Page 56 of Strum Me

Chapter Twenty

Brad

It’s been three days since I left London and met up with the group in Birmingham. Three days of walking the tight rope between elation that Emily and Ben are going to be joining me soon, and sheer terror of receiving a phone call to say she’s changed her mind.

After the show in Northampton the other day I expected her to call or text, but it’s been radio silence. She had mentioned that she was very busy getting everything ready for Ben, what with interviewing nannies and packing and getting her house ready for her mom. But I’ve heard nothing. And I’ve been trying to tell myself that sometimes no news is good news.

“Oi! Get out here, numb-nuts! We’re playing a drinking game!” Jez yells to me from the living area on our bus.

I wander out to see the guys have got a big head start on me and have developed an acquired fashion style of wrapping their ties around their foreheads.

“All right, what are the rules?” I ask them.

“Every time they cut to a commercial, we drink!” Marius explains.

“What the hell kinda stupid game is that? What show is this anyway?” I glance up at the screens.

“World’s Best Commercials!” the three yell out in unison.

“Ah. That explains why Sebastian’s trying to eat that cheese stick with the wrapper still on.”

“Wha?” Sebastian looks up from his snack.

“Where’s your ball and chain?” I grin at him, tugging on his tie.

“On her bus where she belongs!” he says cockily.

“Ooh, wait ‘til she hears that!” I threaten him.

“I ain’t afraid of her!” he counters, then loud-whispers back to me, “but seriously, don’t tell her.”

“Commercial!” Marius announces.

“BOTTOM’S UP!” Sebastian and Jez shout and down their drinks and motion for me to do the same.

I sigh and take a drink from the beer Jez handed me. “How long does this show go for anyway?”

“I dunno, it’s a marathon”

“Hell.”

***

Did I ever tell you that you smell of blueberry muffins?

No. And I’m glad you didn’t. Why were you sniffing me?

I dunno, you always smelled nice. What did I smell like?

Orange Tic Tacs.

Oh, I love those.

I know :)

I know you know. You know everything.

Do I?