The karaoke bar was alive with neon and noise, voices tumbling out of tune but full of gusto. Some singers nailed their numbers, others butchered them so badly the crowd howled with laughter.

Ryder, Terry, and Wren claimed the stage, hollering their way through a classic honky-tonk anthem. Midway through, Ryder crooked a finger at Jason, Walker, and Jared. The boys joined in, and by the final chorus, half the bar was on its feet, stomping and singing with them.

The night rolled on easy as ...