Page 20 of Wild Tonic
“Tell me who they are again?” Clem sipped her gin and tonic.
“Well, you know about Poppy. Caro owns the club and Alik’s her boyfriend. Eva’s the girlfriend of Richey, our bassist; and Yulia’s recently moved over to be with Dev, the drummer. She’s from Eastern Europe somewhere, I think.” Dev didn’t really speak to the others about his personal life, preferring to stay as much out of the limelight as possible. The rest of the band had been surprised when he and Yulia made things official and announced she would be joining him in the UK. Nate didn’t know her all that well, though she seemed nice enough. He hoped that Clem would find some common ground with them and she’d fit in as seamlessly as Eva had. “Oh, and Eva works with Olivia Cole at her PR consultancy.”
“Right, I’ve heard of Olivia. I think she does some of the publicity for one of the otherPretty Rich Thingspeople.”
“Yeah, I think she does too.”
Their food arrived. Nate had settled on a tuna niçoise salad. Anything heavier and he wouldn’t be able to move around the stage without getting heartburn or indigestion. He could always get something after the gig, which he usually did. There was a decent kebab shop not that far from the club. Clem opted for fish and vegetables. He wondered if she would be the type to have a chicken shish after a few drinks.
“Is this your normal pre-gig routine?” Clem asked forking some samphire into her mouth.
Nate shook his head. “Not at all! We’d hang around the venue, waiting to soundcheck. Then someone would go to the nearest supermarket and grab a few sandwiches or pasties or something to keep us going.”
Clem frowned. “Then I’m sorry to have disrupted your habits.”
“Believe me, this is much better than a sorry meal deal.” Nate raised his pint of orange juice and lemonade. “And much better company too.”
They chatted easily as they ate; Nate learning more about Clem’s involvement in Stelle D’Oro, and quizzing her about the photo shoot she’d mentioned. He had been on the website and checked out some of their lingerie range. Then he imagined Clem wearing it, and his dick hardened in response. He didn’t want to assume that she would stay over and hadn’t yet asked. Although a repeat performance of what happened after Clem’s PA wouldn’t be the worst.
Nate’s phone rang. Alik.
“Alright, mate? What’s up?”
“Where are you? Have you seen the time? We need to sound check.”
“Alik, how many times have we played The Indigo Lounge? They have our requirements down.”
“There’s a new guy being trained up; he’s never done one of our gigs before.”
“I’m in town with Clem. I’ll be there shortly.”
Alik let out a hard breath. “Clem. Right.” The disdain in his tone was clear.
Nate held his tongue. Alik’s reaction wasn’t fair, but now wasn’t the time to challenge him. He kept his cool as he replied. “We’re finishing up some food and then we’ll be there.”
“No longer than twenty minutes, Nate. We don’t have long.”
“Sure, I get it. We’ll be quick.” He ended the call and placed his phone back on the table.
He met Clem’s gaze, her brows knitted together, as she tried not to listen. It would have been hard for her to ignore Alik’s side of the conversation, as he could be heard quite clearly. She pushed the remains of her dinner to one side and waved at the waiter.
“Can we get the bill please?” she asked.
“Clem, you don’t have to do that. At least finish your meal. I certainly intend to.” Nate shovelled a large forkful of the salad into his mouth, trying not look like he was rushing.
“It looks like Alik needs you.”
“He can wait.”
Nate tried to take his time, all the while spotting the messages that were coming in on his phone. Alik, Richey, even Caro, asking when he’d be there. In the end he admitted defeat and put down his fork.
When the waiter returned, he stood awkwardly, the saucer and receipt in one hand, looking between the pair. Clem took charge and reached for her purse, placing a couple of notes into the waiter’s hand. She pushed her chair back and stood up.
“Let’s go. Take me to this place I’ve heard so much about.”
The Indigo Lounge was quiet when they arrived. There was a guy at the mixing desk that Nate didn’t recognise, so it looked as if Alik was telling the truth.
“Nate! Finally.” Alik appeared centre stage and waved at him, guitar slung around his own body. “Come get ready.”
