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24
CERYS
Under several sets of eyes,we follow Bryn behind the bar to the back of the club. Ruby Riot hangs out in a room preparing to go on stage and I have the dubious pleasure of joining them.
Two guys sit on the sofa comparing something on their phones and a third guy rests against the wall drinking beer. The guys on the sofa are around my age but that’s where the comparison stops. They have matching spikey black hair and piercings, and I’d lay bets that they’re brothers because they’re so similar. Everybody I meet tonight has tattoos—these guys each have a sleeve extending toward their neck, a bright mash of colours and pictures.
The solidly built man on his own is older, closer in age to Liam. I like muscles on a guy but this is someone who spends a lot of time working out to achieve the bulk he does. Nobody could have that much muscle naturally. His close-cropped hair and attitude gives him an odd demeanour, and an air of something beyond tension around him frightens me.
“Hey, guys,” says Bryn then frowns. “Where’re the rest of you?”
“Just what I was thinking,” mutters the man who’s against the wall. “I thought you were looking for them.” Something about the way he looks at me prickles my neck and I grip Liam’s hand. I felt out of place the moment I walked into the room and he isn’t helping.
“Nah, Jem’s with Ruby and Jax, I think they all went out for a smoke,” says one of the men on the sofa. “You brought a chick tonight, huh, Liam?”
“Cerys,” I say and pull a sour face at his description.
“Hey, Cerys. I’m Will and this is my baby brother, Nate. Bass player and drummer with the famous Ruby Riot.” He grins.
“Famous? Dream on,” says the third man.
“Don’t kill the dreams, Dan,” Nate says and the look that passes between them screams animosity lies beneath the surface. “This is Dan, our delectable lead singer Ruby’s, groupie.”
“Ha fucking ha.” Dan looks at me. “She’s my other half.”
“And because you’re here all the time, that makes you our official groupie,” says Will with a grin to match his brother’s.
“Sure, dickhead, you’re funny.” He looks to Bryn. “Was Ruby in the bar?”
“Nope.”
Nate checks his phone. “We’re on in fifteen, she always does this. I bet Jem’s talking her down again. “
Talking her down? “I should um… go to the bathroom before the band starts,” I say to Liam.
“You okay?” he asks quietly.
“Fine,” I lie.
The bathrooms are located halfway between the room and the bar area and there’s no queue. I’m not keen on walking back into the room and standing awkwardly while I wait for the gig to start. I have time to take a breather. The bar isn’t an option, so I head toward the propped open fire door for some fresh air. I’m about to step out when I notice two figures huddled in the shadows talking in insistent voices. The door leads to a narrow alley that runs between the pub and the main street, and the couple are on the edge of the light filtering through from the building.
I’m on alert this might turn into a physical argument because the girl’s hand gestures get wilder. The man doesn’t retaliate instead standing with his arms crossed against his chest. I can’t hear what they’re saying. Do I walk away? Wait in case she needs help?
The tall girl moves, and her bright red hair shines in the light as the man grabs her arm.
The same light casts across his face. I last saw him in person the night Liam kissed me almost six years ago, but the wiry figure with long brown curls touching his shoulders is unmistakably Jem.
“Sort this shit out,” he says to the girl.
“I’m fucking trying,” she snaps at him.
They’re closer and I’m now hearing something I probably shouldn’t. “You can’t live like this, Ruby.”
“Sure, oh, wise one, I’ll follow your example, should I?”
“Don’t hide behind that bullshit.”
“Then don’t start nagging me now. I’m on stage soon and you’re messing with my fucking head.” She attempts to move but Jem’s grip on her remains. “Let me go.”
