“She looked nice enough on the show.”
“Of course she did. She was always preening for the camera and playing the devoted partner and mother. But in real life, she was nothing like that. I didn’t really get to see them much, because I was living here and they were up there, but from the stories I heard, she was all about image. Don’t tell Link I told you this, but she was disappointed he didn’t win Sing to Me and only got a national tour of mid-sized venues as a result. It wouldn’t bring in as much money as a record deal and an international stadium tour.”
“But he’s only just getting restarted! It’s unrealistic to expect he’d go from nothing to everything overnight.”
“Exactly. I need him to move on so that when he does achieve all of that—which we both know he will—she doesn’t suddenly change her mind and worm her way back into his life.”
“So, you see me as a stepping stone in his recovery?” I ask lightly.
“No, of course not. I think you’re beautiful, strong, and independent, and I can see you as a great team. Who says you need a whole bunch of rebounds before you settle back down?”
“I’m sure the odds of settling down with someone who has recently experienced a messy break-up are against you more than if they’ve been single for a while.”
“I don’t know. He seems like the kind of guy who likes to be settled, and you would be perfect for him.”
I don’t say anything else. If that’s true, I’ll have to think about whether I’m ready to settle down.
What do I want?
Actually, I think I’m getting waaayyy ahead of myself. We’ve only hung out as friends a few times, unless you count his one drunken attempt at hitting on me. Which I don’t.
We arrive at a lovely, modern three-story house, and Felix pulls into the driveway. He takes me inside and up to the third level, where he puts my bag in the guest room. The entire place is open-plan, with lots of glass looking out onto the bay and all the sailboats below.
“Wow. I can see why you’d hesitate to relocate to Brisbane.”
“This house is pretty special,” he agrees. “Link thought it would be a bit presumptuous to invite you to his hotel, so I was happy to offer you my place.”
“Why isn’t he staying here?”
“He and the band are all booked together as part of the tour. But I’m just going to put it out there now. Please don’t feel guilty if you don’t end up wanting to take advantage of my hospitality.”
I blush. “Felix!”
“Honey, we’re all adults here. You do what you want.”
“Okay, thank you. I think I need a drink after that.”
He laughs. “Let me give you a quick tour of the rest of the house, and then I’ll show you where I keep the hard liquor.”
Felix shows me his room, with tasteful timber panelling behind the bed and the kind of swishy double-layer curtains you see in fancy hotels. The spare rooms are just as nicely furnished, with white linen and fluffy pillows on all the beds. Every level has an amazing view of the water, and I understand from the expensive-looking vases and bowls adorning every surface why Felix wouldn’t want young children staying here. Back downstairs, he pours us champagne, and we sit out on a terrace overlooking the pool. I feel like I’m in one of those R & B film clips where they have a bunch of women twerking in bikinis.
My life is pretty surreal right now.
TWENTY
Lincoln
I am super nervous about tonight. Not just because it’s my first big show in Sydney, but also because I’m wondering if it was the right move inviting Tash down here. Am I rushing it by organising such a grand gesture? I do like her, but I’m not sure what I want from her, or what she expects from me. We barely even know each other. But what I do know is that she is bringing light into my life at a time that I very much need it. And it doesn’t hurt that she’s incredibly attractive.
I guess I’ll just have to go with the flow and see what happens. It’s not like I invited her to share my bed tonight or anything. I just wanted to see her. And also, with her and Felix being friends, it makes sense they’re hanging out, too.
In the afternoon, a limo picks me and the guys up to take us to one of many pre-show interviews Max booked for the tour. I did a few of these during the filming of Sing to Me, but this is the first one I’m doing with my band. It’s exciting and feels more real. The station has asked us all to come along to play a song, but I’ll be the only one speaking during the interview.
I sit down on one side of the studio desk while the guys start setting up their instruments at the back. The DJs, Axel and Amber, are well known for their witty banter, and this radio segment usually gets good ratings.
Axel starts talking. “Lincoln Page. It’s great to have you and your band in ahead of tonight’s show at the Enmore Theatre. We’ve heard positive things about the tour so far. How are you feeling about it all?”
“Yeah, we’re really enjoying the experience. It’s great to be out touring the country and playing for everyone again.”
“We’ve been told you’re starting to incorporate a few originals into your setlist. Tell us about that.”
“I think the guys and I realised we had more to offer than just covers, and fortunately, the audiences have been very kind so far. We’re excited to see where it all leads.”
“Should we be looking for any hidden meaning in the songs? You did go through a rather messy break-up recently…”
Damn it. This is not the direction I wanted this interview to go.
“Uh, I guess you’ll have to listen to the songs and decide that for yourself. But I’m not one for airing my grievances through music.”
Axel laughs. “Very diplomatic answer there.”
Amber cuts in. “Leave him alone, Axe.” She then looks at me. “But I can’t imagine being single again has hurt ticket sales with a certain demographic. Have you found you’re seeing more female fans at your gigs?”
Jeez. I hope Tash isn’t listening to this. I laugh nervously. “I’m not sure. I don’t keep track of who’s in the audience.”
“So modest. Maybe there’s already another lucky lady in your life?”
Shit. I really, really hope Tash isn’t listening to this.
“You’ll just have to wait and see,” I say mysteriously.
Amber laughs. “Interpret that how you like, listeners.”
Axel grins at me. “All right. Now it’s time for a little This or That. Do you know how the game works, Lincoln?”
“Yes. Even my daughters know how to play,” I say.
“Good. Let’s get straight into it, then. Cookies or ice cream?”
“Ice cream.”
“Pop music or rock music?”
“Rock.”
“Coffee or wine?”
“Coffee.”
“Summer or winter?”
“Summer. Definitely.”
“Blonde or brunette?”
“Can I say hair that looks like fire?”
“Um, that’s oddly specific, but okay. Frozen or Moana?”
I think of the night I spent with Tash and Daisy and smile.