Part 74 (1/2)
The adoration from the fans astounds me. The majority of the girls press themselves against the barriers closest to Jax, but all the band's names are shouted. Pride seizes me and draws me into the world of my rock star who swaps between concentration on his guitar and the occasional engagement with the crowd. I'm hidden from him, focused on Will above everything else around.
By the end of the show, I admit to myself I like the band. Just not at this volume.
As they finish the set, I head back to the Green Room expecting to be alone. A girl with brown hair hanging across her face sits on the sofa, long legs crossed as she studies her phone. She looks up as the door closes.
”Oh, hey. Are you Fleur?”
”Hey. Tegan?”
”Sure am.” The corner of Tegan's eyes crinkle with a genuine smile. ”Great to meet you. Will mentioned you.”
”Did he?”
”Yep.”
How Tegan caught Jax Lewis is obvious. This girl is stunning. I've seen pictures around, the pair lauded as the beautiful couple of the moment. I'd presumed she was one of those girls whose faces are sculpted by deceptive make-up every time she's in public. Wrong. Everything about Tegan is natural; and when she stands, I understand why there's hate from the fans. Tall, slender, and poised, there aren't many girls who could compete with her.
”Want a drink?” She indicates the fridge and I shake my head. Tegan pulls out a bottle of water. ”You tamed a Campbell,” she says with a laugh. ”Never thought I'd see that.”
”I guess.”
”He likes you.”
”I noticed.”
”No, I mean he really likes you. He's different recently.” She drinks.
”He changed his hair.”
”He changed his att.i.tude. Which is funny considering the way he teased Jax earlier this year about me.”
Tegan's words fill me with a new warmth; somebody from his inner circle smooths over the doubts eating at the edge of my happiness. Will's drawing me into his world as I'm pulled into his life; and even if Nate doesn't accept me, Jax and Tegan do. I perch on the sofa. How will I cope if I'm spat out again?
”Cool, well, I'm sick of being the only band girlfriend. I have somebody to talk to now!”
The twins barrel into the room and I'm surprised by a smile from Nate. Jax follows and walks straight to Tegan; she giggles as he seizes hold of her. ”Gross! Don't do that when you're covered in sweat.”
Jax whispers something in her ear; and without another word, they head out of the room.
Will bounces down onto the sofa next to me and greets me with a kiss to match Jax's for Tegan. I wrinkle my nose and s.h.i.+ft away. Tegan's right gross.
”Hey, Fleur, what did you think?” calls Nate.
”Good.”
Nate snorts. ”Good. Your girlfriend thinks you're only good, Will.”
His light-hearted comment is a relief after the earlier animosity and I smile. ”Very good.”
Will pokes me. ”f.u.c.king amazing!”
”You were good,” I repeat and kiss him.
”You know how awesome I am, you found out last night,” Will murmurs into my ear.
Instantly, heat flares in my cheeks and I turn to Nate. ”I prefer Taylor Swift, did he tell you?”
”Holy f.u.c.k, no way!” laughs Nate. ”Seriously, dude? You're dating a girl who likes that c.r.a.p.”
”Will likes her too...” I say and bite my lip.
Nate shakes his head at Will. ”You'll say anything to impress a chick.”
”He knows all the moves,” I continue.
A speechless Will stares at me as I ruin his credibility.
”Sure he does.” Nate grabs a s.h.i.+rt from the pile of clothes on a nearby chair. ”Stop wasting time. Get changed. We're going out, remember?”
Half an hour later, we bundle into a taxi and arrive at Blue Room, the place I said I'd never go. A small group of people stand around the entrance; far enough from the bouncers to not cause trouble, but close enough to spot us. They come armed with phones and paper, calling out to Nate and Will as we approach the doors. The twins pause and go over to them, posing with their eager fans who take selfies with the boys. Is this for real? Nate curls an arm around one girl's waist, closer than the others, and she holds out her arm for him to sign.
I stiffen as a girl taking Will's picture rests her head against his, and he wraps an arm around her shoulder. This is understated compared to star frenzy I've seen in the past, but uncomfortable to see him close to other girls. Will is all smiles for his fans, but heading towards me, he frowns.
”Come on!” Will grabs my hand and we pa.s.s the group, who are now comparing the pictures they took. The girl who was with Will looks up and her mouth parts as she looks between Will and me.
”Will has a girlfriend,” she says to her friend who joins in her scrutiny.
I glance at Will who grips my hand tighter; but to my relief, the girl calls out, ”She's pretty! I hope she's nice!”
I wince. How old are they?
A flash dazzles me as a photo is taken of the pair of us.
”Whoa!” I say. ”Really?”
”Don't stress, you look gorgeous,” Will says.
”Will the pictures be shared?”
He shrugs. ”Dunno.”
I didn't think this through.
We step past the bouncers; and on the way in, Nate whispers something to the burly, suited guy and points at the girl he was with. The man nods and we step inside.
”This was much easier when I had my wingman to take the chick's friend,” he says loudly as the music thuds through from the main room into the entrance hallway.
Is he deliberately snarking me? Nate doesn't look over and Will shoves him.