“Before this gets out of hand…” The stupid hot guy who had been on the other side of the stage but was now suddenly very close to us spoke up. “I’m Lawson. I attempt to wrangle these guys.” Barrett cleared her throat. “With Barrett’s help.”
“Nice to meet you,” Mack told him as they shook hands.
“OK, fangirl,” Dixon called out, but I held up a hand before he could go any further.
“Every time you call me ‘fangirl,’ I’m going to kick Van in the balls,” I told him. “We’re up to three right now.”
Dixon’s face blanched for the quickest second, then he shrugged. “They’re not my balls.”
Barrett smacked the back of his head. Dixon hadn’t even seen it coming but it made a nice whack sound that traveled through the empty arena. The place had great acoustics.
Van groaned. “That’s cold.” The rest of the guys laughed, though, so there was that at least.
“OK, Daisy,” Dixon said, though I had no illusion that this was the last I’d hear my new nickname. “Show us.”
“Show you what?” I asked.
“Hop on the drums. What can you play?”
Surprisingly, even as the lead singer of Pushing Daisies, I didn’t necessarily love the spotlight off stage. Though we were technically on stage. Still, I’d do this just to prove that I belonged.
“What do you want me to play?” I asked. “Something of yours?”
“You know our stuff?” Ransom asked.
I nodded. They didn’t get how this worked. Hell, I didn’t get how this worked and I lived it. “I’ve listened to it, so I can play it.”
“‘Ever After,’” Cross said before anyone else could make a suggestion. Of course he’d pick something off the newest album. That way I couldn’t have practiced for years.
“Am I playing alone?” I asked because that would’ve been weird.
“Nope,” Booker assured me. He stepped closer and swung his bass back around the front of him. Dixon did the same and Ransom grabbed a mic off one of the stands and turned. Cross just stood there with his arms over his chest.
But they were all looking at me.
I took a deep breath, letting my muscle memory or whatever the hell it was that allowed me to do this to kick in. Then I slid behind the drums and giggled. “Hang on,” I told them. “My feet don’t touch the floor. I can’t reach the foot pedal.”
The sound of male laugher surrounded me. Cross was over six feet tall and I was about five-foot-four. Big difference in stool height needed.
“Want some help?” Cross asked.
“I got it but you’ll have to fix it after.”
Once adjusted, I gave the guys a nod.
This particular song started abruptly. Everyone was playing all at the same time, so I counted it off and let the memory of the song control my hands. Ransom came in on the right beat and even to my own ear, it sounded almost the exact same as it had on the radio. As if Cross were behind the drums the entire time not me.
I could admit that once in a while it felt good to be out of my comfort zone. To play an instrument I didn’t know the way I did my violin. To walk in someone else’s shoes for a moment.
As the song came to an end, all four members of Courting Chaos were standing before me with their eyebrows raised and eyes wide, as if they couldn’t believe what they’d just witnessed. Yeah, yeah. I was impressive and all that. To me, it wasn’t that cool. It was just something I could always do.
“Holy shit,” Booker muttered.
“No kidding,” Dixon agreed. “If anything happens to Cross, we know who to go to.”
“Fuck off.” Cross gave him a shove.
“That was pretty badass,” Barrett told me. “I’d like to see you put these guys to shame on the other instruments, but they have some media to do.”
Thank you, I mouthed. She gave me a smile that said she understood. Out loud I said, “That’s totally cool. I mostly don’t like to play the bass anyway.”
“Oh, come on.” Booker threw his arms out in frustration.
“No, no, no,” I said quickly as I scooted out from behind the drums. “It’s not that I don’t like bass but look at it. It’s over half the size of me and it’s awkward as hell to hold.”
He looked from me to his bass then back. “You may have a point.”
“All right, guys,” Barrett called out like the gym teacher I’d had in middle school. “Let’s move. We have to get this done, let them do their soundcheck, then everybody needs to get ready for the show. We sold this show out the day after announcing that Pushing Daisies was taking Hurricane’s place.”
My heart did a cartwheel. Small but loyal fanbase for the win.
Soundcheck didn’t consist of much for us. The guys got everything adjusted the way they wanted. I tested the sound of my violin, though sadly, I was only using it for two of our songs this set. For our normal shows, we played much longer, but right now we were opening. Our setlist had been decided almost as soon as Mack told us about the offer.
Once we were done with that, the four of us, because who knew what Mack did while we played, quickly jogged out to the bus then came back to our dressing room. We should’ve remembered to bring our show bags in with us, but whatever.
The guys changed right there in the main room, much to my disgust. Though they were all careful not to bare anything I wouldn’t see in a bathing suit. That would’ve been one of the things to scar me for life. I changed in the shower area then did my makeup and hair.
I left my copper red hair down with loose curls that I shook out to look more wavy than anything else. Jeans, a black tank top with sequins for the lights to reflect off of, makeup done more heavily that I would’ve on any given normal day so that I didn’t wash out under the lights, and I was good to go.
Someone knocked on the door. “It’s go time.”
That was when a pack of wild antelope stampeded through my stomach. Usually, my nerves weren’t in full force before a show. But this was our first show with Courting Chaos. This was going to be a night to remember.
My brothers bounced on the balls of their feet. They did this every show. It was their way of amping up.
When the voice announced us, booming through the bass speakers like the voice of God, we all took a unified deep breath and jogged up the steps to the stage.
The roar of the crowd was deafening as I put my earpieces in.
Loved those things. They helped dampen the sound of the crowd while letting me hear myself, as well as the guys, so I knew when I needed to adjust.
This was the best thing about concerts. A percentage of the people in the audience had probably never heard of us before. If they had heard one of our songs, they likely didn’t know it was by us. By the end of the night, I’d have them eating out of our hands. Or that was the plan anyway.
Then we exploded.
Our first and last songs on the setlist were the ones with the most energy and were the biggest hits. With the exception of “Losing Myself in You,” which got a lot of radio play, but it was a ballad. We’d play that somewhere in the middle.
I moved across the stage like I owned it, singing the songs like they’d been written just for me, which they had been. My brothers were so focused on stage. Most of the time they didn’t notice the women upfront whisper-yelling into each other’s ears and giggling. At least not during the songs.
In between songs, I peppered in things about us, about joining the tour, about the next song coming up. Once in a while, one of my brothers would interject. Mostly Van. Then we slowed it down for a ballad.
When we played “Losing Myself in You,” the phone lights came out and so many people were singing along. The song was relatable about a woman (me) falling hard and fast and losing themselves in the guy. It could’ve applied in the reverse too. Everyone could sing this song.
Then it was back to high energy. Sweat trailed down my back and this workout was the reason I could eat almost whatever I wanted and hadn’t gained a
ny weight in years. Being on stage burned about a billion calories every night.
Sadly, it came to an end with “Battleground” and our part of the night was over.
“Thank you all for making us feel so welcome,” I called out into the microphone in my hand. “We are Van, Bonham, Daltrey, and Daisy and we’re Pushing Daisies. You all are primed and ready. Courting Chaos is on their way to you. Have a great night!”
All four of my brothers surrounded me. We took a quick bow. Waved. Then scurried off stage.
“Jesus Christ, Daisy,” Van said as we moved quickly to the dressing room where I assumed Mack would either be or find us there. I’d encouraged a meet and greet tonight which meant we had to hurry. Mack had told me that we were fitting it in between our set and Courting Chaos’ because we had to get on the road as quickly as possible once the show was done. “You didn’t hold back tonight.”
“I never hold back,” I countered, almost offended at the idea that I would. Stage always got one hundred percent from me.
“True.” Daltrey flung his arm over my shoulder. The smell of sweat surrounded me and I had to shrug him off. It was just too hot for that. “But tonight felt like more.”
I didn’t have a reply, so off to the dressing room we went.
I downed an entire bottle of water as I toweled all the sweat off as Mack waited for us. He had been in the dressing room while we were on stage though I suspected he watched most of the show from the side. This was a big night for him, too.
There’d be no time for a shower before the meet and greet. It’d have to wait until after. Still, I did a quick swipe of deodorant under my arms while the guys changed shirts. Then we were following Mack out. He seemed to know where we were going.
“Oh thank god,” I muttered when we came through the door.
There were only maybe eight people in the room waiting to meet us and the air conditioner was sure working here. Though there were several extras including the stupid hot manager, Lawson. I had no idea why he was in there watching us, but I sure as hell didn’t mind looking at him. His gaze was like a warm hand skittering over my skin. There was comfort in knowing he was there.
First we met and took a picture with a couple of teenagers who gushed about how much they loved our music and how happy they were that we’d stepped in for Hurricane. It went like that through the people, who were then quickly ushered out the other side of the room, until we got to our superfan.
“I couldn’t believe it when that woman came out and said you’d requested to see me,” the guy told me. His blond hair was slightly matted from sweat. Though it was more how he said it that had me raising my eyebrow. Technically, he was correct. I had requested to meet him and he seemed all too excited about that fact.
“Well, I thought it only appropriate,” I explained. “Didn’t I see you at the Chicago show?”
“Yeah, absolutely.” His eyes never left me. “I’ve been to a ton of shows.”
“That’s awesome.” My gaze found Lawson across the room as he watched us with eyes narrowed and an intensity that I didn’t understand. “Uh, did you want to get a pic?”
“Of course.”
My brothers had been listening the entire time and brought it in for the picture with Superfan on the end. Superfan took a big step down and pushed his way between Van and me. Van opened his mouth to object, but I pinched the side of his abs. No sense making a big deal right off the bat. Just take the picture and be done.
Superfan, whose name was lost to me, though I knew he’d said it, put his arm around me. Now, most fans slid their arm around my shoulder, which was convenient since I was usually a lot shorter than they were. Not Superfan. His hand first rested on my shoulder until he trailed it down my side to rest on my hip. Not technically my ass, but close enough on the side where he gripped me tightly.
Fucking hell.
The picture was taken. We were done. Until he asked, “Can I get one with just you, Daisy?”
Aw, shit. The no was on the tip of my tongue, but “Sure” came out instead.
Same process. The pic was taken and he was being ushered out. What bothered me the most was how familiar he acted with me. As if we’d known each other or known each other. But I wasn’t my brothers who, at various times, had fucked anything that moved. I hadn’t had so many partners that I wouldn’t remember this guy when face to face with him.
But it was done. Over. Time to move on.
“I need a shower,” I muttered as I too left the room.
Chapter Two
Lawson
“What in the ever-loving love of fuck?” I said to no one in particular since I was alone on my bus. “Who in the fuck—?” Nope. Didn’t need to finish that sentence. I knew exactly who the hell had done this.
This was the first tour with Courting Chaos where I got my own bus. The one with Kissing Cinder had me on the bus with a bunch of roadies, which was fine. Before that, I’d bus with the guys. But this time… I got my own space. And when I’d left the bus earlier to ask Barrett to handle getting the new opening act settled, there sure as fuck had not been a damn harness system at the head of my bed.
With wrist restraints on the end.
I sure as hell never asked to have them installed, so that only left one option. And I was going to go find that option now.
When I entered the venue, I yanked the door harder than I needed to. It banged on the outside wall before bouncing back and slamming shut. The noise of the arena didn’t even hit my ears as I was laser focused on my destination.
I’d been Courting Chaos’ manager almost since they’d formed, but certainly since they’d actually started getting buzz. It didn’t make sense to most people, given that I was only a few years older than they were and had no notable experience. But I’d known I could do it, so I had. The guys were mostly twenty-four, with the exception of Booker, who was a year older. I was only twenty-seven, but I’d proven myself in this job from the start and now… Now no one questioned me being there.
Especially after handling the Eric Drinkswine debacle last year.
Finally, I arrived at their dressing room and barreled right through that door like a bull without knocking or giving a shit if they were all fucking naked.
“What the fuck?” I asked without raising my voice. I almost never raised my voice. Didn’t need to. Usually, when I spoke, people listened.
“Who pissed Dad off, guys?” Booker asked. It wasn’t him who’d been the mastermind of this. He was far too… Booker to have come up with this.
“I think it was me.” Dixon raised his hand. “But you were all a part of it, so no throwing me under the bus.”
“What the fuck?” I repeated.
Ransom let a shitty grin play on lips. “You’re going to have to be more specific.”
“The fucking harness system on my bus,” I told them. “Don’t pretend that you don’t know what I’m talking about.”
“Oh, we know,” Dixon said.
Barrett gasped. Which was the first moment I noticed her in the back area tapping away on her iPad. My jaw tightened and I blew out a slow breath.
“Can you tell me why you thought I needed a fucking restraint harness over my bed?”
“Oh my god,” Barrett muttered behind me. “Fucking idiots.” I wasn’t sure if the guys could hear her, but I sure had.
“We’re in Cincinnati,” Dixon said, as if that explained a damn thing.
All of the muscles in my body tightened. “More.”
“Come on, Lawson,” Cross told me. “We know Leslie comes to see you in Cincinnati. We thought you might like to spice it up.”
They weren’t totally wrong. Leslie did usually come see me when I was in driving distance of Cincinnati. She wasn’t a girlfriend. I didn’t have a girlfriend and hadn’t in a very long time. With being on the road so much, it wasn’t a good idea. But they were wrong on the idea that she was coming tonight. She’d sent a text but I declined the offer. We had to leave right after the show and I di
dn’t necessarily think I wanted to keep revisiting a friend with benefits situation right now.
“First, fuck all of you.” All that did was elicit a bunch of laughs from them. “Second, you won’t be seeing her. Third, I want that gone.”
“We’ve got a show to play,” Dixon told me while trying not to laugh. “No can do.”
“I hate you all.” Then I left the room to another round of rowdy laughter.
If I were being honest, it was kind of funny. But the last thing I needed was someone seeing that and for the rumors to swirl. We’d spent the last year undoing the damage Eric Drinkswine had done and we weren’t going back.
Courting Chaos was only going forward and I was going with them.
Now I had other shit to do. The harness would have to wait.
A while later, I briefly met the new band. I’d heard of them and when they’d been suggested as a replacement after the accident with Hurricane, sound-wise, I’d known they’d be a good fit. After that first meeting, I knew they’d be a good fit all around.
At first, I’d thought it was a little weird that they were a family. Like it was a gimmick. But now, I could see how close they were and the way they harassed each other reminded me of the guys. This would work. I could feel it.
I also had to bite my lip to keep from laughing as I watched their lead singer Daisy give her brothers hell. I had to bite my tongue for other reasons as well because that woman was fucking beautiful. Her bright red hair would’ve looked ridiculous on most people but on her… it fit. Made me wonder if that was her natural color.
After another quick talk with the guys, I decided to go watch Pushing Daisies do their first show. That had always been the plan. Just to make sure this was as good a match as I thought it was.
As the first song began, I couldn’t stop watching Daisy.
She was rather small, only around five-feet-three-inches or so, probably weighed a hundred and twenty-five pounds soaking wet, yet those pounds worked for her in the curve of her hips and swells of her breasts.
Shit, she was hot as fuck as she moved across the stage, ran a hand down the side of her body. I almost couldn’t concentrate on the words coming from her full lips. Watching her work her way into the hearts of the fans had all kinds of part of me stirring alive.
Daisy (Pushing Daisies Book 1) Page 2