Cursing my way out of my tight pants, I step into the shower cubicle of the tiny bathroom. The stream of cold water hits my heated skin and I hiss in a breath. If only lust could be washed away as easily as sweat, I’d be a lot more comfortable right now. I’m tempted to jerk the edge off while I’m here, but Gav will be waiting for his turn in the bathroom. With a sigh, I make quick work of drying off and dress in a fresh pair of jeans and a clean t-shirt.
When I emerge from the bathroom, Gavin’s finished packing the last of his gear and he quickly disappears inside.
Balling up my dirty stage clothes, I shove them into my bag, along with a few other odds and ends. I’m back out at the van when my phone rings.
My heart kicks up into my throat. Toni’s a persistent bugger. Is he calling to find out if I’m planning to show? Has my failure to respond to his texts got him all riled up? The memory of his long fingers drumming against the top of his desk comes to mind and I lick my lips. I can’t talk to him when I’m like this. If he asks me to meet him one more time, I know I’ll comply. In fact, I may break an actual land speed record getting to him. That’s so messed up I don’t even want to contemplate it.
Holding my breath, I look down at the screen. My shoulders sag and I sigh before answering and lifting the phone to my ear. “Hey, Dan. How’s things? You all ready for next weekend?”
Dan and I have been casual hook-up buddies for about a year, since we met through one of the guys I share a house with. We get along, and neither of us is after more. Which is why, when this whole thing with the Autumn Skies Festival came up, I invited Dan to join me. I figured he’d be happy to stick close enough to keep me out of trouble for a couple of days. Because there’s a very real chance Zac will know I’m there. I can’t be alone when he finds me.
“That’s why I’m calling,” Dan says.
The regret in his tone stops me in my tracks. “Is there a problem?”
“I’m afraid so.” A job has come up. He can’t delay it and he can’t turn it down. “I know I promised, but there’s no changing the date on this one. I need the work, Ned.”
Closing my eyes, I rub a hand over my forehead. “Yeah, I get it.”
“You’re gonna be great at the festival,” he continues in a cheery tone. “I don’t know why you’re so nervous about it.”
“I’m not nervous,” I snap. Okay, yeah, I’m a little nervous. I haven’t played a festival in a long time. But I have better reasons for needing him to come with me.
“Right, well, good luck with everything.” He pauses for a moment. I should probably say something, but I’m too busy trying not to panic. “See ya ’round, Ned,” he mutters before the line goes dead.
My gut clenches. What am I going to do now?
The back door of the venue bursts open, and the boys stroll out with the last of their stuff. “Time to hit the road, gentlemen,” Gavin says with a smile. His hair has returned to its usual neat style, all evidence of his drumming persona stuffed into his bag along with his hair gel and eyeliner. How does he make it look so easy? This compartmentalisation of his life. Why do I walk around feeling like some modern-day Dr Jekyll, trying desperately to control the miscreant thirst of my own Mr Hyde?
We say our goodbyes and then Gavin and Oz jump into the front of the van. Johnny turns to me as they drive away. “Everything okay? You’re not vibrating the way you usually do after a gig.”
“I’m fine.” We wander over to where our cars are parked beside each other. “Dan can’t make it to the festival next weekend.”
“That sucks.” Opening his passenger door, Johnny tosses his bag inside. “Are you going to ask someone else?”
I shrug. “Don’t know who else I would ask.” My three housemates are a no-go. We share a house, but we’re not really friends. Of my actual friends, only Dan and I had the kind of relationship that would work for my… requirements. Only one other person comes to mind. He’s probably still waiting for me in the pub next door, but… I couldn’t possibly. It would be too risky.
“I know you’re wary of running into your ex,” Johnny says. I admitted as much to him one night after too many beers and not enough pizza. “But it’s a bloody big festival. What are the chances, hey?”
“Yeah.” I nod, forcing a hollow laugh. “You’re probably right.”
“I can hang off your arm if it comes to that,” he adds, waving a hand at me. “It’s only one weekend, and you did agree to play the festival for my sake.”
Snorting my disbelief, I open my car door. “You’re straight, Johnny. How convincing a date do you think you’ll be?”
“No idea.” He grins. “But it could be fun to find out.”
I shake my head at him with a smile. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
Soon after, I watch Johnny’s taillights round the corner and disappear into the night. His idea would never work. For all his enthusiasm, Johnny has no idea my ex-boyfriend is Zachariah Powell, manager to some of the biggest musical acts in Australia. The way Johnny’s been drooling over the idea of getting signed, he might end up offering to hang off Zac’s arm instead.
But he has a point. It is only for one weekend. I don’t need my perfect match. All I need is someone who’ll stop me from losing my head if—when—Zac comes for me. Toni is definitely pretty enough to hold my attention that long, even if I find his personality somewhat lacking.
The reaction I had to him is still of concern. I don’t trust him. But having anyone by my side has got to be better than going it alone. Toni doesn’t have to know the effect he has on me. He just needs to be there.
Would he come with me if I asked?
Tossing my bag onto the back seat of my car, I slam the door closed and march back towards the building. It’s quiet on this side, but the muffled strains ofKhe Sanhare audible from the open pub on the far side. If Toni is still waiting for me, that’s where he’ll be.
