Ransom(102)

I hold the phone away from my ear, her squealing acutely painful. When she seems to have quieted, I try to get a word in. “Yeah, I’m okay.”

“Where are you? We’re worried sick!”

“I’m at Levi’s parents’ place in Michigan.”

“You’re in Michigan? What’s going on? Daltrey keeps asking us if we’ve heard from you—”

I frown again. I was under the impression Daltrey was getting regular updates from Levi.

“—and you haven’t returned any of our calls, and everyone is just really upset and worried.”

“I want to tell you what’s going on, Paige, but you need to let me talk first.”

“Oh. Right. Sorry.”

“Where are you, by the way? Are you near any of the guys?”

“No, I’m in my room. Karen’s out shopping, so I’m totally alone.”

I’m relieved at that. I wouldn’t mind talking to Karen, but I can do without Paige insisting on relaying everything to her.

“So what’s going on? I really miss you! I’ve been so worried.”

I lean back in the wicker chair. “I miss you, too,” I say, my voice shaking a bit. “I wish you were here.”

“So you’ve just been hiding out with Levi?”

“Yeah. His parents have a place up here by the lake. It’s actually been perfect. Totally secluded. It was exactly what I needed after… everything.”

“Oh, Daisy, it’s been nuts around here.” She then proceeds to tell me about all the increased attention Daltrey has been getting since his release and the extra work the boys are doing to try to make up for the scandal.

I close my eyes, feeling horribly guilty. “If I would have just kept my mouth closed, none of this would have ever happened. Daltrey would have never gone after Justin.”

“That’s silly, Daisy. He’s a grown man. He needs to be responsible for his own decisions.”

“That’s what Levi keeps saying. He’s pretty pissed at Daltrey.”

“What about you?” she asks. “Are you mad?”

I pause, considering that. Since I’ve been here, most of my worrying has been about my pictures getting out and about being in the public eye. I’ve even been worried about Daltrey being angry with me for running. “I don’t know. I really don’t. When Levi talks about how Dalt should have known better, I guess that makes sense to me. But at the same time… like, these things happened to me, and I reacted in a very emotional way, you know? I ran away from New York. Before that, I hid from Daltrey. Before that, I tried to… end things. Should I be judging anyone for letting their emotions dictate their behavior?”

“I don’t know if you should, but I also understand if you do. His actions led to the press finding out about you, Daisy. You’re allowed to be mad about that.”

“I guess so,” I say uncertainly.

“Honestly, I just assumed you were, and that’s why you haven’t called him.”

“I haven’t called him for the same reason I’ve messed up everything else. I’ve been too scared.”

“Why would you be scared? He’s going crazy waiting to hear from you! Levi told him you didn’t want to talk, but then Levi—”

“Wait. Go back to that. Levi told him I didn’t want to talk?”

“Yeah. He said you were still processing everything, and you didn’t think it would be good to talk to him yet.”

“I never said that.” Something cold sneaks into my belly. Has Levi been lying to me this whole time?

“Well, then Levi stopped calling, and Daltrey’s really been freaking out.”

I’ve been so stupid. I assumed Levi was calling Daltrey every time he went into town to get a signal. “This is all such a mess,” I mutter. “And now Levi is telling me he has feelings for me and making me even more confused.”

“Hang on. Levi said he has feelings for you?”

I take a quick look over my shoulder to make sure I’m still alone. “Yeah. He said he always has, but he assumed I’d end up with Daltrey.”

“Um, did he really think this was the time for that kind of admission?” She sounds incredulous.

I smile. “I think he was fully aware of the inopportune timing, yes. But he said he was afraid I was going to go straight back out there after Daltrey, and he wanted to make sure I knew my options.”

“Wow.”

“He seems to think I don’t consider my choices, that I’ve just assumed I’m supposed to be with Daltrey for so long that I have my eyes shut.”

“What do you think?”