Page 21 of Fake Rocks
“Another opportunity for you two to be seen out and about in the early stages of your relationship, holding hands, the occasional kiss for the paps. You can manage that, can’t you, Saff?”
It wasn’t as if I had much of a choice. If I wanted to continue making music and being part of the label, I was kind of being held hostage. “Have you asked Tris yet?”
“I thought you could do it. I’ve already done enough in getting you guys set up.”
Suddenly, I was nervous. Coming to Manchester with me was part of the deal Tris had signed up to. I didn’t want to make him uncomfortable though and if he didn’t want to come along, then he didn’t have to.
But I couldn’t ask him while I looked like this. I needed a shower and to wash my hair.
“Okay, I’ll talk to him.”
“Good. Let me know what he says.”
I headed up towards my room, but not without a backwards glance at Tris. He was fixing one of the higher level kitchen cupboards to the wall, while his uncle held it steady. I wondered if he’d hold me when I spoke to his nephew.
12
Tris
Pretending to work, I tried to listen in on what Saff and Jonas were saying, but with Uncle Col’s power drill going every couple of minutes it was hard to hear.
After I’d put Saff to bed the previous evening, I’d gone downstairs to the guest bedroom and basically stared at the ceiling for the next few hours. I must have had about two hours’ sleep. And I was suffering for it this morning.
Uncle Col kept asking if I was hungover, which wasn’t possible as I’d only had about three pints, but I couldn’t stop yawning.
Although nothing had happened between Saff and I, it felt as though it could. I knew this was pretend, but what if it wasn’t? What if we both wanted something more from it? The lingering looks, the way she’d held my hand as we walked from the restaurant to the pub, how she sat on my lap. I had to remind myself it was all for show.
When she turned up in the kitchen, thanking me for my actions, I almost crumbled and told her what I was really thinking.
“You okay, Tris?” Uncle Col questioned for what felt like the hundredth time.
I sighed, putting down the tool I was using. “Yeah, it’s nothing.”
“Is it this thing with Saff?” His tone softened, becoming concerned. “I’m sorry, we shouldn’t have agreed to it.”
“I guess it came as a bit of a surprise.” That was the understatement of the century. I hadn’t realised rich and influential people did this sort of thing. Well, maybe I did, though I hadn’t expected to be playing such a big part in it.
My uncle placed a hand on my shoulder. “You’ve been through a lot in the past few months, lad. Your mother would be proud of the way you’re working things out. She’d be pleased for you.”
An unexpected lump formed in my throat. We didn’t often talk about my mum. I doubted she would have been proud of everything which had happened recently. But she wasn’t here now, instead my uncle and aunt were.
“Why don’t you take a break?” he suggested. He put a hand into his pocket and pulled out some cash. “Go and get a proper lunch from the cafe down the road.”
“Thanks, Uncle Col.”
When I stepped out into the hazy sunshine, I took a deep breath. It was a pleasant day and I appreciated the opportunity to get out for a while. The past couple of days, we’d simply stopped and eaten our sandwiches wherever we were standing. I wasn’t complaining, it was a job after all. But with the whole Saff situation and now staying at the house overnight, I was starting to feel a little suffocated.
The cafe on the corner was busy, lots of people sitting outside enjoying the sunshine. I pushed the door open and found the last remaining vacant table inside, putting my jacket on the chair to stake my claim.
“What can I get you, love?” The chirpy middle-aged woman standing behind the counter looked expectantly at me as I approached.
I scanned the chalkboard menu. “Are you still serving breakfast?”
“Yep, all day. One of our best sellers.” She beamed.
“Then I’ll get the works please, with some brown toast and a mug of tea.”
“No problem, you go and sit down, and I’ll bring it over when it’s ready.” She bustled off into the kitchen and I went to the table.
