I'd Like to be Somebody Else

Chapter 27

    We all sat around in the hotel lobby, drinking and chatting. Bonehead had found a pack of cards in his suitcase so we’d been playing card games as well.

 “I’m bored. Can’t we do something else?” Liam asked the moment he was out of a game.

 “Like what?” Bonehead asked, he was already out of this game.

 “Don’t fucking know, truth or dare or some shit like that. Anything but this.” Liam shrugged.

 “We’re not twelve.” Kenzie objected. “If you can’t wait for the next game, go watch the telly or something.”

 “No, stay. He keeps disappearing off, I want us all together today.” I spoke up, sounding too needy. “There’s go karting or bowling or the cinema near here.” I suggested.

 “Go karting, nice one. Come on, it’s better than bloody cards.” Bonehead said enthusiastically.

 “I’ll just get my camera.” Tony said and rushed off to his room.

    When he came back, he had a grin on his face. No one questioned it but I had a feeling it was nothing to do with go karts.

…

     They used their band status to bypass the usual booking requirements and steal the next track time. I didn’t think they had that much fame already, their album still wasn’t out yet. I suppose it’s difficult to tell in the eye of the storm.

    While we were getting booked in I saw Kenzie and Tony talking, stood as far away from everyone as they could. I wondered if she was telling him but it didn’t look like it.

 “There’s not rules against pregnant drivers, are there?” Tony asked the man at the desk.

    Bonehead, Guigsy and Liam stared in surprise. We were all stunned into silence. The reception bloke was unfazed by the revelation.

 “There is, crashes can be quite harsh. We don’t want to take the risk so there’s no prenant drivers on our tracks.”

 “Me and Kenzie are sitting it out then. You lot need an audience to make sure you play fair, anyway.” he shrugged.

    The bloke crossed off their names and told us where to go for the driver training.

    I hugged Tony. “Congrats man. I’m so proud of you.”

 “Did you know about this?” he asked showing us a sky blue Man City newborn baby grow.

 “Not a clue.” I smiled, I didn’t know anything about a baby grow.

 “Found it in my suitcase.” he grinned. “Enjoy the race, we all know Stacy’s going to win but we’ll have fun watching.”

    Naturally they all betted otherwise even though only me and Bonehead could actually drive. I didn’t bet, I didn’t want to take their money.

 “What are you proud of him for? All he’s done is fuck without a johnny.” Liam complained as soon as Tony was far enough away.

 “D’you need a hug?” I asked, pulling a fake sympathetic face. “What do you want me to say? I’m proud of you lot for not knocking someone up?”

…

 “If I win you’ve got to suck my cock tonight and show me how you get off with some lass.” Noel whispered as we got in our karts.

    The deal was on, after the practice lap I was pretty confident he wasn’t going to get what he wanted. I decided I would let him win for a few laps and steal victory right at the end.