Page 87 of Rock Giant

That was code the roadie would understand.When you were constantly living in the pockets of other people, everyone had days when they needed a few hours space, and it was always better to take them than hope the feelings would blow over.That sort of wishful thinking only ever led to explosions and bruises.

Granbakeen wasn’t that far away.If he took a taxi, then he could get a good few hours of walking in.Breathe in some mountain air and be back in plenty of time for the show.Black Halo weren’t even due on stage until half eight.Currently, it was only a bit after midday.More than enough time to take in some scenery and for the D’Amon brothers to get bored and piss off.

“Can’t be easy seeing her with that prick all the time.”

“He is a prick,” he said, neither confirming nor denying the difficulty.So far, married life was kinda lonely.He’d anticipated more cuddle time, and less of a hollow zone in his chest created by her absence and the death of all the things he hoped such a bond would bring.Hard not to believe in soul mates and true love when you’d grown up looking at it every single day, yet here he was, the universe had spoken, he’d heralded the call, but… But his bed was cold and memories of three years ago weren’t enough to sustain him.

He'd kept an eye on her during last night.She was struggling too.He could tell from the number of bar mats she’d slipped into her bag.

The prick entered the building along with his bandmates as Paul hit the exit.He ought not to think of him in that way, but it was basically what popped into his head every time he clapped eyes on the man.He didn’t see Jodi nestled among the group until they were on top of one another, trying to squeeze through the same narrow doorway.

“Where you off to?”she asked, flashing him the sort of smile that would have warmed him to his toes if he wasn’t so eager to be gone and his mind wasn’t still yelling “prick” at the top of its lungs.

“Shop.”He didn’t want his band mates learning of his actual plans until he was far enough away that they wouldn’t attempt to change them.

The air outside was crisp.The sky was a typical Nordic blue and pleasingly cloud free.He’d crossed half the concourse before his ears caught on to the fact that Jodi was scurrying after him.As soon as they did, he slowed to let her catch up.“What are you d—”

“Need to get the guys some bits.You don’t mind if I tag along, right?”

“With me?Unsupervised?Are you sure dork face won’t—”

“Don’t be mean to him.I don’t want to hear it, and we’re friends, remember.I can hang out with my friends if I wanna.”

They weren’t friends, but so as not to drive her away he continued to humour her.She, in a friendly way, linked their arms, possibly as an attempt to slow him down even further.Her cheeks were rather pink, and she did sound a bit winded.

“Yeah, um, what did you want?”He wasn’t about to admit that shopping hadn’t been his actual plan.

“Shower gel, mostly.And a couple of other things.Which way do we head?”

“Not sure.”Immediately opposite was a local craft shop, but not far along from that they found a midsized grocery store.Paul carried the basket, while Jodi picked up a dozen or so things.She had a list.He treated himself to a bag of apples, and a bar of organic chocolate, to give his shopping trip validity.

“Where were you actually going?”she said peering up at him with a smile on her lips once they hit the pavement again.He wasn’t sure how she knew, so he didn’t double down on the lie.

“A walk… A long walk.”

“Something up?”Several things were up, but nothing that he wanted to talk about, so he repeated the line he’d given Jake about needing some air.It wasn’t a lie, just maybe not the whole truth.“I’m feeling anti-social is all.”

“Oh!”Her face fell.

“That doesn’t include you.I always have time for you.”

“You’re sure you don’t mind—”

“Castle, of course I don’t mind.We’re mar—”

She raised a hand and pressed her fingers to his lips.“Don’t say it.”

He huffed.“Sure you don’t need to get back?”

“For what?So, I can stand around for the rest of the day like a spare part getting in everyone’s way.The pre-show stuff is fucking dull.Besides, it’s gonna take even longer than normal today because they’re all in pissy moods due to lack of sleep.Hm, is that why you’re out of sorts too.”

“I’m not out of sorts.”He wasn’t.He couldn’t stomach the emotional wringer the D’Amon brothers were likely to put him through, that’s all.Especially not on top of having to watch her and Nash being all couple-y, when she was really his.“I got my beauty sleep.”

“Wish I’d got mine.”She indulged in an extravagant yawn.His soul mate did seem rather sleepy.

“Maybe stop partying until dawn,” he advised.

She gave him a friendly punch.