Cal makes a sudden U-turn, and it’s hard not to notice she’s been pushed to her limits when she says, “What do you want me to do? I wouldn’t mind Ash, but you clearly said nothing was happening with you two anymore.”
I’ve got to the point where I don’t care who sees me holding Cal. Fuck them. Fuck them all. I hold out my hands and attempt to take hers. She doesn’t pull away exactly but takes a step back. “Stop Ash. Just Stop. I think we were kidding ourselves. This isn’t going to work.” Shit. Has she already made her mind up in the space of ten seconds?
“You haven’t given us a chance. I don’t know what Jade was trying to prove back there, or what she was even doing here, but?—”
“Are you staring at my tits?” she asks, taking me by surprise. I’ve got to admit, her chest heaving for breath while she got all worked up, snapped my attention away for a few seconds. It was all down to that fucking deep blue, V-neck tee. It’s low as fuckand showing far too much of her beautiful body. Shit. This is not the time to be distracted; especially when you’re trying to understand what’s really up with your girl. I gave her all the wrong signals. Now I have to sort this mess and keep my focus away from her fantastic rack. All too quickly, my time is up as she, understandably, waves her hand in front of me. “You know what, don’t worry. I think I’m seeing a different side to you, so I’ll cut my losses and just get out of here. I really do wish you nothing but good things, Ash. You’re an incredible artist.”
I miss when trying to catch her arm for a second time. “Cal please,” I call after her, taking steps to follow when she runs for the exit, but when Bernie shouts my name, I know he is the one person I can’t ignore. I have no choice but to see what he wants before I chase after Cal, but I can’t help thinking I handled this situation badly. I get Cal is pissed off, but I wonder if there’s more to her outburst than Jade being around.
I make a quick detour towards Angie and Tom. “Angie, do me a favour. Cal’s upset and I don’t want her going home alone. Can you go after her, maybe try to slow her down until me and Tom have finished here?”
“Jesus Ash, did you not listen to me at all back there?”
I could really do without having to pacify Angie at this stage as well. “Please Angie, this is important but so is Cal. I need your help here.”
Her hands land on her hips. “Okay, I’ll look after Cal, but you better make it up to her, or so help me, Ashton Chambers?—”
“Thank you,” I kiss her cheek, but she gives me the side-eye, then Tommy slaps me around the head. “Move it, Romeo. The man wants a talk,” Tommy says, lifting his chin towards Bernie.
“Ahh Ash, Tommy, we’re one track too heavy, so I wasjust discussing with Brett and Max which one to dump,” Bernie says as we reach him and the rest of the huddle which of course includes Dani.
“Why would we dump a track? You said we needed ten songs for the gig next week.”
“That’s right. You need ten for the signing gig, but for Brae Fest, you need nine.”
I hear Tommy first. “What the fuck?”
“Yup,” Bernie smiles wide. “You’re playing Braebeach festival this year. Don’t get too excited, it’s stage two, but it’s Saturday night and the second biggest gig you can land at this point.”
“This is awesome,” Brett shouts at the top of his voice as we flock together. We’re a little nervous, and a little excited but totally blown away.
“We can’t thank you enough, Bernie,” Max says. “Thanks, man.”
“This is what I do, boys. Just don’t let me down. Work hard and I’ll do the rest. Now, how do we resolve this song drop? We need to fix it, so what are we thinking. DitchHonestyand keep the rest?”
“NotHonesty,” I add, standing firm. “It’s our lucky number, the crowd love it. What aboutFighting Hard?” I look over my shoulder on instinct, desperate to get out of here and catch up to Cal. We have our first major gig and the only thing I want to do is share it with her.
“Fighting Hardis a good call,” Tommy says. “It’s an old one for us now.”
“I can take or leave it,” Max agrees with a nod.
“Hmm, I’m not so sure. Why don’t we all go for a drink to discuss it?” A smirk falls over Brett’s face. Suggesting a drink and a different song drop is his way of fucking with me.He can see I need to get away and he’s also getting the measure of Dani.
“What a great idea. I’ve got a few other things we should discuss,” Dani says, flipping through something on her phone.
“I’ve saidFighting Hard, and everyone agrees, so I’m sure we’re done.” I will kill Brett for this.
Bernie gives his workaholic daughter the side-eye. “I agree with Ash. It’s the weakest of the set. Now, as Ash said, we’re all done, I could do with getting home.” If one person can shut Dani up, it’s her dad.
We shake hands, slap backs and hug before we head off in different directions. Tommy grabs my shoulder and talks low in my ear. “Tell Angie to meet me back here.”
“Will do,” I tell him, but as I’m about to make a run for it, hands slip around my waist from behind. Pushing her slim wrists away from me, I make a sharp turn, knowing exactly who I’ll find at my back. “Jade, you have got to be fucking with me.”
She holds her hands up, “Hey, slow down there,” she laughs. “I’m not playing at anything.”
“Then what the hell was that about and why are you still here?” I growl.
Her perfectly plucked eyebrows raise, “I saw your girlfriend leave and thought you might need a bed for the night.”
