Broken Strings (Prodigy: 2)

Not at 21

                  

"As soon as we land we're going to drop everything at the hotel, freshen up then head to the concert hall."

"I know," Locke said, not looking up from his phone as his manger once again ran through the schedule.

Jessica wasn't with them; she was staying behind for a few more days before she flew out to join them in Miami. Without her doing half his job and basically running the show, Locke's manager seemed overly paranoid that something would go wrong.

Locke's general attitude from the night before could have also been contributing to his nerves but that wasn't Locke's problem.

Around him, the airport was bustling but quiet. It was four in the morning and no one catching an early flight cared about being active. They just wanted to check in and get to the departure lounge to sleep and wait out the two hour long drag before their flights.

Locke adjusted his hood long enough for the lady behind the desk to see his passport then he walked away so his manager could handle the rest.

He flicked open his phone again, checking an email when someone stepped into his path and he narrowly avoided walking into them.

Glaring, he looked up then blinked.

Zane stood in front of him, looking down at him with dark eyes from under his hood, hands in his pockets as he blocked Locke's path.

Locke's eyes widened. "Zane?"

"Heading off, I see," Zane said, his voice low.

"I don't remember telling you my flight time," Locke said, folding his arms and rocking back on his heel. His eyes flicked to Zane's ear but Zane turned his head slightly and hid the ear that might or might not hold the earring he'd given him.

"Yeah, Jess told me."

"Of course."

"In fact she told me several things," Zane said.

"Did she now?"

"You know, last night was quite eventful. Thinking back on it, my two favourite girls came at me at the same time with pretty big news."

"Quite the ladies man."

"As I always have been. Here's the thing though, one was hysterical with excitement, the other one was in tears."

"Do I get a prize if I guess which was which?"

Zane's hand was suddenly around Locke's collar and he wrenched him forwards, nearly lifting him off the ground, Locke's hands flying up to catch his wrist as Zane bared down on him.

"What the fuck do you think you were doing scaring Jessica like that?" he hissed, his voice so low Locke could the vibrations judder through him. "Who the hell do you think you are, putting her in danger like that?"

"She wasn't hurt," Locke growled back, trying to pull Zane's hand off him but Zane just shook him and Locke had to hold him to keep his balance.

"You're a fucking lunatic, treating a woman like that. This isn't about whether she was physically hurt or not. You scared the hell out of her. You're lucky she's still willing to work with the pathetic likes of you."

Locke's eyes widened and Zane suddenly shoved him back. By this time his staff had got to them and one of them caught Locke before he fell over, the scene catching the attention of other flyers and airport staff.

Locke's eyes darkened as he look up, steadying himself and shoving his supporter away, stepping forwards, squaring right up to Zane.

"Did she tell you you're the cause of her fright?" he asked and Zane's stepped forwards, meeting him half way as they nearly collided.