Chapter Eleven
We’re in Barcelona. The show is tomorrow night at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys stadium.
My folks are arriving first thing in the morning. I’m so excited to see them.
Jake was all for it when I mentioned about getting them tickets for coming over here to see the show. I think he’s looking forward to seeing my dad again.
I’ve been touring with TMS for almost two weeks now, and the time has just absolutely flown by. I’ve barely had time to think let alone miss anyone, I’m with Jake pretty much all the time, but it will be so good to see my folks tomorrow.
And I’m looking forward to seeing Will in a week. I’ve spent time away from him before of course, but I think with my folks coming tomorrow it’s made me a little sick for home. For him.
I lift my bracelet up looking at it, dangling it in the light.
Picking my phone up, I decide to call him.
“Hey, gorgeous,” he murmurs down the phone.
“What you up too?” I ask.
“Working.”
“At this time? It’s… eight forty five there, baby.”
“I know. It’s that big acquisition I told you about, well some shit kicked off with it, and there’s an emergency meeting first thing in the morning, so I have to prepare a load of stuff for it. Good thing is it’s keeping me busy, stopping me dwelling on how much I’m missing you.”
“I miss you too,” I murmur.
“You do?”
“Of course I do silly.”
“So you’re at work…” I say putting a sultry tone on.
“Hmm.”
“And you’re in your suit?” I love Will in his suits. He looks really hot wearing them.
“I am.”
“Are you in the office alone?”
“No, Mark’s working late too.”
“Oh,” I say, feeling a little deflated. I was up for some dirty phone talk. Not like me at all, but I’m feeling pretty horny at the moment.
“Where are you?” he asks.
“Lying on my bed.”
“Really?”
“Yep. Shame you’re not alone, I was gonna … maybe … uh, talk dirty things with you.”
“I’ll call you when I’m home.” His breathing suddenly sounds short.
“How long?”
“Couple of hours.”
“I’ll be waiting … and naked,” I add, grinning to myself, feeling all confident.
“Two hours,” he confirms, voice husky.
“Not a minute more. I love you,” I add.
“You too.”
I hang the phone up with Will feeling restless and now have two hours to kill before I can talk dirty with my boyfriend.
Not exactly sex, but the closest thing I’m going to get to it with him for another week.
Realising I haven’t eaten dinner yet, I decide to go see Jake, see if he wants to have dinner with me. I hope he hasn’t already eaten. I hate eating alone.
I knock at his suite door, and Stuart answers a few moments later.
He looks all dressed up to the nines. Stuart always looks smart, but tonight, he’s looks foxy. Like he’s dressed for a date.
“Well look at you,” I say suggestively. “Someone got a date by any chance?”
“Dinner with an old friend, chica,” he winks. “Jake’s in the living room.” He passes me heading out the door.
“Have a good night,” I grin.
“Oh, I will,” he says, walking backwards, grinning, he turns and strides off down the hall.
Looks like someone’s getting laid tonight.
I sigh.
Closing the door behind me, into the silence of the suite, I hear Jake strumming lightly on his guitar.
The sound makes the hairs on my arms prickle. I stand for a moment listening as Jake starts to sing, Chris Isaak’s, ‘Wicked Game’.
He sounds stunning.
On quiet feet, I walk down the hall. Rounding the corner, I pause, leaning against it, watching him.
His eyes are closed. He’s lost in the song. And he looks beautiful.
My hands are suddenly desperate to touch him. I want to smooth my fingers over his lips, his face, up into his hair.
I want to kiss him so very badly in this moment.
I have a flashback to young Jake, sat in my parent’s living room playing the guitar for me. I remember how my tummy used to feel funny when I would listen to him play, even back then. I had no concept of those feelings, what they meant.
Love. It was love for him.
And I’m getting that very same feeling in my stomach again. But more intense now.
Jake’s eyes open, meeting straight with mine. His gaze burns into me and I feel naked to him. Like he can read my thoughts in this moment.
He doesn’t break from a note singing.
Keeping my eyes locked on his I walk toward him, my body erupting with trembles, ricocheting from the inside out, as Jake sings to me.
Sitting down on the edge of the coffee table just across from him, I’m entranced.
And in this moment I want him.
I know it’s just because I haven’t had sex for a while, and talking to Will on the phone just got me all horny.
And I know this is what Jake does. He has this amazing ability to draw you into him the instant he opens his mouth and starts to sing. His voice is so insanely beautiful. It’s all just so natural to him.
That’s why he’s so adored, loved by the world. And why women want him.
This song is stunning, and not easy to sing at all, but Jake does, and effortlessly.
In this moment I realise how lucky I am to be sitting here with him, listening to him sing like this. Most people would sell their soul to be where I am right now.
Finishing the last note, Jake smiles at me.
I feel like my whole body is on fire, and my brain too.
“That was amazing,” I say, feeling a little out of breath.
He shrugs lightly, and puts his guitar down. I hate it when he dismisses himself like that.
“So your folks get here in the morning?” he asks.
“They do,” I beam.
“What time does their flight land?”
“Eight am.”
“You want me to get Dave to pick them up?”
“No,” I shake my head. “I want to meet them at the airport.”
“Do you want me to drive you?”
“Can you do that?”
“Drive a car? Surprisingly, yes,” he chuckles.
“Shut up, idiot,” I giggle. “You know what I mean.”
“I do, and of course I can.” He gives me an earnest look. “I’ll have to stay in the car while you go into the airport though.”
“Of course.” I run my fingertip over the table. “And, yes, I would love you to drive me to the airport. Thank you.”
Looking up, I meet his eye. We stare at one another for a long moment. My mouth dries.
Running my tongue around my mouth, I say, “So I, uh, came to see if you haven’t had dinner already, did you want to eat with me?”
“I haven’t eaten.”
“Cool. So what do you fancy – in or out?”
His eyes linger on mine again. A shiver erupts deep inside me.
“In,” he finally says. His voice sounds a little gruff, I notice. “We can order up room service and watch TV.”
“Sounds perfect,” I smile, as Jake reaches for the TV remote handing it to me, he picks up the room service menu and I climb onto the sofa beside him.
It’s 7am and I’m in the car with Jake going to the airport to collect my folks. I’m practically bouncing around in my seat with excitement. It’s been nearly two months since I last saw them.
“You look like you’ve got ants in your pants,” Jake chuckles.
“Sorry! I’m just really looking forward to seeing them,” I beam. “And my dad is gonna be so stoked to see that you’ve come to pick them up with me.”
“He won’t be,” he slides me an amused glance.
“Yes he will. He always thought of you as the son he never had and I know he’s looking forward to seeing you again.”
Stopping at the lights, Jake looks across at me. This look intense, meaningful. “Billy didn’t need a son, Tru. He got everything in you.”
I gulp down.
“But he was the closest thing I ever had to a dad,” he adds.
Without thinking, I reach over and caress his cheek lovingly.
Jake looks at me surprised, instantly tensing under my touch.
Coming to, I take my hand back, my cheeks heating. I sit face forward. My heart is pumping hard in my chest.
I can’t believe I just did that.
We’re silent for a moment. And I’m sitting here squirming in my seat at the act of intimacy I just showed to Jake.
“Tru…,” he begins, voice soft.
A horn beeps behind us making me jump, and I look up to see the light is on green. Jake shifts the car into drive, never finishing his sentence.
Jake pulls the car up into a waiting bay outside the airport, and I climb out to go and meet my folks.
Walking into the airport, I check the board for arrivals. Seeing their flight has already landed, I head straight over to the arrivals gate.
I’m only waiting five minutes when I see the familiar faces of my mum and dad.
“Daddy!” I cry out, jogging over to him, I launch myself into his arms.
“Hey, baby girl.” He squeezes me tightly.
I feel a sudden lump in my throat, and tears in my eyes.
“Mama,” I smile hugging her.
“My beautiful girl,” she says taking my face into her hands, she kisses my cheek. “You look well … happy.”
“I am happy, because you both are here.” I put my arm through hers; resting my head against her shoulder we start to walk, following my dad pulling their case along.
“The car is just over there, dad.” I point to the left at Jake’s rented Mercedes.
My dad turns back, eyebrow raised. “You’re driving a Merc?”
“Not me silly,” I giggle. “I got a ride here.”
I was going to tell them Jake was in the car, but I think it will be a nice surprise for my dad when he sees him.
We approach the car and I pop the boot. My dad lifts the suitcase into it.
My dad goes for the backseat door, but I say, “Sit up front. I’ll sit in the back with mama.”
Giving me a funny look, he opens the door and climbs in, and I get in the backseat with my mum.
“Hey, Billy,” Jake says to him.
“Jake, my boy!” my dad exclaims and pulls Jake in a manly hug.
Jake looks a little taken aback, but really he shouldn’t be surprised, my dad has always been a huggy kind of guy.
Jake looks back at us. “Hi, Eva,” he says to my mum. He sounds nervous.
“Hi, Jake,” she nods, smiling lightly.
I can tell he’s wary with my mum.
She’s a no nonsense kind of person, says it how she sees it, and I know he’s worried what she will think of his antics over the years.
Funny, he’s this rich, famous man, but my mum can make him feel like a misbehaving teenager again.
As we travel back, my dad talks away in the front with Jake, of course about the show tonight, and I talk with my mum about what I’ve been doing since I came on the tour.
When we get back to the hotel, Jake has to go, as he needs to head over to the stadium to prepare for tonight’s show. So I get my mum and dad settled in their suite.
They’re staying in Stuart’s suite, and he’s moved into Jake’s for the two days that they are here.
The hotel didn’t have any other available suites, and Jake wouldn’t have my mum and dad staying in just any old room, which was sweet. I offered to give mine up for them, but he wouldn’t have that either, then Stuart said he would crash in Jake’s suite, as it’s got two bedrooms anyway, and he’d let my parents stay in his suite, which Jake agreed to.
Once they’re all settled, we head down to have breakfast together in the hotel. While we’re eating Jake calls me on my phone and asks if my dad would like to go down to the stadium to watch rehearsals.
My dad’s face nearly splits in two when I relay it to him.
One glance at my mum and she nods her ascent, so my dad heartily agrees. He will be in his absolute element there with the guys.
Jake tells me he’s going to send Dave to come and pick dad up in thirty minutes, so we finish up our breakfast, and Dave turns up as expected for my dad.
Kissing both me and mum, dad heads off to the stadium.
“So what do you want to do today, mama?” I ask. “Go to the beach or shopping?”
“Shopping,” she grins.
We get our bags from our suites, then head out into Barcelona for the day.
I love shopping with my mum. She has a really eclectic taste in clothes, that’s where I get my fashion sense from.
We stumble across this little boutique that sells the most amazing clothes and shoes. And I instantly zone on these Black colour block high heeled, strappy sandals, with white and orange bars going across the toe area.
I buy them, and a black and orange two in one waisted prom dress with asymmetric straps to go with my beautiful new shoes.
I decide not to wear them tonight as it’s really hot in Barcelona today, and it will be even hotter at the stadium tonight so I buy a cute little strappy, black and white feather print playsuit. It has this gorgeous pink fabric belt, which will go perfectly with my pink kitten heels I have back at the hotel.
My mum buys quite a few items as well, and insists on paying for my things too. I protest, but not for too long, as I am squeezing on the old Visa a lot nowadays.
We are out most of the day shopping, and arrive back loaded with bags. I leave my mum at her suite and head to mine to call Will, as I haven’t spoke to him all day.
I’m just finishing up on the phone with him, when there’s a knock at my door.
I answer it to a happy looking Jake.
“Hey, beautiful,” he says kissing my cheek, he walks into my room.
“Hey, yourself,” I say closing the door, still coming down from his kiss. “You had a good day?”
He nods, smiling, sitting on the arm of the sofa. “Yep, your dad came up with these ideas for tonight’s show, some riffs … ah they work perfect, Tru. I forgot how f*ckin’ awesome that man is with a guitar in his hands.”
“He’s kind of awesome all the time,” I say smiling at his enthusiasm, sitting on the seat opposite him, I tuck my legs under my bum.
“You had a good day?” He indicates to my pile of shopping bags.
“Yep, mama took me shopping,” I grin.
“Any sexy underwear in there?” He lifts his chin in the direction of my bags.
I shake my head, rolling my eyes at him. “Big brother one minute, perv the next,” I chuckle.
He laughs, getting to his feet. “Okay, well I just came to tell you we’re going out for an early dinner tonight with your folks, so you’ve got half an hour to get ready.”
“We are?” I say getting to my feet following him to the door. “And who’s idea was that?”
“Mine of course,” he smiles, then giving me another swift kiss on the cheek, he’s gone.
I get a quick shower, not washing my hair, I decide to tie it up off my neck because of the heat, so I put it up into a loose chignon, leaving some loose strand around my face. I put my new playsuit on with my little heels, a spritz of Chanel and I’m out the door, heading to my mum and dad’s suite.
Jake’s already there when I arrive, so we all head out to dinner, with Dave driving us.
Jake’s reserved a table at a swanky restaurant called Arola, which is situated on the second floor of the equally swanky Hotel Arts.
The waiter shows us to a table out on the terrace. The restaurant is beautiful, very modern and very expensive looking. It has these billowing sail like shades, fitted out above each table, to shade the fading Spanish sun.
Dinner is awesome, my dad is in top form, talking away about the rehearsals today, and how awesome a musician Jake is. Jake is naturally embarrassed and waves his compliments off.
But my dad is having none of it. He is totally in his element talking music. I love seeing my dad like this.
After dinner is done, and Jake and my dad argue about who will pay the bill; Jake wins of course on the press that they are there as his guests, Dave drives us straight to the stadium for the show.
Leaving Jake backstage, we head out to our seats up front.
The show is, as expected, amazing, and I have the best time here with my mum and dad. It’s so great being here with them, watching Jake. It makes me feel a little nostalgic.
After the show is done, we three head backstage to meet back up with Jake. There’s no big after show party tonight, the guys have just hired out of the VIP area in Barcelona’s most exclusive club, Elephant. There is just the band, some of the roadie staff, and me and my mum and dad here. Stuart hasn’t come tonight, he said he had some work to tend to after the show so he headed straight back to the hotel.
Jake’s hardly left my side since we arrived. And I know it’s a weird thing to say, but it almost feels like we’re a couple tonight, the way he’s being so attentive to me, even though we are clearly not and never will be. I know Jake doesn’t see me that way, his reaction to me touching his face, amongst other things proved that to me. And of course I’m with Will.
Jake leaves our table to go to the bathroom, leaving me and mum alone. My dad is over at the bar talking to Smith and Denny.
“That boy has got feelings for you,” my mum says nodding in the direction of Jakes retreating back.
“No, él no tiene. No seas tonto, mama,” I say speaking in Spanish to her.
I said, ‘No, he hasn't. Don't be silly, mama.’
I’m taking in Spanish to her as I don’t want this conversation to be aired in English.
Speaking back in Spanish, she says, “He has. I’ve been watching him, watching you all night. Jake has barely taken his eyes off you. He clearly has feelings for you, but then he did when he was younger.”
“No, he didn’t,” I brush her off. “And he hasn’t now.”
I don’t mention the fact that Jake inadvertently knocked me back in London when I invited him in my flat for coffee that time.
“Whatever you say, sweetheart. But I know what I see, and I see that boy wants you. Men like Jake can be very hard to say no to. I married your father, remember,” she smiles, winking at me. “You love Will, yes?”
“Very much.”
“So promise me you’ll be careful with Jake. You have a gentle heart my darling, and I don’t want you to get hurt.”
“Okay mama, I promise,” I sigh picking my drink up and taking a sip.
Jake returns back to our table a few minutes later, but I feel on edge around him now after what my mum just said.
I don’t think she is right about Jake wanting me, but all she has done is remind me of my own growing feelings for him. Or as I should say reignited ones.
We don’t stay too late at the club, and leave at midnight, my mum and dad being tired after their plane journey and long day.
Dave takes us back to the hotel, and Jake decides to come too, leaving the rest of them at the club.
I kiss my mum and dad goodnight at their door, agreeing to meet at nine am for breakfast.
Jake walks me to my suite.
“Do you wanna come in and have a drink?” I ask him, getting my key card out of my bag.
“Sure,” he says. “Actually come to mine, we can sit out on the balcony. Stuart will be in bed by now.”
Jake’s suite is the only one with a terraced balcony.
Agreeing, I follow Jake to his suite.
He pauses outside his door. Turning to face me, he tucks a few strays strands of hair behind my ear.
“I had a great day today, but an even better night with you. This whole tour has been amazing so far … having you here, Tru. It’s … just like old times.”
My heart starts to beat rapidly in my chest, and my face heats under his unwavering gaze.
Forcing a clumsy smile onto my lips, I say, “It has. I’m really enjoying it.”
He stares at me for a moment longer. Trembles erupt deep in my belly. And for a stupid moment, I actually wonder if he’s going to kiss me.
“Let’s get that drink.” He breaks our gaze, and pushes his key card into the slot, opening the door.
All the lights are still on inside, and we find Stuart watching TV in the living room.
“You’re still up,” Jake says to Stuart. His tone is surprisingly frosty.
Stuart’s eyes flicker between Jake and I, and I read clearly in them what he thinks I’m here for.
“I didn’t think you’d be back until later.” Stuart switches the TV off and gets to his feet. “I was heading to bed in a minute any way.”
“I just came back for a drink,” I pipe up. God that sounds even worse now I’ve said it. Like I’m covering something up, which blatantly wasn’t going to happen. “Stay, have a drink with us.”
Stuart’s eyes flicker to Jake then back to me. “No, I’m fine. I’m just gonna hit the sack.” He steps back.
“Come on…” I coax, smiling.
He looks at Jake again, then says, “Okay. Just one drink.”
I ignore Jake’s obvious sigh from beside me.
What’s his problem all of a sudden? He gets on really well with Stuart, so why doesn’t he want him here for a drink?
‘Because mama was right,’ says a little voice in my head.
No, of course she wasn’t. I brush the thought to the back of my mind.
Jake’s just being a snarky bastard for whatever reason.
Stuarts grabs a handful of the mini spirit out of the little fridge. I love these tiny bottles. Helping, I get some cans of mixers, and three glasses.
Jake is already out on the terrace having a smoke when we get out there.
Stuart and I put our little drink collection down on to the table.
I opt for a vodka and soda. Stuart has the same as me, and I pour out Jake a neat whiskey.
Jake takes the seat on my left. His knee bumps with mine under the table, but he doesn’t say anything.
He seems a little irked to be honest, and I can’t figure out what happened to make him change from the sweet Jake just outside the door of the suite, to grumpy Jake now.
He picks his whiskey up and takes a drink, then puts it down and taps his fingers on the metal table.
The atmosphere feels a little uncomfortable.
I’m racking my brain trying to think of something to talk about, but coming up dry, so I almost heave out a sigh of relief when Stuart asks me, “So where is that beautiful mother of yours originally from, Tru?”
“Puerto Rico,” I answer.
“So can you speak Spanish?” Stuart inquires.
“I can,” I nod.
“So you know Spanish swear words.” An impish grin crosses Stuart’s lovely face.
“I do,” I smile.
“Ooh, teach me some,” he leans close to me, eager.
“How old are you?” Jake snips.
“Old enough to kick your ass, you miserable bastard.” Stuart winks at me. “Go on Tru, say, ‘a*shole’ in Spanish.”
“Gilipollas,” I grin.
“Gilipollas,” Stuart tries to imitate.
Jake throws his drink back and pours himself another out.
“Okay, how do you say, f*ck?”
Jake shifts in his seat, then picks his cigarettes up, lighting on.
“Joder.” I take a sip of my drink, soothing my dry mouth.
“Joder,” Stuart copies. He’s doing quite well with the accent for a beginner.
“So how would you say, ‘f*ck off a*shole’?”
“Vete a la mierda gilipollas.”
Jake takes a long drag of his cigarette, and the smoke billows past me.
I let out a light cough.
“F*ck that’s a hard one!” Stuart laughs. “Say it again.”
“Vete … a la … mierda …. gilipollas,” I say slower.
Jake stubs his half-smoked cigarette out in the ashtray, and abruptly gets to his feet. “I’m off to bed. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He strides away into the suite.
I look across at Stuart, confused. He lifts his eyebrows at me, shrugging.
I stay with Stuart for another ten minutes, finishing my drink, teaching him how to swear in Spanish, then I make an excuse about being tired, and head to my own suite.
I’m not tired at all, just confused as to Jake’s bad mood, unable to shake the feeling that for some reason, it’s me that he’s angry with.
The Mighty Storm
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