-1Can't Be Tamed
Chapter 3: Big Time News
The boys sat around at the apartment talking about Piper's release when Kendall came walking in and the phone rang.
"Hello BTR's apartment, you got Kendall." Kendall said.
"Glad I got you Kendall."
Kendall's face fell, "Oh, hey Kelly, what's up?"
"Gustavo is doing some major business deals today, and can't do rehearsal. You guys are free for today. You better count on a serious rehearsal tomorrow. I'm talking, at the studio at 8 o'clock. You have a tour coming up." Kelly said.
"Oh man, thanks Kelly. Tell Gustavo we said thanks too." He replied.
"Anytime, boys." Kelly replied.
"By the way, can I know what Gustavo's doing?"
"Uh, let's try no." she replied.
"Fair enough. Bye Kelly." Kendall said before hanging up the phone.
"What did Kelly want?" Logan asked.
"She said Gustavo's doing some major business deals and can't have rehearsal today." Kendall replied, going over to the refrigerator and pulling out a bottled water.
"Major business deals, eh?" Carlos said, "Wonder what he's doing? Maybe he's talking to someone to install that hot tub in here we've always wanted!"
Logan scoffed, "Not likely. He might have found a new act or something."
"Maybe a girl group." Kendall said, raising both eyebrows with a sly smile.
"Wait," James said, standing up, "What if he's going to resign Piper Holliday?"
Logan rolled his eyes, "Gustavo barely puts up with us. How is he going to put up with, with, that!"
Logan pointed over to the TV where TMZ clips of Piper drunk, making out with some guy, and dancing scantily clad during a performance, were playing on loop on Hot Tunes TV.
"She's sexy. Sexy people can get away with anything. Hey, just look at me." James said, pointing to himself.
Logan shook his head, "Obviously not. She just got the boot from her record label."
"Whatever." James replied.
"Seriously though," Kendall said, walking over to where the guys, "That would be a wild coincidence if the same day Piper Holliday got fired, Gustavo's doing big business. It kind of makes sense."
"Oh, and don't forget about how he hasn't found us an opening act yet!" Carlos shot up from his seat, pointing at Kendall.
"Why would she be opening for us if she's already had her own solo tour?" James said.
"If Gustavo puts her through one of his infamous boot camps and his people come in and change her look entirely. Then they would want to open our show with the "new" Piper Holliday." Logan said, putting air quotes around the word new.
"True." Kendall nodded, "Do you think we're on to something here?"
Logan shook his head, "This is all a fantasy, a pipe dream, come tomorrow Gustavo will have some girl group or a rapper or something opening for us and lace and leather over there will still be unsigned."
"Whatever you say." James said, rolling his eyes.
The next day, the boys unhappily showed up showed up to the studio at 8 in the morning.
"Oh my gosh, we should not be here this early." Carlos said, "Why couldn't Freight Train come drag me here again?"
"Because Kelly said he was demanding more pay for every time he had to drag us here." Logan said, "I don't blame him."
"This is ridiculous!" Kendall groaned, putting his hands up to his forehead.
"Okay guys," Kelly began, as she walked into the dance studio, "Gustavo has big news to share with you, so if you would, follow me."
The boys followed her into the familiar business office where Gustavo was sitting at the end of the table.
"Dogs!" he exclaimed, "Sit, and make it fast! This is important!"
All four guys rushed to sit down at the table, folding their hands on top of the table like school children.
"I…I'm just coming out with it. I completely lucked out yesterday!" he said, "I just so happened to catch one of the best acts out there that will wipe the floor with you guys within minutes of her release from her record company!"
"No!" James gasped, slamming his hands on the table, "No way!"
"No way." Logan said in disbelief, rolling his eyes.
"Piper" Kendal began.
"Holliday?" Carlos finished.
"Yes!" Gustavo exclaimed.
Suddenly, James stood up out of his seat and pointed at his fellow band mates one by one.
"DIBS DIBS DIBS!" he shouted, "Ha! Beat you all to it!"
Gustavo slammed his fist on the table, causing all four boys to jump with fear, "If any one of you dogs decides to tamper with my lucky find I will fire every one of you!"
"Agreed, we will not date her." Logan said, "It's fair enough."
"Not agreed!" James said, "She's free game, and I just called the shots."
"No she's not 'free'. She'll cost your job." Gustavo replied sarcastically.
James rolled his eyes, taking his seat.
"It was genius! We are going to remake her into Hollywood's most loved bad girl. Think Miley Cyrus crossed with Megan Fox, who I am completely aware is not a singer, Carlos, crossed with…Who did I say was the last cross?"
"I believe it was Avril Lavigne." Kelly answered.
"Yes, Avril Lavigne! We're cleaning her up a little bit and whipping her into shape like we did with you dogs." Gustavo continued, "How do I always end up with mutts? Oh well, at least this one is just a purebred stray."
"This is like, the greatest news ever!" James said.
"I was tempted not to tell you dogs this little bit of information after your," he looked over at James with a glare, "outburst, but we will be debuting her Rocque Records makeover as the opening act of your 'Big Time Tour'."
"I can officially die happy." James sighed.
"You still can't date her though." Logan added with a smirk.
"Shut up before I come over there."
"Is that a threat or a promise?" Logan replied back, glaring over at James.
"DOGS!" Gustavo shouted, "STUDIO! NOW!"
The boys got up and quickly scattered for the door.
"By the way!" Gustavo yelled after them, "You are to greet Piper at the Palmwoods tomorrow at ten in the morning at her arrival! Act like hockey players from Minnesota and you'll get the boot!"
"We're meeting Piper Holliday!" James shouted with triumph.
"James, seriously, this is getting ridiculous." Logan said with an eye roll.
"No one likes a wet blanket." Carlos said, putting his helmet on, preparing for their rehearsal.
"Whatever."
After rehearsing from 8:30 until 1:00, the boys headed back to the Palmwoods completely exhausted.
"Worst. One. Yet." Kendall said, plopping down onto a chair, hearing his back pop, "Ugh."
"Agreed." Logan said, following suit, laying down across the couch.
"I will never forget the words to 'Stuck' ever again." Carlos said, "I promise."
"You better not!" James said, "If I have to do more push-ups because of you, I'll sling that helmet off the top of the Palmwoods roof!"
"Never." Carlos glared.
"So I'm pretty excited about this meeting tomorrow." James said, grabbing a water bottle out of the refrigerator.
"It can't be that bad." Kendall said.
"What if she's not sober? It could be a disaster." Logan said ominously.
"Please, I think they'll be looking after her closer now. Gustavo knows how to keep his acts in line." Kendall said, "Just look at how far we've come."
Logan nodded, "I guess you're right."
"Maybe she'll be really sweet and we'll have a lot of fun on tour."
"It's always Carlos," Logan said, "The glass isn't ever half full or half empty, it's pouring down the sides."
