Gus shrugs. “Probably. But for all they know, I’m leaving it in my room on purpose. And technically, itismoving.”
“You really care about doing this alone, don’t you?” His expression sobers before he clears his throat. He looks away, running his thumb and forefinger down his nose. I’ve seen him do that before – maybe it’s his giveaway.
“I’ve felt very hemmed in for the past twelve years. We formed the band when we were still kids and although weaged with it, the team still had a way of handling us like children. They don’t literally lock us in our hotel rooms anymore, but they still treat us like prized assets. I just want to pretend for a moment that I’m a normal twenty-eight-year-old man.”
“And not a giant baby?”
His smile bounces back. “Exactly.”
I take a moment to examine the room. It’s… cosy. But it’s clean and there’s a plug in the wall by my bed. I practically launch myself at it, taking the charger out of the packaging and plugging my phone in.
“You know, we’re lucky this charger only cost me ten euros, otherwise we might not have even had enough for this room.”
“So, what you’re saying is you have ten euros left to buy food?”
“No, I didn’t say that. We need to keep every penny we have just in case. And although I’ll have my phone to pay soon. I haven’t tried it abroad yet. What if it doesn’t work?”
“Right,” he says, rubbing the back of his neck. He looks around like he’s trying to find a place to set up. He settles on a part of the tiled floor closest to the window, where a slight breeze blows in. As he sits, I hear a grumbling sound. He rolls his head back, pinching his eyes closed.
There’s no doubt that was his stomach but the fact he isn’t saying so and is deliberately choosing to suffer in silence, only betrayed by his own anatomy, layers me in a whole new level of guilt.
Dammit. Besides, I can’t deny I’m also a little peckish. I tap my phone screen but it’s still dead. It dawns on me that I’m also starving, and waiting for the phone to charge might take a while.
“What would ten euros even get you around here anyway?”
Gus opens his eyes, his expression cautious. “Probably pizza.”
*
As I take the first bite of cheap, cheesy pizza, I’m grateful that we had ten euros left over. It only afforded us two large slices each but it’s enough to sustain. The mozzarella stretches and falls down my chin. I moan in satisfaction as the rich, tangy tomato sauce overwhelms my tastebuds. Gus is back in his spot, camped out on the floor below the window, his curls ruffling in the breeze.
“Good?” he asks, grinning at me with his mouth full.
“So good. Damn.”
“How’s your phone?” he asks.
“She’s coming back to life.”
“Good.”
“Actually, I booked two tickets on a coach to Dubrovnik that leaves in the morning.”
Gus manages to drag all the cheese off his next slice and takes a minute to right himself. “Fuck. That’s hot. Sorry. What did you say?”
“I booked us a coach.” Thankfully I could book it online using my payment app. Although, upon checking my account, with my savings pillaged, I barely have five hundred quid left before payday, which is still a fortnight away and my credit cards are virtually maxed out thanks to my non-existent wedding.
“Wow. You’ve booked for me too?”
I shrug, choosing not to make it a big deal. “I felt sorry for you.”
He laughs, short and sharp. “I am but a pauper’s son.”
“I mean, I assume you’ll pay me back at some point?”
“Absolutely. I thought that was a given. Of course, I’ll pay you back, plus interest.”
I scoff. “That’s completely unnecessary. I just need you to pay for you, that’s all.”
