Page 33 of Real Rocks
I swigged greedily from the bottle, hoping it would help calm me down. “Me, for a start.” Residual anger swam around my insides. I agreed with Darren’s comments on the situation. Hopefully after this evening, we could go back to being normal again.
Whatever counted as normal in Saff’s world anyway.
An hour later, we were back in the main body of the club with Trash Gun and some fans who had paid for an after show meet and greet.
Looking at the state of Scott, who was swaying around and lurching from group to group, I wondered why anyone would pay to see it. I’d never been a massive fan of any one particular band, so I didn’t understand the adoration and blind devotion to a group of people. However, given how I felt about Saff, I could see my views changing.
She moved around the room with Darren and they politely chatted to a few people, signing posters and CDs. I didn’t even realise bands still did physical merchandise in the digital age. We’d agreed it would be better for me to keep my distance, not come across as the over-protective boyfriend. I was fine with it. My concerns were directed at Scott Lincoln’s, not someone who had only just watched her show.
I wondered what the tour would mean for her future. Whether there would be more opportunities, festival appearances maybe, more time away. I pushed the thoughts from my mind. It wasn’t something to think about now. Tonight, was about celebrating her successes.
Finally, the two of them reached me. Saff wound her arms around my neck and hugged me.
“God, I’ve missed you,” she breathed.
“It’s only been a few hours,” I replied.
“An eternity.”
Darren rolled his eyes. “Honestly, she hasn’t had much to drink.”
His comment made me suspicious. Saff might not have had much alcohol, but what else might she have taken? Or worse, what if Scott had plied her with something? Surely, she wasn’t so stupid as to have made the same mistake again?
“I’m tired, Tris, can we go back to the hotel?” Her hand slid along the band of my jeans, her fingers insinuating their way beneath the denim.
Gently, I pushed her away. “Sounds good to me. Do you need to let anyone know what you’re doing?”
“If you’re leaving you should at least tell me where you’re going.” Scott’s voice came from behind us.
“Ugh, really, Scott? Do you have to do that now?” Saff faced him, hands on hips. “We’ve had a great time on tour, but it’s over now. Letting me sing with you was a stroke of genius and I think we’ve won over some new fans as a result, but if you ever come anywhere near me again, I swear I will finish you.”
A round of applause followed her speech as Darren, Barney and Tommo acknowledged her sentiments. Even a couple of Trash Gun appeared to join in.
“Right, yeah. Um, good luck with it all then.” He slunk off.
I turned to Saff and kissed her forehead. “I think he might finally have got the message.”
“God, I hope so. The last thing I want is for him to stalk me for the next few months. Like I said, it’s been a blast, but I really don’t want anything to do with him.” She shook her head and exhaled loudly.
“You guys heading back to the hotel?” asked Darren.
Saff and I nodded in unison. “But we’ll travel back with you guys tomorrow,” added Saff. “We’ll meet you back here around ten?”
“Sounds good. Now enjoy yourselves tonight, kids.” Darren wagged a finger at us. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t.”
“Imagine how much scope it gives us.” I laughed.
Saff pecked me on the cheek. “I’m going to use the bathroom and grab my stuff from the dressing room, then we can head off.”
I kissed her back. I couldn’t wait.
21
Saff
It was eerily quiet in the backstage area. The sounds techs had already packed away all the equipment onto the two vans, ready for us to leave in the morning and it was as if we had never been there.
Usually, I liked the quiet aftermath of a gig, but there was something unsettling tonight and I couldn’t put my finger on it.
