Loving the Band (3 page)

The seatbelt popped out and Shaq pulled back abruptly, not looking me in the eye. He gripped the steering wheel tightly.

‘Oh no. Not them!’ Logan suddenly moaned from the back seat.

Glad for the distraction, I spun round. ‘Who?’

‘How did the paparazzi find us here?’ Riley squeezed my shoulders reassuringly. ‘Don’t worry, Jess.’

‘We need a plan here, boys …’ Logan warned.

‘Jess,’ Riley began, leaning round to look at me with his big puppy-dog eyes. ‘Do you have a back door to your house by any chance?’

‘Er, yes?’ I replied tentatively, suspicious of what was coming next.

His eyes twinkled as he brushed my hair off my shoulder. ‘Pleeease can we come hide out at yours?’

‘Tegan! I’m home!’ I shouted up the stairs.

I turned round to tell the boys to ‘make themselves at home’, but by the looks of it they already had. Logan and Tyler were sprawled out on the sofas while Riley sat on the kitchen sideboard watching Callum raiding my cupboards for food. Only Shaq stood still, waiting for me.

Heavy footsteps came thundering down the stairs. ‘Oh, you’re back, Jess, finally! I was getting so worried!’

Tegan, wrapped in nothing but her pink fluffy towel, stopped in her tracks as she took in the sight before her. Five very handsome faces gazed up at her in amusement.

‘Oh. My. God!’ she shrieked.

‘Tegan!’ I shouted, running towards her while pushing her up the stairs. I could hear the boys properly laughing now behind me.

We made it up to my room and I shut the door behind us. ‘Tegan, calm down! Breathe, in and out, in and out!’

Her breathing soon slowed. ‘The Only Truth … are
in … your house …’

‘I know!’ I squealed.

‘How? What? Where?
Why?
’

‘I think you should get dressed first,’ I said, eyeing her pink towel. ‘And then I’ll tell you everything.’

After much gasping, jumping up and down on the bed in excitement and dramatic sighs, Tegan got the whole story out of me and managed to calm down just a tiny bit.

‘So, basically, you need to not freak them out because they might be here for a while,’ I said as she finally got dressed.

‘But what’s your dad going to say?’ Tegan asked, pulling on what I knew were her favourite jeans.

‘He doesn’t need to know. They only want to stay here for the few hours it’s going to take for the paparazzi to leave.’

‘Then we’d better make the most of it while we can,’ Tegan grinned as she checked her hair and practically floated downstairs.

‘Tegan … don’t do anything embarrassing! Tegan!’ I ran down the stairs after her.

Still wide-eyed and apparently unable to form any more words, Tegan wandered over to one of the sofas and sat right down next to Callum, who, to be fair, didn’t look entirely displeased. He even put down his spoils from the cupboard to introduce himself.

Shaq caught my eye and I recognized the same twinkle of amusement in it that I had been feeling too.

I realized I was staring and pulled myself together. ‘Right, well, since you all seem to be fine, I’m going to go for a shower.’

‘Fancy some company?’ grinned Riley, twirling round on his stool in the kitchen.

‘Er, no, I do not!’ I said indignantly, but then I saw the laughter in his cute face and heard the other boys roaring too.

‘Ha, ha, very funny.’ I climbed the stairs with a grin on my face. Riley did make me laugh.

In the bathroom, I took off my sticky dress and threw it on the floor, sighing at the thought of it having to go in the bin. I turned the shower on and stepped inside. I let the water run down me as I shook my head in amazement at the weirdness of having the most famous boy band in the whole world downstairs in my living room!

After washing all the remaining food from my hair, I stepped out of the shower and changed into some trousers that I found in the bottom of my suitcase and a tight white tank top. I looked at my blonde hair in the mirror realizing that it would take hours to dry. I sighed and simply rubbed it with a towel and left it damp, but I did put a little bit of make-up on – there were five gorgeous boys in Dad’s living room, after all.

I finally made my way down the stairs to find the boys still watching television.

‘Hey, gorgeous,’ Riley grinned. ‘Come sit!’ He patted the seat next to him.

I laughed. ‘You are so cheesy.’

‘You know it,’ he winked as I plopped down next to him.

I looked up to see Shaq watching me closely. And, I couldn’t help it, I blushed. Shaq looked quickly back down at his feet.

No one seemd to have noticed what had just happened, so to change the subject I rubbed my tummy. ‘Does anyone fancy ordering a pizza? I’m really hungry.’

Callum perked up straight away. ‘I want one! Please!’

Tegan smiled next to him. I wondered if she’d managed to actually say any words while I had been away.

Without looking at anyone, in case they could sense the butterflies that I was still feeling, I jumped up and went into the hall to phone for the pizzas, ordering both meaty and veggie toppings to cover all bases, before busying myself in the kitchen until they arrived.

After half an hour of manic tidying and preparing drinks and hunting for more snacks to serve, I rested my head against the wall to calm myself down. What was wrong with me? I reminded myself that this break wasn’t about boys so just to get over it. At that moment, the doorbell rang. Dinner had arrived.

When I walked back into the living room, pizza boxes in hand, the boys had moved all around the place and now the only spot left to sit was right next to Shaq.

He seemed to realize this at exactly the same moment as me, but there was nothing I could do. I squished next to him and tried to ignore the warmth of his leg pressed against mine.

‘Jess, your wet hair is dripping all over Shaq’s pizza!’ Logan pointed out cheekily.

‘Well, if Shaq hadn’t plastered his food all over me, then he wouldn’t have the added extra, would he?’

The boys and Tegan all burst out laughing, including Shaq, and suddenly the tension was broken. It was easy to speak to him after that.

Feeling restored after the pizzas had been devoured, everyone slouched on the sofas, rubbing their full bellies. I looked up at the clock on the wall – it was already early evening and I realized the boys would probably need to leave soon. We’d all been having so much fun that deep down I admitted that I really didn’t want them to go.

Tyler caught me looking at the clock and nodded. He stood and went to the front window. ‘You’re kidding me,’ I heard him moan.

Tegan looked up, concerned. ‘What’s wrong?’

Shaq pushed himself up from the sofa next to me and took big strides towards the window where Tyler was still standing. He also groaned. ‘Oh my God, why can’t they leave us alone once in a while?’

‘Shaq?’ I asked.

Shaq rubbed the back of his neck and sighed. ‘Five more cars have pulled up outside your house – all paparazzi. I’m sorry, Jess.’

‘Don’t be sorry, it’s not your fault. What do you want to do?’

Tyler looked at Shaq. ‘What do you think, mate?’

‘Well, we can’t have the paparazzi taking pictures of us, but we have already been enough trouble for Jess so we can’t stay here,’ Shaq replied.

Trouble? I didn’t think they’d been any trouble at all. I had an idea. ‘Tegan, can I speak to you in the kitchen?’

She smiled and nodded, following me out of the room. She obviously knew what I was about to suggest.

‘Well, what do you think? Should I ask them to say? It’s not hurting anyone. Or is it? What do you think my dad would say? Are you OK with it?’ I rambled, excited by the possibility. Tegan just laughed at me and placed her hands on my shoulders.

‘Jess, calm down. I agree – asking them to stay one night won’t hurt,’ she said, tilting her head to one side and looking at me curiously. ‘Seriously, you would think that you are the crazed fan, not me.’

‘Very funny. Come on, then.’ We made our way back into the living room where the boys were throwing around ideas in desperation as to how to get round the paparazzi.

‘Do you guys want to stay here tonight?’ I interrupted.

They all turned round to look at me, faces lit up.

‘Oh, thank you, Jess! That would be great!’ Callum said, while grinning.

‘Are you sure that’s OK? We don’t want to be any trouble’ Shaq said seriously. I looked at him and tried to stop the flutters in my chest. ‘No, it’s fine.’

‘Yes!’ Riley shouted, and launched over to pick me up in a massive bear hug.

We sat in the living room, chatting and talking easily all evening. The Only Truth weren’t my favourite band, but it was still amazing to have them here – they really seemed like genuine down-to-earth guys – all so different from each other in character and nothing like I expected them to be. Except for the fact that they were all very good-looking, it was easy to forget they were so famous.

Tyler seemed to be the daddy of the group whereas Logan could be seen as the cheeky young one. Callum was open and friendly, a lot like Tegan; Riley was charming and very flirtatious – it was hard not to respond. And Shaq, he seemed a bit more aloof from the group – dark and brooding. I couldn’t help snatching glances at him.

It was starting to get quite late when Logan, who had been running around the living room, chucking things at the boys, suddenly yelped when he ran into my old guitar, sitting in the corner. ‘Hey, whose is this? Is it yours, Jess?’

‘Uh, yeah. But I haven’t played in ages.’

‘But you do play?’ he persisted.

I chuckled. ‘Well, I try.’

Tegan frowned. ‘Try? Jess, you’re great!’

I turned crimson. ‘That’s not true,’

‘Well, do you mind if I have a go?’ Callum asked.

I shook my head. He walked over to the other side of the room and picked up my guitar. He sat on one of the sofa arms and began to pluck a few strings, a beautiful melody suddenly starting to form. He stopped abruptly and turned to me. ‘Your turn.’

The room was quiet as everyone’s attention was now on me. I’m not comfortable in the limelight – no way could I perform for all of them.

‘I’ll pass,’ I said, laughing nervously.

Riley stuck his bottom lip out and looked at me with big puppy-dog eyes. ‘Please, Jess, for me!’

It was hard to say no to those pleading blue eyes. Then all the boys took Riley’s lead and chorused, ‘Pleeease!’

I pretended to look cross at the group ambush, but took my guitar from Callum. Tegan clapped her hands excitedly. I started off slowly, getting the feel for it again, but soon relaxed into it, closing my eyes and playing a piece I’d heard on the radio that day. Playing by ear like that was something I’d been able to do since I first picked up the guitar when I was a lot younger.

I played the final chord and opened my eyes to see everyone staring.

‘That was amazing!’ Callum declared enthusiastically.

‘Yeah, it really was,’ Shaq said quietly.

‘Do you sing as well?’ Riley questioned me.

I laughed. ‘I have done, but I’m not any goo–’

Tegan cut me off. ‘Er, she’s an even better singer than she is a guitarist.’

I scowled at her, but she just grinned widely back.

‘Sing for me, Jess?’ Riley asked.

Tegan spoke before I could. ‘Ha, no way she will do that. It took me over a year to convince her to sing to me, and that was only after I heard her in the shower.’

I nodded my head agreeing with her. I’d already shown a lot more of myself this evening than I ever did to most people. Something about these boys had lulled me into it. It wasn’t like me.

‘Boo, you no fun,’ Callum said through his pout.

I stuck my tongue out. ‘My no-fun self is going to bed now. I suggest you guys do the same – it’s late.’

‘Wooooo!’ teased Logan.

I laughed and everyone started going to get ready for sleep. I tidied some stuff away in the kitchen and then went upstairs to brush my teeth before bed.

I pushed the bathroom door handle, but it wouldn’t budge. I remembered my dad telling me that the door got stuck sometimes, so I tried it again, but this time with more force. The door opened just enough for me to slide my body in.

I squeezed in round the door and suddenly found myself staring at Riley’s half-naked body facing away from me.

‘Agh!’ I didn’t know which way to turn.

Riley spun round, and let out a short gasp. As if in slow
motion I watched a drop of water fall from his face to his neck and run down the front of his perfectly toned body. Oh wow.

‘Jess!’ He sounded surprised but not unhappy to see me there.

I stared down at the floor. ‘Oh my God! I’m so sorry! I didn’t know anyone was in here!’ I could feel the blood rushing to my cheeks as I fumbled blindly for the door.

‘You don’t have to be in a big rush to leave, you know.’

‘Ha ha,’ I mumbled, embarrassed.

‘It’s not like you saw me naked,’ Riley grinned, squeezing past me just in a towel. ‘But if you want to, all you have to do us ask. Oh hey, Shaq!’

I glanced up to see Shaq passing by. He had an odd look on his face.

‘I was just going to clean up before bed,’ he said. ‘Don’t worry, I’ll come back later.’

Oh God, I could only imagine what that looked like. Also, it didn’t help that Riley had a massive grin on his face.

‘Riley, you’re going to burn her kitchen down!’

I was woken up by the muffled shouting coming from downstairs. I rolled over in my bed and with a slow moan I checked my clock – ugh, too early!

Running my fingers through my knotted hair, I kicked the remaining covers off my body. I swivelled my feet off the bed and pushed myself up on to the cold wooden floor, grabbing my purple hoodie from the back of the chair. Turning to look at myself in the mirror, I frowned. I was not a morning person that was for sure.

‘I don’t think it’s that bad, do you?’ I spun round to see Shaq passing by the door and grinning at my expression at the mirror. He was only wearing a pair of grey trousers – no top. His body took my breath away and I could feel my legs go wobbly. I grabbed the table to steady myself, taking deep breaths; I must have looked ridiculous.