The Write Stuff

Chapter 3 Small Town Boy

I quickly learned that Music City is full of hot guys. T-shirt, worn jeans, facial hair, boots, and a hat. Baseball caps or cowboy hats, it didn't matter. All of that is my kryptonite.

All the bars in and around the city have open mics and live bands. It's like my own music mecca. Pair it with all the hotties and I fell in love. I'm never going back to Iowa.

"Hey there, beautiful. Are you really sitting here by yourself?"

I looked up to see ocean blue eyes and a dimpled smile. There's no way that deep sexy voice came from him. That would be the trifecta of attraction and I can't have those kinds of distractions.

"Yeah. I am, actually." I forced myself to say. "I....uh....I'm new around here, I guess."

"I figured that. Most of us are." He said, flashing his gorgeous smile. "Do you need another beer?"

I looked down at my empty beer bottle. "I guess it's time for another, huh? But if you're offering to buy me one, I should at least know your name, don't ya think?"

It had been so long since I had flirted with anybody, that I could feel myself cringe at my horrible attempt.

He let out a small laugh and nodded his head. "I suppose so, Kerrigan. I'm Daniel Layne."

"Ah....how do you know my name?" I asked.

He flashes his beautiful smile once again and I feel my heart literally skip. I guess that's a real thing and not just an expression.
"I'm using one of your songs to get my first number one hit. I heard you recording your songs today with Todd and I told my producer that I wanted dibs on it."

"Well, it sounds like I need to buy you a beer, Daniel."

"Naw, I got this....you can get the next round." He said as he stood up and gave me a wink.

Damn. How am I supposed to keep it professional with him? He has got to be the most beautiful man that I've ever seen.

Just drink your beer, Kerrigan. Relax.

The band was in the middle of a new song when Daniel came back with our beers. "You like these guys?" He asked.

"They're not bad. I don't think I've heard anybody that I haven't liked yet. There's a lot of talent in this city."

"Yeah, you're right about that." He said setting his beer down. "Since we're on the subject of what we like, would you want to sing back-up for a couple shows on my tour?"

I choked on my drink of beer while the bottle is still pressed to my lips; spraying it in all directions. After a brief coughing fit, I managed to squeak out a word. "What?!"

"Uh...yeah. I mean, if you want to. I don't know if you've ever sang in front of a crowd..." He said trailing off. "But, I sang along with your demo and I like the way we sound together. If you want, we can meet up and sing together and see what you think."

I wanted to cry and laugh at the same time. But I forced a smile. I had never really thought about singing for anything but my demos.
"I think you're probably asking the wrong person. But I'll humor you, I suppose."

"Great!" He says, slapping the table. "It's a date."