The Draw

40

Stacey had never really been anywhere with Dan whilst he was working. It turned out to be pretty fun. The tour bus wasn't exactly kitted out for children but Evie enjoyed it. She ran wild up and down the stairs, between the bunks, in the small living spaces. Her toys had invaded every nook and cranny. The few hours they travelled between cities she spent watching television and whilst Dan was on stage she slept in her own bunk with her princess duvet. Will, Kyle and Woody did their fair share of babysitting so Dan and Stacey actually got some quiet time together. Sometimes they just sat and watched films together. Sometimes they went for little walks or for a beer. It was nice to be with Dan without having to be Mummy too. Stacey felt just like her old self for a couple of hours at a time. When they had a couple of days between shows they managed to get out and explore the cities. They were in Milan, Paris, Prague, Berlin, Singapore, Bangkok. All these amazing cities that most people wouldn't be able to visit. What a wonderful world for a three year old to experience. When the tour bus got too much, there was a car in the convoy too, so they could swap into that and stay in hotels instead.

The first time Evie saw her Daddy and uncles playing properly in front of thousands of people, she had loved it. Stacey held her at the side of the venue with massive ear defenders on. She danced and sang away, waving at him whenever he looked over. The next day a British newspaper had printed a photo and deduced that she was his. The record company had known about the situation and of his family coming on tour too, but they hadn't bargained on the press finding out. Neither he nor Stacey were impressed either. They didn't want their child in newspapers and magazines. Within hours of the story being released they'd had phonecalls from various media outlets and even clothing lines asking for photo shoots and interviews. They had declined all of them. What business was it of anyone's to pry into their lives?

The backlash against Stacey amongst diehard fans was pretty shocking. She was made out to be some sort of whore. She wanted to speak out and explain but Dan had told her not to waste her breath.

'We've got nothing to explain. It's our lives. Let them think whatever they want to.' He was right. It didn't matter what they said, the fans had made their minds up already. And it was none of their business.

The tour headed over to America. Stacey was loving every minute of it. Her only regret was never doing this sooner. She and Dan were getting on so well and it did make her heart long for something more. But she simply refused to let it happen. But every time he smiled at her or they shared a moment together, she wished she could just let herself go and declare her love for him. Did he even feel the same? Was she just chasing dreams? Everything about this took her back to the days when they were just housemates and she had fallen for him so hard but was too scared to say anything. It had been him, back then, who had taken the first step.

'You ok Stacey? You look a little lost in thought there.' Kyle asked. She had been staring out of the window as the bus sped down a freeway in some middle American state. Dan and Evie were napping together. She could just see Dans leg hanging out of the bunk from where she sat. Stacey nodded and smiled. There was always something on her mind. 'Tired?' He certainly wanted to talk to her.

'I guess.'

'We love having you guys here. Evie's brilliant.' Woody chipped in, stealing himself away from his xbox for a second.

'Yeah, she is.' Will agreed.

'Thanks.' Stacey beamed. It was always nice to get complements about Evie. She was so well behaved most of the time and she liked to think that was her doing.

'Dan's a lot happier.' Said Kyle.

'Definitely.' Woody agreed. 'Ever since the crash he's been happier.'

'What? And I haven't?' Kyle laughed. The boys continued to take the piss out of Kyle, but Stacey's mind wandered again. She stared at his long leg and massive foot poking out the bunk and she could just hear him snoring. Once again the boys had given her an insight into Dan that she hadn't noticed before. Wasn't it Kyle that told her, whilst in the hospital, that Dan had been miserable without her. And the time before that, when in Chicago, Kyle had blurted out how much Dan had loved her before they were together.

'He's still in love with you know.' Kyle said quietly to her a few minutes later. Will and Woody had gone back to playing FIFA. Stacey sighed.

'Is he? I don't know what to do Kyle.'

'What do you mean? You love him, right?' She'd always liked how honest Kyle was. Stacey nodded. It felt odd to admit it to another person. She could feel her cheeks burning red. 'Tell him.'

'I can't...I don't want to go through it all again.'

'You guys broke up before because of him working away.'

'And he cheated on me.' She reminded him.

'He was an idiot back then. He's changed. He's got Evie now. And you're here now, there's no university or work. You can actually be together this time.'

'I'm scared Kyle.'

'Of being happy?'

'Of it going wrong. Or not being the same as before.'

'Of course it won't be the same as before. And it'll only go wrong if you let it. You need to talk to him.'

'Oh Kyle.' She put her arms around him and hid her face in his neck. What an amazing person he was. They may have screwed up big time when they slept together, but aside from that, he was an awesome friend.

'Tonight. Talk to him tonight. Please?' He urged. She shook her head.

'I can't. I can't do it.'

'Want me to talk to him?'

'No, please don't. I'm happy like this I don't want anything to change.'

'Alright, what's this?' A sleepy voice came from the doorway. Dan was stood with Evie in his arms, both of them with messy dark hair and tired faces. He hadn't heard them talking had he?

'Stacey and I were just coming up with a plan.' Kyle winked.

'Oh God, not one of your stupid ideas.' Dan yawned. Stacey glared at Kyle in a 'don't you say a word!' way. He grinned. Evie climbed from Dan and onto Stacey's lap.

'How was your nap baby?' She asked Evie.

'Fine thanks.' Dan replied. Stacey smiled nervously. Now she knew that he did still love her she could maybe think about changing her mind. Maybe.