"So... who are you with?" The burly security guard steps forward, barring your way.
"I'm with the band," you say, your voice loaded with suggestiveness, and it doesn't go unnoticed.
He raises an eyebrow, taking in your too-tight dress and cherry red...
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By the time the last note of Tyrants has rung out around the venue and the lads have waved farewell to the crowd amid deafening whoops and cheers I've extracted every morsel of information from Larry about the nature of Van and Lisa's relationship that I can. I know it's probably made me sound crazy jealous but I just can't help myself. Once I'd witnessed their easy-going flirtatious type of teasing the intrigue had taken over and I just had to know.
Turns out I didn't really need to worry much. At nine years his senior Lisa just wasn't interested in getting involved with a younger man back when they met. She'd gently re-buffed him as he'd pined after her in his late teens although they'd still remained close friends, hanging out at the same parties and sharing their love of music. He'd still hankered after her though. He'd even penned a song about her, aptly named 26 to highlight the troublesome age gap that had scuppered his chances of them ever being more than just good mates.
In Larry's words he was "spellbound", and I can't help but wonder if this sort of intense infatuation is commonplace with Van... and indeed what that might mean for me and him. He seems pretty enamoured of me right now, but will all that change when another gorgeous girl turns his head on this tour? Is he really that fickle?
And why the fuck does that thought bother me so much?
I'm waiting for the lads as they came off stage, ready to soak up the celebratory energy they're exuding. This time I don't shun Van in favour of Johnny in some childish attempt to elicit a reaction, I hug all of them in turn, even Bob who stiffens in my arms as I envelope him and squeeze him tightly.
"A hug's not considered cheating Bob!" I tease, giggling at the flush on his cheeks as he pulls away.
"You were amazing!" I whisper in Benji's ear as he returns my hug with enthusiasm. "And what did I tell you about the girls? Those two blondes at the barrier were definitely checking you out!"
"Gonna celebrate with us tonight then Arabella?" Johnny asks as I nuzzle into his neck, pressing a kiss to his stubbled jawline.
"Is the pope Catholic?" I pull back to grin up at him. "Gonna show you boys how it's done aren't I?"
"First night on tour's always a blow-out, you'll be in your element. It's probably a good job that everyone likes to get it out their systems early on though. Couldn't hack too many of those brutal hangovers with the busy run we've got coming up."
This makes me smile. "Amateurs... just as I thought. You're doing it all wrong."
"Oh so you're the expert now are ya?" He teases, hands still on my waist even as I step back. "Spent five minutes on a tour bus and now you'll be taking over from the tour manager I suppose? Sorting out our schedules for us?"
"You'd certainly have a lot more fun if I was." I say, tipping him a cheeky wink and holding his gaze for a moment before I'm twisting out of his grasp and turning to check on Van's whereabouts.
