Ransom(99)

I’m just about at my limit. Changing the circumstances would require leaving the tour to go find Daisy, which just so happens to be the very thing I want to do. But it’s not an option right now, and I’m doing everything I can to hold it together so I can live up to my responsibilities. For him to throw it back in my face right now…

“Are you listening to me?” he asks. “Because you owe your brothers and your fans a much better effort than you’re—”

“That’s it.” I stand, knocking my piano stool over in my haste. “I’m done with rehearsal. I’ll see you all at sound check.”

“Daltrey, you get back here!”

But I’m already stalking off into the wings. My heart is pounding so hard it feels like it might hammer its way out of my chest. I’m angry at my dad, angry at the tour, angry at myself. We only have two shows left, but I’m not entirely sure I’ll be able to get through them. We’re finishing the tour up in Cleveland, our big triumphant homecoming show.

I snort at the thought, pushing open the door to the green room so hard it bounces off the wall and nearly hits my shoulder on the way back. Homecoming, my ass. The local press is having a field day. I made my court appearance yesterday, a minor assault charge, but from the way they’re acting, I may as well have committed murder. They all seem obsessed with where we go and what we do, and why Daisy hasn’t been seen with us. It’s bad enough that I can’t stop worrying about her. Having them shout her name at me every time I go outside is not helping.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Dad asks.

I close my eyes and groan. I keep my back to him, remembering how Daisy calmed herself with those huge deep breaths of hers. Before I get the chance to try it, his hand is on my shoulder, spinning me around.

He looks livid. “I asked you a question.”

“I’m done, Dad. If the guys want to rehearse, that’s fine. But I’m done being lectured. It’s not doing me any good.”

“You think you get to dictate what—”

“Yes. I will dictate the conditions under which I perform. In case you haven’t noticed, I’m having a hard time tapping into my creativity right now. Being made to feel like a stupid little boy is not helping.”

He takes a step back. “I’m not trying to make you feel like a stupid little boy. I’m trying to snap you out of this. You have responsibilities, people counting on you.”

“Do you think I don’t know that? Damn it, Dad, if it was up to me, I would have left two weeks ago to find Daisy. It’s all I can think about. Levi won’t talk to me anymore. I don’t even know if she’s okay! The only reason I’m here at all is because I’m trying to be responsible.”

“It all comes back to her, doesn’t it?”

I turn away. “Seriously? You know how I feel—”

“Stop right there. We are not done with this conversation.”

I sigh but don’t walk away.

“I know you think you love her, son.”

I face him. “I do love her.”

“Daltrey, you don’t have the luxury of acting like some high school kid with a crush.”

I could punch him. I really could. “Do you think that’s what this is? She’s not a crush, Dad. She’s my best friend. She’s been my best friend since I was five years old. She was the one I went to when I was sad and lonely and scared after Mom left.”

“And did you learn anything from that?” he asks. “From her leaving? Because I learned something, Daltrey. I learned that you should never put a girlfriend over your work.”

I narrow my eyes. “I’m sorry you regret leaving your band, Dad. I really am. But this is not the same.”

“How is it not the same?”

“Because Daisy would never ask me to leave!” I yell, my temper officially shot now. “She wanted this for me as much as I did, and she would never ask me to give it up.”

“She might not ask you to, Daltrey, but she could still make you lose it all.”

“How?” I can’t believe him. He, of all people, knows how much she’s helped us, how much of her own time she’s put into our success over the years.

“She was hospitalized. She’s clearly not stable. What if she can’t deal with all of this?” He spreads his arms wide as if to encompass the venue, the band, and even the fans outside. “What will you do then?”

“We’ll figure it out together.”

He shakes his head. “You’re being naive. She’s not fit to be here or to be a part of this—”