Chapter 2 #2
‘Wrong! You should know better, Lu. Monty said the microphone needs careful balancing so it doesn’t distort anything. My costume was inspired by Britney’s low-low rise jeans from the early naughties. One slip could expose me to the whole of Wembley. You don’t want my arse out on stage, do you?’
He’s no stranger to being half-naked in public. He once wore arseless chaps to the Royal Variety Performance. But the way his hands curl into fists at his sides tell me this is a problem. Maybe he’s going for a no-exposure resolution.
Because I haven’t gone straight to fetch the different trousers, his face twists. Dammit, I’ve failed again. What is wrong with me today? My feet – although a little achy – aren’t glued to the floor. The only thing stopping me is me.
‘I’ll go and get them straight away,’ I coo. The last thing I need is him in a mood. If he’s miserable, I’m miserable. ‘It won’t take me long at all,’
Like virga, the storm passes before it falls. He perks up, though his smile is more sinister than friendly. ‘Thanks, sweetie. But do hurry up. We don’t want to waste her precious time.’
‘Got ten minutes, love,’ the stagehand tells me. ‘Got two more acts to wire before I can take my break. If Topaz’s not ready, he won’t get his check. Timing’s tight.’
I do the maths. A trek through the venue in my ridiculous shoes is the last thing my poor feet need, but I pass Topaz his phone and water bottle. ‘See you in nine.’
The corridors to the dressing room twist and turn, but I know the way.
Topaz’s costumes aren’t my responsibility, but I do have to make sure he has everything he needs when he needs it.
I should have spoken to Monty, put the puzzle together myself so we could have been prepared.
That is my job. Not only is it an inconvenience to have people wait around due to my incompetence, it makes Topaz look unprofessional.
The stagehand will tell other stagehands, and it won’t be long until he’s persona non-grata.
Ten minutes is tight, but it’s certainly doable.
It takes four to move between backstage and the dressing rooms at a stroll.
The trousers will be easy to put my hands on since I hung them on the rack near the door.
I can be back to Topaz with time to spare.
But only if I get a wriggle on. I pick up the pace, my heels clicking against the concrete, but I don’t let them trip me up. I don’t have time.
I’ve already shaved twenty-seven seconds off when I round the last corner.
I skid to a stop.
A man stands outside the dressing room. Not just a man, but Rhys Pritchett, the only man in the world I can’t figure out. What’s he doing here? There’s no way he’d be looking for Topaz or me. Not after Halloween.
I puff my fringe out of my face and paste on a massive smile, easing myself two steps closer. ‘Rhys. Hi. How are you?’
He looks up from his phone, but there’s no cheery greeting when he clocks me. He tucks the device into his pocket, widens his stance then folds his arms across his chest, like he’s protecting the crown jewels. Self-important pri—
I put a bit more space between us. Deepen my smile. I toss my head and ask, ‘Is there anything you need?’
‘Nope.’
The pop of his p echoes along the otherwise empty corridor but it also burrows deep under my skin. Jesus, I must be having a bad day.
I wriggle my shoulders straight. ‘Right. Okay. Well… uh… may I ask what you’re doing here?’
‘You may.’
This man! Every inch of me wants to stamp my foot, but a reaction would give him exactly what he wants. I sink my weight deeper into my heels. ‘What are you doing here, Rhys?’
He smirks. ‘Cai’s using the room.’
What on earth could Cai want with the room? I rack my brain. Maybe Topaz said he could and forgot to pass the message on. Although Topaz was pretty mad when he heard the rumours about Cai and the events assistant and Halloween and…
I’ve no time for their silly games. I pull my head, and take the final few steps down the corridor, brush past Rhys and open the door—
But the room’s empty.
‘Cai?’ My voice is unsteady – probably from my sudden burst of energy. There hasn’t been time for me to go to the gym recently.
I walk further into the room, past the rail of clothes.
I could just grab the trousers and make a run for it.
Topaz would get to his sound check on time.
I won’t be too late. But Cai could still be here once we’re done and that would be disastrous.
I can’t put Topaz through that before a show.
And there’s no way I’m leaving him for any longer than I should.
Even if he’s on stage, he might still need me.
I need to get it sorted, and quickly.
I clear my throat. ‘You shouldn’t be here. You know Topaz’s rules. Contact on his terms only. If you come out now, I promise I won’t tell.’
It’s a lie. Topaz has to know everything. I won’t risk our bond.
Light spills from under the ensuite door, gilding the steam. The drain gurgles, and the door opens. Cai struts out, white fluffy towel tied low around his hips.
I freeze. This can’t be happening. Topaz is going to lose it. His ex in his towel is at the bottom of the list of things he needs today. And I’ll be the one to get the blame. What happens to his belongings is my responsibility.
‘Cai, could you…’ The words get caught in my throat, and when I take in a breath, it gets stuck too. ‘Could you please not use that towel.’
‘It was the only one in there.’
Yes, because it’s Yves Delorme. I ship them from France and send them to Belgravia for laundering. Of course, there’s only one. We’re only here for tonight. The others are in his bag for tomorrow. I didn’t anticipate my boss’s ex showing up to take a bath in my boss’s tub.
My chest heaves, and all I can squeak out is, ‘Please.’
‘Sure.’
He undoes the knot and holds the towel out to me. I should take it. I don’t.
I stare at the fabric so I don’t have to look at anything else. This is the kind of moment most people fantasise about; in a dressing room with one of the world’s most famous pop stars. A naked famous pop star. But this isn’t a dream for me. This is my worst nightmare.
Rhys’ chuckle fractures my inertia. ‘What’s going on here, then?’ he says. ‘Didn’t know you were here to perv, Lucy. Want me to fuck off, give you two more time together?’ He eyes Cai up and down, unbothered by his nakedness, and his grin widens. ‘Mae dy bic yn dychryn y ferch druan, Cai.’
What did he say? His tone’s teasing. Condescending. Takes an awful person to bitch about someone in a different language. I hate him.
I snatch the towel to stop my hands from shaking and hold it tight as if I could throttle it. I should fire a snappy response at him. Felicity is always prodding me to stand up for myself more. All I can manage is a squeak while my insides squirm.
‘Cai. Please put some clothes on before Topaz comes here and—’
The dressing room door slams open. Too. Late.