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

by Purdy, Rebekah L.

  Trevin clasped her hand in his. God, it felt good to hang out with her. The thing was, he was falling fast and hard. Which might not be wise. What would happen when the end of summer came? Or if she found out that he’d started chasing after her because of a bet? He was trying to make it look good for Ryder, but the problem was, he was starting to really like the idea of having her around. When he was with her, he could be himself. Not some LJ-altered form of himself.

  After getting their equipment unloaded, going to hair and makeup, and having a short rehearsal, Trevin stood backstage waiting for the show to start.

  “You’re going in kind of hardcore to win this bet, aren’t you?” Ryder grinned. “Didn’t think you had it in you.”

  “Just like I didn’t think you’d stoop to sabotaging me with stupid pranks.” Trevin shoved his hands in his pockets, glaring at him.

  “Believe me, I don’t need to pull pranks to make you look like a dumb-ass.”

  “So, when are we going to call this good?” Trevin said.

  “When she admits she loves you and is your girlfriend. She’s definitely warmed up some, but I’m still not buying that she’s all in.”

  “She’s as good as mine.”

  “We’ll see.” He winked and walked away.

  Right then, Daisy stepped into his line of sight then came to stand with him. “So how you holding up after the whole interview fiasco?”

  He frowned. “Could be better. It just sucks because I’m trying so hard to watch out for the guys and keep everyone on track, and then it’s me who gets accused of screwing shit up. I’m just tired of trying so hard to be perfect, you know?”

  “You really care about the guys, don’t you?”

  “We’re like family, especially since I don’t see my real one very often. They’re all I have out here. And I just need to keep everyone together. LJ seriously wanted to kill me today—I think he’s half tempted to shove me out of a moving vehicle and call it an accident to be rid of me.”

  “If it’s any consolation, I think Lester’s an ass.” She smiled. “You work your butt off—it’s okay to take a break or have some fun. Besides, can you believe he turned down my proposal to start a recycling program on your tour?”

  “I could try to help with that; maybe I can convince him to change his mind.”

  “Really? Because you guys are always throwing your plastic bottles in the trash.”

  “All the more reason for us to do this. See, you’ll turn me into an environmentalist yet,” he teased.

  She laughed. “Sure I will. Maybe after I teach you how to put on eyeliner.”

  “Is it smudged again?”

  Her arm touched his as she stood on her tiptoes to examine it. Her face was so close that he caught the scent of her wintergreen gum. His eyes met hers and he leaned in, wanting nothing more than to feel her lips on his. To get lost in another one of her amazing kisses. All he had to do was pull her into his arms.

  “Nope, you’re good,” she whispered, her breath warm against his cheek.

  “Trevin, here’s your mike,” one of the stagehands interrupted.

  He took a step back, irritated by the interruption. “Great, thanks.”

  “I’ll see you after the show.” Daisy waved.

  He watched her walk away, wanting nothing more than to follow after her. To find someplace private and hide out together for a while.

  “Dude, are you awake over there?” Miles waved a hand in front of Trevin’s face.

  “Yeah, I’m standing here, aren’t I?”

  “You’ve got it bad.” Miles smirked.

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Daisy.”

  “I barely know her,” Trevin said, pushing into line behind Ryder.

  “Nice try, mate. I see how you look at her—and the way you act around her. You’ve fallen and you don’t even know it.”

  “It’s just a bet.”

  “Keep telling yourself that,” Miles said.

  S2J circled up and went through their preshow ritual, although Trevin’s mind was on anything but the show. Their music started and Trevin rushed out onto the stage. He needed to focus on his performance. But with every lyric he sang about love, he saw Daisy’s face. Damn. He didn’t want to admit it, but Miles might be right.

  …

  She was so stupid. Why had she gone over there to talk to Trevin? Because you’re trying to make him believe you care about him. Except for the part where she actually felt bad about hacking into his account. She’d seen the hurt and anger in his eyes when LJ had screamed at him. Not to mention how responsible he felt for the band—like their every success was on his shoulders.

  Daisy closed her eyes and leaned against the wall. No. She had to quit feeling guilty. Trevin had hurt her first. She was only trying to give him a taste of his own medicine. But at what cost? His heart? Her heart? Was it really necessary to destroy him?

  Shit. This was a great time to start worrying about his feelings. Tonight she was supposed to watch movies on his bus with him as they headed to South Carolina. Maybe she could fake being sick.

  “You can’t back down now,” she whispered.

  Just then, she heard Trevin’s voice as he belted out “Hanging On.” A song about trying to win back a girl after he’d done her wrong. GAH. Seriously? Was this fate’s way of telling her to suck it up and let go of her hatred? The thing was, she didn’t believe in fate, not even a little bit.

  When the show ended, she followed the guys onto their bus. Daisy took her usual seat up front next to the driver while the guys got changed. A few minutes later, Trevin came up to get her.

  When she got into the living room area, she saw that it was only Will, Trevin, and her. “Where’s everyone else?”

  “They’ve crashed for the night,” Trevin said.

  Daisy saw the dark circles under his eyes. “Do you want to go to bed? If so, I can just chill out here by myself.”

  “No, I want to hang out with you. Plus Will and I have been dying to watch this movie for weeks now.” He showed her the case of a zombie movie. “You don’t mind horror flicks, do you?”

  “They’re fine.” She glanced at her dad. “Do you mind if I watch a movie with them?”

  “No, it’s okay. I’m going to sit up front with Donnie for a while and eat my dinner,” her dad said. “I might try and get some shut-eye. If you get tired, just wake me and I’ll let you come sit up here.”

  “Okay.”

  Trevin grabbed a blanket from a nearby drawer and then patted the couch next to him. “I saved you a spot.”

  “Notice he didn’t invite me to sit there?” Will teased, pulling the lever for the footrest on the recliner. “He must like you better.”

  “Well, I do smell better,” Daisy teased.

  “Hey, I just got done dancing for like two hours and I’m too damn lazy to take a shower.” Will smacked her in the arm with a pillow. “I bet Trevin reeks, too.”

  Daisy leaned closer to Trevin. She caught a whiff of his cologne and deodorant. “Nope, he smells really good.”

  “Hmm… Is that so?” Trevin tugged her closer, sprawling out on the couch and wrapping his arms around her.

  “You do realize my dad is like ten feet from us, right?” Daisy shifted until her back was against his chest. Goose bumps broke out across her arms, but it had nothing to do with being cold.

  “Yep, but don’t worry, I’m not scared of him. Besides, I can use you as a shield.” He chuckled.

  She elbowed him in the side. “That’s real brave.”

  “I know.”

  “Are you two going to shut up so we can watch this?” Will turned up the volume.

  “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure Daisy keeps quiet.” Trevin smoothed her hair out of her face then laced his arms around her once more.

  Daisy was all too aware of his closeness. The way she fit perfectly against him. Her fingers trembled as she touched his arm, tracing the contours of his muscles. He tightened his grasp.r />
  His breath was warm against her neck as he moved his mouth closer to her ear. “You do realize your dad is ten feet from us, right?”

  “Oh, so now you’re concerned about my dad? You weren’t five seconds ago.”

  “That’s because five seconds ago, I wasn’t about to kiss you.”

  “Trevin,” she whispered. “I—we can’t.” Her heart clanged in her chest. Her body warmed from her head to her toes as if she’d been tossed on a bonfire.

  “I know. Besides, you don’t think I’m the type of guy who’s going to make out with a girl in front of other people, do you?”

  She turned slightly so she could see him, his cheek rested against hers. “I don’t know, are you?”

  He laughed. “No. I like to keep things private.” He tickled her side. “You know, you’re supposed to be watching this movie, not me.”

  She blushed. “Sorry, I got distracted.”

  “Me too. But honestly, I really don’t mind too much.”

  Daisy nestled into him, her eyes heavy. What the hell had she gotten herself into? She was one kiss away from throwing herself at his mercy. Could she still go through with all this? Did she want to? She had to clear her head. Well, maybe not tonight… Tomorrow, she’d get back on track.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Trevin awoke the next morning, the scent of apples wafting in the air. He groaned, shifting to sit up, when he realized that someone was lying right next to him. He opened his eyes to see Daisy curled up beside him on the couch.

  He lay back down, wrapping his arms around her, until he heard a throat clear. He looked up to see Beau standing there glaring at him.

  “Sure, Trevin can have a girl spend the night on the bus and we can’t,” Ryder said, staggering out from the bunk room. He opened the fridge and grabbed a slice of leftover pizza along with a Mountain Dew.

  “We just fell asleep, nothing happened.” Trevin sat up, trying not to bump Daisy awake.

  “Nothing better have happened. I thought we had a talk about this.” Beau pointed between Trevin and Daisy.

  “What’d I miss?” Miles made his way into the living room, too. He grinned when he saw Daisy sprawled out next to Trevin. “Ah, so Trevin’s the new bad boy of the group?”

  “Miles!” Beau spun on him.

  “Nothing happened,” Trevin said again, not that anyone listened to him.

  Daisy stirred, then opened her lids. When she saw her dad, she sat up with a yawn. “Is it morning already?”

  “Yes.” Beau stalked over to the couch and pulled Daisy up until she stood in the center of the room. “I think you should have a seat up front for a bit.”

  “What for?”

  “Do you need to ask?” He pointed at Trevin.

  She rolled her eyes. “I fell asleep, Dad, nothing went on. Jeez, loosen up.”

  Trevin waited for Beau to explode, but instead, he let out a loud sigh. “Everyone get some breakfast before we head into the concert hall.”

  Beau went back to the passenger seat, leaving them alone.

  “Well, bro, if you’re trying to piss off Beau, you’re doing a great job.” Ryder took a bite of pizza then washed it down with a swig of Dew.

  Miles laughed. “If we have a disgruntled fan attack us, I bet Beau lets her take Trevin out to keep him away from Daisy.”

  “Ha-ha, glad you guys think this is funny.” He scooted to the edge of the couch so he could be closer to Daisy.

  “It’s hilarious,” Will said from the recliner. “For once, you’re the one getting in trouble—you’re losing your good boy image. Bet LJ will freak if he finds out.”

  Shit. He needed to make sure Beau didn’t rat on him. Trevin had always been close to Beau, well, other than since his daughter came to visit. Out here on the tour, he was the closest thing Trevin had to a dad. And he stood up for him if LJ got too ridiculous. But would he go to him to make sure Trevin stayed away from Daisy? Trevin didn’t want to believe it, but Beau was protective of his daughter.

  Daisy glanced at him. “Sorry I got you in trouble.”

  “It’s fine. I like spending time with you. I’m not going to let this deter me.” He smiled at her. He sure hoped all the effort he was putting forth was worth it.

  Nathan walked out a moment later. “What’d I miss?”

  “Trevin getting chewed out by Beau,” Will said.

  He glanced at Daisy and Trevin. “What’d you do?”

  “He slept with Daisy last night.” Ryder winked.

  “You what?” Nathan’s head snapped up.

  “They’re teasing,” Daisy said.

  A look of relief washed over Nathan’s face and Trevin frowned. Maybe he’d guessed right and Nathan had a thing for her, too. Which would suck because he didn’t want any bad blood between them. Would he really let a girl break them up?

  “Trevin didn’t tell you about the rules on the bus?” Miles nudged Daisy’s arm. “No kissing allowed.”

  “I think I heard that during your interview yesterday,” she said.

  “But Trevin couldn’t keep his hands off her—now we’re all going to get in trouble,” Ryder said.

  Trevin blushed. “We didn’t have sex! For shit sake, we fell asleep on the couch.”

  “So he says.” Ryder finished his food and plopped down in a chair.

  After everyone ate, the band made their way off the bus and into the building. Trevin found the nearest chair and sat down with his phone in hand. He had several texts from his family. He answered his parents to let them know he was doing well then sent a message to each of his siblings. His sister Caroline’s message simply said “call me.”

  With a few minutes on his hands, he dialed her number. “So my famous brother finally found time to call his baby sis,” Caroline said from the other end.

  “Hello to you, too!”

  “So, Mom and Dad caught wind of the interview you did in Orlando—Mom about came unglued when Ryder mentioned strip clubs. I think she might actually fly out there to check on you.”

  He groaned. Even though he’d turned eighteen, his mom still thought of him as her baby who needed to be looked after. “That was a joke. You know how Ryder is.”

  “Yes, I do. So, what about the other part of the interview? Are you seeing someone?”

  “Really, Carly?” He used her nickname. “Is that the only reason you wanted to talk to me? To get some inside juicy gossip?”

  “I have to live vicariously through you. You know what I’ve done this summer? I’ve worked on the farm. If I have to bale any more hay, I might turn into a freaking scarecrow.”

  Trevin cringed. He loved his family, but his dad’s farm was pretty much everyone’s life. When he’d lived back home, he spent most of his time mucking out stalls or helping milk cows—it was a time-consuming process. He remembered how upset his dad had been when he’d first made it into the band. He wanted to know who would be there to help run things. Luckily his mom had stepped in, wanting him to have this opportunity. She knew he snuck his guitar up into the hayloft to write music, and that when he was stuck on a tractor he sang all the time.

  He wanted more from life than just living on the farm. It was nice to go home and see everyone, but he had plans of his own.

  “Trev, you still there?” Caroline said.

  “Yeah, sorry, I got distracted. We just got to our new venue in South Carolina, and everything is crazy with the unloading of sets and costumes getting lugged in.”

  “So? Are you going to tell me about this girl?”

  “Fine, but you better keep your mouth shut.”

  “I promise. Besides, it’s summer, who am I going to tell? The goats?”

  “Our bodyguard’s daughter came out for the summer—and I kind of have a thing for her.”

  “Beau’s daughter?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Okay, you kind of have a thing for her, or do you actually like her?”

  “I like her, a lot. I don’t know. She’s different than the girls I nor
mally meet out on tour. Like when we first met, she hated me. I mean, she literally snubbed me any chance she got,” Trevin said. He sat up suddenly. Had he really admitted to liking her out loud? Did he say it just to get his sister off his back, or had this bet turned into something more? Problem was, with recent things that’d happened, he knew he had to pay more attention to what went on with the band. If the whole “hacking” thing wasn’t evidence enough.

  “Ooh, I like her already.” Caroline laughed.

  “Nice—way to stand up for your big bro.”

  “So does she have a name?”

  “Daisy Morris.”

  “Hmm… Why does that name sound so familiar?” Caroline asked.

  Trevin could practically hear the wheels turning on the other end. “I have no idea. But listen, I need to go for now. Lester just waltzed in and he looks irritated.”

  “Fine—but don’t wait so long to call again. I miss you.”

  “Miss you too.”

  Trevin hung up, wishing his sister could get away from the farm like he had. She was a talented artist who sold some of her paintings during the fair every year. Her art teacher had a camp she wanted Caroline to attend, but so far, their dad hadn’t budged. He hoped their mom could convince him. But his dad had always been a no-nonsense type of guy. As in singing, art, acting—that stuff wasn’t real work. He wanted them all to go to college or join the military. Not waste their lives. Or, in Trevin’s case, he’d planned on him taking over the farm one day, which obviously wasn’t going to happen.

  When Trevin had gotten his first big check from S2J, he’d bought his parents a new truck and given each of his five siblings some money for shopping. His dad had been pissed with him—telling him he was just showing off and tossing his money around. When all Trevin had wanted to do was help them out.

  After that, his mom wouldn’t let him do anything big for any of them. Although, he did still sneak his siblings cash for stuff. He wondered if his dad would ever be proud of him for what he’d accomplished.

  “Why so serious?” Daisy stood over him.

  He pasted on a smile. “No reason, just tired.”

  “I think Miles and Ryder just went to lie down in their dressing rooms,” Daisy said.