Catch My Breath (21 page)

“Yep.” Sasha came into the studio with a bottle of champagne and an armful of plastic cups. “Congratulations. It’s going to sound great. I can hear the girls screaming already.”

More like he can hear the cash registers cha-chinging.

Danny hated to be cynical. He knew every business was about money, but the dollar signs in Sasha’s eyes when he looked at Elliot kind of pissed Danny off. They had since day one. Elliot was so much more than a pretty face or those sweet floppy curls. Yeah, the girls liked him, and they were going to like him even more if Static really took off, but was that all there was to him, or to any of them? Were they really just pretty products to sell?

“Hey, Sasha. The guys and I were talking,” Reece started. “You know that track that Chris and I wrote, ‘One More Time’? We were thinking that would be a great first single instead of ‘Fool for Love’. It’s more us, you know. And it really shows off what we can do.”

Reece was right. That song was so much better than a lot of what was on the album, which was mostly cutesy pop, but he knew before Sasha spoke what the answer was going to be.

“Not this time, boys. Not for the first single. We need that song you can’t help humming along to in the car, the one that drives you nuts because you can’t get it out of your head. ‘Fool for Love’ is that song. It’s peppy and fun and when we put it with a video the girls will drool.”

“It’s not us.”

“It’s
Static
. And Static is what we’re trying to build here. There will be time later for your individuality to come out. That’s not what fans are buying.”

Danny knew that. Hell, he’d known that since the day he stood in front of Sasha back in the spring and said all he’d ever wanted to do was entertain people. They weren’t Chris, who made his fans happy with his guitar and a microphone. They were never going to be Chris. Danny was fine with that. He still wanted to be more than just a brand. It wasn’t going to happen that day though. Sasha was the boss, and Danny and his four friends didn’t have a damn bit of power.

“Maybe next time, Reece,” Danny murmured. “I think Sasha knows what he’s talking about.” It was better not to argue about it when they had no chance of winning.

Reece shot Danny a betrayed look because he knew Danny agreed with him. They all did. But Danny wasn’t the one who could make them a success. Neither was Reece. Sasha was. He was the one with the money, the label, the power, and he was the one who could push them to the next level. Or not.

“We want everyone’s first impression of you to be fun. Entertaining. ‘One More Time’ is great, and I’m glad it’s on the album, but it’s not… single material. Save it for the concert.” Sasha clapped Reece on the shoulder and turned to leave. “Really, boys. Congratulations. I’m proud of you and this is just the beginning. I think this album is going to be big.”

Danny couldn’t help but notice Sasha looking right at Elliot when he said it, his little angel with the bedroom voice. Danny gritted his teeth. Not that he disagreed with Sasha’s prediction that Elliot would be the favorite. Hell, Danny couldn’t see how
anyone
wouldn’t fall head-over-heels in love with him, but he hated it all the same. Like he could almost see what was coming, and he wanted to stop it.

Elliot wasn’t ready. Danny was pretty sure none of them were.

A
FTER
Sasha left Reece flipped around and glared at Danny. “What the
fuck
, dude? You just threw me under a bus.”

“No, I didn’t.” Danny slumped onto a stool. Four sets of eyes bored into him. “Guys. Sasha wasn’t going to listen to us. He’s going to do exactly what he thinks he should do to make the most money off of Static as possible. I’d love it if he looked at us and saw Chris or someone like that, but he doesn’t. And you know it. He sees cash. Bottom line.”

“We’re more than that,” Tate said quietly.

“I know that. We all do. We’re our friendship, our jokes and personalities. We’re our voices, Reece’s guitar. But until we prove that with this album, we’re just newbies who don’t have the clout for an ego trip.”

“So we don’t get a say in anything?” Webb asked.

Danny shook his head. “Not until we prove ourselves. When we’re on the Billboard charts, when we sell out concerts, then we can make demands.”

“That kind of sucks.”

“Guys. We’re about to release a single. Sure, it’s not our first choice but it’s music. Us. On the radio. We just finished an album, we’re about to finish a television show.” Danny pointed at Tate. “What were you doing six months ago?”

“Waiting tables. Coaching soccer at night.”

“Exactly. I was in high school. Could any of us have even dreamed this?” Nobody said anything. Danny knew he was right. “So let’s make the best of this, ’cause seriously… it
never
happens and you know it.”

The other four nodded, small smiles starting to grow on their faces.

“One for all? C’mon. We earned it.” Four fists joined his in the middle of the circle. “Love you guys,” Danny said softly. “Let’s kick some ass.”

“I
CAN
’
T
believe it’s over,” Elliot murmured. He shoved the last of his laundry into the duffel bag that was already filled to bursting.

“It’s not over.” Danny came up behind Elliot and kissed him on the back of his neck. “It’s just starting. The single’s coming out next week.”

“Don’t remind me.” Elliot groaned.

Danny laughed. “Why?” He couldn’t believe his voice was actually going to be on the radio, singing with his three new best friends, with Elliot. It was surreal. It was amazing. He couldn’t wait.

Elliot shrugged. “I’m not you, I guess. I mean, I’m proud of us, and I can’t believe we did it. I’m just worried people aren’t going to like us.”

Danny turned Elliot around. “And if they don’t? If we’re done after a few months, would all of this have been a waste of time?” He slid his arms around Elliot’s waist and nuzzled his face into the smooth, pale skin of his neck. Elliot’s smell, that now familiar sweet, soapy boy smell, made everything else disappear. Elliot rubbed his hands up and down Danny’s back.

“Of course not. Even if we’re just a flash in the pan… there’s still us. And Tate and Webb and Reece. I’ll never regret that.”

“Yep,” Danny answered. “And you and I can still go to college. Rent a place somewhere and do exactly what we’d planned on doing before all of this happened—just together.”

“So no matter what, this isn’t the end.”

“Exactly. It’s just the beginning.”

Danny looked up at Elliot, who he could’ve sworn had grown since they first met, and planted a small kiss on his lips, lips he’d learned to need like air and water and food. Danny couldn’t imagine his life without Elliot anymore. He hoped he never had to.

“Got all your stuff?” Elliot asked. Their room looked depressingly bare. Generic and empty as it had when they moved into it. Danny looked around at the plain walls, the empty bed, the bare floor. This was the place where everything had changed for him, where he’d turned from the kid with a dream to someone who might actually make it. Where he’d fallen in love.

Even if he’d told Elliot nothing was ending, it was still sad in a way, leaving the cocoon of their little room for the big scary world.

“Let’s head down to the vans. I don’t want to end up on a different one than the guys.”

Danny and Elliot slung their bags over their shoulders and trudged down to the main driveway of the
Band Camp
house. Everyone was milling around, like they didn’t know quite what to do with themselves. It had been like a break from reality, the past few months, but at the same time more intense than anything any of them had ever gone through. They were all friends, allies, they felt like they’d gone to war together and come out the other side.

Danny dropped his bags near the van where the rest of Static’s stuff was. Elliot followed suit. Then they went back to the group and passed out hugs, made sure everyone had their phone numbers. Danny told Savannah not to cry, because he didn’t want to start crying himself. She squeezed him tight, and no matter what he’d told her, he still felt wet tears on his shoulder.

“I’ll miss you, sweetie,” she muttered. “I’m glad we got to be friends.”

“You have my number. Call me, we’ll hang out.”

Savannah smiled, but it was a sad smile. “I don’t think we’ll be seeing much of you after this. I’m pretty sure you’ll be busy.”

“So will you. We’ll make time.”

Danny pulled back and wiped a tear from her cheek. “Give Gracie a kiss for me. Looks like my van is loading.”

Savannah nodded. “You give Elliot a kiss for me,” she whispered with a smile.

Danny didn’t bother to pretend. “I will,” he said.

Then he went to the van where his three brothers and the guy he loved so hard it hurt were waiting for him. He slung his arms around their shoulders, and they all bumped foreheads together. “Ready, boys?” he asked quietly, an echo of the other day in the studio. It was more real than it had been then. It got more real every single day.

“More than ready,” Webb answered.

“Let’s do this,” Tate said.

“Take on the world.” Reece stuck his fist into their tight little circle. It was joined by four others, shaky but resolved.

“Now we really are Static,” Elliot said quietly. “It’s just us.”

SAY GOODBYE TO BAND CAMP

A Candy Scoop Exclusive

The final episode of
Band Camp
airs tonight! We sure are going to miss it—the laughter, the drama, the flirting, all our delicious bromances. We can only hope
Band Camp
comes back with another cast of hot new hopefuls for us to fall in love with.

Candy Scoop is leaving this season’s alumni with some words of wisdom and love….

To the boys of OCD. Don’t forget your eyeliner when you go on the road, never drink out of a groupie’s beer cup, protection is key… and crowd surfing can break bones. Be careful!

To CHRIS COLLINS. Keep playing! Your music is beautiful—and no matter what the magazines tell you, you dress just fine. We love your cargo shorts. ISAIAH we adore you. We are sure Beyoncé is waiting to do a duet with you, but don’t tell Jay-Z we said so. You’re great!

To our Static lovelies. Stay adorable, watch out for the crazies who will try to sneak into your hotel rooms… and Delly and Rate for goodness’ sake just kiss already! (in public, please).

To THE PIXIES: Stay away from WEBB. He’s ours! Just kidding ladies… you have amazing voices. We can’t wait for your album!

We’ll miss you all. Lots of love….

—CS

Tate Ryan @TateRyan_RL

We miss the Band Campers already :( Fantastic Experience tho! #bandcamp

Elliot Price @EPriceisRight

A massive Static thank you to all the fans :) You have been really great! We love you <3

StaticBand @Official_Static

Static #Clingers unite!!! Static’s first single hits the airwaves a week from Tuesday. Are you ready?? #LetsMakeStaticNumberOne!!

Danny Bright @DannyBoy94

Holy Crap guys! Guys can you believe Fool For Love is out next week ?!?!? I’m nervous!

Reece Beaufort @SouthernBoyReece

@DannyBoy94 I’m nervous too!! BBQ Saturday at yours still, right?

Danny Bright @DannyBoy94

@SouthernBoyReece Always thinking with your stomach but yes! BBQ :) @EPriceisRight is cooking:)

Webber Jackson @TheWebbinator

@DannyBoy94 @SouthernBoyReece @EPriceisRight Good!! We don’t want to get food poisoning.

Elliot Price @EPriceisRight

@DannyBoy94 @The Webbinator @SouthernBoyReece I’m cooking? Since When? Haha. Fantastic….

“T
HIS
seriously isn’t going to work.”

“It isn’t going to work, is it? We have almost a month before we leave on the radio tour.” Elliot’s voice sounded far. Way too far. Danny was so used to having him there every day, right next to him. There for touching and hugging and kissing, and he
hated
not being able to see Elliot’s face when he smiled or watch those long, graceful fingers play with his own when they were lying there talking.

“And even then, we’re barely going to be alone, always on the bus and stuff with the guys. I
miss
you.”

Elliot sighed lustily on the phone. “What do you want to do about it?”

“Come stay here.” Danny didn’t hesitate for a second. His parents were gone most of the time. They wouldn’t care. He needed Elliot. Even the three days until the barbecue they’d planned was far too long. And one day wasn’t enough time together.

“Like, permanently?”

“Sure, we can look for a real place to move into when we get back. Besides, it’s going to be a pain for you to drive back and forth. We have a ton of stuff going on between now and when we leave.” They’d talked about wanting to live with each other no matter what. Danny had meant it. It sounded intense. Amazing. Permanent. And they did have a lot of meetings with their new management team, photo shoots for the album. It was practical, right?