Loving the Band by Emily Baker Read Free Book Online Page A

north, in Scotland.’
    ‘You don’t live in London?’ Shaq actually looked upset.
    ‘No. I thought I’d mentioned it. Sorry. We’re down for a couple of weeks. Dad’s away this week, though, so it’s just me and Tegan.’
    Shaq wandered into the lounge looking sad. ‘I’m sorry to hear that. Well, I’ll just kip here on the sofa.’
    I blushed, trying not to read too much into the fact that it sounded like he thought Scotland was so far away. Or even think about it myself. ‘Well, I … There isn’t really anywhere for you to sleep other than the sofa, but I put all of the bed sheets in the wash after you guys stayed – you’re a messy lot.’ I smiled.
    He laughed too. ‘It’s fine, I don’t need any.’
    ‘You can stay in my bed,’ I said without thinking about it. I threw my hand over my mouth in shock as I realized how that sounded.
    Shaq looked shocked. ‘I, er, really?’
    ‘Not like that!’ I waved my hands around in front of me. ‘I, um … It’s something I do all the time with my best male friend from home. He’s gay, though. But we’re friends, aren’t we?’ I really needed to have a lock on my mouth.
    ‘Well, OK, if it’s all right with you, that would be greatto get an actual bed instead of the sofa.’
    I breathed a sigh of relief that my bumbling mouth hadn’t got me in too much of an embarrassing situation, and we went upstairs to my room. I rummaged in my suitcase while Shaq stood self-consciously in the middle of the room, looking around. ‘I packed a pair of my brother’s trackie bottoms by accident, so you can wear them.’
    Shaq took them from me hesitantly, and I realized it looked as if I was going to stay there while he got undressed.
    ‘Oh, right! I’m just going to grab a shower so … um … you can get changed while I’m in there. See you in a minute.’
    I walked towards the en suite shower and looked back, catching Shaq’s eye. He smiled and then we both laughed at the awkward moment that had just happened.
    ‘See you in a minute, Jess.’
    I stepped out of the shower, grabbing a long red towel from the radiator and then wrapping it securely round me, untangling my hair from the band I used to keep it dry. I combed through my wavy hair and reached round for my pyjamas.
    Oh crap. Where were they? I hadn’t brought them in with me. And Shaq was in my room. Shit shit shit.
    ‘Um, Shaq?’ I called out tentatively.
    ‘Yeah?’ he replied.
    Right ho. He was still in my room. There was no way ofnipping in and getting them unnoticed.
    ‘This is quite awkward but I haven’t brought my pyjamas in here, so can you, like, turn round while I come get them?’
    He laughed. ‘Of course I can.’
    I grabbed my towel and pulled it tighter round me, opening the door slightly and peeking round to see Shaq sitting on my bed, facing the wall. I stopped in shock at the sight of his bare, toned and muscular back.
    Shaking myself out of it, I stepped across the room. ‘Don’t look!’ I reminded him.
    He chuckled. ‘All I’ve got is a faceful of wall.’
    I moved over to my pile of clothes and grabbed a pair of my pyjama shorts and a white tank top. I turned back round to retreat to the bathroom when, before I knew it, I had slipped, going head first on to the cold, hard bathroom floor along with a massive thud. ‘Ow.’ I tried to get myself up, but I couldn’t. Suddenly I felt a pair of firm hands picking me up.
    ‘Shaq! No, go away!’ I mumbled in embarrassment, my head still fuzzy.
    ‘No, Jess, you’ve really hurt yourself. I’m going to sit you down on the bed. Don’t worry, I can’t see anything I shouldn’t.’
    He led me to the bed and sat me down, standing over me. Gently, he pushed my hair away from my forehead.
    ‘Oh no, Jess, your head’s bleeding.’
    I moved my hand up to my forehead and flinched as I touched the spot where I’d cut myself.
    ‘Where is your first-aid kit?’ His voice was soothing but authoritative.
    ‘Under the stairs,’ I