Dreamspinner Press Year Seven Greatest Hits

by K. C. Wells

  “Of course they do,” Rebecca said. “But that’s the thing. With the other boys, they’re just jokes and everyone knows that. With you two there will always be that question of whether or not it’s for real. We don’t want that. Just… keep it to a certain level, okay? Last night was great. More would be too much.”

  “Fine. Can I go to sleep now?”

  “Yes. I’ll see you in Portland.”

  “You’re coming to Portland?” Most of their team was already with them, from Peter to their stylist Brenna, the makeup artists, the backup band and security guards who’d become more like friends than employees. He didn’t see a point in adding Rebecca. “Is Leslie coming as well so she can confiscate the phones of anyone who might post a picture of Elliot and me online?”

  “She’ll be in and out.” Apparently, Rebecca didn’t feel like arguing anymore. “Go to sleep, Danny. I’ll see you in a few days.”

  Danny hung up and flopped back on the small, cramped bunk. He didn’t realize until Elliot curled around him that he was even there. “What was that all about?”

  “Us keeping a lid on the stage gay. Some is fun, too much is obvious.”

  Elliot snorted. “I thought even us playing soccer in the park was obvious? What’s the point of trying to hide it?” He kissed Danny’s neck and ran his hand up under Danny’s shirt. “Besides, if we act all awkward and stiff on stage, the fans will know. And for us, not touching will make shit awkward.”

  “I know.”

  Elliot slid his thigh between Danny’s and tightened his grip around Danny’s middle. Danny loved how secure with them Elliot had been lately. It was like some invisible corner had been turned. He wasn’t sweet, shy, unsure Elliot from the beginning, or new to romance Elliot who didn’t know how to be with someone, or even the sad and jealous Elliot he’d been since Christmas. He was new, and sexy, and every day he looked more and more gorgeous. Danny reached up and tugged on one of the curls he loved so much. They’d gotten long, the weight pulling them out into waves that slid off to the side of Elliot’s face and framed his ridiculously huge eyes.

  “What?” Elliot asked.

  “Nothing. You’re hot. I just like to look at you,” Danny said quietly with a grin.

  “You’re hot too,” Elliot whispered. “I like to do more than look.”

  “Don’t even think about it!” Reece called from the couch at the other end of the bus. He’d been laughing at Tate and Webb’s argument, but he clearly had Spidey senses if he’d just heard that.

  Elliot and Danny burst into laughter. “We’re not,” Elliot called out. “Just taking a nap.”

  “That better be the kind of taking a nap that doesn’t have air quotations around it.”

  “Sleeping only,” Danny assured him. “Unfortunately,” he mumbled under his breath.

  Elliot pulled the curtain to the bunk closed. “I think there can be a little bit of kissing.”

  Danny nodded. “Shhhhh.”

  SAN FRANCISCO was fun, Portland and Seattle even more fun. By the time they caught a plane to Miami to start the East Coast leg of their tour, the guys had their stage show down. The nerves still fluttered before they ran onstage, but Danny figured that’s how they knew they were alive, and by the time the first song was over, they’d always caught their stride. Every night, they added more jokes, let more of their personalities out on stage. The fans loved it. They loved it. It was quite possibly the happiest Danny had ever been.

  A huge part of that happiness was Elliot. Things had changed so much for them since they’d left the stress of LA behind. That secure, strong Elliot who’d emerged from all the Chelsea drama was absolutely incredible. Danny couldn’t take his eyes away. He pranced around the stage and grinned and waved at the fans, he flirted outrageously with Webb, Tate, and Reece… and with Danny? With Danny he was, well, it was really quite impossible to explain what he was. Sexy? Perfect? The hottest, most amazing guy Danny could’ve imagined falling in love with? They touched onstage constantly. Never anything that would make people point fingers, but brushes of hands here and there, touches on hips, arms around shoulders. Elliot whispered to him, little things like how proud he was of Danny’s solo or how gorgeous his ass looked in the tight khakis Brenna had squeezed him into.

  There must’ve been something about the heat in Miami, though, a different kind of heat than Los Angeles’ dry summers. Maybe it wasn’t the heat. Maybe it was some unknown thing, some magic in the air. Whatever it was, Elliot was… on fire that night. In every way Danny knew how to think of the word. His solos were deep and throaty or soaring and sexy, his usual adorable prance turned into this strut that wasn’t like anything the Elliot Danny knew would do. He sang to Danny, lyrics that should’ve turned Danny’s ears red. And when they touched, even the shortest of brushes, fingers trailing across cloth and heated flesh, it was stoking a fire that soon grew out of control.

  During one part of the concert, when Webb was singing and Reece playing his guitar, Elliot came up behind Danny, who’d sat on one of their stools for a quick break, and leaned over to breathe in his ear.

  “I want you so fucking bad right now.”

  Danny had to move his mic away from his mouth so nobody would hear the moan he couldn’t contain. After watching Elliot for nearly an hour looking the way he did that night…. Damn. The trip to their hotel room couldn’t be short enough. Elliot wasn’t done though. Clearly he felt the need to drive Danny insane.

  “See all those girls out there?” Elliot whispered. “I bet at least half of them would die to take you home tonight. But they don’t get to. You know why?”

  Danny shook his head. He did know why, but he wanted to hear it in that low growly voice.

  “Because tonight, when this concert’s over and we’re back in our hotel room, I’m going to sling your ankles over my shoulders and spend the rest of the night fucking you so slow and deep you won’t even be able to scream,” he whispered. “And maybe if I’m done before dawn, I’ll flip us over and let you do the same thing to me.”

  Then Elliot tossed Danny a saucy grin and went back to his spot on the stage. Just like that, Danny was hard as hell, fighting major lust, and about to kill his beautiful boyfriend. Fuck. Danny squirmed in his seat and Elliot watched him the entire time, a sly grin on his face. Danny nearly missed his solo, but he felt better when Elliot almost fumbled his as well.

  He was right too. The car ride back to their hotel felt like eternity. He barely held himself back from pinning Elliot to the seat of the Towncar and ripping every thread of clothing from his body. As it was, he vaulted from the car as soon as they were in the garage and practically sprinted for the elevators, hauling a laughing Elliot behind him. The others probably wondered where he and Elliot disappeared to right away. At least they were smart enough not to come looking for them.

  EVERYTHING good seemed to have its repercussions, though. Danny got a phone call the next day saying their concert antics had made it to the Internet—in fact, they’d exploded all over the Internet. Nobody could tell what Elliot had whispered, but the look on Danny’s face clearly was enough. Management decided to fly Chelsea in for an impromptu visit before things got out of control. She’d be there in a little over an hour, they told Danny. When Danny got off the phone he felt like punching somebody. Things had been so damn good. So good. Then he had to fucking react to Elliot like that on stage, and back came the fake girlfriend. He’d felt so free without her the past month, free to be him and be in love and not hide it so damn much. Looked like the freedom was over.

  Elliot’s face fell when he heard the news, but he wrapped Danny up in his arms and kissed him. Danny broke away and buried his face in his hands. Elliot looked hurt.

  “Fuck. I’m sorry. I feel like this is somehow my fault.” He jumped off the bed and started pacing their hotel room, raking his hands through his hair. It had to be his fault. Everything was his fault.

  “Babe, it’s not. If anything this is on me. I’m the one who started that
on stage. It’s not like you meant to react. I guess we crossed their line into too much.”

  Danny was relieved by how his new Elliot reacted to the news, but it didn’t change how much it sucked. They’d come a long way in the past month. He didn’t want to go back to that unsure place where everything was awkward and painful. “Yeah, but I didn’t think they’d bring Chelsea back into it even if we did go a bit far. They told me I was done with that. It’s been over a month since I saw her.”

  Elliot slid off the bed and walked over to wrap Danny in his arms. “D, do you love me?”

  “Of course I do. You know that.”

  “Yes, I do. And that’s my point.” Elliot leaned over for a kiss. “It doesn’t matter. She doesn’t matter. We love each other, and we’re gonna figure this whole thing out, okay?”

  “But before….”

  “I know. I’m sorry I made the situation so much worse. But I know what to expect now. It’ll just be more of the same, right? A few stupid lunch dates and some holding hands with coffee or whatever?”

  “Yeah. They haven’t told me much, but I assume it’s the same. I just don’t want to do it anymore.”

  Elliot tugged gently on his hair. “And I don’t want you to have to. But don’t feel bad because of me. We’re good, babe, okay? We’re strong. Just do this, and then she’ll disappear again. We still have two more months on the road with just us.”

  Danny didn’t know what to say, when Elliot had become the one comforting him and making things right. “I love you, El.” It was the only thing he could even think right then.

  “Love you too. Now go get in the shower. On second thought, I think I’ll come in with you. You all right with that?”

  Danny snorted. “I think it should be acceptable. And maybe while we’re in there, you can give me a big old mark to take on this dumb fucking date.”

  “But Miss Chelsea is just landing as we speak. Everyone knows she wasn’t here last night,” Elliot reminded him.

  Danny grinned. “And?”

  “You’re gonna get us in trouble.”

  “For what? Hickeys?” Danny swatted at Elliot’s butt. “Get in the shower. I need this before I’m paraded around town all day like a damn show pony.”

  Elliot giggled and ran for their suite’s bathroom, Danny hot on his heels.

  IT WASN’T bad to be out with Chelsea again, exactly. Danny didn’t hate her, just the situation. Still, when she chattered about how much she liked Florida and how The Pixies were getting set for a tour and blah blah blah, Danny just kind of tuned her out. He’d never done that before, had always listened and gossiped with her and actually, other than his guilt over Elliot, had fun. Not anymore. Something had seriously changed since the tour started, and it wasn’t just Elliot. It was him too.

  Maybe it had something to do with that last article before the tour, the one where the guy he loved was blamed for trying to break up his “relationship.” The way that had crushed Elliot, Danny just couldn’t take it. And maybe because Elliot was being so great about things now it made Danny not want to take it?

  “What’s wrong, Danny?” Chelsea asked. She tugged on his elbow where her hand had been resting because he couldn’t bring himself to hold hands with her anymore.

  “Just thinking about stuff. There’s a lot going on right now.”

  “Are you and Elliot okay? I know there were a ton of stories before you left on tour about you two not getting along. I figured they were crap, but… well, are you two fine? You were such good friends.”

  Danny wanted to tell Chelsea. He thought he should tell Chelsea, but right out in the open probably wasn’t the best place, so he just said, “Yeah, we’re great. All of us had gotten tense before we left on tour, but now it’s like it was back at the Band Camp house. We’re closer than ever.” Which was true. Things were amazing, and Danny didn’t want to do anything to ruin it.

  “I’m glad.” Chelsea smiled. “For a while I was wondering if all the rumors about you two hooking up really caused tension in your friendship. Can you even imagine you and Elliot together?” She laughed. “You’re adorable as friends, but hearing all that stuff would be so weird, especially ’cause he’s… you know.”

  Okay, wow. Really? Savannah knew. Danny was sure of it. She’d given him sly looks and freaking told him to kiss El for her. She knew. In a way it was nice to know she’d kept her word and not spilled it to the others, but how did Chelsea have no clue?

  “He’s what?” Danny asked. “My best friend?”

  “No. I meant that he’s gay.” She whispered the last word like it was some kind of state secret. In a way it was. Elliot’s supposed womanizing ways had pushed him so far back into the closet there was little chance of anyone believing he’d never been with a woman at all and had never really wanted to.

  Sharp annoyance coursed through him. Elliot didn’t owe anyone an explanation, and as much as Danny wanted to shout in Chelsea’s face that he fucking loved Elliot and she didn’t know what the hell she was talking about, he didn’t. It wasn’t like Chelsea mattered. He and Elliot, they’d learned their lesson. No more misbehaving on stage, and hopefully after this one visit, no more Chelsea.

  She slid her hand down his arm and tried to hold his hand. Danny couldn’t participate in it. He wouldn’t.

  COUPLE ABOUT TOWN!

  A Candy Scoop Exclusive

  Super cute and totally loved up popsters DANNY BRIGHT and CHELSEA PRESTON hit the town the other day in sunny Florida. The couple was looking quite adorbs, CHELSEA in a cheery yellow and white dress with platform sandals and DANNY in a preppy plaid button down and khakis.

  Fans saw them canoodling in colorful South Beach, holding hands and checking out the sights. Our sources say DANNY couldn’t keep his eyes off of CHELSEA and she held on to his elbow sooo tightly. They must’ve missed each other. Poor kids!!

  Candy Scoop hopes to see more of CHELSEA out on tour with STATIC but we know she has her own busy schedule to work around. Good luck you two!!

  —CS

  Cait in CA @Dannyismine

  Ughhh-ola!! Why’d they have to bring the beard back?! Danny and Elliot seemed so happy:( #DellyNOTChelly

  StaticFan#1 @Rateisgreat

  @Dannyismine #DellyNOTChelly I hear you girl!! Those pictures were soo sad. Danny didn’t look like he even wanted to touch her :( #awkward

  Staticgrl4life @Ellysbaby

  @Dannyismine @Rateisgreat Guys, let’s get #DellyNOTChelly trending. People need to know the truth!!

  Cara D @Dellyisreallove

  @Dannyismine @Ellysbaby @Rateisgreat I’m with you guys but people will believe what they want to believe. So sad. #DellyNOTChelly #Shavethebeard

  Alyssa Jones @ILuvStatic

  I’m in!! Those pictures were just awkward city. Danny does NOT look good with a beard!! #DellyNOTChelly #shavethebeard

  StephSteph @IShipChelly

  #DellyNOTChelly Just stop already and get a life!! Danny loves CHELSEA. You people are ruining his relationship. New trend. #ChellyNOTDelly

  “HEY, D. How were things with Chelsea?” Elliot looked up from his laptop, face open, even smiling. Danny couldn’t believe how well he was taking it.

  Danny made a face and flopped down on their hotel bed. “Annoying. I used to at least like her. We were cool, right? Now everything she does is irritating me, and it’s not even her fault. I just don’t want to do this.”

  “You won’t have to after today, right?” Elliot put his laptop aside and scooted around until he was lying next to Danny, curled around him. “And even if you do, it doesn’t matter. We’re good, babe. I told you.”

  It was a relief to inhale Elliot’s fresh soapy smell after hours of heavy floral perfume. Just like everything else about her, Danny hadn’t been aware of just how much the perfume annoyed him until that morning. Elliot leaned over and licked Danny’s neck.

  “Nice hickey by the way.” Elliot giggled.

  “Thanks.” Danny grinned. “I can’t believe nobo
dy noticed it.”

  “Give the Delly fangirls time. They will.”

  Those girls noticed everything. Danny liked it, to tell the truth. Sure, it was a tad creepy how much people knew about him and Elliot, how they noticed when one of them had gotten a bit too enthusiastic with the other’s neck, when they whispered things and their faces totally told the story of what had been said. Anyone would be weirded out by thousands of strangers knowing that kind of stuff about them. But at the same time, it was comforting, a relief to know that some people saw the truth. Sure, when he and Elliot finally came clean, the legions of little girls who thought Elliot was going to propose to them probably wouldn’t stick by them, but they had support out there. That much felt good.

  Danny kissed Elliot, wrapped his arms around his long, lean torso, and burrowed in, trying to get the morning out of his system and Elliot back in. “Wanna give me another one?”

  Elliot laughed. “Nah. Let’s wait until Chelsea leaves.” He chuckled. “It’ll make ’em talk more that way.”

  “True.”

  Danny giggled and attacked Elliot’s neck with kisses and bites. Let all the girls wonder where the marks came from. Danny would at least know it was him.

  TWO weeks later, they were in Charlotte doing a signing and a private show for some fans who’d won a radio contest or something. Danny wasn’t exactly sure what the deal had been for this group of fans. Everything had been a huge blur since the tour started—a happy blur of new cities and long bus rides and pranks and kisses from Elliot, but a blur all the same. They barely tried to hide anymore. Not at all to be truthful, beyond the cursory efforts of not kissing on stage (at least not visibly, he hoped) or saying anything irreversible out loud in front of fans or press.