The Boy with the Guitar

Record Deals?

A/N
1000+ reads holy fuck thank you so much you're all the best

Ricky:

"Rickyyyyyyy," Chris whines.

"No," I say for what must be the fourth time now. "I want to do this. And being cute isn't going to get you your way. Not this time at least."

"Next time?"

"Perhaps. But I'm not letting you and your worries stop me. I know you don't think they'll like us. And so what if they don't? It's worth a shot. I'm bringing the demo. Goodbye love." I kiss his forehead and he pouts at me. "Stop it," I giggle. "I'm leaving."

"Bye bye."

I smile and roll my eyes as I walk out of Chris's apartment. I'm so glad he's letting me stay with him. And for free! It feels too good to be true. Although for whatever reason, I feel like it's not. Like it's actually just Chris being nice. I don't know though. He is a pretty nice person. I think. Yes, he must be nice.

I get in my van and drive down to the record label that I've been to so many times. I've been to all the record labels within 50 miles so many times. Whenever I record a new song. But this time, I feel like it's going to be different. Better. Hopefully.

I walk up and open the big, heavy, glass door and walk inside to the desk. "Hi," I say.

"Hi, can I help you?"

"Uh, yes. I have an appointment with Mr. Cassel at 11:30. My name is Ricky Olson."

"Ah, yes, right here. He should be out in just a moment, you can go wait over there."

"Thank you."

I walk over to the small waiting area and sit down. Soon enough I see a familiar face enter the room.

"Ricky," says Mr. Cassel. "I thought I told you last time that-"

"You did," I say, standing up. "But this is something else."

"Ricky, I told you. We take barely any acoustic artists. You'll have to go somewhere else."

"Just listen. This isn't the same thing. I joined a band. A metal band. All of the other guys were too scared or worried to come talk to you. I know I've talked to you a lot of times, so I thought...fuck it, I'll go."

"I like you, Rick. You're a determined, motivated young man." He reaches out and shakes my hand before showing me into his office. "So you joined a metal band. Alright. What do you have for me today?"

"I have a demo," I say confidently. "I want you to listen to it."

"Alright." I hand him the CD and he puts it in the CD player on his desk.
"We are motionless in white and this song is called creatures." I blush softly at Chris's voice and Mr. Cassel gives me a look. I shake my head and look down.
When the song ends he gives me the CD back, leans back in his chair, and just looks at me for a while.

"That wasn't you on guitar," he finally says. "On either guitar. You're better than that."

"I'm not better than our lead. That song just isn't too challenging. And I'm the bassist. And the backing vocals."

"That was very good. Now I know I haven't said this to you before but I'm gonna think about signing you. I want you to bring your band in, you'll go to the studio and talk with one of our producers, play live for him, and we'll go from there. You're onto something, Olson."

Oh my god. He wants me to come back! That's a first.

"O-okay. Thank you."

"I'll give you a call. I will see you soon."

"Yeah, alright. Thank you so much Mr. Cassel."

I walk out and get back in my van. I quickly call Chris and I notice that I can't stop smiling.

X
C: Hey, how'd it go?
R: I am so excited right now.
C: Oh?
R: He wants us to come back and play for a producer. He might want to sign us.
C: Are you serious? That's awesome!
R: I know! Okay, I'm on my way back. I'll see you in a little bit.
C: Alright, see you.
R: Bye.
X

I drive to the apartment excitedly and run up to Chris's place. I let myself in and head over to the living room where he's sat playing something on my guitar. "Hey," I say.

"Hi," he says, putting down the guitar and patting the couch next to him for me to sit down. "So they want to sign us?"

"Might. This is the furthest it's ever gotten for me."

"That's amazing."

"Tell me about it." I lean back so my head is on his shoulder. "I have been trying for so fucking long... You know, I'm really glad that I met you. If I hadn't I would've given up. And gone to school. Gotten a real job and forgotten about music. I really didn't want to do that. You saw me panicking at Ryan's when we went to meet everyone...well, music is my way of coping with that. I'd go crazy without it. Gabriel always encouraged me to keep trying but when I told him I wanted to give up he didn't even try to stop me. But you...you always encourage me. I know that you would never let me give up music. Without you I wouldn't be doing this. I know it's only been two months since we met but seriously...we might be getting a deal with a record label. Because of you. And I tried for two years to get that. But when I met you it was just two months."

"Yeah well I wouldn't have any of my band members without you. The five of us wouldn't be getting signed if it weren't for you. I almost didn't go talk to you after that first show but dammit I'm glad I did."

"I'm glad you did too." Chris giggles softly and I look up into those beautiful light brown eyes of his. "I love you."

"I love you too." He leans down and kisses me and I smile into the kiss. Everything that has happened since I met Chris two months ago has made me happier than I've ever been. I got rid of a boyfriend who really hasn't done me any good for the last three years, I finished my first tour, I fell in love, I joined a band of really talented musicians, I don't live in my van anymore, I might get signed to a record label, and I'm just so happy. Chris is the best thing that's happened to me in a long time. Maybe ever. And I am so grateful for that.

"Should we tell the other guys?" Chris asks.

"At practice tomorrow," I say. "But for today...do you want to go on a celebratory dinner date tonight?"

"I would love that. And for now I'm going to kick your ass at assassins creed."

"Oh, you're on. After you make me lunch."

Chris groans loudly. "Fiiiiiine."