Daisy and the Front Man (Entangled Crush) (Backstage Pass)

by Purdy, Rebekah L.

  “You always have your head up in the clouds, Trevin. What you’re doing is fun and fine for now, but sooner or later it’ll end. You won’t be young forever, and what are you going to have to fall back on? You didn’t go to college. You have no work experience, except for the farm.”

  “John, come on, you haven’t seen him since January—can’t you talk about something else?” Mom said. “Like that you finally caved and let the kids get goats? Or how about the new tractor?”

  “He doesn’t want to hear about any farm stuff.” His dad stared at his hands. “Listen, it was good to see your face. But I’ve got to get the cows in from pasture. Try and call us again soon. The kids like hearing from you.”

  Trevin swallowed hard. Why did his dad have to be so harsh every time they talked? Why couldn’t he be happy for one damn minute for all his son had accomplished?

  “I’ll see you,” Trevin said.

  “Take care.” His dad stood and walked out of the room.

  “He does love you, you know,” his mom said.

  “Maybe.”

  “He does. He’s just not a very vocal man. Give him time, he’ll come around. He is proud of you—the other day I heard him telling Burt Keller all about you and your tour.” She laughed. “Imagine that.”

  “He doesn’t act like he’s proud; all he does is lecture me.”

  “I know. But someday he will. Now, why don’t you go get some rest? You look exhausted.”

  Trevin rolled his eyes. “Yeah, yeah—how is it you’re so far away, but you still nag me?”

  “Because that’s what mothers do.”

  “Love you.”

  “Love you too, sweetie. Take care of yourself.”

  When the screen went black, he laid his head back. Damn. He missed them. Even after his dad’s not-so-encouraging talk, he still wished he could go home for a visit.

  “You okay, mate?” Miles poked his head into the sleeping area.

  “I take it you heard my dad?”

  “Yeah—you want to talk?”

  “Not really.”

  “Get dressed; you can go out to dinner with my mum and me.”

  Trevin slipped off his bunk, tossing his phone onto his bed. He slid out of his basketball shorts and threw on a pair of cargo shorts. He patted Miles on the shoulder. He didn’t know what he’d do without his best bud. Miles had a way of cheering him up. Of making him forget about his dad’s comments.

  “Thanks, man.”

  “No problem. Although, I’m surprised you’re not hanging out with Daisy—what’d you do, give up on her?”

  “No, she’s out with Beau tonight. Figured I’d better give her a break from my awesomeness. Don’t want her to OD.”

  Miles snorted. “Whatever, dude. Let’s go get some food.”

  As Trevin left the bus, he realized he kind of missed seeing Daisy hanging around. She always had a way of making him smile or forget about everything else going on. Not that he was about to voice this to Miles. Nope.

  …

  Daisy sat across from her dad in the booth. He cut his steak into strips, dipping it into a puddle of A.1. Steak Sauce, while she stabbed at her southwestern chicken salad with a fork. Country music played in the background, while waitresses with cowgirl boots made their rounds.

  “So how are you liking the tour so far?” her dad said.

  “It’s not as bad as I thought it’d be.” Daisy couldn’t believe those words had left her lips. But it was true. The guys from S2J weren’t the giant assholes she thought they were. Well, at least not most of the time.

  He smiled, setting his silverware down. “I’m glad you came out for a visit.”

  “Me, too.”

  His smile faltered as he stared at her. “Daisy, I—I know I haven’t been the best dad. And I know I’ve let you down a lot over the years. For that I apologize. You didn’t deserve for me to be absent like I was. There are a lot of things you don’t know about your mom’s and my divorce. Stuff that I haven’t wanted to talk to you about because I didn’t want you to hate your mom or even me, for that matter.”

  Her gaze held his, while her stomach knotted. “What kind of stuff?”

  “Maybe I shouldn’t have brought this up, because as much as I’d love to tell you right now, I don’t think a restaurant is the right place. But let me make it very clear to you that when I came back from Iraq, I didn’t expect to get divorced or to be so hurt that I couldn’t even be near her—that’s why I didn’t come around, Daisy. It wasn’t you, it was her. I couldn’t look at her without getting angry all over again. So I stayed away…”

  “D-did she have an affair?” Daisy didn’t want to believe it, but the one thing her mom had said over the years was that she shouldn’t hate her dad, that he wasn’t the only one to blame.

  He scraped his fork across his plate, drawing shapes in the sauce, avoiding her eyes. “I’d prefer you to ask her. All I want you to know is that I never stopped loving you. And if I ever made you feel like you weren’t important to me, then I’m sorry, because you are. I also owe you an apology for being so overprotective since you’ve been here, but I want to be more of a dad to you, and this was the only way I could think of to do that.” He peered up at her again. “I’ve kept all your school pictures and copies of your report cards that your mom sent to me. Even the Christmas cards and ornaments you made for me when you were little, they’re put away in a box in my closet. I saved them all.”

  Daisy’s eyes welled. Maybe it wasn’t too late for them to fix things. After all, he was making an effort, right? “I’m sorry, too. I know I haven’t made talking easy. When Mom calls again, I’ll ask her to tell me the truth.”

  He nodded. “If you have questions after you speak to her, you can come to me.”

  Daisy reached across the table and gave her dad’s hand a squeeze. “I will. Thank you—for talking to me and for wanting me here with you.”

  “I’ll always want you with me.”

  Hearing those words lifted a huge weight from her shoulders, like someone had used a vacuum to suck away all the darkness that’d been hanging over her. All the hurt and doubt slipped away with it. For the first time in a long time, she wasn’t sure what to do with herself.

  Dad released her hand and glanced down at his watch. “We should probably get back to the stadium. Don’t want anyone accosting the guys during their concert.”

  She giggled. “Yeah, those ten-year-olds are pretty vicious.”

  When they got to the stadium, most of the band was in hair and makeup. So Daisy walked down a corridor and sat against the wall. She closed her eyes and rubbed her temples. She had so much to consider. Like for starters, all these years she’d thought the divorce had been her dad’s fault. Now, she wasn’t so sure. Had she misplaced her hate? If so, why hadn’t her mom told her sooner about what’d happened? One way or another, she’d get the true story from her. But this also made her realize that if her dad hadn’t meant to hurt her, then maybe Trevin didn’t, either. Maybe he did deserve her trust.

  When she opened her eyes, she stood, brushing her hair from her face.

  Right then Nathan sauntered over to her, wearing a pair of skinny jeans and a blue T-shirt with a picture of Queen on it. “You okay?”

  Daisy stood, wiping her face clean. “I’m fine.”

  He stared at her for long moments, then gasped. “I remember now.”

  “Remember what?” Her eyes narrowed.

  “Y-you’re the girl who won our contest,” he said.

  Daisy stiffened, then reached for his arm. “Please don’t say anything.”

  “That’s why you hate boy bands so much,” Nathan said. “Isn’t it?”

  “I’m begging you—please keep quiet.” Frantic, Daisy dragged him down one of the tunnels.

  “How come you don’t want Trevin to know?”

  “I do want him to know, but I want him to remember it himself. It obviously didn’t affect him the same way it did me.” She toyed with her beaded bracele
t, glancing around as the stage crew brought in more props. “I was embarrassed on TV, and he can’t even bother to figure out why I’m so angry with him.”

  “I promise he’s not normally dismissive of people or their feelings. He’s really a good guy. He’s the one who keeps us all grounded, like an unofficial big brother. He’d never intentionally hurt anyone.”

  “But see, he doesn’t even remember standing me up. And that makes it all the more unbearable. It’s like what he did didn’t even matter, you know?”

  “Yeah, I can relate.” Nathan sighed. “Look, I’ll shut my mouth about this as long as you promise to at least try to get to know Trevin better. I swear he’s not as bad as he made himself out to be by ditching you.”

  “Fine,” Daisy said.

  He sat there staring at the wall, then all of a sudden his eyes widened. “Wait a second, there’s something you should know. LJ is the one—”

  “Hey, Nathan, the costume department said they need you to change out your shoes,” her dad yelled to them.

  “You should probably go so you don’t get in trouble. But thank you for remembering and for keeping this secret.”

  “But Daisy, Trevin’s whole reason for not showing up was LJ’s fault.”

  She snorted. “Look, you don’t have to try and cover for him. Just, please, keep quiet.”

  “But—”

  Daisy ignored him, jerking him down the long corridor. Why was Nathan trying so hard to convince her? Had Trevin put him up to it?

  “Where were you two hiding?” Ryder asked, tossing the football at Nathan as they hurried down the tunnel. “Maybe Trevin really does have some competition. You been holding out on us, baby Nate?”

  “We were just hanging out and talking.” He gave Daisy a wink.

  She smiled at him. “We were plotting ways to take you all down.”

  Daisy didn’t miss the frown on Trevin’s face. Was he jealous? Her heart clattered in her chest like a tap dancer on a tiled floor. Maybe it was true. Maybe Trevin Jacobs had really fallen for her. And maybe this time would be different. She’d been getting to know him, and the truth was, she kind of liked him. A lot.

  Daisy stood next to her dad, watching the concert. Noticing for the first time since she arrived how good the guys really were. Their dancing. Their singing. She saw why all the girls swooned over them.

  Daisy rode on the Hanging On bus until they got to Nashville. As soon as they parked, her dad got the band into the hotel safely, then came back to get her.

  He took her suitcase and wheeled it into the hotel. While her dad got them checked in, she noticed a sign for a fifties dance in two nights. They’d be playing music from her grandpa’s era—maybe even some of his songs. This was right up her alley. She needed to go.

  She chewed her bottom lip. Maybe Trevin would go with her. She imagined dancing with him under the soft glow of lights, listening to her favorite songs. It could be their chance to have the moment they’d lost at homecoming. And she already knew what dress she’d wear.

  With her mind made up, Daisy began to plan her perfect date with Trevin.

  It was finally going to happen.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Trevin was glad to be checked into their hotel, which would be their home away from home for the next couple of nights. They’d have lots going on here in Nashville: TV interviews, dropping some tracks in the recording studio, a couple concerts. In other words, they’d be busy.

  With a sigh, he picked up his phone and called over to Daisy’s room.

  “Hello?” Her voice came on.

  “Hey, so I thought we could hang out after the concert tonight,” he said. God, he loved hearing her talk. The way she enunciated her Os like a true northerner. How her voice softened when she spoke about her family.

  “Sure, what did you have in mind?”

  “Well, it’s kind of a surprise.”

  “What kind of surprise?”

  “It’ll ruin it if I tell you.” Trevin smiled, rubbing the back of his neck. “Hence the word surprise.”

  “Fine, have it your way.”

  “So, I’ll see you later?”

  “Yeah.”

  After he hung up, he trudged over to the counter in their kitchenette and grabbed a doughnut. Raspberry jelly dribbled down his chin, and he reached for a paper towel to wipe it off.

  Miles collapsed on the couch. “I just want to sit here and not move for twenty-four hours. I need sleep so bad.”

  “You should’ve slept more on the bus yesterday.”

  He snorted. “Nice try—hard to sleep when I hear zombies being slayed from the living room.”

  Trevin grinned. “Sorry about that, Will wanted to play video games.”

  “Sure, blame it on him, he isn’t here to defend himself. Besides, I know how much you like gaming, so that excuse isn’t going to work on me.”

  “Ah, quit your bitching, you were up Skyping with Aimee anyway—so I know damn well you weren’t ‘trying’ to sleep.”

  “Shhh… You’re ruining my solitude and meditation.”

  “Whatever. We need to listen to ‘Closer to Me’ a few more times before we head over to the studio for our recording session tomorrow.”

  “Maybe I can do it in my sleep.”

  Trevin put in his earbuds and pushed play, listening to the harmonies. He repeated the song several times, trying to memorize the words. When he finished, he and Miles worked through it together a few times before they both decided to just chill until after their concert.

  However, he needed to get ahold of one of the concierges to get a picnic basket. He wanted tonight to be perfect.

  Trevin did a quick breath check in his cupped hand then hurried to Daisy’s room. He knocked on the door. A second later Daisy answered. His breath hitched as his eyes trailed over her. Her long auburn hair hung down her back in loose curls, she wore a light blue sundress, and was even more stunning tonight than she had been the first time he’d seen her. He stood staring at her.

  “Hi,” she said.

  “Hey. Wow, you look beautiful.” Trevin noticed Beau over her shoulder.

  “Make sure you two are back before it gets too late,” he said.

  Trevin nodded, knowing he needed to keep Beau happy if he wanted to be able to spend time with Daisy. “I will—we’ll see you later.”

  When they got downstairs, he stopped by the front desk to grab the picnic basket and blanket.

  Daisy glanced at him. “So, what are we doing exactly?”

  “Come with me and you’ll find out.” He wrapped his fingers around her, tugging her with him. They slipped out one of the side doors and followed the sidewalk to the back parking lot, where the tour buses were parked.

  “Okay, so we came to hang out in the parking lot?”

  “Nope—we’re going to look at the stars.”

  Daisy giggled when she saw the shirtless pictures of the guys on the side of it. “So whose idea was it to have you guys posed half-naked on your buses?”

  “LJ’s—apparently this is what the ladies like.”

  “Do you ever find women or guys petting your pics?”

  “Sorry, that’s top secret information. Wait, were you out here petting my picture while I was onstage tonight?”

  “No, I’m not really into automobiles. They’re not my type.”

  “What is your type?”

  “I’m not sure. I’ll have to get back to you.”

  “Oh really?” He tickled her side.

  “I thought you wanted to look for stars?”

  “Hello, look no further, I’m right here.”

  “You are so full of yourself. You might even be worse than Ryder—which I never thought was possible. But I stand corrected.”

  He chuckled and they both turned their heads toward the sky. Daisy made out a couple twinkling stars, but it was hard to see them because of all the city lights.

  “I don’t think we’re going to find many out tonight,” he said.

 
“That’s okay—according to you, I’ve got my own star right here.” She patted his cheek.

  He bent slightly so his lips touched hers. It was a gentle, teasing kiss. One that promised more to come. “Bet you didn’t know stars were such good kissers.”

  “Who told you that?”

  “You’re full of it tonight, aren’t you?” Trevin quirked an eyebrow at her. But he loved seeing this playful side to her. Seeing how happy she was.

  “Says the guy who thinks he’s a star.”

  “Come on up here.” He brought her over to the ladder at the back of the bus.

  “Are we going up there?”

  “Yeah.” He went first, carrying the basket. When he got on the roof, he set it down, then turned back to help Daisy up. Once they both stood on top, Trevin opened the picnic basket, pulled out a blanket, and spread it over the roof, then he grabbed an array of desserts. Chocolate. Pie. Cookies. Finally he took out an iPod dock and plugged his into it. He pushed play on the oldies playlist.

  He sat down first, then patted the spot next to him. “Voilà—your dessert picnic under the stars is now ready.”

  Daisy smiled. “You didn’t have to do all this for me.”

  “I wanted to.” He sprawled, propping himself up on one elbow as he stared at the sky.

  Daisy lay down beside him. He caught the faint scent of apples from her hair. God she smelled good. She always did. He rested his cheek against her head, loving the feel of her pressed against him.

  “I’m glad we get to finally have our first real date,” Trevin said.

  She glanced up at him with her big brown eyes. “It’s kind of perfect.”

  “Only kind of?” he teased.

  With a laugh, she scooted closer to him. “Fine—it’s really perfect. The music, the atmosphere, spending time with you…”

  “Yeah, it is pretty great spending time with me.”

  She snorted. “Don’t you dare start with that crap again.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “When we first met, you kept trying to impress me.”

  “And it obviously worked.” He twirled a piece of her hair around his finger.