Music Notes (9 page)

“And I’d like to add that transportation from the hotel to the studio is scheduled each day with regular runs between the two. You are responsible for knowing the schedule and making sure you get from one place to the next. If you miss the transport van, you can wait for the next one, walk, or take a taxi at your own expense,” Gabby adds.

“Any questions?” Beau asks the group at large. “Good. Let’s pair y’all up then,” he says as he pulls a slip of paper from the back pocket of his jeans. Damn. What a lucky slip of paper.

“So, here we go. When I call your name, come stand up front next to your partner. Chelsea?” he says as one of the gigglers from behind me practically throws herself at the front of the room.

“You’re with Ben,” he says. The hand that Ben had rested on my knee gives a gentle squeeze before he saunters up to the room. What is it about cowboys and their swagger, anyway? Are they born with it or something they teach in Cowboy 101?

“Tara, you’re with Josie,” Beau adds as two young girls get up and walk to the front of the room. “Troy and Jackson. Jonah and Benny. Veronica, you’re with Marshall,” Beau adds as they all walk towards the front of the room, leaving only two people left in their seats.

“Shawna, you’re up against Layne,” he says, and his mesmerizing gray eyes lock on mine for the first time since his arrival.

It might sound crazy, but the room shifts. I all but stumble as I make my way up to the front, my progression being followed by those all-consuming eyes. Thank God there isn’t anything in my way to trip over because I’m looking at nothing but the most amazing pair of eyes peeking out from beneath a black Stetson. I shiver uncontrollably at the depth of his stare. It’s so deep he surely can see into my soul. Those eyes could melt the habit right off a nun. My body responds to him in a way it hasn’t in so very long. Hell, if ever.

When I finally reach the front of the room, our gaze is broken when blond hair is flipped in my face, and more particularly, my eyes. I blink and tear up as I dig Blond Barbie’s extensions out of my watering eyes.

Note to self: Check into purchasing a pair of scissors.

“Now you know who you’re up against next week. You will learn your music selection at your first practice tomorrow. Here is your schedule,” he says as Gabby starts to hand each of us a schedule. “If there are no questions, then I think y’all are done for the day,” Beau adds before giving us all a nod.

“Thank you, Beau. If there are no more questions, then everyone is welcome to visit for a few minutes until we’re ready to head back to the hotel,” Gabby says and turns her attention towards Beau. They instantly drop their heads down and start to discuss something they don’t want anyone to hear.

“I heard he was asked to do
Playgirl
,” Chelsea says.

“Ohmygod, I would buy that issue in a heartbeat,” the other adds.

“
Country Weekly
magazine is reporting that he just started dating Penelope Shaw,” Chelsea says. I can’t help it, but my curiosity is peeked so I turn around.

Chelsea is a tiny little thing. You can practically put her in your pocket. She’s adorable with her short, curly brown hair and big green eyes. Where Chelsea is small, Tara is tall and slender. She stands a good two inches taller than my five foot seven inches, and has no curves to her whatsoever. She’s like a tall, lean, beanpole. But her lack of curves doesn’t detract from her natural beauty. She has long dark hair the color of midnight and striking brown eyes.

“Did you hear the same report?” Tara asks me, pulling me into their conversation.

“Uh, no, not really. I don’t really follow country music,” I confess, cringing at my lack of knowledge about my coach.

“Shut up! How is that possible?” Chelsea asks in horror.

“Well, I just don’t listen to country music. I know who Beau is, of course, but that’s the extent of it,” I add, feeling the shocked stares of the two young girls in front of me.

“You are so screwed in this competition,” Tara says as Chelsea shakes her head dramatically like a bobble head.

“Yeah, I might have a long road ahead of me,” I say as I turn to see my roommate and duet partner pounce on Beau. He smiles that million-dollar smile directly at her and you can hear the audible gasps from the two ladies around me.

“I heard Shawna is really good. Like really, really good. She’s the frontrunner on this team,” Chelsea says in a whisper. “At least that’s what I overheard from another production assistant.”

“Ladies, I’m Ben. It’s nice to meet you,” Ben says just over my shoulder as he introduces himself, resulting in a collective giggle from the giggle twins. “You about ready?” he asks, directing his question at me.

Before I can answer, Tara asks with a huge smile, “Is he your boyfriend?”

“Oh, no!” I exclaim, probably a little too quickly and with too much emphasis. However, my answer still doesn’t stop Ben from resting his hand on my lower back again.

“Are y’all ready for tomorrow?” I hear from behind me in that deep, rich southern drawl. Again, with the uncontrollable shiver.

“Hi, Beau!” Chelsea exclaims. “I am sooooooo excited to be on your team,” she adds with a few bats of her overdone eyelashes.

“I’m glad you’re here,” Beau adds with a wink. Flirt. Oh, he’s definitely charming and knows how to work the ladies.

“Me, too. I can’t wait for tomorrow,” Tara adds as she twists a long strand of her dark hair around her pointer finger.

“And you? Layne, is that correct?” he asks, turning those stunning eyes directly at me.

“Yes, Layne. I’m ready for tomorrow,” I answer but without the schoolgirl crush effect.

Beau nods his head at me and continues to watch, intoxicating me as if I just downed a fifth of something hard and potent. His eyes appear so much deeper and darker up close. How that’s even possible, I don’t know.

“And you are Ben, correct?” Beau asks, turning his attention towards the man standing next to me.

“Yes, sir. I can’t wait to get started tomorrow,” Ben says as he shakes his hand.

Beau glances down and seems to notice Ben’s hand return to my lower back. I try to step aside a little and create some space between Ben and myself. The last thing I want to do is encourage his advances.

“I guess I’ll see y’all tomorrow,” Beau says as he turns his attention to the next group of contestants. Just before he shakes hands with Troy, I catch Beau’s eyes roaming my body. It’s a quick once-over, but it’s definitely a look, nonetheless. Tingles of excitement race through me at the idea of Beau Tanner checking me out. Me. But as quickly as the excitement races through me, it’s snuffed out. There’s no way Beau Tanner would want anything to do with me. He’s a country superstar, dating an A-list movie star. Why in the hell would he be interested in a bartending rocker-wannabe like me?

Gabby starts to round us up and we all head towards the exit. Just before I get ready to leave the room, the hairs on the back of my neck start to prickle with awareness. I glance backwards and notice Beau. He’s standing alone at the back of the room and his eyes are focused on me. My entire body goes up in flames every time he looks my way. I have no idea why I’m reacting the way I am, but I don’t like it. There is no room in this competition for distractions. And Beau Tanner? Oh, he’s definitely a distraction.

A tall, gorgeous distraction.

I might be in trouble.

Note to self: Every girl needs a least one fabulous pair of panties. Nothing boosts your confidence like a little scrap of lace.

Shawna and I are the last duet to meet with Beau on Wednesday afternoon. We ride in silence, with a few of the other duets for the other teams, towards the studio. It makes for the longest day ever when you’re stuck in a room with someone who ignores your existence. Finally after lunch, I decided to do a little sightseeing around the exterior of the hotel. The fresh air was a welcome reprieve over the stuffy perfume and high priced body lotion I’m forced to inhale in the room.

When we exit the van, I follow behind Shawna. She’s dressed in a casual, yet stylish sundress with brown and pink cowboy boots. As always, she’s perfectly assembled and gorgeous as she makes her way into the building. Confidence and determination roll off her in waves. I know this is going to be a huge battle for me. One I hope that I’ll overcome as the victor. I glance down at my red skinny jeans and black halter top. It’s nothing fancy or glamorous since I chose to go the comfortable route. My favorite pair of black ankle boots gives me the confidence boost I need as I step inside the atrium.

We wait with Gabby outside of our assigned studio. Gabby and Shawna chat animatedly about who knows what. I choose to lose myself in my own thoughts as I try to remain calm and focused. Eli. Nothing focuses and grounds me like my son. His smile has gotten me through so many hard times that he’s all I need to bring me to my center of gravity.

At exactly five o’clock, the door opens and Marshall and Veronica exit the studio with smiles on their faces. I’ll take it as a good sign since they’re both smiling after spending their first hour with our coach.

“Ladies, you’re up next,” Gabby says as she motions towards the door. Shawna practically sprints to the doorway to be the first one inside. I try a few deep, calming breaths before stepping through the entryway.

Inside, Beau is seated on a stool in front of a music stand. Shawna is at his side two point three seconds later, practically salivating all over her designer duds. I wonder if her lip-gloss is drool proof? Laughter erupts from the front of the room before I’m even halfway there. At least she’s not pulling any punches in this competition, right?

“Hey,” Beau says, their laughter dying down as I approach them.

“Hi,” I reply as I take my place next to Shawna. She instantly tries another hair flip, but I’m prepared this time and am able to duck out of the way from the flying dreads.

“So, I had a harder time choosing a song for you two to sing. Shawna, you’re pure country and so just about any song choice would have fit you. Layne, you’re more of a rocker and so I struggled to choose a song that still stuck to my country routes. Ultimately, I went with Miranda Lambert. She’s stone cold country for Shawna but still has all the sass and attitude that I associate with Layne.”

“I love Miranda Lambert,” Shawna coos as she sets her perfectly manicured hand on Beau’s forearm. “She’s one of my favorites.”

I instantly start racking my brain for Miranda Lambert. Songs…songs…songs…What songs does she sing? Wait! She was once married to some famous guy, right?

Shit. I’m so screwed.

“Well, I really think that Miranda’s song “Fastest Girl in Town” will complement both of your singing styles. Here are the music sheets,” he says as he hands us each a booklet, complete with music and lyrics.

“Do you know the song?” Beau asks, turning those steel eyes on me.

“Uh, no. Sorry,” I reply with a sheepish grin.

“That’s okay. We’ll run through it a few times today and you’ll have time to learn the words. I was afraid you may not know it, so I have it on my phone,” he says as he digs his cell phone out of his back pocket and brings up the song.

It immediately starts with the standard country twang, but after the first few beats, I realize it’s not that bad. And then Miranda starts to sing. Instantly with the opening line,
“You got the bullets, I got the gun, I got a hankerin’ for gettin’ into something,
” I’m immediately pulled into the song. I like it. A lot. I’m even able to ignore the fact that Shawna is singing along.

After it’s over, Beau turns to me, “So, what do you think?”

“I actually really like it. The beat is super catchy and the words are edgy and brash. I think it’s the perfect song,” I tell him honestly. “I never would have thought I’d be so excited to sing a country song,” I add with a little laugh.

Beau stares at me with a beautiful smile on his face. His smile is breathtaking. It lights up his entire face and transforms him from Country Hottie to Holy Shit, He’s Smokin’!

“I think it’s the perfect song,” Shawna says, pulling our attention towards her.

“Yeah,” Beau says as he clears his throat. “So, Layne, I have you singin’ the red parts and Shawna, you’re singin’ the black parts.”

“But Beau, I would be perfect to start off the song. I’m actually a country singer and all,” Shawna quickly adds.

“True, but it’s not about who sings what style of music or who sings first. I picked parts that I thought would complement each of you. I’ve got a few parts that y’all sing together and those are in blue,” Beau says as we skim the music sheets and find the blue highlighted parts.

“So, are ya ready to give it a dry run through?” he asks.

Forty-five minutes later, our time is up and I feel like I finally have most of the lyrics down. At least my part, anyway. Tonight, I’ll work on studying the music and memorizing the entire song. I want to have the entire thing down before tomorrow’s practice session with Beau. Plus, he gave me plenty of suggestions to work on for tomorrow.

“I’ll be honest with you both. This is the duet that I’m lookin’ forward to the most. I think y’all are both dynamic behind the mic and have plenty of charisma to charm the hell out of the audience,” he says with a slight lift of the corner of his lip.