The Mighty Storm (The Storm, #1)

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 fuckin’ 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.”

Samantha Towle's books