If You Can't Hang (Book Two of the Follow Your Heart Series)

Chapter 10

Hotel Concorde Conference Room:

The guys were harmonizing for the chorus of "Guitar," while Michelle video taped it so they could judge the sound. All of the guys were staring into the lens of the camera that Michelle held...except for TC...he was staring directly into Michelle's eyes. He had always felt close to Michelle, but lately he was feeling a deeper connection. He was lost in her eyes for a moment, and he sang the wrong lyric.

"Hold up, hold up," Drew stopped everyone, "Boy, you need to focus. You can't be singing the wrong thing."

TC got embarrassed a little bit, "My bad."

"Okay, let's go again." Drew said, "But, get it right this time."

The guys repeated the last verse. Drew had been a little impatient lately. He was on edge ever since they left for Europe. They all assumed that it had something to do with Chelsey, so they didn't mention it. Instead, they let him get away with his snappiness.

When the final lyric was finished, they decided that they were satisfied with the song. They all had two hours to waste before doing press. David decided to go answer emails and check his twitter...he didn't have the desire to do much else since he realized that Bree was in town. Drew conned Bobby into going shopping with him. Jayk was on the phone making lunch plans with a couple of girls he met at the meet and greet the night before. TC decided to call Ashlee, as Michelle uploaded the video onto her laptop.

Ashlee saw TC's number on the caller ID as she was trying on a pair of shoes. She didn't want to answer the phone. She let it go for several rings...then, she gave in.

"Hello?"

"Hey Ash," TC said into the receiver, "I have a little bit of free time, and there's this restaurant I've been meaning to try. Are you busy?"

"TC, what part of 'we're taking a break' did you not understand?"

TC's eyes fell, "I thought you said that just because you were mad. I didn't know you actually meant it."

"Of course I meant it. I'm too upset to be around you right now, so no...I don't want to go to lunch with you."

TC was disappointed. He really needed to be around Ash. He thought it would help him put his feelings for Michelle in check. He looked over to where Michelle was editing the video. She was beautiful, and that made TC panic even more.

"How long do you think this little break is going to take, because I really need to spend some time with you?"

Ash heard the desperation in TC's voice, but she couldn't bring herself to give in. "I don't know how long it's going to take. I have to go." She hung up the phone before TC could say goodbye. He sat the phone down and lowered his eyes.

"TC, don't worry about it, she'll come around." He felt a small hand touch his shoulder. Michelle was always there when he needed her...that was once thing he loved about her...err... "liked" about her, he corrected his thoughts.

"Thanks Michelle." He looked up at her.

"And, if you want..." She continued as Jayk was ending his phone call, "I'll check out that restaurant with you."

"Sure," TC smiled as Michelle left to go get ready.

TC was lost in his smile when he realized that Jayk was standing over him.

"What are you doing?" Jayk said with a mean frown on his face.

"What?" TC asked.

"You're going out with Michelle. Do you really think that's a good idea after everything that just went down?"

"Michelle and I are just friends."

"Really?! Well, those looks you've been giving her all throughout rehearsal tell a different story." TC's face looked guilty. "I swear on Winston's life...if you even THINK about cheating on Ash with Michelle, you will not live to see our album released. You got that?"

"Yeah," TC said as he was breaking Jayk's stern gaze.

"I'm serious, Carter. Don't you try me." Jayk threatened before leaving the conference room.