[[[all of my flaws]]][[[part ii]]]

23.

'KYLE NO!' I screamed from a hundred feet away as I sat on the stoney beach watching them try to drag Woody into the sea. I didn't want anyone catching a cold, least of all my brother. But I could hear them all laughing away and I tried to turn off my tour manager head.

I loved watching them. They were clearly all great friends. Part of me didn't want to leave this tour now. Just a week ago I'd been wishing the next month away, knowing I'd be spending a lot of time with my ex slash husband. But now...now I never wanted it to end. I knew it was only temporary and this was just the first step up to getting my own band but now I was here with them, I wanted to keep them. Especially Woody. We'd spent so much quality time together, catching up on eight years of missed time, laughter and fun. And now Dan and I had finally spoken properly, I was looking forward to being friends with him again.

Once I'd pulled them away from skimming stones and climbing rocks, we sat by the pier eating fish and chips. I berated Will for pouring a whole bottle of vinegar on his chips and I got ripped apart for buying sausage.

'You cannot come to the sea side and not have fish.' Kyle told me.

'I prefer sausage.' I'd shrugged.

'Bet you do.' He teased, much to my horror.

'Oh god, no, not like that, no.' I could feel my cheeks turning red. Will laughed. Woody shook his head in disgust at his band mates insinuation. And Dan just smiled, catching my eye and making me turn away.

'Don't have a boyfriend then?' Kyle smirked.

'No.'

'Why not? You're a pretty girl.'

'Erm. Thanks?' I'd never taken compliments well. But he glared at me to elaborate. 'I just never found anyone who likes me.'

'Thats not true.' Dan spoke up. I held my breath in anticipation. Surely he wasn't about to blow the lid on our secret? 'Maybe you're just looking in the wrong places?'

'Maybe.' I agreed. The truth was I didn't want to be with anyone. I was scared of finding another Steven, controlling and abusive. And equally scared of finding another Dan, too nice and too good for me. And right then I was concentrating on myself. For once.