Support me on pat_reon.com/kapur69 (Delete "_") and read for 81 chapter ahead or more.
Disclaimer, i own nothing but my own idea.
----------------
Georgie's POV
"You see that?" George S. pointed toward the center of the Houston Astrodome, where a stage had been set up.
The Astrodome, located in Houston, has a seating capacity of over 50,000. It was constructed in 1962 and officially opened in 1965. It was the world's first multi-purpose domed sports stadium. From 1965 to 1999, it served as home to the Houston Astros (MLB), and from 1968 to 1996, it hosted the Houston Oilers (AFL/NFL). The Houston Rockets (NBA) also played there part-time from 1971 to 1975. Additionally, it became the main venue for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo starting in 1966.
George S. had been performing his rodeo tours here since 1984.
I stood beside him, scanning the massive stadium as my eyes followed his gesture to the circular stage being assembled by his crew.
"That's one big stage," I said, then glanced at the long red carpet leading from backstage to the platform. "...And that's one heck of a walk."
The distance from backstage to the stage was significant—(*Reference: George Strait Live at the Astrodome, 2003)—where George would make his grand entrance.
"Haha, yeah," George S. chuckled, "I like greeting the crowd that's been waiting for me."
Despite my words, a smile never left my face. George must have noticed.
This was it.
My first real debut!.
"You're really excited about this, huh?" George grinned at me, then added playfully, "Don't be. They're here to see me sing!"
I knew he was only teasing, trying to keep things light, but it still poked at me a bit. So I flashed a smirk back and said, "Oh yeah? I'm gonna stealing your crowd later!." I pointed boldly toward the stage.
George S.'s eyes widened before he burst into laughter, patting my shoulder. "Sure! You go ahead and try!" he said sarcastically.
Just as I was about to shoot back a witty retort, a small voice cut through the air.
"Dad!"
We both turned to see a young boy running toward us, face beaming.
"Can we go get ice cream now?" the boy—George S. Jr.—asked eagerly, only to pause when he noticed me.
"Hey!" George S. greeted his son, lifting him up into his arms. Little George kept looking at me, curiosity flickering in his eyes.
"Hey there, little cowboy!" I said with a friendly smile.
He didn't answer—just turned his face away shyly, though he kept sneaking glances at me.
"He's a bit shy." A woman's voice chimed in from behind, and I looked up to see a beautiful blonde woman approaching us. Her hair was the same shade as the boy's.
"Don't mind him. He's just like that around new people," she said with a warm smile.
Now standing before us, she gave me a curious once-over before saying, "So this is the boy you've been talking about lately?"
George S. got the cue and introduced her properly.
"Georgie, this is my son—and my wife, Norma."
"Hello, Georgie. I'm Norma," she said kindly, extending her hand. Little George still looked shy, but this time he held my gaze.
I shook Norma's hand and looked down at the boy. "Hey, my name's Georgie. What's yours?"
He stared at my hand and then at my face for a few seconds before quietly replying, "…George." And shaking my hand softly.
"You like horses?" I asked, shaking his small hand.
"Yes…" he replied softly, a little less shy now.
"Really? I've always wanted a horse of my own, but my folks won't let me have one." I sighed dramatically, feigning disappointment and envy.
George S. Jr.'s eyes sparkled, and he turned to his dad.
"…Can we show him Silver?" he asked hopefully, stealing another glance at me.
George S. chuckled and putting down his son, "Sure." he said to his son, who lit up with excitement before turning back to me.
"Do you wanna see Silver?" now he asked proudly.
"Absolutely!" I grinned and gently ruffled his hair. "Ahh, but let me tell you something, cowboy…"
George Jr. tilted his head, curious, waiting for me to continue. He didn't seem to mind the hair ruffling.
"Animals love me," I said with a wide grin.
His eyes widened slightly before narrowing suspiciously. "Really?"
"What? You calling me a liar?" I teased and took his hand, "Alright then, show me your horse. But don't cry if he ends up liking me more than you."
"It's impossible! Silver loves my dad and me the most!" George S. Jr. pouted, but he held onto my hand tightly and led me toward where they keep their horse.
I shrugged. "Well, I just didn't want you to be too heartbroken later!"
"I'll show you that you're wrong!" he huffed and tugged me faster toward the horse trailer.
------------------
3rd Person POV
"What just happened?" Norma asked, watching the two figures walking away from her. George S. simply grinned beside her, watching them go.
It was her first time meeting Georgie, but George S. had met the boy before. He'd seen that rare spark—something about Georgie drew people in.
"Haha, that's why I love that kid," George S. said, still smiling.
Norma blinked at her husband and gave him a knowing look. "So that's why you want to make him your godson?"
She'd noticed how easily Georgie bonded with their son. And more importantly, she felt no maternal unease around him—only a warm, gentle energy.
"What?" George S. stammered slightly, surprised. He hadn't told her anything about it. All he'd mentioned was a teenage boy who impressed him and would be a star opening for him on tour.
"Don't pretend," Norma said sweetly, placing a hand on his chest and resting her head there.
George S. didn't respond, just held her close. They both knew what wasn't being said—and the old wounds it stirred in their hearts.
He sighed, stroking her back.
"Let's go," he said, prompting her to look up at him. "I want to see how he handles Silver."
Norma chuckled but followed along, curious about this 'wonder boy' her husband had been talking about ever since he came back from Houston.
They made their way toward the horse trailer—but as they neared the truck, both of them froze, jaws dropping.
And then, awe.
There was Georgie—riding Silver, George's prized horse—without a bridle or saddle.
Fortunately, their son wasn't on the horse. Instead, George Jr. was on the ground, cheering with excitement, waving at Georgie while a trainer chased after the trotting horse.
"WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU DOING?!" George S. shouted, looking at that Georgie handling the Horse with ease and trying to dodge the trainer rope.
"Dad! Georgie is sooo cool! Silver really likes him!" George Jr. ran up to his parents, eyes glowing with admiration.
George S. ignored him and bolted toward the trailer, grabbing another horse to ride, the trainer close behind.
Norma watched them and burst into laughter. She pulled her son close.
"That's dangerous, honey. Don't you dare try to copy them, okay?"
George Jr. pouted, clearly wanting to join the fun.
Norma just pinched his cheek playfully and looked out at the scene—her husband, the trainer, and Georgie all in hot pursuit of Silver, while Georgie rode the horse with unshakable confidence and a radiant smile.
---------------------
3rd Person POV
"I can't believe I'm actually doing this…" Connie muttered as she lit a cigarette, her eyes fixed on the grand structure of the Astrodome from inside her car.
She had already stopped by the label's office, and they told her Georgie was at the Astrodome, supposedly just checking things out.
She still didn't quite understand why Mary wanted her to come all the way here just to cheer on Georgie. But she hadn't said no either—after all, Georgie was her grandson, and a part of her genuinely wanted to see how he was doing.
Taking a deep drag from her cigarette, Connie finally stepped out of the car—but the moment her foot touched the pavement, she heard something strange.
Not the sound of human footsteps—no, this was heavier, more rhythmic, accompanied by a loud neigh and a snort.
Startled, she spun around—and froze.
A horse was trotting directly toward her.
"AHHH!!!" Connie screamed, throwing her arms up to shield her face. Her cigarette dropped to the ground, forgotten, as her heart raced with the certainty that this was how it was going to end.
She waited, and waited, and waited, but nothing happened.
She heard the horse's steady breathing and the stomping of hooves—but no impact, no pain. Just the tense silence between each snort.
Then a familiar voice broke through.
"Memaw?"
Her eyes snapped open at the sound of the boy's voice she knew all too well. She lowered her arms and blinked.
There was Georgie, sitting confidently atop the horse like he was born in the saddle, a grin spread across his face.
Connie exhaled sharply, still rattled, and glared at him. "What the hell are you doing?! You almost killed me!" she snapped, pointing an accusing finger at him.
The horse beneath Georgie let out an indignant snort and stomped its hooves, clearly offended by her tone.
"Easy, Silver! She's my grandmother." Georgie said calmly, patting the horse's neck affectionately. As if responding to a command, Silver relaxed, releasing a low snort but remaining still.
Connie, who had been completely unnerved by the animal just moments ago, blinked in disbelief. The horse had become docile, all because of Georgie? 'What the hell?' she thought, but shook her head and fixed her gaze on her grandson once more.
"Get down here," she ordered—this time with less anger, but her voice was sharp enough to let Georgie know she meant it.
Before Georgie could respond, another voice rang out: "NOW I GOT YOU!"
Connie turned her head to see a group of people approaching rapidly.
Georgie patted Silver again lightly. The horse turned as if it understood the situation, facing the newcomers with alert eyes.
"You're not catching me—I'm stopping! Right, Silver?" Georgie said with a laugh, rubbing the horse's back. Silver snorted and stomped again, almost as if ready to bolt.
"No, no, don't wear yourself out," Georgie added quickly, though Silver didn't seem too convinced.
"That's it!" barked a tall man—clearly the head trainer—dismounting his own horse and moving toward Silver. "Easy now…" he said in a calm tone, trying to keep the situation under control.
"I promised him a carrot," Georgie said casually. "Do you have any?".
Before anyone could speak or respond to Georgie's words, they all stood frozen—stunned by what Silver doing right now.
Everyone stood in stunned silence as Silver, as if on cue, gently lowered himself to the ground, allowing Georgie to dismount with ease.
"Good boy," Georgie said proudly, hopping off and giving the horse a few affectionate strokes.
Silver gave a soft nickering sound before standing up again, calm and proud in front of everyone.
"That's so cool!" came a young boy's voice from behind the crowd. Small footsteps approached quickly. George S. Jr. and Norma came to them with George S. Jr. running and Norma walking with slow steps.
"Georgie, you were right! Silver does really like you!" said George S. Jr., wide-eyed with admiration.
Georgie laughed and walked over to another horse, gently patting its head. "See? I told you—I never lie about this." he said as a few more horses gave soft snorts in agreement.
"Yeah, yeah, you're right," said the older man—George S.—though his tone had shifted into something more serious. "But that was dangerous, Georgie! Silver wasn't even wearing a saddle or bridle. What if you'd fallen?!"
"What?!" Connie shouted, now fully realizing what Georgie had done. She looked at Silver, who stood there completely bare—no reins, no saddle, nothing.
"YOU!" she stormed toward Georgie, her expression fierce. "What the hell were you thinking?! What if you got yourself killed?!"
She smacked Georgie hard on the shoulder.
"Ouch!" he winced, taking the blow without complaint. Yes, it was a little reckless—but Silver had practically asked him to go on a ride. And Georgie hadn't been able to say no.
Not because he could talk to animals—he couldn't. He just knew what Silver wanted when the horse had lowered himself, clearly inviting Georgie onto his back.
"Fufufu, that was really reckless, Georgie." Norma said with a chuckle.
George S., still unsure who this angry older woman was, but now assuming she must be a family of Georgie's. He gave a nod, silently agreeing with her reaction.
"Alright, alright! I'm sorry!" Georgie said, stepping back with hands raised. He then gestured toward the others. "Memaw, this is George S., his wife Norma, and their son George S. Jr. Oh—and that's Rick. And y'all, this is my Memaw, Connie Tucker."
Connie gave each of them a nod. Rick, the stable hand and trainer, acknowledged her with a slight bow of the head and moved away with Silver and the other horses, clearly wanting to keep Georgie out of further trouble.
George S. stepped forward and extended a hand, a friendly smile on his face. "How are you doing?" he asked.
Norma followed suit, introducing herself warmly.
Connie offered a gracious smile in return—her years had given her poise. Sure, she was a lifelong country fan and knew exactly who George S. was—but she wasn't about to lose face just because she'd met one of her idols.
So, she flashed her signature charming grin and shook each of their hands. "I'm good, thank you for looking after Georgie."
"Georgie!" George Jr. exclaimed, eyes still wide. "How did you do that?! I've never seen Silver run that fast!"
Georgie was about to respond, but Rick's voice echoed from the distance, "….NO! That's enough, Silver!"
Georgie laughed and ruffled George Jr.'s hair. "….I guess Silver just got excited to see me!"
Norma and George S. exchanged glances, then turned to Connie, who murmured under her breath, "He's already won over someone else's kid…"
George Jr. enthusiastically launched into stories about his animals and all the fun things he'd done at home. The group made their way back into the Astrodome, inviting Connie to join the conversation.
She let out a long sigh and followed them, feeling oddly reassured. Clearly, there wasn't much to worry about when it came to Georgie anymore.
And as a bonus, she'd just met George S. in person!.
Oh, she was going to rub this in George C.'s face later!.