7

Some Characters in the rest of the story aren't from the show. Just couldn't figure out who would be good for the roles. Next chapter is a good one I promise thanks to most of you who were patient about the wait.

STEVEN WOKE UP early, well to be completely honest he didn't quite get any sleep. He kept having extremely vivid dreams about Brendan and instead of staring at the ceiling counting sheep he sat up straight and reached for his phone which was on the bed side table and dialed a number he was starting to remember by heart.

BRENDAN WAS working hard at recording his up and coming new LP.

The sound booth technician and close friend of Brendan's, Will Savage walked into the booth letting Brendan know that his phone was ringing.

"Thanks William, I'll be there in a second" said Brendan with one finger up to let him know that he was busy.

Brendan had a headphone set covering his ears listening to a play back.

"Sounds good" said Brendan out loud to no one in particular.

Brendan took the head set off from around his neck and ran out of the booth and he walked over to Will who then handed him his phone and he noticed that he missed a call. Instead of listening to his message he checked to see who had called him and noticed that it was Steven and quickly called him back.

"Hey, sorry missed your call, I'm quite busy at the studio" said Brendan once Steven picked up.

"So early?" asked Steven shocked

"Yeah, just decided that I want this thing done with sooner than later"

"You're determined, I like that" said Steven not realizing what he had said.

"Yeah thanks" said Brendan

"What Studio is it?" asked Steven in between a yarn.

"Did you get any sleep? You sound exhausted" said Brendan with concern in his voice

"Not really, up all night counting sheep but that didn't help."

"You sure you'll be alright recording now?"

"Yeah just tell me the name of the studio "said Steven pushy.

"It's the blackbird studio, I'm sure you're familiar with it"

"Ah yes, my old studio from back in the day, I'll meet you there in two hours" said Steven hurrying off the phone.

"Sure, see you soon"

STEVEN STOOD up from the bed, looked in the closet for something comfortable to wear and ran into the bathroom to take a quick shower.

By the time that Steven was ready to go to the studio he was freshly dressed and refreshed from his shower.

"Good morning, want some coffee?" said Brendan politely Steven drove his rental car; dark blue corvette to the studio. When he arrived at the studio he stayed seated in the car for a few extra minutes to cool his mood and to contemplate his thoughts then he got out of the car and headed towards the entrance of the place, on his way there he was approached by swarming fans who wanted to take pictures with him and or wanting him to sign something of theirs and he greatly appreciated it; for he dearly loved his fans. Steven thanked his fans and made it inside the studio that he hadn't been in, in over two years.

Steven walked inside the studio and found Brendan right away.

"No thanks"

"I keep offering you drinks like a gentleman and you always turn me down" said Brendan sounding hurt.

"I just don't want any. I just had a large cup on the way here, but thanks for the offer" said Steven sweetly

"Ok" said Brendan feeling a little better as he walked away.

"Wait, Brendan do you have any bottled water?" asked Steven kindly

"Yeah I do, I'll hand you one"

"Great, thanks"

Brendan walked into the kitchen and grabbed a cold bottle of water. He walked back to where Steven was and handed him the bottle.

"It's nice and cold thanks again" said Steven before opening it and taking a sip.

"Oh before I forget here's the CD I made yesterday if you want I wrote down your lyrics on a sheet of paper," said Brendan handing Steven the CD and the sheet of paper.

"Thanks"

"I know that I only asked you to sing backup but I got so excited that I wrote an extra part for you to sing but only if you want to, no pressure"

"What is it?" asked Steven curiously

"It's just a short little rap, I know you don't do much of it now a days but I like it when you did. I'm not known for writing rap so if you don't like it you can redo it to your liking"

"Ok. Thanks."

"I'm going to get some lunch want something?" asked Brendan even though he knew what the answer would be.

"No I'm alright, but thanks for the water again"

"Ok"

"I'll stay here for a while and give this a listen" said Steven

"By the way, over at by the sound control is my friend Will Savage and in the booth is my studio band; Walker on drums, Stephan with a PH on electric guitar, Leanne at the keys and Dennis on bass."

Steven waved and smiled at everyone that surrounded the studio.

"It's a pleasure meeting you all" said Steven sweetly

"Isn't a shame about this being Brendan's last recording?" asked Will.

"Yes I heard about that. I don't understand why though, he has a great ear for music"

"Thank you" said Brendan in shock that Steven would give him a complement like that

"Well it's true and you're welcome"

"Well I'll be off, have fun" said Brendan.

Brendan left the studio and Steven shook everyone's hands.

"I must say you're much handsomer in person" said Leanne

As Leanne said that Dennis got jealous looking.

"Why thank you very much" said Steven blushing.

"My pleasure" said Leanne with a smile.

Will handed Steven a CD player and head phones and Steven popped the CD that Brendan made for him into the CD player and put the headphones on his ears, he pressed play, and began pacing back and forth the room while listening to the song.

The paper with the lyrics on it that Brendan gave to Steven fell to the floor from a chair; Leanne went over to it and handed it to Steven.

"Thank you" said Steven sweetly

"My pleasure again."

"Not the right kind of love of ma and pa when they found out the real me, all I've ever known is one member from the family tree. No friends hanging out on the corner streets usually in bar cells. Been beat up kicked around thrown like a stone, damn it's the rough tough road, hard life for me" whispered Steven.

"I've been taught how to hate not to love. I want to break free but the dark memories still haunt me. I've been hard, tough stood up for meself. Built this hard wall around me, that's hard to crack. No one understands me, no one wants to understand the real me" sang Brendan on the CD.

"Shit" whispered Steven as he was done listening to the song for the first time.

"Hate (hate) hard life. Need (need) real life (real Life)." sang Steven when the song repeated.

An hour had passed and Brendan still wasn't back at the studio.

Steven walked over to the other technicians to introduce himself and told everyone that he was ready to record.

"Great, come into the booth and grab a head set" said Will

"Alright" said Steven excited.

The band set up and started playing from where Steven had to start to sing. He moved around a bit in the booth to get a feel of the song as he usually did on stage.

Another hour had passed by and 10 takes later Steven nailed the song and Brendan came back just in time.

"Oh I didn't know you were still here" said Brendan to Steven before turning around to leave.

Steven reached out and grabbed Brendan's arm.

Brendan was shocked by the body contact and looked down at his arm.

"Sorry" said Steven as he let his arm go.

"I just finished. Um… that song, is great"

"Really?" asked Brendan

"Yeah, your best one so far" said Steven meaning it.

"Thanks, it took me a long time to write it, except for the rap I just wrote that last night."

"I didn't change the rap or anything it was all just great."

"Thanks that means a lot" said Brendan blushing.

'He seems so nervous. He keeps sucking in his bottom lip and he just blushed. This is definitely a new Brendan Brady, that's totally sexy.' This time he didn't push his thoughts in the back of his mind he embraced them and smiled.

"He killed it man" said Will

"Awesome" said Brendan excitedly

"Too bad it'll be your last album, I'm sure it'll be far greater than the first one."

"Thanks, coming from you that means a lot"

"I'll let you get back to work" said Steven

"I'm done here, just waited a while so you could have the time by yourself"

"Oh ok, I'll see you around" said Steven

"Oh, wait there's something I wanted to ask you. I mean I shouldn't ask for any more of your time since I already know your answer and all but I'm going to my best friend, Joel Dexter's concert tonight and I have an extra ticket wondering if you'd like the extra ticket. I mean you can go alone or with me, whatever you want" said Brendan rambling on.

"Ok" said Steven as he nodded his head.

"Excuse me?" asked Brendan

"I said ok, I'd like to go with 'you'" said Steven saying the word you a little harder, so that Brendan knew that he wanted to go with him.

"Oh cool, ok" said Brendan flustered

"What's your room number? I'll pick you up," said Brendan still in shock

"It's 205"

"I'm just down the hall from you; I'll pick you up at 5"

"Ok, I'll see you later then" said Steven

"Ah, yeah, later" said Brendan.

Steven said his goodbyes and thanks to everyone that was left in the room and he left. He smiled as he left liking the small changes he was making towards his feelings about Brendan as he was looking forward to what was going to be happening later that night.

7