Fidgeting with his backstage pass like a kid unwrapping a Christmas present, Daniel walked at Fern’s side. His grin was impossible to miss, as if he still couldn’t quite believe where he was going. ‘I can’t believe this is your life,’ he murmured, turning the laminated pass over in his hands. ‘I’m about to see Atlas Midnight live and go backstage. Then I get to see Lust Theory. It’s surreal.’
As they made their way to the lift, the excitement wrapped itself tighter around her chest, but not for the reasons it once did. There was a time when nights like these would have had her heart racing– for the gig, for the music, for the thrill of being in the same orbit as the likes of Jax Devlin. But she knew now that spark had been extinguished. In fact, as she thought about it, she actually shuddered at the idea. Why had she felt so little about herself to even entertain him?
The roar of the crowd grew louder as they moved deeper backstage, the energy pulsing through the concrete walls. They weaved through crew members, sound engineers and artists in various stages of pre-show rituals. As they reached one of the backstage lounges, the door swung open to reveal none other than Atlas Midnight, the band that had soundtracked half of her teenage years. The lead singer, Cole Maddox, looked up from tuning his guitar and grinned. ‘Fern! Been too long.’
Fern beamed and greeted them all like old friends. ‘Boys, this is Daniel. He’s sitting in on the interview tonight,’ she added, waving him over. ‘Be nice. He’s a fan.’
The band made room for him on the battered old sofa, and as Fern pulled out her phone and began to record the interview, she caught the glint in Daniel’s eye as he listened, completely starstruck. When the last question was asked and photographs were taken, the band excused themselves to warm up. Fern and Daniel found themselves at the side of the stage, soaking up the electric atmosphere.
Daniel leaned in close, his voice warm against her ear. ‘This is just amazing! Thank you!’
Fern smiled. ‘You’re welcome! I’m just off to use the bathroom. I’ll be five minutes, don’t move!’
As she weaved her way through the backstage corridors, her phone buzzed again in her pocket, but before she could even glance at it, a figure stepped from the shadows, blocking her path.
Jax Devlin.
Before she could react, he pulled her in, lips crashing against hers without a second thought. The scent of leather, cigarettes and that familiar intoxicating aftershave hit her all at once.
‘There you are,’ he murmured against her mouth. ‘Where the hell have you been? You normally come and see me in my dressing room.’
She stepped back, flustered but trying to mask it. ‘Sorry, busy tonight. Work. Life. You know, the usual.’
But Jax wasn’t letting her off that easily. His hand curled around her waist, eyes scanning her face. ‘I’ve missed you, baby. Thought you’d done a runner on me. You’ve been quiet.’
Fern’s pulse was racing for all the wrong reasons. She tried to step back but Jax only tightened his grip. He flicked his cigarette to the floor and crushed it under his boot. ‘I’ve been hearing rumours about you.’
‘Which are?’
‘You haven’t gone and shacked up with some loser who owns an antique shop, have you?’ He smirked.
Fern froze. ‘How do you know about the shop?’
Jax’s grin widened. ‘Ella’s been keeping me up to date. Your mate’s got loose lips when there’s wine involved.’
Her stomach flipped. ‘When have you had wine with Ella?’
Jax leaned in again, voice low and mocking. ‘Whenever you’re not free.’
Fern’s stomach churned. Surely not. She didn’t even want to think about it.
‘Whatever happened to standards?’
Fern couldn’t quite believe he had the nerve to talk about standards. She wrestled herself free and took a step back, the anger bubbling just beneath her skin. ‘Grow up, Jax.’
‘Don’t be like that. You know we have good sex every time I’m in town and tonight won’t be any different. You’ll be there waiting in the hotel room as normal. You know you can’t resist me.’
The arrogance made Fern’s skin crawl. What did she ever see in him? She was about to walk away but he wasn’t done. Another kiss landed on her lips, but this time she pulled away, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.
A voice crackled over the radio, calling him to his dressing room.
Jax winked, cocky as ever. ‘Same hotel as last time. Same room. See you after, baby, and I hope you’re wearing my favourite underwear.’
Shaking, she watched him swaggering down the corridor like he owned the world.
Thankful he was gone, Fern turned around, only to stop dead in her tracks.
Daniel stood there, eyes dark, jaw clenched. It was written all over his face that he’d heard every word of her conversation with Jax.
