Page 62 of When We Fell Again
Every story I’d read about rockstar excesses was being played out in front of me. I had to deal with trashed hotel rooms, unpaid bar bills, anti-social behaviour, hustling women out of the way, and confiscating illegal substances. And that was just in the first four days.
Dishing out pain meds to Jordan and breaking up the fight between him and the guy at the merch stand in Exeter seemed a world away, and distinctly tame in comparison.
Arlo got on my last nerve, but I realised that if I dealt with every issue calmly and efficiently without reacting, life would be so much simpler. The inside of my cheeks were almost red raw from me having to bite them so often.
I also hadn’t been prepared for how much I’d miss Jordan. Since we’d spent so much time together recently, going cold turkey had been hard. We tried to speak or message every day, but with my schedule, patchy signal on the motorway, and him being in and out of the studio, we didn’t always manage it.
The tour itself wasn’t that bad. The crew who worked with the band were a slick, well-oiled machine, who had been around them long enough to make things appear or disappear when needed. I’d also discovered that Claudia Carson was doing some publicity for them and would be at the next gig, so I’d have some support at least.
They were due to play Birmingham on the Wednesday evening; possibly the least rock and roll night of the week. But try telling Arlo that. I’d already caught him taking something before the gig, and by the time he came off stage, he was wasted.
“Come on, Lex,” he slurred. “Come out with us tonight. I’ve barely seen you this week. If my tour manager is as fucking hot as you, I want to be able to show you off.”
I hated how Arlo seemed to think I belonged to him. When the tour was done, I’d be speaking to Theo about who I worked with in future. Deep down, I suppose I’d always known this was going to be a challenge, but I hadn’t appreciated how much.
“Someone has to be sensible and make sure you’re on the road in the morning.” I folded my arms, prepared to be strong and head back to the hotel.
He snorted. “Sensible? Not what I heard from the Idol Rev tour. Shagging the lead singer, weren’t you?”
I didn’t want to correct him with the facts that Jordan and I hadn’t done anything on that tour exceptsleeptogether. Let him assume what he wanted.
“Onedrink. Then I’m going back to the hotel.”
Arlo slung an arm around my shoulders, and I shrank back at the stench of his breath, a mixture of nicotine, whiskey, and possibly cheese and onion crisps. “That’s what they all say, sweetheart. Once you’ve had one, I bet you’ll be gagging for more.”
I was certainly gagging, but it wasn’t to do with any perceived attraction to Arlo Carmichael. Extricating myself from his embrace, I distanced myself from him, getting my phone out of my bag. I waited for Arlo to leave the room before I sent my message.
Alexis: How much longer to go on this tour? I can’t wait to be home!
Jordan: Too long. Where are you tonight?
Alexis: Birmingham. But it may as well be Birmingham, Alabama, because I feel so far away from you…
Jordan: Wish I could get there, but this studio session is buzzing. I think we’re going to pull an all-nighter. Call me later?
Alexis: You can count on it
Having some level of contact with Jordan comforted me. Knowing he was at the end of the phone made dealing with all of Arlo’s shit that much more bearable.
“Oh, thank God you’re here too.” Claudia came in, breathing a sigh of relief. “Arlo insisted I go out with them tonight and I honestly couldn’t stomach it. Did no one mention that his breath stinks of pickled onions?”
“I’m just as happy to see you. The thought of being close to him…” I shuddered. “But at least if I’m there, I can keep an eye on him. Then I won’t have to clear up the mess afterwards.”
Claudia laughed. “You can clear it up right in front of you. How’s it been?”
“Think Idol Rev, then multiply the bad behaviour by about a million, and you’ve got The Dicers. It beggars belief how they still have a deal.”
“Unfortunately,” Claudia threw out her hands, “they fill up arenas and sell records. They make the company money. And as long as the pounds keep rolling in, they’ll turn a blind eye to a certain extent.”
“Mmm.” I knew what she was saying was right and I hated the fact. They could get away with so much simply because of economics. Bollocks to what was right or decent behaviour. I exhaled hard. It was going to be a long night.
Three hours later, all I wanted to do was go back to the hotel, lock the door, and take a long, hot shower to wash the grubby feelings off of me. Grateful Claudia had joined me, we’d tagged along with Arlo and the rest of the band to a nightclub in the centre of the city that stayed open until four in the morning. The club staff couldn’t do enough for them, organising a VIP area and an endless supply of drinks. As soon as my glass was even half empty, it was refilled by a waitress in tight denim shorts and a cropped t-shirt. I’d spotted Arlo’s girlfriend, Suki, had joined him and appeared not to mind as he chatted up any female within the vicinity. If Jordan behaved like that…
“Do you want to get out of here?” Claudia yelled over the music.
“Can’t think of anything I’d like more,” I yelled back at her.
We discarded our glasses and started to make our way towards the exit.
