"This is the worst idea I've ever heard!" I practically shouted, while pacing the floor of the little studio I had in my house.
Jenny reclined on the couch, as relaxed as if I'd just massaged her, not told her Billy's crazy idea. "It makes sense to me, actually. You're adults. You should act like it and do what's good for your careers."
"I can be an adult," I said, shoving a thumb into my own chest. "It's him I'm worried about," I told her, referring to Brendon.
"Look, I don't really like him, but if Billy told me to get in the studio with him, I'd do it in a heartbeat. Billy knows best." She sat up briefly, decided she didn't like it, and laid back down, reaching for her vape.
"It's true," Mark agreed. "If they decide they want us instead of Panic! to back you guys, then I'm in without hesitation. Take the momentum you two are somehow building and run with it."
I stopped pacing and looked to Ronnie to get his opinion.
He shrugged. "Billy's the man."
Well, shit. A collaboration between myself and Brendon? Could we do it without killing one another? What would happen if we did? Probably a chart-topper. I hated to admit that. Our styles were slightly different, but we had worked well together once upon a time, and our voices gelled beautifully. Goddammit.
"I gotta think about this," I told my friends, walking out of the studio and into the kitchen to grab myself a glass of water.
I was standing propped against the countertop, drink raised halfway to my lips, when the phone rang. It was Brendon. I groaned and put down my glass.
"Yes?" I answered.
"Is that your answer?"
"Jesus Christ, I don't know. Is that yours?"
"I'm afraid if we sit down to write together, it'll somehow end in blood."
"Whose?" I asked, grumpily.
"I don't know. Maybe both of ours. But I've never been led down the wrong path before…"
"Shit." It was all I could think to say.
"It could be. Or it could be great. We'd just have to grow up and put the music first." He sounded thoughtful.
"Could you even stand to be in a room with me for long enough to write a song?"
"Depends very much on how long it takes," he told me.
"Well, fuck," I breathed.
He cleared his throat awkwardly, reminding me that we had, in fact, fucked. Long ago and very recently. I felt that prick of guilt again.
"Look, people will eat it up."
"Will you promise not to bring any weapons?"
"Will you promise not to act like a child?"
I sighed. "Fine. Let's do this. You can come here. Bring any ideas you have, because I'm bone dry at the moment."
"I'll be there with bells on."
What were we doing?
****
The bell rang and I showed Brendon inside my big, lonely house. Something I never thought I'd say. Both parts. He remarked on the decor politely and I asked him if he wanted a drink.
"Anything but vodka," he said with an infuriating grimace.
"I've sworn off the stuff myself. Leaves a bad taste in my mouth."
YOU ARE READING
The Best You Ever Had
FanfictionPiper James is one of the biggest stars on the music scene. But it wasn't always that way. Once upon a time, she was a member of a little band called Panic! At The Disco (and lover to their front man). Leaving them behind to start her solo career wa...
