Page 111 of How Good It Was (Excess All Areas 3)

19

Luke twirled his pen in his fingers and stared at the white page with lyric ideas taking shape on it. While he was anxious to get onstage and perform, he was equally keen to get offstage, head back to the hotel, and call Willow.

He’d asked Neil about the possibility that he was using Willow as a stopgap to fill the holes left behind by all the other addictions in his life, because suddenly, he didn’t want to be without her.

Neil’s answer had been a series of questions. Like it always was. And while he always appreciated the point they got to at the end of their conversation, he sometimes wished Neil would give him a straight yes or no answer.

Luke ran through the questions and the answers he’d given.

What makes you think of her?

That had been an easy one. All kinds of things. He’d had an idea for a Shamaze video for her, the two of them setting up a baby drum kit. A house listing for a property just down the street from Nan’s that would be within their budget. Well, his budget, because even though she had a shit ton more money than him, he wasn’t letting her pay for their home. Sometimes, he just missed her presence. She calmed him.

Are you anxious when you aren’t around her?

No. He wasn’t. It had been a dream coming down to London for four days to promote the album that was threatening to break chart expectations the label had for the band. They’d performed on a live late-night TV show the day before. During the day, they’d appeared on Radio One and a breakfast television show. And tonight, they were going to play.

It was the setlist they were considering using for the tour.

And he couldn’t wait to get onstage.

He scribbled some more.

Sinking.

Didn’t realise you were

The life raft meant to save me.

Didn’t want to climb on board.

Drowning.

Lungs running out of air ...

“You okay, mate?” Matt said, dropping to the sofa next to him in the dressing room.

“Just wishing Willow was here to see this tonight.”

“I know what you mean. Iz couldn’t get the time off work. And I think Jase is missing Cerys too, but she doesn’t want to leave the studio until the tour starts.”

Luke grinned. “What happened to us? There was a time when we’d all be pissed, high, and likely scouting for women to spend time with later. And now, we’re ... oh, never mind. I see Alex and Ben are taking one for the team.”

Matt laughed as he saw Alex and Ben chatting with four women. “I thought there was something going on between Zoe and Alex at the release party.”

“Nah. Apparently, it’s a bet. You know how Alex likes making them. She’s coming on the tour with Cerys, and he’s made a bet with her or something.”

“For real?” Matt asked.

Luke nodded. “She told Cerys about it. Cerys told Chaya. Chaya blabbed to Iz and Willow. Now, they all know.”

“What’s the bet?”

Luke shook his head. “No idea. No one is telling.”

“You know what’s funny?”

“What?”

---