Free Music Notes by Lacey Black Page B

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