Part 87 (1/2)

NATE.

Why the h.e.l.l did Riley have to come tonight? I'm attempting to unwind here, the stress of the last few gigs has me wound up more than usual, and her appearance isn't helping. We're almost at the end of the tour and I'm over the screw ups. Last night was the worst. I almost walked off stage because whoever set up my kit f.u.c.ked up and the sound was screwed. In the end, I refused to do the encore, which led to a huge blow up with the band. Tough. I'm not playing if I sound like s.h.i.+t.

Ruby's distracted because her snotty kid's here and Jax is hanging out to go home to his wife, Tegan. Wife. Jesus, the man is insane.

Look at how far Ruby Riot has come, but I think they all forget how quickly we could lose this.

The latest in a long line of uptight PR girls, Sarah left the tour two days ago and the disorganisation b.u.g.g.e.red things up further. I'm unhappy Riley's here, but she's already managed to pull people into line and sort out s.h.i.+t.

Riley's on the fringes, as she always was in Europe. On that tour, she and Tegan were friendly, but she rubbed everybody else up the wrong way. Then the weird c.r.a.p happened between us. I didn't expect the animosity to grow as big as it did though. Usually people back off when I'm being a jerk, but she wouldn't back down any time we crossed paths.

Which meant I went from being a jerk to an complete a.s.shole every time she dug further under my skin. If Riley doesn't stay away this will happen again I head back to the hotel room with Sophia, who drank too much champagne, as usual. She didn't eat enough either, and after just a couple of gla.s.ses, she's giggly and touchy-feely. The beer and meal swilling around my system push in apathy. I'm too tired for anything tonight; I want to sleep. Sophia's behaviour quiets on the trip from the elevator to the suite; hopefully she's knackered too.

I throw my keys and phone on the table when we walk in. She flops onto the sofa rather than the bed.

”You okay, sweetheart?” I ask.

Her cute mouth purses. ”I want to talk to you about something.”

”What's wrong?” f.u.c.k, please don't start the how do you feel about me s.h.i.+t. I'm too d.a.m.n tired.

”You know how we've been together a month and things are going okay?”

”Right.” Here we f.u.c.king go... I knew it.

”Well, I've been trying to tell you something and don't know how.” Her voice lowers and she watches me warily.

”Okay...”

Stay away from her. No mixed signals. I sit on the edge of the bed.

Sophia crosses her long legs. ”I'm going away next week.”

”Uh huh.”

”For a couple of months.”

”That's cool.”

”And I don't know what that means for us.” Her big blue eyes watch me warily.

I switch on my sympathetic look; she's cute in her confusion. ”Sophia, sweetheart, don't stress. Of course, I'm not promising anything, but we can see how things go while you're away.”

Her brow dips. ”No. I don't think we should, Nate.”

”What the h.e.l.l? What do you mean?”

”I don't think this will work out, especially if we're apart, do you?”

What the actual f.u.c.k? ”Are you ending this?”

Sophia rubs her lips together, the wary look growing. ”I guess. I mean not now, I'm not leaving until next week. I wanted to let you know upfront, that's all. We can still have some fun before I go, right?”

f.u.c.k that. I drag my pride to the surface and shake my head. ”Sophia, sweetheart. There's nothing to end here.”

”Nate, yes there is. We're close, aren't we?”

”No.”

She sighs and crosses to sit next to me on the bed. ”I don't want to hurt you. I have, haven't I?”

I drag my hand away as she takes hold. ”You're replaceable.”

”Nate, I'm sorry.” Sophia places a hand on my cheek and I clench my jaw.

”No reason to be sorry.” I take her hand away from my face. ”What made you think this means so much to me? s.e.x was awesome, thanks for giving me what other guys can't have. Apart from that, nothing.”

”You don't mean that.”

She's ending things with me? I don't f.u.c.king think so. ”I guess this is goodbye, then.”

”What?”

”If you're leaving.”

”I didn't say that! I said I wasn't sure we could keep going once I went overseas. That doesn't mean we have to end this now.”

”I guess we do. Are you going now?”

”No. I can't leave straightaway, Nate... It's eleven p.m.”

I cross my arms. ”So? There's still time to find somewhere to stay. Ask reception; they might have a room available in the hotel.”

”Are you really telling me to leave right this minute? Don't be silly!”

Silly? ”Looks like it.” I gather her discarded clothes from earlier and drop them in her open suitcase. ”I don't want you here. Might be awkward if I bring another girl back.”

She blinks at me. ”You're kicking me out so you can pick up another girl?”

”Maybe.”

I walk into the bathroom, sweep all her make-up and bottles into her huge black bag she carries the s.h.i.+t around in, and zip it closed. Then I stalk back into the room and drop the bag on top of the clothes. ”There's your gear, you can p.i.s.s off now.” I kick the suitcase closed. ”See you around, maybe.”

Her cheeks redden. ”You b.a.s.t.a.r.d!”