“I kissed her.”

“What do you mean you kissed her? Tell me what you did! I mean everything!” I couldn’t lower my voice, my heart was racing and I was feeling dizzy. I couldn’t move away as I leant against the wall, certain I’d knock it down if I kept pushing against it.

‘Kiss, just a kiss’ I kept repeating to myself over and over.

“I walked in, went for the mini bar and she was sitting on the bed. I thought I was dreaming, and then I thought because I hadn’t talked to you yet, you came to see me. Are you sure you want everything?” I nodded and sighing he stood, but I refused to let him touch me. “She got up and I should have known it wasn’t you. It wasn’t your perfume, but I kissed her and we fell on the bed and I knew something was different so I stopped. I turned on the light and told her to leave. I didn’t know Angel, I’m sorry and I promise I’ll never let it happen again and….”

“Beau. I..”

“Please believe me. I called Perry, ask him – he dragged her out. I promise, I didn’t do anything!”

Now I let him hold me. For the first time I was the one who needed to be told it was going to be ok and comforted.

“Angel, tell me we’re ok. Tell me you’re not leaving.”

How did she keep getting into the hotel? She did it last time too and what did he mean she changed? There was a bit of a difference between us, if she had dyed her hair blonde and it was dark I could see how this could have happened.

“Beau, how did she get into your room?”

“The new guy let her in, Perry has dismissed him though. The guys heard the yelling and came to check it out; they know nothing could have happened. Angel, Bec, tell me we’re ok.”

“We’re ok Beau. I just, I’m going back to the hotel and Jess to think for a bit. And there is the concert tomorrow, so I’ll see you there?”

I didn't want to leave and 'run away' like I kept telling him not to do, but I did need to think and I wouldn't be able to get my mind clear with him around. I called for a taxi, avoiding his Mum as I headed outside and Beau was silent the whole time we waited for it.

“I love you Angel.” Beau didn't try to kiss me this time, but I did hug him tight which seemed to help both us.

 “I love you too.”

-

Getting to the hotel, I paid the taxi driver only I never made it up to my room. I told Jess I was coming back and she had gone out with Sparky to see if Elvis was still around, so I headed to the hotel bar.

Everyone else seemed to drink when things were hard, so why couldn’t I?

The whole situation made me mad, Julia made me mad. If I ever saw her again she wouldn’t be walking away so easily like last time.

“Didn’t expect to find you here, big brother driven you to drink?”

Looking up from my vodka I groaned at seeing Grayson.

“Just making the most of my weekend off.”

“Oh so you’re not here for work? Just pleasure?” I rolled my eyes and he ordered a drink, taking the seat beside me.

“Yeah, just pleasure.”

“Something tells me you’re not thrilled about that.”

“Observant.”

He sipped whatever the brown liquid was in his glass, the ice cubes clinking together - I couldn’t be bothered right now.

“Well, here’s a tip. There isn’t an answer at the bottom of that glass, no matter how many you knock back.”

I only nodded; knowing he was right but I took another sip anyway as from behind us someone started playing a piano.  Curiously I turned to see an older man playing away, the tune was familiar, but I couldn’t place the words.

Grayson could.

“Son can you play me a memory, I’m not really sure how it goes. But it’s sad and it’s sweet and I knew it complete when I wore a younger man’s clothes...”

“Piano man, on a piano in a bar at mid-day?” I asked to no one, and despite myself hummed along. The tune was infectious and I realized the bar was actually kind of busy with a range of different people from those dressed in business suits and others in fairly casual attire.

“It’s a classic!” Grayson enthused, with no shame he made his way over to the microphone beside the piano, talking to the man playing who nodded.

“Now Bec at the bar is a friend of mine, she gets me my drinks for free. And she’s quick with a joke or to light up your smoke, but there’s someplace she’d rather be and I wish that it was with me!”

He had to add that last bit in and rolling my eyes, I turned to stop watching. One thing I didn't miss was a few of the more curious groups turning to stare at me. I was the only one at the bar, and the fact he held up his glass  and nodded at me didn’t help me stay anonymous.

“Is that Grayson Murray from Pot Luck?” A female voice asked from the table closest to where I sat.

“Oh my god it totally is. I knew coming here would pay off, all of the bands stay here when they’re in town!”

The more he sang, the more the others realized who he was and come the next chorus, everyone sang along with him. It was hard not to and he giving Billy Joel a run for his money.

“Sing us a song you’re the piano man!”

In true showman style, Grayson seemed to feed from the audience's energy. By the end most had formed a circle around the piano and nearly everynone had their phones out recording and taking pictures.

“Thank you, you’ve been a great crowd” He laughed, the girls all giggling and begging him for photos. “Sorry, I’m here with a friend. But if you’re lucky and if William permits, I might do one more before we go!”

We go? I hoped it wasn't referring to me going anywhere with him and I watched as reluctantly, but surprisingly respectfully, everyone went back to their tables. Now the chatter was in overdrive and as he took his seat beside me, a few came up to the bar to try and get more photos.

“So, what do you think? Should I change my set tomorrow and do some Billy Joel?”

“That was pretty dam good Murray, but I think you could get up on stage and sing Humpty Dumpty and they’d love it.”

We both laughed, because what I said was true.

They were that kind of famous now, anything they did would be loved by their fans. Like Taking Back Monday, their newest singles would battle for number one in the charts overnight and the only way they’d be replaced was when the next song came out.

“Well, if it makes you smile again, I’ll gladly sing Humpty Dumpty.”

“Bec?” Sparky came around the bar to stand beside me looking between us cautiously.

“Hey tech guy! Sparky right?” Grayson greeted him, smirking slightly the pair seemed to size each other up.

“Everything ok Bec?” Sparky looked at my drink and I nodded. I didn't want to tell him it was my fourth and nodded once more.

“Yeah, Murray here has just been showing everyone how much of a piano man he is.”

“Why do you do that? Call me Murray?”

“It’s your name?”

Sparky was forgotten as my fifth vodka appeared and I started arguing with Grayson over his ‘famous’ name and his real name.

“Well, you’re the only person I’ll allow calling me Murray. How’s that?”

“As if you could stop me anyway.” I teased, realizing I was flirting and regretted all those drinks.

“Oh I could think of a few ways.”

I swallowed hard as his tongue ran over his lips and his eyes narrowed in on mine, what was with these musician types being so sexy?

“And I think you’ve had enough Bec, Jess is waiting.”

“Right.”

“Bec can stay if she wants Sparky, I can look after her.”

“She doesn’t need any of your looking after, start your fights someplace else.”

“Fights?” I asked, looking up at Sparky as he stood and spun my stool around for me to get up. I couldn't imagine Sparky getting into a fight and definetely didn't want to be behind one starting now.

“Bec, time to go.”

I stood up as Sparky gave me that look John often did when I was doing something he didn't like and as  I stepped away Grayson grabbed my arm, glaring at Sparky.

“You don’t have to go because he tells you too.”

“I do Grayson, thanks for the song.”

Calling him Grayson, not Murray had him letting go and Sparky pushed me in the direction of the elevators back in the lobby.

“You know what that was about right?”

Sparky was telling not asking and feeling a little tipsy, I only shrugged.

“Seriously, start paying attention to some of the gossip around work. He and Beau have been trying one up each other for years, it started when Julia got a little too high and ended up fucking him in his change room. So to get back at him, Beau slept with his sister and you can see how it went from there. It’s not just band rivalry, those two hate each other.”

“You’re kidding!”

And then it all came back to me. When I first saw Grayson at work he didn’t remember me because I had been with Jess. He had said he knew me from somewhere, mentioning the party I met Beau at and even said I was the girl Beau was after.

“I keep telling you to be careful Bec.”

“You’re a good fake boyfriend.” I hugged him, not letting go and I was glad the alcohol decided to hit me now and not ten minutes earlier when a thought occured to me. “Does it annoy you that she used you in her book too?”

“Not really, I see it as being immortalized in print.”

“I hate her.”

“Me too.”

He left me in my room and Jess was in the shower so curiously I got out her kindle, not sure why I bought up the first part of Julia's book and flicked through the chapters to the section I was looking for.

-

I was still angry with Brock from our fight before the show and decided not to take the seat reserved for me in the front row. With the performance in full swing, backstage was quiet and the majority of the staff hung around the support group or by the stage edge to get a glimpse of the show.

Closing my eyes it was hard not to let Brocks voice in, the way he sang was captivating and slowly my anger melted away, so much so I started to sing along. At the end of the song I realized the clapping wasn’t from out the front, but right beside me.

“Sorry, that was lovely. I’ve seen you at a few shows now. You’re Brocks girl?”

I had always thought Brock was meant to be a god of the stage, it wasn’t natural for a mere mortal to be that good looking and if anyone was to give Brock a run for his money it was Kingsley Robert. I had only seen him on stage, Brock had mentioned his band hated being their support and it would be the last time they ever opened for someone else. They were going to be big, maybe even bigger than Brocks band and if the man in front of me was anything to go by, the critics weren’t wrong.

“Yeah I am. Kingsley isn’t it? You were great tonight.”

There was something in his eyes that was dangerous and unfortunately for him, I had been around rock stars for a year or so now and knew how they worked.

“Thanks, and what’s your name sugar?”

“Amelia.”

-

“Bec, what are you doing? If you’re reading any more of that fifty shades stuff, I’m going to slap you!” Jess scared the crap out of me, appearing out of the bathroom with the fluffy white towel wrapped around her and I clumsily dropped her kindle before I could close the page.

She picked it up, looking at me funny as I knew I looked like a deer in headlights at being caught out.

“You’re reading this? I thought I deleted it!”

Her eyes scanned over the page curiously and looked at me for an answer.

“Julia slept with Grayson and started a big feud between Beau and him and I was just down stairs flirting with him. I’m just like her Jess!”

I don’t think I took a breath for that whole sentence and once I was done, I burst into tears. She dropped the device onto the bed and grabbed me in a hug.

“Oh Bec, no, you’re so not like her!”

She let me cry until my eyes were red and puffy, rubbing my back gently as I let it all out. I told her what happened with Beau and Julia in New York, and about my mid-day session with Grayson.

“As much as I want to give Beau what for, I really think he is innocent in all of this Bec. I know you’re hurting, but he must be too. Everything he does, he always has this doubt he’ll lose you, that guy loves you.”

I started crying all over again.

“That was meant to cheer you up.”

“I know, thanks Jess.”

“How about you go shower, put something fabulous on and we’ll make tonight a girls night? I want to see what this city is all about!”

By the time we got down to the lobby, John and Sparky were waiting for us.

“What happened to girls night?” I asked as we approached.

“He’s gay and we need him for his connections to get into the cool places!”

“You know we can hear you right?” Sparky asked and John only frowned.

“Haven’t you two heard of dresses that cover your knees? Did you forget pants?”

Jess only twirled in response, winking at him as she grabbed his arm.

“Please, I’ve seen dresses smaller than this!”

“You two will be the death of me.”

Sparky extended his arm and I gratefully took it.

“Feeling better now?”

“Much!” I nodded, resting my head on his shoulder and as we walked past the bar, Grayson was just walking out. Seeing us he stopped, and I could just see what Julia had meant when she mentioned that dangerous look in his eyes. So I looked away, not acknowledging him at all and we joined the steady stream of people out in the street.

-

Maybe it was because I had a few drinks earlier, or maybe I just seemed to be drinking faster than everyone else, but as it neared eleven everyone still seemed sober in comparison to me. Jess and John went and found a table, tired from all the dancing and Sparky kept me company. I think it was more to keep anyone other guys approaching although I didn’t really care.

“I love this song!” I screamed out and Sparky only laughed, shaking his head while I continued to bounce around in time to the beat.

“I’ve heard better.” Spinning around I was shocked to see Beau and looking behind me, Sparky disappeared. “Hey Angel.”

He didn’t let me answer, his hand went behind my head and pulled me to him and I eagerly responded. Too much of the time we had together had been wasted apart and while I wasn’t over what had happened, I needed and loved him too much to deny him now.

“Get a room! Seriously, you’re not welcome to ours!” Jess pushed Beau back and hugged me, “I called him, hope you don’t mind.”

“Thank you!” She grinned at Beau and the trio left us.

Despite the dance beat, Beau held me close as if it was a completely different tune playing and I was so lost in him, I didn’t care.

“I don’t think I’ve seen you drunk before.”

“I'm not drunk.”

Kissing wasn’t cutting it now, and the more I managed to rub my hips against him, the more I knew he agreed.

“Come on, let’s get out of here.”

He handed his pass to the valet and the black Porsche that appeared surprised me. I didn’t expect him to drive something like that and clearly it showed on my face.

“It’s not mine; I needed a car so I took Seth’s.”

As we sped away from the club, I closed my eyes. It had been such a big day and my buzz from the alcohol was wearing off leaving me feeling tired. Surprisingly my feet weren’t aching from the high heels I had on and I blushed remembering that Jess had been able to talk me into wearing the black lacy lingerie set that seemed to haunt me. Tonight, I didn't want to kill because of it.

I wanted Beau to see it.

Beau sang along softly to a song on the radio I didn’t know and before I knew it, his voice was instead talking to me.

“Angel, I’m going lift you now.”

Opening my eyes I was back out in the street and I my legs felt hot. Looking down, he had wrapped his jacket around my waist and looking up, we were back in the hotel.

“I feel asleep?”

“Yup, passed right out.”

Everyone stopped to look at us as he carried me into the lobby and I got him to put me down.

“Sure you can walk in those things?” He motioned to my shoes and I nodded, taking a step I nearly slipped on the marbled floor. “I can keep carrying you.”

“People are staring, I can walk.”

“They’re staring because you look way to good in that dress. Do you know how long your legs look?”

Clearly my nap didn’t help the alcohol wear off and I leant forward to try and see my legs. Laughing I gave up as he scooped me up again and carried me to the elevator, not caring who looked and I realized he put his jacket around me to save anyone getting a view of what was under my dress.

“Jess said we can’t go back to our room.” My arms were around his neck and I leant my head against his chest, enjoying his smell.

“We’re not going to your room. We’re going to mine.”

“Aren’t you staying at your Mums?”

“Not tonight Angel.”

I screamed as an arm came from behind us and pressed the close elevator button and looking over his shoulder saw Perry.

“Perry!”

I wiggled too much for Beau to keep holding me and he let me stand as the elevator jolted up to the suites.

“Hello Miss Adams.”

“Please, call me Bec!” I hugged him and he looked more than amused at my drunken state.

“Bec, have you had a few drinks this evening?”

“Maybe?” I couldn’t stop my giggle and Beau only shook his head before pulling me back over to stand beside him.

I wanted to kiss him. I wanted to push him against the elevator wall and feel his hands on my body, but Perry made that awkward and getting out of the elevator, it was made worse as he went into the suite and turned on the lights before coming back out.

I knew why and it made that anxiety in the pit of my stomach return. I had managed to forget, just for tonight about what happened this morning and just like that it all came back.

“Have a good night Sir.”

“You make him call you Sir?” I mocked a little to loudly, and Perry’s laugh was hard to miss as he got into the elevator.

“No, I make him call me Beau, but he tries to act professional around other people.” Beau held the door open for me and I went inside. “Do you want some water?”

“I want some you.” I slurred my words slightly and he tried not to laugh again.

“Later Angel, how about we go to sleep, you’ll pass out the second you lie down.”

“No I won’t. I’m not that drunk.”

Sulking I headed to the bedroom and remembered the zip that ran down the back of my dress and got a little dramatic.

“HELP!”

“What’s wrong?” He came running in, ditching the bottle of water he had been getting out of the fridge.

“Zip me?”

Sighing, Beau reached over to pull down the zip and I decided to try and change his mind about going to sleep.

“Hang on, one second!” I ran over to the light switch, turning the dimmer so the room had something I’d like to call mood lighting, before heading back out to where I left my purse and put on a spritz of my perfume. Beau stood in the doorway watching amused and I went back to where I had been standing in front of the bed.

Reaching over I pulled back my hair and put it over my shoulder before turning to look at Beau over my other one.

“Could you help?”

I prayed I sounded as sexy as I was trying to be and didn’t look stupid. He said nothing, yet I had never been more aware of his presence. The gentle brush of his breath against my bare skin had me shivering. It didn’t help when he then wiped a stray strand of hair away from my neck, kissing the spot gently before taking the end of the zipper in his hands. Something so simple had turned into the most erotic experience of my life and I only wanted him more.

“Done.” His whispered into my ear and I wiggled slightly helping the dress fall to the ground.

“Thanks.”

I stepped out of the fabric, regretting leaving my heels on as I nearly stumbled again and tossed my hair back over my shoulder. Holding my breath and turned around, struggling to focus on his face as my eyes felt really heavy. Must be because of all the mascara Jess put on me this afternoon.

“Oh well, guess it’s time for bed.”

“Is that what I think it is?” His voice was low and raspy yet the smile on his told me he knew the answer. His gaze seemed to darken and my confidence only grew seeing him look at me like that. 

“Maybe?” I asked coyly, placing my hands on my hips.

“There is nothing I’d like to do more than get that off you, but I really think you should go to bed.”

Rejection wasn’t something I had been expecting and so I took off my heels, glaring at him. 

“Lay on the bed for a minute. If you don’t pass out, I’ll keep you up all night Angel.”

Rolling my eyes, I could see he wasn’t going to budge on his offer, but the prize was to tempting to resist.

“Easy.”

He came to stand at the end of the bed and I laid down, hating how soft and comfortable the hotel beds were here. I’d never spent so much time in hotels until this year and made up for a lifetime in the last few months. I sat up and looked at Beau, he shook his head. Groaning I laid back down and after what felt like the minute, I looked at the clock surprised to find the room dark and Beau was asleep laying alongside me.

2:00

I had passed out.

In the light of the digital clock I could see a bottle of water and feeling thirsty I reached out to take it as a post it note fell off. Careful not to wake him, I grabbed my phone and turned on the torch, smiling instantly.

Forty seconds. Drink this if you wake up, even if you’re going to puke.

“You ok Angel?”

Beau yawned, lifting his head slightly to see the time.

“Thank you.”

“No worries, but I expect an encore with that little ensemble later.”

I slapped his arm and drank my water.

-

“Angel, wake up.”

“No.”

“I’ve got breakfast for you.”

“Pancakes?”

“And coffee.”

Opening my eyes the soft light of the dawn came through the curtains and Beau was showered and dressed, while I was spread out on the bed on my stomach. Getting up I rolled onto my side and he crawled into bed beside me.

“How you feeling?”

“Hungry, but fine.”

“Good, cause I ordered a bit of everything.”

Getting up, I ditched the lingerie and spied some shirts in the closet.

“Can I have one?”

Beau went and grabbed a band t-shirt for me, looking amused.

“Want me to get it signed for you? I know someone in the band.”

“You’re a charmer aren’t you?”

Breakfast was waiting when we came out of the bedroom and I didn’t hold back. It was still early, not even seven and despite last night I never felt better.

“So you don’t get hangovers?”

“I told you I wasn’t that drunk, and not always.”

“Not that drunk? You passed out in forty seconds.”

“It was a comfy bed.”

Beau’s phone started ringing and finding it on the sofa, answered. I finished breakfast and sat back in the chair; glad I only had to go down three floors for whatever kind walk of shame this would turn out to be.

“I gotta go Angel, the guys are here. You’re still coming today right?”

I got up and grabbed my bag, holding his hand as we walked out of the suite.

“Yes, and John gave me the weekend off so when Jess and I get there, I’m all yours.”

His smile was contagious and as we waited for the elevator I decided leaving was a bad idea.

“Can’t we just stay here?”

“I wish. So we’re ok? After yesterday…”

“Beau, we’re ok.”

His lips found mine, claiming them possessively and I melted against him. His hands went around my waist and as the doors opened he stepped backwards inside the elevator, lifting me with him. The second the doors closed his lips went down my neck, across my collarbone and the need from last night returned quickly. The ride down didn't last long enough.

“Call me as soon as you get there.”

He kissed me again, putting his arm out to stop the doors from closing.

“Ok, I love you.”

“I love you too Angel.”

I felt like I was floating as I made my way back to our room, and going in I froze seeing the pair of mens shoes in the passage by the door, followed by bits of Jess’s outfit.

I realized she must have bought someone back after leaving last night, but I didn’t even remember her talking to anyone.

“Jess, I’m home and I pray no one is naked!”

She had embarrassed me enough times, so it was only fair I returned the favor and covering my eyes I peeked through as I went into the room and nothing could have prepared me for what I walked into. Screaming I practically fell backwards into the corridor and locked myself in the bathroom.

“Bec, I can explain everything!” John called out and I was just thankful they both had blankets covering the parts of them I didn't want to see.

“No! No explaining necasary!” I covered my ears, not needing any explanation for the fact I just found my best friend and brother in bed together.