Queens of Geek

CHAPTER ELEVEN: TAYLOR

Jamie sticks the keycard into the door and swings it open.

I dump my backpack in the hall and start exploring our room. Jamie and I are Charlie's tagalongs, so the three of us are sharing a studio suite in a fancy-shmancy hotel a block away from SupaCon.

It's a simple but luxurious room, with a flatscreen on the wall, a couch and coffee table by the window, and two double beds.

Jamie drops his shoulder bag on the couch and stretches. His t-shirt lifts slightly, exposing his lower abdomen and that sexy 'V' shape some guys have. I try not to stare. I try really hard not to stare.

"You and Charlie take the beds." He sinks onto the couch and pats it. "I'll take the couch."

"What?" I ask, looking at the two big beds. "Don't be silly. Charlie and I can share. We share the same bed at sleepovers all the time."

He picks up the TV remote and shrugs. "Up to you. I don't mind."

I sit down on the bed, but my coat makes an offensive scrunching sound and I stand back up again. "I'm going to get changed. This trench coat looks awesome, but it's not too comfortable."

"Cool. I'll find something for us to watch. You want something to eat? We could order room service?"

My stomach rumbles at the mere mention of food. "Yes. Definitely."

He reaches over to the coffee table and picks up the menu.

"I'll have—"

"Let me guess," he says with a crooked grin. "Vegetarian Club Sandwich with fries and extra ketchup."

I cock my head at him. "Yes. And a—"

"Coke. Vanilla, if they have it."

I cross my arms over my chest. "How the hell do you know all that?"

He laughs. "It's what you always get when you order room service at a hotel."

"I know that, but how do you know that?"

"You told me. Like a year ago, after your trip to Sydney with your mum."

"Oh," I say. "I don't know whether to be impressed or worried that you remember that."

"Impressed," he says. "Definitely impressed."

I shake my head and throw my backpack over my shoulder, heading into the bathroom.

When I come out, I'm swimming in comfort, wearing loose fitting yoga pants and an old Taylor Swift t-shirt I got for Christmas one year.

Jamie is lying on the bed, one arm behind his head and the other holding the remote.

His mouth hangs open into a grin. "Look what's on."

I turn to the TV and see Skyler's snow-white face and gasp. "Firestone One!" I clap my hands and jump up an down. "Yes!"

"Come chill with me," he says. "Room service is on its way."

I climb onto the bed, stretch out next to him and sigh. "Look at this." I gesture to the room. "We're in a fancy hotel room. My Queen is on the TV. Club Sandwich on its way. And three more days of SupaCon awesomeness ahead. It doesn't get any better than this."

He glances at me, his lips curving into an uneven smile. "Agreed."

I sit up, my eyes glued to the TV. "This is my favourite part!"

Jamie and I start quoting the lines, doing our best Queen Firestone impressions.

"I am Queen," we say, our expressions smouldering and voices low. "And I will not lose twice."