I like Denny, and even more so, the more time I spend with him. He’s the kind of guy, if you were lucky enough to have a brother and got to pick who it would be, then Denny would be your first choice.
He’s funny, quick and laid back, really easy to talk to. And why the guy is single is beyond me. Or maybe it’s a choice, the way he wants his life to be at the moment. It’s known he was in a serious relationship for a long while and they split not long after Jonny died.
So I’ve been sat with Denny for the last hour drinking bottled beer, while he’s been regaling stories of all of their time together at college, before they left to focus on the band, and also when they first started out gigging, things they got up to, that kind of thing.
He’s kept the stories pretty clean – I’m guessing for my benefit. And one thing I have noticed is he’s staying light on the stories about Jake. I can imagine there are a lot of stories to be told about Jake in college and even more on the road with the band, so I wonder why Denny’s holding back on them.
We’ve also been having a real giggle over Tom and his prowling on the ladies.
The man is unstoppable.
Some of these girls just don’t stand a chance. But then I don’t think they want to – I think they are more than willing to be Tom’s girl for the night.
And it seems he’s picked his girl out for the night, seemingly settled on a pretty blonde girl.
Occasionally, I’ve cast a quick glance in Jake’s direction just to see what he’s up to; currently he’s leant up against the bar, elbows rested back on it, drinking beer and talking to Smith.
He’s giving off an air of unapproachable. And he’s showing absolutely no interest in any of the women who are trying to drown him in looks.
Actually now I think about it, since I’ve been on this tour Jake hasn’t been living up to the womanising ways he’s so famous for. Right now he’s talking to Smith. The only married guy here. He’s not with Tom, the one who is always on the lookout for a skirt or some *, as he puts it.
I wonder if it’s because I’m here. Not that I’m vain enough to think it’s because he wants me. I just mean, I wonder if he’s trying to keep things respectable for my sake.
I hope not. I’d hate for him to feel uncomfortable and not be able to be himself because of me. But I am also glad I don’t have to watch him mauling women.
Maybe I should talk to him about it. Hmm … I’m not sure how I would broach that subject though. One to file for later I think.
Jake glances over catching my eye. I smile at him then focus back onto what Denny is saying.
The next thing I know, Jake is stood over me. “Tru, come and dance with me.”
Picking my bottle of beer up, I glance up at him and shake my head. “No, I can’t be bothered, and my feet are killing me.”
These goddamn shoes, I really should have broken them in first.
“But I want to dance,” he says. There’s a real insistence to his tone. It surprises me.
“So go dance,” I say, giving him a look. “I’m talking to Denny right now.”
“But I don’t want to dance on my own,” he pouts and I know he’s trying a different line of attack. He reminds me of young Jake here in this moment.
I let out a laugh. “Jake there are plenty of willing victims for you to dance with.” I waft my hand around at the women, some who aren’t even pretending not to stare at him right now.
“But I don’t want to dance with them, I want to dance with you.” He sets his mouth into a hard line.
I’m getting the impression this is more because for some reason he doesn’t want me here talking to Denny anymore, and not that he actually does want to dance with me.
“Just dance with him and get it over with, Tru,” Denny chuckles. “He won’t let up until he gets his own way.”
Denny gives Jake an amused look as he takes a swig of his beer, and I feel like I’m missing out on the something that passes between them.
“Fine,” I sigh loudly, putting my beer down on the table. “But if I can’t walk later because these heels have shredded my feet, then you’re carrying me back to the hotel.”
“Deal,” he smiles a winning smile. It irks me some. Well quite a bit actually.
Denny shuffles out of the booth we’re sitting in, letting me out. The instant I stand up my feet start to hurt in these goddamn shoes.
Jake takes hold of my hand and starts to lead me off but it’s hurting to walk.
“Actually, hang on,” I say to Jake, stopping. Keeping steady on his hand, I pull my shoes off with the other.
I toss them onto the seat beside Denny. “Look after these for me.”
As I turn back, Jake’s looking at me like he doesn’t actually know what to do with me right now. Like he’s never seen a woman take her shoes off in a club before.
I bet women have taken off more than just their shoes in a club for him; actually maybe their shoes were the one thing that did stay on, maybe that’s what’s freaking him out.
And with that thought in mind, I walk past him, bare foot, and a smirk on my face. “You coming or what?”