The Rocks Duet: Fake Rocks & Real Rocks (a fake relationship rockstar romance)

by Julie Archer

  He shrugged. “Gone to get more drinks? Gone to the ladies? Gone home?” His words were starting to slur. I could tell he was on the verge of having had too much to drink. “Don’t really care though, Saff. You came back.”

  Briefly, I closed my eyes. Scott wasn’t the person I wanted to be with. That person was at his uncle and aunt’s place when I should have asked him to be here with me, to protect me. I needed him.

  After a beat, I felt lips on mine and a hand caressing the back of my neck. Instantly, I tensed, my eyes bursting open as I pushed Scott away. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”

  “Come on, Saff, you know we’d be good together. Think of all the chemistry we have onstage,” he drawled.

  “Fake chemistry.”

  “Ha, you’d know all about fake, wouldn’t you?”

  I froze. “How do you know?”

  “Word gets around, Saff. Particularly when you’re in Roccia’s pocket.”

  Joel. But he couldn’t know. We hadn’t told anyone about the fake relationship. Only those closest to us knew. When Tris and I went to the charity dinner in Manchester, we didn’t give any hint of the fact we weren’t a real couple, although by the end of the evening we were. Thinking of what happened in Manchester made my groin tighten. I wished Tris were here now.

  “Tris and I are solid.”

  “Now, maybe.”

  “Now and forever.” I stood firm.

  Scott raised his eyebrows. “I know you, Saff. You’ve always been good for a shag, a few dates here and there…”

  I cringed at his description, knowing anything before Tris fell into that category, knowing what he was saying was true. Or at least it had been.

  But I had changed.

  Scott’s hand was on my thigh, insinuating its way under the hem of my skirt. I slapped it away, but he grabbed my wrist. “Come on, babe, what’s one kiss going to hurt?”

  He lunged in my direction, lips locking onto mine as I struggled to get away.

  It was only the flash of a camera on a phone which made him stop. “Hey!” he yelled at the culprit, who turned tail and scurried away through the crowd.

  In that instant, I knew Tris would see the picture and assume the worst.

  And why wouldn’t he? I really was the worst for letting Scott do that to me. I pushed my way out of the club and headed back to the hotel. I sat cross-legged on the bed, phone cradled in my hands, wondering what the hell to do as tears streamed down my cheeks. It was nearly three in the morning. Tris would be sleeping. Much as I needed him to know what my side of the story was, I couldn’t wake him to tell him. Pulling one of the pillows from the bed, I curled up around it, clutching it to my stomach for comfort.

  I’d tell him everything in the morning.

  12

  Tris

  It was like Troy fucking Carson all over again.

  I blinked to make sure I wasn’t dreaming.

  Both Andy and Jason had sent me the same grainy image from a gossip site which showed Saff locking lips with Scott Lincoln.

  Except, when she’d been with Troy we were nothing.

  My hangover kicked in with perfect timing as I glared at the picture, scanning the brief article beneath it. It speculated on the relationship between Scott and Saff, teasing whether something serious was going on between them. There was no mention of my name.

  Jealousy and anger fought for the top spot as I struggled to keep my emotions in check. It took all of my willpower not to get on a train to Cardiff and demand to know what the fuck was going on.

  By the time I got downstairs for breakfast, I was on the verge of making Uncle Col and I late.

  Aunt Annie stood in the kitchen, pouring hot water into our mugs for tea. As she turned, I saw her mouth was set in a hard line.

  “I knew she’d be no good for you,” she said, pushing the toaster button down with such force it was a wonder it didn’t shatter.

  “What are you talking about?” I don’t know why I asked. I knew exactly what she meant.

  “That… girl.” Aunt Annie shook her head and stirred the tea. “I’ve seen the picture of her and the other singer. All over each other they were, it’s disgusting. No way to treat you at all.”

  I wished I had some explanation for it. Anything to take the blame away from Saff. But her lack of radio contact had to go some way to asserting her guilt. Otherwise she would have warned me about it, wouldn’t she?

  Thoughts churning through my brain, I sat down at the table. At least I had something Aunt Annie would be happy to hear.

  “Let’s not talk about Saff right now.” I changed the subject and reached for the cereal, pouring myself a healthy bowlful. “I’ve decided to meet my dad. Just to chat. I’m not promising we’re going to come out of it as best buddies or anything.”

  “Oh, Tris, such wonderful news! I’m so glad you’ve decided to give him a chance.” She threw her arms around me and hugged me close to her. “I’m sure you’ll be able to work things out.”

  I had no idea if we would be able to. But if it stopped him hassling me, then I was all for it.

  Plus, it would stop me thinking about Saff.

  Work dragged. We ended up being late in the end, not through any fault of mine. There was a horrible accident on the motorway and we were stationary for a good forty-five minutes. Shortly after we started work, we ran out of the paint we were using and the client hadn’t got any more. So I had to go to the nearest DIY store, desperately trying to find the exact match. The assistant wasn’t much use. I wished we’d been closer to home so Andy or Jason could have helped. He was attempting to convince me duck egg blue and eggshell blue were the same colour. Even though it was pretty hard to tell the difference, the client would know, and I wasn’t about to jeopardise any further work we might have with them. As I was about to pay, my phone rang. Expecting it to be Uncle Col wondering what was taking me so long, I went to answer it.

  Saff’s name filled the screen.

  I couldn’t risk talking to her now.

  I didn’t want to hear about her and Scott Lincoln.

  I didn’t want to hear how it was a drunken mistake.

  I didn’t want to know I was nothing to her again.

  Without answering, I put the phone back in my pocket.

  It rang again a few minutes later while I was putting the paint tins in the van. She was persistent, obviously desperate to talk to me. I ignored her.

  When it started one more time, I took a deep breath and stabbed the accept call button.

  “What do you want?” I snapped.

  “Is that any way to speak to your father?” Louis laughed. “I thought you were happy to meet me?”

  “Sorry, I thought you were someone else.”

  “Expecting Saff to call you, were you? Not surprised after her behaviour; she ought to be begging for your forgiveness.”

  Seriously, was the picture of Saff and Scott everywhere if even Louis had seen it? I gave a noncommittal grunt in response.

  “Wondered if you’re not busy tomorrow whether you’d like to catch up? Strike while the iron’s hot.”

  It wasn’t as if I had anything to do. By then, I might also have an idea of what was going on with Saff. If I answered her calls. “Sure, sounds good.”

  “Great, I’ll come by the house about seven? We can grab a bite to eat.”

  The way he suggested it sounded as if we did it every weekend, like there was nothing wrong between us. Seemed he had quite a short memory.

  Once I got back to the client’s house, I put my phone on silent. The last thing I wanted was for it to be ringing constantly all afternoon. If Aunt Annie needed anything, she’d ring Uncle Col. And as for Saff, well, there were already six missed calls from her although she had neglected to leave a message.

  The two of us worked through the afternoon, occasionally singing along to the radio, although I came to a stop when the DJ played Trash Gun’s latest. I didn’t need reminding of what had effectively ended my relation
ship.

  “I want you to know I’m not quite as ecstatic as Annie is about you and your father reconnecting.” Uncle Col kept his eyes on the road as he dropped his bombshell on the drive home.

  “I thought you’d be happy for me?”

  Uncle Col drew in a breath. “I know what he’s like, Tris. He wanted money from you when he found out you were in with Saff and Jonas. And he’s sniffing around again now. Don’t fall for any of his bullshit like your mother did time and time again.”

  This was the first time I’d heard him speak about my parents’ relationship. I knew things hadn’t been the greatest between them—I was young, not stupid—but to hear Uncle Col intimate Mum had been duped by Dad on more than one occasion caught me off-guard. They weren’t the happiest of couples and I remember raised voices and arguments, even on the night of my mum’s accident.

  “I don’t intend to,” I said cautiously. “With Aunt Annie nagging me to make a go of resurrecting our relationship, I thought I might as well do it.”

  “You’re a grown up, Tris, and I trust you to do the right thing. I’m only warning you to be careful.”

  His words began to sow seeds of doubt in my mind. Was there something he knew I didn’t? Was I making a huge mistake in agreeing to meet up with him?

  Only time would tell.

  13

  Saff

  There was a loud, insistent knock on my hotel room door which brought me semi-awake. Insistent, it didn’t seem to want to stop. Given the way my dreams had been lately, it wouldn’t have come as a total surprise if I’d imagined it.

  I hadn’t been able to make contact with Tris. I was cursing myself for not calling him in the early hours of the morning to explain Scott kissed me, not the other way around and I hadn’t wanted him to do it.

  The banging became even louder, and I groaned. Whoever was there wasn’t giving up in a hurry. I dragged my sorry arse off the bed and pulled the door open an inch.

  “Oh, you are alive!” Rosie barged past me into the room. “Christ it smells like a brewery in here.” She stalked over to the window and pulled the curtains open, light flooding into the room.

  I squinted. “What are you doing here?”

  “Surprise!” She turned and gathered me into her arms. I could tell she was trying not to breathe in my alcoholic stench. “I thought you could use a friend.”

  Hearing her words, I sagged into her arms. “How did you know?”

  “Saff, I stalk every one of my exes on social media.”

  I was pretty sure she was joking, but if it was the truth, I was glad she did.

  Rosie released me and stood, hands on hips, facing me. “And why did you let that lech paw you? And have pictures of it?”

  I dropped onto the edge of the bed. “Do you seriously think I would let Scott put his hands all over me?”

  Rosie sank down beside me, taking my hands in hers. “No. I don’t think you would at all. I know how persuasive he can be, and what he uses to persuade you.”

  “We were drunk, nothing more, I swear.” I hadn’t had anything stronger than a joint in weeks. “He didn’t offer me any drugs.”

  “Good,” she paused, “What did Tris have to say about it?”

  My shoulders slumped. “I don’t know. I haven’t been able to get hold of him.”

  Her brows knotted together. “Really? How come?”

  I scanned the room for my mobile, finally spotting it peeking out from beneath the bed. When I turned it over the screen was blank. “Battery’s dead,” I said, waving it at her.

  Rosie passed me her charger and I plugged it in. Within seconds, notifications were blowing up as the phone pinged incessantly. I covered my face with my hands. What the hell had happened now?

  Seeing my reaction, Rosie rubbed my shoulder. “Go and get a shower, I’ll order up some breakfast and we can see what that arsehole has claimed happened.”

  She knew more than she was letting on, I was sure. I dragged my body to the bathroom and stripped off the clothes I’d fallen asleep in. Turning the temperature on the shower up to scalding, I stepped under the jets and let them pummel my hair and skin, the water mingling with fresh tears.

  A million questions whirled around in my brain. Why did I go to the club with Scott in the first place? I knew what he was like. Why didn’t I call Tris to explain? He wouldn’t have cared what time I woke him. He came all the way to find me at the party when I was with Carl, a late-night phone call wouldn’t have bothered him. What was I going to say to him when I spoke to him?

  Sometimes, I was a total idiot.

  When I stepped back into the bedroom, breakfast had arrived. The delicious aromas of toast and coffee suddenly made me hungry. I secured the towel around my body and joined Rosie on the bed. The TV was on in the background, some reality TV show, and I reflected how easy their lives seemed compared to my own. Seriously, I could give them a run for their money if I ever decided to invite cameras into my world.

  “Your phone’s been going crazy,” said Rosie as she poured me a cup of coffee and then passed it to me.

  I gulped it down, enjoying the dark bitterness, before grabbing some toast from the tray and slathering it with butter and marmalade. The slightly salty but sweet taste was heaven and almost immediately I reached for a second slice.

  “I’ll deal with it in a minute. This food is too good.”

  Rosie rolled her eyes as she nibbled on her own breakfast. “You might need to speak to Scott.”

  The toast wedged in my throat. “What? Why?”

  “I’ll let you see for yourself. He’s not exactly denying what happened between you.”

  “But nothing did happen between us!” I wailed. “He lunged and I shoved him away. That’s it.”

  “I believe you. I know what he’s like.”

  Rosie was a good friend. I had to hope Tris would believe me as well.

  A little later, I wasn’t so sure he would.

  After trawling through the social media posts, getting sucked into the comments and finally checking my nemesis The Goss, I veered between burning rage and utter biliousness.

  Scott’s lies were incredible, stating we were hoping to be together as soon as the tour was over. He’d hashtagged our picture on one of his social media accounts with all sorts of crap, #newlove #hotchick #romance #forever.

  Somehow, he’d managed to turn a half second of nothing into the love affair of the century.

  I scanned my messages. The one from Jonas was straight and to the point.

  Call me as soon as you get this.

  It was timestamped over two hours ago. No doubt he would be tearing his hair out by now. Reluctantly, I found his contact details and pressed the call button.

  He answered almost before it could have rung.

  “What the hell, Saff? Two nights you’ve been on tour and I’m already reading about you and Scott Lincoln kissing? What about Tris?”

  Rosie winced, able to hear every word even though I hadn’t put the call on speaker.

  I pulled the towel tighter around me “Nothing. Happened.” I enunciated each word, emphasising the first.

  “Photographic evidence, Saff. You can’t tell me it didn’t happen.”

  “Fuck, Jonas. Do you really think I’m so shallow I would cheat on Tris? Particularly with Scott Lincoln? He pounced on me and I couldn’t get away quick enough. Some smart arse with a phone caught it on camera and here we are.” I chewed on the skin around my thumbnail. My heart pounded, so loud I was sure Rosie would be able to hear, and I wanted to cry and scream all at the same time. Conveniently, I’d forgotten the Troy Carson incident.

  “Have you told Tris the truth?”

  “No. I haven’t spoken to him.”

  “Don’t you think you should?” Jonas’ tone softened. “If I’ve misconstrued it, I’m sure he must be going crazy wondering what the truth is? After all, he knows your reputation, Saff.”

  “Fuck off, Jonas. I’ve changed, and you know it. Tris does too.” />
  Despite my bravado, the temperature in my body dropped at his words. He was absolutely right. The original reason for Tris and I getting together was to stop the gossip about me and bad boys. Ones like Scott Lincoln.

  When he didn’t respond, I changed tack.

  “Is there anything you can do, Jonas? Put out some kind of statement on my behalf, denying everything?” I begged.

  Although I couldn’t see him, I imagined he was shaking his head.

  “Sorry, Saff, I think your online silence on the matter speaks volumes. It might be a bit too late.” He paused. “I understand the gigs are going well though; keep me posted.” And then he hung up.

  I turned to face Rosie, feeling a tear slide down one cheek. “I guess you heard it all?”

  She nodded. “Couldn’t really not, sorry, hon.” Her hand covered mine, warming me a little. “Why don’t you get dressed and we’ll head out? Some retail therapy might help.”

  It might help Rosie, but it was the last thing I needed now. I tried Tris, but it went straight to voicemail. Leaving a message didn’t seem like the right thing to do, so I hung up, staring at the screen, willing him to call me.

  I needed to know he didn’t believe it.

  14

  Tris

  Sometimes I wished Uncle Col wanted to work on a Saturday. It would certainly have stopped the myriad of thoughts spinning around my brain.

  Andy and Jason suggested meeting up for a game of pool, but I couldn’t face it. I didn’t want to spend the time discussing Saff and Scott Lincoln. I lay in bed, looking at my phone, scrolling through various social media platforms, devouring anything relating to them. The posts and pictures were all from Scott’s side. There was nothing from Saff, no physical evidence of what had gone on between them. The last post from her was a shot of her singing at their first gig in Bristol.

  I stared at the picture and my heart contracted.

  I missed her.

  Each time I’d tried to call her, it went straight to voicemail. I had no idea if she’d even seen I was trying to get in touch. When it got to the beep, I hung up. I didn’t want to leave her a message. I had no clue what to say.