Page 63 of The First Chord

Just because I thought he’d hit me if I hugged him, I gave his shoulder a squeeze. If a miserable old tosser like Terry thought my future looked good, then it had to be true.

When I got back into my bunk, I felt much more relaxed and slept like a baby.

CHAPTER28

AMBER

The hotel in Paris was gorgeous. We were staying there for two nights, and I was on the same corridor as Warrior Creek and Ali. I had to be honest, everyone had done their best to make sure that I was as far away from Jimmy as possible. With my room door shut and locked, I felt safe. Standing next to him for a photo opportunity, I didn’t.

“Smile,” he hissed, putting an arm around my waist.

Without even looking at him, I knew he would be smirking, knowing there was nothing I could do about his hands being on me.

“Jimmy,” a photographer shouted. “This way.”

“Jimmy, are you and Amber thinking of having a family any time soon.”

I stiffened at his side. Having children with him was the worst thought in the world and made me feel sick at the idea of it. I chanced a glance at him and wondered how my feelings for him could have changed so quickly. One punch that was how. Pushing my shoulders back I chastised myself. It wasn’t one punch, it was years of mental abuse and disrespect. The punch was like the full stop at the end of a long, badly written sentence.

“Nah, kids are a long way off yet,” Jimmy replied and pulled me in closer. “Isn’t that right, babe?”

I plastered on a smile and nodded. Way off into never.

“I think that’s plenty.” Ali moved up to my side and took my hand. “I need Amber for something else.”

“Thank you,” I whispered as she led me away from Jimmy.

“Jimmy,” she called over her shoulder. “You can do a couple more.”

He didn’t acknowledge her but just pulled another pose, in his element with the attention on him. Further down the line were the rest of the band, including Amelie who was holding on tight to Hugo’s hand. They were both beaming, and it was clear that was one relationship which was working.

“I thought maybe you’d had enough of standing next to him.” Ali flashed me a comforting smile.

“A second next to him was too much.” I exhaled, blowing out my cheeks. “I hadn’t realised how hard it would be.”

“I can’t believe those bastards are making you do this.” Ali flashed her pass at a security guard so we could get into the venue. “Just shows what happens when you put a bunch of twatty men in charge. You know, there’s not one woman on that board.”

“Really?”

She shook her head and pushed open a door, leading us through. “Not one, and after what Richard Gregory has done, you’d think they’d have learned a lesson.”

She was right, seeing as he was in prison for sex crimes.

“Maybe you should offer your services,” I replied.

“Nope, not me, love. After this tour I’m retiring.”

“Retiring? God, Ali, I had no idea.” I frowned. “Are you old enough?”

“No, but thanks to the boys success I can afford it.” She gave me a smile which crinkled her eyes, and I could see a sense of tranquillity in the choice that she’d made. “The board can thank their decision for making you come on this tour for that. It’s shit and I won’t be part of it.”

“Ali, don’t leave for me.”

I followed her into a room with a couple of large sofas and a huge TV. There was a bar in the corner and table laden with food. Ali turned to me.

“I’m ready, love, this just pushed me. Now,” she said, waving a hand around the room. “Make yourself comfy. The show will be on that screen. As soon as Blind Devil are finished, I’ll send Destiny in here. You can then either stay here or she’ll take you to a car to take you back to the hotel.” She scratched her head. “I’d organise for you to go back now but the paps will be out there waiting for the boys to arrive. And as Concepta have insisted no one has any inkling that you and Jimmy aren’t together,” she said with a long, exhausted sigh, “I’m so sorry, Amber, but you’ll have to stay here until their set’s over.”

“It’s not your fault. I’ll be fine and now that first time of standing next to him is over, it won’t be so bad.”

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