I nod. ‘OK, lead the way.’
Jade doesn’t know I shouldn’t be doing this. That I’m going to get in a whole lot of trouble with my boss for fucking around with the timeline. Like being ‘uncreated’ trouble. But if Jade is willing to sacrifice herself for love, perhaps I can too. Who’s going to miss a horny-assed devil anyway?
We show our tickets to a uniformed security guard, who checks them carefully. ‘Did Tommy Rains give you these?’
‘Yes, I’m withPopTraxmagazine,’ Jade says impatiently. ‘Can we go through?’
The guard hesitates. ‘Where’s your press pass?’ he asks, looking at her.
Then Ash shows up with Kiki and flashes his press lanyard. ‘We’re all withPopTrax.’
Jade is having conniptions as the guard takes his sweet time looking at the lanyard and checking tickets. He even gives Ash and me pat-downs. Finally, he says, ‘OK, you’re all fine to go backstage. Sorry to hold you up, but you can’t be too careful these days.’ He waves to the door behind him. ‘Through there and turn right. That will take you to the band lounge area.’
Kiki is gurgling with excitement, while Jade looks like she’s going to throw up. Bravely, I risk taking her hand and amthankful when she doesn’t bite my fingers. Phew, I think I’ve been forgiven for Tommy absconding with Rach. I got a bit distracted having Jade in my arms.
‘The Tommy Rains cockblocking mission is a go,’ I whisper to her as we make our way down a brightly lit corridor, and Jade’s lips twist ruefully.
‘Can you transport us perhaps?’ she asks in a low voice. ‘Just you and me. It’d be quicker. He might be seducing her right now.’
‘No, it’s too risky. Too many people around.’ I glance back at Ash and Kiki. ‘Plus it’d blow my cover.’
Jade bites her lip and looks like she’s going to argue but nods.
When we arrive at the lounge area, it’s full of various personnel, but only two band members: Leo, the drummer, and Eddie, the keyboardist. They’re still in their concert get-up and sitting on a couch, eating mini club sandwiches and quaffing bottles of Tango. Tommy and Steve, the guitarist, are nowhere in sight.
I leave it up to Ash to do the honours since he’s met them previously. He flashes his press pass around to let everyone know we’re meant to be there.
‘Hey, guys, great show!’
Leo and Eddie look at him warily.
‘Thanks, Ash, but we’re not talking to you now,’ says Leo, reaching for another sandwich. ‘There’s a press conference booked for—’
‘We’re not here about that,’ Jade interrupts. ‘I need to find my flatmate. Tommy took her backstage.’
Leo stuffs the sandwich in his mouth and chews, while Jade is practically hopping with impatience. ‘Man, these are good. I was starving. I can never eat much before a show,’ he says after swallowing. ‘Nerves, you know?’
Jade clears her throat. ‘So Tommy and my flatmate?’
‘Oh, yeah,’ he says, realising we’re all waiting for an answer. ‘The guys just left in the limo with some groupies. They’re heading to the after-party at Tommy’s mansion.’
Jade looks like she’s going to have a meltdown.
I grasp her shoulder to keep her calm. ‘Breathe,’ I whisper.
Having finished his food, Leo has noticed Kiki and is taking in her denim cut-offs and sparkly shoulders. He rises and sticks out his hand to her, realising he should do the greet-the-fan thing.
‘Sorry for not introducing myself,’ he says politely. ‘I’m Leo. Drummer.’
Kiki seems a bit star-struck but shakes his hand. ‘Yes, I know. Hi. I’m Kimberly, but everyone calls me Kiki.’
‘Kiki,’ he tries out her name. ‘That’s cute.’
‘We’re heading to the after-party now,’ says Eddie, grinning when Leo raises his eyebrows at him. ‘Do you guys wanna come too?’
‘Oooh,yes please!’ Kiki squeals, and Leo smiles at her enthusiasm. ‘Now that’s the kind of fan we like.’ He reaches out a finger and pushes one of her dangly lightning bolt earrings, making it swing. Leo seems a lot more interested in her than Ash, I have to say.
But Jade isn’t too keen on his attention to Kiki.