Page 68 of When We Fell Again
He raised his eyebrows. “You meanyouhaven’t told him yet?”
The situation still made me sick to my stomach, but at least Arlo hadn’t sent me any more messages. I’d wanted to block his number, but doing that before the end of the tour wouldn’t be a good idea. It would only be a few more days, and I was sure I could get through that.
“I’ll do a debrief at the end.” I waved a hand dismissively. Now Jordan was here, I didn’t want to spend time talking about Arlo. “Whatareyou doing here anyway?”
Guilt clouded his features. “I’m a shit boyfriend. I should have been here for you the moment after you told me what he’d proposed.” Jordan hung his head. “I should have been on the first train to Birmingham, even though you told me not to come.”
Loving the fact he had admitted to wanting to protect me, I couldn’t help but wonder if there was more to it. Idol Rev had their own schedule of studio time and possibly tour rehearsals. For him to up and leave in the middle of it just for me seemed… out of place. But I couldn’t put my finger on why. Instead of trying to find a reason, I decided to forget about whatever had brought him to me and enjoy the time we had together.
We didn’t end up doing a great deal. We took a long shower together, went for a walk around the city, had a late lunch, and did some shopping. All the normal couple-y things we didn’t usually do. Before long, it was time for me to head to the stadium to soundcheck with the band. Jordan wanted to come with me, but I stalled him. I didn’t want anything to potentially affect the gig, and having Jordan come face-to-face with Arlo definitely wouldn’t be a good thing.
“Come around seven. That’s when the support act goes on.”
“But that’s hours away,” Jordan complained, stretched out on the bed, hands behind his head. “What am I going to do until then?”
“Chill out? Watch some TV? Go and get a drink at the bar?” I fussed around, making sure I had everything I needed for the evening; my tablet, notebook, and phone. “I’m sorry.” I leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. “It’s not such a great idea for you to be around beforehand. You wouldn’t like it if another rock star muscled in on your territory.”
“What? Like Arlo Carmichael’s trying to do with you?” Jordan’s expression darkened. “Come on, Lex. Please? I won’t get in the way.”
I stood firm. “I’ll see you at seven.” And before I could change my mind, I headed out of the hotel room.
The Dicers, for once, waited in reception, ready to get on the minibus that would take us from the hotel to the stadium. Arlo and Suki stood there, entwined in each other, sucking face like the rest of the world didn’t exist. A shudder shot down my spine, bringing back unwanted memories ofthatproposition.
“Are we ready to go?” I called, hating the fact I sounded like a teacher rounding up her kids for a school trip. But sometimes, that was the only line that worked.
Arlo broke away from Suki, a lazy smile on his face. “I’m always ready, baby.” He slapped her arse, causing her to let out a high-pitched squeal that went right through me. “You okay with Suki coming on the bus? I know I’m not meant to have my woman with me, but I simply can’t be without her.”
Ugh. How vomit-inducing. At least Jordan never says anything that corny.
“Of course,” I said, forcing a bright tone. “Let’s go.”
The minibus buzzed with anticipation, The Dicers pre-gig soundtrack playing on the stereo. I hoped it would mean the gig would pass without incident. Soundcheck went smoothly, the pre-gig interaction with the support band—a local act who had won some sort of competition to play—also went without a hitch.
Then Jordan arrived.
I’d primed security to give him an access-all-areas pass, but I hadn’t expected him to strut in like he owned the place. We had taken over one of the changing rooms as a green room, but because there wasn’t a separate space for me, I’d ended up staying with the band.
“Lex?” Jordan’s voice cut through the noise and my head swivelled around to face him.
From the other side of the room, I clocked Arlo’s reaction. His face, smiling and happy as he sat on one of the benches, whispering in Suki’s ear, changed instantly, his top lip forming a sneer.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” he hissed.
There was a lull in the music and everyone turned to see what he was looking at.
Casting Suki aside, Arlo stood and crossed the room in about two strides, squaring up to Jordan.
“I said, what the fuck are you doing here?”
Without thinking, I jumped up and went over to the pair, moving my body between them, Jordan behind me. “What does it matter, Arlo?”
His gaze settled on me and how close our bodies were. “I didn’t think you wanted to be anywhere near me. At least, that’s the impression you gave me the other night.”
I could almost hear Jordan growl as he pushed forward, making me bump into Arlo’s chest. “You leave her alone,” he rasped. “She’s worth more than some orgy.”
Arlo’s harsh laugh filled the space. “As if you’ve never asked a few birds to join you.”
Jordan backed away from me, and I turned to see him go over to Suki, pointing a finger into her face. “And you should have more respect for yourself and other women if, for even one minute, you were okay with what yourboyfriendwas suggesting.”
