Chapter 8

Juliet stretched her body, star-fishing in the bed as the sun beamed through the windows. She had forgotten to close the blinds as she crawled into bed last night, so here she was…awake at six in the morning. Those days were supposed to be over now, but she found herself wide awake anyway. She would admit to her sleeping pattern being a little bit iffy since Paige had left—the same thing had happened last time—but it was two weeks into the tour, with another two to go.

She climbed from the bed, shrugging her robe on and fastening it as she moved into the open plan space. Coffee was the first thing she needed, then she would check to see if Paige had texted her last night after she'd fallen asleep. They'd spoken on the phone for over thirty minutes while Paige had some downtime, but Paige had plans with Soraya and the band once the gig had finished.

Paige had promised Juliet she would text her once she was safely in her hotel room, and it was a promise she hadn't broken since she'd started touring. So long as Juliet knew she was safe, life would be okay. She tapped the screen of her phone as she passed it by, smiling when she saw Paige's name. Juliet would make coffee, and then she would sit in the quiet while she searched for Paige's set last night.

I really have to find time to go to one of the shows.

It was true. Juliet wanted nothing more than to be standing at the front of a crowd while people cheered for Paige. That would be the moment when this all really sunk in for her. Because yes, at times, Juliet couldn't quite believe the life Paige had now. Maybe she could snag a ticket for tomorrow's show. She would speak to Paige about it later.

Armed with her coffee, Juliet took her phone from the counter and moved towards her reading chair in the window. She brought up Paige's message, noting the time it was sent. Four this morning. Jesus, Paige would barely function today if she didn't get plenty of rest.

Back at my room. Missing your gorgeous smile. I love you, babe x

Juliet grinned at that. Paige may be heading for potential stardom, but she would never forget who she was or who she loved. She would usually respond to Paige's night-time text, but Juliet chose not to. Not yet. If Paige heard her phone, she would wake up and call Juliet. While the thought of hearing Paige's voice sat firmly in her mind, Juliet wanted her to rest.

Instead, she brought up a few social media accounts, one on her phone and another on her iPad. She could have waited until Paige sent her the link, but it could be midday before that happened. Juliet wanted to watch her girlfriend performing now . Only as she opened Twitter, the first image to greet her was a selfie of Paige and Soraya. It read ‘Who wants us to travel the world together?' along the top, and it currently had over twelve thousand retweets and forty thousand likes.

Juliet frowned. Was that something Paige was considering? It didn't feel like something Paige would do, but perhaps they'd discussed it amongst the band last night, and Juliet had yet to hear it from Paige. Juliet's thumb hovered over the comment section. Did she really want to know what the fans thought about that idea? She supposed it wouldn't hurt to get a feel for the popularity of a world tour.

Could the sexual tension be any more obvious between these two?

Juliet swallowed, bringing her cup to her lips with a shaking hand.

Can you duet New Kinda Love together?

When is the wedding?

Juliet rolled her eyes. Some of the fans were out of their minds. Was this really how celebrities were treated?

You two look so happy together. Just tell us all now. It's so obvious.

Juliet scrolled back up to the image again, trying to see this so-called sexual tension and the happiness that was apparently there. All she saw was her gorgeous girlfriend staring at the camera, looking very tired.

Since it hadn't been torturous enough already, Juliet scrolled back down to the comments. Most of them were saying they'd love a world tour, with the odd vulgar one thrown into the mix every now and then. She kept scrolling, stopping on a particular comment that had a video attached.

Do you promise us more dancing like this? Yeah, we caught you two at the club last night! Hot. Hot. Hot.

With a trembling thumb, Juliet pressed play on the video. It wasn't the clearest, but it was clear enough to see what was going on. The first thing Juliet noticed was the fact that Soraya had her arse against Paige's crotch, the second being just how drunk Paige appeared to be. Paige rarely drank enough to be tipsy, never mind this state.

Juliet didn't want to see any more of the footage. She also didn't know what to make of the things she had seen. She checked the time—six-thirty—and brought up Hannah's number.

The call connected after a few rings. "Hello?"

"Have you seen social media this morning?"

Hannah cleared her throat. "Juliet, I have one eye open, my shirt half-buttoned, and I haven't even taken a sip of coffee yet. Of course I haven't seen social media."

"Paige is on there."

"Yeah, she usually is." Hannah's voice was laced with confusion. "Is that not a good thing? That people are posting about her and talking about her talent?"

"Oh, that part is great. The part that isn't is the footage of her dancing with fucking Soraya in a club!"

"Whoa. Relax. What's going on?"

Juliet lowered her coffee cup and pinched the bridge of her nose. "Have you seen the things the fans say about them? How they look good together and that the sexual tension is off the scale?"

"Fucking hell. All fans do that with celebrities. It's fucking weird if I'm being honest. You know, Edie was showing me something the other day. It was an American couple with their kid. The wife is really famous in the States, and she plays a lesbian in a TV series. A fan had only gone and photoshopped the TV love interest's face onto the husband and made it look like they were a couple in real life with a kid. That's…not normal."

"Yeah, that's…" Juliet ran a hand through her hair, sighing. "I just didn't expect it, you know?"

"No, I know. But I wouldn't worry about it. You know what footage and stuff can be like. It can be taken out of context."

"Oh, I don't know. Soraya certainly looked like she knew what she was doing. Having a fine old time with her arse against my girlfriend's crotch."

"Juliet…"

"Oh, come on. You're telling me that if someone had footage of Caz in the same position, you wouldn't be a little bit pissed off about it?"

Hannah fell silent.

"I thought as much." Juliet scoffed. "I think I might pay a little visit to the venue tonight."

"It's…sold out. All the remaining dates are."

Juliet didn't care about that. Paige would get her in somehow. "If Paige can't get me in, I'll do something I swore I'd never do…and pick a ticket up from a resale site."

"Well, it's good to know you've got money to burn." Hannah sighed. "Look, I hate to end this, but I should get ready for work."

"I know. And I'm sorry for calling so early. Say hi to Caz and Edie for me, okay?"

"I will. Maybe you could come round tonight and have dinner with us. You know, keep you occupied?"

"I'd love to, but I have a trip to Leeds to plan." Juliet brought up a ticket resale site, reaching for her purse next to her coffee on the side table.

"Y-you're really going there?"

"If I can get a ticket, sure. I was hoping I'd get the chance to surprise Paige, so why not do that tonight?"

"Because…I think you're going there for different reasons," Hannah said. "And I know I've known you longer, but Paige really isn't the kind of person to be doing something she shouldn't be."

Juliet's brows rose at that. "I haven't implied that she would do something she shouldn't be. That doesn't mean I can't make sure Soraya knows I'm around. I mean, do the fans even know that Paige is already involved? Does Soraya? Paige is a private person, and rightfully so, but I'd like to make sure everyone is on the same page."

"Just…don't do anything stupid, okay? Be there to support your girlfriend, and don't turn up looking like the jealous one."

Was Juliet jealous? In some way, yes. Because another woman had all of Paige's time and attention. And for what? Because Juliet hadn't given herself a few days off to travel with Paige? She always should have made sure she was available. Paige had asked her on numerous occasions to be at the shows with her. It was time to do that. "I have nothing to prove to anyone. I'm visiting Paige, and that's that."

"Okay. Well, call me tomorrow and let me know how amazing the show was."

Juliet's skin prickled. Tonight, she would finally see Paige performing live. "God, I can't wait. I should have done this on the first night."

"Just enjoy it. It's not every day someone gets to watch the woman they love perform in front of thousands of people."

"I know. And thanks, Hannah. I appreciate you picking up my call."

"Any time. I'll talk to you soon. Bye, Juliet."

Juliet lowered her phone and started her search for a ticket. One way or another, she would be in that crowd tonight, cheering Paige on. "I'm coming for you, baby."

Paige lowered her sunglasses over her eyes, still squinting as the brightness refused to budge. God, she hadn't realised how much she'd drank last night, but she knew she wouldn't be doing that ever again. There were several reasons she didn't ply herself with alcohol, and the hangover the following day was at the top of that list.

Closely followed by the fact it had killed her mother.

She strode across the foyer of the hotel, smiling in the direction of Soraya and her band. Right now, she just wanted food and to hear Juliet's voice. She had tried calling before leaving the hotel room, but Juliet was probably up to her eyeballs in dust and exposed bricks. Even though she had told her to stay away from The Hideout. It was nothing more than a building site right now. She opened her phone and sent off a quick message.

I tried calling but I must have missed you before you left home. I'm getting some lunch and then I have a soundcheck at 3. I need to hear your voice before I go on stage tonight. Please call me when you're free. I love you x

Paige slid her phone into the top pocket of her open shirt, heading straight for Soraya's table. She didn't make it a habit to eat unhealthy food, but this afternoon, she needed something that would soak up whatever was going on in her stomach.

"Well, well, well. What time do you call this?" Soraya grinned, pulling out a chair. "Feeling rough?"

"Tired more than anything. I don't do four in the morning very well. The latest is two-ish at a push, and I'm usually sober even then."

Soraya laughed. "You need to get out more. You had so much fun last night."

"Did I? It doesn't feel like I did." Paige sunk back in her seat, wishing she had woken up sober with Juliet this morning. Snuggled and warm in their bed. "Have you all eaten?"

"No. We were waiting for you. We've ordered a few platters and some other bits. Is that good with you, or did you want to order something else?"

Paige folded her arms across her chest. "A platter is great."

"Are…you going to remove your sunglasses?" Soraya leaned in towards Paige's ear. "Anyone would think you had something to hide."

"My head hurts, and my eyes are like pissholes in the snow." Paige glanced at Soraya, wondering how the hell she looked fine this afternoon. "Do you not get hangovers? You look like you've just been to the salon."

Soraya shrugged, her blonde hair glistening as the sun caught it through the window. "I think you look gorgeous. Don't worry about it."

"Okay, now you're just talking shit." Paige scoffed, shaking her head. "I came back on tour like you asked; you don't have to butter me up anymore."

"Who said I was buttering you up? I can appreciate someone's beauty when I see it, can't I?"

Huh. Paige guessed so. "Fine. But you're still talking shit. I look like I haven't slept in a week. And now you expect me to slip into some fancy gown and serenade your crowd for you."

Soraya placed a hand on Paige's shoulder, squeezing it. "Relax. You look great. You sound amazing. And anyone who is lucky to see you live knows it."

Paige puffed out her chest, smiling. She'd had her ego stroked; now she just needed to hear the one voice she was missing. "Well, thanks. I appreciate that."

"I'm thinking of changing my set up a tiny bit." Soraya picked at a piece of bread roll on her side plate, one knee up to her chest. "I saw a few fans on social media asking if we would do a duet. While I think it's a great idea, I wanted to ask you first."

"Duet…with you? Like, during your show?"

"Sure. I can move a few things around."

Paige would love to be a part of Soraya's show, but tonight? She wasn't sure it was a good idea. In all honesty, Paige didn't plan to stay until the end of the night. She was hoping to catch a song or two and then go back to her hotel, where she could relax and recharge fully. "I'd really love to, but does it have to be tonight? If I'm going to have an opportunity like that, I'd rather be fully on my game."

"Tomorrow then?" Soraya asked, taking her glass of water from the table and watching Paige over the rim.

"Tomorrow. Definitely. I can prepare myself better if I have a little more time."

"Okay, well, I'm looking forward to it. I know the fans are, too. Some of them are wild on social media."

Paige's phone started to ring in her pocket. She yanked it out, thrilled to see Juliet's name displayed on the screen. "Hold that for a minute. I need to take this call." She rushed away from the table and landed outside, grinning when she picked up. "Hi, babe. So sorry I missed you before."

"That's okay. I was showering."

God, it was so good hearing Juliet's voice. "How are you? Are you relaxing while you have no work to do?"

"Trying to, yes."

Paige perched herself on the wall outside. "Please tell me you haven't been at the bar. The place is full of dust and crap."

"I was there last night for an hour, but I haven't been there today. I thought I'd stay home instead."

Paige sighed. "God, I wish I was there with you. I feel so tired today, and all I want is a cuddle from you."

"Mm. That'll be the very late night you had."

Paige had a feeling Juliet would notice the timestamp on her message. She was on the ball with things like that. "Yeah, I won't make that mistake again. I feel awful today."

"Did you enjoy yourself, though?" Juliet asked, seemingly a little distracted in her tone.

"I think so. I can't remember half of the night, so your guess is as good as mine, babe. But never mind my night out. Tell me what you've been doing since I last spoke to you."

"Not a lot. Just spending some time online and doing a little reading."

Paige stared down at her shoes, smiling to herself. "And…missing me, I hope."

"It's impossible not to miss you, baby. The place is so quiet without you. While I enjoy the silence, it's not the same."

"No, I know. But it's only a couple of weeks to go, and then I'll be home."

Juliet cleared her throat. "Is that the end of the tour then? Or does Soraya have plans to put more dates on?"

"As far as I know, it's the end of the UK tour. So, that means I'll be home, working with you, and snuggling you every night. And honestly, I can't wait. I'm not cut out for this full-time."

"I'm sure you could grow to love it."

"Nope. I'm a home bird now. I know where I want to be and what I want. That includes my slippers, a glass of wine with you on the couch, and my comfy pants. Not all this glittery gown shit while people scream at me from the middle of an arena."

"You're…not enjoying it?"

Paige hadn't meant to sound so ungrateful. There were musicians out there who would give up everything they had for an opportunity like this. Paige just…preferred her home life. "No, I am. I'm really enjoying it. It's just not something I could do long-term, you know? My main priorities are you and the bar."

"Then I can't wait until you're home with me."

"Me too." Paige looked up to see Soraya waving at her from the window. It looked like lunch had arrived. "I don't want to go, but lunch is here, and I really need to eat something."

"Go and eat. I'll talk to you later."

"Okay. Bye, babe. Missing you."

Juliet sighed lightly. "Missing you, too. Be safe. I love you."