American Eagle T-shirt and jeans on the floor that she had wore the night before. She cringed at their sight. She suddenly felt Ryan's hot breath on her neck again. Danielle tucked her comforter under her neck and shut her eyes tightly. She prayed she'd never have to see him again. "Thank you, Josh," she whispered into the air. Her frame of mind was quickly altered. Her thoughts turned to Josh. A big smile spread across her face, as she snuggled deep into her bed. She wondered what he was doing right that minute...
"Lane, can I talk to you?" Josh asked, quickly approaching Mr.Richards. Josh glanced at his office door. "In private, please," Josh said impatiently. Mr. Richards looked at him oddly, and extended his arm. "Come on in." Mr. Richards sat down at his desk while Josh stood nervously before him. He carefully thought about the words he wanted to say.
"What's on your mind, Josh?" Mr.Richards asked, pouring a cup of coffee. "It's about Ryan," Josh began. "Last night, if I hadn't interrupted when I did," Josh paused, trying to find a more subtle way of saying this, "he would have forced Danielle into something she didn't want to do." Mr. Richards looked puzzled. He chuckled to himself, as he stirred his coffee. "I'm not sure I'm fol..."
"Rape, Lane, rape!" Josh said impatiently. He took a deep breath to calm himself down. "If I hadn't interrupted when I did, Ryan would have raped Danielle." Mr. Richards stared at Josh blankly, astonished at the news he was being told. Josh continued, telling Mr. Richards the entire situation. "Now, Josh," Mr. Richards said leaning forward, "You don't know he would have raped her."
"Yes, I do, Lane," Josh said impatiently. "Why are you telling me this, Josh? Do you,do you want me to go to the
police so they can arrest a 20 year old future star, for some type of sexual assault, involving the media and lawsuits, and the whole nine yards? Is that what you want?" Mr. Richards sat back, disgusted. "Our House would be drug
through the mud."
"No, I just," Josh insisted, "I don't want anything to do with him. And I don't want him anywhere NEAR Danielle."
"What am I to do, Josh? Just terminate his 3 album, 10 million dollar deal, just like that?"
"No," Josh felt his face burn with anger, "Just, don't expect me to work with him anymore."
"You know, Josh," Mr.Richards said much calmer, scratching his chin, " JC Chasez just decides to stop producing Ryan Kelso tracks, people are going to wonder why. People like the media."
"So we'll tell them there were scheduling conflicts I couldn't finish what I started," Josh shrugged, "Simple as that."
"Maybe, the simplest thing to do would be to terminate Danielle's position in Our House. That seems to be where the problem lies."
"WHAT?!?" Josh screamed.
"Josh, think about it, all the media attention we'll receive if word leaks out that there has been sexual assault- almost RAPE for God's sakes- in Our House Studios. It would be much easier to just..."
"Fire her?" Josh demanded. "Lane, you and I both know this isn't Danielle's fault. How can you even suggest something like that?" Josh was outraged. He ran his hands through his hair, and headed towards the door in disgust. "Wait, Josh," Mr. Richards said, quickly rising to his feet. Josh stopped, and slowly turned around to face him. "Okay, okay, so I was an ass hole," he sighed. "You know we can work this out somehow. Maybe that was a bit selfish on my part, and I'm sorry."
"A bit?" Josh questioned.
"REALLY selfish. We'll get Derek or Jerry or SOMEONE else to cover the rest of the album. However, what you've done so far, is yours, and you will receive the credit for that alright?" Josh nodded in satisfaction. "What about Danielle?" he asked, folding his arms across his chest. "Danielle will stay at Our House, of course, and we'll keep any interaction with Ryan a minimum."
"No, Lane, he doesn't see her, he doesn't look at her, he doesn't speak her name, he doesn't..."
"Okay, okay, okay, calm down killer!" Mr. Richards joked. "Don't worry Dad, I'll make sure he stays away from your baby girl." Josh sighed with relief, but did not seem amused. "Thanks, Lane," Josh said kindly, heading back towards the door.
"Hey, Josh," Mr. Richards said, reaching into his back pocket. "Why don't you take these- they're on me, to show a bit of sympathy." Mr. Richards placed two blue tickets into Josh's hand. "What are these?" Josh asked, examing the tickets in his hand. "A friend of mine is opening up a club across town. The Rock Box. Nothing too fancy, no red carpet deal, mostly old men like me," Mr. Richards said with a laugh. "No one there would even recognize you. Why don't you take Bobbie and come along with me and Grace Friday night?"
Josh stared at the tickets he held in his palm, and shook his head. "She's not in this weekend," he said sitting the tickets back on the desk. "Oh..well why don't you take Danielle then?" Mr. Richards smiled at his suggestion, picking the tickets back up. Josh pondered on the idea. "Come on, Josh. You two seem to get along so well- you'd have a great time, and you know it."
"Ya, that's what I'm afraid of.."
"What do you mean?" Josh smiled nervously. "I was just... kidding so I guess I should call her and ask her, huh?"
"That MIGHT be a good idea," Mr. Richards joked, giving Josh a little nudge. Josh read the tickets: The Rock Box Grand Opening Dancing, Dancing, Dancing Josh repeated that word in his head over and over, and smiled.
Eleven