Page 10 of I Knew You Were Trouble

Meredith nods vigorously. ‘They were completely uncooperative. When the camera started rolling, they’d fool around. They don’t want the Silverpix documentary, not at all. But Silverpix is a major tour sponsor. The record company has insisted the boys cooperate.’

I nod in understanding. So the project I’ve been drafted in to complete just became an uphill skirmish. When Duncan returns with our cocktails, I practically swallow my drink down in one.

‘I need some air,’ I shout towards Duncan. ‘Don’t leave without me.’

When the lift doors open, there’s a cool breeze. Stepping outside, I find the hum of the city’s life is all around, the light pollution turning the immediate sky a shade of fizzy orange. I crane my neck, checking how high the walls are, peering into the shadows before I realise I’m not alone.

Aidan McArthur is listening to music, AirPods in his ears, sat up on some kind of vent at the top of a shaft, his legs swinging freely, his gaze looking out across the vast urban landscape. I wish I had my camera. He looks wistful, perhaps even lonely.

‘Bar not appeal to you?’ he deadpans without looking my way, and I jump.

‘You scared me.’

‘I was here first. You’re the one creeping up on me,’ he says, getting to his feet and climbing down to my level. Up close, he feels even taller, meaning I have to raise my chin just to look him in the face. I remember visiting film sets as a little girl, and my father pointing out a lot of famous actors and actresses. I question why it was that I never felt lost for words back then.

‘I didn’t know there was a monopoly on the roof terrace,’ I say.

Aidan looks to his feet. ‘Yeah well, I’m not in the mood for people tonight.’

‘Not a people person?’

‘Not always. Not when I don’t have to be. What was your name again?’

‘You seem to have the memory of a fish.’

It was meant as a joke but it doesn’t appear to land well. ‘I meet a lot of people,’ he says. Before I can give my name, he looks me over, and adds, ‘So you’re the replacement.’

‘Were you hoping they wouldn’t send one?’

He cracks his knuckles. ‘Clearly, they didn’t get the message. You seem a lot younger than the last dude. Shorter, too.’

I ignore his last statement. ‘You mean the last guy, the one you hounded out?’

‘There was no hounding. He was incompetent. No wonder they fired him.’

‘He was probably just trying to do his job.’

He is standing closer to me now, a little too close, so that I almost have to crane my neck. His eyes are striking in the night air. My gaze drops to his lips. I hold my ground.

‘No offence, but we don’t want you here,’ Aidan says in a low tone. ‘So don’t expect an easy ride.’

I straighten my back. He definitely isn’t timid, but I suppose that’s what comes of having millions of strangers fawning over you from all corners of the globe. ‘I won’t pack my bags,’ I say.

Thankfully, the lift doors open and Bodhi emerges. ‘Aidan!’ he hollers.

‘I’m here,’ he says, looking up. Then he lowers his chin again until I can feel the heat of his stare. In this light, his eyes are azure blue, like nothing I’ve ever seen on a person. ‘One week with Rebel Heart,’ he says, with zero trace of any humour, ‘and you’ll be begging us to pack them for you.’

I swallow and watch him walk towards Bodhi. So far, this project has the word ‘disaster’ written all over it. When the lift doors close and I am alone again, I rub my eyes and hug my waist, wishing I’d read Aidan McArthur’s background on the plane.

One thing I know for certain: this guy is trouble.

Chapter Four

Back in my hotel room, I open Meredith’s file to find the information on Aidan. I scan over Meredith’s notes, picking up a black-and-white photo. He’s twenty-four, a Leo, making him almost five and a half years younger than me. Tall, athletic, handsome as hell. At eighteen, he auditioned for the band in London and, along with eight other male candidates including Jean-Baptiste, proceeded to the final auditions in LA. He has a fraternal twin sister named Paige, who auditioned simultaneously for the girl band, but who wasn’t successful in the final auditions, and one older brother, named Rohan. Meredith’s comments tell me he’s known for his maturity and self-assurance. That much was obvious. Her last sentence says that Rebel Heart doesn’t have an official frontman, but if they did, Aidan McArthur would likely be it.

I squeeze the bridge of my nose between my fingers. This is just… great.

I close the file. My eyelids droop. The jet lag means that even walking to the bathroom to brush my teeth suddenly seems like a colossal effort.

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