Eight years seems to come to a precipice all at once, from working out a rhyme in our dorm's communal area to selling out arenas across the globe. I've blinked, no longer a boy who needs to grow into his long limbs, now a person who doesn't know how to comfortably fit into a world where everyone knows his name.
“That's pretty beautiful.”
She makes this too damn easy. “You're pretty beautiful.”
“You're a shameless flirt.”
I pull her to a stop down the dirt path, palming her hip with my hand that is still bruised around the knuckles. I know Phin will have first aid in the hotel, it should have been my main priority this morning, but she distracts me so easily.
“Tell me to stop and I will.” I challenge, trying to nip at her lips with my teeth but she seems more reserved now we're outside of the bird house. Inside the glass haven she had melted into our embrace, but I sense the closer we walk to Nightingale she wants to hold me at arms length. I understand how strong these feelings seem to be transpiring between us, so if she needs things to be calmer around the other guests, I can hold back.
She doesn't come out right and ask anything of me, but as we continue to make our way down the path, her hold on my hand is far from how we'd clung to each other against the piano. She doesn't let go however and that's enough for now, especially when she confesses just above a whisper, maybe more to herself than to me. “I don't think I can.”
Emerging from the treeline, I almost forgot why I'd been eager to see her this morning, aside from wanting more of her kisses. I pull the card folded in half from my pocket.
“Before we head back to the chaos, why don't we try to find one?” I hold the clue between my fingers and she takes it curiously. The entire game is fucked up, we’re both aware but I know there's a part of her that secretly loves the hunt. It must sate the part of her that loves mysteries and maybe one day I could take her to one, replacing the memory of this weekend.
“A refuge where plants take flight. Nurtured in warmth, out of sight.” she reads the clue out loud and like last time I'm stumped. Not a clue–ha.
Thankfully the guys and Mavis take this moment to appear, Bran pushing his own girlfriend out of the way to reach usacross the gardens as we round the side of the house. We come to the white stone patio that reaches around to the back of the property.
“I am so hungry, you better plate up fast before I eat it all.” He admits, walking with us to the long table we’d all eaten lunch the previous day.
Ignoring how boisterous he is, Mavis hugs Willow before sitting down in one of the bucket chairs. Even wearing sunglasses I can tell she’s glaring, but mainly focusing her daggers toward Cardinal, who’s reading a newspaper with his ankle over his knee. Mavis’s silver hair has a slight wave to it and almost matches the shade of her jumpsuit. Bran on the other hand is wild, his beard and dark hair rugged; his flannel shirt open to reveal hard abs because he’s shirtless. His shorts areshort, a staple when he plays drums because he gets hot and sweaty all the time. He’s the stark opposite of his polished girlfriend.
I smack Jay on the back as he comes to stand next to me, his attire basic and black, like most guitar techs wear on the road. I’ve found he keeps a tight ship in his environment, probably the cleanest guy on the tour bus.
“Morning all,” he sings in his Geordie twang. “Has anyone found the next clue then?” he nods to the card in Roo’s hands.
Bran bounces on the spot, with at least two pastries stuffed into his mouth. “Oh yeah, after last night I’m dying to find more! That was so fun.”
I can’t help but wince, because it was fun hunting for it until the entire game hung on the secrets he's hidden too. I’d felt like flipping a table, so punching him had felt like justice. I’ve always been protective of Phin. I can fix whatever problem he falls into, but his brother is too unpredictable.
“We’ve not started yet, I have a few ideas. Anyone else?” Robin places the card on the warm wooden table, so the group can see.
Bran places broad hands on her shoulders, “Let’s get a head start then! I hear you found the first one Drew, time to work your magic and find the next.”
“Yeah Drew, let’s see what you make of this one.” Cardinal chuckles, the first time I've probably heard him make a noise louder than a grunt. We all stare a little and he bristles, scowling in return.
“You all know my name isn’t Drew, right?” She asks the guys, screwing her face up.
“Obviously they do, he’s just flirting with you.” Lily’s voice is borderline monotone as she exits the conservatory onto the patio, flicking a long finger at Cardinal. I hate that idea.
Jesus. When did I become this territorial gorilla?
Moving closer to the group at the table, I grab her hand and pull her into me. “My wife.”
Mostly everyone rolls their eyes, probably ignoring the real affection here, but Lily however looks furious. Before she can open her mouth, Willow leans over to whisper in her ear, probably where she thinks the clue is located because her eyes fall back on the red card. All three women move together, heading back into the house, at no point motioning for Robin to join, but I nudged her shoulder anyway. “Do you want to go with them?”
“No. I think Lil’s being a little off with me, after this morning.” She shrugs, but I can see the hurt it causes her. I may not like the blonde, but she’s clearly like family to her.
“So I get you all to myself?” I tease.
“Hell no! She’s going to help us find this clue.” Bran interrupts, pointing his finger a little too close to my face. “Don’t you dare keep her from us, we need the brain power.” I know he’s competitive as hell, but it's only just occurred to me that my band mate will have a secret hidden in the hotel too. We all do, making the stakes threateningly high.
“How have you not worked this one out?” Cardinal asks him, picking up his card with no intention of playing the game. “It’s in a greenhouse.”
Myself, Robin and the guys launch ourselves down the patio steps, ignoring his distasteful grunt. I reach out pushing at Bran’s wide shoulders, stopping him from touching Roo because I don’t doubt he would launch her across the gardens to get there first.
