free || sam mctrusty || twin atlantic

chapter six

CHAPTER SIX

I'll pick you up at four for sound check, okay? :)

I quickly click the send button and watch the text turn green. It takes only a moment for her to reply.

sure, i can't wait :)

Smiling, I hop up from bed and turn on the radio, finding a channel playing Kasabian's Bumblebee. It's half two now, just enough time to shower and get to Jamie's.

I never get myself too ready before a concert because I'd prefer to just do it right before we go out on stage.

The shower is like ice when I step in, cold water raining down on my body, so I shower extremely fast, lathering up my shampoo and rinsing it away. I step out, drying myself with a clean, fluffy white towel and tying it round my waist.

My clothes for the gig are waiting at the Hydro for me, so I throw on a pair of grey tracksuit bottoms and a black, long sleeved shirt. I slip my feet into a pair of converse and walk out into the living room.

Barry and Ross are already waiting for me.

" Okay, so you're picking up Jamie and Barry, Craig and me are driving there together, right?" Ross says, tying a shoe lace on his shoes.

" Yeah. I'll meet you guys there," I reply, nodding.

Barry smiles and pats my shoulder as I head for the door. " Bag her, Sammy Boy!"

Rolling my eyes, I leave the house.

Jamie is waiting outside her home for me, and I have to say, she looks hot as fuck.

Her hair is in big, loose curls. Her makeup is kept light and minimal, but she is wearing a bold, plum lip that matches her Dr. Martins. She is wearing a pair of high waisted, black denim shorts and a black and grey, checkered shirt tucked into them.

My eyes widen when I see her and my cheeks turn hot. She waves when she spots me and walks over climbing in my side of the car.

" Hey, you," she smiles, pulling me into a tight, quick hug. I hug her back.

" Hey, yourself," I whisper into her shoulder. " You look. . . amazing," I tell her as we pull away.

Giggling, she reaches out and touches my chin, closing my half open mouth for me. " Down, boy."

I chuckle, face hot, and begin to drive back towards the Hydro. " Are you excited?"

Out the corner of my eye, I see her bite her lip. " I'm actually a little nervous."

I smile comfortingly. " Well, we've decided to put a chair for you just behind Craig at the back of the stage. If you start to feel ill you can either go behind stage or tell Craig, and he'll tell me."

She frowns. " But I've never met Craig before."

" You'll get to know him quick. He's a really great guy."

She nods, smiling slightly. " Okay. In that case, yes, I am excited."

I laugh. " But honestly, if things get to much for you, tell Craig. We can always call for a bathroom break."

She pauses before nodding. " I will."

" Promise?"

" Promise."

Around twenty minutes later, we pull up outside the Hydro and park the car out back. I can remember the first time we played here, around a month ago. How amazing the crowd was. I wonder if they'll be that good tonight.

As we begin to walk towards it, I say, " Okay, so this is just sound check. It won't take long. We'll play a couple songs then it'll be over. We just go behind the stage then and hang out until the concert. There won't be any warm up acts tonight, either."

She nods, soaking up the information.

" You get to meet Ross, Barry, and Craig, plus our manager Aimmi. They're all so kind, except for Aimmi. She can be a little cold, but she's got a good heart."

Jamie smiles. " I can understand that. Sometimes the world really messes people up."

I nod. " It really does."

When we get up to the door, I brandish my pass to the guards and grip Jamie's hand tightly, leading her up the stairs and round to the stage. Ross, Barry and Craig are already setting up, and Aimmi is sipping at a glass of water.

" Lads!" Barry shouts immediately. " Sam's got his lady friend way 'um!"

I roll my eyes and look at Jamie, who is smiling slightly. Ross jumps to his feet and slides off the stage, walking over to us.

He bows down to Jamie.

" Ross, what are you doin'?" I ask, widening my eyes.

" Aw, sorry mate, but with the way you talk about her it's easy to mistake her as a God of some sort."

He gives Jamie a cheeky grin and she giggles, shaking his hand.

" Name's Ross, m'lady," he says, letting go off her hand.

" Jamie," she says her name.

Barry laughs, sauntering over. " Aye, believe me, we know." Jamie laughs again, shaking both Barry and Craig's hand as they tell her their names.

" I think you lot have scared her enough," I say. " Now, shoo."

The lads laugh and head back up to the stage. Aimmi is watching Jamie carefully, staring at her. Jamie looks really uncomfortable. I shake my head at Jamie as though to tell her to ignore Aimmi's behaviour.

" Let me show you were you'll be sitting," I say, helping Jamie up onto the stage with her un-cast hand.

I show her a chair at the back, directly behind Craig's drum kit. " No one will see you, honestly."

She smiles. " Thank you, Sam. This is really sweet." She leans up and kisses me on the cheek sweetly.

I feel myself burn red and nod to her nervously, telling her I have to go tune my guitar.

As I walk towards the front of the stage, Ross says, " You're red as a tomato, mate. What happened?"

I smile distantly, staring into the empty Hydro. " Nothing. I just got touched by an angel."