~ Can't You Help Me As I'm Starting To Burn? ~

Part 4

Outside of my house, without Ryan, I could be again.

"Come on guys." I said, starting to walk away.

I almost reached Matt when I was pulled back and Ryan's lips smashed against mine.

If it was any other person I would've thought it was romantic.

But this is Ryan.

He was clearly trying to tell the guys that I was his and no one elses.

Pretty much marking his territory.

I pulled away as soon as possible, trying not to be obvious.

"Aren't you two just the cutest thing." Bruce said teasingly.

I smiled and moved away from Ryan again.

"I'll be back." I said.

I walked past all the guys and they followed me.

I led them to a secluded area and we all took a seat, getting relaxed.

"So? What are you guys looking for in a producer?" I asked politely.

They all looked at me and smiled, not saying anything.

"What?" I asked, when no one answered me.

"It's okay Bella. You don't have to be so formal." Brian said.

"I'm not being formal. I'm asking a question." I said.

"Yes you are." Johnny said.

I looked down quickly.

"I'm sorry." I said.

It got really quiet and I kept my eyes on my feet.

"Hey? You okay?" Matt asked softly.

"Yeah. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be rude." I said quietly.

"You weren't being rude." Matt insisted.

"Yeah. This little shit just doesn't know when to shut up." Zacky said, giving Johnny a nuggie.

I smiled slightly and slowly looked up.

They were all looking at me with concerned faces.

"I'm fine. Really. Why don't you guys just tell me about yourselves." I said.

That got the conversation going.

We talked for about an hour about them, learning about their history together, as both a band and best friends.

I asked about their previous albums.

What they liked about them, what they didn't like.

Their ideas for the upcoming album.

If they wanted to go in the same direction their music was going, or try something new.

From everything they've told me, it seemed like they were definitely looking to try something new.

"We're a band that's always changing. We don't like to be categorized into one genre of music because we get our inspiration from so many different places." Matt explained.

I nodded because I knew exactly what he was talking about.

No one likes to be put in a little box.

"We like to do whatever the fuck we want really." Brian said.

"Obviously we want to make an album that our fans would be proud of and love, but we want to make ourselves happy too." Zacky said.

"We've got so many ideas, and some of them aren't always rational." Jimmy said.

I smiled at him.

"We just need someone we can trust." Johnny said.

"Yeah that's not always easy in this industry." I said honestly.

"Our sentiments exactly. Obviously we've had bad experiences before. We want someone who can be honest with us and not play games." Matt said.

"I understand where you guys are coming from. I heard a bit of what happened when you guys first started making it big. You guys got taken advantage of." I said.

I was in total business mode now.

Not shy Bella anymore, but business woman, totally focused.

"I know you guys have probably been told that you would get treated fairly before and it didn't happen. But look at me." I said, meeting eyes with all of them.

They looked at me for a minute.

"When I tell you, you'll be treated fairly, I mean it. I don't say things unless I'm going to follow through. Bruce is a very respectable man and he is honest and fair. So am I. If you want honesty, that's exactly what you're gonna get. If you want me to back, I'll do it. It's your guys' decision. I'll leave you guys alone for a while so you can talk to each other and let me know when you've come to a decision." I said standing up.

I turned my back on them and walked away.

I only got about two feet before they called me back.

I went and sat back in my chair, waiting for their answer.

"We like you." Jimmy said.

"You're a straight up kind of girl. Exactly what we're looking for." Zacky said.

"So I guess what we're all saying is, will you be our producer?" Matt said with a smile, his dimples making me smile as well.

"What do you guys think?" I said with a grin.

They all cheered and I smiled as they got up.

I stood up as well and they all surrounded me.

I shrunk away from them, only to bump into someone's chest.

I turned around and saw Matt smiling at me.

"Back up a little bit guys." He said softly.

I took in an easy breath and smiled.

They took a few steps back and smiled at me.

"Sorry. We get excited." Brian said with a chuckle.

I laughed too.

They were so laid back and nice.

They made me relax a bit.

"We don't add too many people to our crew. So when we get a new one we get really happy." Zacky said.

I laughed cause they really are so sweet.

The media made them seem like real hard asses.

"So? When do we start?" Johnny asked.

All I did was smile.