Page 32 of Wish You Once More
Scott snorted. “Must be nice to come home to a hero’s welcome.”
“Obviously,” I threw my hands out wide. “Who wouldn’t want to welcome a world-famous rock star?” I puffed my chest out, then laughed at the absurdity of the statement. Trash Gun were making noises in the UK, and maybe a couple of far-flung European countries, but that was it. We weren’t exactly world beating - yet.
“Two vegan brunches and two full English?” The waiter stood by the table; four plates precariously balanced in his arms.
Scott waved a finger at Rosie and Ellie. “These two are the vegans.”
The waiter set down the plates in the correct places. “Can I get you any more drinks?” He hovered for a moment, then shyly pulled out his phone. “And could I trouble you for a photo? My girlfriend will kill me if she knew I served Trash Gun and didn’t get one.”
“Of course!” Scott beamed at me. “Glad to see someone recognised me as well as old Mat here.”
We shuffled around and got into a position where one of his colleagues could take a photo. It was like living a double life. One in front of the camera and in the spotlight, and the other in domestic bliss when I was with Jonny, Melinda, Henry and Dad. I wouldn’t trade one for the other, not now. A part of me wanted to go back to Manchester as soon as possible and get back on stage, in the studio, living the life I loved. But with what I’d learned about my dad’s health recently, and the feelings stirred up by seeing Bree again, being home wouldn’t be so bad either. I could never share any of this with Scott though, he wouldn’t be able to see it.
Once we were left alone and started eating, I barely spoke to Ellie, instead trying to keep the conversation focused on music and what we were going to do with the new material we’d got. All too soon, it was time for me to go and meet up with Jonny, Chris and Kelvin.
“Sorry, guys,” I said, as I pushed back my chair. “I’ll see you after the set.”
“Good luck!” chorused Ellie and Rosie.
“Break a leg,” added Scott. “No, on second thoughts, don’t do that. I have no idea where I’d get a replacement bassist from. I don’t have a brother to call on.” He flashed a lopsided grin, then saluted. “Don’t show them up.”
Outside the restaurant, I was able to breathe. Sitting in such close proximity to Ellie, knowing I really didn’t feel anything for her, ate me up. I wasn’t a bad person, not really. I had to tell her nothing would happen between us. I didn’t want Rosie or Scott to get her hopes up, only to have them dashed.
She simply wasn’t the one for me.
A flash of blue hair caught my eye as I approached the park.
Bree.
My breath hitched. Here I was telling myself I wasn’t interested in Ellie. It appeared the reason why was right in front of me.
She almost walked straight into me, so focused was she on her phone.
I grabbed her shoulders to stop her. “Hey. You’re in a rush.”
Her skin paled as she saw me. “I-”
“I thought you were going to stay around to watch me play.”
Bree bit her lip, her icy blue eyes fixed on mine.
“You were going to avoid me, weren’t you?” I asked. My hands slid down to her upper arms, and I watched the way her skin formed goose bumps as my palms touched her.
“Last night…” she began.
Whatever she was about to say got lost in Jonny’s booming voice coming between us.
“Fuck, Mat. There you are. You should have been here ages ago.”
I turned in the direction of the noise. “You knew I was having lunch with Scott.”
At the mention of Scott’s name, Bree flinched away from me.
“I have to get back,” she said.
“You can’t miss out on The JRs, Bree. It’s practically written in stone.” Jonny grinned.
Right at that moment, I wished there wasn’t a set, that I hadn’t agreed to help Jonny out, and that I wasn’t battling with my confused feelings.
