The Mighty Storm

Chapter Nine




I’m in a taxi on my way to Heathrow airport to fly out to Sweden for the first leg of the tour.
I’m mega excited about this tour, and I’m also really looking forward to seeing Jake again.
I might not have seen Jake for two weeks, but we’ve been in regular contact; I’ve spoken to him every day. Well, not actually spoken, but we’ve been emailing and texting every day since he texted me that first night.
It’s like we’ve never been away from each other. The last twelve years dissolving into irrelevance.
Some of the emails and texts have been a little flirty, mostly on his part, but I’ve made sure not to cross any line. I don’t want to blur things and give Jake the wrong impression.
I’m not up for being another notch on his incredibly long belt, even if he is gorgeous and lovely, and so very sweet to me. It’s not worth losing Will over.
And Will … well things have been amazing these last few weeks. It’s been like it was when we first got together. Hot sex everywhere.
It seems that lag I had, which I’m totally putting down to Jake’s huge bang back into my life, vanished with him going back to LA.
We were in bed together last night, when Will did the sweetest thing…

“So I bought you something,” Will said climbing out of bed, leaving me feeling cold without him.
“You did?” I sat up, feeling a little frisson of excitement.
Will always buys me the best presents, he knows what I like. He knows me so well.
He retrieved something for his pants pocket, which were slung over the chair at my dressing table, while I admired his hot, tight body and cute bum from behind.
He’s so gorgeous and lovely. I love that he’s mine.
He came over and sat down on the bed beside me. “I bought this for you, because I want you to have something to remember me by while you’re gone.” He held out a black, velvet jewellery box.
“Jewellery,” I smiled. My itchy fingers reached out to touch the soft black velvet.
Will looked a little nervous as I opened it.
“On my God! Will it’s beautiful!” I touched my fingers to the platinum chainmail bracelet feeling completely overwhelmed by his thoughtfulness.
“You like?” He looked at me hopefully.
“I love!” I leant forward and kissed him firmly on the lips.
He held my face in his hands, prolonging the kiss to deep. When he finally released me he removed the bracelet from the box and I held my arm out allowing him to put it on.
“It looks perfect,” he said staring down at it. My own eyes fixed on it too. “I want you to wear it all the time you’re away from me, so you have a permanent reminder of me and our life together.” Will’s voice was deep and low.
My heart started to hurt in my chest at the thought of the length of time I’m actually going to be away from him. The enormity of it finally hit me.
I felt tears start to prick the backs of my eyes.
“Like I would ever forget about you,” I said gently. I touched my hand to his face, feeling the starter of his rough stubble under my fingertips.
Will took hold of my hand, kissing my palm. He started to kiss a path down my arm slowly, making my tummy tingle, as his lips moved over my shoulder and up my neck, until he reached my mouth.
He took my face in his hands, fingers buried deep into my hair. “I love you so much,” he said.
“Show me how much,” I grinned, biting down on my lip.
Will’s eyes came alive with instant lust, and then he set about showing me just how much he actually does love me for the rest of the night.



Leaving Will in the morning was really hard. I cried a bunch. He wanted to drive me to the airport but he had an early meeting which he couldn’t get out of, so we said our goodbyes at my flat and I promised to call him as soon as I land in Stockholm.
I was sad to leave Simone too. We were both a little teary as I was getting in my taxi. Thank God for Brightening Eyes and Touche Eclat, otherwise I’d look a puffy mess right now.
Simone and I have not been apart since university. Any holidays we go on, we go together, so it’ll be weird been away without her, doing all the fun stuff I imagine I’ll be doing.
She’s promised to come and visit me on tour, and I don’t doubt she will as she’s desperate to meet Jake and the other guys in the band.
I’m really looking forward to meeting them too. Obviously, I’ve seen pictures of Tom and Denny, and have read interviews they’ve done, but it’ll be real nice to meet the guys behind those images and words.
I called my mum and dad to tell them the news of the tour the next day after I’d found out. My dad was ecstatic to put it mildly. Actually he freaked out. He’s like a big kid at times!
He was also really happy to hear I was back in touch with Jake. My mum seemed a little bit reserved about the whole thing. I know it’s just because she worries about me.
It was in that call that dad told me about this huge donation they’d received at Tuners for Youths, by an anonymous benefactor, and they were freaking out as the donation was sizeable – huge in fact … one million pounds.
One-freaking-million-pounds!
I nearly choked when he told me. The charity is only small, so the difference that kind of money will make to them is immense.
Jake’s generosity, seemingly knows no bounds. I knew he would make the donation, but a million pounds – he’s just amazing.
I was so proud of Jake in that moment. Not that I haven’t been so over the years, but this was different.
My eyes filled with tears as I listened to my dad telling me all about what they would do with the money. And when I told him it was Jake who had made the donation, I know he was floored. He was silent for a long time.
I gave my dad Jake’s phone number so he could call him to thank him.
I’m guessing he has, but neither Jake or my dad have mentioned it to me and I don’t want to pry.
I really hope they are back in touch properly, and hopefully they’ll get a chance to actually see each other again, as I’m going to talk to Stuart to see if I can get my folks some tickets to come out and see one of the shows on the tour; I know Stuart deals with all that kind of stuff.
I know my dad will just love it.
I’m going to buy the travel and hotel as present for them, and I’m particularly hoping for the gig in Spain, as it’s on a weekend – a Saturday night, so it’s perfect as they would both be off work and then I could spend the weekend with them. I haven’t spent enough time with them recently.
I haven’t said anything to them yet. I thought I would wait to make sure I could get the tickets for the gig first.
I’m feeling a little daunted by the whole tour thing to be honest, I mean, it’s a huge deal, and the closer I get to the airport the tighter the knots in my stomach become.
The only person I’ll know on the tour is Jake, and of course he’ll be busy a lot. So when I’m not following him around doing my job, I’m going to be at a loose end, and it could get a little lonely for me. I intend to do plenty of sightseeing in those amazing cities I’ll be going to – first stop Stockholm.
I’ve never been and I’m stoked to see the place for the first time. And I’ve already got myself guide books for all the places I’m going too and they are downloaded and ready on my Kindle.
Geeky, yes. Practical, very.
The taxi pulls up at Heathrow and the driver kindly lugs my huge suitcase out of the boot for me.
Slinging my carry-on over my shoulder, I wheel my suitcase into the busy airport.
I’m a little nervous about flying alone. I’ve never done it before, but thankfully it’s a short flight, and I’ve got my Kindle and my iPod to keep me company.
I reach the check-in desk, parking up my case I take my passport and travel details out of my bag.
Stuart had booked the plane ticket for me and as it was an online booking, he emailed me paperwork to bring with me. He also said one of Jake’s drivers will be there to pick me up. I hope it’s Dave, a familiar face would be good when landing in a strange city. I get the impression that Jake’s drivers are also his security guys, makes sense if you ask me and I’m yet to meet the others. As Dave is the head of Jake’s security there’s bound to be others. I just get the impression Jake always has Dave with him, he seems to trust him implicitly.
I hand my passport and papers over to the woman behind the desk.
“Can you put your case on the scales please?”
I lift it on praying to God I’m not over my allowance. I don’t pack light; I get it from my mum.
Phew, I just skim in my allowance.
“Okay so you’re in First Class,” she’s saying, “so that gives you access to the First Class lounge–”
“Sorry, what?”
She looks at me like I’m slightly slow.
“You’re travelling First Class so that entitles you to use the First Class lounge. Just show them your boarding pass and passport at the reception, and that will grant you access.”
Jake.
I can’t believe he’s done this. Actually, yes I can.
“Okay. Thank you,” I say feeling a little breathless, taking back my passport and boarding card from her.
Stuart had sent me the travel details but I didn’t see anywhere on there that I would I was travelling First Class when I read over them.
I’ve never had First Class anything in my life. I’m not really a First Class girl. I’m more likely to be found in the standard airport bar getting pissed before the flight, then staggering around duty-free buying more booze for the holiday.
And I just don’t want Jake spending his money on me like this, even though it’s totally generous and I don’t mean to sound ungrateful … it’s just … well I bet he doesn’t have all his staff travelling First Class. I don’t want to be a special case. I don’t want him making allowances because of our history. And as it stands now, I’m part of his staff and should be treated as so.
I’ll have to make sure he doesn’t do it again. But I’ll make sure to say it in a very nice way.
I make my way up to the First Class lounge and get myself a drink. Alcoholic of course, white wine; I know it’s early but I’m on vacation, kind of, and well I’ve just had a bit of a shock with this whole First Class thing, and the wine is just to insanely delicious to turn down.
And the lounge is amazing, sumptuous; it’s better than my whole flat.
Seeing as though I’m here, I may as well make myself at home, so I get myself well acquainted with the lounge and pick a window seat, one of the most comfortable seats I have ever rested my derrière in, and I can sit and watch the planes taking off from here.
I retrieve my Kindle from my bag, to read a book while I wait for my flight.
I try to read, but I just can’t focus, as my mind keeps flickering back to Jake and the whole First Class thing.
Despite my feelings about it, I really should thank him. I get my phone out of my bag and type out a text:

So I’m sitting in the first class lounge, in the most comfortable seat my ass has ever graced, sipping on the best glass of wine I’ve ever tasted, courtesy of this amazingly generous guy who paid for my ticket. You don’t happen to know who he is do you? x

I get a text back a minute later:

Nope not a clue. ps. I wish I was the chair ;) x

I reply:

Thank you. Not necessary ... but so totally awesome! … and behave! :) x

I get a text immediately back:

This is me behaving ;) And well, I couldn’t have my best friend flying coach, could I :) I’m already in Stockholm so I’ll see u in a few hours. x

I get a frisson of energy rush through me about the tour, and about seeing Jake.
I might be nervous about the whole tour and bio thing, but I’m also totally excited too. It’s a huge opportunity to be touring with The Mighty Storm.
Smiling to myself, I reply:

Cool. Have I mentioned I’m excited about the tour? It’s gonna be so totally epic! x

His reply comes a couple of minutes later:

A few times ;) And sure it is, it’s a TMS tour … with the added bonus of u. x

He can be so sweet at times. I’m getting the warm and fuzzies again, and getting more and more keen to see him as the time nears.
The announcement of my flight boarding comes over the tannoy. I quickly tap out a reply to him:



Boarding now. See u on the other side. x

I drop my phone in my bag and make my way to the gate. While I’m in the queue, I get my phone out again to see if he’s replied. He has:

Can’t wait. x

Butterflies take flight in my stomach.

Me either. And I’m really going now. x

While I have my phone out, I quickly type out a text to Will letting him know I’m boarding and that I’ll call him when I land. Then a quick one to Simone saying pretty much the same.
I switch my phone off, drop it in my bag, hand my boarding pass to the guy waiting, and make my way onto the plane and to my First Class seat.


Okay, so I am totally flying First Class all the time. It is just awesome, and you get so well looked after. I had two glasses of champagne on the plane and they give you them for free!
I’m currently feeling a little fizzy happy.
I’m off the plane and just going through customs, and glad I wore one of my loose fitting skater shirts to travel in as it’s boiling here in Stockholm.
The skirt I’m wearing is blue with a gold chain print on it and longer than the black one I wore to Jake’s interview. It’s respectably long; serious writer long, well a few inches above the knee, but still very smart, and I’m wearing my three-quarter length sleeved sweatshirt, but the material is thin so it’s not too bad in this heat, and I’m wearing my gold ballet shoes.
Flats, I don’t wear them often, but ideal for travelling in.
I wanted to look nice, as it’s the first time I’m seeing Jake in two weeks, and quite possibly meeting the other guys in the band.
I get a fizz of excitement running through my bloodstream at the very thought.
I’m through customs pretty quickly, and then on to retrieve my suitcase.
While I’m waiting for my suitcase, I get my phone out and switch on roaming, then call Will.
“Hey baby.” He sounds all deep and lovely. “You got there okay?”
“I did. I’m just waiting for my case now.”
“So how is Sweden so far?”
“Hot.”
He laughs. “I miss you already.”
“Miss you too.”
“You still wearing your bracelet?”
I touch my wrist. “Of course.”
“Good.”
I spot my suitcase making its way around the conveyor. “My case is coming so I’m gonna go. I’ll call you later. Love you.”
“Okay baby. Love you too.”
I hang my phone up and just catch my suitcase in time, before it sets off to make the journey back around.
Then I head toward arrivals. I spot Dave immediately, and am so relieved it’s him waiting for me.
“Hi,” I say.
“Good flight?” he asks, in his super deep voice, taking my suitcase from me.
“It was awesome,” I beam.
He looks at me a little puzzled. My cheeks flush. He’s probably used to the whole first class thing working for Jake.
“The car’s just outside.”
I follow Dave through the airport and over to a brand-new black Mercedes SLK, presumably a hire, parked up in one of the drop-off and pick-up bays.
The windows are heavily tinted on the car. I guess they have to be for when Jake’s travelling in it.
Dave parks my suitcase at the side of the car and gets my door for me.
“Thank you,” I say climbing in, and then my heart nearly leaps out of my chest.
Jake is sitting in the backseat of the car, waiting for me, a huge smile on his face.
“Hey!” I beam at him. The door shuts with a clunk behind me and then without thinking, I throw my arms around his neck, hugging him tight.
His arms go around me, hugging me back, just as tight I notice.
And for this brief, momentary hug, all I can do is breathe him in. His scent soothes through me, and I feel like I’m home.
I didn’t realise just how much I was missing him until this very moment. Or maybe I just didn’t allow myself to feel it for fear of how I would feel, like how I do, right now, here in his arms.
Just so completely overwhelmed by the emotion and level of feelings I have for this man.
“I can’t believe you came to pick me up!” I say still beaming a smile, releasing myself from him.
Jake lets me go, but keeps me close, taking hold of my hand.
And once again my skin simmers under his hand. I wonder if I’ll ever stop feeling like this from his touch.
A big part of me hopes not.
“Well, I’m glad I did now, if it meant getting a welcome like that,” he grins. He’s being all flirty again.
“I was just hanging around the hotel, so I thought I’d come … sorry I couldn’t come in the airport to meet you … you know,” he shrugs.
“I know.” He’d have probably been recognised and mobbed in ten seconds flat.
It must be pretty hard being a prisoner of your own success. Never able to go anywhere alone.
A simple thing like walking through an airport alone would probably mean the world to him if he was able to do it.
Dave gets in the driver’s seat, turns the engine on and the radio comes to life.
I pull my seat belt on, using one hand, as Jake doesn’t seem willing to let go of my hand.
“How was your flight?” Jake asks, as we start moving out of the airport.
“It was awesome thanks to you – did you know you get free champagne in first class … of course you know …” I peter off at his amused expression.
“You make me laugh.” He squeezes my hand, rubbing his thumb over my skin, continuously leaving a delicious trail wherever it goes.
“In a good way, I hope?”
“Always in a good way.” He turns his head to the side, directing a fixed look at me. I shiver inside, looking away.
We’re quiet for a moment, before Jake says anything more.
“So I spoke to your dad last week.”
“You did!” My face nearly cracks with the smile on it.
His lips quirk up at the corner. “Yeah, he called to thank me for the donation…” He lifts an eyebrow.
“What?!” I say innocently. “You never said it was a secret. You just said you didn’t want him thinking you were a flashy bastard – and he didn’t.” I push my lips out into a pout.
He shakes his head, laughing at my expression.
“So you talked?” I probe.
“We did, it was good to talk to him after all these years. He’s still just the same.”
“You talk music?”
“Of course.” He slides me an amused look. “So I brought something for you,” he says, changing tact.
He reaches into his jean pocket, pulling something back out. I recognise it instantly. It’s the friendship bracelet I made him all those years ago. It’s a little frayed, the white, black and blue fabric faded slightly.
“I can’t believe you actually kept it.” My words come out with my breath.
“You thought I was lying?” He screws his face up.
“No! I’m just surprised … hang-on.” I let go off his hand and reach forward into my bag in the foot-well, unzipping in the inside pocket to I get what I’m looking for.
My friendship bracelet.
I brought mine with me too. I put it in my carry on; I didn’t want it in my suitcase in case it got lost in transit. This bracelet is irreplaceable, so I wanted it safe.
I don’t know why I brought it, we hadn’t arranged to. I guess I just hoped he would have his with him too.
And he has … I can’t believe it.
“I brought mine too,” I say holding my hand out, showing it to him.
Mine is exactly the same as his – in my geekdom I made us matching ones.
He stares down at it, then lifting his eyes to mine, smiles and says, “Great minds.”
My heart is flopping around in my chest like a fish out of water.
“How old were we when you made these?”
“Ten.”
“So they’re like … sixteen years old.”
“Practically antiques,” I smile.
Jake takes hold of my hand and pushes the platinum chainmail bracelet that Will bought me, further up my arm.
He removes my friendship bracelet from my hand, placing it on his leg. Then I watch as he takes his own friendship bracelet and slips it on over my hand and tightens it to fit around my wrist.
Then he picks mine up, loosening it, he puts it his own arm.
I let out the breath I didn’t realise I was holding.
“Don’t ever take it off,” he says, voice deep with meaning.
“Not even to shower?” I swallow down.
“Not even to shower.”
“And you’ll keep yours on?”
“Always.” He takes hold of my hand again.
And my heart leaps out of my chest, then thuds its way back in.
I rest back in the seat. I’m going to have to be so careful. Jake is a naturally tactile person, incredibly sweet, and obviously happy to have me back in his life as his friend again.
I’m going to have to be very careful to not confuse this with him having any feelings for me, in that way. And also to make sure I don’t let my own feelings get confused too.


We talk all the way back to the hotel, and Jake points things out to me, important buildings and sites, as we drive through this amazing city.
Dave parks the car in the hotel lot; we’re staying at the Grand Hotel Stockholm. And grand is how it most certainly looks from the outside.
When we arrive there is a guy waiting for us in the parking lot, seemingly expecting our arrival.
Jake introduces me to him as Ben. He’s one of Jake’s other security guys. He works under Dave.
Security seems a little tighter for Jake here. Maybe it’s because of the hype of the tour, brings the crazies out.
Ben, I’d guess, is in his early thirties and attractive in a Jason Statham kind of way.
I follow along with the three men, Ben wheeling my suitcase for me.
We all ride in silence up in the lift, getting out on the top floor.
I follow Jake down the hall, Dave and Ben behind us.
Jake stops outside a door and produces a key card from his back pocket.
“This is your room for the next few days.”
He opens the door and I step through. I actually gasp.
This isn’t a room. It’s a bloody suite. And a huge one at that.
“Thanks,” Jake says to Ben and Dave. “I got it from here.”
Ben parks up my suitcase just inside the room and closes the door behind him.
I slowly turn around to face Jake.
“Jake this is awesome … but it’s too much.”
“All the suites on the floor are the same size,” he shrugs.
“But I’m just one person, I don’t need all this room.” I wave my arms around.
“So am I, and I’m staying in one exactly the same as this.” He seems a little irked by my statement.
“I just …” I can’t seem to find the right words. I run my fingers through my hair. “Are all your staff staying in suites like this?”
“Some.”
“Who?”
He meets my eyes. “Tom, Denny, Stuart, Smith and Dave.”
“And the rest?”
“On the floors below.”
“In normal sized rooms … rooms that are just that – one room and a bathroom.”
He nods, slowly, not moving his eyes from mine.
“I should be in one of those rooms, Jake.”
He looks little annoyed now, and also a little hurt.
“I’m not trying to sound ungrateful, Jake, but the first class at the airport, and now this … I don’t want you spending money on me like this.”
He folds his arms. “It’s my money; I can do what I want.”
“I know, but …” I’m at a loss to find a plausible and strong enough argument against him. “I just don’t want to piss your other staff off when they find out I’m staying in such a lovely suite.”
His face lightens. “Tru, you won’t piss anyone off, it’s not in you to be able to do so, and anyway you’re important. You’re writing my bio, so I have to keep you sweet so you write nice things about me.”
“Ahh, so that’s what all this niceness has been about.” I kink my eyebrow.
He grins. “Not at all, but if it gets you to stay in this room with no complaint, then I’m sticking with it.”
“Suite … not room,” I correct.
“Whatever,” he waves me off. “So you wanna unpack first or do you wanna meet the guys now?”
I glance at my suitcase.
Hmm, let me think unpack or meet rock stars…
“Meet the guys,” I beam.
“Don’t get too excited,” he frowns. “They’re uglier in real life than they look in their pictures.”
“Are you jealous, Jake Wethers?” I tease.
“Me – jealous? Never. Come on.” He opens the door. “I left those idiots in my room draining my mini-bar when I came to get you, knowing those greedy bastards they’ll still be there, saving their own for later.”
I can hear the male voices laughing and joking as we approach Jake’s door. I get a little ball of nervous energy in my tummy the closer we get.
I am, in a few seconds, about to be standing in a room with some of the best musicians the world currently has to offer.
I’m going to be in a room with The Mighty Storm!
I’d have to be crazy not to be a little excited.
Jake opens his door, allowing me through first, putting me immediately in the living room and I see the guys all sitting around the dining table, playing cards, drinking beer.
“Tru, this is Denny.” Jake stands behind me, he places his hand on my lower back and points over my shoulder at a dark haired guy, who is very cute, and who of course I instantly recognise.
Even distracted by Denny, I still tense under Jake’s touch.
“Denny – this is Tru, my old friend from Manchester, and biographer for the tour.”
“Hey Tru, it’s great to finally meet you,” Denny smiles at me, running his hand through his short haired.
Finally meet me? So Jake’s already told him about me?
Of course he has dopey, you are their biographer.
“Hi,” I smile nervously at him.
“And this is Smith, our session guitarist who is playing lead for us on the tour.” Jake points at the only person in the room I don’t recognise.
And sweet baby Jesus, he is gorgeous. Long, messy blonde hair and dark green eyes. He looks like a surfer.
“Hey,” Smith says in a Southern drawl giving me a nod.
“He’s married,” Jake whispers in my ear. I feel his fingers tense against my back.
What?
I look up at Jake, wanting to ask him what the hell he meant by that with a look, but he’s not looking at me.
“And not forgetting, Tom,” Jake says pulling my eyes away from him and back across the room.
Tom has his back to me, but of course I instantly recognise him the second he turns around in his seat to us.
Tom has light-brown hair, shaved close, and he is covered in tattoos, just like Jake. He is really good-looking, not my type, his face is a little to round for my liking; I like my men a little more chiselled, but I can certainly see the allure for the women who love him.
“He-llo gorgeous.” Tom gets up from his chair.
“No,” Jake says sternly, pointing a finger at him, stopping him in his tracks.
“What?” Tom says innocently, holding his hands up in surrender style. “I was just coming over to say hello to the gorgeous Trudy, and to greet her in my genuine Tom style … and also to find out where he’s been hiding you,” he says directly to me, conspiratorially winking.
I actually blush.
What am I – sixteen?
“Yeah, and your style usually involves tongues and groping. Tru has had a long flight and can do without you pawing her – and also she has a boyfriend, so hands off.” Jakes sounds so protective, like he’s my big brother or something. Maybe that’s how he views me, in a sister like fashion.
The thought depresses me a little. Well, quite a lot actually.
“Jeez, down boy – I get it.” Tom rolls his eyes at Jake, laughing he sits back down in his chair and takes a swig of his beer.
“You want something to drink?” Jake asks me, as he starts to move away.
I suddenly feel a little bereft without his touch. And still a little saddened by the brotherly protectiveness.
“No I’m fine thanks … you know, I think I will go and unpack my suitcase … leave you guys to finish your game.” I gesture to the on-going card game being played at the table.
Jake stops, turning to look at me. “You sure?” he asks.
“Yeah, I’m sure,” I smile. “I’ll see you all later,” I wave in the guy’s direction. “It was nice to meet you all.”
I turn and leave the room, acutely aware of the fact that Jake’s eyes are on me the whole time I’m walking away.