Dreamspinner Press Year Seven Greatest Hits Page 22

  “Well, yeah. Chris is cool—and I went out with Sara last week, and all of a sudden half the tabloids said I was cheating on Savannah with her! I can’t even do anything with a female friend anymore without them making up crap about it.”

  “So Chris is a safe person to hang out with?”

  “At least for now.” Elliot rolled his eyes. “And I can talk to him about all this. He knows. That’s why I hang out with Reece too. I need someone to talk to.”

  “You can talk to me.”

  Elliot flopped onto the bed. He crawled up and curled around Danny. “I know I can talk to you. But they’ve got you out with Chelsea so much lately. It’s hard to talk to you when you’re not here.”

  Danny sighed. “You know what? Fuck this shit.” Elliot snorted when Danny swore. “I’m serious. You and I are going out tomorrow night. Just the two of us. We’re getting dinner and fuck management. Fuck them all.”

  Elliot liked rebel Danny, but he didn’t want him to get in too much trouble. Anything that even smelled like breach of contract would come down on them hard.

  “Weren’t you supposed to go out with Chelsea?”

  “I’ll call her and cancel. Sure to freaking God they can let me do it just this once. Tomorrow’s us. Just you and I.”

  Elliot couldn’t help smiling. That sounded amazing. “You and I.”

  Cara D @Dellyisreallove

  Sqeeeaallll! @EPriceisRight and @DannyBoy94 are so cute! I saw them playing in the park last night. It was perf :) #Dellydate

  Staticgrl4life @Ellysbaby

  @Dellyisreallove Were they all lovey and sweet?!?! I miss their dates! #Dellydate! <3

  Cara D @Dellyisreallove

  @Ellysbaby Yessssss <3 They were kicking a soccer ball around and kept touching each other’s backs and stuff. They’re so in love :)

  Staticgrl4life @Ellysbaby

  @Dellyisreallove Awwwww <3 <3 <3 #Dellydate We want more of them! @DannyBoy94 @EPriceisRight

  Elliot Price @EPriceisRight

  @Dellyisreallove @Ellysbaby Sorry girls! We’ve just been busy :(

  Staticgrl4life @Ellysbaby

  Omgomgomg!! #Elliot Price just tweeted me! 100% dead omg!!

  “WE THINK it’s best if you and Danny aren’t seen together in public anymore.”

  “What?” Elliot wanted to shout into his phone. He managed to keep his voice calm, but barely. The night before had felt so good, so normal and right—just the two of them eating dinner and going to a park where they messed around with a soccer ball. It wasn’t like they’d made out on a park bench or held hands on a long romantic walk. They hadn’t even been touching… much. To have even that much taken away from them was unthinkable.

  “You’re too obvious. Every interaction you two have screams couple. Even if you think you’re not doing anything, just the way you stand says it all. Danny and Chelsea won’t be believable if you and he are out there looking the way you do.”

  “So we’re not even allowed to be friends?”

  “Not in public. Not alone,” Rebecca said quietly. She sounded sorry. Elliot hated that she’d been put in such an awkward place. Rebecca was a genuinely nice person. She just needed her job. Since their album had shot up the charts, Static had become one of White Star Management’s biggest clients. “The team thinks it’s better that way,” she added gently.

  “The team can suck it!”

  “Elliot….”

  “Listen. The fans know we’re best friends, if nothing else. Some of them have already asked why I don’t go out with Danny and Chelsea if we’re all so close. This will look even weirder.” He hated that his life had turned so quickly into some conspiracy theory. What was the big deal if a few fans thought he and Danny were together? They didn’t have to say they were. Wouldn’t most of the fans believe what they wanted to believe anyway?

  “Speaking of that, there’s that album launch party next week for Isaiah. All of Static have been invited as have The Pixies, so you will be photographed with Danny and Chelsea. It’s a good opportunity to show that everyone’s still friends—but not too close of friends, right?”

  Elliot’s gut churned. He felt like he was going to puke. Just knowing that Danny was out there wandering around at night fake hand-holding and looking lovey with Chelsea was enough for him to heave. Standing right next to them and watching it in person was just too damn much. He couldn’t do it.

  “Aren’t you worried about how Danny and I will look if we’re seen together in public?” Elliot asked sarcastically. A pretty huge part of him wanted to drape his arms around Danny right in front of the paps and make it as obvious as could be just who Danny really belonged to. But he wouldn’t. Pulling a stunt like that would screw with the other guys’ night—with their careers. Doing that to Tate, Webb, and Reece wouldn’t be cool, no matter how angry he was at the situation.

  Rebecca spoke again with a soft voice. “It’s an event where the whole band will be there, sweetie. Obviously Static will have to make appearances together. You’ll just have to watch yourselves.”

  More like I’m going to have to watch the guy I’m in love with pretend to be someone else’s boyfriend. At one time, Elliot would’ve thought of Chelsea as his friend. It had gotten to the point where hearing her name alone made him want to punch things.

  “Fine. Just give us Valentine’s Day. It’s Saturday. I want to be with Danny.”

  “Yes, that’s fine. Just don’t go out.”

  “This is ridiculous,” Elliot grumbled.

  “What’s ridiculous?” Danny came up behind him and put his arms around Elliot’s waist. His voice was sleepy and scratchy, the way Elliot loved it best. He brushed a soft morning kiss into the back of Elliot’s neck.

  “We can’t be seen out in public together anymore unless we’re on official Static business with the other guys.”

  “What?” Danny’s voice went from soft and sleepy to angry. “That’s fucked. Why?”

  “’Cause apparently we even play soccer like a couple.” Elliot rolled his eyes.

  “Give me the phone.”

  Elliot sank into the couch and listened to Danny argue with Rebecca. It was probably hard for him too, to fight with the messenger when it wasn’t just Rebecca but everyone in charge of them who agreed to the whole damn mess.

  “I don’t like this, Becks. It’s causing problems for El and I. We don’t get to see each other unless we’re working or half asleep—” Danny stopped and listened. “Fine.” Another pause. “Fine.”

  He hung up the cell and threw it rather violently—onto the couch so it wouldn’t break of course.

  “This is bullshit.” He came over and wrapped his arms around Elliot, burying his face in Elliot’s neck. “At least they’re giving us Valentine’s Day.”

  “I know.”

  “Not much longer, okay? I’m going to talk to them about this. It can’t go on.”

  “Okay. I’m really sorry all of this is on you.”

  “It’s not. You’re getting screwed too, babe. I just….”

  “I know. It’s hard to see a way out of it, especially back at the beginning when we didn’t know how to say no.”

  “I should’ve said no. Screw the contract. You tried to say it.” Danny’s face sank. He looked like the weight of so many worlds had fallen onto his small shoulders. Elliot felt awful for him—for both of them.

  Cara D @Dellyisreallove

  No #Delly date for V-day?? Sad panda :( Why are they making Danny pretend he’s with Chelsea? It’s soooo obvious he’s not.

  Staticgrl4life @Ellysbaby

  @Dellyisreallove I know :( :( #Delly probably misses each other. Maybe they’ll celebrate later in private. <3 <3

  StephSteph @IShipChelly

  UGH! #Delly girls need to stop. Danny is happy with Chelsea! Can’t you see that? #Chelly

  Staticgrl4life @Ellysbaby

  @IShipChelly We leave you alone, you can leave us alone too. But seriously? R U blind? #Delly is real love. #Chelly is B.S. />
  StephSteph @IShipChelly

  @Ellysbaby Danny and Elliot aren’t gay! Elliot’s like all over every chick and Danny has a girlfriend. #Delly is a BROMANCE not a romance. #deluded

  StaticFan#1 @Rateisgreat

  @Ellysbaby @IShipChelly Ladies! Let’s get along. Even if they’re just friends @EPriceisRight is probably hurting. I bet he misses his Danny :(

  Elliot Price @EPriceisRight

  @StaticFan#1 I do :(

  StaticFan#1 @Rateisgreat

  @EPriceisRight awwwwww :( <3 He loves you most!!

  StephSteph @IShipChelly

  @EPriceisRight Eww are you gay for Danny?!? Don’t try to steal him from Chelsea. He loves her! #Chelly #ElliotisDeluded

  Elliot Price @EPriceisRight

  @IShipChelly ummmm… good to know?? Happy Valentine’s Day!! xoxo

  “I DON’T think your fans like me very much,” Chelsea muttered. “At least not some of them.”

  “What do you mean?” Danny deposited their coffees on the table and scooted in closer. It was comfortable with Chelsea, and Danny still liked her. He’d have rather been at home watching football and hanging out with the boys, who were all at his and Elliot’s apartment. At least it was only coffee, and then he was free to do what he wanted.

  “I’ve been getting a lot of really mean tweets, girls saying I’m ruining your friendship with Elliot and making things weird for Static. There’s even the ones who think I’m just a cover for you and Elliot’s secret relationship.” She giggled. “Although, they tend to be not so bad. To them, I barely matter.”

  Danny cringed. “Sorry for that, hon. We all get our share of hate too.” The bad came with the good. Sometimes Danny wondered how much bad stuff there could be before the good wasn’t worth it anymore.

  “Our sales have gone way up, though. I guess this is doing what it was supposed to do.”

  Chelsea leaned across the table and kissed Danny on the cheek. He tried not to flinch and hoped there weren’t any pictures of that kiss. He didn’t want Elliot to see it. Truthfully, he didn’t want it to have ever happened, even if it was no big deal. It would just feed the fire.

  “I’ve gotten a lot of fans saying we’re cute together,” Danny told her with a smile. It was true. The girls who weren’t pissed that Danny wasn’t single or convinced that Chelsea was ruining things with him and Elliot liked them together. Two California kids on the rise. It was just one of those stories, he supposed. He didn’t know how anyone saw more than mild friendly affection between them. There was nothing there, and it was obvious. Danny took a long sip of his caramel latte.

  “Am I really causing problems with the guys? Am I taking up too much of your time?” Danny wanted to tell her the truth, the whole truth. The relationship wasn’t just for publicity. He and Elliot weren’t just silly rumors. It was so much worse and more than that. But he wasn’t sure if he was even allowed to tell her. If he screwed up, then all the crap he’d been through for the past few months was completely pointless.

  “Nah, that’s just a bunch of publicity and drama. They’ve gotta have a story to sell. Me and the guys are all fine.”

  “Even Elliot?” Chelsea nibbled on her straw. “He used to be so sweet to me, but the other day when I saw him outside your guys’ place, he barely even waved.”

  Danny sighed. How much truth could he tell? “El’s been having a really hard time with all of this. There’s not much privacy anymore, and all those rumors about him. None of it is true. He just doesn’t know who to trust anymore.”

  “I get it.” Chelsea nodded. “I couldn’t believe all that stuff anyway. Elliot… he’s just so sweet. And to be honest, I have a hard time believing he’s into any girl let alone as many as the tabs say he’s into. I mean, I know it’s not my business, but I didn’t think he even swung that way.”

  Danny nearly choked on his coffee. At least she got part of the story right. “Let’s just say he’s not really manwhoring his way around Los Angeles and leave it at that.”

  “’Kay.” Chelsea smiled. “Poor baby,” she added with a tiny pout. “Give him a hug for me.”

  ALBUM sales were good. Great even. Amazing. Nothing else was. Ever since their botched Valentine’s Day, when management had bullied him into going on a date with Chelsea instead of staying home with Elliot like they’d promised he could do, things had been weird with Elliot. They were quiet when they used to laugh and talk a mile a minute; they slept half the time instead of talking or kissing or making love. It still felt like the most natural thing in the world to be curled up with him on the couch or in bed. Those were Danny’s favorite moments, even if there weren’t many of them. Elliot had been coming home later and later, spending time with Chris and Reece, only smiling sadly when Danny asked him how his night was.

  Danny hated to turn the computer on. Every time he did, it seemed like Elliot was there, out with another friend who Danny barely knew, laughing, having fun, or at least pretending to have fun, getting his picture taken all over town at parties and clubs he was far too young to get into.

  He wanted to be out with Elliot doing all those things. Danny felt like it was somehow his fault, even if one of them had to do it, one of them had to have a girlfriend. It was a contract. Going against it was more bad news than Elliot could handle. Danny knew that. He just wished he could make Elliot fully understand the snake pit they were in the middle of. Danny thought Elliot might be starting to get it.

  DANNY’S phone rang. He was surprised. It was late, and Elliot never called when he was out anymore. Sometimes he texted, when he was drunk and feeling sad. Danny’s heart crumpled a bit every time that happened, and it was happening more and more often. He reached for his phone. The name on the screen couldn’t have been more welcome.

  “Katie!”

  “Danny, what the hell are you doing?” she snapped.

  “Wait… what?” Danny hadn’t heard from Katie in months. Not since they’d broken up. He was pretty sure he’d never hear from her again. Until his phone rang, and there she was. Of course, he hadn’t expected her to yell at him either, but still her voice was such a relief.

  “You broke up with me for Elliot. You’re in love with Elliot. I know you. I can tell nothing’s changed. What are you doing?”

  There had been pictures of him and Chelsea at that party all over the Internet. There were pictures of him and Elliot too, posing with Webb and Reece and Tate. He had no idea how people couldn’t compare the two and see reality in an instant. As much as he tried to hide it, everything he felt for Elliot was in his face. So was Elliot’s animosity whenever he was near Chelsea. He smiled, but it wasn’t a real smile. And it was obvious he hadn’t wanted to put his arm around Chelsea and play nice. Elliot’s smiles and hugs with the rest of The Pixies had looked a hundred times more natural.

  Danny sighed into the phone. He didn’t know how many more uncomfortable conversations he could stand. No. Not true. He’d stand as many of them as he had to if it meant keeping Elliot safe, not breaking their contract, keeping management off his ass. Even if it was with his ex.

  “I’m really sorry, Katie. I don’t know what to say. I didn’t mean for Chelsea and I to happen.”

  “Chelsea and you didn’t happen.” Katie’s voice dripped with anger. “I know this seems crazy, me calling you up after all this time to bitch at you, but you and Elliot? That was real love. It still is. I care about you, D. I want you to be happy.”

  “I am happy.” Lie of the century. He was only happy when he was rehearsing with the guys or alone in his apartment with Elliot. Everything else was just a big show these days.

  “You’re happy with Elliot.”

  “I’m happy with Chelsea. Why can’t you be happy for me?” He hated saying it, but the truth had to be contained, even if Katie wasn’t believing a damn word he said. Danny was about to continue when his phone was ripped out of his hand.

  “Danny’s gotta go, Katie. He’ll call you back.”

  Elliot. Danny hadn’t
heard him come in.

  “How much of that did you hear?”

  “Stop talking,” Elliot growled. “Enough. I don’t want to hear anymore.”

  “El?”

  Danny barely recognized the Elliot standing right there in their room. He knew sweet Elliot, shy Elliot, lately mopey and sad Elliot, but this? This he’d never seen. Elliot was furious. He tossed Danny down on their bed and crawled on top of him.

  “You’re mine, got it? Go out and get pictures taken with her. Fine. But no more lying to friends.”

  Danny wasn’t frightened. Not really. It was just Elliot. But his anger was pulsing out of him, making him shake. Still, Danny didn’t even think of moving. “El, I have to make it look real. Other than that, what’s the damn point?”

  “You’re doing it because we signed a contract so you have to. Who gives a shit if you’re really convincing anyone?” Elliot snapped. He had a point. “No more.”

  Elliot leaned over and attached his teeth to Danny’s neck. He sucked in hard, hard enough to make Danny gasp. Hard enough to leave a mark. He reached down and cupped Danny through his sweats.

  “You know I’m yours,” Danny said on a hitched breath. “I have been since the day we met. The first damn day.”

  Elliot didn’t answer. Instead, he shoved his hand down the front of Danny’s sweats and wrapped his big hand around Danny’s rapidly swelling cock. There was something hot about angry Elliot. Danny didn’t know what to think, but his body sure as hell knew how to react. Elliot sucked on his neck and pumped his hand up and down, squeezing roughly at the tip. It hurt a little, but it felt fucking amazing. Danny arched his hips off the bed.

  “Babe?” Danny breathed.

  Elliot lifted his mouth from Danny’s neck. “Mine. Take your sweats off.”

  Danny stripped. Elliot did the same. They came together in the middle of the bed, a near violent press of flesh and limbs. Elliot pinned Danny’s hands to the pillow and glowered down at him. Danny usually ran the show when they were in bed, kissed and touched and played with Elliot until he was begging for more—at least he had until recently when they’d barely touched at all. Elliot wasn’t having it. He used a knee to spread Danny’s thighs open.