Chapter 173 163 - Achy Breaky Heart

3rd Pov

The studio erupted into thunderous applause, everyone convinced Justin was about to step out from behind the curtain. But the twang in that voice… it wasn't Justin's.

Taylor recognized it instantly and so did Ellen. Of course Ellen already knew. The crew had planned this moment down to the second.

Georgie walked out at an easy pace, his smile first for the audience before his gaze found Taylor. The music swelled, and Ellen's voice rose over the noise:

"Please welcome....George Cooper Jr.!"

The crowd went wild, but Taylor didn't wait for him to reach the sofa. Heels clicking across the stage, she rushed toward him, pouting like she had something to say then grinning like she couldn't help herself.

"Oh, okay, let's hug him then!" Ellen quipped, making the audience laugh louder.

"Whoa," Georgie chuckled, opening his arms as Taylor squealed and leapt into them. He spun her around with ease, lifting her like she was light as a feather.

"I thought you were in New York!!" she cried, her mic still hot making her voice echoing through the studio.

Georgie set her down gently, but before he could answer, Ellen threw her hands up dramatically. "Wait, where's my hug?"

Taylor quickly blocked her with an outstretched arm. "No!"

The audience lost it, clapping and hollering. Ellen's eyes narrowed in mock offense, lips pursed as she mouthed, 'I'm watching you'.

Georgie laughed, shaking his head. "Hello, Ellen." He turned back to Taylor, that mischievous spark in his eyes. "Yeah—they lied. I never told you I was in New York, did I?"

Taylor shot a glare at her manager, who didn't look at her in her seat.

"Ladies and gentlemen, one more round of applause for Georgie!" Ellen said, snapping back into host mode. The crowd obliged—louder than before.

Even after Georgie and Taylor sat down, the cheering didn't stop. The crew waved frantically to calm the audience so the show could move on.

"Wow, what an entrance, Georgie!" Ellen beamed at him. "Handsome as always, by the way."

Taylor snorted at her, making Georgie chuckle.

"Well," he said, leaning back casually, "you opened up Pandora's box with my embarrassing video… so I figured I had to take it back."

Ellen narrowed her eyes at him. "Oh really? I'm not giving it back to you, Georgie."

Georgie tilted his head, half-smiling. "Please?"

Just a beat then Ellen shrugged. "Okay."

The audience roared at the quick little skit, clapping and hollering as Ellen leaned forward again, turning her sly grin toward Taylor. "By the way, why the hug and the spin, Taylor? Are you really that excited he's here?"

Taylor turned her head toward Georgie, her smile soft, her voice small. "I… I don't know why…"

The crowd giggled at her shy confession.

"She's just happy to see me, that's all," Georgie teased, removing his cowboy hat and gently settling it on Taylor's head. "You know, I am her boss. She's supposed to smile when she sees me."

Taylor's cheeks glowed as she looked at him, then back to Ellen with sparkling eyes. "That's correct."

Ellen rolled her eyes dramatically. "Okay, cowgirl. You're safe—for now." The audience laughed, and Taylor covered her mouth, laughing. "I'm sorry! I'm just happy!"

"Yeah, yeah…" Ellen waved her hand with mock impatience before turning to Georgie. "So, Georgie, how are you doing?"

"Thank you for asking, Ellen. I'm doing well." Georgie glanced sideways at Taylor, his smile tugging. "I'm really just here to help my artist promote her album."

Ellen snorted, shaking her head. "Oh, please. You've got more than a few artists. But you only show up for Taylor."

Taylor giggled, leaning closer to Georgie. "Yeah, Georgie—why is that?"

Georgie looked between them, feigning outrage. "How can the two of you gang up on me like this?" The crowd laughed at his mock defeat. "I can still drag Justin in here to replace me, you know!"

Ellen flicked her hand. "Nah. Justin's for the next episode."

The audience burst out laughing, the camera catching Taylor's wide grin and Georgie's helpless chuckle.

Ellen narrowed her eyes playfully, then glanced at the prompter. "You even showed up on her first tour," she said, her tone hinting at gossip, ready to stir the pot.

"Yeah, that's, uh…" Georgie looked at Ellen, then at Taylor, only to be met with Taylor's wide, sparkling eyes as she batted her lashes at him like a mischievous teenager, then back at Ellen again

"Hey! Focus here!" Ellen snapped in mock anger. "Come on, man!"

"I'm sorry! She's distracting me!" Georgie pointed at Taylor, who gasped dramatically.

"I am not distracting you!" she shot back, her voice half offended, half giggling.

The crowd erupted with laughter, Ellen covering her mouth as she chuckled.

"Alright, alright." Georgie rolled his eyes with a grin before leaning forward, voice turning steady. "You see, Houston—Taylor's first tour stop—that was also the very first time I ever sang in front of thousands."

The audience quieted, leaning in.

"Really? Like your first tour?" Ellen asked, flicking a glance at Taylor, who still hadn't stopped staring at Georgie.

"Not my first tour," Georgie corrected, "but my first concert. I was invited to open for George S. concert. You know how many people came for George S. right?. And there I was… just a boy, standing on that stage as the opening act."

Georgie let it settle before turning to Taylor, a soft smile tugging at his lips. "So I thought… maybe I could do the same for her. Pay it forward. Honor a new generation of musicians, give them the chance to spread their wings and fly higher."

The applause swelled louder, but right next to him he could hear Taylor's soft giggle, sweeter than the cheers.

Ellen leaned in, her eyes sharp now. "Oh wow. So is that why you're doing all of this, even though you haven't stepped into showbiz in years? Is it only for her?"

The question hung in the air, a subtle trap for headlines.

Georgie met her gaze calmly. "Well… she is my artist." He paused, the corner of his mouth lifting. "And I take care of my artists."

The crowd cheered again, though everyone knew Ellen had just tried to corner him—and Georgie had slipped out gracefully.

"Nice save," Ellen muttered, then turned back to Taylor with exaggerated annoyance. "And could you please stop staring at him? I feel like I'm hosting a dating show right now!"

Taylor gasped, clutching her chest. "I am not staring at him!"

Ellen rolled her eyes. "Mhm. Sure." She leaned forward again, shifting the spotlight. "Speaking of your tour—forty towns? All sold out? That's incredible! I must say, you're going to need extra vitamins for your body and…" She cut a sly glance toward Georgie. "…and your emotions."

Taylor straightened in her seat, trying to brush it off. "Well—"

But Georgie wasn't helping at all.

He leaned in, his face turned fully toward her, wide curious eyes locked on Taylor. He batted his lashes slowly, almost theatrically, but the effect was devastating. On the monitors, he looked downright magnetic.

"I'm not disturbing you." Georgie said flatly.

"Yes, you are!" Taylor shot back, flustered, and the audience erupted in laughter. Ellen nodded firmly. "Yes, Georgie—even I feel it."

Georgie raised both hands innocently, making the crowd laugh harder at the little skit.

Taylor snorted and turned back to Ellen. "Anyway—yes, the tickets are sold out. After this, I'll be flying to Tennessee. It's exhausting, but the energy from the crowd keeps me going. It makes me feel stronger, like I can give more than ever before."

She paused, then flicked her eyes toward Georgie. "You should come." Her tone was flat, leaving no room for excuses.

The audience oohed, leaning in. Ellen's eyebrows shot up as she turned to Georgie, waiting.

He blinked, caught off guard. "...I'm not that free, you know. I've got work to do."

Taylor rolled her eyes dramatically, then looked at Ellen. "See?"

Ellen threw up her hands and slumped back in her chair. "Just date each other already. You two look like a couple anyway."

The audience howled, some even clapping to punctuate the line, while Taylor covered her face in embarrassment and Georgie just laughed helplessly.

"We'll be back with Taylor singing us a song in just a moment. Georgie, thank you for joining us," Ellen said, shooting him a playful look. "Even though you've just been fooling around with us this whole time."

Georgie laughed. "It's a pleasure, Ellen." He turned to Taylor, holding out a hand. "Now… may I please have my hat back?"

Taylor dodged his reach, clutching the cowboy hat on her head with a glare that was more playful than angry. "It's mine," she declared possessively.

Georgie's mouth twitched, torn between amusement and exasperation. He shot Ellen a helpless look which Ellen only smiled at as she wrapped the segment up: "Don't go anywhere—next up, a song from Taylor Swift!"

The camera light blinked off.

"Kyaaa!" Taylor squealed the second they were clear, laughing and swatting at Georgie. "Don't pinch my cheeks, you brute!"

Ellen watched them with open amusement, shaking her head. "Tell me the truth—are you two dating or not?"

Taylor wriggled free, straightening her dress. "Of course not! Why would I ever date this brute?!"

"They're more like siblings," another voice chimed in from behind.

Taylor spun, then broke into a smile. "Oh, hey, Missy!" She rushed over, still holding Georgie's hat like it was her prize. "Your brother is such a jerk. A petty jerk! He won't even give me his hat!"

Missy's eyes twitched as she glanced from Taylor's pout to Georgie's helpless, what-can-I-do expression.

Of course, everything they did was still being watched by the audience and crew, but Taylor didn't seem to care anymore because they got their own NDA.

"So, Taylor," Ellen cut in, drawing her attention back, "are you ready to sing for us? 'Love Story' and 'Should've Said No', right?"

"Yes," Taylor nodded, then glanced at Missy and Georgie. "But, um… I want to sing a new song. Can I?"

Ellen's eyes widened. She swiveled toward the producer at the back, who immediately hurried forward. Taylor's manager followed with a weary sigh.

"You can't just change a song like that," she muttered. "We'll need to change the contract." Her eyes flicked toward Georgie.

Before Georgie could reply, the producer cut in eagerly. "We can handle it quickly—thank God this is taping, not live."

Georgie only shrugged, calm as ever. "Sure. What song?"

Taylor leaned closer to whisper in his ear, her voice low enough to keep the title a secret. Ellen and Missy rolled their eyes at the sight, both equally annoyed with their 'love' display.

"Hm. We can do that," Georgie said after a moment, his tone steady. "The song's already registered, so no one can steal it. Just make sure the paperwork is in order." He turned to Taylor's manager. "Draft a new contract to protect her. Call legal."

The manager sighed again, but nodded and walked off with the producer to set everything up.

Ellen waved it off, "So, is this a song for your next album?"

"Yes. That was the plan," Taylor admitted, her gaze flicking back to Georgie. "But I think… I want to play it now." She hesitated, then added softly, "You'll stay to listen, right?"

Georgie smiled at her, warm and steady. "Alright. And good job, Tay."

Her cheeks flushed at the words. Without thinking, she leaned into him, and Georgie's arm came around her in a brief, protective hug.

The audience melted, applauding louder, and Ellen raised her brows looking at her act like that making her grin wide. 'Maybe Missy is right, they do look like siblings'.

"Uhmm… let's get somewhere else, okay?" Missy cut in, looping her arm through Georgie's and tugging him toward the exit.

Georgie let out a small laugh, shaking his head, Taylor followed right behind them, giggling as she trailed along.

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3rd POV

Inside the Hee Haw studio, hay bales lay scattered across the barn set, cardboard corn stalks still standing tall under the stage lights. Sheldon sat alone near the edge, his expression twisted into boredom.

Hours had passed for a program that would only air for half an hour. The endless retakes, the waiting, the shouting crew—utterly inefficient. What a waste of time, he thought.

And yet, here he was. Wasting time as well. For the family, he reminded himself.

"Bored already?" Georgie's voice cut through, warm with amusement. Sheldon glanced up to find his brother grinning at him.

"We've been here for hours," Sheldon said, lips pursed in a pout. "You already did your skit. What do you think?"

Georgie chuckled. "Well, I still have to record the singing part, Shelly. Might take a little longer."

As he spoke, Mary and George Sr. approached. "What's going on?" Mary asked, glancing between her boys.

"He's bored, Mom," Georgie reported instantly, earning a glare from Sheldon.

"I am not bored," Sheldon corrected sharply. "I am intellectually under-stimulated. There's a difference."

George Sr. frowned down at him. Truth be told, he'd been hitting it off with some of the cast—football men, kindred spirits. Even if he was just a high school coach, they listened, respected his stories and insight.

"Why? You wanna go back to the hotel, Sheldon?" George Sr. said without looking at Mary. "Your mother can take you."

Mary gasped, turning sharply toward him, eyes full of irritation. She didn't want to leave either, not when she was finally chatting with some of the performers.

Sheldon ignored the others and turned to Georgie, his eyes alight. "Brother, have you decided what you're doing for the science fair yet?" His voice carried an unusual note of excitement.

{On any given day, our school gymnasium presented a cocktail of horrors.} – Adult Sheldon.

Georgie blinked, then leaned back with a sigh. "Honestly? Haven't thought about it." He said then he looked at his father, "Hey, Dad—can I skip the science fair?"

Before George Sr. could open his mouth, Sheldon frowned and cut in, "You can't. Not only is participation mandatory, I want you to enter."

"....." Georgie narrowed his eyes. "...You just wanna beat me in front of everyone, don't you?"

Sheldon smirked. "....There's nothing to beat when you already know the outcome."

{From daily humiliation to school-sanctioned violence.} – Adult Sheldon.

Mary groaned under her breath. "Not again…"

"Then let's bet," Georgie said suddenly, a grin tugging at his lips.

George Sr. only shrugged. "Well, Peterson already told me you have to do it anyway. Said it'd be good for you, you know… to show your face at school." he said with a little bit of awkwardness.

Sheldon's smirk widened. "Alright. What are the terms?"

"First place," Georgie said firmly. "If you lose, you clean my room for two whole months."

{But one day, the gymnasium was transformed into a haven of learning. Thanks to a remarkable institution known as science fair.} – Adult Sheldon.

Sheldon grinned. Cleaning didn't scare him. And losing? Not an option. "Fine. But if I win, I want the Lionel 783 Hudson Steam Locomotive with Vanderbilt Tender—like the one Tam held at the hobby store."

Georgie tilted his head, then smirked. "Deal."

{Summary: it's my turf, bitch.} – Adult Sheldon.

They shook on it, both grinning like rivals in an old western.

Just then, Missy appeared, eyeing them suspiciously. "What are you guys doing? You look like two old people."

"They've got another bet," Mary said, rolling her eyes.

George Sr. chuckled. "Yeah, but Sheldon doesn't realize the science fairs aren't just about proving who knows the most."

Mary and Sheldon both shot him identical frowns. "How can it not be?" Mary demanded. "It's a science fair, George. Science."

Sheldon adjusted his seat, affronted. "Exactly. It is the pursuit of truth through observation, experimentation, and the scientific method. It's not a popularity contest."

Georgie leaned in, smirking. "Actually, it kinda is. You can have the smartest project in the room, but if you can't explain it to your teacher or impress them with your projects, you're toast."

Sheldon's head snapped toward him, eyes wide. "That is absurd. Science is not about cheap parlor tricks! It is about truth, logic, and the scientific method."

Georgie only shrugged at Sheldon's stubborn glare. "Well, we warned you," he said with a grin full of teeth. "Better get ready to clean my room for a month."

{All I wanted was to wipe that smug grin off his face with the knowledge of the danger that can wipe humanity with a single strike and a first-place ribbon. It would be easy—or so I thought.} – Adult Sheldon.

Missy, who'd been listening this whole time, lit up with her own idea. "Brother, raise the bet! Make him clean my room too!"

The whole family stared at her and Georgie chuckled, kissing the top of her head. "Your room is basically his room too, you silly."

"Oh… right." Missy shrugged and wandered off, already distracted. Connie, meanwhile, was happily chatting with some of the older cast members, paying no mind to the commotion and Georgie excused himself to get ready and go to his band.

Not long after, a crew member appeared. "Georgie, time to get ready. Remember, this is just taping—you can do another take if something goes wrong. Just don't overdo it."

The band chuckled, and Georgie grinned. "Thanks for the heads up. But hopefully, we nail it in one take."

The crewman nodded and hurried off to tell the producer they were ready.

A moment later, George S. approached, resting a hand on Georgie's shoulder. "Too bad we're not singing together. My label's being pushy—they only want me to promote our current single."

Fenley had already explained the paperwork mess to Georgie and the band. Still, they knew George S. would feature on a Luminous recording soon enough.

"Yeah, it's fine. We'll get it down later." Georgie said, slipping his guitar strap over his shoulder.

George S. smiled at his professionalism. "Good luck, kid." He headed back to his seat to watch.

Everyone assumed Georgie and his band would run through the song over and over until the cameras caught the perfect take. That was how it usually went.

But Georgie had other plans. He just only needs one take.

Georgie and his band followed the crew onto the designated set. The stage wasn't a stage at all—it was a barnyard brought indoors. The floor was covered in straw, hay bales stacked high in the back, and cardboard corn stalks reaching for the painted sunset sky. A haystack loomed behind the band, while the musicians, dressed in overalls and checkered shirts, stood ready with their guitars, fiddle, and drums.

Audience members sat on hay bales and sacks, close enough to touch the stage, their boots dusted with straw. Some clapped, some whistled, and one old hound dog dozed lazily by the footlights as if the music itself was a lullaby.

Georgie stepped forward, guitar in hand, his boots crunching against the straw. He tipped his cowboy hat to the crowd, flashing that easy Cooper grin, and settled onto a small wooden block at center stage.

James struck the first chord on his electric guitar, sharp and twangy, the band falling in behind him. Georgie leaned into the mic, and the whole barnyard-turned-studio seemed to lean with him.

Georgie stood at the center of it all, the spotlight on his hat brim. He blinked once at the nearest camera, a quick flash of that Cooper confidence, then leaned into the mic with a grin.

(Billy Ray Cyrus - Achy Breaky Heart)

🎶 You can tell the world you never was my girl,

You can burn my clothes up when I'm gone… 🎶

The barn erupted—boots stomping, hands clapping in time. A few cast hollered from the hay bales, their voices nearly swallowed by the roar of the music. Georgie's drawl rode over it all, smooth and raw, pulling the whole studio with him.

🎶 Or you can tell your friends just what a fool I've been,

And laugh and joke about me on the phone… 🎶

One by one, the audience rose to their feet, unable to stay seated. Cameramen scrambled, shifting angles, catching every stomping boot and smiling face. A couple in the back tried to line-dance in the narrow space between the haystacks, drawing laughter from the folks around them.

🎶 You can tell my arms go back to the farm,

You can tell my feet to hit the floor… 🎶

The floorboards thudded under the weight of dozens of boots. Straw scattered everywhere as people kicked in rhythm, hay swirling like golden confetti under the barn lights.

🎶 Or you can tell my lips to tell my fingertips,

They won't be reaching out for you no more… 🎶

Georgie laughed mid-verse, a strand of hay clinging stubbornly to his boot, but he never missed a chord. The camera zoomed close on his grin, catching the boyish spark in his eyes that had the audience leaning forward.

🎶 But don't tell my heart, my achy, breaky heart,

I just don't think it'd understand…

And if you tell my heart, my achy, breaky heart,

He might blow up and kill this man… Ohh!!!🎶

The barn shook with sound. Every clap was louder, every stomp harder. Georgie rocked with the crowd, shoulders swaying, guitar thumping against his chest as the chorus swept through like a wild Texas wind.

Straw burst into the air with each kick, flying across the set, but no one cared. Even Mary Cooper forgot her nerves, clapping in time, her eyes shining with pride. George Sr. whistled sharp between his teeth, Missy bounced up and down hollering, "That's my brother!" and Sheldon, though frowning, couldn't stop his foot from tapping in perfect rhythm.

🎶 You can tell your ma I moved to Arkansas,

Or you can tell your dog to bite my leg… 🎶

The audience burst into laughter at the playful lyric. A few folks in the front row leaned forward, stomping extra hard as if to emphasize the beat, while others clapped over their heads, cheering Georgie on. The camera swung wide to capture the barnyard set shaking with energy.

🎶 Or tell your brother Cliff whose fist can tell my lips,

He never really liked me anyway… 🎶

Georgie stomped his boot to the beat, the sound echoing across the studio floor. The band hit the groove harder, James sliding into a sharp electric lick that sent the front row into a frenzy.

🎶 Or tell your Aunt Louise, tell anything you please,

Myself already knows I'm not okay… 🎶

Georgie stepped forward, grinning as he pointed playfully at the audience, his voice rising with the verse. The barn lights swung across the room, catching faces laughing, clapping, stomping along.

🎶 Or you can tell my eyes to watch out for my mind,

It might be walking out on me one day… 🎶

The energy built to a breaking point. The crowd was on their feet, hay flying everywhere, the wooden stage trembling like it was alive.

Georgie leaned into the mic, shouting over the storm of sound: "Sing it with me!"

🎶🎶 But don't tell my heart, my achy, breaky heart,

I just don't think it'd understand… 🎶🎶

The whole studio sang back at him—cast members, the audience on their hay bales, even a few crew in headsets and cameramen behind the lenses mouthing the words as they worked. Boots stomped, hands clapped, and the barn set rattled with the energy of everyone caught up in the moment.

🎶🎶 And if you tell my heart, my achy, breaky heart,

He might blow up and kill this man… 🎶🎶

James ripped the final riff, the drums crashed, and Georgie stomped down one last time. The barn exploded into cheers, straw flying high as the song ended in a thunderous wave of applause.

Georgie tipped his hat with a wide grin, his chest heaving, the sound of boots and whistles crashing over him. For a moment, he wasn't just another guest—he was the star of the show, the boy from Medford who'd turned a hay-filled studio into the loudest honky-tonk in America.

But…

The producer finally stood, rubbing his temples as the last chord faded. The playback showed a glorious...Mess. Cameramen swaying and singing instead of holding steady shots, cast members dancing into the frame, and straw flying everywhere.

"Yeah…" the producer muttered with a twitching smile, glancing at the still-laughing cast. "We're gonna need another take."

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Disclaimer, i own nothing but my own idea.

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