Page 53 of I Knew You Were Trouble

‘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.

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