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Once the laughter simmered down, we broke off into our own little groups to talk and, of course, eat dessert. When we were done, Drew and Ellie left the table to pay, and I headed to the ladies’ room. As I was about to turn the corner towards the overly grand staircase that led to the toilets, I heard Ellie’s voice and stopped dead.
“I don’t like this,” Ellie said, then sighed loudly, ending it with a growl. “This is so messed up. She’s my sister, and Jason’s my best friend. I want them both to be happy, but… together? I know it’s what Lucy wants, but I don’t know if she can handle it. Him. The reality of what being with him means.”
“I know, Ells. I know. Maybe bringing her on tour was a bad idea.”
“Maybe. But if this was going to happen, it would have happened anywhere.”
My brow furrowed as I tried to understand their conversation. Because, believe me, if anything had actually happened between Jason and me, I would have remembered.
“I don’t think anything is going on,” Drew said. “Not physically, anyway. I don’t think Jason would be stupid enough to try anything. He knows you’d kill him.”
“He’s impulsive, Drew.”
“So talk to him. Try to make him understand.”
“Understand what, exactly?” I asked, turning the corner to confront the two people who were inexplicably trying to control something that – as far as I was concerned – wasn’t even an issue. And even if it was an issue, what right did they have to interfere? As I stared them down, they jumped apart, guilt covering their faces.
Drew glanced down at Ellie. “I’ll leave you to it.”
“No, you can stay,” I told him. “Both of you seem to be involved in this, whatever this is, so you can answer my questions.”
“Lucy-” Ellie began.
“Wait.” I held my hands up. “Why are you two out here whispering about me and Jason? If there is something you want to ask me, then just ask. Not that I have anything to tell you, which is why I’m so confused right now.”
Ellie flicked her eyes towards Drew, in much the same way my mum looks at my dad when there’s something uncomfortable she wants to discuss. She closed her eyes and leaning back against the ornate wooden bannister behind her. “You weren’t supposed to hear any of that.”
“Obviously. But I did.”
I kept my stare firm on her. I knew she would cave if I glared hard enough, but more than that, she knew she owed me an explanation which was why she kept tugging at the sleeves of her top and avoided meeting my eye.
“What do you think is going on, Ellie? And what does Jason need to understand?”
Again, Ellie looked to Drew for help, and he took a step towards me. “We’ve noticed you and Jason spending a lot of time together.”
“You mean you’ve noticed,” I said. “Ellie’s only just got here.”
He at least had the grace to give an embarrassed nod. “Okay. I noticed.”
“I noticed too,” Ellie added. “It’s hard not to.”
“Have you seen where we live right now? I can’t avoid him, can I?”
She raised an eyebrow. “How much time have you spent with Mack or Joey? Or me, for that matter?”
“Oh, that’s what this is about? You think I haven’t spent enough time with you? I thought you might want to be with Drew on the first day you got here!”
“It’s not about me, it’s about you!”
“I still don’t know what I’ve done!”
“You haven’t done anything.” Drew gave Ellie’s shoulder a gentle squeeze, silently telling her to calm down. “But we’re worried that you getting closer to Jason is going to cause… problems.”
“For who?”
“Both of you.”
I shook my head. “This is total crap. Nothing’s happened between us. I don’t know why you’d think it would.”
