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  “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.

  AFTER 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….

  “THIS 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?

  “Looking for our own apartment….” Danny heard the smile in Elliot’s voice.

  “Yeah. Together.”

  “Okay. We can do that. When do you want me to come to your parents’ place?” Elliot asked.

  Danny choked. Yesterday? Two days ago? Two seconds after the last time I saw you? “I’ll come pick you up now. Can you be ready by the time I get there?”

  “Yep.” The smile in Elliot’s voice grew to a grin. “Hurry. I’ll text you the address.”

  Danny took a few minutes to fix his hair and change out of the track pants and old T-shirt he’d been wearing. He’d never met Elliot’s parents. Not as a friend or a band member, and not as, well, as the guy who was totally in love with their son either. He wanted to look nice.

  Clothes changed and hair fixed, he hopped in his car and started the way too long trip to Palmdale. Now that Elliot was in his sights it was even longer, every second ticked by slowly, the traffic moved sluggishly and frustratingly. The commercials on the radio made him want to scream when all he wanted was music to distract him from the time going by. His frustration turned to nerves the closer he got to Elliot’s house. He’d never really done the whole meeting parents thing before. He’d known Katie so long he practically grew up in her house. Plus, he’d just asked Elliot to move in with him. That was… very different than being the high school boyfriend. Even if he wanted it more than anything.

  Elliot’s neighborhood was cute. Normal. Danny wondered if his own family would’ve been better if they had a regular place on a regular block with a yard, neighbors they knew, and kids playing in the streets instead of behind big security fences on extensive property. Elliot’s house was nice, but average, well-kept and lived in. Danny decided he was envious.

  Elliot came hopping out the door as soon as Danny pulled up. He didn’t even wait for Danny to get out, just slid into the car with him, leaned over, and plastered Danny’s lips with a desperate kiss.

  Danny laughed against Elliot’s mouth, returning the kiss. “What’s this all about?”

  “Sorry,” Elliot giggled too. “I just really needed to kiss you, and it would probably be tacky to make out in front of my mom.”

  Danny pushed silky curls off of Elliot’s face. “Yeah. I can see that. Are we going in?”

  Elliot smiled and nodded. He gave Danny one more kiss, this one softer and lingering. Then he got out and met Danny on his side of the car. “My mom’s really nice. Don’t worry. She’s wanted to meet you for a long time.”

  “No pressure.” Danny squeezed Elliot’s hand and tried to smile.

  “None at all.”

  ELLIOT’S mom was nice, like really, really nice. Caring. His own mother was okay, he supposed, but she’d never hugged him with the intensity Elliot’s mom did. She’d never hugged him much at all.

  “Elliot says such nice things about you, sweetie. I’m glad we finally get to meet.”

  Danny’s face turned hot and red and embarrassed. He couldn’t help but to be charmed though.

  “Mom,” Elliot complained with a smile. “Giving away all my secrets, huh?”

  He bumped her with a hip, and they grinned at each other. It was obvious they were friends and not just related. Danny didn’t have that with anyone in his family. Must be nice.

  “So, you’re going to take him away from me?”

  “Just for a few weeks, Mrs. Price. Then we’re going on tour anyway. You can come to my house, if you want. Come to the beach.”

  Elliot’s mom laughed. “It’s Anna, please. And I’d love to. Don’t want to intrude though.” She turned to Elliot. “I want to meet the other three boys too. When are you going to bring them over for a visit?”

  Elliot looked like he was about to die from embarrassment. Danny thought it was amazing that she cared so much.

  “Of course we’ll bring them,” he answered. “We have a bunch of meetings, but maybe next week?”

  Anna bumped Elliot again with her hip. “See? That’s how you talk. It’s really not that hard.”

  Elliot buried his face in his mom’s neck, and she wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug. “I’m going to miss you, pumpkin. You have a phone. Use it.”

  Danny pretended he didn’t see Elliot’s eyes go glassy with unshed tears. “I’ll miss you too, Mom. Love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  “I think we’re going to go before traffic gets too bad, okay?” Elliot said. His voice sounded thick, but he was smiling still.

  “Text me when you get there.” His mom reached out for one more ruffle of Elliot’s hair and surprisingly Danny’s as well. “Drive safe.”

  “’Kay. We will,” Elliot said.

  Elliot grabbed his duffel and Danny took the two suitcases perched by the door. “This everything?” he asked.

  “For now.”

  They were still in his mother’s house, but one little kiss wouldn’t
be that bad. Danny leaned forward and brushed a small comforting peck across Elliot’s lips. “It’s going to be fine,” he muttered.

  “I know.”

  “HERE we are,” Danny said, dropping Elliot’s bags in his bedroom. “Home sweet home. For a little longer at least.”

  “God, this place is huge.” Elliot sank onto Danny’s bed and sighed. “I’d almost forgotten. Even the Band Camp house seems small compared to it.”

  Danny shrugged. “It’s just a house.” He didn’t know how to tell Elliot it wasn’t anything special, that the modest split-level he’d grown up in was ten, no a hundred times nicer, with parents who cared and a community to raise him.

  So he didn’t say any of that. He simply sat down next to Elliot on his bed and reached for his hand. “I missed you,” he said quietly.

  “Me too.” Elliot laughed incredulously. “It’s only been a few days. How could we not stand it just for a few days?”

  “I don’t know. But I couldn’t.”

  Danny realized right then that it was the first time he and Elliot had really been alone—at least since that first night all those weeks and weeks ago when they’d barely known each other. Even back then Danny had been enchanted by him.

  “It’s just us now. Weird, huh?”

  Elliot grinned. “Whatever are we going to do with ourselves?”

  That’s all it took. One joke and Elliot’s sweet cheeky grin and Danny was done waiting. He shot his arm out and wrangled Elliot down onto his bed, kicking off his flip-flops and shuffling himself on top of Elliot. Elliot giggled into the kiss, looping his own arms around Danny’s neck.

  It was better, in a way. The kisses didn’t have that exciting forbidden feeling, like they were breaking all the rules, but they were more intimate—relaxed and easy and just wonderful. Elliot crooked his knees and let Danny’s hips fall between his thighs. He nipped at Danny’s lip to tell him he wanted more.