Page 9 of Real Rocks
“So soon?”
She nodded.
“I’ll miss you.”
She lifted our clasped hands to her lips and gently kissed my knuckles. “And I’ll miss you too.”
Although we hadn’t been together long, the thought of being without her made my chest heavy. I just had to tell myself it wouldn’t be for long—and believe it.
7
Saff
Tuesday came around all too quickly. I spent as much time as I could with Tris on Sunday and Monday, before he went back to his aunt and uncle’s place on Monday night. Jonas had asked Tris if he could have the house to himself while I was away as he wanted to invite Benoit over. He didn’t want it to be awkward for Tris playing third wheel. I thought it was sweet Jonas had found someone he liked enough to ask to sleepover, better it was without the added pressure of me and Tris being there.
We left London shortly after midday in a people carrier, driven by the guy who was effectively our tour manager and roadie as well. Our equipment was in a large transit van, currently trailing us down the motorway towards Bristol.
The journey was a mostly raucous affair punctuated with singalong and games of I-Spy and Never Have I Ever. I hated that game. I usually lost.
When we finally arrived at the venue, Scott Lincoln and Trash Gun were finishing up their sound check. As the support act, we got to do ours last as we would be on first. Usually it meant there wasn’t a lot of hanging around between getting everything ready and being on stage. But as this was the first night, we were there a lot earlier than normal to get the lay of the land and meet the other band.
“Well, well, Saff Barnes.” Scott’s voice drawled over the PA system, echoing across the empty room. “Long time, no see, babe.”
I inclined my head in his direction. Scott was far worse than I’d ever been for column inches and gossip. He was always being linked with a model, an actress, a reality TV star, whoever needed the most publicity at the time. For a few weeks, he and Rosie had dated until she dumped him when she found him shagging someone fromLove Islandin her bathroom at a party at her house. My cheeks coloured as I thought of what Tris and I had also done in her bathroom.
Tris.I missed him already. It was going to be hard being without him, even if only for a few days.
“We’ll be done soon,” said Scott. “Then we can have a chat. Talk about how things are gonna work.”
I rolled my eyes at his arrogance. Darren and I stood near the mixing desk, while Tommo and Barney went to chat to the sound techs. They were much more interested in that side of things than I was, although I always wanted my voice to come over perfectly.
“He’s pretty good, isn’t he?” observed Darren, as Scott began singing one of the band’s most recognisable tracks.
I laughed. “I think you underestimate him. His ego will have you believe he’s the greatest of all time.”
Even in the understated set-up of the soundcheck, Scott exuded the kind of star quality which had got Trash Gun signed in the first place. He prowled around the stage, his usual routine downplayed for the current assembled audience but it would be ramped up several notches as soon as the audience were in situ. There were some things I could learn from him.
“Why did it have to be these guys we wind up going on the road with?” Darren complained. “Have you seen the number of guitars they’re going to be using?”
“You need to start writing more songs in different tuning then,” I teased. “Then you can have as many guitars as you like.”
“You make a good point. Two is nowhere near enough.” He laughed.
“I’m going outside for a cigarette,” I said. Watching other people sound check was as dull as fuck and I was already starting to get bored. I was pleased they hadn’t sorted out a meet and greet where the audience members got to come and watch. Making polite conversation with star struck fans wasn’t always my strongest point.
Once outside, I stood to one side of the doors, making sure there weren’t too many people around who might recognise me. A couple of bouncers were already there, checking the barriers and making sure everything was set up for the night. I was impressed with their diligence. Doors didn’t open until six and it was only half past four.
As I sparked up, my phone pinged, and I reached into my pocket for it.
Did you arrive yet? It’s really boring without you. Can we talk later? x
A grin lifted both sides of my mouth. How did Tris always know when I needed to hear from him?
I typed a reply.We arrived about twenty minutes ago. The traffic on the motorway was shit and Darren couldn’t decide between Burger King and KFC at the services. I’m sound checking which is as boring as watching paint dry, something you’re no doubt familiar with x
This is true…wish I was there to help relieve the boredom. Am sure I can think of something x
I groaned. Now wasn’t the time for him to be teasing me.
