All About the Hype (21 page)

‘We’re meeting him for dinner on Friday night,’ I reply.

‘Are we?’ He looks alarmed. ‘Are you two in contact?’

‘Yeah, we are.’

I presume he reacted like that because, if Tom and I speak, then I’ll know he’s been seeing Tom’s mother. But now is probably not the right time to get into a conversation
about whether they’re just friends. We head into the kitchen together.

Over the next few days, I can’t seem to bring myself to ask Stu if he’s moved on from my mum – it hurts too much and I’m too scared of his answer.

In the end, though, it’s him who instigates a talk with me.

We’re sitting out on the terrace one night after dinner. Johnny managed to get back in time for a change and Meg has taken the boys inside to bed, so it’s just the three of us: my
two dads and me.

‘Jess, there’s something we need to talk to you about,’ Stu starts.

Both he and Johnny are sitting opposite, staring at me attentively. I have my back to the view and the city lights are casting a dim glow over their faces. It’s enough for me to be able to
see their expressions, but the anguish in Stu’s voice is almost palpable, anyway.

‘What is it?’ I ask nervously, instantly on edge.

‘It’s the house,’ Stu says. ‘I’m selling it.’

My heart clenches. ‘Why?’ I ask shakily.

Johnny reaches across and presses my hand. ‘You know it’s not secure enough. You’ll be going home to visit. I need you safe, Jess.’

‘It’s not just that,’ Stu says reluctantly, and I watch as his Adam’s apple bobs up and down. ‘It’s hard for me to be there on my own. I need a fresh
start.’

‘Does that go for Caroline, too?’ I ask of Tom’s mum.

He looks startled.

‘Tom told me that you’ve been seeing her.’

‘We’re friends,’ he says warily.

‘Is that all?’ I ask. Johnny shifts in his seat, clearly feeling awkward on Stu’s behalf.

‘That’s all,’ Stu replies, swallowing again. ‘But—’

‘You want it to be more,’ I finish his sentence for him.

‘Jess…’ he starts.

‘It’s OK,’ I whisper, my eyes filling with tears. ‘I wish you’d find someone who wasn’t my ex’s mum, but it was going to be hard for me, whoever it
was.’

Johnny takes my hand.

‘Do we really have to sell?’ I ask with difficulty.

Stu nods and Johnny squeezes my hand. ‘It’s for the best,’ Stu says.

My nose starts to prickle as I think of my bedroom, my bed, my mum lying next to me and keeping me awake with her chatter when I really should have been going to sleep for school the next day. I
think of our kitchen and Mum standing in front of the toaster, waiting for the toast to pop up. I remember lying on the sofa with her in the living room while she stroked my hair with her cold
hands, and I gulp back a sob.

Stu comes round to my side of the table and takes me in his arms, but my hand is still in Johnny’s and I squeeze his tightly, not wanting him to let me go.

Thankfully, the very next day I get some news that cheers me up enormously. I’m at lunch, sitting next to Agnes, when Gina and Margarita join us.

‘Guess what?’ Gina says, as they both slide into chairs opposite.

‘What?’ I ask, my eyes darting between them.

‘We’re coming to San Francisco!’ Gina blurts, her red hair bouncing around her shoulders.

‘You are?’ I ask with amazement.

‘Not just us,’ Margarita says, waving excitedly across the room. I look over my shoulder in time to see Sienna rolling her eyes.

‘You already told her?’ she berates, as she approaches on her long, gazelle-like legs.

‘I didn’t know where you were,’ Gina replies defensively.

‘You’re coming, too?’ I ask Sienna with delight.

‘I sure am. And Rafe said he can probably make it, too. Justin and Jenna are maybes.’

‘Oh my God!’ I stare at them, open-mouthed.

‘Wow,’ Agnes says, not sounding anywhere near as delighted as I am.

‘We wanted to help,’ Margarita says, regarding me in earnest with her caramel-coloured eyes. ‘With a bunch of us there, we’ll be able to get some cool pics, help to
increase All Hype’s profile a bit.’

‘Guys, seriously,’ I say, blown away. ‘I really appreciate this.’

As we’re walking to our next class, Sienna pulls me aside. ‘I’ll catch you up,’ I say to Agnes.

She puts her head down as she walks on.

‘Someone else wants to come to your gig,’ Sienna says, looking worried.

‘Who?’

‘Don’t freak out.’

‘Who?’ I ask again, doing exactly that.

‘My sister.’

‘What?’ The blood drains from my face. ‘No!’

‘Just hear me out! She’s gonna be in San Francisco for business and she loves checking out new bands—’

‘Sienna, no,’ I say adamantly, rounding on her in the hallway. ‘No way. Johnny would hit the roof! Meg’s not even going. Oh my God, imagine if the paps caught a picture
of Johnny and Dana together at my gig? That would cause all sorts of trouble. She can’t come. I’m sorry. I know that you got on well with her last week.’ They met after school as
planned. ‘And maybe she’s changed as you say, but if you bring her to my gig then you’ll really screw things up for me and my family. Please don’t do it.’

She looks completely put out. ‘Fine,’ she says. ‘I’ll tell her she can’t come.
That’s
gonna be an easy conversation,’ she adds
sarcastically.

‘I’m sorry,’ I say. ‘You can still meet up with her before and after, right?’

‘I guess so.’

The bell rings. ‘We’re going to be late,’ I say, hurrying off along the wide corridor.

‘What are you doing after school?’ she asks, keeping pace with me.

‘Band practice.’

‘No time for shopping? We could go to Melrose Avenue, check out some gig outfits perhaps?’ she asks hopefully.

‘Thanks, but Agnes has that covered.’ I give her arm a squeeze as we head into the science lab, but I don’t think she’s very happy with me as we take our seats.

Two days later, Stu and I touch down in San Francisco. He’s looking as green from the helicopter flight as I am, so it’s a relief to go to the hotel in a car.

We get ready for dinner quickly, but Tom is already waiting in the hotel restaurant when we come down and the sight of him still makes me jittery. I know this is not good.

He’s dressed smarter than usual in a crisp white shirt, and he’s gazing out of the window so I can see his profile: his straight nose and his long eyelashes. His brown hair has been
styled back from his face, higher on top.

He glances our way, meets my eyes and grins.

‘Hello,’ I say warmly, as he gets up from his chair and gives me a hug. My heart pounds a little bit faster at the feeling of his chest against mine. He feels familiar yet completely
unfamiliar at the same time. He’s wearing his usual aftershave and I breathe in as I let him go. He shakes hands with Stu.

‘Tom,’ Stu says.

‘Mr Taylor,’ Tom replies.

‘Oh, for God’s sake,’ I exclaim. ‘Shouldn’t he be calling you by your first name if you’re seeing his mum?’

Stu’s face flushes. Tom grins at him. ‘She has a point,’ Tom says sheepishly.

‘Call me Stu,’ Stu replies with an embarrassed smile, pulling out a seat and sitting down.

With Stu there, our conversation is very general over the course of dinner and neither Tom nor I can completely relax. I appreciate it when Stu decides to call it a night.

‘Don’t leave the hotel premises,’ Stu reminds me.

Miracle upon miracle, it has been deemed unnecessary for me to have a bodyguard this weekend, so Sam is flying here with Johnny and, in the meantime, Stu and I have been instructed to go
incognito. We plan to do some sightseeing in the morning, but, with Stu at my side and a baseball cap on my head, it’s pretty unlikely anyone will recognise me as Johnny’s daughter. Sam
will be there at the gig venue so that should be enough.

Finally it seems like they’re seeing sense with this bodyguard business. I just have to keep my end of the bargain and not take any risks.

Tom and I relocate to the bar and find a dark corner on a comfy, midnight-blue, padded bench near a circular, central fire.

‘So Stu talked to you about him and my mum?’ Tom asks with a raised eyebrow.

I nod. ‘He’s says they’re friends, but he likes her more than that.’

‘I think it’s mutual.’

‘How do
you
feel about it?’ I ask carefully. I know this isn’t all about me. It must be weird enough for Tom seeing his mum move on with any man, let alone his Maths
teacher and his ex-girlfriend’s stepdad at that.

‘I’m OK.’ He shrugs. ‘I just want her to be happy, and Mr Tay—
Stu
,’ he corrects himself with a grin, ‘is a good guy.’

‘He is,’ I state.

He turns to face me, putting his knee up on the bench seat. I reach for my drink and take a sip.

‘How are things with you?’ he asks pointedly.

I smile and nod. ‘They’re good. What about you?’

I glance at him and realise with sudden sinking feeling that he’s looking very on edge. My first thought is:
Nina
. My next is:
No!

‘What is it?’ I try to sound chilled. ‘Have you met someone?’ ‘Not exactly,’ he replies, sighing and raking his hand through his hair. He rests his elbow on
the top of the seat back and chews on his thumbnail, avoiding eye contact.

‘Tell me!’ I try to sound light-hearted, but my voice is wobbling.

He sighs heavily. ‘It’s Isla.’

Gravity takes hold of my sinking feeling and pulls it even lower. Isla is his beautiful ex-girlfriend – the one who cheated on him.

Tom rubs his hands over his face and looks at me wearily. ‘We slept together a week ago.’

I feel sick, utterly sick. And I know that I have absolutely no right to at all. It’s his business whom he chooses to see – but he told me he and Isla were through, and the thought
of him being with her in a way that he wasn’t with me… Sorry, but it hurts.

‘You had sex with her?’ I ask, shrinking into myself.

‘Yeah,’ he replies, studying my reaction. ‘It just happened. We were at a party. You know we still talk. I ended up walking her home and her parents were away and I went in for
a coffee…’ He doesn’t need to elaborate.

‘I thought you said you never go back?’

‘I guess I was wrong.’ He meets my eyes for a long moment before I look away.

‘So will you and she get back togeth—’

‘No,’ he cuts me off. ‘We’d both been drinking, but, when we sobered up, I think she regretted it. The next morning I left to come here. I’ve had some distance and
we can’t pick up where we left off. Too much has happened.’

It’s only a small relief. The fact still stands that he slept with her and the thought of them together like that makes me want to throw up. Yes, even though he’s no longer my
boyfriend, I’m not over him. That much is clear. And it doesn’t matter how much I want to be with Jack, Tom can still affect me.

‘Are you OK?’ he asks.

‘Yeah,’ I nod.

He leans forward in his seat, regarding me intently. His gaze is confident and controlled. It’s almost as though my shaky reaction is giving him strength.

‘How are things with you and Jack?’ he asks.

I nod and look down at my drink. ‘Good.’

‘Are you out in the open now?’

When I shake my head, I feel sort of dirty.

‘Can we talk about something else?’ I ask, but I can’t relax after that, and it’s not long before I call it a night.

Tom says he
will
come to the gig the next night, but the following day I can’t stop thinking about him. Stu keeps asking if I’m alright and I tell him that
I’m feeling a little off colour. It’s not a lie.

I’m still rattled later that afternoon when Drew, Jack, Brandon, Miles and Agnes drive into the city. Stu and I go to meet them for a snack in their hotel bar, which is a ten-minute walk
away. Annie booked Stu’s and my rooms. I shouldn’t complain about five-star luxury, but I wish I could have stayed in a hotel that had enough rooms available for all of us.

Maybe Jack can sense that my mood is related to Tom, because the looks he keeps giving me are loaded. But we don’t get a chance to speak until afterwards when I’m in Agnes’s
room, getting ready. He comes to knock on her door.

‘We don’t have a lotta time,’ Agnes chastises him.

He ignores her, tugging me into the bathroom and shutting the door behind me, turning the lock.

‘What’s wrong?’ He comes right out and says it, crossing his arms and staring at me with his blue-grey eyes.

‘Nothing.’ I shake my head.

‘Don’t lie to me. Tom?’ He raises one eyebrow. He is so far from being OK with me seeing my ex-boyfriend.

I sigh and sit down on the toilet seat, staring ahead morosely.

‘What did he say? Did he try it on?’

‘He slept with his ex-girlfriend,’ I say abruptly.

He reels backwards, staring at me with wide eyes.

I look up at him resignedly. ‘OK? That’s it,’ I state firmly.

‘It bothers you.’

I don’t deny it.

‘Really bothers you,’ he says, staring at me warily.

‘We don’t have time for this,’ I say. ‘We’ll talk about it later.’

‘The hell we will. Do you want him back? Is that it?’

‘No!’ I exclaim. ‘It’s over! I’m with you. I just feel a bit weird about it, OK?’ To my dismay, my eyes fill up with tears. ‘For God’s sake,
you’re going to ruin my make-up,’ I snap. ‘I don’t want to talk about this any more. Go.’

He glares at me and turns round, leaving the bathroom without another word. I feel guilty, and confused, but I let him leave.

On the plus side, all of the drama with Jack and Tom makes me forget my nerves, so it’s not until we’re in the limo lent to us by Johnny’s record company that
it actually hits me that I’m going to be performing to a sold-out audience this evening.

There are four other bands on the bill and we’re supposed to be on third, but, when we arrive at the venue, the manager tells us that he’s shifted things around a bit and wants us to
go on last.

From the way my bandmates are looking at each other, this is good news.

‘You must’ve impressed them last time,’ Stu says, looking around at us.