For the first time in a long, long time, I respected what my dad had said.
15
Saff
Rosie was a good friend. No, she was the best friend a girl could have. She kept me together all throughout Friday until the time came for us to travel up to Birmingham. She even offered to come with me to keep me company. I drew the line there. No-one needed to see what happens on a tour bus, especially supermodel Rosie Tatton.
I kept myself to myself on the journey, jamming earphones in and pretending to be asleep. Not that there was much pretending going on. With all the stresses of the past couple of days, I was exhausted. Not being able to get hold of Tris was starting to get to me. Whenever I called him, it went to voicemail and I couldn’t seem to bring myself to leave a message. He hadn’t replied to my message either, despite me seeing the three dots and knowing he’d at least read it.
Clearly he believed everything he’d seen.
When we got to the venue, Trash Gun sound checked first.
Scott had been sensible enough to keep his distance. Every time he was within a couple of feet, I shot daggers at him. He said he wanted to explain, but when I told him to delete the posts, he refused.
I perched on one of the stools by the bar, idly looking at shoes on a shopping website on my phone when Darren came up to me.
“You okay, Saff?” he asked, genuine concern radiating from him.
He’d known me a long time and had a sixth sense when it came to something being off with me.
“Have you heard from Tris?” I asked.
Darren shook his head. “Not for a couple of days. I guessed he was busy with work. Then again, I haven’t tried to get in touch.” A sheepish smile crossed his face. “I’ve been having too much fun.”
There was some solace in the fact Tris wasn’t only cutting me out.
And by fun, I was sure Darren mean hooking up with women. He hadn’t had a steady girlfriend in ages and the tour had provided him with a lot of opportunity. Tommo was coupled up, and Barney had been seeing someone on and off the past few months. I should have asked Tris to come with me. Then there wouldn’t have been any misunderstandings over what Scott tried to do because it wouldn’t have happened.
Almost as if he knew I was thinking about him, Mr Lincoln himself materialised in front of me.
“You coming to the after party tomorrow night?”
“We were invited.” chipped in Darren. He could sense I wasn’t happy being around Scott. “So we’ll be there.”
“It would be good to have another photo opportunity.” Scott smirked at me and I knew exactly what he was getting at.
If I had my way, I wouldn’t be going anywhere near him. “I don’t think there’s much chance of that, Scott. It was a one off.”
“Is that what you told your boyfriend?”
“I haven’t spoken to him.” Instantly, I regretted the words as soon as they left my mouth, knowing how Scott would misconstrue them.
He quirked an eyebrow. “Really? I thought you’d have been on to him straight away, telling him it wasn’t your fault and I pounced on you, like a poor little mouse being stalked by the big bad cat.” He reached out a hand and made a grabbing motion with it.
“Fuck off, Scott,” said Darren, saying the exact thing I wanted to. “Saff doesn’t need your shit. Leave her alone.”
“Oh, how cute! Your guitarist is protecting you now?” scoffed Scott. “Maybe your reputation hasn’t changed all that much, eh, Saff?” He winked and walked away.
“Prick,” I hissed after him.
“Don’t let him get to you. He’s nothing but a headline chasing arsehole.” Darren slung an arm around my shoulders. “And you know I’ve got your back.”
I was grateful he had.
Because I wasn’t sure who else did right now.
By the time we’d finished our sound check, there was barely chance to get changed and grab a snack before we were back on. One of Trash Gun’s assistants had bought a load of junk food from the local shop and I nibbled distractedly on crisps and cheese bites. Hardly the healthiest of dinners.
