a place in the industry.
Following the success of their debut singles and album, Garrett planned a tour of North America. Both Peyton and Cleo were adamant they wanted intimate venues. Shonda agreed that the beauty of the two of them singing together is best showcased when they can connect to the audience, and their ability to make the audience feel something is paramount. That connection would conclusively be drowned out in bigger venues. They agreed to venues with a capacity of no more than 1500 spectators. The only exception was the first stop on their tour—tonight.
They got married after a year of dating. Cleo proposed during a recording session; she altered the lyrics to one of their songs to add the words, “Will you marry me?”. That song was eventually recorded with the altered lyrics.
Peyton would’ve married Cleo after the first month; that was obvious to anyone who knew them, so there was no surprise when she said “yes”. They married four months later at the same venue in the San Bernardino Mountains where Peyton’s mom married her dad two decades prior.
The micro wedding was planned in less than a month. The guest list was intimate, no more than fifty people in total. Peyton enjoyed being tucked away in the lush forest with the rushing sound of the sparkling creek in the distance. The planners set up an outdoor stage with the majestic mountains as a backdrop. Peyton and Cleo performed unreleased songs from what is now due to be their second studio album.
It was a day she will never forget. Shortly after, they had a session with Shonda around their name and whether it should be more incorporated. That’s when they agreed on The Landrys. She’s still confident on their choice knowing it sounds considerably better than The Harrises.
Jesse and Alisha are with them on the tour. When Peyton and Cleo asked Jesse’s band to be their supporting act he fell to the floor crying. It was a no-brainer for Peyton. Jesse had been signed to the same label three months before they announced The Landrys’ tour. It was her first suggestion to Shonda. She agreed wholeheartedly.
Peyton is the happiest she’s ever been. She gets to tour the country with her wife and her best friend—and hispregnantgirlfriend, Alisha.
Peyton still wakes up every morning to Cleo beside her and counts her blessings. They’re about to commence on a four-month road trip. There will be more flights, hotels, and takeout food than is healthy for anyone, but she’s excited because she gets to do it all with Cleo.
When they enter the venue. The stage is set.
