I Knew You Were Trouble

Chapter Twenty-Three

After I film a long, deeply competitive session of Just Dance in the living room – one where a tenacious seven-year-old was triumphant – I’m helping Paige load the dishwasher in the kitchen. Aidan’s gone with his father and Rohan to make the final preparations for the fireworks tonight.

‘So… did Aidan give you his gifts?’ Paige asks, nudging my side.

‘He did,’ I tell her with a smile, holding up the bangle.

She raises her eyebrows. ‘And?’ she asks.

I stare at her blankly. ‘And what?’ I ask.

Her shoulders droop. ‘Christ, you two are hard work,’ she laughs. ‘I mean, did… you know… you had a chat… all is forgiven… I like you… you like me, et cetera.’

‘I thanked him for the gifts.’

Paige gives a dissatisfied huff, like Aidan and I are a puzzle to be solved. ‘I’ll admit, I didn’t think I’d see you so quickly at lunch. Did he tell you about Lucy?’

‘In not so many words, yes.’

Paige rolls her eyes, letting her mouth fall open. ‘I swear to god, my brother.’

I giggle. ‘I appreciate your efforts. But maybe there’s… too much water under the bridge.’

‘What’s your outfit for tonight?’

I pick up another plate for the dishwasher. ‘What do you mean?’

‘I mean, what are you wearing?’

‘I, uh, some jeans and this floaty top thing.’

She looks me up and down.

‘What?’ I say.

She takes the plate from my grasp and puts it next to the sink. ‘I have an idea. Come with me.’

‘I cannot wear this,’ I say, ten minutes later, staring at my reflection in the mirror in Paige McArthur’s bedroom, or the bedroom that she still seems to inhabit for half the week.

‘Why not? You look stunning in it.’

‘I’m wearing a corset. I am not a corset-wearing girl.’

‘Lexi, no offence, but I’m going to lay it on thick here. My brother, he likes you. And by that, I mean he really likes you. But with the whole Samara thing, he feels like he’s fucked up any chance he had with you.’

‘He told me there’s nothing between him and Samara. Like I told him there’s nothing between me and Duncan.’

Paige throws up her arms in the air. ‘This is Aidan all over. He beats himself up about so many little different things, that he loses sight of what’s important. He’s given you the gifts that he bought you but I guarantee you in his mind, he’ll be telling himself that it’s too little, too late, and I bet it’s awkward as hell between you both, am I right?’

I nod my head, because she’s right.

She places one hand on each of my shoulders. ‘Lexi, do you like my brother?’

I realise I’ve spent so long on my own, focusing on work, that I haven’t really let myself consider what I could lose. I stare at her before I nod again furiously. It feels odd admitting the truth to his sister.

‘Like him more than just your average guy?’

I keep nodding.

‘In that case, you might have to be the one to do all the work. Do you think you can do that for me? You need to show him, yes? Show him you’re interested. Give off all the signals. Summon your inner seductress.’

‘I don’t think I have an inner seductress,’ I mutter.

‘Oh, you do,’ Paige says. ‘Believe me, you just have to unleash her.’

You in those jeans , were his words to me back in Australia. I look back in the mirror, at the corset that makes my breasts look like I work in a burlesque club.

I can do this.

By ten o’clock, the pub is packed to the rafters and I have no idea where Aidan is.

I’ve spent my evening with Jo-Jo and Paige. Rohan is working behind the bar. We’ve already downed four shots of tequila, and the wine has been flowing all night.

‘I tell you what,’ Jo-Jo slurs in my direction, squeezing my bare shoulder. The children are asleep upstairs and Rohan is also designated driver, meaning that if one of them wakes up, he’s the one who has to deal with it. ‘With the number of looks you are getting… Aidan is going to lose you.’

My mind has flip-flopped again and I’ve convinced myself he’s not interested. That if he was, he would be here. He would be flirting with me. Something. Anything. Instead, he appears to be ignoring my presence.

‘Doesn’t feel like that would bother him right now,’ is my reply over the hubbub.

Paige swallows the last of her glass of white wine. She looks gorgeous in a low-cut white halter neck top and smoky eye make-up.

‘No, no,’ she says, holding up one finger. ‘Remember what I said. People think that because he’s this massive pop star, that he’ll be brimming with confidence when it comes to the opposite sex. So, you’re wrong. Sometimes, he needs a little encouragement.’

Jo-Jo’s smile is wide. ‘With Rohan, I practically had to hold a sign over my head. He still didn’t get that I liked him.’

Rohan hears his name and frowns in our direction.

‘Ro!’ Jo-Jo shouts, beckoning him over. He finishes what he’s doing then wipes his hand on a towel. He braces the bar with two hands and leans forward. His wife leans up, planting a big kiss on his lips. Rohan grins, rolling his eyes playfully at his wife.

‘How much do we think Aidan likes Lexi?’ Jo-Jo shouts to her husband.

Rohan smirks, rubs his beard. ‘I would say… a lot, a lot.’

‘And do we think, left to his own devices, Aidan will do anything about it?’

Rohan cackles, then shakes his head. Several people are trying to get his attention at the bar. ‘Definitely not. He thinks he’s blown it with you, Lexi. Probably thinks he’s not worthy or something.’

With encouragement from Paige and Jo-Jo, I go outside into the garden in search of Aidan. I’m unsteady on my heels, my eyes glassy from the tequila. I have a good enough tolerance for wine: not so much for spirits. My skin bristles in the cold, a shiver going through me, but the alcohol is in my veins, giving me a level of confidence I didn’t possess a few hours ago. Making a loop, I can’t see him anywhere. I push my way through the crowds back inside, but he’s nowhere to be found.

Walking back outside, I take a left, and follow the wall of the house, back around to the red door and Aidan’s little annex.

I press my ear up against the door. I can hear music pulsing on the inside.

There’s no handle, so I rap my knuckles hard on the door.

I’m wearing the bangle he gave me. My blue jeans cling to my every curve, and the shape of the corset means my waist is exposed.

When he opens the door, he looks me up and down and I’m left with a horrible feeling that I’m more drunk than I thought I was.

‘Where’ve you been? You seem to be avoiding everyone,’ I blurt.

It was meant to sound humorous, but it comes out accusatory.

In the shadows, his brow lifts. ‘I’m just in my room. I’m not avoiding anyone.’

‘Feels like you might be avoiding me.’

‘I’m not. I’m just not in the mood for selfies with a hundred total strangers. I asked Paige to keep an eye on you but, clearly, she’s a bad influence.’

I cross my arms over my chest. I haven’t planned this, and it shows. ‘Can I come in?’

He opens the door wider.

‘I mean, only if it’s not an imposition ,’ I add haughtily.

Aidan opens the door wider. ‘It’s not. But I’m pretty sure you’re not going to remember this conversation in the morning.’

‘Of course I am.’

‘Whatever you say, Lex. Paige always gets the tequila out on New Year’s. I should have warned you.’

‘I don’t get you,’ I continue, pacing in front of him. ‘One minute, you hate me. You don’t want me on your tour, you don’t trust me, you think I’m going to break up your precious band… and the next minute, I’m turning you on by sitting in your lap and suddenly you can’t seem to get enough of me. You buy me a ridiculously expensive piece of jewellery and give me a photograph of me with the band, but then act like that’s normal … like you give that shit out like it’s marshmallows or something.’

His eyes fix my gaze and I feel like I’m sinking. ‘Marshmallows?’ he asks.

‘Candy. Sweets. Whatever, you know what I mean. Why did you give me this bangle, then act like it’s no big deal?’

We hear laughter from nearby. He rakes his fingers through his hair. ‘Look, maybe stop yelling at me and come inside, alright?’

I give him a scowl and stomp up the stairs.

When I reach the top, I sway from side to side, catching myself. My cheeks feel hot. It’s mostly dark inside the room. He’s been playing video games.

When he comes up behind me, I stiffen.

‘You want another drink?’ he asks. ‘I’ve only got beer though. Maybe best that you don’t add to the mix.’

‘I can handle my drink,’ I snap and I hate that I don’t seem to be able to control the words coming out of my mouth.

He laughs. ‘You look nice,’ he says, changing the conversation topic.

I look down at the corset. It is not quite sitting flush against my breasts. I grab the bottom hemline and shimmy it back into position.

‘It’s Paige’s. It’s bloody uncomfortable. I can’t believe I agreed to wear this contraption for you.’

He lowers his head. ‘For me?’

‘Yes. Who else am I going to wear it for?’

He doesn’t look my way.

‘You know Paige has a stupid theory about Scorpios and Leos,’ I slur.

He clicks his tongue. ‘I know, she already messaged me about it. My sister likes to stir shit up, remember?’

‘So, you read the bit about them having explosive sexual chemistry?’

He looks awkward. ‘Lex, if you’re angling for something… you should know I’m not gonna sleep with a girl who’s plastered.’

‘I am not plastered,’ I state emphatically, promptly taking a slight tumble in my heels. Steadying myself, I add, ‘See? I am completely fine.’

‘Completely,’ he deadpans. ‘Did you want a seat?’

‘I’ll sit here,’ I say, moving to the bed and kicking off my shoes.

I lean back on my elbows, thrusting my chest out, my stomach on show. ‘When did you stop hating me?’ I hum, ignoring the voice in my head that tells me now might be a good time to stop talking. ‘Was it when I sat in your lap that time? Because I know you’d stopped hating me by then.’

His mouth is set in a grim line. ‘Lex—’

‘I’m just curious, that’s all.’

When he doesn’t answer me, I try a different tack. ‘Does it bother you that I’ve had sex with Duncan?’ I ask.

Aidan stares down at me. He shakes his head. ‘Honestly? I was happier when I didn’t know.’

‘Are you jealous?’

‘No.’

‘You mean it doesn’t bother you that I’ve writhed around naked in bed with my cameraman?’

‘He’s a good-looking guy.’

‘So does it bother you?’

I relax my elbows and fall back, so that I’m staring at the ceiling. It’s so dark in here. My eyes drift shut.

I don’t know if he answers my question. ‘Your bed is so comfortable,’ I mumble, and it’s the last thing I remember before I black out.

Sometime later, I think I hear fireworks exploding over my head.

‘Happy New Year, Aidan,’ I whisper, though my tongue is thick in my mouth.

‘Happy New Year, Lex,’ I hear back from the darkness.