“What about new security? You’re still hiring right?”
“Yes. Interviews are being held later today, but there won’t be time to vet them thoroughly enough before we leave. I’ve told Claire she should stay behind and do that, then she can send some out to join us at a later date.”
“When will you be telling the other guys? I don’t like keeping shit from them.”
“And I don’t like keeping stuff from you, which is why I told you. But I also know you realise deep down how important this is, so I trust you to keep it to yourself.”
“You know I will. So when?”
“Tuesday morning. You’ll have just enough time to gather essentials before we leave for the airport. Anything else you guys need can be provided when we get there.”
“Will everyone else be told Tuesday too? Elle, Laurelin…”
“Ideally we don’t want to tell anyone else at all.”
“I can’t not tell Elle, Jake.”
“I thought you’d say that.”
“And Lin’s my PA. She goes everywhere with me.”
“You don’t need a fucking PA, Sawyer,” he grumbled. I never knew it bothered him so much. Did he not like Laurelin or something? “You have enough people running around after you. Stop being such a damn Queen.”
“I didn’t realise you had such a problem with her? What’s she done to piss you off?”
“It’s not Laurelin, it’s the principle. And… well she seems to have a stick up her arse beneath that pretentious, saccharine smile. I think she’s into you.”
“Well of course she is. I’m Sawyer freakin’ Knight,” I teased, bumping my shoulder with his. It was the most contact we’d had all night and my dick started to stir from the closeness. “You’re not jealous are you?” I whispered. Even thought it appeared everyone around us was comatose, you can never guarantee there are no hidden ears listening in.
“Completely. You’ve been straight for a long time, Sawyer. Of course it worries me you’ll start to miss it.” Wow. The air around us turned dark and serious instantaneously.
“I wasn’t straight, Jake. You know that. No one has ever made me feel like you do.”
Jake’s mobile started vibrating in his pocket and I was silently glad for the intrusion. The way he looked at me, so intense and wanting… I needed to take him to bed and I needed to do it now. My arms literally ached to take hold of his body and hold it to mine while I kissed him. That would’ve been a mistake, here in this house filled with so many other people, and if we’d have carried on talking, I don’t think I would’ve been strong enough not to risk it.
“On my way,” he spoke firmly into his phone. After tapping the ‘End’ icon he turned back to me. “Neil’s reporting suspicious activity out by the entrance gates. It’s probably nothing, but I have to go and check it out.”
“Be careful.” The words tumbled automatically from my mouth. I hated the danger this job put him in…and all because of me. It was never a concern really for anyone in my team in the past. We’ve had the odd crazy fan trying to climb the walls for an autograph but never have we experienced anything on this scale before.
“Always am,” he assured. “Get to bed. I’ll see you in the morning.”
Sighing, I nodded. I didn’t want to sleep without him tonight. It’s like a piece of my heart is attached to him by an invisible wire, and every time we’re apart he rips it out, taking it with him. I feel a sense of emptiness when he’s not by my side and I struggle to find my purpose. Sounds dramatic, I know, but Jake is the only person who really knows me. The only person I can share anything and everything with. He’s the other half of my soul. Now I just need to man the fuck up and tell the world that he’s mine.
Chapter Fourteen
I breathed a contented sigh as I pulled up on to my parents’ drive. We are a close family, always have been, and I missed them.
“Jake!” my baby sister Lily squealed, bounding out of the house and running towards my car. I still think of her as a baby, despite the fact she’s fifteen. “You’re here!” I climbed out of the car and gave her a hug before I’d even shut the door behind me. “Where are they? Are they coming here?”
She was talking about the band of course.
“They’re settling into their hotel. Don’t worry, sis, you’ll get to meet them I promise.”
“What are they like? Are they as cool as they are on TV? What about Kip? Is he as hot as he looks on the pictures?”
Lily has had a crush on Isaac for the past three years. Although he and Elle told the rest of the band about their relationship a couple of days ago, it wasn’t public knowledge yet. Lily will be gutted I’m sure.
“How about we go inside first, huh?”
Not wasting a second, Lily ran back into the house. I locked up the car and followed her inside, smiling when I found my mum waiting for me in the living room.
“I’m so glad to have you home,” Mum cooed, wrapping her arms around.
“Glad to be here,” I agreed, pulling out of her hug. “Where’s Dad?”
“Working. But he’ll be home this evening. We were hoping you could join us for dinner?”
“I’ll try,” was the best I could offer. “We’re having some security issues with the guys right now. That’s kind of why we’re here.”
“So go on!” Lily interrupted. “What’s Kip like? Is he hot?”
“I think I can safely say they’re all pretty hot, Lils.”
I’ve always called her Lils. She hates it, and I suspect that’s why I still do it. It’s a big brother’s prerogative to wind up his younger sister.
“You’re so lucky,” she sighed. “Do you have fans fighting to get to them all the time? And what about photographers? I saw your picture in Star Style magazine last week! I took it to school and showed you off to all my friends! They couldn’t believe it.”