AN: hi everyone! So we're getting close to the end here. Not much more to say than that. Hope you enjoy! :)
Chapter 14
Over the next 3 weeks, the boys and Gustavo worked tirelessly to achieve their new sound. Kendall pitched a couple songs he had written before and tweaked them with the rest of the boys. The first week had been a struggle of trying to create something perfect and failing miserably until they reverted back to the way they were working before, leading them to couple overnight sessions. Kendall's midnights went from lonely yearning and anxiety to nights spent with his best friends and his boyfriend creating something they love. Already they felt that half the album was done.
The protesters were gone after a week. The media still had its eye on the new couple but was far more centered on an A-list cheating scandal.
It was the middle of May one midnight session, Gustavo was vocal arranging with Carlos while Kendall laid on his back his feet in the air against the wall. Logan and James sat upright on either side of them.
"So why are we streamlining the album again," Kendall asked, Knowing that Griffin had his ridiculous tendencies.
"Because the short amount of time it gets done, the less it costs. Therefore decreasing the risk of major profit loss if this tanks," Logan said.
"So, he doesn't think this album will sell?" Kendall deduced.
"There's just opposing opinions," Logan offered. "One side has increased sales and the other has decreased."
"Giving Griffin more to think about when he decides whether to can Big Time Rush or not," James added.
"I'm sick of this," Kendall said, picking himself of the floor. The boys looked up at him. "I love singing and writing and being with you guys but this is starting to get out of hand. Why did this one thing have to change all of this for you guys as well?"
"Because Big time Rush is a product," Logan said. "Since the beginning even if we enjoyed it, we were a tool to make money."
"Well I don't want that anymore," Kendall retaliated. "I wanna get back to feeling like this means something."
"Kendall, we've never worked on an album, it's the most meaningful one we've done," James said, almost too assertively.
"Yes, but why? Because we want to produce something that someone else can profit off of? Someone who has constantly given us the back and forth of whether or not we'll be able to do this or not. I want to create stuff that means something to me and the people I care about and that makes people feel good."
Kendall just looked down. He couldn't look at them because he knew that those simple words were a bigger statement of everything he had been feeling for more than he cared to admit.
"I feel like we know what you need to do then," Logan said, getting up and walking to the studio.
"Baby," James said softly, reaching his hand out to Kendall. "I'm so proud of everything you've done this past month. And I'm going to enjoy rushing the rest of this album with you."
"Me too," Kendall said, showing off his dimples.
A moment later, Logan came back with Carlos. "Ok, Let him in on it," Logan said.
And there they were, discussing what they had wanted to do in their lives like they had many times years before. Only the weight of it all seemed heavier than ever, while the decision itself was just as easy.
The time it took to complete the album flew by. To everyone's surprise, it was the one they were most proud of. Gustavo poured champagne for all of them as they sent the record off to get mastered. Kendall held Jame's hand feeling the pressure of letting go of the hard work and late night sessions to release it to everyone.
They all raised their glasses as Gustavo started the toast. "I want to thank you all for bearing this last couple of months with me and helping produce what I think is our best work. And what could very well be our last. And if that is the case, I couldn't picture a better way to end this journey. Cheers."
It was a simple yet emotional sentiment. They sipped they're drinks knowing that when the album releases in two weeks, everything was out of their hands.
"Also," Gustavo added, "Here's to our first number 1 single, Fond of You!"
Picking Kendall's song as the lead single 4 weeks ago was a decision that was known to everyone but him. The critics revered it as "An emotional bop that gives us a behind the scenes look at the band and the couple that came out of it." And while he wanted to be the person that didn't care about numbers, he had to admit that this song being their first number one was a moment he was going to be proud of forever.
"Alright before we get carried away with the champagne, let's go over the campaign schedule. We have a performance on Manny After Dark Tuesday and then it's straight to the airport for New York." Kendalll got giddy thinking about going back to New York City. "We have 2 radio station interviews and a performance and interview on The Late Night Hour with Carson Styles that same day when we get in."
"What about sleep?" Carlos asked, panicked.
"You can do that when this press tour is over or you die. Whichever comes first. Thursday is performance and interview for NYC Day. Carlos and Logan will do two radio interviews one in person two over the phone. James and Kendall are doing a cover shoot and interview for Pride Place with a radio phone interview in between. Friday we come back to LA with a radio interview in person and release a promotional single. Saturday, early access fan listening session and Q&A. And what I'm most excited for, PRIDE performance on Sunday."
"Really?" James said. "Who booked that?" The boys were all curious, feeling as if Griffin would veto it. The magazine cover slipped past him as he thought it would not grab that much attention.
"You guys were actually requested by the head of the team that runs it, Donnie Fields," Kelly answered, feeling a sense of pride for the boys. James and Kendall made sly glances towards each other, knowing exactly the Donnie she was referring to.
"Well here's to Late Night Sessions," Logan cheered the rest of the room following him.