Page 5 of Defying Ella
“Nah, I’ll just wave goodbye to my mousy haired shadow and enjoy my life,” Jared shouted after me.
I didn’t turn around, didn’t so much as acknowledge his newest claim that I’d only joined the tour for him. He’d worn out the jab at this point. I kept moving while the roadies flowed around me, unravelling millions of wires, lining up cases and hefting heavy-looking lights into the air.
To them, it was just another day on the road. Some of them were probably sad to be finishing the tour.
For me, it should have been a happy day. Escaping Jared, a holiday in the Alps and another new experience to add to my growing list. All I felt was the sizzle of anger as I rushed back down the hallway.
And irritation with a dash of sadness.
Why do I let the asshole get to me?
I stepped into the green room, my head pounding. Deep breaths did very little to calm the anger. The rest of the band sprawled out on the sofas, their other halves tucked into their sides. Mel took one look at my face and shot to her feet, leaving Phoebe tugging at Dan’s tightly trimmed ginger beard.
Seeing the pair of them together, with identical ginger mops of hair and the same mischievous grin, cooled some of the fire in my veins.Too cute.
Mel caught my hand before I could take more than a couple of steps. She guided me into the corner, away from the drinks table and the scattering of people.
“Are you okay?” she whispered, leaning close.
My eyes fell shut as I tried to force my breathing to even out. Jared was an asshole. I already knew that, so getting upset about it was a waste of energy. I blew out a breath, opened my eyes and smiled at Mel.
“I’ll be fine.” Even I could tell my smile was wonky. “Only five more hours to go.”
“One day, you’ll tell me what went on between you two, right?” Mel squeezed my hand, concern creasing her eyes.
I bit my lip. If I could help it, I wouldn’t utter another word about Jared to anyone.
Mel’s gaze shifted to Dan and Phoebe. I could see the cogs turning behind her eyes. What those cogs were, I had no clue. Dan stared back at her quizzically, equally in the dark.
“Listen,” she turned to me, leaning in close again, “why don’t you head to the lodge early?”
“But Phoebe —”
She shook her head. “Don’t worry about Phoebe. It’s your day off.”
Is it?
Well, that would explain why she and Phoebe had disappeared without a word.
“There’s no reason for you to stick around and breathe the same air as him.” She smiled, a careful but encouraging look in her eyes. “Mam and dad will be here soon to take Phoebe. It’s less than four hours to the lodge, you could be there before the guys even go on tonight.”
I hummed in agreement. Very seriously tempted despite the guilt of ditching them all.
“Andy said the keys are in a lockbox. I can text you the code. The place is fully stocked so you wouldn’t have to do anything but pick up another hire car.” Mel smiled, silently imploring me to take the escape hatch she offered.
Who was I kidding? I didn’t need that much convincing. My body already vibrated with the need to skip out of this place with my bags in hand.
“Are you sure? The others won’t hate me for ditching out early?”
Mel snorted. “Don’t be ridiculous. We’d all go with you if we could.” She tapped my arm and gave me a little shove towards the door. “Now go. Before Jared reappears and steals that tiny happy buzz from you.”
“Thank you.” I pulled her into a hug and squeezed tight.
“No need. Just look after yourself, Els.” Her arms tightened a little harder and then she stepped back. “I know a thing or two about running from difficult things, remember?” Her eyes screamed at me with a mixture of suspicion and understanding. “Now, go.”
I didn’t need to be told three times.
For the first time in weeks, as I dashed out the door, it didn’t feel like I carried a three-pound weight on my shoulders.
