RARE (THEROCKAFELLABOYSSERIES#1)

"Luke Holland on drums, everybody!"

Zoey Kagel

Erica seems to be walking on egg shells around me. She snubbed Luke and I the entire journey to Dublin airport, popping in her earbuds to drown us out. Then she turned her back to me for most of the time the band got ready for their gig.

Luke thinks it's because of our relationship and to be honest that gives me a host of anxiety. This is a job at the end of the day. The last thing I want is to come across as inappropriate, but in the same breath, I believe everything happens for a reason and letting what we're building here is not an option.

"Did you see all the sickly TikTok videos everyone is making of you two?" Elijah says as I press powder into Luke's forehead as a finishing touch.

Luke wraps his arms around my lower back. "I don't use TikTok."

"They're all over Instagram too. It's like their dreams have finally been realised or something. One girl put the titanic theme tune over a pap shot of the both of you walking down a street," he replies.

I get close to do the final checks on his face to have him surprise me with a kiss. When he edges back, I lean in for another, turning at the clicking camera sounds. Tony is there with his phone again, grinning like a Cheshire Cat.

"I'm giving the people what they want," he explains, bringing his phone closer to his face when he starts tapping away at it.

When I look at Luke, I notice he's absent. Almost as if he's here in the flesh, but not the mind. My smile is hesitant when he senses me staring, widening once he winks.

"You okay?" I mouth.

He leans in closer. "Nervous."

"Come on, lovebirds. Break it up. It's time to go," Elijah says and I wish he didn't say that because now Luke is pulling away when I know he needs to talk things out first.

I start packing up my stuff when they all pile out of the room to catch up with Maeva, who's putting the final touches to her outfit. The boys are all in a t-shirt and jean combination, while she wears a tight fitted black skater dress paired with a ripped, bright pink leather jacket.

The shoes are what's grabbed my attention the most. Knee-high converse boots that are completely embellished with silver Swarovski crystals.

Erica pops her head in here. "We need it to be spotless in here. I'm not getting a cleaning charge."

I glance at the clock on the wall. "Okay, but can't I clean it properly later? They'll be playing soon."

She laughs. We won't have time."

Why won't we? It's not like we leave for Cork right away. She booked us into a hotel for the night. I feel like she's being awkward for awkward's sake.

"Please, Erica. I don't want to miss his opening show."

"Like hell you'll be missing it. Zoey, come on," Luke says from the doorway, giving over his hand.

Erica huffs. "Whatever, I'll do it."

A big part of me thinks I should stay... this is my job. I hesitate with my eyes on Erica who's eying me. I can't read her.

Luke sighs. "Don't bullshit. We always clean up after the show. And stop making her feel bad. You've had an attitude since leaving London."

"Excuse me," she hisses, faltering afterwards.

Luke lifts his eyebrows in a "tell me I'm wrong gesture" before linking his fingers with mine and tugging me out of the room.

"I don't want any special treatment," I say.