Page 30 of Any Kind of Life
“I have everything.” Paige chewed her lip, feeling a little unsure about moving on to the next venue. While Juliet maintained she hadn’t come here solely because of trust issues, the idea of it remained firm in her mind. “I…are you sure you don’t want to come to the next venue with us? It’s not like you have to get back for work.”
“You’re right, I don’t. But I think it’s important that I go back home and allow you this opportunity without me. I put my foot in it last night, and this is me showing you that I do trust you, Paige. Because I know it’s on your mind now.”
Paige offered a faint smile. “Yeah. Kind of.”
Juliet stepped forward and cradled Paige’s jaw in her palm. “You know I love you. And I know you’d never look at another woman. Enjoy this because one day it could all be over.”
“It…will all be over. Very soon.”
Juliet nodded. “Until the next time.”
There wouldn’t be a next time. Paige knew that with certainty. Soraya could offer whatever she wanted, but Paige’s priorities lay in Liverpool. Nowhere else. And with nobody else. “I’ll be home next week. And then I’m done.”
Juliet drew Paige into a kiss, one hand on her hip. She didn’t want to let her go, neither of them did, but Paige had a soundcheck to get to, and Juliet should leave now if she didn’t want to spend all afternoon on the motorway in traffic. “I’ll talk to you when you’re free, okay?”
“Call me when you get back to Liverpool.”
Juliet offered one final kiss, stroking her thumb across Paige’s jawline. “I will. Be careful, okay? Keep your wits about you.”
“Always, babe.”
“Come on! We need to get moving.” Paige winced at the sound of Soraya’s voice.
Juliet looked over Paige’s shoulder, scoffing. “She does realise that I’ll just take twice as long to say goodbye the more she yells, right?”
“Behave yourself. You’re too classy to play stupid games with her.” Paige took Juliet’s hand and squeezed, taking a step back. “I love you, and I’ll see you soon.”
“Bye, baby. I love you, too.”
Paige puffed out her cheeks as she wheeled her luggage towards Soraya’s tour bus. She was beginning to wish she’d driven here herself. At least then, she wouldn’t have to be on everyone else’s time. Soraya always liked to leave an hour earlier than necessary; Paige supposed it was the diva in her.
“About fucking time. Anyone would think you were leaving for war!” Soraya clapped as she rose from her seat at the back of the bus, grinning at Paige. “Come and sit up here. We have things to discuss.”
Yeah, we do, Paige thought. She smiled at the band members scattered about, taking a seat facing Soraya. “What’s up?”
“About the duet…”
Paige wrinkled her nose. “Yeah, I’m not sure I’m feeling it.”
“Excuse me? You don’t want to duet with me? Why not?!”
Paige rested her ankle on her knee, twisting her bottle of water in her hand. “First of all, this bullshit with the fans needs to stop. You have to shut down any rumours.”
“I’m sorry?” Soraya stared back at Paige, apparently oblivious. Only Paige was almost sure Soraya knew exactly what she was talking about.
“The rumours. The insinuation that you and I are together.”
Soraya laughed. “Oh, that! Don’t worry about it. If nothing else, it’s good for the tour and our image.”
“Come again?”
“The fans love the idea of some secret relationship between us. Let them have their fun. I’ve been accused of fucking worse people.” Soraya winked, reaching out and squeezing Paige’s knee. But Paige instantly pulled back, now fully aware of the game Soraya was playing. “Don’t tell me you don’t love it too!”
“No, I really don’t love it. I have a partner at home.”
“Oh, we know. She made sure we all saw who she was just then.” Soraya rolled her eyes, her attention now on the phone in her hand. “It’s not cool that she just shows up, either. It would have been nice to know beforehand.”
“Why? She wasn’t there to see you.” Paige got the impression that Juliet’s lack of awe was bothering Soraya. “She was there to support me.”