Headshrinker

Chapter 9

Bonehead called and we talked for a while. He asked about how uni was going and I asked about Kate and how they were doing, all the usual family stuff. He let me know when the band next had rehearsal. I told him I didn't know if I'd go or not. I tried to seem like I wasn't bothered either way.

The truth was I didn't want to go back knowing Liam could pile in at any moment. It was nothing on him if Liam decided to tell the story. If anything it was good for him, it served to demonstrate he was already the rockstar everyone wanted to fall into bed with. They were all going to think he actually seduced me. That wasn't what happened.

As soon as I was done with seminars and studying at the library I headed over to the Boardwalk. I was so early that the people at the bar didn't want to let me to go down to the rehearsal room, that or they didn't trust me because I wasn't a real member of the band. When I got in the room I put my bag down and looked around while I waited. I definitely didn't mess about with the keyboard. I didn't want to, I was too nervous to start that again.

"Here y'are." Noel said as he walked through the door. "I take it you've been too busy busy for us."

"Yeah, with work and stuff." I gave a lackluster lie.

"If ya can't commit, you shouldn't be coming round here. I wouldn't have you in my band."

"I'm just here to support you as a friend. If you think I'm a negative influence, I'll go."

He looked at me. "D'you know what's happened with this jumper then?"

"What jumper?" My heart jumped, thinking Liam had told him all.

"Our Kid's lost one. He's not stopped going on about it. Thinks you've got it."

"Why would I have his jumper?" I asked, kicking my bag to nudge it further under my chair.

He shrugged. "He's convinced."

"I'm not a clothing kleptomaniac especially some sweaty old jumper."

"You do know it then." he chuckled.

"When are the others coming?"

"Around about now." he tried to sound like he wasn't ready to scold their lateness.

"You run a tight ship."

"Yeah, well I'm not playing around. People are going to give us chances and they're not gonna take us fucking serious if we can't even turn up on time."

"True."

We went quiet as we waited for the others until I thought of something. "D'you have a girlfriend?"

"Is this you coming on to me?" he laughed.

"No." I was a little shocked he'd gotten that impression.

"I have."

"Where was she the other day? Everyone else had someone but not you." I thought back to the gig, there were people around friends, girlfriends, me but he was separate and almost distant.

"She won't come." he explained sounding that he couldn't be less bothered. "She thinks it's all shite and we're wasting our time."

"But Bone said you've been with her ages. How did you do long distance if she thinks the reason you're gone is stupid?"

"By being more on and off than a flickering light."

"You're one of those couples." I rolled my eyes, wondering how he had the energy to keep up with that.

"Yeah but I don't care cos I fucking love her. We're gonna end up married."

"What about when you get signed?"