by Skye Turner
I laugh. “Nothing.”
Pulling back, she looks at me and exclaims incredulously. “Did he tell you to have sex with Rafe?!”
Suddenly the giggles overtake me and I have to stop walking and shake my head. I can’t answer her. I laugh so hard, I have to lean onto the wall to stop from falling onto the floor. My laughter is contagious and Summer joins in. We’re both laughing hysterically, rolling on the floor, holding our stomachs, unable to catch our breath, and crying, when McKenzie and Fannie walk into the hall to see just what the commotion is about.
Their expressions when they see us make us laugh even harder.
Summer gasps, “Your faces… oh… my… God…” and erupts into another fit of laughter.
Finally, I gasp out, “Oh my God… it hurts… My sides are killing me. I can’t breathe… Stop… Stop… Stop…”
We manage to contain ourselves. Summer looks at me and then laughs again and I laugh with her until I snort. Fannie and McKenzie are just looking at both of us as if we’ve cracked and lost our minds.
Finally, Fannie blinks and says, “What in the world is going on here?”
Summer tries to talk, but giggles again, so I say, “Nothing. Summer called Daddy to come talk to me because she was worried about me. And he gave good advice. But she…” I point at Summer and giggle, “asked me if he told me to have sex with Rafe because he told her to call Momma about our sex stuff.”
McKenzie gasps and blinks at us. “What now? You told your Dad that you wanted to have sex with Rafe?” She stares at me. “You want to have sex with Rafe?” Her hands leave her side and raise before flopping back to her sides. “What the hell are you two lunatics talking about?”
Fannie stares at me and gapes. “You want to have sex with Rafe?”
I can’t help it, I laugh even harder.
Oh my God…
What the hell?
Does the idea that I have sex shock everyone?
And when did I say I wanted to have sex with Rafe?
You kind of… sort of do… maybe…
I did NOT tell my daddy I wanted to have sex with Rafe!
What the hell happened to this conversation?!
Pulling myself to a sitting position, I lean against the wall and look at my three bandmates and friends as I wipe my eyes with the back of my hands. “Now wait just a minute. I never said I wanted to have sex with Rafe!
“Good lord! What is wrong with y’all?
“No, Daddy came talk to me because Sumer called him and told him I was upset about something and she thought it was about Rafe. So, we talked and he told me to open myself up to new things and give Rafe a chance. He did not tell me to have sex with Rafe and I never said I wanted to have sex with him either!
“Y’all are some drama mongers!”
All three are looking at me really intently. It makes me nervous and I fidget as I stand up. Finally, Summer says, “But, you do like Rafe… or you’re attracted to him… and the electricity between y’all is almost visible in the air.”
I blink at her as my mouth opens and closes in rapid succession.
She laughs and continues. “Seriously, sis. There is something seriously sexual between y’all and all that animosity just amplifies it!”
The other two girls nod with her in agreement. I finally manage to squeak out words through a tight throat. “What? No, it’s not even like that. I mean, I don’t think… he doesn’t think… no, we don’t like each other. We’re constantly pushing each other’s buttons.
“I mean we don’t… there’s no sexual anything… after we kissed he insulted me… well, after I insulted him, I guess… and he left after making me feel like shit.”
All three of them are silent with their shock. I don’t realize what I just said until Summer screams, “Wait a freaking minute, Daisy! After you kissed you insulted each other?! When the hell did you two kiss? Where? Why didn’t you tell me?! I’m your sister!”
I mutter uncomfortably, “Oh, well, uh… Well, last week… when he came out to the barn. We argued and then we kissed… then something happened and I insulted him, so he insulted me back. Then, he left and I went for a ride…”
They are all staring at me in complete and utter disbelief that quickly turns to anger.
They all speak at once and I can’t even understand who’s saying what, but I can tell that all three are not happy at my withholding this information… for a week.
Summer is raging. “SISTER… tell me… believe you… suck… bitch…”
Fannie sounds disappointed. “should have told us… wow… kissed you… emotions everywhere… unexpected…”
McKenzie sounds hurt. “kept it from us… important… friends… here for you… unbelievable… trust us…”
Well, damn!
I wasn’t aware that my life was their business like this!
Why are they mad?
This had nothing to do with them.
Summer is really, really upset.
Shit… I should have talked to them. They’re my friends… my family… my team.
We’re always there for each other.
I guess I need to fix it.
Wait… would they be ok with a me and Rafe?
Do I WANT there to be a me and Rafe?
What am I even talking about?!
After yesterday, I don’t think he’ll want to even talk to me.
UGH!!!!
Son of a bitch!
When did my damn life become an episode of Jerry Springer!?
Rafe
Sean is driving to the girls’ house today and I’m riding. Russ and Xavior are just meeting us there, as is Gavyn. He’s playing some Cowboy Mouth as we cruise, ok putter with all the damn traffic, through Baton Rouge.
I groan as he hits the brakes again. “Shit! When the hell did Baton Rouge become fucking Metropolis? You can’t get anywhere here…”
Sean chews on gum as he yells at the guy in front of him, who just cut him off. “Yo, asshole, you scratch this paint job, I’m going to fuck you up! Ever heard of a goddamned blinker, fucktard?!”
The guy flips him off in the rear view mirror. Sean cusses again and mutters, “I knew I should have left her at home.” He’s talking about his car… It’s a ’73 mint condition Camaro and his pride and joy.
This is why I hate to ride with anyone. I feel like I’m putting my life in their hands. At least if I get into an accident and I’m the one driving, it’s my fault. I’m an anxious passenger. Except on a bus. On the bus, I’m comfortable… almost like I’m in a house and not a metal box on wheels.
My hands are gripping my knees so tightly, my knuckles are colorless.
Sean glances over and sees my unease. He says, “Don’t puke in my car, dude.”
Turning, I glare at him. “I’m not going to hurl, asshole. I just don’t like stop and go traffic when I’m not the one driving. You know that!”
He laughs. “Uh huh. That the only reason you’re strung up tighter than my guitar strings?”
“Fuck off!” I snap out.
He’s right though.
In a few minutes, I’ll be around Daisy and everyone else. I need to get her alone so I can let her know that I didn’t mean what I said to her last week and that she was partly right.
Dude, she’s not going to willingly go anywhere with you! She hates you and after last week, can you blame her?
Shit!
My fingers are pulling at a strand of ripped denim to hide my nervousness.
I haven’t been this nervous to see a female in… well, ever that I can remember.
It’s only because this tour is such a big deal and we have to give off the air of being civil. I don’t think the label would take too kindly to a murder or dismemberment happening on tour.
I snicker at my thoughts and Sean glances over. “What’s funny?”
Leaning my head back and squinting at the sun through my aviators, I laugh again. “Just imagining the label if Daisy tries to kill me on tour.”
My eyes flash behind the lenses and I sit up and clench my teeth. “She’s not going to do that. I just need to talk to her today and get her to relax a bit.”
“Ha, yeah… good luck with that one. That woman would just as soon stab you as look at you and after you kissed her last week and then walked out… yeah, good luck with that…”
Dammit! Why does he have to voice my inner thoughts aloud!?
Looking over at him, I ask, “Do me a favor?”
He smirks and nods. “I was waiting for you to ask and since I’m sexually satiated from your sexy neighbor swallowing my load after wiping it off her face this morning, I’m happy to help you out.”
My nose wrinkles at the visual. “Don’t ever say that shit to me again, dude.”
He laughs and mutters, “Ok, ’cause it’s not like we’ve never done it in front of the other or to the same chick before…”
That thought does not sit well with me at the moment…
I don’t say anything as I battle back my warring thoughts. Sean finally says, “Ok, man. Sorry. What do you want me to do?”
I shake my head to concentrate and outline what I’d like him to do. He nods once he’s got it and then laughs. “If she stabs you though… don’t say I didn’t warn you!”
I nod. “Duly noted. You are hereby excluded from all responsibility.”
He laughs again and mutters, “Damn, most of the time I forget how smart you actually are… then you go and say shit like that and I’m forced to remember your brains!”
Punching him in the arm, I laugh and lean back. “I know. I know. It’s hard to think of anything other than how amazing my face is and then you add my voice and I completely understand how anyone would be distracted.”
He smirks and winks at me before looking back at the road. “Damn, I love you, man. You are so full of shit, but I love you.”
I laugh. “I know. But don’t go getting all soft on me now… you’re not my type.”
His brows furrow and he snorts. “No worries, Rider. You aren’t mine either. I prefer tits… last time I checked, you do not have those on your anatomy.”
Laying my head back against the leather headrest, I laugh again. The easy comradery between us has always been like this.
I mutter, “I’m resting my eyes. Let me know when we get there… that is… if you don’t kill us first.”
Chapter Ten
Daisy
We’ve been at this for nine hours and I’m exhausted. Rafe is next to me holding his earphones as I sing into the microphone in front of us. He’s already recorded his bit. Barker, the producer, gives the thumbs up when my voice fades with the last note. He holds up a finger to tell us to wait while he overlays both tracks and listens. We both wait with baited breath, then everyone in the booth nods and grins. His voice fills the recording room. “Fantastic! I think we’ve got it. You two can take a break. I need to get the solos, background, and the bands harmonizing and then I can layer everything and see what we’ve got and if I need anything else.
“This sounds phenomenal though!”
I sigh and nod. I need some air and to walk around. I’d also like some hot tea with lemon and honey to coat my throat. It feels a little parched from all the singing.
Ignoring Rafe now that the song is over, like I’ve been doing all day, I tell Summer and the girls I’m heading to the kitchen for a bit.
Rafe calls my name, but I ignore him and walk out of the room. I just can’t deal with him and whatever he’s going to hit me with right now. I’m too damn exhausted.
Once I’m in the kitchen, I turn the burner on under my little red teapot and get my tea bag out of the cabinet. The honey is not where it’s supposed to be and then I remember that daddy takes it in his coffee in the place of sugar, so I check near the pot. Yup, it’s sitting there.
The night is clear and I can see the stars behind the house through the French doors. Stopping, I just look at the yard and the sky. It’s beautiful. The stars almost look like they’re twinkling and it’s a new moon, so it’s full and bright. There are no lights at the back of the property, so the only light is from the sky.
Deciding to head out once my tea is ready, I turn as the kettle whistles and jump a mile.
Rafe is standing in the doorway, just watching me. My hand flies to try to calm my galloping heart and I look at him crossly. “Dammit, Rafe! What the hell? Why are you always sneaking up on me?”
He shrugs and smiles slightly. “In my defense, I did ask you to wait up, but as usual, you just ignored me and acted like you didn’t hear me.”
I mutter, “Maybe that should have tipped you off that I don’t want to talk to you.”
He chuckles. “Yeah, I know that. But, I do want to talk to you, so even if you don’t want to talk, how about I talk and you just listen? Is that doable?”
No. No. No. Because you’ll say something and then I’ll either believe you or get mad and then we’ll just fling more insults at each other…
We’ll be in exactly the same position as we are now.
Instead of voicing that, I nod jerkily as I fix my tea. “Want some tea? I’m making something hot for my throat. The Keurig is right there and the K-Cups are under it and there’s water, juice, and tea in the fridge. Help yourself.”
He laughs. “Thanks. That’s very nice of you. Is the tea in the fridge sweet tea?”
I gag. “Um, no. You’ll have to add sugar. We don’t drink syrup tea here. It actually makes me want to barf.” I turn and see his expression. “Sorry, I know that’s not very ‘country’ or Southern.”
He smirks. “I’ll take it just like it is. I don’t care for sweet tea either. My momma says I’m an insult to Louisiana for that infraction.”
I can’t prevent myself from smiling at him. “Guess we’re both an insult to our state then.”
He nods and says, “You went to school here?”
“I did. U-High. You?”
He nods. “Sean, Russ, and I all went to Baton Rouge High. Xavior went to Catholic.”
Rafe went to Baton Rouge High?! He must be smart then!
That’s a great school.
My face must be giving my thoughts away because he laughs at me and leans back against the counter. “What? Did you think I was dumb or something?”
I gasp and feel myself blushing. My head shakes adamantly. “Oh, well no. I just didn’t know… I mean… That’s a good school.”
His grin makes my knees weak. “It is. U-High is not too shabby either…” He fidgets. “Believe it or not… I turned down nine scholarships to pursue this dream of music.”
I can’t stop my reaction from showing. “Nine scholarships? So you just said, ‘No thanks. I’m going to be a rocker instead of getting a college education.’?”
He smirks and nods. “Pretty much. We played all through high school and did some talent shows, fairs, and festivals.
“I thought my dad was going to have a heart attack when I told him.”
Damn, I didn’t know that…
Since I don’t really know what to say, I sip my tea and look at him over the top of my mug. The light from the kitchen isn’t bright and it’s so dark outside, he’s partially in shadow. He looks dark and sexy, but also kind of approachable…
Whoa… Nope.
Walking to the door, I say over my shoulder. “I’m going to take a little walk and get some fresh air. I need to stretch my legs and stuff after being in the studio for all that time. I’ll see you in a bit.”
He stops me before I clear the door. “Mind if I join you?”
Yes! Yes, I mind!
I can’t handle you when you’re all normal and nice like this. I don’t know what to do or say and you make me nervous.
I don’t like it!
Instead, I say, “Sure.”
He sighs and if I didn’t know any better, I’d think he was relie
ved I said he could join me.
We walk in silence, just enjoying the night, and sipping from our drinks. My hot tea and his iced.
I can see him from the corner of my eye and I can’t stop glancing at him as he walks beside me along the garden trail. Before I realize it, I’ve brought him to the pergola with the cypress swing. It’s covered in jasmine and the scent is permeating the night air.
I stop and nervously say, “Sorry, my feet just seem to want to come here. This is my favorite spot. I come out here to write… or read… or think…”
He looks around carefully and then looks back at me. “It’s a gorgeous spot. I can see why you like it.” He nods at the swing. “Can we sit? It’s been ages since I’ve relaxed on a cypress swing.”
Looking away and swallowing, I give myself a quick pep talk, then nod. “Sure. Let’s sit.”
I settle on one side of the swing and Rafe sits toward the other side, but more in the middle. There’s about a foot of space between us.
My anxiety is through the roof, so to have something to do, I gulp my tea. It’s cold by now, but I don’t even care. I just don’t know what to do with the silence and the thought of filling it with actual conversation terrifies me.
I’m never like this around people…
Rafe
She’s quiet. Like deathly quiet. Almost as if she’s unsure of what to say to me.
Not that I know what the hell to say to her either. Thankfully, we’re out here alone so I can get out what I need to without anyone else seeing or me making an idiot of myself. Sean was fully prepared to jump in if needed and present the opportunity for me to be alone with Daisy… to talk… But, Barker did that perfectly and he didn’t even realize it.
Thanks, man.
We’re on the swing in her perfect backyard oasis and the smell of jasmine is coating the air and flowing around us. This would be considered romantic under any other circumstances.
Finally, I muster up the nerve to just get it all out. Turning on the swing, I look at her. She carefully faces me and I can barely see the uncertainty on her face. She has no idea what I’m going to say or if I’m going to be the guy she’s been talking to for the past half hour or the asshole who insulted and walked out on her last week.
