Chapter 1
Julie Taylor stared down at the phone in her hand, and willed the tears welling up in her eyes to subside. One more rejection. One last rejection.
Over the past month, she had shown up for auditions all over the city, for Broadway shows, off-Broadway shows, church-basement shows, traveling dance troupes, third-rate music videos, and commercials.
But this? This was lowering. Even a strip club wouldn't take her. She hadn't even meant to audition seriously—she walked into the club initially out of frustration. But now it was official; she was less employable than Mindy Riggins. Apparently, even the strip clubs were feeling the effects of the downturn that started in 2008, and the club "had to look after its own." Seriously?
"Hey Jules," Beth said as she popped her head in the door. The tall brunette had been her suitemate for all four years at Tisch. "Have you given any thought to heading out to Texas with me? You know they'll let you miss class for an audition, and I checked with the dean—this counts."
Beth glanced at Julie's glimmering eyes, and quickly slipped inside shutting the door behind her. "Hey—you okay?"
"Yeah, I'll be fine. Just another rejection. But this is the life, right? I should start polishing my waitress skills. At least I have Applebee's on my resume. Who ever thought that would be the most valuable line on it?"
With that, the tears started streaming down Julie's face, and she collapsed into Beth. "I thought I'd be able to get a good job out of Tisch. It's one of the best schools in New York—you know? That was the plan. Get away from home, get away from stupid football, get away from the screaming toddler, go to a city with some real culture, get top training, land a glamorous dancing job. But now? I . . . I just need to get out of here."
Julie and Beth sat there for a moment, reflecting on the impossibilities of breaking into the dance profession in the Big Apple, particularly as funds for the arts were almost nonexistent.
"Aw, Jules. You'll get that job. But it sounds like you need a break, and you could use a good dose of home."
"Plus," Beth continued with a grin, "I want to get my shot at becoming a professional cheerleader. The Austin Rodeo Girls have the most slots opening up this year, so it's my best shot. I need your help, though—they've got this whole section on Texas football in the interview process. I love football players, but I never paid much attention to the games. And I never set foot in the state of Texas. You're at least from Texas, so you must know more than I do. Come on, let's go and you can help me out. What do you say?"
"You know I've never cheered a day in my life?" Julie mumbled.
"Yeah—that's why you're perfect. Do you think I'd bring my real competition along?" Beth said as she squeezed Julie's shoulder.
"Fine, I'll go. I could really use a visit with Tyra, and she just moved to Austin with Landry. Plus, I've got a really good friend who could use a couple pointers about football from the coach's daughter."
"The coach's daughter?" Beth raised her eyebrows.
Julie looked up with a small smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "Yeah, why do you think I avoided cheering? My whole life was football."
"It's settled, then. I'll log onto Travelocity to book us some tickets. Do you think we could stay with your friends for the auditions? It's only three days next week, and I'm a girl on a budget. Plus, after you wash out the first day, you'll be able to spend all your time with her," Beth winked.
"I'm sure it'll be fine, but I'll give Tyra a call," Julie sighed, still not completely over the blow of her latest rejection. "Maybe I'll be able to find a job out there while you're auditioning."
"Thanks, babe—but remember, you're auditioning too! It's the only way to get your "get out of class free" card. Anyway, I'll email you when I get the tickets. You won't regret it!"
"Sure thing," Julie smiled weakly. Beth waved as she bounced out the door.
Julie stared at her phone again, this time with fewer tears in her eyes.
* * *
Tyra glared at her phone as it started to ring seconds after she walked in the door. Another phone call meant another meaningless demand from her witch of a boss.
But that witch was giving her a real chance to break into event planning. After she paid her dues for a year, learned the event business in Austin, and made a few connections, she'd be able to break off on her own and plan parties for a living, while Landry finished up his Ph.D.
"Hello?" she managed to answer calmly.
"Hey Tyra, it's Julie."
"Hey Jules! It's great to hear from you—I really needed to hear a friendly voice. How's that Big Apple dance search thing you've got going on doing for you?"
"Um, to be honest? It's not going very well, and I really need to get out of here for a bit. One of my friends is heading down to Austin to audition to become a Rodeo Girl next week, and she invited me to head down there with her."
"You'll be in Austin next week?" Tyra grinned. "That's the best news I've heard all week. I'll be working on a convention, but you have to stay with us!"
"Thanks, Tyra—money is tight, and I'm splurging on the plane tickets as it is. Is it okay if Beth stays there too?"
"Sure thing. I mean, I'll have to check with Landry, but I'm sure it'll be fine."
"Great. So, why do you need a friendly voice? Things going okay with Landry?"
"Yeah, he's been great, but he's just really busy with school. He has this huge test coming up where he needs to know all of physics or something. Sometimes I think the lab is his new home. No, really, it's just the job."
"At least you have one," Julie replied, with the stress evident in her voice.
"Yeah, and I know you have to start at the bottom and everything, but it's just frustrating, you know? I can throw a kick-ass party, but my boss has decided that I'm going to devote my life full-time to being a glorified gofer. Like, today? I spent seven hours driving to Dallas just so I could pick up a dress. What's wrong with UPS?"
"That sucks. It does—just forgive me for not being able to get upset on your behalf right now?"
"Oh, honey, I'm sorry. Wait just a sec—Landry just walked in."
Tyra covered the receiver with her hand and called out, "Hey, Landry? Sweetie? You don't mind if Julie Taylor crashes here with a friend for a few days next week, do you? She's coming to Austin with a friend who is auditioning to be a Rodeo Girl. You know I owe my girl and her family for everything."
"Um, of course," Landry replied as he kissed Tyra's cheek. "But what about Matt?" he continued in a lower voice.
"Shh! It's only for three days, and he doesn't need to come by. We just won't mention anything."
"If you say so . . . whatever you want. I brought home burgers, so I'm going to put dinner on the table, okay?" Landry lifted up a Burger King bag.
"Sure, I'll be off the phone in just a sec." Tyra uncovered the phone.
"Hey honey, we're all good for you and your friend staying here. Landry brought home dinner, though, so I need to get going. Email me when I should pick you up from the airport?"
"Thanks, Tyra. I'll forward you our itinerary. I owe you. Enjoy dinner."
"Bye, Jules. See you soon!" Tyra clicked off the phone and headed towards the kitchen.
"Julie and Matt in the same city, Tyra?" Landry asked.
"Yeah, well, they just won't run into each other. It'll be fine."
"I hope you're right. Now, I'm just starved. How about you?"
"Famished."
"Is that right? Well, miss, I just happen to have some top-notch, slightly squished, burgers from the king of all burgers. So they should be extra tasty."
"Do you now? Well, I just might have to eat one of them." Tyra grinned and sat down to dinner with her husband.