Page 26 of Real Rocks
16
Tris
With the help of Jonas’ PA, I had managed to secure the exact same room at the hotel in Manchester which we’d had for theRocciadinner.
There was some kind of strange symmetry with Saff finishing her tour there and it being the place where we had first realised what was between us wasn’t fake.
I wanted to find out from her what had gone on with Scott Lincoln.
I didn’t want to read the gossip columns. I needed to hear it directly.
Darren had been my co-conspirator in this scheme. He’d given me the information about their schedule and told me how much time they would have before heading to sound check. If everything went to plan, there would sufficient making up time. I had to hope there weren’t any delays on the motorway.
Strange that after all this time, it was my dad who had convinced me I needed to do this.
To fight for the woman I loved and not let it slip like he had.
I didn’t know what to make of his revelations about the night Mum died. His jealousy causing the actions leading up to her death. Ultimately, I think I was glad he’d told me the truth at last.
“Hello, Mr Judd, lovely to see you again.” I didn’t recognise the receptionist from our previous stay. Jonas’ PA had probably reminded her we’d been there before, and I assumed she was putting on the charm to impress me. She was too put together for my liking: her nails and lip gloss matching, the regulation shirt and scarf combo pristine. If I was honest, I preferred my women—sorry, woman—to be a little more haphazard.
Keeping up the pretence, I flashed her a smile. “You too, Laura.” I read her name from the badge pinned to her regulation blouse.
She tapped some details into her computer, then rifled through a box on the counter to find the key card before sliding them over to me. “Everything’s been paid for and I guess you know where you’re going.”
“That’s great, thanks.”
“Be sure to let me know if you need anything.” I didn’t miss the look of hope in her eye.
“Will do.” I grabbed my holdall and headed for the lifts, pressing the button for the top floor.
Entering the suite, it was everything I remembered.
It sparked delightful memories, and I couldn’t stop the shit-eating grin growing on my face. Saff had told me to kiss her even though there wasn’t anyone around and it all went from there. My dick started to harden at the reminder. Willing it away—for now at least—I sat on the sofa and checked my phone. There was a message from Saff saying she was around fifteen minutes away. While I waited, I debated whether to get a bottle of champagne and have it ready for when she arrived. Nah, too cheesy. Plus, I wasn’t sure whether we would be celebrating after we discussed her and Scott.
Twenty minutes later there was still no sign of Saff. Although, I shouldn’t have been surprised, she was incapable of being on time for anything. As I was starting to get concerned she’d stood me up, there was a knock on the door.
“Hey.” Saff stood in front of me carrying an overnight bag. Dressed in leggings and Converse, an oversized hoodie hid her body. Her hair was pulled back in a half ponytail, pink strands framing her face.
“Hey.” I itched to pull her into my arms. Until we’d spoken, I wasn’t sure it was the right thing to do.
“Shall I come in?”
“Sorry, yes, of course.” I stepped aside and she brushed past me.
There was a strange formality between us which made my insides churn. Was I going to like whatever she was going to say? I shut the door behind her and took a deep breath to steady myself before turning back.
She sat cross-legged on the sofa and I went to join her, sitting just out of reach, trying to control the contradicting emotions raging inside me. Part of me wanted to kiss her, part of me wanted to kill her for being so unobtainable the past few days.
“So…” I began.
“Tris, I…” she said at the same time.
We both stopped speaking and I gestured to her to continue.
Saff nibbled on the skin around her thumbnail, a habit I noticed she had when she was nervous. My stomach dropped as I wondered what she was going to say.
“These past few days have been weird. Being on tour with the band, in close proximity to someone like Scott,” she sighed. “My head’s been all over the place.”
