This = Love

Chapter 48

I sat in the dressing room for a while before eventually playing the recording.

Obviously there were no surprises in what was said, I had already read the article.

I actually couldn't help but feel a bit sorry for George as I watched him squirming in his seat, he looked really nervous and uncomfortable as he started by asking for reassurance that nobody would ever find out that he had sold the story which, of course, the lying scumbag journalist gave him.

The pity I felt for George was short lived and soon replaced by anger as he seemed to settle quite quickly, offering up information without even being asked for it, and then bragging about how close me and Eleanor were and telling the journalist "I can find out anything you want to know, for the right price"

The recording ended as George stood up and shook the journalists hand saying "That was easier than I thought it would be, just give me a call if you want to know anything else about them."

So this wasn't a one-off, George clearly believed that he could get a nice income from exploiting my friendship with Eleanor. I needed to know if she was involved and I felt sure I knew her well enough to know by her reaction if I asked her.

I lifted my phone and quickly dialled her number, knowing that if I overthought this I would only get upset and that's the one thing Danny asked me not to do.

"Hey Kay, twice in two days, to what do I owe the pleasure?" Eleanor answered in a sarcastic tone.

"Did you know?" I asked her bluntly.

"Know what Kay?" She sounded confused.

"Did you know that your boyfriend was cashing in on our friendship? Did you know that he sold the story on my wedding?" I asked her feeling my anger escape as I snapped out the words.

"George wouldn't do that Kay, what's happened?" Eleanor sounded genuinely shocked by what I had said and she seemed so sure that George wouldn't do this, but I knew different.

"George did do it Eleanor, did you know?" I asked again.

"Kay I don't know where this has come from but I know George and there's no way he would ever .... "

I didn't give Eleanor the chance to finish her sentence before cutting her off. "George did do it, I've just watched a recording of his interview with the journalist, I've seen everything he said. So I'll ask you again Eleanor, did you know?" I spat the words at her.

"No" Eleanor said timidly, I could hear her voice cracking and knew she was crying. "Kay I need to speak to him, I'll call you back" she said.

"Don't bother" I said as I hung up the phone. I really believe that Eleanor didn't know about it and I reckon I've probably just caused huge problems in their house tonight, but I couldn't care enough to feel sympathy when I thought about how bad things had got between me and Danny when the story broke. It could have easily split us up and George didn't care about us so why should I care about him.

I left my phone in the dressing room as I went up to the side of the stage to watch the end of the show.

The last 4 songs that I watched were awesome and the lads must have really enjoyed the show because after their final bows they stayed out on the stage leading the fans in a sing along. I tried to ensure that this picture was imprinted in my memory so that the next time I start to wish that Danny wasn't famous I can remember how happy he looks right now. Seeing him out on the stage tonight made me realise that all the shit that comes along with his fame is nothing compared to the smile on his face right now.

They eventually started to make their way from the stage. I congratulated Rodney and Mark as they passed me and then Danny's arms wrapped around me as he left the stage.
"I missed your fangirling tonight" he said as he buried his head in the crook of my neck.

"You had plenty of girls screaming for you, you didn't need me as well" I laughed in reply.

Danny took a final look out at the crowd who were now starting to disperse and I smiled as he draped his arm around my shoulder and we headed back to the dressing room.

"Your phone's been ringing Kay" Glen said as we walked in.

"A lot" Mark added.

I picked up my phone and saw that I had 19 missed calls from Eleanor and 4 from George. There were also 6 text messages but I didn't bother to look at them, instead I put my phone to silent and put it in my pocket.

"Everything alright?" Danny asked, handing me a drink.

"Yeah, fine" I smiled.

"You're sure?" Danny checked again. I smiled and nodded at him.

"I'm going for a shower if you fancy it?" Danny winked at me.

I smirked at Danny "Not here" I said, as much as I wanted to go with him, I wanted to keep my dignity. Danny laughed as he wandered off to the showers.

I went and sat next to Mark on one of the sofas, mirroring his position of being slouched with feet up on a nearby table.

"You alright?" I asked him.

Mark smiled as he put an arm around me "Fuck yeah" he said which made me laugh.

"You OK with having a party on our bus tonight?" Mark asked me.

"Fine by me" I said "Who's coming?" A party on the bus usually happens the night before the lads have a day off. People from the other busses all come and stay on ours for the night where we all drink too much and generally just let off steam.

"They're sorting it out now and putting shit on our bus" he said as he took another swig from his beer.

We sat chatting for a while. When Danny came back from the shower he joined us for a few drinks.

I was already feeling quite tipsy when we headed onto the bus to get the party started.