Tutus & Cowboy Boots (Part 2)

by Casey Peeler

  I dose off a time or two only to have my mom elbow me to wake me up. As Cadence and Jade take the stage, I sit up straight and pay close attention. I’m amazed at how they have continued to grow in their performance. As they finish, I place my fingers in my mouth and whistle loudly. Cadence smiles in my direction.

  After intermission, Mom takes a package of tissues from her purse and I know what’s coming. It’s the part where they celebrate the seniors. I can’t wait to see what they have planned.

  First, they begin with another senior, Tina. She and Jade have done a duet together, but they were never the best of friends. I vaguely listen. Then I hear them mention Jade. A slide show begins and it shows her on the farm in a pair of cowgirl boots and a tutu. There are so many memories of her on stage. My baby sister is growing up and going to live out her dream; I’m so proud of her. The final picture is of her at ECU for her audition. She’s going to be famous on Broadway one day; I know it. Mom is a crying mess, and Dad isn’t much better. I look at them both and smile. They are cheesy but I love them.

  Ms. Lyndsay steps to the podium and speaks before it’s Cadence’s turn. “Cadence Lewis was brought to us this year and as an instructor I couldn’t have been more blessed. Life isn’t always easy, but it’s what you make of it that matters. Cadence, I’m blessed you chose Stars Dance Academy even if you were reluctant at first. We love you and are so glad that you are a part of our family.” Ms. Lyndsay steps away from the podium as the pictures begin to play on the screen.

  My heart feels like it’s going to explode when I see a picture of Cadence as a toddler. She had poise and grace even back then. As the pictures continue, I get a glimpse of her past. As the pictures come to this year, I smile at all the shots Ms. Mae took without her knowing, but there’s one that leaves me speechless. It’s the day I thought she was going to walk away. Ms. Mae captured a moment in time that changed our lives. I feel Mom put her arm over my shoulder as I stare at the picture. Cadence is dancing while I stand in the distance watching. That’s the day I knew I’d fight for her even if she didn’t want to fight for herself.

  As I glance over at Ms. Mae, she gives me an innocent smile. I need to thank her for that someday. I see Cadence on stage crying in front of everyone. All I want to do is go to her, but as I stand, Mom tells me to sit. As the final image appears, it’s Cadence at the studio in a purple tank top and booty shorts. I read the shirt… Pirates. She’s going to ECU too. Looking at Mom, she starts to smile.

  “You knew?” I question and she smiles with a nod. Let the screaming begin.

  Cadence

  I try my best to look out into the audience for Barrick. He had no idea which school I had chosen. I decided ECU just felt right. I haven’t gotten into the dance program yet, but there are more auditions this fall. I’m taking things one day at a time and Jade will be by my side.

  The screen retracts into the ceiling and Ms. Lyndsay takes the podium again to announce the finale. When we are finished, I look at Jade and we hurry off stage for a record-breaking wardrobe change while Ms. Lyndsay takes the microphone once more to award the final trophies.

  After sliding on a pair of cut off jean shorts, a fitted Stars Dance Academy shirt, and my boots from Barrick, I check the mirror and quickly run back to the side of the stage with Jade. “We have one final performance for you tonight. A few of our seniors felt they wanted to share a special piece with you. I hope you enjoy,” Ms. Lyndsay announces as she steps to the side of the stage.

  The lights go black as we find our places and as the first down beat of Luke Bryan’s “Move” hits, I look toward Jade and Tina and smile. We have worked our asses off for this moment and we are having the most fun we’ve had in a while. On the last verse, the rest of the studio joins us and I show the audience that a girl from up North can get down like a country girl on the farm.

  When the last note is sung, we pause and wait for the applause. What they don’t know is that it’s not over. Jade and I quickly toss off our boots and take center stage alone.

  “We got this,” she whispers as the spotlight hits us. The guitar begins to play and we take our duet from competition and perform it in a completely new element.

  As “My Church” plays, we don’t miss a beat. We fall in rhythm with the music and I fall more in love with the words. My life has changed and during that change I grew into a woman who knows exactly what she wants.

  As the song ends, Jade and I catch our breath as I hear boots hitting the wooden steps at the base of the stage. I turn and see Barrick walking up them with the biggest smile on his face.

  Barrick

  As the music comes to an end, my eyes land on hers. This girl in front of me is my heart and soul. She’s my church; she’s my saving grace who pours faith into me every day.

  I run up the steps and take a few strides to meet her as she jumps into my arms while the music starts again. I let her body slide down mine as her feet land on top of my boots and we sway to the music. Jade’s arms engulf us as she starts to sway with us as well. Before I realize what is going on, everyone that Cadence and I care about is on stage singing and swaying with us. I thought she was my church, but as I look around I realize that a church would be only a building without the congregation. We are both blessed to have all these people in our lives.

  Epilogue

  Cadence

  Barrick pulls his truck up in front of the Cotten Residence Hall at ECU and I can’t believe that this will be Jade’s and my home for the next nine months. Mom, Gran, and the Carpenters are behind us. The sweltering Greenville heat hits me as I open the door, but the excitement that fills my veins is electric.

  Jade and I walk up the large flight of stairs to the front door and sign in. We hurry back to the truck and everyone grabs a box to carry to our room.

  I’m surprised when I see how small the room actually is. Jade looks at me and then sprints toward the bed on the right.

  “Called it!” she squeals and I laugh.

  “I can’t believe this is it,” I say to Barrick as he comes to stand by me.

  “I know. It’s going to be an interesting year, that’s for sure,” he says.

  We finish unloading his truck and Mom’s Suburban and then it’s time for everyone to leave. We all hug Gran, Mom, and Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter.

  “Are you sure I can’t help you with anything, Bare?” Mrs. Carpenter pleads.

  “I’ve got it Mom. It’s just two buildings down.” As tears form in her eyes, he gives in. “Okay. Come help me,” he says and her tears suddenly stop.

  I hop into the front seat and Jade slides in beside me as we drive two buildings down to the Garrett Residence Hall to help Barrick move in. When he surprised us after the recital with the news that he got into ECU as well, I knew we’d always be together.

  When the final box has been placed in his room, we say goodbye to our families once more. Our moms cry, Mr. Carpenter tries his best not to show any emotion, and Gran steals a piece of my heart.

  “Y’all two behave yourselves, ya here. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” she says with a wink.

  “We won’t,” I say to her as I wrap my arms around Barrick’s waist.

  As the Suburban fades into the distance, Jade is squalling like a baby. I open my arms and she falls into them as I look at Barrick.

  “How am I going to live with you two?” he questions, pulling us in for a group hug.

  After Jade calms down, she excuses herself and goes back to our room. I walk Barrick back to his room. As we stand in the doorway, I wrap my arms around his neck and feel pure joy in my soul.

  “I can’t believe this is real,” I say as he bends down and briefly kisses my lips.

  “Oh it’s real. I’d follow you to the end of the earth, Cadence Lewis. I’m head over boots in love with you,” he says as he seals my lips with a kiss.

  Tutus & Cowboy Boots Playlist

  “Welcome to New York,” Taylor Swift

  “Wicked Ones,” Dorothy


  “Nothin’ Like You,” Dan+Shay

  “Hurricane,” Dustin Lynch

  “Talk Dirty,” Jason Derulo feat. 2 Chainz

  “Middle of Nowhere,” Dustin Lynch

  “Heartbeat,” Carrie Underwood

  “Family Tradition,” Hank Williams, Jr.

  “The Day You Stopped Looking Back,” Thomas Rhett

  “Tuxedo,” Clare Dunn

  “My Church,” Maren Morris

  “Move,” Luke Bryan

  “She Wants A Cowboy,” Dustin Lynch

  “Head Over Boots,” Jon Pardi

  Acknowledgements

  First and foremost, I want to thank you for reading Tutus & Cowboy Boots, because without each of you, I would have no purpose.

  Every blogger out there, thank you so much for your support! You help spread the word every day for each author you love, and I will be forever grateful. Southern Charms and Boondock Betas, I can’t thank you enough. You go out of your way each day to support me.

  JD Rivera and Kristen Hope Mazzola, thank you for always being there! I’m blessed to have such amazing author friends.

  Southern Belle Book Blog, thank you so much for helping spread the word about this book. Your dedication to authors is amazing!

  Beth, thank you for continuing your journey with me. You are an amazing person and I’m thankful to call you my friend. My sister, Pam Baldwin, at Paperclutch, thank you for another awesome cover. You never cease to amaze me, sunsets and all. <3 you, Tutta!

  Billy and Carlee, thank you for loving me and being with me through the ups and downs. You two are number one and I’m blessed beyond measures each and every day!

  About the Author

  Casey Peeler grew up in North Carolina and still lives there with her husband and daughter.

  Growing up Casey wasn't an avid reader or writer, but after reading Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neal Hurston during her senior year of high school, and multiple Nicholas Sparks' novels, she found a hidden love and appreciation for reading. That love ignited the passion for writing several years later, and her writing style combines real life scenarios with morals and values teenagers need in their daily lives.

  When Casey isn't writing, you can find her near a body of water listening to country music with a cold beverage and a great book.

  Visit my website for a FREE download of Our Song

  Website: www.authorcaseypeeler.weebly.com/

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  Thanks so much for your support! Here’s a little surprise!

  Extra Scene

  Jade

  I’m so exhausted from dance and all I want to do is catch up on Pretty Little Liars. As I flop on the couch my mind drifts to the new city girl I met in class today. She may have a hoity-toity attitude but man can she dance. I hope she decides to give the studio a shot. We could really use her on our team.

  Barrick flops down on the couch and steals the remote.

  “Hey, I had that first.”

  “So. We’re not watching your Liars again. At this point, they could all be A.”

  “You know you love Pretty Little Liars.”

  “Well, I have to admit, they are hot.”

  I start cracking up. I know he says he hates watching the show, but I love that he’ll watch it just for me. He’s a great big brother.

  “So, I met Ms. Mae’s granddaughter today. You didn’t tell me how cute she was,” I say casually, trying to gauge his reaction.

  “Oh yeah?” Barrick keeps his eyes on the screen.

  “Yeah. She came in the studio and she’s freakin’ amazing, Bare. I’ve never seen anything like that.”

  “Yea, she is pretty impressive. She’s been helping me, if you can even call it that, on the farm so Ms. Mae would agree to take her to dance.”

  “Wait, when did you see her dance?”

  “Whenever she gets pissed off, she runs off and dances out on Ms. Mae’s back porch.”

  “How am I just hearing about all this now?”

  “I don’t know, I guess I just didn’t think about it.”

  “Uh huh. She’s been here all summer and you’ve been working with her but you never thought we should meet?”

  “Look, I just thought you already have one friend with an attitude, why have two?”

  “You know Maddie’s not a true friend. I just don’t want to be on her bad side. So, what’s up with Cadence anyway? Does she have a mama and a daddy? She’s got an accent that makes her sound likes she’s better than everyone else and the attitude to go with it.”

  “Oh, she’s got an attitude alright!”

  “So, come on, spill. What do you know?”

  “She and her mama came from New York. I don’t know where her dad is but I don’t think they have a good relationship. Ms. Mae’s been riding her ass about being respectful and somehow thinks having her help me on the farm will set her straight. I sure wish I knew what I did to deserve that. She’s the most frustrating person I’ve ever met. But, I have had some fun showing her the ropes.”

  “Oh, no, Bare, what did you do?”

  “Oh, nothing.”

  “Bare...”

  “Let’s just say I enjoyed watching her take the wheelbarrow of manure down to the compost pile.”

  “The wheelbarrow? Don’t you use the tractor to do that? Bare, you’re terrible. What happened?”

  “Well, she may have fallen into the pile while dumping out the wheelbarrow.”

  “You are awful. That poor girl.”

  “You only just met her, Jade. She is a major pain in the ass.”

  “Well, you better be nice. I want her to join the studio and I don’t need you running her off to New York.”

  “Fine. Now aren’t we supposed to be watching your Liars?”

  Two Days Later

  As I’m walking out the door to go to dance class, the phone rings. “Hello?”

  “May I speak to Jade?” a female voice asks.

  “Speakin’.”

  “Hi Jade, it’s Cadence.”

  “Hey Cadence, I’m just walking out the door to go to the studio. You’re still coming aren’t you?”

  “Yea, that’s why I’m calling. Gran can’t take me to the studio today. I know it’s last minute but can you pick me up?”

  “Sure. I told you I could pick you up anytime. I’ll see you in five,” I say as I grab my bag and rush out the door.

  I speed down the driveway and park in front of Ms. Mae’s house. Cadence runs down the steps and hurries to my car.

  “Hi Jade, thank you for picking me up. I’m so glad I don’t have to get all my dance clothes dirty in Gran’s truck.”

  “Like I said, I can just start picking you up on my way.”

  “Okay, I’ll tell Gran she doesn’t have to worry about taking me anymore.”

  As I turn the car around to leave, I see Barrick outside the barn and wave. I notice Cadence gives me a strange look.

  “What?” I ask.

  “Do you like him?”

  “Barrick?” I try to hide my smile as I pull out onto the main road.

  “Yea, he helps my grandmother on the farm and he’s made my life a living hell.”

  “Really?” I almost giggle but need to hold it in because I want to hear what she has to say about my brother.

  “Yea, he’s been a complete asshole. I mean he’s freakin’ hot so if you want to call dibs, I can see why but you should know he’s not nice.”

  I can’t control my laughter any longer.

  “Why are you laughing at me?” Cadence asks.
<
br />   My eyes start to water and I consider pulling the car over until I can control myself. “I can assure you I’m not attracted to Barrick.”

  “You aren’t?”

  “Nope.”

  “Not even a little bit? I mean have you seen his ass in those jeans?”

  “Cadence, stop, I can barely see the road from laughing so hard.”

  “Fine but will you tell me what exactly is so funny?”

  “Cadence...Bare...Barrick...is my brother!”

  “What?! You’re kidding me, right?!”

  “Nope, seems no one told me about you either. You’ve been here all summer and he never thought to tell me about this awesome new dancer in town.”

  “Oh my God, you’re not going to tell him I think he’s hot are you?”

  “Girl, no way.”

  “So, since someone didn’t think to introduce us, care to help me pull a little prank on your brother?”

  “I’m listening.”

  When I get home from dance, Barrick is pacing the floor.

  “Hey, Barrick.”

  “Jade. Did Cadence say anything after you waved to me at the farm?”

  “Why do you want to know? You like her or something?”

  “I just want to know if she said anything about me.”

  “Yea, she may have said some things about you.”

  “Jade...come on, what did she say?”

  “Hmm...something about how she can’t believe you never introduced us, how if I liked you, I should be warned that you are an asshole. I almost had to pull the car over from laughing so hard.”

  “She thinks I’m an asshole?”

  “Yea, but if you don’t like her, why do you care what she thinks?”