Page 75 of The Devil's Tattoo
Chapter18
Traveling backto Melbourne was the longest trip I’d ever sat through. It felt like the end of an era, standing outside the bus and knowing it was the end. We would all go our separate ways tonight and meet up again tomorrow for the first of our two shows that closed the tour. The venue had no show on tonight, so our gear was being delivered ahead of time. That just left our luggage and us togethome.
Will sidled up to me and gave me a quick kiss on the forehead. He’d told me he lived in Northcote, the other side of the city to me, so I would be catching a lift with Dee since he lived a fewblocksaway.
“See you tomorrow,” he murmured and wandered toward a waiting taxi with Pete, his baginhand.
“What the fuck was that?” Dee asked, standing beside me. He looked as flabbergasted asIwas.
After being so close for the last two weeks, it felt like a kick in the gut, and I couldn’t help but feelrejected.
“No idea,” I whispered as I watched the taxidriveoff.
Dee flipped the bird after them and turned toward me. “Well, it’s still your birthday, and if you want, I’ll takeyouout.”
“No,it’sokay.”
“I’m in if you wanna,” Simone said, coming upbehindus.
Frank and Chris offeredaswell.
“Seriously, guys. After a whole day on that stinking bus, it’s probably better to go home. We can party tomorrow night.” I liked my notion and didn’t say it, but I wasn’t in my head right now. Will had just hit meforsix.
“Well,” Frank said. “We’re only a phone call away if you changeyourmind.”
I smiled thinly. “Thanks,Frankie.”
When I finally got home, walking through the door of my apartment was familiar yet alien. After being away for so long, the place smelled different, and it was cold. I placed the Fender against the wall and dumped my bag in the bedroom, not wanting to deal with it yet. Standing in the middle of the lounge, I let out an exasperated sigh. Being home alone didn’t feel right. I wanted someone here. I wanted Will, but after his weird goodbye, I was hesitant about calling him. Instead, I sent a texttoDee.
So boring herealone.
It was only a split-second later when he replied,It’s weird being home. Wanna get adrink?xx
Me:Hell,yes.
Dee:Ted’sShed?
Me:Sounds good. Let me shower and changefirst.
Dee:Good idea. I don’t want to smell your stink. See you there in anhour.xx
Taking one last look at the Fender, I wasn’t sure if I could pick it up and play it now. Even though it was a present from everyone, it was still a gift that had been spearheaded by Will, and I wasn’t sure about his intentionsanymore.
He’d said he knew about hurt. He’d brushed it aside so easily I’d almost forgotten about it. Now I was wondering if his sudden shift in behavior had something to do with it. That and the person who’d been sending him those messages. Was it an ex-girlfriend that had broken his heart? Or was it his current girlfriend calling him out for being acheater?
When I met up with Dee at Ted’s Shed, he was waiting with two bright orange cocktails. Sinking into the chair opposite, I gave him a gratefulsmile.
“Happy birthday, Zo Zo. I know the orange ones are yourfavorite.”
“Thanks.” I sighed and took a long sip, the sugar and alcohol rushing straight to my head. “I needed thatserotonin.”
“Is everything okay?” he asked, coming straight outwithit.
My shoulders slumped, and I ditched the straw and took a few bigmouthfuls.
“Well, obviously not,” he said, concerned at myreaction.
“Will started acting weird this arvo,” I said. “He got some texts, and all of a sudden, he’s this moody bastard. He hardly touched me. You saw his steamygoodbye.”
