by Sian Ceinwen
“If people don’t like you, it’s because you’ve been a bit stand-offish,” Sebastian told her.
“It’s a vicious cycle, isn’t it?” Ariana smiled.
“I don’t get it, though, it’s like it’s just the last couple of weeks. Did something happen, Ariana?” Sebastian asked shrewdly.
“No, it’s just. I don’t know. I’m homesick as well, I guess. I miss my family and my house. Being on tour kind of sucks in that regard,” she told him.
“You’re telling me. I tire of packing and unpacking day in and day out,” he grimaced.
“Maybe you should ask the record company for a personal packing assistant next tour instead of limousines,” she poked her tongue out at him.
“Maybe I’ll do that,” he grinned at her, “so you’re finding it hard on the road. Does Gabriel know this?”
Ariana weighed up her position. She desperately wanted to unload on someone, but she hadn’t had the heart to talk to Gabriel about how she was feeling. Ultimately, she knew that with the way she was feeling, she was going to end up blindsiding him with the news that she was leaving the tour one day.
It was an option that she toyed with on an almost daily basis at the moment, but she knew that it was unfair to do that. As much as she had wanted to talk to Heather, she had felt like it would upset her almost as much as it would upset Gabriel if she left, so Ariana had been bottling everything up inside.
“Sort of. I mean, he probably does know, but we haven’t really talked about it if that’s what you’re asking,” Ariana told him.
“I might not be the expert on relationships,” Sebastian started to say, and Ariana scoffed, “okay, so I actively avoid them. Whatever. But aren’t you two meant to be madly in love or some crap?”
“We are in love,” Ariana said defensively.
“Okay, then aren’t people who are madly in love meant to tell each other everything?” Sebastian raised an eyebrow at her.
“I don’t want to hurt him,” she mumbled in response.
“Okay, well, it’s not like you’re going to leave the tour,” Sebastian said it as a fait accompli, as though it could never be in question, “so you should probably talk to him.”
“Yeah, you’re right,” Ariana desperately wanted to change the subject, “so, aside from the packing and unpacking, how do you like being on tour?”
“It’s pretty freaking amazing,” Sebastian told her, “it’s living out my lifelong dream, you know? I get to make money doing what I love, and I get to have sex with gorgeous women every night, what more could a guy ask for?”
“Ugh, you’re so gross sometimes, Sebastian,” Ariana told him.
“You’re just jealous. One day you’ll dump Gabriel and be with me instead; you know you want to,” he winked at her in an overly dramatic manner.
“Not likely. Have you given up on trying to get Heather to leave Harrison for you, then?” Ariana asked with a grin.
“Hey, I’ll never give up on trying to get Heather to leave Harrison for me,” Sebastian laughed, “I just don’t get relationships, though. I don’t want some woman telling me what to do. Why limit yourself to one woman, when you’re a rock star and can have any woman you want?”
“Ladies and gentlemen, ‘chauvinism,’ as performed by Sebastian Fox,” Ariana said dryly.
“It’s not chauvinistic,” Sebastian argued, “it’s human nature.”
“Biological warfare, you mean,” Ariana commented, and Sebastian laughed.
“Okay, even I can’t come back from that one,” he grinned at her.
Ariana thought about what he’d said, “maybe it’s because Heather and I are the women that Harrison and Gabriel want. Have you considered that? They don’t actually want anyone else.”
“Don’t get me wrong, you guys are hot as fuck, but it’s like picking from a set menu when there’s an entire buffet to choose from.”
“Ugh, in today’s episode of ‘what inanimate object will Sebastian compare women to next?’” Ariana rolled her eyes and fake gagged at him, “have you really never wanted some kind of real relationship with a woman?”
He didn’t reply immediately, just looked a bit thoughtful before he shrugged and said, “not really. I have you guys for companionship and plenty of women to keep me satisfied, sexually. What more could I want?”
“I don’t know, maybe some kind of real, emotional connection with the person in your bed?” Ariana raised an eyebrow at him.
“No, thanks. I’ll stick with choosing from all of the delights that are on offer to me. I’m too young to be tied down to one person. I don’t want to be ten years down the track and wondering what I missed out on.”
“Fine, we’ll have to agree to disagree, I guess,” Ariana said with a shake of her head.
She often thought that Sebastian seemed lonely. Of course, he was obviously not hurting for female company, but she sometimes thought that the show he put on of being some massive ladies’ man was just a façade. He was actually kind and thoughtful with his friends, surprisingly so. Despite his terrible behavior the first day they’d met, Ariana really did like Sebastian.
“You’re just saying that because you know I’m right,” Sebastian said, and poked his tongue out at her.
“Don’t poke your tongue out if you’re not going to use it,” Ariana quipped without thinking and blushed again immediately.
“Is that an offer?” Sebastian raised an eyebrow before laughing at her embarrassment, and giving her a reprieve by changing the subject, “want to watch a movie?”
It was so easy to be around Sebastian. Ariana didn’t have to worry about upsetting him or offending him, and she felt like she could relax and just be herself. She found herself glad that he had come to visit her today, she missed just hanging out with friends.
“Sure, but only if I can pick,” Ariana told him.
Grudgingly, Sebastian agreed. Ariana grabbed the television remote and began searching through the pay-per-view movies on the television. He got up from his position on the chair, walked over to the bed, and settled himself on the right-hand side. Ariana sat down next to him on the other side of the bed as she looked for a movie to watch.
She purposely chose one from the romantic comedy section. If she recalled correctly, Sebastian had taken great pride in mocking this film when it came out in theaters just after Ariana and Gabriel had begun dating. She took satisfaction in the grunt of annoyance he gave as she selected the button to pay.
They sat side by side on the bed, watching the movie, and Ariana grinned to herself. She could tell Sebastian was getting into it. Halfway through, she got up and grabbed them, both candy bars and sodas from the minibar. They were munching on the chocolates and laughing together at the movie when they were interrupted by a loud and obvious cough.
Sebastian paused the film, and Ariana looked up to see Gabriel standing in the doorway. He looked devastatingly handsome, and she smiled at him, genuinely happy to see him home from the zoo much earlier than she had expected.
“Why, hello there,” Ariana said, getting up from the bed and walking towards him.
“I didn’t realize you had company.”
She followed his gaze to where Sebastian was lounging on her bed.
“Yeah, Sebastian came around for a chat, and we thought we’d watch a movie.”
Ariana felt suddenly guilty at being caught in her room with Sebastian. Nothing had happened between them or would ever happen between them, but Ariana knew deep down that it probably wasn’t really appropriate.
She hovered next to Gabriel at the edge of the room, not feeling comfortable enough to sit back down on the bed but not sure what else to do.
“So, how was the zoo?” Sebastian asked, breaking the silence as Ariana decided to take a seat in a chair facing both of them.
“It was good. It was nice to be the only ones there,” Gabriel admitted, staying in his position at the entrance to the room.
“I’ll bet,” Sebastian grinned.
&n
bsp; “Of course, you’d know that if you’d gone with us instead of ditching the party to hang out with my girlfriend in her hotel room watching movies,” Gabriel said pointedly.
“Wow, Gabriel. Jealousy isn’t pretty on you,” Sebastian commented dryly.
“I’m just stating a fact,” Gabriel shrugged and glared at him.
“So am I,” Sebastian said, giving them both a cocky grin, “but I get the hint.”
Sebastian rose from the bed and tossed the television remote that was still in his hand down on the bed.
“I’ll see you later, Ariana,” Sebastian smiled at her, “it was nice hanging out.”
Ariana finally found her voice and said, “you don’t have to go.”
“Nah, it’s fine,” Sebastian replied and walked out of the room.
Ariana was left alone with Gabriel, and for the first time in a long time, she felt awkward in his presence.
“Nothing happened, Gabe,” Ariana said, turning her gaze to meet his.
“I know,” he said, still not having moved from his spot.
“Don’t you trust me?”
“Of course I do,” Gabriel walked over to her chair and pulled her up so he could hug her.
“Then why are you acting like a jealous moron?” She asked as she wrapped her arms around him.
“Because I don’t trust him?” Gabriel said, making it sound like a question.
Ariana moved away from Gabriel and sat down on the bed. Gabriel followed her and took the spot that Sebastian had recently vacated.
“I don’t believe that’s true,” Ariana stated, frowning.
“No, you’re right. I don’t know. Recently it’s felt like you’re not with me half the time. Even when we’re together, you’re apart from me somehow. I came back early to see you because I missed you, and there you were, all relaxed and happy, hanging out with Sebastian,” Gabriel sounded rueful.
“I’m sorry,” Ariana told him, genuinely apologetic, “I guess I have been a bit distant lately.”
“Is there a reason for that?” Gabriel seemed wary of her response.
“I suppose…” Ariana paused while she weighed up her words before carefully continuing, “…I guess I’m just kind of homesick at the moment.”
Gabriel looked at her intently, and it took everything Ariana had in her not to look away. He seemed to be searching for more information.
“Do I have anything to worry about, Ariana?” Gabriel asked.
She saw the worry etched in his face, the love he had for her exuding from every fiber of his being. So she did the only thing she could do at that moment, she lied.
“No.”
The Twelfth Song
The band was going to the Grammys, and everyone was really excited. Cards Have Been Dealt had been nominated for Best Album, Record of the Year, and Best Rock Album. If I Were You was also nominated for Song of the Year, Best Rock Song, and Best Rock Performance by a Group.
Cruise Control had been the odds-on favorite to win all the awards they were nominated for, and Gabriel had invited Ariana to come with them as his guest when they found out that they had been nominated.
“Don’t worry, you’ll be sitting next to Heather, not me,” Gabriel had said carefully to her.
“Please, Gabriel, don’t,” Ariana replied.
“I didn’t say anything, Ariana. I know what the deal is.”
His words had stung, but she couldn’t speak around the lump in her throat. They stood there in his hotel room, just looking at one another. After a few seconds, Gabriel sighed deeply and turned to walk into the bathroom to take a shower, leaving Ariana to her thoughts.
Once again, life would be so much easier if she could let go of her need to keep their relationship private. In the beginning, she thought that doing that would keep them together, but these days she was sure it was going to break them apart.
That had been two months ago, and now the big night had arrived. Ariana was saddened that she wouldn’t get to sit next to Gabriel tonight, but she didn’t voice these feelings to anyone. Comments had been made here and there about the choice for her to sit next to Heather instead of Gabriel. Accommodations were being made for her, and she didn’t feel like she could tell anyone how sad she felt about it without sounding like a brat.
Ariana was awakened by a knock at the door much earlier than she expected that morning. Gabriel stirred in the bed next to her as she left it, grabbed a bathrobe and put it on before she walked to the door, leaving the door to the bedroom open. She opened the hotel room door to see Heather standing on the other side.
“Morning, darling!” Heather said exuberantly as she walked inside the room.
“Do come in, Heather,” Gabriel drawled from his place in the bed.
“Don’t mind if I do,” Heather announced, completely unfazed by the fact that Gabriel was lying naked in the bed.
She walked into the bedroom and through to the walk-in robe where Ariana’s clothes had been hung up by a diligent hotel employee.
“Ariana and I have a lot to get done today, it’s best we get started nice and early,” Heather told Gabriel as she began rifling through Ariana’s clothes.
“What? Heather, we don’t have to leave for the awards for another—” Ariana looked at the clock “—nine hours!”
“Yes, exactly. Time is precious today. Come here and get dressed.”
It took her no more than thirty seconds to put together an ensemble that was incredibly chic—a combination of her clothes that Ariana would never have thought to put together.
“Here you go. Put these on and let’s go!”
Heather pulled out her phone and started scrolling through her Instagram feed as she walked back through the main bedroom and sat down on the sofa in the living room area. Ariana didn’t know how she could’ve managed life on tour without Heather’s calm guidance. She’d talked her through many freakouts over paparazzi and fans, and Ariana was so glad she’d have her support at the awards tonight.
Gabriel had taken the opportunity while Heather wasn’t there to throw on a pair of jeans, so he was at least decent. He lounged back on the bed, and Ariana realized that from his vantage point, he could watch her getting dressed.
She glanced at him; he was lying back with his arms behind his head, watching her casually. Ariana’s breath caught in her throat, and then she slowly undid the knot in her bathrobe and let it fall open and then drop to the floor.
She opened her underwear drawer and pulled out a matching set to wear. She looked at Gabriel, then turned away from him as she bent over to pull on her panties, knowing she was giving him quite a show.
As she stood up, she turned to face him again, feeling the dull ache between her legs at the erotic show she was putting on for him. She stood there for a second, topless and allowing him to enjoy the view. She then put her arms through the bra straps, leaving her breasts still momentarily viewable until she clipped the bra together.
Gabriel’s eyelids were heavy with lust, and she licked her lips, thinking of all the things she wanted to do to him right now. Instead, she grabbed the black, pencil skirt Heather had left out and stepped into it before zipping it up. She pulled a tight maroon turtleneck over her head and then added a black, loose singlet over the top. After that, she pulled on the black Mary Jane shoes that had been sitting next to the clothes. The outfit shouldn’t have worked, but somehow it did.
Gabriel swiftly got up from the bed and strode into the walk-in robe. He placed his hand on her ass and pulled her towards him, so they were standing right up against one another. She could feel how hard he was underneath his jeans, painfully aware that he wasn’t wearing anything under them.
He lowered his mouth to her ear and growled into it, “I am going to enjoy taking every piece of clothing off you later, and I will fuck you into oblivion.”
Then he let her go and gently pushed her towards the door. She wished more than anything that she could just stay here with Gabriel instead of going to do whatever it was H
eather wanted to do, but at that moment, her friend noticed her through the doorway to the main area.
“Oh, you’re ready. Excellent! Let’s get going,” Heather seemed completely clueless as to anything that had just happened, “bye, Gabriel. See you later.”
“Bye, Heather,” Gabriel called, but Ariana could barely hear him because Heather was already urging her towards the door.
She followed Heather out into the hallway.
“Where are we going?” She asked, curious what Heather was up to.
“We, my dear, are going to have a spa day! You’re going to love it.”
Ariana wasn’t sure she would. She shifted uncomfortably to ease the aching between her legs. She would definitely have preferred to stay with Gabriel and ease it another way. Nonetheless, she followed Heather into the elevator and down to the ground floor of the hotel.
Nearby there was an open staircase that they headed down. When they reached the bottom, Ariana saw that it led towards the pool and sauna to the right but that there was a day spa to the left.
A chime sounded as they opened the door and entered the reception area. A young woman wearing a clean, white uniform came out and greeted them with a smile.
“Hello! How may I help you?”
“Hi, my name’s Heather York. I’ve got a booking for myself and Ariana Chamberlain.”
“Oh, excellent. Just take a seat, we’ll be ready for you in a moment,” the woman gestured to the seats nearby, and Ariana sat down.
There was a hushed elegance to this place. Meditative music was piping through unseen speakers, and the lights were slightly dimmed. The chair that Ariana was sitting in was plush and comfortable. She didn’t get to enjoy it for long before a woman wearing one of the same staff uniforms came out from a hallway to her right.
“Ariana?” She asked, looking at both Heather and Ariana.
“Yes, that’s me,” Ariana replied, getting up from her chair.
“My name’s Stephanie, follow me please.”
“See you soon,” Heather called after her.
She followed the woman through the hallway before entering what appeared to be some sort of changing room.
