Page 79 of Resist

No Sanctuary, no fans!

There are so many words of support that by the time we reach the door, there are tears in my eyes. We are hurried inside and escorted to the elevator. Po stands before us until the door shuts, then he whirls.

“I’ve made the path, now you need to walk it. It’s your choice. Whatever you choose now, I am with you,” he promises as we ascend.

We barely speak after that, and we are shown to a familiar meeting room where the board and Mr. Atlas wait across from us. Déjà vu hits me as I sink into my seat. They don’t look happy, but I suppose being backed into a corner will do that.

“I am sure you’ve seen the crowd outside,” Mr. Atlas begins, his hands steepled. “After speaking to some advisors and Po, we believe it is in our best interest for us to speak again. Last time, we put you on suspension, but we would like to lift that now and return you to your normal activities.”

“Just like that?” Fox asks, suspecting a trap.

“Yes,” Mr. Atlas mutters.

“And our relationship?” I press.

“We will allow you to continue dating?—”

“How kind,” I deadpan.

“But you will keep it private,” he says.

“No deal.” Standing, I head to the window and look out at the fans, knowing this is about more than us now. This is about change and love. “We will date publicly and decide what we want to show to fans and when. We will allow you to sell our music like you did before, but on our terms. It’s that or we’ll walk.We won’t have you dictating our relationship. Not now, not ever again.”

“He’s right. If you want us to stay with you and would prefer to avoid a media outcry, then our contract will need to change. We will continue to be your band, and we will work twice as hard as every other artist out there to make it, but in return, we get freedom with our relationship,” Fox demands, “or we’ll walk out right now.”

“I agree,” Strike adds.

“It’s that or nothing at all,” Dash says, serious for once.

“Po said you would say as much,” Mr. Atlas grumbles as he pulls out four contracts and slides them across the table. I sink back into my seat, scanning them, just like we did the first time we came here, only now Fox looks at me to make sure I’m happy.

The clause about us dating is gone, and in its place is simple wording that band members can date and dictate their private lives as long as it doesn’t negatively affect their work.

“Happy?” Mr. Atlas asks.

“Ry?” Fox murmurs.

Grabbing a pen, I squiggle my name on the line. Smirking, he follows suit, and then Dash and Strike as well before we push the contracts back. “Happy.” I nod. “Thank you.”

“We had no choice.” Mr. Atlas huffs. “Your plan, I’m betting.”

“No, we just wanted to keep making music together. There was no plan. We didn’t want to cause any trouble. We just wanted to live our lives,” I admit. “Thank you for giving us that.”

He seems to soften, sighing as he grabs the contracts and stands. “Cameras will be waiting downstairs. We’ll announce your reinstatement now before this gets out of hand.” Hesitating, he looks us over. “We really didn’t do this before to hurt you or because we had an issue with you two being in love. We were trying to protect you from a world that isn’t always kind to those with love like yours.”

“I know, but the world is changing, and so should we. I won’t apologize or hold back in fear of what some may say. This is my life, and I will live it however I want. The fact that you are supporting us means a lot, and you have paved a path for new artists like us.”

I know they are doing it to save their own asses and earn good PR, but they are also making their side clear. They are with us, and we will prove why that was a good choice.

“Let’s hope you’re right. Come on.” We head back downstairs together. Cameras and a microphone stand are waiting outside in front of the crowd. Mr. Atlas steps up first, and the crowd and reporters fall silent.

“My name is Jeremy Atlas. I am the CEO of Atlas Records. There has been some public upset at a mistake made with our latest band, Sanctuary. Yes, they were on suspension. It wasn’t because we are a homophobic company, as we have been accused of, it was simply a breach of contract we had no choice but to uphold, and the situation would have been handled the same with any artists found dating after signing what they did. However, we hear you, we see you, and moreover, we support our artists. Just now, Sanctuary has signed a new contract and agreed to come back to work with our full support, both publicly and privately. We hope you will show them the same love and undying loyalty for many years to come both in their music and their love. Atlas Records is happy to announce our support and trust in Sanctuary.” Turning to us, he smiles. “Would you like to say some words to your fans?”

“I want to thank you.” My statement is awkward, and I can see them waiting for more. There are so many people all here for us, fighting for us in a battle we couldn’t have won without them.

We owe them everything.

“It is thanks to all of you,” I continue, my voice growing in confidence, “that we get to keep our dream, but more thanthat, we get to keep our family. I vow that we will continue making music until the day we die. We have and always will be Sanctuary.”

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