“You can say that again,” came a familiar voice as Alicia appeared at his side. I stiffened momentarily, but then saw the friendly, open smile on her face and relaxed. “There were a couple of journalists wanting to interview you after the show,” she said to Damon, a smirk forming. “Apparently Jacob’s assistant tried your dressing room several times, but the door was locked.”
“I was busy,” Damon replied, like that explained everything.
“And you know what they say,” Julian interjected cheerily. “If the boats a-rocking, be a dear and leave some cigarettes by the door for after.”
Alicia chuckled, smiling at Julian like they were buds, before returning her attention to Damon. “Anyway, I did my duty and gave all the interviews tonight, but you can do them tomorrow. A girl needs her beauty sleep.”
“I know something she needs more than sleep,” Julian muttered past a sip of his drink, but Alicia let the comment slide, only casting him a vaguely amused flick of her emerald green eyes. Perhaps they really were friends now.
I felt someone pat my shoulder before I turned and found Blake standing behind me. Damon tensed almost instantly, but I sent him a reassuring look that said it was fine.
“Rose, can we talk for a minute?” Blake asked hesitantly. He shot a nervous glance in Damon’s direction, and I thought he might be anxious he’d try punch him again. The nervousness was so unlike him. Normally he was confident to the point of cockiness.
Damon’s arm around my shoulder tightened, but I turned and placed a kiss to the underside of his jaw. “It’s okay. I’ll be back in a minute.”
He didn’t seem too happy and only just managed to let his arm drop from me. For a second I thought he might tell Blake to fuck off, but he didn’t, and I knew it had taken a lot of self-restraint. Stepping aside, I gestured for Blake to lead the way. I followed him to a small smoking area outside. He sat down on a chair and lit a cigarette, the plume of smoke billowing out as he exhaled. I took a seat next to him, and for a minute we just stared at the brick wall of the building in front of us. It was a chilly night, and my bare arms pricked with goose pimples from the cold.
“I gave Jacob my notice,” he said. “He’s got two weeks to find a replacement, and then I’m checking into the Priory.”
I glanced at him in surprise. “Really?”
He nodded, sucking in another drag of his smoke, his other hand tucked in his pocket.
“Wow, that’s great news. You’re doing the right thing.”
A small smile shaped his lips. He really was very handsome, even with the grey bags beneath his eyes and the perennially tired cast to his features. I could just imagine how gorgeous he’d be if he got healthy. “Yeah, well, it’s nice to know someone cares.”
“Of course I care. I’ll always care about you to some extent, Blake. I can’t be with someone and then just stop caring. It’s not how I’m drawn.”
He glanced at me, an intense look on his face as a silence fell between us.
“This role really is cursed. First Bob and now you. I bet Jacob’s having a fanny fit as we speak,” I said, smiling.
That solicited a small laugh from Blake. “Yeah, he wasn’t too happy.”
“No?”
He shook his head. “He basically tore me a new one, frog-marching me out of his office and calling me an ungrateful little prick. I didn’t tell him about my addiction. Don’t want it spreading around the industry, or I might have trouble finding work when I get out of rehab.”
“I can understand that. The main thing is that you’re doing this. And you don’t have to worry about me. I won’t tell anyone.”
He shot me a look of thanks and sighed, raking a hand through his hair. “Good. That’s a weight off my mind. It’s nice to have an ex who isn’t out to string me up by the balls for once.”
I smiled at that. “Oh, believe me, there was a time when I wanted to, but I’m over it.”
“Yeah, you’ve got Damon now. I really mean it when I say I’m sorry for trying fuck things up with you two. I wasn’t in my right mind, but it’s still inexcusable.”
“Don’t beat yourself up. It’s all water under the bridge,” I said, reaching out to give his hand a squeeze. We shared a look before I