“No, not yet. The lawyers are talking to Daisy’s dad. It looks like there was some threatened lawsuit at the time, and the pictures were sealed. But a lot of people had them, man, so there’s no guarantee it will stay that way.”
I close my eyes. This is all my fault. Daisy’s name is in the news. People know about this terrible thing that happened to her, this thing she tried to keep a secret for so long. It’s my fault. And it’s also my fault that I’m not there with her right now to help her deal with it.
“Who’s with her?” I ask, my eyes still closed. I can’t get the image out of my head of Daisy at the top of the Empire State Building, so scared and panicked that she couldn’t even breathe.
“Levi took her out of the hotel. There was press there and…”
My eyes snap open. “The press?”
He nods, looking miserable. “They went back before any of us, bro. She and Levi didn’t have anyone with them.”
I picture Daisy trying to get through the throng of reporters with no one to help her but Levi, and suddenly, I’m sure I’m going to be sick.
“But Levi got her out of there, man. He texted Lennon to let him know.”
“Where’d they go?”
“Levi wasn’t sure where they were gonna go, yet. I think they’re just driving. For now at least.”
I nod, feeling marginally better. If Levi is with her, she’ll be okay. He’s been looking out for her and her friends ever since they joined the tour. But one thing is certain. I need to get the hell out of here.
“Reed, you have to get me released. I’ll do whatever I have to do, pay whatever bail they want. I’ll go straight back to Ohio to be charged tomorrow. But I have to get out of here. She needs me.”
He raises his eyebrows. “Not that I doubt that, Dalt, but there’s also the little matter of our tour, you know? We have several more shows left.”
I grimace. The tour is the last thing on my mind. “Then use that angle to press the lawyers. Don’t allow them to let up.”
“We won’t, man.”
There’s a rapping on the door, then John sticks his head back in. “We’re out of time.”
I look across the table at my oldest brother, feeling terrified. They’re going to leave me here, alone. And I’ll be spending the night in jail. I know it’s not the end of the world, know I can handle it. But it’s still not an idea I like very much, particularly not when I know Daisy is out there even more scared and alone than I am.
Reed surprises me by pulling me into a hug. “It’s going to be fine, man.”
“I’m sorry,” I mutter into his shoulder. “I know I’m screwing things up for you guys.”
“Let’s just focus on getting you out of here, okay?”
I nod, pulling back and avoiding his eyes so he won’t know how close to tears I am.
“We’ll be in touch tomorrow, Daltrey,” John says, shaking my hand. “I’m sorry we weren’t able to get you released tonight, but I promise you it’s our top priority.”
“Thanks.”
The officer escorts me back to my cell. As I walk back down the dingy hallway with the grey peeling paint, I think about how I woke up this morning with Daisy in my arms. It was literally a dream come true, something I’ve wished for for years. Yet less than twenty-four hours later, I’ll be sleeping alone on a cot behind bars.
I messed up the tour for my brothers, for all the crew that works for us, and for the fans who we owe everything to. But none of that even compares to what I did to Daisy. With one stupid swing of my fist, I not only put her directly into the spotlight she abhorred, I also left her alone to deal with the consequences.
The officer locks the door of the holding cell, and I flop down onto the cot. I really, really screwed up this time. And the people I love are the ones who have to pay for it.
Chapter Twenty-six
Daisy
Levi arranges a car to meet us in the parking garage, far from the eyes of the press and the gawkers. We drive straight out of the New York, Levi behind the wheel, allowing me to sit in numb silence.
After an hour or so, I ask, “Where are we going?”
“Where do you want to go?”
I stare out the dark window. “Somewhere far away,” I whisper, not caring how stupid that sounds. Levi has a job with the band. I can’t ask him to take me away. But maybe he could get me to an airport or something.
He nods. “I thought you might say that. What do you think about northern Michigan? My family has a place. It’s quiet and private.”
“Michigan? That’s like, a day away.”