Chapter 16 #2
If anything, he’s the one watching me, but I won’t give him the satisfaction of arguing. I continue making my space nice and cosy. It’s the only way I can sleep in the middle of the day.
He huffs when I don’t reply. ‘Well, I better get to work. I just got word from Bryn that they’re almost here. Grabbed Gethin on the way, too. I want to make sure we leave on time. It’s a long way to Manchester.’
‘Do you need any help?’
‘Nah. Got it all under control. Thanks, though.’
He squeezes past me again, this time with his hands on my hips and I can’t help but sink my weight into him a little.
He’s smiling as he walks away, and I keep my eyes trained on him until he disappears down the steps.
The lack of him is noticeable straight away, like the bus has grown in size and is now hugely empty.
Like if I were to speak, my voice would echo.
This is why it’s important to keep professional boundaries, especially in a job like mine.
When I’m in the real world, I only need one sniff of a guy being friendly with me, and I’m all over him.
It’s one of the downsides of being demi-sexual.
My brain doesn’t always know the difference between admiration for a colleague who does his job well and infatuation.
Gethin’s safe from it, because he’s a lot older than me and age-gaps aren’t my thing – unless they’re fictional.
I have to work closer with Rhys, sometimes spending hours by his side.
Something’s developing in my over-romantic head that I can’t dare entertain.
It doesn’t help that I’ve read only the steamiest of romantasies over the past few months.
It must be time for a genre swap. A thriller is bound to sort me out.
Maybe I should risk Gethin and Deryn’s snoring and pick a bunk closer to them. Put some distance between me and Rhys. If he hadn’t seen me get set up, I might have. He’s probably the type to get offended if I suddenly go cold on him and move away. That might put us back to day one.
No. It’s fine. I’m a clever girl. I can put a stop to this.
Remain professional, and it’ll all disappear soon enough.
He’s bound to have some bad habits that’ll drive any ounce of lust out of my sex-deprived brain.
It’s not like I’m one of Cai’s teen fans, driven by hormones.
I’m a full-developed adult. In control of my own thoughts and feelings.
I have to get control over them. I’ll never get my contract extended if I crush on my colleagues.
I dig my laptop, book and water bottle from my bag and pull the curtains shut over my bunk.
Next, I pop my head into Cai’s bedroom to check he has everything he might need in case he wants to shut himself away as soon as he gets there.
Then, I make my way downstairs, confirm that the right snacks and drinks are in the fridge, and that all the plates and cutlery are clean and ready to go.
I don’t need to lift a finger, though. Deryn has already got it sorted.
The crew are already climbing on board, but the booth near the front remains empty.
I slide into a forward-facing seat so I can watch the road, keep an eye on where we are.
That way, I can update the owner of the house we’re staying in with our ETA.
I want them ready to let us in as soon as we arrive.
The more time Cai has to spend lingering outside somewhere, the more danger he’s in.
I tug my jumper over my head and fold it onto the seat next to mine.
Last week, Bethan invited herself to my flat to review my wardrobe for the tour.
She brought with her a bottle of expensive red she’d stolen from Cai, and I’m pretty sure it contributed to the pain my credit card’s currently in.
Comfort’s key on tour, so I’ve swapped my usual suit for a light pair of khaki trousers and a white t-shirt.
I flat-out refused the jogging bottoms she tried to force me to buy, but I’m grateful to be less constrained, to be more able to relax. It’s already too hot on the coach.
I kick off my trainers, put my feet on the seat in front of me, then open my laptop.
‘You better not be working.’ Speak of the devil – she pushes my feet off the cushion and takes their place opposite me.
I snap my laptop shut, feeling guilty even though I’ve no reason to. ‘Absolutely not.’
‘Good. Because I need you to keep me company over the next few weeks, and if you’re working, it means you can’t entertain me.
Isn’t this all exciting? I’ve never been on tour before.
Not for the whole thing, anyway. Only caught snippets when work gave me time off.
But now Jasper’s hounding the football club, I don’t have a choice. ’
‘Jasper sucks.’ The four of us eventually fell off the front pages after a soap star got caught stealing make-up from Harrods, but by then the damage was already done.
Chelsea FC weren’t keen on the additional attention they’re getting, especially from a backroom member of staff, so they extended Beth’s leave.
‘Yeah, but a break’ll be nice. I need a rest. Cai can pay for everything while I’m here.’
‘Plus, the extra company will be good for him, since Rhys has him on house arrest.’
Her smile widens. ‘I’ll have to find another way to entertain him.’ That’s a mental image I didn’t need. ‘Please tell me you booked us houses with hot tubs and pools.’
‘Yes, I did. Look, here’s the first one.’
I find the listing for the Rectory on my phone and slide it over to her. While she’s distracted, cooing and awwing over ornate ceiling roses and the heated indoor swimming pool, I open my laptop. I don’t have loads to do, but I do need to stay on top of what is there.
The journey north goes smoothly at first. Bus five traverses the A roads to the M5 without hitting too many snags, but as soon as we draw closer to Birmingham, we find ourselves at the end of a long queue of crawling vehicles.
‘Been a major accident a few miles ahead, folks,’ Dernyn announces on the coach’s intercom. ‘Gonna be in for a long wait. Get comfortable.’
The rumble of the engine cuts short. Gethin, who’s been quiet so far, pops his head up and turns to look down the bus. ‘And that, everyone, is why we don’t travel on a concert day.’
It doesn’t take long for the bright atmosphere to dissolve into quiet boredom.
Being stuck at a standstill with only the same field to stare at gets dull quickly.
Not even Cai’s post-tour press schedule keeps my attention, especially because across the aisle from me, he and Rhys are locked in a heated game of chess.
A lot of cursing and whooping comes from the table, especially over a game favoured amongst intellectuals and quieter people.
I close my laptop. It’s time for a break, and it’s a perfect opportunity for some behind-the-scenes social media posts.
‘Checkmate!’ Rhys cries out, knocking Cai’s king off the board with his white knight. I catch it all on my phone. ‘In your face, pop star!’
Cai throws his head against the seat and groans. ‘That’s it. I’m not playing you again. Ever. You’re unbearable.’
He slides from his seat in a mock strop and moves to mine and Bethan’s booth, sitting next to her for a good fussing.
She peppers his face with kisses in between murmuring consoling words to him.
In retaliation, Rhys pauses his victory dance and pretends to vomit into his travel coffee cup.
Nobody dares make eye contact with him, aside from me, because apparently, I’m obsessed with watching him.
Our gazes connect, and he rubs his hands together.
‘A new untested opponent. Slide on over, Luce.’
‘I wouldn’t.’ Cai reaches across to pin my arm to the Formica table. ‘He’ll tear you apart.’
‘How do you know I’m not a grandmaster, Cai? Perhaps it’s my chance to beat him and put a stop to his reign over the bus.’
‘Are you?’
‘No. But I’m going to give it a try.’
I pull out of his grip and shift across the aisle to settle opposite Rhys.
His eyes are now slits, assessing and summing me up before we’ve started.
Like a predator stalking his prey. I school my face into something more neutral, my shoulders back, and my head high.
I can’t give him even a hint that I’ve never touched a chessboard before.
I have, however, read and watched all of The Queen’s Gambit.
And surely beginner’s luck will be on my side?
He holds out tightly closed fists. ‘Pick your colour,’ he says, his eyes flicking to his hand. ‘Du neu wyn?’
My first test. He could be gesturing towards the hand to get me to choose the colour he doesn’t want, or that hand could be hiding the white piece, for me to start first. The Welsh is there to put me off. I chew my lip, pondering him. But he gives nothing else away.
The bus inches forward, then the engine stops. I point at his right hand. ‘That one.’
He unfurls his fist. White. Gwyn.
His smirk morphs into a satisfied smile. He’s already won his first play, it seems. I need to make it harder for him to plot my demise.
‘You first, Lucy.’
He shifts forward, placing his elbows on the table and resting his chin on his hands as I examine my pieces.
He expects this game to be easy. I need to win.
Or at least get close to it, to keep his respect.
Around us, crew members are switching their focus to our table, and now I need to impress everyone, not only him. No pressure, then.
Benny from The Queen’s Gambit advises, ‘The key is not to be tentative. You have to play with absolute confidence.’
Whatever move I make, I have to at least act like it’s the right one.