Page 108 of Loved Out Loud
A knock at the door interrupts my thoughts. It’s time for us to leave for our interview. I give the mini bar a longing glance. What I wouldn’t give for a shot of anything to take the edge off.
Maybe I’ll make Adam go for a run with me tonight. A long ass one that will tire me out until the anxiety and cravings fade to utter exhaustion.
“You ready?” Darren looks me up and down from where he waits in the hall.
“Yeah.”
He grips my shoulder until I look him in the eyes. “You good?”
“No. I’m worried about Hazel. My anxiety is bleeding into cravings.”
“Should I sleep in here tonight?”
I hate that he even has to ask that. I hate that I’m going to say yes even more. My eyes meet his as I nod. “Probably wouldn’t be a bad idea.”
“I’m proud of you for saying yes. Wanna be big spoon or little spoon?” He smirks.
“Fuck off.” I shove him away, already feeling the slightest bit lighter.
The interview is taking place in the hotel’s rooftop garden, along with a limited photo shoot. The first half hour will be a group interview and then the reporter will sit down for twenty minutes one on one with all of us. The photo shoot is fine, it’s just knowing she’s going to prod for details on my sobriety that makes my hackles rise.
As the frontman of the band, I know my personal life is up for discussion. I just hate the invasion. Darren promised this would be the only interview where those types of questions are asked of me, though, so I just have to suck it up.
By the time I arrive upstairs, everyone is already there. The reporter aims a polite and professional smile my way. It doesn’t reach her eyes, likely due to my reputation for being a pain in the ass to interview.
“Sorry I’m late.” I take a seat and cross my legs, my ankle resting on the opposite knee.
“That’s alright.” She gathers some papers and pulls a recorder out of her bag. “Everything after I turn this on will be on the record.”
We all nod in understanding.
She launches into questions for us as a group. We answer everything as honestly as we can. My guard begins to drop as the questions are easier than I anticipated. A fucking rookie mistake.
“How is it having a woman on the tour with you?” she asks. “Does it change the dynamics?”
“Not at all,” Xander says. “She isn’t the only woman who tours with us, either. Jade, our PR agent and social media manager comes along, too.”
“And they both sleep on the tour bus with you?”
“Yeah.” Tobias nods. “Both of them have their own bunks and everything. It’s not that much different from having sisters.”
“Sisters?” Her gaze sharpens on me. “All the photos you’ve been caught in with Miss Archer lead most of us to assume you’re in a romantic relationship with her.”
“Is there a question there?” I ask.
“I’m disappointed she’s not here. I’d love to hear her take on life with a rock band.”
“I’m sure she’d rather be here, too.”
The conversation veers course away from Hazel, and I’ve never been so relieved to answer questions about my addiction recovery. Unfortunately, the reprieve is short lived as Xander and Tobias go off to wardrobe and makeup and I’m left alone in the hot seat.
“What’s your relationship with Hazel Archer? You’ve alluded to being together while on stage, are you exclusive?”
“As far as I’m concerned, I’m not on the market.”
“For her or anyone?”
I reach down and take a swig of water. Smiling as I set it down.
