Catch My Breath Read Free Page B

His eyes saw it, hell, his entire effing body saw it. God. For real? The kid was on the tall side, lanky, almost dorky to tell the truth, but that didn’t stop Danny’s gut from reacting. He really was beautiful—with floppy brown hair, huge dark brown eyes, and this milky skin that didn’t look like it had seen much of the California sun. He had on a plain old T-shirt and a pair of cargo khakis. Danny smiled to himself. They’d need to work on that. Sasha was right though. He looked like a freaking angel.
    “H-hi,” the kid stammered. “I’m Elliot.”
    With a voice like sex…. Damn. It was low and gravelly and hit Danny right in the chest. All of a sudden it was hard to breathe.
    “Danny.” He stuck his hand out, not wanting to seem rude. He’d been staring, after all.
    “Hey, dude. Webb.” Webb shook Elliot’s hand next and smiled. Tate and Reece followed.
    When they’d all finished, Sasha asked them to sit. Danny hated all the sitting. He had too much energy thrumming through him, too much to think and worry and say. But he sat anyway, crossed his legs and tried not to fidget. Wouldn’t want to look like he didn’t listen. Not when so much was on the line. Danny glanced over at Elliot, who looked terrified.
    “So, Elliot. I haven’t told you much about today.” Sasha gestured at the other guys. “These four came to an open call I posted a few weeks ago. I’m putting together a new vocal group, and I think you’ll mesh well with what I’ve already found.”
    “Vocal group?”
    Danny rolled his eyes and smiled at the new kid. “He means boy band.”
    “B-boy… band? But none of them have hit the big time in years—at least not an American one.”
    Sasha grinned. “Exactly. I think it’s about time.”
    “I really can’t dance.” Elliot blushed. It was adorable. Even Sasha smiled at him.
    “Let’s just get to the singing part first. I’ve hired a vocal coach, Keller Michaels, one of the area’s best. He’s going to work with you guys for a few days this week and let me know if he thinks you have it as a group. Does that work with everyone’s schedule? Anyone have a hard time getting off work?”
    Sasha’s question was met with a round of somewhat startled answers. Nobody said they had a hard time getting there. ’Course they’d have had to be nuts to decline. They were getting a vocal coach? He was going to teach them to sing together and… wow. Danny was overwhelmed at the prospect. They had to do it. They just had to.
    “Keller says he can meet you here tomorrow at nine. It’ll be a long day. A few of them in a row, I’d imagine, so don’t make any plans.” Sasha stood. “Elliot, why don’t you get to know these guys a little, try a song or two with them and see how things work. I’ll probably catch you guys around a few times this week. Keller will see you in the morning.”
    Sasha waved then and left them in the recording studio staring at each other. Danny hated to get excited over what could still very well be nothing, but they’d just taken a big step closer to something as far as he could tell. Yes.
     
     
    E LLIOT was in shock. No. More than shock. Was there something more than shock? There had to be because he was feeling it. The night before with the business card was crazy enough, but to come to the studio to find out that he had… holy hell. A chance at a recording contract? He didn’t even know what to say.
    “S-so is he for real?” Elliot finally asked. The other four didn’t look quite as bowled over as he felt, so they must’ve had quite a bit more warning.
    “Sasha Pulaski?” Webb asked. “Yes. I believe he’s rarely anything but serious.”
    Elliot choked. “Please tell me that he’s not some famous guy that I should feel like an idiot for not recognizing….”
    “We won’t.” Danny smirked.
    Elliot tried to smile and failed miserably. That Danny guy made his heart race like crazy. His auburn sweep of hair, bright green eyes, wild