“How about we run another competition to replace him?” The four guys start to shake their heads, but I hold up my hand. “Hear me out. We could get Declan involved in the production. You could have auditions, but you guys would have full say in who is in or out until you narrow the selection down to like 20. Once some of them are weeded out, we move you all into a house and you get to know each other. That way, not only do you get a new member, but it’s someone you’ve chosen and spent time with. We could even film some of it so the fans think that they’re along for the journey too. Allow them to vote for their favorites, but of course you guys get the final decision. Maybe someone can get removed each week or something. I’m sure Declan’s production company can come up with something that keeps you all happy and gives you an appropriate time to make the best decision and protect your team dynamic.”
Hope and Holden are looking at me like I just provided the answer to their prayers, but the band still seems super wary. Oh well, sometimes you’ve gotta really push to sell something. I forge on, wanting this to work. There’s not much that I can do for Holden—the man is a Summers after all—but Icouldpotentially fix this for him.
“Of course, we could set you up in a large house for the duration so they’re not in your personal space. That would also give us enough room for them, and everyone would sign a non-disclosure form so that they couldn't talk about what happened once they left unless it was pre-approved by you guys and Neighpalm.” There’s a little light starting to spark in their eyes, so maybe my enthusiasm is contagious.
“Harlow’s right. This is going to be huge news, and we need to do something to distract the media so they don't go looking for dirt. Luckily, we’ll be able to gag both Cash and Giselle, but it won’t stop rumors, especially once they realize Giselle was fired at the same time. But you guys are our priority. If you want us to come up with another solution, we can still think about it, but Harlow’s idea is really good. It’s a win-win for all of us, a little bit of publicity sleight of hand.”
“As long as we get final say—even if our decision is that we don’t want any of them—I don't mind,” Sacha says, sounding tired. “I just want Cash gone. He’s a real asshole.” The others chime in with their agreement.
A knock on the door has us all looking toward it as Declan comes in.
“Hey, you wanted to see me?” he says to Holden. My eyebrows jump in surprise. I hadn't even seen Holden text him.
“Yeah, Dec, thanks for coming. You know the guys from Ninja Starfish.” Holden gestures to the guys, and they all exchange pleasantries.
“Yeah, I do, but you seem to be down a member,” Declan comments as he comes over to me. He leans in and gives me a kiss too, which is unexpected but not unwelcome.
“Hello, trouble, what mischief are you getting up to today?” God, this new version of Declan is delicious, and I can’t help but melt on the spot.
“What the fuck? I thought she was your girlfriend,” Jessie blurts, rocking back in his chair, and I can see how this may look to him, especially considering why we’re all here.
“Easy, man.” Holden holds his hands up. “I share my girlfriend with my brothers. She’s not another Yoko, don’t worry.”
“Huh?” I swear, the look on Jessie’s face is one I’ve only seen in those gifs where the adorable puppy tilts his head. Ya know, the one where he looks completely confused, but he’s just so cute that you want to squish his cheeks and rub his belly. Not that I’m going to do that. They already think the situation is fucking weird.
“Look, it’s a long story, but it seems to be working for us. I also have a relationship with Oliver, which existed before we even were adopted by Brad. So I’m sure that we’re probably going to end up in the tabloids once everyone finds out, but I’m hoping you’ll keep things quiet for the moment. I also hope that you know we won’t judge you for any relationships you choose to pursue.” I can see him looking at Sacha and Tristan when he says that, so I guess he saw what I did.
He leaves that for the guys to think about as he explains the situation to Declan. By the end, Declan is excited about the idea. “I’m all in. We can get a team together and start working on it as soon as possible if you want. Then we can do a press release at the same time that you announce Cash’s departure from the group. Make sure you put in the contract that he gives us a week before he tells anyone.”
“Are you guys in?” Holden asks. The band had been talking quietly amongst themselves while he was running through the basics with Declan, but I know what their answer will be. For the first time since I saw them enter the other meeting room, they look like they have some life back in them. They’re not looking like kicked dogs anymore, and although their worries are far from over, they’re starting to show a little hunger and eagerness to move forward.
“We’re in. We just want Cash and Giselle gone. If we can manage that without him taking any rights to our music, then we’ll do anything you want us to,” Jessie says, speaking for the group.
“Yeah, he kept trying to tell us he was going to stop us from ever performing those songs again,” Kyan tells us. “It’s been so stressful. It would be like having to start all over again even though we wrote most of them.”
“Okay, do you want to head back to the conference room? I’ll get the lawyers to draw us up some contracts.” Hope stands up, and the guys follow her back to the room, leaving me with the two brothers. My pulse starts to race when I realize that I’ve got not one but two Summers’ full attention. If the guys from Ninja Starfish were just starting to look hungry, then Declan and Holden are absolutely ravenous.
Chapter Eleven
Harlow
Istand up and start to edge away, feeling like I’m being stalked.
“Harlow, was that all your idea?” Declan purrs, his hand reaching out to stop me. He crowds into my front as Holden closes in behind, holding me in place.
“Ah, yeah?”
“It’s so very sexy the way your mind works. We couldn't have come up with a better idea ourselves,” Holden says next to my ear, making goosebumps appear all over my arms. Declan's big hands come up to my waist. If it was just him and me, I might be a little more nervous because we haven’t had too many moments together. But somehow, having this interaction with both Declan and Holden eases something inside me even as it sparks and stokes a flame.
“How did you come up with the idea?” Declan looks down at me from his height, an eyebrow raised in question.
“I just thought about how I’d feel if my favorite band broke up. Even if it’s not the original line-up, I’d prefer to see them with another member than go their separate ways. And who knows? They might even be better now.”
“Well, the guys seemed happy with the idea, and letting them choose was a stroke of genius, so we don't run into the same problem again. I guess it’s been a long few years for them if Cash has been a douche from the beginning.” Holden gives me a kiss on the neck then pulls away, sighing. “As much as I’d like to stay and play, I need to do a few things before we go back into that meeting.”
“Oh, Sharon from legal was out in the waiting area when I came in,” Declan tells Holden, not looking away from me.
“I’ll go and speak to her about what we need. We’ll reconvene in ten minutes, Harlow,” Holden says, but I can’t look away from Declan’s stare.
