I Knew You Were Trouble

Chapter Fifteen

When I enter the hotel suite, I still feel guilty. The room is full of tour staff, crew and band members. To one side, there is an enormous lunch spread. Ziggy is pacing, talking to someone on the phone. On the sofas, set out in the shape of a horseshoe, Duncan shifts in his seat when he sees me, because the redheaded Haven girl is curled into his side. I feel like telling him I’m not his mother. Empty plates are abandoned on the table.

My eyes flit to the rest of the band members. J.B. is scrolling through his phone. Ravi looks uncomfortable and won’t meet my eye. Cal is sitting with the blonde-haired girl from Haven, whilst the dark-haired girl cuddles up to Aidan. None of them pays me any attention. For the first time on this tour, I feel very alone, and like someone who everyone looks at as being no fun.

I wander over to the lunch table where Miller is piling his plate high, whilst at the same time shovelling extras into his mouth. He’s wearing shorts and a white hoodie with the hood up.

‘S’up, Lex?’ he says through his mouthful. ‘What’s happening?’

I want to give him grief for kissing Meredith, but I remind myself that it’s none of my business.

‘I need someone to interview,’ I state plainly.

‘Tonight’s a show night. So is tomorrow.’

‘When we get to Malaysia then.’

‘Can’t,’ Miller says. ‘Got a photoshoot for an underwear brand I represent.’

‘Right.’

‘Try J.B. He’s due an interview, right?’

‘I’ll come up with some suggested dates when you and I can sit down.’

‘Sure,’ he says, ‘Why don’t you give them to Meredith and get her to come tell me?’

I glower. ‘Why would you need Meredith to tell you?’

‘No reason. Think she likes flirting with me.’

My expression darkens. ‘Stay away from Meredith, Danny.’

There’s a pause. Miller then looks blankly at me and gives a nonchalant shrug, walking back over to the sofas with his plate full.

I look down at the impressive spread but I’m no longer hungry. Turning on my heel, I walk over to the sofas, specifically to J.B. He’s strumming on his guitar again.

‘Whaddup, Lexi in the house,’ Cal hums from the other side.

I look up, feeling all eyes on me. I look at Aidan a moment longer than I need to.

On the other hand, Ravi can’t even look my way.

‘J.B., I wondered if I could interview you when we get to Malaysia,’ I say.

When he looks in my direction, I know he’s not keen. ‘ Uhhh ,’ he begins. ‘I’ll need to call my son, you know. I haven’t spoken to him for a few days.’ His eyes flit to his left. ‘Why don’t you ask Aidan if he can be next?’

I grind my teeth. Apparently, I’ve interviewed the only two members of the band who were actually willing participants. ‘I did, he told me to ask you.’

J.B. offers Aidan a middle finger. My gaze is drawn to Taylor Wetherill, to her perfectly toned legs and neon nails. She’s curled into Aidan’s side, and she’s wearing a top I think belongs to him. Haven are known for their mini skirts, hair that’s usually shades of pink or purple, chunky white patent footwear, and glossy make-up. The worst thing is that, today, even without all the make-up on her face, she looks nice. Someone Aidan would like by his side.

‘Miller’s free,’ Aidan mutters.

‘She asked me already,’ Miller complains, still shovelling food. ‘I got the shoot for that underwear ad happening in Malaysia. You guys gotta go before me.’

Behind me, Duncan says nothing.

‘You shooting the show tonight, Lex?’ Cal asks me.

‘Yes, we will be.’

‘We’ll be in here later if you wanna join in the after-party.’

‘ Non ,’ J.B. groans, plays a set of chords on the guitar. ‘No more parties. My body cannot take it.’

‘Chill man, we’ll probably just be hangin’ in here. Except for Rav who keeps going to bed so fucking early so he can catch up on all his beauty sleep.’

Ravi speaks for the first time. ‘I told you: I was dog-tired last night. Jesus, Cal.’

Except I know that he was with Tun. And I can’t say anything about it. I stand there, hovering, waiting for someone to speak.

I’ve never felt more of a killjoy in my entire life.

My eyes go back to Aidan’s. ‘What you did today—’ I begin, and my heart flips over as he watches me.

‘You were, like, so amazing, Aid,’ Taylor Wetherill finishes for me, after a moment.

I look to the floor, feeling stupid and out of place. ‘I might see you later then,’ I mutter, and then I leave.

The show at Sydney’s Olympic Park goes off without a hitch, though between Duncan, Meredith and I, nobody seems to feel like talking.

Back at the hotel, it’s eleven p.m. by the time I knock on Meredith’s door.

‘Hey,’ I say when she answers. ‘I got invited to the after-party. Wondered if you’d want to come with me so I don’t feel like a lemon.’

Meredith opens her door wider. It turns out a few of the crew members are having drinks in her room. I note that Tun is among them, and he raises a can of something in my direction.

‘Actually, we were just hanging out here. You know, like the no-listers. You’re welcome to join if you don’t feel like going upstairs.’

‘Thanks, that’s kind,’ I say.

‘You look really pretty tonight though, Lexi, you should go.’

I’ve made an effort for once. I’m wearing a smoky eyeliner with charcoal eyeshadow, and blue skinny jeans paired with a peach-coloured silky vest top with a cowel neck that drops into a deep V. It’s probably the most revealing thing I’ve worn in a while. My hair is up, and I’m wearing a large pair of hoop earrings and my electric-blue high heels.

‘Thanks,’ I say to Meredith. ‘Listen, you and I… we’re okay, right?’

Meredith offers me a grin. ‘Of course we are.’

When I reach the outside of the suite, Bodhi is keeping watch. He greets me and opens the door.

I enter. I was expecting to find a lot of crew members, or at least some other people, but the room is virtually cleared out. Inside, the lights are turned down low, the balcony doors open, allowing a cool summer breeze to flow through the room. Music plays in the background, but there’s a chilled vibe to it. The boys are drinking around the table on the sofas, two girls from Haven with them. Duncan is over in one corner with the redheaded member of the group. On the sofas, the blonde is next to Cal, and Taylor Wetherill is tucked back beside Aidan. Miller is smoking a vape, a gorgeous girl I’ve not seen before pressed into him. J.B. and Ravi are relaxing next to him, J.B. still attached to his guitar.

I swallow as I look around. There’s literally nowhere for me to sit.

Cal is the first to lay eyes on me.

‘Ho, watch it, fellas! Lexi’s back!’ he announces, clearly already amped up by a few drinks.

‘Hi,’ I say.

The chatter dies down, and it feels like everyone is looking my way, except Ravi, who, it seems, still can’t bring himself to make eye contact with me. I’m thankful for the low light in the room when my cheeks burn.

I’ve always been fine with being sensible. Driven. Ambitious. But when did I become someone who sucks all the fun out of a room?

‘Lexi, you’re looking good tonight,’ Cal continues. ‘You wanna drink?’

‘Sure,’ I say.

‘You want wine, beer or something stronger?’ he asks.

‘I’ll have wine, thanks.’

Cal leans forward and pours me a glass of white from the table.

‘Lexi, you want to sit down?’ J.B. asks.

‘No, really, it’s fine,’ I insist.

‘Hey, Lex,’ Cal shouts out. ‘Aidey says you can sit on him.’

I look up. Aidan is scowling at Cal. ‘I’m fine standing,’ I say.

‘Come on, I dare you.’ Cal winks. ‘Seeing as you guys have kissed and made up now.’

Has Aidan’s said something to him, or is Cal simply bored?

‘Taylor doesn’t mind, do ya, Tay?’ Cal blurts and Taylor Wetherill puckers her lips.

‘Cal, you’re such a dick,’ Ravi sighs.

Cal scoffs, ‘Lex knows I’m joking, don’t you, Lex? She wouldn’t do it anyway.’

‘Oh, I wouldn’t?’ I say.

He smirks. ‘I know you’re not that kind of girl.’

‘The kind of girl who can’t have any fun, right? That’s what you think of me? Fine. I’ll sit down.’

I take three steps towards Aidan. I hover above him. The room goes quiet, and everyone is watching me.

‘Mind if I sit down?’ I say stiffly.

He raises his eyes to me. Holds my gaze. He seems to shift a little in his seat. ‘Go ahead,’ he says.

I grasp my wine, turn my back to him, and lower myself into his lap. I’m expecting some kind of reaction from the others but conversations carry on as normal.

It takes me a moment to relax. I sip my drink. Aidan’s surprisingly comfortable to sit on. His legs are firm, his thighs hard.

But I can feel him shift beneath me. I’ve only been sitting for a moment when I notice it. A twitch at first, then a second later, his stiff length makes itself known, blooming between my legs, announcing its arrival.

I swallow tightly. Am I imagining it?

I shift my backside a fraction and he twitches underneath me. I definitely haven’t imagined it.

I glance to my left. Taylor Wetherill has her arms crossed over her chest. She looks bored. Neither she nor Aidan are talking.

I close my eyes for a split second. The truth is, he feels amazing. Heat floods through me, and all of a sudden – without warning – I’m throbbing with need.

I move my glass to my left hand and drop my right hand to my side. When his fingers brush against mine, electricity pulses through me, and I pull away.

‘So, Lex,’ Cal says, turning his attention to me and I straighten, causing Aidan’s thick erection to pulse beneath me, sending little bolts of lightning through my thighs. ‘What’s the latest with the doc?’

I clear my throat. I can’t concentrate. ‘Well, I still need someone to agree to the next interview once we get to Malaysia.’

‘What?’ Cal blurts, looking to his bandmates. ‘You didn’t get anyone else? Naw, come on, you fuckers, raise your hands. Who’s next? Me and Rav gave our pound of flesh to the Silverpix juggernaut. What about you, Mill?’

Miller frowns. ‘Like I told Lexi, I got an underwear shoot.’

Cal eviscerates him. ‘You and your precious bloody endoresements, mate. It doesn’t matter whether you wanna or not. You gotta do it, like I did. Give Lexi a piece of your time.’

Miller sucks on his vape, saying nothing.

‘J to the B, you gonna volunteer, or what?’

J.B. looks up from his guitar, sheepish, wiping a flat palm over his closely-shaved scalp. ‘Not all of us want an interview.’

‘ Excusez-moi , mate,’ Cal snaps. ‘If I have to fucking spill my guts, then so can you.’

J.B. looks annoyed. I feel guilty. I shift in Aidan’s lap and I think I hear him inhale sharply. His thick ridge presses up into my core, right where it counts, and delicious sensations pulse through me. He feels so good.

Cal shakes his head. ‘Fuck, I’m not even gonna bother with you, Aid.’

Aidan offers him a middle finger. Underneath me, I feel him move again. ‘Excuse me,’ he mutters and I get to my feet. He’s quick to get up, and I’m pretty sure I’m the only one who notices the obvious ridge in his jeans. He walks around the back of the sofa with his back to everyone, heading for the bathroom.

When I sit back down in the warm seat that Aidan has just vacated, I offer Taylor a shy smile, yet she’s quick to look the other way.