by Mills, L. C.
She dropped her gaze. “Sorry Evan, sorry Cameron, I know I shouldn't eves drop, but she had Miss Dateless and Desperate over and she was slagging Evangeline off saying she was... Well, she said a whole bunch of stuff as it happens...” She cringed realizing she'd said too much.
I got that sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach about whom she meant.
Cameron snorted at her. “Enough, who the hell is Miss Dateless and Desperate?!” He scratched his head.
She rolled her eyes at him. “Erin! Its Erin okay! I was in the kitchen getting a snack when Mother and her came in so I hid in the pantry so I could listen! You know she wanted to take me shopping! I mean me! Shopping?! In a mall of designer labels!” She shuddered as if it would be a fate worse than death. “She is mental?! I think she thinks that if she wins me over, you'll like her again! She cried too! Like actually cried over you Cameron! She said she had lost you! She's not right in the head because she really was all daggers for poor Evan though, said that you'd get bored of her! She also used a word I had to google later on! Kinda lucky they didn't find me in the pantry really!” She shrugged and fell silent, probably realizing she had said too much.
The echoes of what she had said bounced around my mind, tumbling over one another making me feel sick, she really had it bad for him. I had come along and won his heart in ways she could only have dreamt about.
She is off her head, though if she honestly thinks she can win him back.
I stood up suddenly and grabbed my bag. “I need to visit the bathroom!” I didn't want to hear anymore, part of me knew I'd obsess over it if I did.
Cameron looked up at me panicked and grabbed my wrist. “Are you feeling okay?!” His eyes scanned mine.
I wanted to shake my head and say no that I was confused about why Erin was seeing his mother, and why she was so upset that he was in a relationship, but I also knew it was stupid to worry about it, I knew they had been nothing more than sex, I had nothing to worry about right?! I took a deep breath. “I'm fine, I just need to pee!” I half smiled.
He was confused, but he let go of my wrist and stood up so I could get out. “Okay.” He didn't say anything else he just looked slightly panicked.
I breathed a sigh of relief as I walked off in the direction of the toilets, I tried to keep a normal pace but all I wanted to do was run. As I reached the door for the toilets I shoved it open and was pleased no one else was in there, I twisted the lock shut behind me. I dumped my bag on the sink area and let a breath go. I didn't need the toilet I just wanted to calm myself down so I rummaged around for my lipstick and reapplied it.
“Get a grip girl! She is clearly deluded! He is with you! Not her, he didn't even like her touching him! They were just sex! It's not like that for us...”
I looked myself in the eyes in the mirror and repeated it. After I calmed down I headed back out and smiled broadly at Cameron as I approached the table.
“Don't sit, we are going!” He stood up and held my jacket out for me. His face was impassive again, cold and unreadable. I glanced at Georgia and her eyes were red, it looked like she had cried.
I was confused. Was he angry with me for having to leave?! Did he know why I had left?! I didn't know, but I felt the panic spread up chest. “Why?!” I asked, slightly shakily.
He pulled me to one side just far enough away from his sister. “Because she shouldn't have repeated what she had overheard! I'm only taking her to the gig because I know you haven't seen your friends in over a year otherwise she would be on her way back home!” He held my jacket out for me to put on. “Please just go with it! Evan I saw how freaked out it made you!”
I sighed and let him put my jacket on. I understood she probably shouldn’t have said anything but she looked really upset and really what was the point in punishing her when it was Erin that needed putting in her place?!
I turned to face him so my back was to her. “While I get that you’re angry, and yes, I was kinda freaked out to hear she quite clearly holds a grudge for me but maybe you’re angry with the wrong person! Erin needs putting straight and only you can do that Cameron!” I shrugged.
He sighed. “You are correct, but I'm not backing down! She waits in the line just like any other fan with me while you go and see your friends! I'll see you in there and of course you'll come back with us, she has to learn that it's not okay to repeat! I need to speak to my mother, this isn't going to go down well with her, but she has to learn the truth!”
I looked up at him. Was he going to tell his mother that he and Erin had been nothing more than sex?! I guessed that was what he had meant. Why was it when I fell for someone it couldn't just be simple?! But then my life wasn't simple was it?!
I hadn't even thought about them being in the line to get in, I just assumed we'd go in the back way, it was force of habit for me. I glanced around at Georgia and she looked gutted she'd not get to meet them. I would sneak her something somehow. I didn't want her to hate me. I was meant to be making friends with her.
“Okay!” I didn't know what else to say, I'd give myself away if I said much more.
He studied me, but then turned to Georgia. “Go to the bathroom now, the venue toilets are always disgusting!”
She didn't argue with him. She got up and dramatically sniffled as she passed us.
“I am so angry at her right now, she doesn't do crying! She never has! This is her trying to manipulate the situation, she knows she's in trouble!” He sighed.
He actually looked harassed, so I stepped forward and slipped my arms under his jacket as I hugged him. “You know her better than I do, she knows she's done wrong and I guess that's a start! I could wait with you guys if you want?!” I didn't want to appear like I was abandoning him to go hang out with the guys.
His chest rose and fell as he held me. “You calm me down and I've never experienced that before, it's like you just know but it wouldn't be very fair if you didn't get to see your friends! Go see them! Catch up, I'll be fine! I will make things up to you later!” He kissed my forehead.
I felt the tension leave my body, I felt calmer now. “Okay, I'll look forward to that!” I tipped my head back to look up at him. “I guess it works both ways, we calm each other!” I grinned.
“I'm ready to go now, I really am sorry! I didn't want to upset anyone!” Georgia stood just behind us, she had put on the shirt I'd given her over her hoodie.
Cameron sighed and we stepped apart. He turned to face her. “Then you shouldn't have been showing off! Come along!” He walked over to the till and handed over what looked like a black AMEX card to pay. In L.A those were a regular sight, but hear the waitress stared a few seconds at it before handing over the printed receipt. He took hold of my hand, lacing his fingers through mine as Georgia walked ahead of us out of the restaurant. “It will do you some good seeing your friends, tell them from me that if I like what I hear and see then I might just consider them for a UK record deal but I'm not promising anything!”
I grinned from ear to ear. “I will tell them, thank you so much for giving them the chance it will mean so much to the guys!” I was virtually buzzing on their behalf.
Cameron chuckled. “If I'm honest, it's because of you I'm even interested, but like I said they do fit our genres, so I'll give them a fair chance!” His thumb brushed over my knuckles as we walked down the street. I felt kinda content, London was starting to feel like that fresh start I had wanted even if my past was still interlinked.
“I love you.” My face split into a full on grin. I knew I had said it before and meant it, but I had always had one foot on the emergency door, encase I wanted to bail but not anymore. Nope, my feet were well and truly in step with my heart.
“That is music to my ears.” We walked side by side, watching his sister scuff her feet ahead of us, I felt sorry for her really. I had been the confused teenager once desperate to impress the right people, it always resulted in me getting hurt and crying in a bathroom somewhere with
tears of mascara streaked down my face over some drama or another! Life was just a classroom and I was still learning even now! That never changes, no matter how old you get. Life just never stops teaching you lessons.
CHAPTER 22
After I had collected my VIP pass from will call Cameron and I stood facing each other at the gates of the venue, neither of us really wanted to separate from each other if the truth be told but Georgia was standing at the corner of the building looking gloomy and I felt bad again.
I licked my lips and looked up at Cameron. “One more kiss before I go!”
He grinned down at me, in the shadows of the alley, he looked dangerous, I couldn't even see his eyes now, they looked all black. “How can I deny such a request?” He bent his head and brushed his lips against mine softly before pulling back and taking a step away. “I really have to go before she starts crying again!” He groaned.
Georgia had been crying on and off since we had left the restaurant. “She'll be okay, I'll see you both in a while!” I pulled on my VIP pass lanyard around my neck so it was prominent and waited for the venue security staff to check it, he nodded and let me pass, I turned to wave to Cameron as the gates were being closed but he wasn't standing the other side he had walked off already and was walking away with Georgia. I frowned. It was bizarre to watch him walking away, he didn't even look back. I shrugged and smiled politely at the security dude and made my way over to the tour busses. I knew the big one belonged to Rare Delights so the smaller one must have been Vampire Empires, I chewed my lip as I started to walk over, it was dusk now, and the lights that lit the concreted area didn't really do a lot. I was distracted for a moment by hysterical screaming at the gate and for one moment I thought it might have been Georgia, maybe she'd snapped it after all. I turned worried and saw a group of teenagers all bouncing up and down excitedly at the gates. I smiled. I was out of practice, this was commonplace for the most part. I shook my head at ever thinking it could have been Georgia and turned back around, as I did I saw the door to the tour bus open and a tall shadowy figure stepping out, and for one awful moment my heart beat faster in my chest and I couldn't breathe properly, the panic swelled in my chest like a balloon. I told myself it wasn't Sean, it wasn't possible, but the way the figure was moving down the steps reminded me so much of him that I wondered how fast I could run back to the gate.
“Yo guys, it's Evan!”
I let a shaky breath go. The sheer relief of hearing Jack's Southern California accent ring out around the compound was so much that I laughed nervously about being so stupid.
“Jack! Oh man, it's been way too long!” I took the last few feet at a run and launched myself at him.
His arms wrapped around me as he pulled me to him. “Girl, where the fuck have you been?! I swear you just dropped off the planet or some shit!” He chuckled deeply and let me go.
The screaming from the gate suddenly intensified as he became visible.
I breathed out. He smelt of a heady mix of smoke and strong deodorant. I missed tour life.
“Yeah, I know, I had stuff to sort, but look at you being all Mr. Punk-rock! Having all the girls lusting after you!” I grinned toothily at him.
He grinned from ear to ear as he waved at the army of fans at the gate. “It's immense! Come on, the others are on the bus!” He paused and looked around suddenly confused. “Uh weren’t you meant to be here with your new beau?!”
It was my turn to smile from ear to ear. “Yeah, well long story short his kid sister said some stuff she wasn't meant to so he's making her wait out front with the other kids as a kinda lesson I guess! Once we get inside I'll explain! He's said he's willing to give you guys a chance!”
His face lit up with excitement. “Evan that is all we ask! I can't thank you enough for talking him into this for us! I literally owe you one!”
We turned and walked back to the bus, it was slick black. “What makes you think I talked him into it?!” I glanced up at the bus as Jack hung back, letting me take the steps first.
“Because I know you! Also, how long have you and he been like a thing! And just so you know Sean and I aren't friends anymore! Not after what he did! He carries on like he's some fucking God! You done good to get out of that!” He sniffled loudly. Jack wasn't the kinda guy to talk about people like that so I didn't shut it down.
“Yeah, I did! I'm not that little girl anymore, the one that looked at him like them girls at the gate looked at you! I was stupid! But I learnt the hard way and I've moved on! Thanks for being a good friend!” I turned and smiled at him.
His blue eyes sparkled at me. “Don't sweat it!”
I walked into the main area of the tour bus and it all went black as I was embraced by several pairs of arms belonging to Johnno and Andy.
“Guys can't see… or breathe.” They towered over me.
They both stepped back. “Had to be done! You've been missing for way too long, but welcome, to the bus of our dreams! I wish we had one like this back home! Old red is on her last legs!” Andy sighed.
I pulled a face. “That van is an accident waiting to happen! Surely your American label can help you get a semi decent one?!” I was confused as to why they didn't seem to be making more money when I knew they were quite popular.
Johnno scratched his head. “Trouble was we had to pay to make the new album before the label would even sign us so we are kinda broke, selling merch this tour is literally paying our rent back home! I had to quit my day job to come do this tour!” He walked further into the bus.
I shook my head, this was the issue with smaller labels, and they didn't have the capital to trust in the bands they signed, unlike Cameron's label! I really hoped he liked them, I knew his label was international so it would help them immensely.
“Did Jack tell you guys about being checked out by the head of Fever records?! Who I may or may not be dating and who also happens to be in the crowd tonight?!” I grinned at them.
He nodded as he sat down. “Yeah, he did mention it, but I've looked at the bands he's signed and they are all quite diverse! We're kinda punk rock!”
I shook my head at him. “Well, having that attitude won't get you signed will it? He's actually interested if he likes what he sees and hears tonight! So stop being so defeatist and rock your asses off on stage tonight!” I tapped my foot impatiently. I had made a lot of effort to get Cameron interested I didn't want them screwing up their chance. I didn’t want to tell them he was only interested in them because of me because I knew it’d put them off.
Andy started to laugh. “Now that's the Evan I remember! You've grown up a little since we saw you last! So how did you meet him?! This Ballard dude?! Isn't he like a billionaire?!” He popped the lid of a water bottle and swigged from the bottle as the others all sat around the table.
I sat myself down and picked up the cards they'd been playing with.
“I meet him at the alternative music awards! I kinda saved his sister from a bad situation! I hated him! I thought he was a total jerk but then well I'm a sucker for red roses! It was strange!” I blushed, talking openly about it was bizarre. I glanced at the cards and tried not to make a big deal out of it. “I've never played Cards Against Humanity before is it fun?!” I figured I would distract them. “So how do you play this?!” I looked at the array of black and white cards and genuinely was intrigued.
Jack leant forward on one elbow. “Nice try Watson at trying to deflect us, but we want details! We gotta make sure he's gonna treat you right!” He smirked. “So spill!”
I laughed somewhat embarrassed. “Okay, well, it's kinda only been just over two weeks! But I really like him! He just knows me better than I do!” I tapped the corner of the card on the table absent minded. “He makes me feel special and when he looks at me with his big brown eyes... Oh my god! He does things to me!” I bit my lip.
“So what does your dad think?!” His inquiry was just a little too casual.
I raised a brow at
him. “He thinks I'm too common for him! Cause Cameron's folks are like minted or something! Actually made me really angry that he thinks that way!” I frowned.
“I'm sure he's just like any dad would be, but if your happy and I dunno whatever than what does it matter!! You're young, have some fun doesn't mean you gotta marry him!” Andy shrugged.
I smirked. “Oh trust me, I have plenty of fun!” I poked my tooth with my tongue.
All three of them laughed loudly, the hint not going unnoticed.
“Oh, he's one very lucky dude!” Jack winked at me.
I pushed my hair up with my hand and pouted. “I know, it's almost a crime to be this hot!”
All three of them shook their heads at me.
“I see your sense of humour hasn't changed! Seriously though, it's good to see you looking so healthy!” Andy flipped over the bottle cap and studied me.
“All jokes aside, it’s been hard, these last few months of just trying to be an adult! Coming to London was a huge thing for me, first real time I've ever lived alone! I mean it was hard at first and I still get so lonely! Half of my so called friends don't give a fuck now! So having Cameron is nice, but it's not cause I need him, it's cause I love him! But you boys don't wanna hear all this!” I wondered briefly how Cameron was getting on with Georgia, I'd not heard anything.
“We're your friends! We care so we wanna hear! Its typical freakin Hollywood though, fakes and wannabes! You did good to get out! You still write?!”
I glanced over at Johnno and smiled at him. He was right, as always.